THEY'RE ENGAGED!!

I couldn't be happier and this is why.......

You see, my youngest son is home from Afghanistan for 15 days of R & R and on his second day back home, he surprised his girlfriend of 8 years. It was her 22nd birthday, she had no idea he was home on R & R. Once she recovered from that surprise, surrounded by family and friends, he got down on one knee and proposed!!! He actually waited until we were finished with dinner before he did the proposing. We figured if he proposed before dinner, she wouldn't be able to eat!

Now, my family and I have had a tremendous amount of sadness over the last 6 months (I'll post about that later) and it's nice to know that there is still joy to be had in this world.

I really couldn't be happier!

I love her like I love my only daughter!

My son couldn't envision his life without her. His deployment made that very clear for him!

Kale and Kacey.....I love you both very much and my hope for you both is nothing less than a lifetime of happiness!

JOYFULLY,

Cindy

Weekend Fun!

This is probably the last time that Keira and Jaden and will get to see their Uncle Kale for a year or so...you see he leaves next Saturday to prepare for his deployment to Afghanistan. I'm still not sure of his exact schedule - I think that is what selective amnesia is for!!! He'll be home for 3-4 days the end of March, for sure, and then we are hoping for a few days the first part of May, that I'm not sure of. And then, he will be in Afghanistan sometime in June...this mother's worst nightmare come true!
So...this weekend has been all about family, fun and food!
Uncle Kale promised to take Jaden fishing.

And this was their first catch of the day!! By the look on Jaden's face I don't think that he is quite sure about wiggly and slimmy~!
And then Keira had fun with her Uncle Kale chasing Jaden. Her little legs couldn't ever catch her big brother so Uncle Kale had to help. He hoisted her on his shoulders and the chase was on! She laughed so hard you couldn't help but laugh too!

I just love this picture!!

Right after this picture was taken Auntie Erin and I went home to start dinner. On the menu, Hillbilly Spaghetti! This has become one of my family's favorites!
Keira and Jaden spent the night to spend even more time with their Uncle Kale.

On the agenda today, Keira and I are going to make Uncle Kale cake balls!

Here's to the memories that will have to last us a year!

Hugs,

Cindy

Large Oklahoma National Guard Deployment

Large Oklahoma National Guard Deployment

What I've been dreading....
My youngest son is being deployed to Afghanistan!
Here is what we know so far:
He leaves March 2011 and returns March 2012.
Hugs,
Cindy

My sweet mother turns 75 today!
I love you mom!
Big Hugs,
Cindy

What Make a Dad

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Them god combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was completed,

And so,

He called it...Dad

~~Author Unknown~~

Well, it has been 2 weeks now since my youngest son Kale left for basic training and I am sure missing him! This is him and his ever so sweet girlfriend Kacey at the airport just minutes before he had to leave.
Brotherly love! Kale and Nathan!

Thumbs Up - I'm sure that this is suppose to be a good thing!

Last Kiss

I have gotten 2 letters since he has been gone and I read them over and over. He has called 3 times with the last time being Friday and we only had 10 minutes. He said that he has sent a letter with his graduation date and a family weekend sometime in July. At least now I have something to look forward too and you know that Kacey and I will be at both!
2 down and 13 weeks to go! Gosh, it's going to be a long summer!

Hugs,

Cindy

I wanted to share my all time favorite picture of my one and only granddaughter, Kiera Marie!
She is sitting on her Uncle Nathan's lap and chewing on his Air Force Dog Tags! Careful Kiera! If lost behind enemy lines we have to be able to read them! We do want Uncle Nathan to come home, right Kiera?!
My son Nathan, granddaughter Kiera and one and only grandson Jaden!

There is nothing better in the whole wide world than being a grandmother!!
Hugs,

Cindy