My Birthday

Saturday was a lot of fun. My friends Katherine and Katrina planned an evening out. They took care of the babysitter and we went out to see a movie and then out to dinner. It was a really nice day and a great way to spend my birthday.



Ben is settled back in and passed his PC checkride and exam. He said it's been really hot lately and they've had a lot of dust storms. He's on a night rotation now. At least it means we are both going to bed around the same time and we usually have more time to get on the computer and chat or talk on the phone.

I emailed out info about the new troop T-shirts. If you didn't get it or need more info about it, let me know and I'll get it to you. The orders are due May 15. These shirts aren't girly, so anyone who didn't want a girly shirt but did want one can order these.

Lauren is responding well to the Zyrtec. Almost immediately her nose stopped running. She's still had a bit of a cough, but less and less every day. I think it will take a little longer for that to go away, but if it doesn't go away soon, I'll make another appointment for her to get that checked out.

She sings all the time. Today we called her Aunt Sarah and Lauren serenaded her with the chorus to "Hey There, Delilah" and "Sweet Caroline". I've been trying to capture it on video, but of course she clams up when I pull out the camera. I will keep trying, though.

And, I'm happy to say my resolution to read 12 books this year is coming along great. We're five months into the year and I've read 7 books so far. I've got a couple to read sitting here, but I haven't decided which one will be next.

Kuwait, Ear Infection, T-shirts

Ben is now in Kuwait. It will be a little while before he gets to Iraq, and that's just fine with me. He could stay the entire deployment in Kuwait and I'd be thrilled. We've gotten to talk on yahoo messenger a few times and he's gotten to see Lauren on the webcam. Hopefully we'll get a better connection in his room in Iraq so she can see him, too.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Lauren and I will be going to Katrina's house. It will be Katrina and her three daughters, Arlie and her son and daughter, Kim and her son and daughter, Amy and her son and niece, and Katrina's brother with his girlfriend. Packed house! I'll be making an apple pie, cranberry sauce, and the green bean casserole. I'm looking forward to hanging out with everyone and eating lots of good food.

Lauren has an ear infection. She started acting sick last Thursday and I took her to see the pediatrician on Monday. She's on antibiotics now and already doing a lot better. She'll have to stay on the medicine until Saturday morning.

We got our T-shirts back yesterday! Thanks to everyone who bought one! I'll get them all packaged up and I'll try to get them out on Saturday or early next week. Our final total raised was over $700! We should be able to plan some great events with that money.

This year for Christmas, Lauren and I will be driving to Albuquerque. I only plan to stay about a week and a half, and hopefully the weather will cooperate for smooth driving. I'm going to save flying to California until after the holidays when maybe I'll feel less stressed out about it and everyone has a little more time to hang out.

Oh, and for everyone that I send Ben's mailing address to: please hold on and let me get you the more current info. We've been notified of a change, and I'll send it out in an email as soon as we have the right (or at least newest) information.

Portraits, Pumpkins, Upcoming Visitors and T-Shirts!

Yesterday we had family portraits done at Sears. We're supposed to get them back on the 31st. I'll send out the ones I ordered when I get them.


Yesterday afternoon we went to a pumpkin patch and took some pictures. We met up with our friends, Katrina and Alton, and their three girls, Paige, Grace and Quinn. Lauren and Quinn had a great time running around the pumpkin patch together. They rode in a wagon and pushed around a toy lawnmower that was randomly there for the kids to play with. We went to dinner afterwards.





We're looking forward to Sarah and Evan coming to visit this weekend. They get here on Friday which is Ben's birthday and leave on Sunday, so it will be a short visit, but I"m sure it will be fun.


Also, I'm sure I've sent out tons of emails about the T-shirts we've been selling, and I'm sure you're all sick of hearing about them by now. I want to send a big THANK YOU to everyone who purchased one. I've managed to sell about 25 shirts, and it sounds like the other wives are selling a lot, too. I'm really proud of this project since I designed the artwork for the shirts. Plus, it's all going to some really fantastic families of some really fantastic soldiers. :)


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