Since I was already being crafty..

I had to come up with something to do for teachers gifts for Hallie's teacher and her teacher's aide.  Then I remembered that I still had these aprons all cut out...they just needed some sewing.

And, VIOLA!  Teachers gifts.  I feel like they're perfect for Kindergarten teachers.

Somebody stop me.....

from tie dying everything that is white in my house. 

I think I'm addicted.

I LOVE how these hooded sweatshirts turned out.

Hallie can't wait to wear hers to school tomorrow.

Dad.

So sometimes my Dad played practical jokes on us as kids. 

I think it was one of his favorite things to do.

I remember being offered candy as a kid and being told "shhhh! Don't tell the other kids."

I thought I'd just scored.

Until I sucked that piece of cherry hard candy right down to the core to find it was filled with garlic. 

I then spent the next 2 hours spitting and brushing my teeth.

I remember Daniel having the worst night of his life when my Dad filled his bed with itching powder.

He kept shaking his blankets onto the floor, then finally abandoned his bed and moved to the floor (where he had shook all the itching powder) only to be met with an equally itchy floor.

I remember when Mimi came to babysit us one night and my Dad had filled the toilet with dried ice.

When she went to use the potty, she screamed and nearly had a heart attack.

I remember sitting around the dinner table as a family with the newest invention my Dad had made to shock people and all holding hands around the table and getting the crap shocked out of us as a family.  I like to think of it as family bonding time with spark.

I remember piles of fake poop being found on the bathroom floor with a scream from siblings or myself.

I remember a phone call on April fools day when I was 4 months pregnant with Hallie from Dad announcing that my Mom was having another baby and our babies would be the same age.

I remember trips to the trick store on mainstreet in Disneyland with Dad were always super exciting.

I remember growing up and my Dad calling my Mom the enemy of fun.  lol.

I remember many nights playing hide and go seek in the dark in our little house with 8 kids and Dad was always the hardest to find.  I remember being terrified that I would find him because he would scare the crap out of me.  I also remember not wanting to be between him and SAFE...because he would plow you down.

I remember how fun my Dad was.

But I also remember him working long hours at a physically demanding job that he didn't necessarily love because he took his job as the provider for our large family seriously.

I remember him trying so hard to get through college while having 8 kids and working long hours because he wanted to make the best life possible for his family.

I remember his walking in the door from work every day to find my Mom in the kitchen cooking dinner where he would go to her and wrap his arms around her and kiss her.  Even with a bunch of kids watching saying, "EWWWWW".

I remember him making the long drive back and forth from Idaho to take me to and from College.

I remember him spending hours helping me with math and spanish.

I remember him being a good Dad...and he still is. 

I'm grateful that I had an example of a Dad who worked hard to support his family and tried to raise them close to the Lord.  It made it that much easier when it came time to find a husband I wanted to be with forever, because I had an example of what a good Dad and Husband does for his family.

Thanks Dad for all you did and continue to do to keep all your kids on the right path.

Even if while we're on that path we have the taste of garlic in our mouths.

Oh Captain, My Captain.

(This picture was taken on our honeymoon in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico)

  If on this day about 7 years ago someone had told me in a few years I'd be living in Germany, with a husband who is (as of today) a Captain in the Airforce, two children and number three on the way I'm pretty sure I would have called them a liar.  I never foresaw our life becoming a military life, and never imagined Matt as the kind of guy who would be happy in the military (I mean really...he's the most laid back person I know).  And now here we are!  Honestly having the time of our lives (minus the whole absentee husband half the time) and totally immersed in Military life.  In the last seven years I've watched Matt set himself goals and meet them, taking me along for the ride.  We felt so accomplished when he graduated from College...thought that meant a good job was waiting around the corner.  No such luck.  When he started considering the Airforce I told him I would alway support him in what he chose as a career as long as it was honest and could support our family, so he went out after Officer Training School. 

       It was a long process to get in, but by the time Chase was born Matt had finished Officer Training School and we were off to live in Florida for more job specific training.  While we were in Florida, Matt started doing ground school for his private pilots license (remember that Matt? haha) and did well in the academics to become an Air Battle Manager.   I would explain to you what that is, but everytime I try Matt starts making fun of me because I don't know what I'm talking about.  I just know he flies on the AWACS plane and talks to a bunch of fighter jets about...stuff.  ANYWAYS, from the time we arrived in Florida Matt had his sights set on being stationed in Germany.  He wanted to come back to the area where he had served a mission for our Church for two years of his life (in Austria) and get to brush up on his German.  Once again...with some hard work and the lucky star that Matt has hanging over his head his wish was granted and we were off to Germany. 

     We have really loved it here.  We've gotten to see things we never thought we'd see, experience the way other cultures live, and pretty soon here experience the way other cultures have babies (I've heard they still get out the same way..ha).  Within the first few weeks after we got here Matt started looking into his options for completing his Masters Degree.  So Matt, who never ceases to amaze me, has managed over the past 2 1/2 years to support his family, take them on amazing vacations, work hard at his job, has almost finished his Masters Degree in International Relations, and today pinned on the rank of Captain.  I'm so proud of this man who provides for our family in every aspect...not just financially.  He's my best friend, which makes this whole military/seperation thing extra hard on me because I REALLY miss him when he's gone.  I'm proud to have a Husband who serves his God, his Family, and his Country...and somehow makes it look easy.  Congrats Captain Matt....now lets discuss your great big raise and my new...bigger..better shopping budget.  Love you.   

Scrabble.

So Matt and I have regular online Scrabble dates to keep in touch with eachother while he's gone.  Our convos look a little something like this.  I may have edited out a few bad words.  haha.

Sara: ch?

gimme a break

Matt: you dont need a break preemie

Sara: you don't know what a preemie is?

a baby who is born early?

Matt: that is not how it should be spelled

Sara: yes it is

Matt: covin?

you know what that means?

Sara: yes

Matt: i didnt think so

Sara: it's a conspiracy between two people

Matt: you cheat

Sara: you cheat. cheater.

AND you're a sore loser

I was going to take that spot.

I would have been able to use ALL my letters

again

:)

Matt: i was going to spell porny where you spelled covin

which is a fake word

you cost me 30 pts

Sara: you just cost me 80

you'reeeeeeeeeee up

jerk.

that was what I was going to do

only with a waaaaaaay better word

Matt: instead you spelled zory

Sara: zori

spell it right champ

muah hahaha

Matt: cheater is also 7 letters

Sara: you're one to TALK

modi

does it hurt to be losing this badly?

Matt: you had all the freakin s's

Sara: YOUR turn

booyah

Matt: what did you spell

Sara: vin

Matt: i hate how it never shows the last move

Sara: are you crying right now?

Matt: no

Sara: don't cry.

We really do love eachother....I promise.
He just started another game to try to redeem himself....I guess I have to go.
I won't mention that our last score was 445 to 235.  We won't talk about that. 

Nothing makes you feel like a bad parent like....

when you take your Children to the dentist and find out one of them, who will remain nameless (Hallie), has 5...FIVE...cavities.  Yowza.  Especially since this child happens to be a teeth brushing FANATIC.  However, we're not flossers.  Do people seriously floss their kids teeth?  Aparently I'm supposed to.  So now, once this ordeal is over, Hallie will look like Captain Jack Sparrow and it will be MY fault.  Awesome.  Today I hung my head in front of the Dentist in shame.  I might have been able to fib my way out of it if the Dentist hadn't asked Hallie herself if she flosses and she replied with a definent "NO".  That's when my face turned red and my eyes turned downward to the floor and I wanted to die.  It's probably like finding out your child has lice and you feel like people think you're dirty.  We all know that's not the case....but you are still horrified.  I'm gonna go do something now.  Maybe floss Chase's teeth for fun.

Slovenia Videos...

You will have to excuse my man-cackle and lame jokes in this video....I was sleep deprived, ok?


Since Matt is gone right now, I've watched this video about a million times and keep thinking..."he's so handsome."  With a wistful exhale. 

Pictures to come.....