"Nothing lasts forever" is a phrase loved by military wives (and husbands!!) everywhere. As Ned deployment S-L-O-W-L-Y inches its way to being over- my heart is filled with gratitude for all military families. I am fortunate to have my husband only gone for about 3-4 months at a time, but there are many family who are dealing with 12-18 month deployments. At the end of this deployment, Ned will have been gone 7 months out of this service year. But I am grateful to him and his service and hard work. There are days where I am tired of feeling like a single mom. Holidays, birthdays and anniversaries don't care if your spouse is deployed...they come and go anyway. When I get down about things I remind myself that throughout the history of this great country many brave men and women have sacrificed thier time, talents and very lives to protect our freedom and endorse the freedoms of others. While we may not all agree with one another on politics, I think it's safe to say we all know these brave Soldiars and Sailors are heros. I am proud to say that I love my Sailor!

Fishing...

Here are some pictures Ned sent to me from out at sea. Deep sea fishing has grown into a new hobby for Ned because their isn't much of anything else to do. Great job, honey!

Amy and I were at the store and Almay was having a huge sale and all of thier makeup was half off. Anyway...they have these collections for your eyes that is specific to your eye color. So I have green eyes, so these are the collections for me. Anyway, what I love about is that the mascara is colored! It's like a raisin color. I thought it was going to look tacky, but honestly you can't even tell really once it's on. it just really brings out the color of your eyes. Fun stuff! Try it!

Amy and I decided to take the girls to get thier hair cut today. It has been long over due with Tatum, and I was excited to get it cut! The thing about Tatum is that she was bald forever, so now that she has beautiful hair I hate cutting it off. But lately she has been crying when I have to wash her hair because it's too long and fixing it in the mornng is always a chore. So we went with a short, A-line cut. She looks so cute with it. Tatum brightens my days and is such a joy to be around. She is a big help and gives me lots of hugs...especially when Dad is gone. Right now she is loving being with her cousins and seeing everyone. You're beautiful, Tatie!

If there is one thing that melts my heart, it is my son's smile. Carson is such a cutie and makes me laugh all day long. He is so expressive in everything he does! Carson is now running around and causing all kinds of trouble. I think it's great...especially since I've been through the toddler stage before, I'm not as stressed out.

Tatum with Amy!

Blast from the past...

I have been LAZY with my blog lately. Things here have been so crazy. While at my in-laws this afternoon I was goign through some of my Mother-in-law's pictures and found some random ones that I thought I'd share. Things with us are ok right now. It has been a long couple of months and there has been a lot of changes that the kids are having a hard time with. But we're getting through one day at a time and grateful for modern technology that lets us communicate with Ned. Enjoy some pictures from back in the day!

These are pictures of Ned when he was little. I seriously feel like I am looking at Carson...crazy!

What a good lookin' Elder!

Ok, Ned doesn't know I'm putting things up...but I came across these pics on my mother in law's computer and I thought they were just too cute. I am missing Ned like CRAZY and these made me smile. Ned just makes me smile. Anyway, here are a couple pictures from his mission to Portugal. While he was knocking doors in Europe, I was an akward, way too tall high schooler hoping that there was someone out there for me.

Some fond memories...

Here are some pictures from when Ned and I were "Dating". I use the term loosely because we basicly went from strangers to engaged in a couple weeks. The typical Mormon whirlwind romance. But hey...do you blame me? He was just too special. Anyway, I realized most of you have never seen my wedding photos, so here you go! This is a few weeks before Ned and I got married.
This was the first visit to Ned's family. I had flown out to AZ to meet everyone.

Ned and I at his parent's home.

Ned and I at our Indiana open house a couple weeks after we were married.

The ideal woman...

So lately I have been feeling kind of down about some things. Mainly about my inadequacies as a mom. I thought I had my life together well enough until I came to Utah for a visit. For some reason, I feel as though everything about me has been put under a microscope. Here I am frazzled enough with my two kids and I go to the store and see girls who couldn't be more than 28 with 3 or 4 kids. And not only that, but they look beautiful and thier kids and dressed perfectly and they seem to not be phased by anything. Am I being judgmental? Of course but I can't help it. Anyway, my friend Miriam posted this poem on her blog and it made me realize that we are all just trying to be good women. One of my favorite quotes from President Hinkley is "Just do the best you can. Just make sure it's your very best". I know that I can become a better person everyday and a better mother. Even if I don't meet everything on this checklist! Enjoy...

The Whirl Girl

By Vickie Gunther

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,But that is not all!
Oh, no. That is not all,
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each 'lost lamb' on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write 'thank you's' to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!


It's easy!' she said and then she dropped dead.

Something fun...

One Word
You can only type one word answers. It's not as easy as you might think. Give it a try
!1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? Neddie
3. Your hair? brown
4. Your mother? Joyce
5. Your father? Bob
6. Your favorite thing? Homecomings
7. Your dream last night? none
8. Your favorite drink? water
9. Your dream/goal? happiness
10. The room you’re in? office
11. Your ex? Married
12. Your fear? Snakes
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Home
14. Where were you last night? Utah
15. What you’re not? short
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. One of your wish list items? Neddie
18. Where you grew up? Indiana
19. The last thing you did? taxes
20. What are you wearing? clothes
21. Your TV? nothing
22. Your pets? never
23. Your computer? lifeline
24. Your life? complete
25. Your mood? anxious
26. Missing someone? Neddie
27. Your car? Parked
28. Something you’re not wearing? socks
29. Favorite Store? K-Mart
30. Your summer? Windy
31. Like someone? you!
32. Your favorite color? green
33. When is the last time you laughed? morning
34. Last time you cried? Easter
35. Who will/would re-post this? anyone

Navy Wife's Prayer

Author unknown

Dear Lord, give me greatness of heart to see,

The difference between duty and his love for me.

Give me a task to do each day,

to help pass the time while he is away;

Give me the understanding, so that I may know,

That when duty calls he must go;

And, Dear Lord, when he goes out to sea,

please bring him home safely to me.

For some reason, Heavenly Father has allowed me to fulfill my dreams. He has given me the chance to be a wife and a mother. I hope that Heavenly Father will give me the daily strength and courage to be the kind of mother that He knows I can be. Tatum and Carson have in many ways changed my life. I am grateful to them for all that they do for me.

Here is a picture of me and my Carson from today!

I had the rare and special oppurtunity to attend Sunday morning conference with some of Ned's family. It was a great experience and I am so grateful for it. President Monson is amazing and I truly gained a testimony of his love for the Lord. It was awesome standing with the choir singing How Firm a Foundation!

Here are some pictures from the morning!

Susie's Cake!

As a suprise for my wonderful mother-in-law, Susie....Amy and I made a cake for her birthday Sunday. I use the term "Amy and I" rather loosely because I did very little in the actual decorating, but it was a a team effort. I still haven't given the cake to Susie, so hopefully she'll like it and have a happy birthday!