homecoming

I'm gonna keep this short. I hope in the grand scheme of things, you remember these small happy moments, instead of all the not so happy ones. I hope that although I can not fill the void that you may have had these past 3 months, that I have been enough. I hope that I have hugged you, kissed you, and loved you enough for the both of us.

goals for 2016

The beginning of another year is almost upon us. I'd like to take a minute to see everything we've done this year, and hopefully what we'll do in the upcoming one.

What we did in 2015:

• Construction on the new house was up and running
• Ellie turned ONE and started walking!
• Belly turned 7
• Belly went to her first baseball game
• We took our first real road-trip (and we survived to tell the tale)
• We became Potterheads :)
• Dad left 

What I hope we can accomplish in 2016:

• Have dad back home (hopefully without him leaving again)
• Go on vacation (a REAL one)
• Make Chief!
• Move in to the new house
• Get Ellie into school (yay!)
• Take more time off/spend more time together
• Volunteer more

words (from dad)

Sorry, kids. This was overdue, and I should have done more e-mails or blogs over the last few months.

My beautiful Baby Bella,

It's kind of ironic I start with the word "sorry," I sometimes feel like I am always apologizing to you for something; whether it's missing a field trip, not being able to pick you up from school, or other things that come up, but this time it's a bigger deal.

This time I am apologizing to you for missing Christmas. It's even hard to type that. Bella, your mom has told you that I am a military man; well, I am. You are young now and might not realize certain things in life, but you are so smart (smarter than me, for sure) and you will. One thing is SACRIFICE. Bella, as sad as you are for me not being there with you, I am even sadder. I woke up this morning thinking about this: this is the first Christmas I will miss with you since you were born! The last time I was away for the holidays you and mom came to visit me in Virginia for Christmas, which was cool.

I mention sacrifice, because your dad does not know many things...the NAVY is one that I do know, and I would like to think  I am good at it. Whenever I leave to go work for the Navy, those decisions are not easy for me and your MOM. I think the decisions I make are the right ones and are at the end of the day to benefit you and your sister. One of my biggest fears is that I am wrong  on this matter, and you will never forgive me for this. I do this so that you have a better life, so that you have some the better things in life that I did not have. Don't get me wrong, I too, was blessed with my parents and had everything I needed, but I want more for you and your sister. So the sacrifice piece is sometimes I have to be away. 

I wont promise you this is the last time I will leave, because I am not prepared to start breaking promises to you. What I will promise is that you, your mom and Ellie are always my priority in any decisions. This is another reason why you should love your mom a little more, kiss her more, and hug her more... without her, WE can't do this. She holds us together and is my best adviser on all things...( one day you will read between the lines kid, lol). 

So from the bottom of my heart, I am sorry I am not there, but I will be there for New Year's, and we can have a special celebration!

My Ellie,

What can I say, my little sunshine. You are still too young to know what's going, but I know that everything I just told Bella will apply to you in time. The good thing for you is I am getting closer to the end of my NAVY career, so you may not see too much action. This is why you need to respect and listen to your big sister; she has been here a little longer than you!

Girls, I love you both so much! Everyday you make me a better man .

Love,

Dad

christmas 2015

We love you. Forever.

dear santa

I'm not sure how much longer you'll believe in Santa, but for now I'm enjoying this time of innocence. I hope you are always this selfless and caring, baby. I love you. 

Also.... I find this HILARIOUS!

field trip

This is usually right up your dad's alley (going to field trips with you), but since he's not here, it's my turn to go! You'd been talking about going to this field trip for a couple of weeks, so I had to try and make it to this one. I showed up to your class a little bit early, just so see your classroom and help out. I looked at the "Career Wall" and saw this:

So if you end up being my boss one day, just remember who went with you to the theater and be nice to your old mom! :) 

We headed to the park to play for a little while and to have lunch there. It was so great to see you interacting with your friends. A bunch of 7 year olds can be a riot. Everyone was so nice to me and had nothing but nice things to say about you. 

You're not the most adventurous kid, and you definitely do not like being outside of your comfort zone, so you were scared to get on the "big slides". You were SO scared to climb on this thing and kept saying you were gonna fall (look how scared you are on the left), you jumped off the first step about 3 times. But, we tried and tried and on the 4th time you got all the way up. It was only about 6 or 7 steps up, and to some that may not seem like alot....but it's a start and proof that fear is all in your head, kid. If you can climb this thing, you can do anything. 

We played soccer for a bit with your friends, well y'all played; no one really wanted to kick the ball to "Isabella's mom"

We went  to the theater, and after going to Peter Pan and enjoying it so much, I was sure that you were gonna be really pumped for this one. We saw "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" at the Main Street Theater.

Who says we don't have snow in Texas?

It was a really cute show, and my favorite part was looking over and seeing this:

I can't promise you that I'll make every single school even that you have, I know I won't. But know that moments like this I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. Love you, kid. 

dear future you,

So I saw this online and I thought so many of these were so true and things I want you to remember. I added a few of my own that I've learned through the years.

50 Things to Tell My Daughter

1. Do not buy cheap makeup. Buy a few QUALITY items, that's all you'll ever need.
2. Your push up bra is obvious.
3. Chill with the eyeliner.
4. If he cheats on you, say goodbye.
5. Your personal life is not an open book. Keep some things to yourself.
6. Don't tell me you hate me; you will regret it. 
7. Innocence is beautiful.
8. Call your grandma just because.
9. Some people will never like you; don't let it bother you.
10. Kill them with kindness.
11. You were beautiful BEFORE he told you.
12. Don't believe stereotypes. Get to know people personally instead of judging them.
13. Don't let one mistake define you.
14. (But) learn from your mistakes.
15. Eat home-cooked meals. You will miss it one day.
16. I can spot a fake friend before you can.
17. Your dad can spot a crappy boy before you can.
18. Enjoy your metabolism while it lasts.
19. There is more to life than Friday night.
20. If we (or anyone else) buys you something, say "Thank you."
21. You are more beautiful than you will ever know. 
22. Prom is not the "best night of your life", but go anyways. 
23. High school years are not the best years of your life. 
24. However, enjoy high school while it lasts, you will miss some of it.
25. Read.
26. Read the instruction manual beforehand.
27. Learn how to change a flat tire. 
28. Apply sunscreen. Seriously. All the time. 
29. Bad times make you appreciate the good times. 
30. Stop comparing yourself to others; that will never do any good.
31. Learn to forgive; also, learn that not everyone deserves your trust.
32. Learn to apologize, and mean it. 
33. Stop pretending to be someone you are not to impress people.
34. Eat the dang doughnut.
35. Pray for your future husband every once in a while. 
36. Pray for your future kids, too.
37. Hug your grandpa every chance you get. 
38. Tell your favorite teacher how much they mean to you.
39. Nothing good happens after midnight. 
40. Put others before yourself.
41. Unless that person is an ex. You deserve happiness, stop worrying about him.
42. His plan is greater than yours (Romans 8:28)
43. Do not buy cheap shoes. You can't get anything done when your feet hurt. 
44. Don't speed, especially on turns. Also, stop at stop signs. 
45. Smile and make eye contact.
46. Be humble, no one likes a show-off.
47. If you're about to do something and say, "What are my parents gonna think?" don't.
    We've already done it, and we'll eventually find out.
48. Always keep cash on you, you never know when you're gonna need it.
49. If you ever need to talk, just say the words and we'll drop everything to hear you out. 
50. As soon as you have kids of your own, you'll get it.