One Down & Who We Are

So our first day of an all female residence at 57 was overall a success.  A little stress at first, but that was to be expected, so no big surprises there.  The girls are doing great.  I had a couple minor breakdowns.  Again, nothing new here ... just another day in the office (as my Momma likes to say).

The Davenport School was back in session after a week off.  Kate had dance.  We all sat down for lunch together.  We read stories.  We finished school.  I ran a nice 6.2 miles (and had the pleasure of a butterfly and a squirrel joining me along the way).  We all sat down for dinner together and then piled in the van to take Hanson Ellis to dance.  Came home, got baths, cleaned, vacuumed and piled up again to go get Hanson Ellis.  Then home to bed.  Not a bad first day.  But now as I like to say, I've got to wake up and do it all over again in the morning!

I had a nice helping of the apple cake the girls and I made the other day to help me cope:).  It really is quite the pick me up!

And before I forget wanted to say thank you to everyone who is not just praying for all of us, but letting me know that they are.  Wow.  Seriously, what a gift and what faithful, sweet people out there.  I'd like to say, "Who am I to deserve this?" But I know it's not about me, but about the body lifting up the body.  Thank you for your prayers, for the encouragement and hope that it brings.  God is answering them.  :)

In other news, I thought you might like to enjoy a bit of us.  I came across some things today that made me smile.  They are great little glimpses into who we are around here.

This photo was taken by Sherri Winstead.  It was from a session that was supposed to be a family session, but guess who was deployed?  It was an outtake, but ended up being one of my favorite.  It is of me and the older three girls.  I'm pregnant with Kate (about a month or less from having her) and I just love how we are all sort of twisted together.  That is who we are.

This photo is of Richard as an ROTC cadet at Alabama.  He looks so young!  But his smile and the sparkle in his eyes haven't changed at all.  Richard is a true soldier. Love this photo of him!! (btw, he is on your far right)

This photo is from when we were in KS a couple of years ago.  Sweet Kate and her Daddy.  Need I say more ...

I was looking for something in our closet the other day and came across Richard's old Ranger Handbook.

Have I mentioned that he just might hold the record for Ranger School attendance?  He was there 5.5 months.  (For those of you who are unfamiliar, it is a 6 week course, but you can be recycled at each phase twice for various reasons.  Not many can say they've endured it that long:)!)  Anyway, I see this old very worn book. I decide to look at it a minute and I see this on the back.

My initials in a little heart.  You know I totally soaked this up!!  I was 19 then.  I bet he doesn't even remember drawing this.  

And finally, this.  A little stack of letters from his deployment last year.  One perk of deployments, letters.  I look for them, treasure them, read them very fast at first, then go back and soak in every word.

Looking forward to bed.  Thankful for a full day today and for 5 girls sweetly sleeping who'll wear me out all over again tomorrow.

Love to my "visionary"and true patriot.
Remember Who You Are.
I miss you my wonderful!

To God be the Glory.
Goodnight.