Fargo

WE HAD A GREAT WEEKEND!!! It was really nice to have a full (even extended weekend) together as a family.

We did sooo much and yet it was just enough down in Fargo. First we aet at Chili's and boy was it good! Then we stayed at our "Cozy Cone" (hotel) which is like our little secret there. It just opened in March and we love the newness. The people there are really nice and it is really kid-friendly, big bonus! We also got to do a TON of shopping and we ate at Moe's! You really have no idea how much you will miss a restaurant until you have to drive 4.5 hours just to eat there.

On our little excursion we took Makayla swimming for the first time...she LOVED it! I thought she would get upset with the cold water but it was quite the opposite! Joe thinks she only enjoyed it because she was chewing on her raft. But who cares what he thinks ;)

We're Outta Here!!!

We are leaving a couple of hours for a much needed break from Minot. Joe and I decided to pack the kiddos up and get out of town. I know we said we were heading to Bismarck but plans changed yesterday and now we are going to Fargo. See you later.

Promotion???

Not really sure that you could call the weather we are having summer, yet. However we are possibly having some spring like weather. I know its the middle of May but for some reason it just doesn't want to get warm here. Please send warm thoughts!

This past weekend we went to the zoo for the first time this year!!!
Its was really fun even though it was a bit chilly. The zoo was hosting Zoo Follies which is the kick-off to the summer and also a military appreciation day. There were games and those jumpy castles and good fun all around. Josiah was on the local news playing some of the games, (check him out...http://www.kxmc.com/getArticle.asp?ArticleId=377367) he is wearing his hood up so its hard to see his face. Also most of the volunteers are from Joe's squadron, atta boys! We were only able to spend a short time there but we had a great time!In other news our squadron is under its annual nuke inspection which meant that most had to work last weekend. YUCK!!! (Lately that is nothing new for us.) However we are looking forward to a really LONG break this weekend. We have planned a very low key get-a-way down to Bismarck with the kiddos. We are going to check out the zoo down there as well as enjoy some yummy food from restaurants we are LACKING here. Then we are heading home (don't get confused we are coming back to Minot) for BBQs galore :)

Now for some EXCITING news as of Wednesday May 20th we will now refer to Joe as Captain Ehrenfeld!!! Yes, its true Joe is promoting this week and we are sooo proud! He works very hard and deserves it and soooo much more. So Congratulations Captain ;)
Bye-bye Lieutenant and Hello Captain!!!

Happy Birthday & A Giveaway!!!

My precious friend Martha is rocking another giveaway in honor of her adorable little girl. I have told you about Martha before but now I am going to tell you a little about her family.

We met them in Pensacola when we move into the same building on base. The 5 (Matt, Martha, Joe, Me and Josiah) of us hit it off right away! Martha and I started hanging out and I knew that was right where God wanted us to be. She became a rock for me in a time of need and I will be forever grateful. I observed Matt and Martha's marriage and thought what awesome parents they will be. Not too long after that Martha announced she was pregnant. Matt and Martha had not been married all that long but I knew of Martha's desire to be a momma. I watched Martha grow not just physically (and she was absolutely radiant!) but spiritually over her pregnancy and I watched how God was shaping her into a mother. It was beautiful! And now 2 years have flown by. (No pun intended!)

Now on to Maegan...She is amazing! She shares her momma big beautiful smile and she is always wearing it. I love to call Martha and hear stories about Maegan and Matt playing like having a tea party. Tomorrow Maegan turns 2 and I thank God for her. Love you Maegan and miss you all!

Now in honor of Maegan check out her momma's blog!


Sadly this is the last time I saw my precious friend. I can't believe that :( I think I might be feeling a road trip!

I think I have been WRONG...

I like most people would not like to admit that I have been wrong. But here we go!

I used to (as in this morning) think that being a military wife was the toughest job. However I was WRONG. I retract the statement!

My almost 4 yr old showed me this morning that military kids have the TOUGHEST job. This morning we dropped Joe at the squadron for his flight today, we often do this so we have the car (yes, we are a one car family!) and we never know if he may be diverted for weather. So I thought nothing of dropping him this morning until Josiah turned on the water works. Josiah was so upset that he couldn't even talk when Joe kissed him good-bye! On the drive home all he kept saying was "I miss Daddy and lets go pick him up." This particular flight Joe wouldn't be home until the early morning hours. So Josiah will miss there evening time together.

Talk about ripping your heart out! Things have been EXTREMELY crazy around here since we returned from Florida. Joe has been working 80 hours a week! The first 12 days we were back he worked everyone of them and some he didn't even come home. (But joining the military is God's will for us and I am not looking for sympathy.) So I can understand the meltdown that Josiah had this morning. I had a similar one not too long ago! (there is some honesty for you.) The really hard part for me is that this particular flight is nothing unusual, its just standard. Which means that Josiah must really be missing his daddy time.

But I also know that we are not the only family that deals with this, so I write this asking everyone to pray for the children of military families.

No Time

I have absolute NO time to sit and tell you about my incredible Mother's Day. Instead I leave you with a few photos!I like to do what my brother does!

Happy Mother's Day early...

I just received this from both my mom and our very close family friend. You know it must be worth sharing!

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom ...

unknown

Now that I am, I am so Thankful!!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!