Christmas for A Co. Soldiers

I organized an FRG picnic today, and we made Christmas goody bags for the soldiers in our company. We had a very small response, but we managed to make 160 bags! We're mailing them out first thing next week, so they should get them in Iraq before Christmas. It's just a few snacks and some candy, but I think they'll enjoy it. Sadly, that might be the only thing a few of the guys will get for Christmas this year, so I felt it was the least we could do. Ella and Benson aren't in the pictures because they weren't there! Fort Benning childcare hosts a Spouse's Day Out each month for spouses of deployed soldiers, and I decided to try it out for the first time today. I was nervous all day, and it was strange to be without children! It was the first time I've ever been away from them for that long. I have to admit that it was nice to get a break, and the kids did really well! Ella kept talking about "school" all afternoon once I picked her up. I'm thinking we might try this again.

Shelli, myself, Erik, Sgt. Higgs, & Ayla














the goodies!













Making the bags













The bags fell out of the bottom of the trash bag because they were so heavy. Oops!





I'm asking James to take some pictures of the guys receiving their bags in Iraq, so I'll share a few of those whenever I get them.

Thankful to be Home!

We got back to GA yesterday afternoon. It was quite a trip with a fussy, teething baby, a 2 year old that wanted to stop and potty every other exit, and the traffic jam that parked us on the highway for an hour. It was great to see family while we were in NC, but I'm glad to be back home!

Here are a few pictures from our trip. The first is of Ella breastfeeding her bear tonight. We're obviously a pro-breastfeeding family! :) The next two are of sweet baby Olivia. She is too precious for words, and I'm so glad I was able to meet her at just a week old! Benson's having fun eating and playing "pat-a-cake" with Granny. And the last picture is of Ella the Pilgrim. She made a hat at church today and wore it all afternoon. It's now just a ripped piece of construction paper with a string, as you can imagine.

It's been two weeks since I last heard from James, and I finally got a phone call today. He's doing well! He's moved into a new office and the phone hasn't been working, so it's been hard for him to call home. It was great to hear his voice today! He really appreciates all of the thoughts, prayers, and packages from everyone!

Going Home

I found out yesterday that a childhood friend of mine has passed away. It's been difficult to swallow, and I haven't posted because I don't know what to say. We're leaving early in the morning to get up to NC in time for the viewing. The funeral is on Thursday. We'll be driving back to GA on Monday. Please keep the Jones family in your prayers, and think of us as we travel.

Our battalion commander is home for mid-tour leave right now, and I went to a meeting he held tonight. He showed us a slideshow of the guys over in Iraq, and I saw a couple of pictures of James. "Pride" does not even begin to describe what I feel for him. My husband is absolutely amazing and selfless, and I am so honored to be his wife. Our troops are sacrificing so much, and it's a shame that we don't see the majority of what they're accomplishing on the news. Keep praying for them and keep loving them. They are doing great things for the Iraqi people, whether you agree with the war or not.

Here are a couple of pictures of the kids from yesterday. Ella found a gift bag laying around, and she decided that it would make a nice purse. She filled it with her Little People zoo animals and toted it around the living room. Benson enjoyed spending some time in his jumperoo, as you can see. Apparently I'm a very funny mom because he kept laughing hysterically everytime I looked over at him. Silly boy.



I'm excited about meeting little Olivia while we're in NC, and I hope to see lots of family! I'm sure there will be many pictures and stories to share when we get back. Traveling with these two is usually an adventure, especially now that Ella is potty training. I'm really looking forward to the 7 hour car drive...

Surprise!!!!

It has been such a great day! First, the kids and I were able to sleep in together. I just love lazy Saturday mornings where we stay in PJ's, I sip coffee, and cook bacon and eggs for Ella while she watches a couple of cartoons. Then I put the kids in the jogging stroller, and we went for a run on the trail near our house. Benson took his morning nap in the stroller, and Ella talked about everything she saw (she is such a chatterbox these days!). She's starting to notice that the leaves are falling, and she loves seeing the squirrels racing around.

We threw a surprise baby shower for Tamara (the same Tamara from yesterday) this afternoon. She thought that we were having an FRG meeting, so she was totally surprised. Tamara found out she was pregnant the week after our husbands deployed, so this is one special baby!! Her husband is coming home soon, just in time to be here for the birth. I'm so excited for them! James and I have always talked about what wonderful parents they're going to be.

I also received a very special phone call tonight while I was feeding Benson his dinner. My Meredith's little one has arrived! Olivia Anne was born this evening, and she and Meredith are doing great! I am so thrilled for Meredith and Neil, and I'm overly anxious to meet Olivia. I don't have any siblings, but I now know what it feels like to have a little niece.

It's been such a great day, full of so many blessings!

Little Scooter

Benson was rolling around the living room as usual today, until he got up on his hands and knees and started scooting! It seems that our little man is anxious to start crawling soon! Life is about to get very interesting around here...
We went to the playground this afternoon with our friend, Tamara. Baby William is expected to arrive in a few weeks, and Benson is excited about having another guy to hang out with :).
Ella has recently become fearless on the playground. She kept climbing up to the top to go down the big spiral slide. Once she reached the bottom, she would hold up her finger and say, "One more time!" She should sleep well tonight.

Trick or Treat

Well, this was the best photo I could get of the kids together. Benson is still mastering his ability to sit up, so I had to hurry and take the picture before he came crashing down. As you can see, he was a clown for his first Halloween, and Ella was a peacock. Ella really enjoyed going trick or treating this year! I have to hide the candy because the first thing she said this morning after she woke up was, "Mommy, I want candy!". Not a good thing!







My friend, Shelli, and her children, Samantha and Erik, came over to trick or treat with us. Here they are handing out candy on the front porch.