End of 2010

Well, this has been the end of a very educational year. I've been able to learn so much about life, love and the gospel... and I've been able to see some of my weaknesses turn into strengths. I've lived in small one-bedroom apartment with two people (and then three), enjoyed living in our own home, gained a job, lost a job, and (I think the best of all) helped to create life. Nothing will ever touch that sweet experience of carrying a baby for nine grueling months and then suddenly seeing his eyes blinking up at you. There is absolutely no glimmer of recognition in those eyes (and won't be for several weeks) but you know that this is a spirit that is fresh from the presence of Heavenly Father and that he has a purpose and a mission just like you do and Heavenly Father loves him just as much as He loves you.

Speaking of that precious spirit, we celebrated his birthday a little early. About an hour ago, in fact. :) Here are some pictures his Aunt Sereen took (with video to follow).

Ooo...it moves...pretty

You want me to do WHAT? Blow on it?

You're sure I can touch this?

SCORE!!!

Oh yeah, this is the good stuff...

Why are you all laughing?

Like my beard?

And that's the way the first cake crumbled!!

Thanks for keeping up with our blog! See you next year!!

Holiday Travels

I just did some quick math (on a calculator, haha!). We will be traveling all over Texas in six different stints, covering approximately 2400 miles between three points in two weeks. Guess we don't have to be in the Air Force to travel, huh? :) And definitely a good thing that Derek likes to ride in the car.

I am absolutely so excited to see my family! And, by family, I 'm including in-laws. I think it's funny that lots of people moan and groan about their in-laws but I love mine. Maybe I'm just used to embracing new family because of my...diverse...background, but I found it very easy to assimilate into the Heath side. It's such a cool name, too. When I have to give my name over the phone, it's always pretty much like this...

Operator: Your first name ma'am?
Me: Kadi
Operator: K-A-T-I-E?
Me: No, K-A-D-I.
Operator: T-Y?
Me (frustrated now): No, D as in Delta.
Operator: Oh, ok. Last name?
Me: Heath, like the candy bar.
Operator: Gotcha. Cool!

So much easier.

We've made some awesome friends in Del Rio and I am sooooo going to miss them, but I'm glad that I have things to look forward to in the future. Just because Mitch is out of a job right now doesn't mean life as I know it is over. We have family and friends that rally around us and help keep us emotionally stable, which I think is critically important - sad, stressed, sleepless people don't do well in interviews.

Luckily, there are still husbands, fried clams and 30 Rock in this world. That's become one of my favorite rituals. Once a week, after Derek goes to bed, Mitch and I grab a box of frozen fried clams and sit doen to watch an hour or so of 30 Rock. It's a random half-hour-episode sitcom made by the same people who do Saturday Night Live. For the record: I absolutely hate/loathe/abhor SNL. Refuse to watch it. But 30 Rock is fairly clean and the lead actress is actually believable to a point. Plus Matt Damon guest stars occasionally and I like him. Plus it's funny. I have definitely come to appreciate the life-giving force of a good round of laughs (which is another reason I'm looking forward to going home - our families looooove to laugh).

Derek's New Sound

I swear he pirated this from Isaac - it sounds just like his videos

Being his typical cute self

And even cuter

Mitch tossing Derek up while he kicks (for Jared and Sereen, I know you like it. haha!) and following Derek as he runs off to be quasi independent.

Internet, Derek (of course) and Life

So, our internet is back. Thank heavens. It was out for 4 or 5 days. Mitch called Time Warner and they offered to send a tech out on Sunday. I shook my head and, when he persisted in making the appointment, I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. His response was to tell the operator "I'm getting dirty looks from my wife, can we move the appointment to Monday?" Smart man. :)

I've been participating in physical therapy for my shoulder for the past two weeks and it's been wonderful. the first half our is all heat pad and massage. WHY didn't I go in earlier?! It's been nice to get away from Derek three times a week too. It makes me happy to see him when I come back. :)

Derek has been saying "glig-glig-glig" and I think I know who he got it from - his cousin, Isaac! Mitch and I love to look at pictures and especially video of our adorable little nephews and Isaac makes us laugh every time. In one video, he demonstrates his new sound: "gligagligalig." I always thought Derek was indifferent because he never paid attention, just played with his own toys. I guess I was wrong. :) I can't wait to get them together now to see if they'll "talk" to each other. Toddlers are cuter than babies, I think.

Life is going. I think it's funny that Mitch and I have developed an aversion to a certain phrase - "When God closes a door, he opens a window." There have been times that he almost has to step between me and the person who has just repeated, for the umpteenth thousandth time this phrase. I'm not denying that God does that, I'm just sick and tired of everyone apparently thinking that I don't know this or that it's going to cheer me up. I don't think squeezing through a window is particularly fun.

I do, however, think that this is going to be a fun adventure. I'm reading a book about Queen Guinevere right now and there is one point in the book when, as she's leaving her home to go marry Arther, she offers to let her foster sibling go back to her own family. Her foster sibling points out that adventuring is way more exciting than being in a predictable routine. I kind of agree - it'd be nice to know we were leaving the Air Force and going straight to a job (or another predictable routine), but God really has blessed us: we won't have to worry about food to eat or clothing or a roof over our head because we've been faithful and full tithe payers. We qualify for those blessings of heaven the Lord talks about in Malachi.

Random thing for today - I like to brush Kal. It helps that he likes it too, but I love when I bring out the Furminator, point my finger and say "Bang" and he lays down on his side with a happy sigh and wags his tail. Then I get to brush his coarse fur into something soft. :)

IT WALKS!!

Well, sort of. But it's cute to see him try! He stood right up and walked four steps to me. He did this several more times so that Mitch and I had a blast waiting for tithing settlement after church. haha!

Try #1

Try #2 - next best one



Try #3



Try #4 - best one

Won't be long and he'll be a real toddler! I'm so excited!! Lacey is going to love that. :) Definitely by Christmas though! My little baby is growing up so fast... and I love it, haha!

More Derek Stuff!!!

Being cute in the morning

This kid loves food

FOOD!

Bed hair after his afternoon nap. He slept til dinner! WOO!!

I have GOT to teach him manners, I know

Cute Dogs

Our dogs are just too cute. I had to post these fun pictures. Kal likes to sleep alot, so he's not too terribly photogenic, but the camera loves Lacey.

I'm trying to take my nap, Mom. Please don't take pictures.

What's with the flash? I was dreaming I caught that nasty squirrel that lives next door. So close... so close...

Sigh. Maybe I'll get him this time... Zzzz....Zzzz....

Food? Play? Oh, camera? Strike a pose!!

Can you throw the ball please?

They love each other (long clip)

Halloween and Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, we got together with a whole bunch of friends here on base and we had a TON of food. We had at least three turkeys and a bunch of sides - and mouth watering desserts. The Forsyths had to hide them in the laundry room so we would eat the other food first, haha! I made my first turkey, which I was very proud of. but THIS...

This was my pride and joy that day - a road kill armadillo that some people thought was a lizard and others thought was a cat. I think it ended up being called the "clizard." Oh well.

It's basically a tupperware container with chili in it surrounded by a painted fondant model. Yes, I made it myself. :)

Looks, it's tongue is sticking out!

We went Trunk or Treating at our ward building. Derek was our live trunk decoration. :) For our costumes, we stuck pillows under 2X and 3X pumpkin shirts aaaaaand....

I looked like I was pregnant with triplets. Gah.

Derek, though, he was just cute! Ain't no junk is this trunk!!

The Post You've All Been Waiting For

Two days ago, the verdict on Mitch's board came back - he's going to be Honorably Discharged within 45 days. Our tentative separation window is mid-January. I think it's mildly funny that, when I posted the news on facebook, a few people actually congratulated us. It's definitely NOT a good thing! We won't have a JOB!! Idiots. Gah.

SIDENOTE: I just saw an article about the DREAM act. If you're not familiar with it, it basically wants to grant citizenship to any illegal who serves at least two years in our military. WHAT?!?!?!?! You just kicked out my amazing husband and you're STILL claiming you're understaffed!!!! **TEARS OUT HAIR** Before you start trying to placate me, I know they're talking about enlistees, but I don't care.

**takes deep breath**
**and another**
**and another**

Ok, back to what we're going to do... no clue. The best thing anyone can do for us is keep us in your prayers. Our world has pretty thoroughly been rocked, but I want everyone to know that Heavenly Father has a definite plan for us and, while he may close a door, he always opens a window and a pint of chocolate ice cream.

I think I'll wrap this post up and go post something cute. I found the camera cradle and charger, so let the updating begin! Haha!

Pictures of Kal and Lacey

I wanted to see what Kal would do unattended in the backyard (since it's entirely possible for him to jump the fence) and these are the photos I snapped through the glass door. He's such a good dog!