The Henry Heartbeat

Monday, April 11, 2011

Birthday Season

Nichole & Abbey's birthday's are 10 days apart, which means from March 28th to April 6th, it's Birthday Season. What I look forward to most is making their birthday cakes! Here's what I made this year...

Fussin An A Feudin'

It is always a joy for me to watch my girls discover something new that they enjoy. Nichole recently discovered the love of acting! She played Antiquity Wormwood in the 5th grade school play. Antiquity is 125 years old, she used to be the doctor, mid wife, surgeon, dentist & pharmacist and the keeper of history for the small country town of Lonesome Polecat. Nichole was a triple threat, she started the play using her dancing skills, dancing to a country song being sung by the cast. It was followed by a costume change and makeup makeover into an old lady by mom. She ended the play as Antiquity, singing, dancing & acting. It was such a joy to watch Nichole and her friends in the play! We were all so proud of them, I just wish we could see it one more time...

Waiting for the play to begin! This was her country girl outfit.

Nichole, Grandma & Zach

Lonesome Polecat Crew

Antiquity & Mama

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Todd's Deployment

Todd left for his 3rd deployment overseas this weekend. We are all proud of Todd and his commitment to our country & to the 203rd RED HORSE Squadron.

We spent the beginning of our day buying the last minute items Todd needed, water-proof paper is fascinating by the way. We went out to lunch at Olive Garden, totally eating too much, but knowing we would both skip dinner and then packing. The day was a mixture of time going "way to fast" and time moving super slow. It all felt a bit surreal, there is no handbook on how to act on a day like that!

We went to the beach on base to say our good-byes and pray together. I wish I had a beach in my back yard, that is the place I feel closest to God. There is something very magical about praying there! I dont know how I would get through any deployment without God at my side. I know He is in control and that knowledge alone brings me peace.

The preparation time on base was a whirl wind of camoflauge activity! Airmen loading bags onto trucks, securing their weapons, spending time with family & information breifings. When 7:15 came, the airmen filed out of the building they were meeting in and were cheered on by a large and loving crowd of family and friends on all sides, as they walked the path to the buses. There was the sweetest little 4 year old girl next to me holding a sign she had decorated that said COME HOME SOON! It was very sweet, but I had to ignore her or else I would have cried the entire time!

Todd loaded the bus, called roll call and gave the thumbs up. With precise military timing they pulled out at 7:30 sharp and then they were gone...

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Girls just wanna have Fun!!

Our girls have some pretty great friends! We are fortunate that their parents are also some of our closest friends.

Bowling Alley fun on a recent "snow day."

Nichole & friends at their 5th grade DARE graduation.

My camera often disappears when the "big girls" get together.

My GA's, church group

I love having our life filled and overflowing with our girls and their friends!

I enjoy hearing the laughter, loud music and even the thumps from dancing coming through the ceiling. I hope that as they grow older, they remember these fun, giddy days as fondly as I will.

I Love Your Crazy Face

I love Crazy Face pictures! On a cold Sunday afternoon, we took out the camera and had some fun. Here are the best of the bunch...

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

New Year's Eve 2010/2011

The days surrounding New Year's Day were packed with lots of activity & excitement in the Henry household. Todd's sister Paula & family came down from Northern Virginia, as well as his brother Phil & family came down from Ohio. It was just wonderful seeing all of my neices and nephews spending time together and making memories. There was lots of talking, running, game playing-especially Disney Scene It,dress up,Wii playing and laughing.

Fred looks like he's up to something!

Ben & his new Nerf gun.

Sam is lookin good in his Christmas hat from Abbey.

Nichole & Pete New Year's Eve

Tommy's looking cool in Nichole's sunglasses.

Abbey & Rosie

Lily celebrating in her party hat

5, 4, 3, 2, 1... Happy New Year!

Fred & Grandma

It was comforting to have Todd's family with us to bring in the New Year. We've all had a rough year, but there was great comfort in being together and ushering in a "fresh start" together. Despite almost all of us at some point being under the weather, our time together was priceless.

Here's to 2011

Christmas 2010 Memories

I will always remember this Christmas fondly as one of the most special Christmas' we've celebrated. There was a peace and joy that covered our entire day. We were surrounded by family and friends sharing laughter and love, enjoying everyone's company.

We were joined Christmas morning by Grandma Henry & Grandpa Beil, two very special guests!

The girls opened presents and oohed & ahhed over every gift, they are very good gift receivers.