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...

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...

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.

Basketball Shoes!

Abbey showing off her Christmas Outfit & Jewlery

  That afternoon we headed to our friends Bed & Breakfast for a Christmas Feast & Celebration. Their B&B is always beautiful at Christmas time!

We enjoyed the company of our good friends old & new.

The gift exchange was so much fun, it felt like we were in a movie!

A "Norman Rockwell" experience.

Sherry & Kim

Gregg, Sherry & Kim

Sherry & Paul

Anne T

Marion & Jane

Playing a Christmas Carol game

Tilly & Nichole playing Just Dance 2

Me & Dad

We are blessed.

December Reflection

Christmas 2003

                       

    It's already December 8th?? I feel like I haven't gotten the memo that Christmas is only 17 days away. It's been hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I love Christmas, but somehow I feel like it's still October and we are practicing for Christmas.
    This past weekend a friend and I took our girls shopping. It was a lot of fun and helped to get me into the holiday frame of mind. I have Christmas carols playing in the house all day, which is beautiful and  is something I enjoy. Yet somehow I am still a little empty. I think I need to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the wonderful gift of Jesus. He was born to a very real mother, who loved him and raised him into a wonderful man. She watched him die on a cross, so that our sins would be forgiven. I am thankful to be a mother and to have two wonderful girls and a husband who make it worthwhile. I am thankful that Mary, obeyed God's wishes for her life and gave God control. I am thankful that Jesus died for our sins and I am thankful to live in a country where I don't have to fear writing this on my blog.  
   What I have taken from the Christmas story over the last few years is Mary's faith. She relinquished control of any plans she had for her life and gave God full control. She was to be unwed and pregnant, travel at 9 months pregnant on a donkey for three days and give birth in a barn. I would have a problem with all of that! Yet nowhere in the Bible is there a verse where Mary argues with God. She faced a lot of scrutiny, uncertainty and uncomfortablness and yet she never attempted to take back control. I am trying to let go and let God be in control, but that is easier said than done.

   I pray that this season the Christmas spirit will fill me and you fully and wholly. That we will be influenced by Mary's example and let God be in control of our lives. Most of all, that we will all know the blessing of Jesus's life on this Earth and the blessing of his death.

Veteran's Day

On Veteran's Day, I am thankful for all of the military men in our family, especially my husband. Todd is a wonderful, dedicated man and endures a lot of seperation from family & home to serve our country. He's served overseas twice as well as numerous places in the United States. His hard work, dedication and bravery make us all proud. I've been known to tear up when I hear the National Anthem, the last line "Home of the Brave" gets me everytime. The tears flow because I am proud of Todd as well as our family.
Todd in Iraq

Todd & I before his promotion to Master Sereant in 2008

My father-in-law Charlie served in the Marines in Vietnam, I used to enjoy his stories about Vietnam. He didnt talk about it a lot, but when he did I listened.

My Grandad Beil was a Navy Sea-Bee during World War II. He was in the same job field as Todd, which is pretty cool I think.

I"m thankful to have a legacy of men who serve in our country. They are all heroes, but none of them think they are. We love you.