Happy 5th Birthday Jaycie!
It was a princess party, and she ate it up!  She had so much fun and loved that all her friends came.  She really was a princess that day,  nice, sweet, kind, grateful, helpful etc.  It was a good day!

Happy 7th Birthday Brayden!

Nick is always a great party planner so the kids were really excited to have him home, because that meant their birthday parties were going to be amazing.   Nick planned an army party with netting, obstacle course, dodge ball, zip line, and friends.  He and his friends had a great time, but who wouldn't?!

First Season of Basketball!

Brayden played his first season of basketball at the beginning of 1st grade and loved it.  He did a lot of bouncing, moving, shifting etc. and even made a couple of baskets.  It was fun to go watch and support but I realized that I am that dorky mom that bosses a lot from the side line.  Brayden even had to stop in the middle of the game turn to me and say, "MOM!"  I am busy here!"  After that I decided to just boss a little more quietly.  :)

New York City!

After Nick was home for a bit, we took a trip just him and I to New York for a lovers getaway.  It was fun to see all the sites and also see an actual Broadway show Wicked. We also made it onto the Dave Letterman show.  It was a fun getaway and very interesting trying to figure out how to be alone with him again.  There were only a few minor "bossing around" exchanges between the two of us.  But of course in the end I was always right! :)  

Nick's Homecoming!!

The best day of the entire year!!  So glad he made it home safely and is still "Nick"!  He had a great experience and we as a family grew because of it.   It is amazing how much we were blessed throughout the year and how much prayers on our behalf helped us make it through such a challenge.  I know without a doubt that Nick was protected by our Heavenly Father.  There were so many amazing experiences he went through that we can't deny the fact that he was truly blessed.  I am so grateful for the man he is and the father and husband he has always been and still is.  I am glad to have our family back together and I am reminded daily with a peace that he is home and our family is whole again!  We, as a family, enjoy everything we do together and don't take for granted the small and simple things of being together.

A funny.

We were driving to school this morning and Jaycie and Brayden were talking about the cool soldiers that killed the bad guy to keep us safe like their daddy does. Jaycie pipes in and says "I give that soldier a Super Star and a thumbs up!!" She cracks me up! I didn't stop laughing all day.