Rocking around our Christmas tree

Today we took some time out of our day to go pick out a Christmas tree for the season! It probably was the worst day to go do it because of how busy we are but I'm so thankful we took the time to go and have some fun :)

Enjoy our short film ;) Bear with us, we are goof balls!

Graci is growing up

These days and nights mean the world to me. Even the littlest time with Graci brings the biggest warmth to my heart. 

I love that she asks to bake something every time we are at my parents home or my home. "What do you have to make?" she will ask. I try to always have muffins, cake or cookie ingredients on hand because I know she will ask. Tonight we were debating on what to cook for supper. She said "You wanna make pancakes!?" Well sure I thought. We called Cain to see if that sounded good to him. She then said to me while I was on the phone "Wait, are we going to fix a pan or are we making a cake? hehe.... you get it? Pan-Cake?!" I love all her witty jokes. 

Graci wants to pour, measure, stir and crack those eggs. Since she was very little I have always loved to let her dig in to the mess. Even if the measurement might be little off, or if she drops the egg shell into the mix. "You're the best cook Graci, I swear" I say. Because her imperfection is perfect to me. I just help her get that egg shell out of the bowl and we move on like nothing is wrong. I wish I had her confidence. 

Graci is growing up, fast. 

My eyes start swelling up when I think about how big she is getting. Not just in size but everything. She is counting to 9 in spanish, where did she learn this?! Her friend is calling her on my phone chatting about Elf on the shelf and they are giggling over how funny it is. She knows how to spell anything I ask and loves to show off her what she knows. I love this. I want her to stay confident.   

Graci - "I know how to spell Cain's name" Me- "okay, go for it" Graci- "C" "A" "I" "N". Me- "Very good" Graci- giggling* I was reading it off his work badge,  hahah but I knew how to spell it anyways!"

Graci is growing up, and I love who she is. 

Dear Graci, 

Never change. Don't fit in, stand out like you always have. Be sure of yourself, because everyone around you is sure of who you are already. Brave, funny, caring, rotten, confident and independent. Don't stop baking, crafting and playing ...  do everything you love to do and never settle for less. And remember you are loved by countless people who see everything I see in you. 

Your friend,

Lanette 

Week #29 2015

7.25.15

A little before and after action here..

7.26.15

Family photos! 

  7.27.15

Trying to stay cool....

7.28.15

 7.29.15

A little Will time for aunt nettie!

7.30.15 

Cain .... and Cain (Keaton!) ;)

7.31.15

Morning at my parents home <3

Welcome November and change

November was welcomed with warm open arms. I am happy to say my head is above water with work and I am finally taking it "easy" . For me that still means some running around here and there, but it's great to say "I had a relaxing day" for the first time in a long time!

Poor Cain though is still very busy and he doesn't have a end in sight until Christmas break from school. Even then he works long days and is always doing something with the Army. There is really no holding him back when it comes to achieving his goals.

While we are talking about Cain and Army things I'd like to yet again give praise to my man for getting SGT in October. I was so very proud of his leadership and willingness to be a good Soldier and to not just "Show up" but to do work. Cain was selected as the #1 Medic in Indiana who went to boards this past July.

When I got the phone call about him getting SGT back in October he sounded a little down, and not so thrilled as I was. I asked "What's the matter? That's so awesome Cain, I'm so proud... Aren't you happy too?" He was, but there was a little "Set back" to getting SGT. There were no open slots for him at the 1st 293rd as a SGT.

So Cain has been moved to the Marion Unit and has his first drill weekend there in December.

For the first time ever I was really upset with the Army, this was new to me. As a wife I was upset because I had made friends with a lot of spouses and didn't want to him to leave the unit!

 I also was upset that he would now be 1 hour away instead of 5 minutes! We have been so blessed with the 1st 293rd I felt like this was the PERFECT place for him until he could go active Army after school.

My number 1 disappointment from this all is that I trusted the Soldier's Cain had gotten to know and become good friends with. I have met them personally and like them all! They have been so good to Cain and I hated to see him have to leave.

I did a little foot stomp when the news was final and said "It's just not fair!" No really I did. Haha

Hahaha so unlike me but I was upset. Now, since then I have started to come to grips with things and have started to look at the "Bright side"

Starting with: The friends I have made from Cain being in the 1st 293rd are STILL my friends no matter where Cain drills or when Cain goes active. I can still be friends with them!  And this will give me a chance to maybe meet new friends from his new unit.

And although he will drill 1 hour away from home he is now just 5-15 minutes away from his family who lives near Marion. This gives him and I more chances to see them and that's a great plus.

Cain took the news a little better then I did because I think he prepared himself for these things. The moving around part, he is ready for all that. I have come to find out...I am not! But this was my first test and I might have failed at first but I am back with my big girl pants and I'm sucking it up.

I have to be on my toes when it comes to Cain's dreams, goals, wants and desirers. At any time he will change things up and dream for something bigger, something better for his career  and I'm over here like "Fasten your seat belt everyone, gonna be a bumpy ride" Haha

I'm here to cheer for and encourage him through it all, that's the easy part! The hard part is knowing that we won't be around "Home" (where our family is) forever. Every step Cain makes puts him closer to moving and seeing the world and bettering his personal and Army career. It's so great, so honoring to be a part of Cain's dreams. But I am finding myself needing to put those "Big girl pants" on more and more. Not the kind of pants you put on after downing a bowl of cookie dough, the kind where you realize you can't be scared or afraid of the what if's or the unknown and wonder if you can do it. Those fears.

Being a good wife is easy. Being a supportive & brave wife ... that's hard. Trusting in your husband to lead you, provide for you ....... and too follow him or have to wait for him... that's where the true love and commitment start showing.

I do pray to be the wife God desirers me to me for Cain. I know I stomped my foot over something silly and I know I am afraid of moving away one day, but I trust my husband with everything in me. He will not lead me astray because I know who is leading him.

God will lead us in the path that we could go. He has already shown Himself in so many ways I do feel foolish to have pouted over one little move. Now I see what I should have before! God is in control and is moving us to where HE wants us. Not where Lanette wants, not where Cain wants but where He wants. ... Oh to have faith in God is a powerful thing.