tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84379068199509555272024-02-20T19:05:40.379-08:00The Lowery LoungeSALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-61534469881785911622011-06-23T12:27:00.000-07:002011-06-23T12:38:11.047-07:00Devon has been deployed for two months now. I knew I would be keeping busy, but I didn't know I would be TOO busy. Thank goodness this quarter of school is complete - I am taking a break from that - as it is the only thing on my plate I can really choose to take a break from!<br />Work is fine - but not what I want to be when I grow up. I always feel bad when I complain about it because PepsiCo has treated me great as far as being very flexible with my workplace situation. Being able to work from home and be with my baby girl every day is wonderful! I am getting encouragement to find a daycare or nanny, but DUDE it's another mortgage payment! They often talk to me about moving somewhere where there is an office - particularly Chicago, but they never actually put an offer on the table. Do they really think we could afford to move to Chicago from Texas? Not only would it cost more, but we'd have to set up daycare then and we already can't afford that! What happened to the days when companies would put an offer on the table and then you knew what your options were?? Apparently, employees are supposed to make all the sacrifices - no matter how "valuable" they apparently are.<br />Oh well - they still let me work from home - for now. Another "reorganization" or "restructuring" is going to take place....hold on tight to your seats folks! I get paid little enough that I USUALLY escape unnoticed. We'll see!<br />Raegan is amazing. She is on our bed napping with Scout. She finally takes long naps NOT in my arms. :) I get more done, she gets more sleep - its a win win. She is also finally eating solids - she has been for the better part of the last month. She loves lil crunchies, spinach & potatoes, banana yogurt, bananas, pears & blueberries, and apple cinnamon granola.... She tolerates some other foods, but those are her favs. I am just glad she is taking any of it, because at over 24 lbs and almost 9 months - I needed to know she might eventually like something other than breastmilk! :) Nursing is mostly for comfort now except at night when she is tired & hungry and won't tolerate the high chair :) She continues to sleep wonderfully through the night. When she wakes in the morning she often rolls straight to her stomach and backs herself into a corner wondering when I'll come to get her. She never cries in the morning, but talks to get my attention. It is a wonderful way to start the morning. She is amazing! Now - if we could only get her drinking out of a sippy cup or SOMETHING... :) Wish me luck on that.<br />We miss Devon very much and we know he misses us too. Two months down and 10 to go! We can make it! We skype almost every day. We continue to try and get Raegan to say dahdah, but she's not quite there. She has said it twice that I can recall, but we're hoping to make it a more regular occurrence. She is very good at mah mah mah and bop bop bop....Not sure what that last one stands for. She also loves music - she'll bounce and wave her hands all over to show her enjoyment. Sometimes I think she is trying to sing along.<br />About to start a book club - check it out - thevirtualliterarysociety.blogspot.com - I believe we are going to start with Water for Elephants. Join us! Hope you all are well (whoever you all are).SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-28853392680210628622011-03-27T15:35:00.000-07:002011-03-27T15:41:14.287-07:00Umm...So, I am going to set something on my calendar so I will actually (maybe) update this blog more often! We have had so much worth blogging about too! Well - really only one thing, one someone! Raegan Michelle Lowery! She was born Sept 25, 2010 and is the best little girl ever! My opinion is not a biased one. :) Devon is getting ready to deploy again, but I'll be keeping busy with work, school, YW and of course Raegan. Yes, the boys are still a very big part of our lives too. I am also going to start gardening...at least attempting...so maybe I'll post something about that too! We'll see! Posting more regularly at all will be something special at this rate. So wish me luck!SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-17289522809301030592010-05-30T16:35:00.001-07:002010-05-30T16:35:25.299-07:00WowWe really need to update this thing!SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-22345053881361612902010-01-06T11:38:00.000-08:002010-01-06T11:53:03.833-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well! Devon and I and the boys are doing great. The end of this year is definitely more to celebrate than the beginning of this year was! 2009 began with Devon thousands of miles, countries, and an ocean away from his family! He was serving in Iraq as a Military Police Officer. He was (and is) happy to serve this country that he loves, but being apart is never easy. He came home early in June and we were certainly happy to be reunited. <div><div><div><a href="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1965/27/78/1402492978/s1402492978_213907_3543.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v1965/27/78/1402492978/s1402492978_213907_3543.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div> </div><div>The beginning of this year landed me in Cold Spring, MN. So while Devon was sweating it out in the desert – I was turning into ice during the coldest week that Cold Spring had all season. The temperature didn’t reach above 0 degrees F until I was driving to the airport to leave! Who sends anyone to MN in January??? Work made up for it in March by sending me to So Cal where I made a point of taking a trip to the beach one evening and enjoying some not-so cold weather! Travels for work also took me to Lithia Springs, GA, Dallas, TX, Bradenton, FL and Chicago, IL many, many times. Luckily I had friends to watch my boys while we were both away at the same time.<br />When I was home without Devon I filled my time with hosting casual dinners as I have found that I really love cooking! I also made sure I went to the temple several times –thanks to an amazing group of women at Church I often had friends to go with. I was able to go to the temple at least 7 times this year and hope to go at least one more time than that next year.<br />Since Devon came home in June the last half of our year has been pretty full with road trips – oh, and moving yet again.<br />Our fourth house in four years of marriage! Unlucky for us, the owner of the house we were renting returned home and wanted to move back in to his house…so we were booted. We had 30 days to find another residence and we were lucky to actually purchase a house we really like in so short a time.<br />Our first road trip was to Arkansas to visit Devon’s dad and his new wife, Barbara. We had a great time seeing family, meeting new family, swimming and horseback riding.</div><div><a href="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs121.snc1/5220_1176308693530_1402492978_500783_2464277_s.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 130px; HEIGHT: 121px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs121.snc1/5220_1176308693530_1402492978_500783_2464277_s.jpg" /></a></div><div>We then had the opportunity to attend a marriage retreat at a resort in San Antonio. With free food, fun, advice and comfortable beds – we couldn’t help but have a great time!<br />My sister Amber and I had planned a family reunion for the Cooper (our mom’s) side of the family in Reno, NV. So we decided that our annual road trip could precede the reunion. I was just glad Devon got to join us this year! We flew into Reno and drove directly to San Francisco. We had the opportunity to rent Go Cars. Renting a Go Car is by far the best way to tour SF and we would recommend them to anyone. (No I did not get paid to say that). But we were able to see so much more without being slowed down by the stories we didn’t want to hear. The weather was beautiful. Of course we took the time to see Alcatraz and the famous Pier 39 as well.</div><a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8835_1218272022587_1402492978_639953_5240592_s.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 130px; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8835_1218272022587_1402492978_639953_5240592_s.jpg" /></a><br /><div>After a few days fun in SF we headed back to Reno where I was able to see family I had not seen in close to a decade and Devon was able to meet some of my family that he had never met before. We stayed with my grandma and I learned where I got my Game Show Network addiction as the TV was seldom on any other channel. Devon on the other hand enjoyed taking Pixie for walks around the apartment complex. J We also really appreciated the family history research that my Aunt Becky did and the time she took to put a Cooper History folder together for each of us to take home. In fact, it gave me the push I needed to start getting more involved in Family History research and I have found once you get started that hobby can be very addicting! All in all our trip to Reno was extremely enjoyable and we find ourselves wanting to return!<br /><a href="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8835_1218274062638_1402492978_640003_670522_s.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 130px; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs261.snc1/8835_1218274062638_1402492978_640003_670522_s.jpg" /></a><br />We are staying home for the holidays this year. We had the pleasure of having a Thanksgiving dinner with friends who were also staying home for that holiday. My dad is traveling down right before Christmas to spend some time with us and we look forward to his visit, but otherwise Christmas will be very quiet!<br /> We found out that Devon has little over a year until he is scheduled to deploy again so we plan to continue the fun throughout 2010 until the time he has to leave us again. We hope fun is in store for you too!<br />We hope to hear from you and learn about your 2009. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope that 2010 brings with it much joy for you and your family!<br />With love, Devon, Sarah, Jonas & Scout Lowery ~ 2009<br /></div><div></div></div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-70053910073189136642009-01-11T03:05:00.000-08:002009-01-11T03:47:09.042-08:00The "Real" Heroes<div align="center"><em>Anyone who has family or friends serving in the military knows that those men and women of our Armed Forces are not the "Real Heroes." That title goes to the Wives, Husbands, Moms, Dads, Brothers, Sisters, and other family and friends. Their sacrafices have often gone unnoticed... theirs is beyond measure. I am grateful to have a "Military Wife" and family who unwaveringly support me and especially Sarah who is willing to stand at my side no matter the cost. I could not have done this without her... any success I gain is a direct result of her unconditional love. Thanks for the many prayers, thoughts, tears, hugs, and kisses that go out to our brave men and women! I love you Sarah - Yours Always :)</em></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#ff9966;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9966;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">The Army Wife</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">Her trials, sacrifices, and devoted life.She is strong, she is brave, and she is loving indeed,Standing by her man in his time of need...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">Will there be peace or will there be war?You try to be hopeful but it's hard to ignore.The world seems to be falling apartWhen to a soldier you have given your heart...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">His job is ever-changing and takes him far away.You think of him always and pray every day--For his safety, his courage, and his love for you That he may remain steadfast, loyal, and ever true...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">Tears have become anything but a stranger.They fall freely in sadness, loneliness, and anger.But he will never know because you will never tell.You've learned to hide your misery only too well...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">A few years? That doesn't sound like so long.The letters and phone calls keep your love going strong,Even when they are few and far between,In them, his love for you can clearly be seen...</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#ff9900;">So keep your chin up and a smile on your face.He is protecting your freedom and keeping you safe.His heart is strong and his love is trueAnd don't ever forget that he is missing you too.</span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-80837213425156048882008-12-19T19:54:00.000-08:002008-12-20T11:03:36.111-08:00A New Year...a New JobIt's a rule that with the New Year some big change or changes have to come too right? Well - my current position with PepsiCo was meant to be an interim role and my end date was 12/31! I had been waiting for the right opportunity (as instructed by my boss' boss who said there was one coming around the corner) and it finally came last week! I was able to submit my resume for the new position (still with PepsiCo) last Friday. I had three interviews all within the space of Wednesday morning - 9:30, 10:30 and 11 AM...good times! The interviews (if you could really call them that) went great...considering I knew all of the people I interviewed with and have worked with two of them quite a bit. I had a job offer by Thursday morning and an official form sent today. I love it when things work out and work quickly at that!<br />My old role kind of separated me from the core business side of PepsiCo and placed me full time on an ongoing Project that is occurring in waves. This new position moves me back towards the business where I can have a bigger impact on optimizing current business processes and will be able to get more exposure to the corporate side of life. I haven't decided whether that is a good thing or not...haha. We'll see! The new position is part of a brand new team - so I don't have anyone before me to train me on my tasks - I get to plow my own way through which is at once both exciting and a little scary. Many of the people on the new team are people I have worked with in the past so we get to all help each other feel our way through the learning process. Hopefully it all turns out great!<br />I can't complain about the new job (yet) - it gave me a significant promotion and better than that allows me to continue working from home the majority of the time and travel when necessary. I officially start my new role 12/28, but I don't have a team meeting until 1/9...that doesn't mean I have free time though. In the mean time I was just in California to support one of the project waves (or releases as we call them) and will be heading to Carlisle, PA and Seattle, WA for the same reason. Good times!<br />California was great - not only were the people I was training fabulous and easy to train, but I was in Southern California. I didn't realize how much I missed the West until I was driving from Burbank to Ventura and was able to see the mountains again! The weather was uncharacteristically cold, but it was still pleasant weather on all accounts and I could see both the ocean and the mountains from my hotel balcony! Besides my trip to Montana three years ago I haven't been back to the West in almost 10 years! I think I'll have to work up reasons to frequent the west more often...starting with Seattle in January and for sure a trip to Reno, NV in September for our Family Reunion! YAY! I took some pics with my cell phone - so the pics didn't turn out all that great but I thought I would share anyway!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG8_nOrZFlHus1sTKcYjlsKLK26lukPXI92w5kmPcptnyDvh05C_zeQdmlCx-QLkK9qrxHyKQid-UYXbxY3Htj9wAGpUUo4fJ18Xzaok_xk5tP6Joagl4hGVOKEpl2Dy32G8wfzOjmAY/s1600-h/See+the+ocean!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281949280317735442" style="WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG8_nOrZFlHus1sTKcYjlsKLK26lukPXI92w5kmPcptnyDvh05C_zeQdmlCx-QLkK9qrxHyKQid-UYXbxY3Htj9wAGpUUo4fJ18Xzaok_xk5tP6Joagl4hGVOKEpl2Dy32G8wfzOjmAY/s320/See+the+ocean!.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00qG_Rr-QsFguGJNWIhPsffLt10wy3uxT7LplM6As3vnIIE4Im6DGHnr8-McNo722Fgad7yvO709wdwH_G5YNvESx8-KnvR0JIa62NRv7N2DNibzaGODtEEEt6bo6ErEFvRIEl_OZA6s/s1600-h/See+the+mtn!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281949396257729058" style="WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 153px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg00qG_Rr-QsFguGJNWIhPsffLt10wy3uxT7LplM6As3vnIIE4Im6DGHnr8-McNo722Fgad7yvO709wdwH_G5YNvESx8-KnvR0JIa62NRv7N2DNibzaGODtEEEt6bo6ErEFvRIEl_OZA6s/s320/See+the+mtn!.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />See the ocean back there? See the mountains back there?SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-13166925666202235802008-12-12T18:53:00.000-08:002008-12-12T20:39:00.011-08:00She's Alive!Okay - it's been awhile. A long while since I have posted anything new on my blog. I am posting now only because I haven't posted in so long, not necessarily because I have anything to post about. Though, I am sure I'll find plenty to catch up on!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Starting with September: Devon came home for three weeks - for his R&R. He had been gone for 3 months already. We didn't do a whole lot for those three weeks other than spend time with each other and the boys at home. We did play tennis several times which was a lot of fun. We also won a trip through some contest that I randomly submitted our names for at a mall. We had to drive to Austin and spend some time with the Windham crew while they pitched their not-quite-time-share deal. We had to decline, but in the mean time submitted enough family and friends' names to get some raffle tickets and we won another trip. :) We know we will be using one of those free trips to spend some time in the Reno/Lake Tahoe area before the Family Reunion next year. Devon has never been to the place where I grew up and has yet to meet many of the family that lives there. I am really looking forward to that trip! We did take some family pictures while he was here, but we took them on his camera so I don't have the pictures! I have this one from tennis though! Not the most flattering but it will do.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UMwO0GiCTjxelsnIENgpGaCynzZHQW-jZFCFe6c-97dRuRiFcrdWRzu66qsETD2koh66DGG94oFJ9X4PH3MSo-gl7lkTjAx_CYk8EOlQDAZilGyk2IogSxYJ-Lbeda_POkSSdCWA0Ws/s1600-h/Tennis.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279106073947301122" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4UMwO0GiCTjxelsnIENgpGaCynzZHQW-jZFCFe6c-97dRuRiFcrdWRzu66qsETD2koh66DGG94oFJ9X4PH3MSo-gl7lkTjAx_CYk8EOlQDAZilGyk2IogSxYJ-Lbeda_POkSSdCWA0Ws/s320/Tennis.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Devon's Dad also came to visit us with his at the time soon-to-be wife! They are now happily married and living in Arkansas. We have yet to get any pictures of them, but we are happy to have Barbara as a part of our family now! It was great to meet her and see Dev's dad and Molly too. :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My mom, sister Amber, and her friend Melissa came to Texas for the yearly road trip. Mom and Melissa were happy to be new road trip companions for Amber and I this year. :) We were happy to have them as well! Mom flew into Killeen to see the new house and the new city I live in. I drove her on Post so she can get a small sense of what Army life is like...a very small sense. Then we drove south towards San Antonio - though we made a detour at the San Marcus Outlet Mall....amazing Outlet mall - best I have ever seen. Great stores and amazing prices. :) I look forward to another visit there. From there we headed to San Antonio - checked into the hotel, visited the temple, then picked up Melissa and Amber from the airport. We had an amazing weekend visiting the Alamo, Sea World, and walked the River walk. Mom had to leave Saturday, so we took her to the airport and had a sad farewell-til-Christmas. </div><br /><div>We then headed to downtown again, ate dinner, then experienced some of the fun attractions, including a mirror maze, Guinness World Record museum and "the vault" which consisted of us trying to get through laser alarms...very stealthily. :) The next day we slept in really late :) then went to the San Antonio Zoo. The next day we made it to the Waterfall Caverns and then I took Amber and Melissa back to the airport and then headed North home...but stopped at the outlet malls again to pick up some trunks I just couldn't resist! :) Not swim trunks...decor trunks ya know? Anyway! Here are some pics!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRESNcz-PQ7uzW8js5IFu7tdcDyUbuYnP5gAUqZTxJ8ZBIcu51_1_q0bL54TM6vOuUGB02wlppJoyZtmEBdaTOzcOvVT3SxiHfHE1Ncrvq_ofaxr6a3holiToGbnNU5FVJbwreXALjqNo/s1600-h/The+group!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117811091447810" style="WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRESNcz-PQ7uzW8js5IFu7tdcDyUbuYnP5gAUqZTxJ8ZBIcu51_1_q0bL54TM6vOuUGB02wlppJoyZtmEBdaTOzcOvVT3SxiHfHE1Ncrvq_ofaxr6a3holiToGbnNU5FVJbwreXALjqNo/s320/The+group!.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CU_-i3MDie1Pk9PZ6jyKmjdK87JMYnWAFf_5f1Up-LzYHjpliF3ON_QfFrOMUOx5mtc7qUylSwAN9CTAPMFhrEczPqtzZMd64yq4ArtdVRvGEiTKRz2YSOYyRCJRhkAtF6IgR-JMUa4/s1600-h/Pet+the+dolphin!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116986775636962" style="WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_CU_-i3MDie1Pk9PZ6jyKmjdK87JMYnWAFf_5f1Up-LzYHjpliF3ON_QfFrOMUOx5mtc7qUylSwAN9CTAPMFhrEczPqtzZMd64yq4ArtdVRvGEiTKRz2YSOYyRCJRhkAtF6IgR-JMUa4/s320/Pet+the+dolphin!.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeFC_7ywfp30kpaXXZEoIt4W9uBUm3GSvV7sWgRqbMIR1R3qT9Qoy4D3ruyjdTB0PEgfQWzZj3a8_h282wBiO63619omd9KamLbvJNbdbNFcj88yxGe3keEnmtuI_iuzzEYRaaB5P1nc/s1600-h/What+are+you+looking+at.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117909990247794" style="WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeFC_7ywfp30kpaXXZEoIt4W9uBUm3GSvV7sWgRqbMIR1R3qT9Qoy4D3ruyjdTB0PEgfQWzZj3a8_h282wBiO63619omd9KamLbvJNbdbNFcj88yxGe3keEnmtuI_iuzzEYRaaB5P1nc/s320/What+are+you+looking+at.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwCep09PTTikaQQl1iHTEQN8JKmsjPM2gz6VbBvrfKAGfSGKTCnky_s4HxOkNXpXMFdmEXab_b7D2YZ6IDRQ1d4J3Z0xMxC3S9pM46XeklvD1BzMuJe_8HgdLUhn2t-xkpp_tIhZYmGY/s1600-h/San+Antonio+Temple.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117086908298738" style="WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZwCep09PTTikaQQl1iHTEQN8JKmsjPM2gz6VbBvrfKAGfSGKTCnky_s4HxOkNXpXMFdmEXab_b7D2YZ6IDRQ1d4J3Z0xMxC3S9pM46XeklvD1BzMuJe_8HgdLUhn2t-xkpp_tIhZYmGY/s320/San+Antonio+Temple.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaeIOONhwP6pdHo4dIy-mw0I3MLFr-I2Ux7GVRyIw88jnsk84FMdiqsQQAGGlgVGa4tGEgY-vh3NVDYAbSduUUeV9HyGxf-V3T93EIRevi5KnuI3tgXm2GbgaqwS56srAJFBZPTwQnNM/s1600-h/The+Seal+Lions.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117687846816194" style="WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaeIOONhwP6pdHo4dIy-mw0I3MLFr-I2Ux7GVRyIw88jnsk84FMdiqsQQAGGlgVGa4tGEgY-vh3NVDYAbSduUUeV9HyGxf-V3T93EIRevi5KnuI3tgXm2GbgaqwS56srAJFBZPTwQnNM/s320/The+Seal+Lions.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxv6PRF7Mfqb8qJMUAlqlz4hHuFKpoYAM1nE5pIW5NHy0MUtpzoHYi25mbaW0ch42oMAYasHbQZtYnANHsKrHpdtpjFOP4THzPuxDEdEChHPwWYyLmh5lCykuhMPA8NDvh57dEgBrUFE/s1600-h/The+Alamo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117553402909266" style="WIDTH: 170px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxv6PRF7Mfqb8qJMUAlqlz4hHuFKpoYAM1nE5pIW5NHy0MUtpzoHYi25mbaW0ch42oMAYasHbQZtYnANHsKrHpdtpjFOP4THzPuxDEdEChHPwWYyLmh5lCykuhMPA8NDvh57dEgBrUFE/s320/The+Alamo.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtZo-BmGzEYUuWpA6uI9VOevESVqD0ona66iGHyyu53oSOQ9-McNN9KEr-EYVokmpDZiOEaS3KmmZepostqqyEmwI8DS_rOv1VC_vJz7yWk0vJrRnoLcELinhC34F_y-JIvnDsa0W2A8/s1600-h/Shark.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117437742704898" style="WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtZo-BmGzEYUuWpA6uI9VOevESVqD0ona66iGHyyu53oSOQ9-McNN9KEr-EYVokmpDZiOEaS3KmmZepostqqyEmwI8DS_rOv1VC_vJz7yWk0vJrRnoLcELinhC34F_y-JIvnDsa0W2A8/s320/Shark.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTryChL35yarvqQ_SRBqj3It_2DGYlF1E8cyldqTKbb0gXcRT0eB_cbD8YS1PGdrqjqqrnqDyr2PwzTl_hdegBCCMQgyJ4G9Ki-zzcrcL7YTYFfuYiYTfxd03L6IsTB0jx5afyMcEn_s/s1600-h/Shamu.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279117333572623570" style="WIDTH: 186px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 163px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnTryChL35yarvqQ_SRBqj3It_2DGYlF1E8cyldqTKbb0gXcRT0eB_cbD8YS1PGdrqjqqrnqDyr2PwzTl_hdegBCCMQgyJ4G9Ki-zzcrcL7YTYFfuYiYTfxd03L6IsTB0jx5afyMcEn_s/s320/Shamu.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44TKTWRMLYD-rar6nbvo8OLK_ic-cZRn0s1FCXJYF2VY0HZA7PtQ2N9FLNmuZYViTvXqeUt_9G_ztoQpO61QD-LxL0vBdRrwEqs9LtWZQzrm7sNoOkw_LyL5BsWdMMG5JEvczfpo1nLc/s1600-h/Parrot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116874313456354" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44TKTWRMLYD-rar6nbvo8OLK_ic-cZRn0s1FCXJYF2VY0HZA7PtQ2N9FLNmuZYViTvXqeUt_9G_ztoQpO61QD-LxL0vBdRrwEqs9LtWZQzrm7sNoOkw_LyL5BsWdMMG5JEvczfpo1nLc/s320/Parrot.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWRIimfS3BBcWxGhmDRXmSNktiFxocvGc41WdxTKbluUnWNNMLgtftyoYiortH7q9qdrHKVC1Y10fTc3t9lOZwtjMAhH5kueU7NKUJGItyhCqVyjqagLWl9Aj3Z8MFkaObtNmZ3asbYY/s1600-h/Lion+fish.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116757818521026" style="WIDTH: 168px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 142px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWRIimfS3BBcWxGhmDRXmSNktiFxocvGc41WdxTKbluUnWNNMLgtftyoYiortH7q9qdrHKVC1Y10fTc3t9lOZwtjMAhH5kueU7NKUJGItyhCqVyjqagLWl9Aj3Z8MFkaObtNmZ3asbYY/s320/Lion+fish.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pXWCClgyn5tB_FPD69nRWG5PAgPUAWNLEQesbVUAeRKXblp9YHyt6gWAOYU9wZTd8i9MiZjxWJfMXMDMw94oRCiioDKL8pkNF3g69aNxPiKrzmP4oDseJg7Ut2xTZ06ymVwCja9k2ho/s1600-h/Leopard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116634193109170" style="WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_pXWCClgyn5tB_FPD69nRWG5PAgPUAWNLEQesbVUAeRKXblp9YHyt6gWAOYU9wZTd8i9MiZjxWJfMXMDMw94oRCiioDKL8pkNF3g69aNxPiKrzmP4oDseJg7Ut2xTZ06ymVwCja9k2ho/s320/Leopard.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCADex-64A2DuaI_LjRFeIyky0DanKb5bVXBhtgCF6AlkL-69pcNfr5a_D2HaIkRuYiqS5yaiTvlqgcBYlZnxDmsIOjliw3dYoDGRFoZl_0keGwz96YAxe30qN5AgqAH1z6aYcsDCOgzw/s1600-h/It"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116529685661714" style="WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCADex-64A2DuaI_LjRFeIyky0DanKb5bVXBhtgCF6AlkL-69pcNfr5a_D2HaIkRuYiqS5yaiTvlqgcBYlZnxDmsIOjliw3dYoDGRFoZl_0keGwz96YAxe30qN5AgqAH1z6aYcsDCOgzw/s320/It's+real.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nPcTfDcUc2ZTP6apmVNDPiQJ-61LsP5nvHgujlCNVwGHG1rQbvfwHRQ45YXPE8ywZfVpG8fMItFEzE7r_9sEmQys6R8lq1iAEgj0bHPfucKqzBfS96FtSA-UYfDvlphQ-XM6ahL-lsQ/s1600-h/Funniest+Show.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116431994355970" style="WIDTH: 188px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 127px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6nPcTfDcUc2ZTP6apmVNDPiQJ-61LsP5nvHgujlCNVwGHG1rQbvfwHRQ45YXPE8ywZfVpG8fMItFEzE7r_9sEmQys6R8lq1iAEgj0bHPfucKqzBfS96FtSA-UYfDvlphQ-XM6ahL-lsQ/s320/Funniest+Show.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRERG-R08a2l2diz_EUQ9gEzih4BYqsHTE_-_Czv45k_S7ktGEz9U7SkPDZbyLmHwv38EmKsPwOLgQw-XkivJ5MXbcl0fmMypsV4LMSPDzrQzZ9_xgsaLCIJJ77zPWdRTdzSyyvPuC7A/s1600-h/Elephant.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116342675165682" style="WIDTH: 160px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRERG-R08a2l2diz_EUQ9gEzih4BYqsHTE_-_Czv45k_S7ktGEz9U7SkPDZbyLmHwv38EmKsPwOLgQw-XkivJ5MXbcl0fmMypsV4LMSPDzrQzZ9_xgsaLCIJJ77zPWdRTdzSyyvPuC7A/s320/Elephant.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyTvjbIwhgvXSs6fCmMRt3UpCJJSF5mG1MREhQloaylHB0zRAmyZ1GbdYTNVmrJlc2xh4olE5Y1mQz-FcZ6vC-Ym6LNuHPe_nQ7vOlmTkjBHf45hfbwKK8RDTKB58cl6QfB9CHG-4iw4/s1600-h/Cascade+Caverns.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116254181362226" style="WIDTH: 192px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 123px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyTvjbIwhgvXSs6fCmMRt3UpCJJSF5mG1MREhQloaylHB0zRAmyZ1GbdYTNVmrJlc2xh4olE5Y1mQz-FcZ6vC-Ym6LNuHPe_nQ7vOlmTkjBHf45hfbwKK8RDTKB58cl6QfB9CHG-4iw4/s320/Cascade+Caverns.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8K8ODiTZ21KJpOt8isr6qXTtoQI2DQxxIhDfrZOdxh0wm1z7TgXlmKJ19ZjH4y5k0I0FWd5Q0ppGVP5QEz-NCNyf03audbopmtRXTM10SatSwcxYV5XiXTThsFGhUSpKzsfhV47a3gE/s1600-h/Amber+and+Me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279116147218757266" style="WIDTH: 173px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8K8ODiTZ21KJpOt8isr6qXTtoQI2DQxxIhDfrZOdxh0wm1z7TgXlmKJ19ZjH4y5k0I0FWd5Q0ppGVP5QEz-NCNyf03audbopmtRXTM10SatSwcxYV5XiXTThsFGhUSpKzsfhV47a3gE/s320/Amber+and+Me.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>In November, Rebekah and I decided to host a Thanksgiving dinner. Neither of us had ever been in charge of the turkey before so we did a practice session two weeks before Thanksgiving. The turkey ended up being the easiest part. Thanksgiving dinner two weeks later turned out to be a lot of fun and all of the food was great! The only thing that would have made it better was if Devon was there.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9I-ZzIegtr5664kgj9bQtsROqj2TFvhFqL78Ap_xgBgM4DL_NT3XCDF8jqVJJOnEvaPu4Aes96yyDZt5OExyqnlWvKWWMOmfvLfuLa0r3iawPsWDSfJC6vM6xU6DfwzerlP825WJZLg/s1600-h/Table+is+set.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279111575151782514" style="WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9I-ZzIegtr5664kgj9bQtsROqj2TFvhFqL78Ap_xgBgM4DL_NT3XCDF8jqVJJOnEvaPu4Aes96yyDZt5OExyqnlWvKWWMOmfvLfuLa0r3iawPsWDSfJC6vM6xU6DfwzerlP825WJZLg/s320/Table+is+set.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79IXtX0JegXCsE6x7qU4j23CArWXB76vMNEyV4NHcw8LbpY9h-t4aM149cOV-HAUPR8plgKGHMh475apcjVwXEgzbP54cmQpP4HD-U-DVZH-XDcREvaMXcHtf3ZkWew8iy9jo_JXzOkM/s1600-h/Thanksgiving+Dinner.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279111753599636162" style="WIDTH: 207px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg79IXtX0JegXCsE6x7qU4j23CArWXB76vMNEyV4NHcw8LbpY9h-t4aM149cOV-HAUPR8plgKGHMh475apcjVwXEgzbP54cmQpP4HD-U-DVZH-XDcREvaMXcHtf3ZkWew8iy9jo_JXzOkM/s320/Thanksgiving+Dinner.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwwQ2lQo_LlQ3pPbnMpbi7naPWlynOErpaSNz5CMGkFVbPX6te9dCHu5VU8Yq45zAUqaxSY0oswIvEC67b-bo-B42or0BLEFvnsP867oZHceR3dtPO2jXBgVEQoe9OIZ1Xwcujm82NKo/s1600-h/My+dinner+plate.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279111428268840994" style="WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwwQ2lQo_LlQ3pPbnMpbi7naPWlynOErpaSNz5CMGkFVbPX6te9dCHu5VU8Yq45zAUqaxSY0oswIvEC67b-bo-B42or0BLEFvnsP867oZHceR3dtPO2jXBgVEQoe9OIZ1Xwcujm82NKo/s320/My+dinner+plate.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Did I mention the weather is so nice outside that the boys don't want to come in until they are entirely too exhausted??</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwHHbvTWONw-sfkDDrNpZAtWIjM8P1H2Aqe6eeklkxt7uR3D_t_Sk0VgVdmTwD7qDvCX7C6GrTx9U8-sTBo8jMNg1o9ixC9nOPIyRHqAusM2UiF2LVWLUsUoNaS6QarGjlenDthB8RYo/s1600-h/Jonas+is+Tired!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279110156946482722" style="WIDTH: 198px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 158px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwHHbvTWONw-sfkDDrNpZAtWIjM8P1H2Aqe6eeklkxt7uR3D_t_Sk0VgVdmTwD7qDvCX7C6GrTx9U8-sTBo8jMNg1o9ixC9nOPIyRHqAusM2UiF2LVWLUsUoNaS6QarGjlenDthB8RYo/s320/Jonas+is+Tired!.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOQysSSfVXbY9iGE3HEFckeVqrGRHjyXVK5REyBkR_T_8J0z-r2kBIV6DA2kGpaUWNHufzhSkGg-Qe7Q47Ga3ZjcuQGRB7bruwK9z0rnzVnWHoErAhLOLlsYZpHuIyddcXsss7EnL-yw/s1600-h/Scout+mid-bark.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279110046816538610" style="WIDTH: 195px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOQysSSfVXbY9iGE3HEFckeVqrGRHjyXVK5REyBkR_T_8J0z-r2kBIV6DA2kGpaUWNHufzhSkGg-Qe7Q47Ga3ZjcuQGRB7bruwK9z0rnzVnWHoErAhLOLlsYZpHuIyddcXsss7EnL-yw/s320/Scout+mid-bark.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Jonas is actually resting his head in the water bowl...this was after he was drinking while laying down...Scout is mid-bark in the picture on the right - Jonas won't let him play with the big ball that wears Jonas out.</div><br /><div>Now I have a short span at home - next week I'll be in California for work, home for 2 days, then to Indiana for one week over Christmas, then home 1 day and on to Carlisle, PA for 3 days. Lucky me. I am looking forward to seeing family for the holidays! I am also looking forward to some relaxation after the holidays! Hopefully by that time I also find out what I will be doing with work! I role off my current position December 31st and have yet to figure out what is next in line. Hopefully something great!</div><br /><div>Until then - I'll just keep enjoying my boys and looking forward to word from Devon!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIhYrAP4bbTUtESXSx0tKiKMWnXTW4xy6cyPWqbbwqoyYSCmmPRY2dDkZf6wmrO7XfhWny17VgDne-o-deGppTTewRNMXLjXfuG9g7Wq70yThtt0Vzpo9pXKjnilrJptvXkNJc-UUd9g/s1600-h/Me+and+Scout.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279122503372371778" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIhYrAP4bbTUtESXSx0tKiKMWnXTW4xy6cyPWqbbwqoyYSCmmPRY2dDkZf6wmrO7XfhWny17VgDne-o-deGppTTewRNMXLjXfuG9g7Wq70yThtt0Vzpo9pXKjnilrJptvXkNJc-UUd9g/s320/Me+and+Scout.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDTObnXZnEUSZiujFkCz9mVy35rXhvmnRBJlJTlBCTk1faPxWjpl7qWfRy-dthQPdGp7xtFO_brwxoLzpX2BOxwE4IXeF4492SfjJiput6aoE9chlImQX_7DhBKgFS0-Cffqb6TOd4p4/s1600-h/Me+and+Jonas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279122399711184514" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDTObnXZnEUSZiujFkCz9mVy35rXhvmnRBJlJTlBCTk1faPxWjpl7qWfRy-dthQPdGp7xtFO_brwxoLzpX2BOxwE4IXeF4492SfjJiput6aoE9chlImQX_7DhBKgFS0-Cffqb6TOd4p4/s320/Me+and+Jonas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBu_QHXvWST-8gNPJgZjngPpWNpzhlfcSwJq4XvZ0htfi861wD50VcwFfjFGgW7iLlotWtvs7aeNkTYYHsgAKTUZ_tqBFAJn4i0n956VstLqpBpms35zB89mSfbvhE5ar45O_m0fDm2IU/s1600-h/Dev+and+company.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279123769431324626" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBu_QHXvWST-8gNPJgZjngPpWNpzhlfcSwJq4XvZ0htfi861wD50VcwFfjFGgW7iLlotWtvs7aeNkTYYHsgAKTUZ_tqBFAJn4i0n956VstLqpBpms35zB89mSfbvhE5ar45O_m0fDm2IU/s320/Dev+and+company.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-2177252660586680472008-08-31T20:23:00.001-07:002008-08-31T20:33:38.427-07:00OKay - here's the bedroom paint color!So bright yellow - it wasn't a horrible color, but not the calming, peaceful feeling I want in the bedroom.<br /><br />Before:<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg8C07OrZW4OYZ3-THtQfz6BpHj_5BwxhrJwT4dELWLKfC6btlynwAAzbG-0b_N23PQ7nX2DpCkMaqV_P40r4JMpPTg3okRlKfHKkr9i5GbkmiiFypsC-5-071tygv65k1SI4us42aGI/s1600-h/MB_Before2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240889432547588642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLg8C07OrZW4OYZ3-THtQfz6BpHj_5BwxhrJwT4dELWLKfC6btlynwAAzbG-0b_N23PQ7nX2DpCkMaqV_P40r4JMpPTg3okRlKfHKkr9i5GbkmiiFypsC-5-071tygv65k1SI4us42aGI/s320/MB_Before2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJZfd6vqtfYZwZHabFCXiPBqJGpEMg2du5WRnXgHc6mFeoEeBYMS0ew7im3fstsSynKMTSTby8rn6_IXLsJ6a2Z1_W3rXcjuX7Qgf2Og-vSpZP6Kri-vVs-yOkOUaepH0o3LOvB8yeaM/s1600-h/MB_Before.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240889242085852354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJZfd6vqtfYZwZHabFCXiPBqJGpEMg2du5WRnXgHc6mFeoEeBYMS0ew7im3fstsSynKMTSTby8rn6_IXLsJ6a2Z1_W3rXcjuX7Qgf2Og-vSpZP6Kri-vVs-yOkOUaepH0o3LOvB8yeaM/s320/MB_Before.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>I can't find my camera so I had to use my phone - not the best pictures - almost makes the blue look green...but they'll have to do. :) </div><br /><div>So here's the after:</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5B8Kdo3ytCw34RrL2Qqm_n-YEFA6AvJ_YP2_MMo0vxvEKlJWEvyM7sD_wwqKW9SB5BhKtz4mGrbLq7s5O-tIjB4OFzwqMlDp_Q7uWP3IXdz6q-8GLNQ3tDFwRoWDp7VJwJOPgwnyE0k/s1600-h/MB_After2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240890118614945986" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5B8Kdo3ytCw34RrL2Qqm_n-YEFA6AvJ_YP2_MMo0vxvEKlJWEvyM7sD_wwqKW9SB5BhKtz4mGrbLq7s5O-tIjB4OFzwqMlDp_Q7uWP3IXdz6q-8GLNQ3tDFwRoWDp7VJwJOPgwnyE0k/s320/MB_After2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0vCd9UzfT_t2N-wnBw_nevfjaZnNUpFY0vzI4KhIlfJZ9fMD7AfRB2dteczdXuGvjDMy6M4AE83ogRxLVMZm67P-FMuZ5jsQ83F2pHSy6AbnMc8zAedpoicMWqu4uvs8J-PG5hFmVGk/s1600-h/MB_After.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240890172210018450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY0vCd9UzfT_t2N-wnBw_nevfjaZnNUpFY0vzI4KhIlfJZ9fMD7AfRB2dteczdXuGvjDMy6M4AE83ogRxLVMZm67P-FMuZ5jsQ83F2pHSy6AbnMc8zAedpoicMWqu4uvs8J-PG5hFmVGk/s320/MB_After.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Somehow - Jonas managed to be in both the before and after picture....<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-37538004632064294452008-08-24T07:34:00.000-07:002008-08-24T07:40:20.168-07:00Quick HelloI have painted my bedroom the perfect blue I have decided. I was going to go with a grayish color but decided that was a bit too blah - so I went with a perfect shade of blue (for me). I have yet to take pictures though - so I will try and do that when I find my way home again this weekend. <div><div>But anyway - I had to post this picture of my husband looking like a rockstar soldier. He's hot! :) I might be slightly biased on that fact.... </div><div>But Devon is doing well - he is learning lots and training lots! More exciting than anything is that we found out his 18 day leave begins on September 6th! Well...his flight is 9/6 - but we are not sure if his 18 days begins on the 6th or when he actually gets home because it will take a couple of days for him to get home.</div><div>At any rate - he'll be home soon and my work has been amazing! and are letting me take the time off to spend it all with him. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and brave husband and a job that understands my situation and is willing to be flexible with me!</div><div>So here's Devon! :)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n33M0EdeKYoG15ip5majtyl0_3ySKODmOjwrtixUd9BLWdgpq8KqhvKzZDBruiUttxOc-gMchRdAe0hQ_M_mmTVIiN4XIYAb8mx0iTDjCbdR25Ys1spiuh-tsRQQMO7W8QuPopGKr-I/s1600-h/Devon+in+Hum+V.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238093861378111794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n33M0EdeKYoG15ip5majtyl0_3ySKODmOjwrtixUd9BLWdgpq8KqhvKzZDBruiUttxOc-gMchRdAe0hQ_M_mmTVIiN4XIYAb8mx0iTDjCbdR25Ys1spiuh-tsRQQMO7W8QuPopGKr-I/s320/Devon+in+Hum+V.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34OpeV1tC2k-qYn3hzG8ZN09R5hXW1v_eEmhkT0pAZ4tzgDFxhRxkC2oSq04i2N8-x6mcvfZEMsfiyH8qSCtbVo70eBIRKUmJFHBS8CsS3SWdyZprk706z4S0vLLC6mjwVcBIeJrs1q0/s1600-h/My+Sexy+Soldier.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238093968786583490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34OpeV1tC2k-qYn3hzG8ZN09R5hXW1v_eEmhkT0pAZ4tzgDFxhRxkC2oSq04i2N8-x6mcvfZEMsfiyH8qSCtbVo70eBIRKUmJFHBS8CsS3SWdyZprk706z4S0vLLC6mjwVcBIeJrs1q0/s320/My+Sexy+Soldier.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-54624256645359955422008-08-19T11:21:00.000-07:002008-08-19T11:22:59.967-07:00VOTE VOTE VOTEOkay - we have other things coming up to vote for...but I thought this was important too! I am not sure if the results will really get anywhere, but at any rate I think we should make sure our voices are heard!<br /><br />Here's your chance to let the media know where the people stand on our faith in God, as a nation. NBC is taking a poll on 'In God We Trust' to stay on our American currency.<br /><br />Poll is still open so you can vote, but I am not sure for how long.<br /><br />VOTE!!!<br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10103521/</a>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-5426828170054152512008-07-19T11:30:00.000-07:002008-07-19T11:58:58.934-07:00I'm Still Here...Wherever HERE happens to be...<div><div>I haven't posted in a while, but there really hasn't been too much going on. Well, nothing new anyway! I have been traveling a lot for work. I am actually traveling more than I am at home. It is a bit rough and I miss my boys so much! Thank goodness for Monica, my pet care provider who stays at my house and watches my boys whenever I am away! THANK YOU MONICA! </div><div>I will actually soon have a roommate - or sort of two. Rebekah and Bryan will move in August 1st - they are both in the Army, but Bryan is starting medical school in Houston this fall. They are an amazing couple and the new situation is going to work out great for us both. WELCOME HOME REBEKAH AND BRYAN :)</div><div>Besides that - the one week I <em>was</em> home recently I decided to be semi-productive. I have this long long list of things that I want to do to our house or certain things that I want for the house - I can't imagine how long the list would be if we owned the house.....</div><div>One thing on the list was to paint the kitchen and breakfast area. The kitchen was painted a light green on one small wall and then about 3 or 4 feet of another wall behind the refrigerator - I'll never understand why the previous tenants or owners painted that bit. The breakfast area was a bright and happy yellow - but not quite what I wanted. So I went with "jovial orange." Devon and I had gone to Wal-Mart before he left and I picked up the first orange I saw - loved it.....of course as I got closer to the time of painting I wasn't sure, but stuck with my first impression. I painted! I painted some of the odd walls back to white to clean up the look a bit...here's the before and after!</div><div>Before:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX8DAneoQMjMuOAsPygECnAvKh5qJ_L9ZRS0P6vxRp3qkHMphGeV6wV5yRNFFDSZXfSpkr2Y60cwRdqEW8C26znaLraVoe7dCYr7TF74R_FldS93wb4v7UWxLJm8Nj7unUt0igDvzz3k/s1600-h/th_S5001815.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224798926501175506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX8DAneoQMjMuOAsPygECnAvKh5qJ_L9ZRS0P6vxRp3qkHMphGeV6wV5yRNFFDSZXfSpkr2Y60cwRdqEW8C26znaLraVoe7dCYr7TF74R_FldS93wb4v7UWxLJm8Nj7unUt0igDvzz3k/s320/th_S5001815.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN375xk39K7TyiKNajAdXCuTNIYCDMHJBRmwWWufxObo48pFhGJ_xc7HI8I3-_FKXHvoiwbonJwALSVFTS7D-HvwT3bTwMFDYKWYhiOD26d9y8K0hnazM3gdEyVdhsOEUKO7JzZZBQa0/s1600-h/th_S5001814.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224799141810964642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN375xk39K7TyiKNajAdXCuTNIYCDMHJBRmwWWufxObo48pFhGJ_xc7HI8I3-_FKXHvoiwbonJwALSVFTS7D-HvwT3bTwMFDYKWYhiOD26d9y8K0hnazM3gdEyVdhsOEUKO7JzZZBQa0/s320/th_S5001814.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>After:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9aMw-2mi9ysuSr1YWeqz8oM74EqoSe1qLoLXzLAxMO3XJ_bvrrO2p6Pg5tGw4YnFW_UnyRgjYOsHZ8mKIDcCMi3aJU-JaiVQFS4pu6cDmDMYFAuty4krxBMZr5n8T208MVvDPrOqcQ/s1600-h/th_S5001818.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224799576471005042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9aMw-2mi9ysuSr1YWeqz8oM74EqoSe1qLoLXzLAxMO3XJ_bvrrO2p6Pg5tGw4YnFW_UnyRgjYOsHZ8mKIDcCMi3aJU-JaiVQFS4pu6cDmDMYFAuty4krxBMZr5n8T208MVvDPrOqcQ/s320/th_S5001818.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g1oRC3NyC-OuyU0tZMh8sjg_z65d5OuXkYBQTtiYfZ7XpU4lBwP7zdDJqoB0HSH9G5EwyuHYGinVJJXmbfhV-IVix74PwpuHzcJBGhy6LDtKMpjlDWXIDsGEEs-EXv8QsUT2nRM-4VQ/s1600-h/th_S5001817.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224799803857256386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g1oRC3NyC-OuyU0tZMh8sjg_z65d5OuXkYBQTtiYfZ7XpU4lBwP7zdDJqoB0HSH9G5EwyuHYGinVJJXmbfhV-IVix74PwpuHzcJBGhy6LDtKMpjlDWXIDsGEEs-EXv8QsUT2nRM-4VQ/s320/th_S5001817.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div>Do you like the color???</div><div>I guess I'll just do one thing on my list each time I am home. As long as I do at least one things will start looking pretty good! :)</div><div>Oh yeah - that is a new dining room table too! I just bought the table settings and I love having fresh flowers when I get home - Devon used to greet me with them almost every time he'd pick me up from the airport, but now I pick some up when I grocery shop. Either way works, but I bet you can guess which way I <em>prefer</em> getting the flowers. :)</div><div></div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-41399503893084432042008-06-14T06:51:00.000-07:002008-07-19T13:53:45.731-07:00Count down begins...433 days...and 5 days down...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211738857449915666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwY_RfBQOw3pibSMIDIxxWqOG7_8COUkINfwKGoeIfTjA8GXx_n9Y3bf8QaSfTZxHxzMCxww_R4Kc9zccalppLFmzbbvqYLQ7rBLpfiu0Gs0ktTrP9j1HdheciGUt9R2MSZoBhVI-ovA/s320/Deployment9.jpg" border="0" />....428 to go... Devon left Tuesday morning. He had to drop his bags off at 06:00. Devon left early so there would be no problems. My dad had traveled to Texas for support and to see Devon off. We got there with a little something to eat and some drinks right around 06:00. And then we waited.... <div><div><div><div><div><div>Not long after the soldiers were standing in line to "draw their weapons." They carry M4s. Some M4s had lasers or grenade launchers or sites, but most looked pretty bare. No - they weren't loaded, but they would be carrying them on a commercial airliner. No civilians would be on board. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvdldk9EmNVY1MVVU2ssfY_n9HRuJ68ioREIOL1ye1vZRxuYYDLw1rhkD6Gk-E_BGY7PQmMcXHR9sI90CaPrdThsc3XyYdmyyTuHAWxErbQfmrQUci8HvYH-v6Im9nUnEBWeNOIKjxhk/s1600-h/Lining+Up+for+Arms.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211738292107495106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvdldk9EmNVY1MVVU2ssfY_n9HRuJ68ioREIOL1ye1vZRxuYYDLw1rhkD6Gk-E_BGY7PQmMcXHR9sI90CaPrdThsc3XyYdmyyTuHAWxErbQfmrQUci8HvYH-v6Im9nUnEBWeNOIKjxhk/s320/Lining+Up+for+Arms.jpg" border="0" /></a> It must have been around 09:00 that they had everyone walk to the office building down the road a bit so the soldiers could have a sort of 'attendance' taken - pre-manifest.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6l19VE2-A8F7aQ2YsQdOpq3E7D759Gf9kQcuNt2HMoaS6T2vTuygOif4gBAcOqLYP3zkrhjkd8vQmtMCEGHJSBieq1hM5KfWTkG4IqqrFcM5_Vs4fgAEux_OiNmOzZSrbJxetuuEA9s/s1600-h/Devon+&+Sarah+-+Alone+Time.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211738040978206738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6l19VE2-A8F7aQ2YsQdOpq3E7D759Gf9kQcuNt2HMoaS6T2vTuygOif4gBAcOqLYP3zkrhjkd8vQmtMCEGHJSBieq1hM5KfWTkG4IqqrFcM5_Vs4fgAEux_OiNmOzZSrbJxetuuEA9s/s320/Devon+%26+Sarah+-+Alone+Time.jpg" border="0" /></a> Then they had everyone walk to the parking lot where the soldiers would be picked up. By now the sun was high and it was hot! The soldiers had to stand in formation for the majority of the remainder of the time. HHC, Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie company. Devon is in HHC (Head Quarter Company - I have no idea why there is a second H and no Q). Don't ask me all the details of what everything he is in...I only know what he's said, but not with much understanding....4th Brigaid and STB (Special Troops Battalion). He is one of the Military Police attached to the 1st Cavalry unit. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWutizTQ-LShb9p8F9779yCSbovXhfvKFzCQg_5Jt89OsKI_ry-X6lzA97Y-DUL2SttNezJoaeLQFOHOXkCjQgoaAremeGwzgOIS5AdbCiiNZDoxkANfBltzWI2qRPa9Vz-YHy2cRgNIU/s1600-h/Deployment11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211738156104367346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWutizTQ-LShb9p8F9779yCSbovXhfvKFzCQg_5Jt89OsKI_ry-X6lzA97Y-DUL2SttNezJoaeLQFOHOXkCjQgoaAremeGwzgOIS5AdbCiiNZDoxkANfBltzWI2qRPa9Vz-YHy2cRgNIU/s320/Deployment11.jpg" border="0" /></a> At any rate, the buses came to pick them up at around 10:30A. Devon had talked me into a few tears earlier in the morning - punk. :) But after he was walking in line to get on the bus I had a short break down...luckily Dad was there. It didn't last long, I didn't want Devon to see my face for the last time in tears. He needed smiles and support - so that's what he got!<br /><div>...</div><div>More than 48 hours I get a call from him. He is calling from Kuwait. The plane from Killeen had flown straight to Germany and from there to Kuwait. He will be there for a couple, few weeks. The soldiers are getting acclimated to the time zone (9 hours ahead - so when we talk I tell him to have a nice day and he says have a good night) and the weather (106 to 110 F dry heat...lately - its only June). They will also do some more training as a whole Battalion. Then they will move on to Iraq for the remainder of the 15 month mission.</div><div>I am so proud of Devon and all that he is doing for us and for his country and for the country he is spending time in. I am so impressed by his strength and courage. I am going to miss him, but I know that others have been through this before, that his going means someone else gets their loved one home, and that this is a small moment in time compared to the eternity that we get to spend together. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2EPn7v5rRjVUfMTFwSueUZ3TaYqgvmoimOsrmeh-R6lPwt9_X2e2XEAD3cXPG65F5Q-f_E6BN33pyZujz-A0CGxTxSsQ37Pfj7p908yO4T0dc34XFGRwxwQwIBtnABLML7ECpu8hlxA/s1600-h/Devon+&+Alex+Kim.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211738402129512402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2EPn7v5rRjVUfMTFwSueUZ3TaYqgvmoimOsrmeh-R6lPwt9_X2e2XEAD3cXPG65F5Q-f_E6BN33pyZujz-A0CGxTxSsQ37Pfj7p908yO4T0dc34XFGRwxwQwIBtnABLML7ECpu8hlxA/s320/Devon+%26+Alex+Kim.jpg" border="0" /></a> God Bless America, God Bless the Soldiers that Defend Freedom throughout the World, and God Bless my Hubby. :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UojrbZZaO8knWsnVCD4dfuWA1GosLxP36EB2EjD_tBWRPaL7UgzhaALq5fMVTadt5EcaK1ceW1GW0v4jEjBNw14B0ywxCczUwyAHUvSjJhXCIVqqccnVujtT_9_iGgNK6ZshEYC1wjA/s1600-h/Last+Picture+before+Boarding+Bus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211737836655027058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_UojrbZZaO8knWsnVCD4dfuWA1GosLxP36EB2EjD_tBWRPaL7UgzhaALq5fMVTadt5EcaK1ceW1GW0v4jEjBNw14B0ywxCczUwyAHUvSjJhXCIVqqccnVujtT_9_iGgNK6ZshEYC1wjA/s320/Last+Picture+before+Boarding+Bus.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-36189188496913016492008-05-29T05:32:00.000-07:002008-06-11T12:15:52.813-07:00Its been awhile...I don't have too much to share really, but it has been so long since I have posted that I thought I better post!<br /><br /><div>I promised pictures of the house, but we don't have any really good ones so I am going to hold off for now. Hope you can handle that! :)</div><div><br /></div><div>I think the most exciting thing lately has been poor Scout having to wear what I like to call a "dork collar" because he had a bad sore on his foot that needed topical ointment. So to keep him from bothering it..... <div><a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas012.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas012.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div><a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas012.jpg"></a> </div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas012.jpg"></a></div><div> </div><div>Poor kid! He really has been a good sport though....I think he was catching some good tunes with it....<a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas011.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas011.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div>Luckily his sore healed and he had the collar off in no time!</div><div><a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas022.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And he and Jonas are back to getting worn out in the backyard!</div><div><a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas024.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas024.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas025.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x181/DSLowery/Jonas%20and%20Scout/th_Texas025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-42661159955066020952008-04-16T19:56:00.000-07:002008-04-16T19:58:15.739-07:00We made it and we found a house!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMMY3lZe4THTsJjKzEsYiviFAKwRkH4RfYqFfK9FcgNuJ6UWH8irxEqdTvoTUu7Ed7VAGf0dv1oIoqsXVD7bARvMB9AqYQ3ditGn5UtEIBfh8ESQPXXU0Z7yGh22p0xqPwpNVeE19Tno/s1600-h/S5001563.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5190043074429245650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMMY3lZe4THTsJjKzEsYiviFAKwRkH4RfYqFfK9FcgNuJ6UWH8irxEqdTvoTUu7Ed7VAGf0dv1oIoqsXVD7bARvMB9AqYQ3ditGn5UtEIBfh8ESQPXXU0Z7yGh22p0xqPwpNVeE19Tno/s320/S5001563.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>YAY! After quite a bit of stress and SOME unsuccessful searching we did find a beautiful home to stay in while we are stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.<br />We were able to get the electric and water turned on the same day we moved in - thank goodness!<br />That just leaves...phone, dish, internet and are stuff! All of that will be taken care of by the end of the week.<br />Devon has some time off work to get things in order at home - thank goodness! I couldn't do all of this without him!<br />A little about the house. It's a 4 bedroom/2 bath home. We have an extra bedroom that we have NO idea what we will do with...I am sure we will find something though. The floors in the living room, kitchen and breakfast nook are tile...not looking forward to cleaning inbetween, but they are beautiful! A little bit of paint in some of the rooms is needed - the master is bright yellow and two of the small bedrooms are a bright blue - but other than that the house is in very good condition. The back yard is larger than our previous one and has a 6 foot wooden privacy fence. YAY for the boys! </div><div><br />More pictures to come when we have our furniture and do some decorating. :)</div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-30730444813397339472008-04-10T09:53:00.000-07:002008-04-10T10:06:45.210-07:00Indiana to Louisiana to Texas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCnj1xeoi-hMB2Kg2sUmlw38JWBeix4N9Keg51sNJbCY9i5U5NiLoUMngnWb1ulXdX_oGdVRDJuICBwV12PPQCMMPzQDTZGBtxk0RLsyEcDzJvFJDDgtn1-ZeO1wFvVXhZT_nlIE3Dp0/s1600-h/100_1313.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187660966065358706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCnj1xeoi-hMB2Kg2sUmlw38JWBeix4N9Keg51sNJbCY9i5U5NiLoUMngnWb1ulXdX_oGdVRDJuICBwV12PPQCMMPzQDTZGBtxk0RLsyEcDzJvFJDDgtn1-ZeO1wFvVXhZT_nlIE3Dp0/s320/100_1313.JPG" border="0" /></a> After a flight delay of 2.5 hours Friday, I arrived back in Indy from Dallas, TX a little after 6 pm. Devon picked me up and we met Mom and Gary for dinner -El Jaripeo! :)<br />From there we visited the Erekson's and as tired as I was I think I made sense at least part of the conversation. As we left their place after 10 pm, Devon and I knew we would miss the Erekson's a lot! We don't think we got to spend enough time with you guys!<br />We finally arrived home that night. This was the first time I had seen the house since all of our things were packed up and loaded and hulled off to some mover's head quarters for an undetermined duration of time.<br />The place was echoing, but I was glad to see the boys and they were glad to see me. :) We had a lot of work to do to prep for our road trip the next day though. We had a few things to pack that we were planning to take with us. It ended up being very late before we actually got to bed.<br />We woke up at an early enough hour Saturday morning and met my Dad for breakfast at IHOP. Just enough breakfast to make you want to take a morning nap.....and then we got into separate vehicles to drive over 1000 miles over a 2-day span. <br />We drove about 11 hours to Bastrop, Louisiana where Dev's Dad and some extended family lives. We had a few stops, but all in all we made really good time. If only Scout hadn't got sick THREE times on the way down.... Poor boy! I did get to see an alligator which apparently is a frequent site through Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, but I don't frequently see it - so it was pretty cool.<br />It was great to see Dev's Dad and Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle and cousins and second cousins ....and their dogs. :) It really was and they fed us well too! We left there late in the morning Sunday and travelled about 6 or 7 hours the rest of the way to Ft. Hood, Texas. We checked into our hotel room. We still had some daylight though so I showed Dev the neighborhoods I had liked when I drove down the previous weekend. He agreed that they looked pretty good. We headed back for the night and made a game plan for the next day. <br />The house hunting was not all that thrilling Monday morning, but we did end up finding to prospective houses! Hopefully everything goes smoothly this week and we are able to find a house and move in by next week! We have to move fast!<br />Look for some new pics of the dogs on the road trip in the next couple of days and hopefully some pics of a new house!<br />We'll keep you posted!SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-67422531004798170242008-04-04T05:32:00.000-07:002008-04-04T05:44:13.590-07:00Onward to Texas!<a href="http://ts4.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1546972366099&id=9840c92ecc2965c0c3486522ab96b1d0"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://ts4.images.live.com/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=1546972366099&id=9840c92ecc2965c0c3486522ab96b1d0" border="0" /></a><br /><div> So I get to fly into Indianapolis today - should arrive by 4 providing flights aren't delayed by Tornado season here in Texas. I won't be in Indiana 24 hours before Devon and I start are trek to Texas.</div><div>We'll be stopping in Bastrop Louisiana for Saturday night. Devon's family lives there and we will get to spend some quality time with them! I haven't yet met some of the new members of the family and I am looking forward to it!</div><div>Sunday, we will make the rest of the way to Fort Hood, Texas which is in the middle of Texas...a little over the hour north of Austin and about an hour South of Waco...something like that.</div><div>We'll spend our first few nights in a hotel taking some time to look for a house to rent.</div><div>I have Monday off but have to be in Dallas again Tuesday - only until Friday...no more of this two weeks straight bunk for a little while. I am hoping they decide they don't need more for the 4th week in Dallas. We'll see about that!</div><div>Devon has been Super-Husband without me the past two weeks for sure! He has taken care of so much to make sure our move goes smooth. He plans to continue is Super-Husbandness while I am back in Dallas for 4 days - he'll continue looking for a place to rent if we don't find a place Monday or taking care of all of the paperwork etc if we do find a place on Monday.</div><div>Hopefully we find a great place - hopefully the dogs, Devon and I adapt quickly to Texas! We'll keep you posted!</div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-29696452966238550212008-03-21T08:24:00.000-07:002008-03-21T08:47:12.999-07:00Devon's back!...and I'm about to leave! Go figure....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRph1T5mr50vFnw9CsX7PCiTDA_srKyniVMCgpwa31zCz422CA_YLjleJiTd4g1CYN8lAQCsDhW84O7hWo1J7_B8VQ-AllC_GszMrWBUhAyRjXMcYJTxMJPDQM46McZAch-P5lpOAkp0/s1600-h/Dev+and+Sarah_Graduation.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180221240522625074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRph1T5mr50vFnw9CsX7PCiTDA_srKyniVMCgpwa31zCz422CA_YLjleJiTd4g1CYN8lAQCsDhW84O7hWo1J7_B8VQ-AllC_GszMrWBUhAyRjXMcYJTxMJPDQM46McZAch-P5lpOAkp0/s320/Dev+and+Sarah_Graduation.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Devon is back! I traveled to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO Tuesday night - in torrential down pours to Mom's great dismay.... I arrived safely however, and Wednesday afternoon I was able to see Devon for the first time in TEN weeks. I can't believe we had only seen each other 2 weeks out of FIVE months! Oh man! </div><br /><div>Anyway - Devon looks great! He and his Company (Charlie Company - the "Comanches") marched up for Family Day shouting their cadences. Coolest thing I'd heard - I had goosebumps! It is so great to hear the men and women who serve our country up close and see how truly unified they are. </div><br /><div>On graduation day, Dev's dad, an aunt and cousin were able to join me in the audience. We noticed one of the emblems had "send me" as one of their sayings. "Here am I, send me." The graduation began in prayer and God was certainly present for this sacred ceremony. This country for sure was built under the watchful eye of our Heavenly Father and He continues to watch over the development and action of our troops. </div><br /><div>None of these men and women are saying "I am not my brother's keeper" or this is not my war. They are all saying "here am I, send me." I am so grateful for these men and women and I am so grateful to be a little piece of it. </div><br /><div>I am so proud of Devon and all he has accomplished and all he is willing to give for this country, for his family and for God.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We get to spend the weekend together before I fly to Dallas Sunday night. I will be gone for two weeks, but that will allow me some time to find us a house to move into near Fort Hood. I love house shopping, but I really only have one weekend to shop, choose and deposit. Exciting, exciting! </div><br /><div>I'll be back the first weekend in April and Devon will be headed to Fort Hood to report by noon on April 7th. We aren't sure on the exact timing, but all of the Fort Hood news seems to suggest that the 4th infantry division - 4th Brigade (his assignment) will be deploying before the summer is out. So we'll be spending every minute possible together! As much as our hectic schedules will allow. </div><br /><div>Of course we will keep you posted as we learn more details!</div>SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-16191751436358637192008-03-09T11:14:00.000-07:002008-03-09T11:29:16.767-07:00Just one thing left to do...And a whole of other stuff leading up to it!<br /><br />We found a tenant for our house here in Indiana - THANK GOODNESS. I guess that makes me a "landlord" now - doesn't everyone have bad landlords? Are their good one's? Hopefully I will be a GOOD landlord. I'll certainly try.<br /><br />With that down, and no worries with jobs, the only thing we have to do now is figure out how we are moving where and the timing of it all!<br /><br />We know we are moving to Texas. We know it will be two weekends from now - yep, the last weekend in March! It is just around the corner - I can't believe it! <br /><br />Devon graduates the 20th...there is a "family day" the day before that. So I get there Tuesday night...see him for a bit Wednesday during the day. He graduates Thursday and I THINK I get to bring him home with me, but I don't KNOW! I am hoping we get to come back to Indiana together and then drive to Texas over the weekend. I don't know what is report date is yet - good times!<br /><br />I usually hear from him on Sundays - so hopefully I hear from him today and we will be able to clear up some of this mess. <br /><br />At any rate - we can't fly to Texas early to look at homes - so we hope to precede our furniture by a day or two and we'll just pick our favorite house rental that is available at the time we get there. :) GOOD TIMES!<br /><br />We'll see how it goes. I am just now starting to get a little anxious - I have a lot to do before we can successfully go anywhere - so I better start making a list...not that I am any good at using lists, but once I write things down it all seems to make more sense.<br /><br />I am grateful that Devon and I will be back together soon - more than just pen pals! I am also grateful for the Church! It is the same WHEREVER you go! I know that we'll pretty much be on the same lessons, that people will probably have "their" spot in Sacrament meeting, that we'll probably have no trouble finding someone to watch our dogs when we are both away, that the Gospel is true and that Christ lives and loves us just as much as He loved the people in Moses' day - so we get a Prophet too! And Scriptures - and man! The list goes on.... Anyway - So basically - I grateful for the steady parts of life - the unchanging. As much as I love adventure and spontaneity - there are some things that should just be stable! I think I got the right things in each category!<br /><br />OKay - well - done for now! Have a great day!<br /><br /><br />"A smile is a curved line that sets things straight."SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8437906819950955527.post-62355279380654246592008-03-03T16:54:00.000-08:002008-03-03T17:59:12.920-08:00Got a Brand new Blog....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_7Prhkr72NB9Wb_JL8aRhiBMZ6nnEG8szkBgpQMd0rsbD8w5VUcGuSaqDdgxFgDBG72QTStFlnRKe1U1Se2IRlVAmbN3gdUdavn8JHW3aSEpagjdOduDrNMtGviIglR_9I4yWkcqQOc/s1600-h/Baby+Face.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173690762117131074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_7Prhkr72NB9Wb_JL8aRhiBMZ6nnEG8szkBgpQMd0rsbD8w5VUcGuSaqDdgxFgDBG72QTStFlnRKe1U1Se2IRlVAmbN3gdUdavn8JHW3aSEpagjdOduDrNMtGviIglR_9I4yWkcqQOc/s320/Baby+Face.bmp" border="0" /></a> Sometimes you feel like that baby looks! And now we can share!<br /><br /><br />HELLO WORLD WIDE WEB and SURFERS. :) Since Devon and I will be moving soon, I wanted to find a good (and easy) way to stay connected. I had NO idea how easy this was...though I still can't get a picture to load! I have no idea how often I will be on here, but I will try and update it often with whatever news I might actually have.<br />Right now things are crazy, but I imagine they'll slow down soon. On the list of things to do currently:<br />Rent or sell the house!<br />Rent a house in Texas!<br /><br />Yep - that's about it, and that's about enough! :) I won't find out until tomorrow night whether I have 2 weeks or 4 weeks to accomplish these two tasks in. Either way - we have to remain flexible. My page-a-day calendar today said don't take life too seriously! Life is serious, but it is not THAT serious. SO TRUE. Moving is a big deal - moving to a place when you don't have a place to live in is very scary, but we have a plan and we know things will work out.<br /><br />The plan: drive to Texas...spend a night or two (or three) at a hotel that takes dogs...during the day house hunt! We'll find our favorite of the currently available house rentals and we'll take it! Hopefully by that time, our furniture will have arrived and we can move it all in... GOOD TIMES.<br /><br />Luckily my job has trained Devon and I to be pretty flexible...and luckily we have been flexible enough that my job is willing to be flexible with us...since the Army is kind of boss. :) Army needs first! So at least we don't have to worry about jobs - and I will get to work from home when I am not traveling! SWEET!<br /><br />Slightly random...but this is my train of thought currently! Enjoy!SALhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00728752669580469869noreply@blogger.com1