Joe's Crab Shack

This is one of my favorite pictures. A couple hours after picking up Rich from the airport last November, he was in the mood for Seafood so we went to Joe's Crab Shack for lunch. Rich got a big bucket of crab legs and the waitress even tied a plastic bib on him (which he took off). We had a fantastic lunch, but I mostly remember how good it felt to sit as a family again and how happy and proud we were to have Rich home again with us. Can you see the contentment in all their faces? How sweet is this? Very.

Gavin's Dental Appointment

Gavin's dental appointment on Friday went super good. Look DAD!! NO CAVITIES!!!!

Gifts from Iraq

Rich brought some fun things from Iraq in November while he was on R&R, I have been wanting to share them for a while. Sweet little glass bottle with perfume oil called " Arabian Nights". Has a kinda of spicy smell to it. He also brought one for Jessica.

These are carved out of Water buffalo horns.

This little set Rich sent to me in the mail last summer, I have it in my dining room hutch. I really like the blue color.

This is a tea set called an "adallah". It is metal and has an etched design made by hand. Rich says tea is a traditional and important drink over there.

Garrett turns 10!!

Today was Garrett's 10th Birthday. Wow, double digits now for him! I can't believe it! I have been super sick and finally went to the doctor this morning after I baked Garrett's cake. I couldn't find any of my decorations so I had to stop at the Dollar Tree to get what I needed and it paid off, exactly what I was looking for. I came home and drugged myself and went to bed for 3 hours. I woke to the boys ringing the doorbell. Jessica arrived shortly after and helped with the decorating and the cake which I think turned out really cute. Jessica took the boys down the street to the neighborhood carnival for a half hour which gave me time to wrap presents and straighten up the house. We ordered pizza and Kari and Vince came over. Garrett got some fun things for his birthday, a basketball, Frisbee, sidewalk chalk, a microscope, from Kari and Vince water balloons (450), football, and a Rubik cube. Fun stuff! The best was when Rich called on the web cam and Garrett opened his special present he sent him. He got him the Hardy Boys 6 book set and Where The Red Fern Grows. They were Rich's favorites growing up. Garrett is so much like his dad, I am sure he will love them as much as he did. Overall I think that his birthday went over pretty good considering Rich is gone and I am sick with a cold.

Our House

I have had a lot of fun with decorating the house. I keep changing things and yes, spending money that I shouldn't but it is so much fun and with Rich gone it passes time and makes me happy. I feel like I am getting it ready for Rich to come home too. So, I wanted to share some changes I have made. I could paint the walls here and would love to but I would have to paint them white again before we would move so I really don't want to put in the time and money. After 17 years of marriage I finally have nice furniture and "things". Thankyou Rich!!

Happy Birthday Richard!

Happy Birthday Rich! We love you!

From Jan and the kids!

Painting Easter eggs

Oh we do love to paint Easter eggs! Last year we spent Easter in Kentucky at Jim and Krisann's house. It is hard to believe. What a great time we had with them. Why did you have to move...boo! hoo! We were just talking to Rich via web cam and the kids were showing off all their eggs. Wish he was here to paint eggs with us. I went to the store today to get the last few items for dinner tomorrow. I am making ham, potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, rolls, etc. , AND...chocolate dipped strawberries and ice cream for dessert! It was a gorgeous day out here and will be just as nice tomorrow.