November 5,2007

Months have come and gone since I have last blogged. Hunter came home, summer travelling began and what can I say, I find myself finally seeming to get in to somewhat of a routine, if I dare say that considering the always changing schedule the air force place on our lives.

Ava turned one, which was very memorable partly because we can't believe how time has flown and partly because Kate stole Ava's cupcake before we could even light the candle. Ava did get another cupcake, which she devoured happily all by herself! We are so blessed with our wonderful girls.

The girls had fun on Halloween. Ava was a flaminco dancer wearing a dress that Hunter brought her from Spain. Kate, after watching a Max & Ruby show(her favorite) where Ruby was a princess for Halloween, she decided to not be a flaminco dancer, but a princess. We dressed her up with jewels, makeup, did her hair and she was adorable. Unfortunately, I didn't get any before pictures of her only ones after she had been out trick or treating for an hour. Hunter took the girls around. Ava had a blast following the crowd of friends who had all gatherer at our house for dinner and then Hunter was the token father becasuse all the other dads were either flying or out of town. Kate was a trooper and carried home her bag of candy that must have weighed over five pounds.

That is about as exciting as things have been for us recently, the cool weather is here, the leaves are all gone and now comes the cold! We can't wait to go home to Texas in December.

Blessings to all I love, R

The Eagle has landed!

Praise be to God for the safe return of our beloved father, husband and son! He arrived yesterday afternoon in a five ship of jets. We truly loved the sound of jet noise overhead! We were able to line up along the taxiway and once the engines were off and the canopies were raised we were allowed to run and meet Peso. Bootsie hasn't taken her eyes or arms off him since. Luvy just loves to look at daddy and squeals with glee when he holds her.
Peso's father, Steve and mother, Tito came to welcome him home. What a joy it was to welcome all of the jets home safe and sound. Hunter's mother and father were great helps in getting the house cleaned for his return and Tito made sure every piece of laundry was cleaned and folded before she left. What a blessing they both were. We enjoyed visiting with them. Tito watched the girls one evening in order for Hunter and I to have a nice date. We went to dinner and watched a movie. The evening was great.

Hunter brought home some fun gifts for the girls. They love their dresses from Spain. Their daddy sure has a great talent for buying gifts.

All bags are emptied and all guests have left. Now we have a week and a half to enjoy being a family again. We are thinking about Oregon for a short trip away, Hunter is itching to try out his new kites. The Hood River area should be beautiful this time of the year! We love you all and thank God for all your prayers and love. Blessing, Rachel

May 10

So, I haven't slowed down enough I guess because my body has now decided to slow me down. I have not felt well since last night. Unfortunately, I had several plans today and tomorrow, which I had to cancel. I am bummed about missing my friend Michelle's head shaving party and I was supposed to host play group tomorrow. I have had a lot of rest today and just wanted to jot a couple quick notes and include the adorable pictures of our girls.

Luvy is rocking on all fours and getting around by rolling or moving her legs to push herself. She is into everything that is on the floor, so now Bootsie and I will have to be a little more careful about what we leave around. Both girls have been great today and taking it easy, Bootsie has been a good helper and very tender with mommy. My good friend Kristi went grocery shopping for me to get some necessities and took Bootsie to play with her son for several hours this evening.

I have been working on several projects: I have almost finished getting all my paper work back in files, I have planted my front bed with new flowers and I have started taking out the clothes the girls no longer fit. My dad would be proud of me for changing the oil on my lawn mower and changing out the blade for a thatching blade. Thankfully, in the neighborhood, there is a young man who I can call to take care of lawn needs and he cleaned up all the grass I had torn up with the thatcher yesterday since I didn't feel good enough to do it.

Peso is set to come home in a week and a half, so we are getting very excited! He is busy finishing up last minute OPR's(officer performance ratings) and awards papers for the guys in his flight. When he gets back he will be moving to the wing weapons, so he should have a more family friendly schedule, Lord willing!

That is all for now, I will be doing the race for the cure on Saturday if I feel better. I will be pushing the girls in the jogging stroller. It should be fun. I love and miss you all dear friends and family in Texas. -Ralee

May 5, 2007

Well, now that life has slowed down a bit I can finally reflect on the past couple of weeks (or a month) since I have last journaled.

Our biggest event this past week occurred on May 3, Bootsie turned 3. She and I had a stack of buttermilk pancakes topped with candles. She made me relight the candles three times. We celebrated her birthday in Texas the weekend before we came home to Idaho. We had a fiesta for Bootsie with fajitas, a pinata, a lot of presents and ice cream cake. Many dear friends and family helped us celebrated. Celebrating Bootsies birthday was bittersweet because her daddy wasn't there. Hopefully by the end of this month we will welcome him home!

After coming home last weekend, I developed mastitis again. Thanks to antibiotics, I am doing better. Thankfully, my sister flew home with me and helped out by emptying all the bags and helping me get settled back in to being home. It was hard to say goodbye. Bekah is such a blessing to have as a sister because she is also one of my best friends.

Several guys who left for the deployment before the rest of the squadron came home on Friday and the girls and I went to the airport to welcome them home. It was great to welcome them back, but it was hard leaving with out our daddy! Soon it will be our turn.

I helped give a baby shower for my good friend Kristi today. We had a large turn out and she was showered with a bundle of cute clothes for her little girl. She is due early in June, very exciting!

Bootsie continues to surprise me with new words or skills that she has developed without me showing her. Luvy is sitting up very well and reaching for everything. She loves bathtime especially when her big sister shares her toys. We are still working on getting our nighttime routines. The weather is finally warming up, but the wind is still making it hard to go outside. We are anxious to get out and enjoy the sunshine by going for runs, visiting the park and digging in the sand table outside.

That is all for now, I am glad to be home, but I dearly miss my family. I have plenty of projects to keep me busy until Peso comes home. Thanks for all your prayers and love. -Ralee

April 3

March ended with a mom's only get away. Well, with Luvy in tow, but without toddlers to chase. My friend Meggan and I travelled to Port Aransas for the weekend. Despite heavy rain the entire time, we had fun catching up without the distraction of little ones to keep up with. Don't get me wrong, we love our babies, but a break once in a while helps a mom to refresh and come back ready to take on motherhood with renewed zeal. There was a sand sculpting competition on the beach, which despite the rain, yielded many visitors and some awesome artwork. Luvy was tucked warmly inside my rain parka and slept the whole time. I had some great seafood and we even slept in-ooh! On the way home we enjoyed the beautiful wildflowers in full bloom because of all the rain. Love the bluebonnets!

Luvy who is almost 6months(on the 11th) had here first taste of solid foods yesterday. She dined on Brown rice cereal. She ate it happily and gave me a look that said, "Where have you been hiding this stuff!" Kate helpe me feed her and we all enjoyed the introductory feeding time. Needless to say she loved it and rewarded me with a full undisturbed nights sleep. She has "slept" through the night since 7wks, but usually she has been waking up around 4 for a couple minutes just restless and I have to give her her pacifier, but I guess the extra food on the tummy helped her not need her pacifier or whatever. It's all good!

Peso is counting the days or atleast the roundabout days until they start coming home next month. He is still keeping busy and now is on the night schedule, not his favorite, but atleast when he calls, I am awake and we can instant message when he has the time. His spirits seem to be good and he is happy with the progress they are making.

Bootsie celebrated Easter in Mother's Day Out and made us wear her bunny ears for pictures. I know she is going to enjoy the egg hunt we have planned for her on Sunday. We are looking forward to a wonderful Easter weekend spent remembering the sacrifice our Lord and Savior made for us by dying on the cross for our sins and His conquering death, which brought life to all who believe! May the Lord bless you and keep you all! Love, Ralee

March 26

Hello All, I just came home from visiting a good friend in Austin for the past week. Peso and her husband were roommates in college and he also flies in the Strikeagle. We were at SJ and they are currently in Pensacola heading over to Lakenheath this summer. She just had here third son, a real cutie. Bootsie enjoyed getting to know the older boys who are 4 and 2. Unfortunately, she left a couple cat scratches on the youngest who enjoyed taken things from her. The kids had fun playing all over the house. The weather kept us from going outside, so we did get a little stir crazy. The time with my girlfriend Tracy was great and we did get to visit some despite the five children under foot.

Last Wednesday, I went to a good friends to play in her clay studio. I made a slump plate, which I am very excited about and really enjoyed visiting with her more. She was so generous and invited me to come every week to play! Yeah!

The girls are doing well. Luvy is rolling everywhere and she is working on her first tooth, which just broke through. Bootsies vocabulary continues to expand. I also think she has a candy gps system in her because she finds it wherever we go, fortunately, the eat all your food and then you can have a piece, is actually working for her.

Peso seems to be doing well and staying very busy. We are very excited this separation is half way done. The girls and I can't wait to welcome him home, as all in Mountain Home say Amen to that! That is all for now. Love, Ralee

March 13

After two weeks or more of not blogging, I find myself inspired again. I am currently battling what I can only determine as post-partum depression. I have spoken with several dear friends and a doctor, so I am taking several steps to overcome this frustrating experience of sadness which sweeps over me often. Thanks for all the prayers and calls. As a result of just not feeling like doing anything because of the depression, I haven't taken the time to do things I love to do. One being keeping in touch with friends and family, which is why I blog.

We have really not done anything recently that is all that exciting. We have celebrated birthdays with friends, taken pictures in the bluebonnets-love springtime in Texas and just enjoyed our family.

Bootsie continues to love Mother's Day Out and is picking up words left and right. The other day she told my dad, "Papa, don't help me!" as she was helping herself get out of the car. She is Miss Independence. She wants to peel her own bananas, put on and take off her own clothes and even tries to go outside and explore on her own. The exploring alone is a constant source of conflict. The biggest news with her is that we have bought a Dora potty and are now working on going potty in it several times a day. SHe isn't quite proficient, but she is getting there and really enjoys getting stickers every time she goes to the bathroom. I will spare you pictures!

Luvy is 5mos. old and weighing in at 15lbs.12oz. Yeah! She is continuing to be an easy going baby and a source of joy to all of us. Her eyes have yet to choose their color, but I think they will be brown like mine and her sisters. She is rolling on each side and from front to back. She is sleeping well from 9:00pm-7:00am give or take 30minutes-praise God!

Now that the weather is warming up, I am able to get out and go jogging more and my mom and I do Pilates in the evenings on the days I don't get out for a jog. Thanks to the good Mexican food and my parents real sweet teeth, I am finding loosing weight to be ever a challenge (sure blame the parents for the sweets). I have started reading more, which helps me feel good by keeping my mind working. All these things to say, I am doing well, loving my time with my family, missing my friends in Mt. Home, and feeling confident that by God's grace and maybe a little meds, I will get out of this post partum funk and enjoy life more. Blessings, Ralee