Home, but not so sweet!

I can't say that home is the same after coming home from this trip.  It's just not the same without Dan here.  I think Tyler is feeling the same as he is always asking if we can go to Nana and Boppa's house.  Yesterday was extremely emotional for Tyler and I both.  After fine dining at The Country Kitchen (yuk!) we headed back to base where we dropped Dan off.  I couldn't help but think of the first time that he left and the hours that i spent crying afterwards.  However, this time I had someone else that I had to be strong for.  Much to Dan's chagrin Tyler and I couldn't hold it together and it was a pretty emotional goodbye.  We had to literally peal Tyler off of Dan.  Something I never want to do again.  

As if that wasn't enough on our plane ride home this morning was about 15 soldiers who were just heading home for their leave.  Tyler kept saying "look mommy, a soldier like my daddy."  The flight attendant kept thanking them for their service over the loud system and every time she did I started crying.   Then while we were waiting for our luggage we had to sit and watch all these soldiers reunite with their families.  Tyler said to me "I want my daddy to come home."  That's when I really started crying and by the time my dad got their to pick us up I was a total mess.

I can't say that I feel like the visit was the best idea, as Dan and I had feared.  It was a starting over with all of the pain and emotion and longing for our family for both Tyler and I.  Nonetheless we had a fabulous time and if nothing else we are that much closer to Dan being home... for good!

Daddy Time!

Well, it has been an awesome trip!  But, it has gone way too fast.  We have thoroughly enjoyed every minute that we have gotten to spend with Dan.  Thursday we hung around Tomah where we are staying.  Tried out the bowling alley and hit up Quizno's for some lunch.  The waterslides in the hotel were the hit of the day.  Friday we headed into the nearest "big" town of La Crosse.  We got to see the Mississippi river and check out the town.  Today we headed back to La Crosse and went to the Oktoberfest fair.  Can't say it comes anywhere close to the Puyallup or the Sonoma Co. fairs.  Tyler had a blast though and that was all we wanted.  He is loving every second of having his daddy around.

I am not looking forward to the goodbyes that are to come tomorrow.  Today was a bit of a solemn day because we knew we were ending our time with daddy.

Our first night here.  Tyler was so happy to see daddy.

At the Mississippi riverfront.

Trying out the water slides at the hotel.

Somehow Tyler got daddy to go on this ride.  He didn't feel so well when he got off.

Dessert!!!

Off to visit Daddy on wednesday!

It's been a while since I updated but not much has been going on.  We are getting into the routine of school, work, and everything else that we do.  Tyler has had his good and his bad days but I have to admit I think he is doing exceptionally well with all that he has been faced with.  He has always been such an easy going and resilient little guy.  Thank goodness with all the craziness we have in our lives.  We can only hope that once Dan gets home things will calm down a bit and we can experience a little bit of "normal" family life, whatever that may be.  

We are off to visit Dan and Tyler is very excited.  We will be sure to post pictures as soon as we get home.  Dan is anxious to see us too.  I think he is ready for a little down time.  I made sure to tell him that I am off duty and he is in charge of all discipline while we are there.  I need a break from being the bad guy.  He wasn't too fond of the idea :)  We'll see how it goes.

Tyler fast asleep in the recliner after a long day with Lolo and Jeff.

I just love this picture.  We were out on a nature walk with Migel.  

Tyler stopped to give him a hug.

Tracy, Mom, Tyler, Migel and I at the Elephant Stampede (5k walk for our church)

Tyler ran the last 1/4 mile.  Here he is crossing the finish line.

My little lego monster.  This is his "bi-plane".  He amazes me with what he can do with these things.  We just graduated him to the little legos!

These days will come and go

Well, today marks the first break down of the deployment.  I think that even the even the smallest things are blown out of proportion when you are away from your loved one for any amount of time.  The stress of doing everything builds up and sometimes it has to come out.  Well, today was the day, and over a bill.  Ugh.  I called Dan in hysterics.  So not what he needed from me but there are going to be those days when I have to let down my guard and admit that I can't always do everything.  It is moments like these when I have the utmost respect for single parents.  I truly do not know how they do it... and survive.  Today, was just one day and I am sure there will be many more to come.  I have to say it melted my heart and made all my worries go away when Tyler came to me, rubbed my back and said "what's wrong mommy?".  He is what will get me through this!

So, this afternoon when Tyler and I got home from swimming there was a knock on the door.  It was a women who lives behind us.  She was curious if we had a cat named Mac.  I told her that we did and she proceeded to tell us that he has been frequenting her house begging for food and she has been feeding him.  She wanted to make sure that he was being taken care of.  I just had to laugh because we all know that Mac is no small cat.  And we all know that if you feed Mac, he will eat.  I let her know that yes indeed Mac is being cared for and that she had been duped by a cat.  I do have to admit that I was a little curious as to why Mac would come home to eat and then quickly want back out.  He usually likes to hang out and sleep inside for awhile.  Well, now I know.  Such a glutton!   

I will leave you with a clip of his swimming lesson this afternoon.  He is such a fish!

First day of school!

Must start the day with a bowl of oatmeal and some cartoons!

Could he get any cuter?

I love the backpack that is almost as big as he is.  Classic!

Tyler had a great first day.  Mrs. Banks said that while most the other kids were in a little bit of shock, sitting there quietly, Tyler on the other hand was asking question constantly.  "Why are we going to do this?"  "Where do the scissors go?"  "What are we doing next?"  That's my guy, always so inquisitive!

Where does the time go?

I was just uploading pictures to my new computer and took some time to look through old ones.  I can't believe how fast time goes.  It seems like only yesterday Dan and I were saying our I do's and starting our family.  Now here we are four and a half years later with a beautiful little 3 year old, a new house, another deployment under way, a Law degree in the works and so much to look forward to.  It only leads me to wonder where we will be in another four and a half year.  Thinking of all that we have to look forward to is what will get me through this year.  I can't wait to experience it with my husband and my son, all of us together.  

Tyler starts his first day of school tomorrow.  I am not sure who is more excited, him or I.  It has been a while since I have had 2 1/2 hours to myself.  I think that is the hardest part of being full time mom and dad, you never get a break.  Not to mention the fact that I am pretty sure Tyler is getting a little bored with me.  We are both ready to get into a routine for the school year.  Anyhow, stay tuned for pictures.  I will post them as soon as I can.  

The best day of my life!

This is one of my all time favorite pictures of Tyler.  He was only 1 day old.

Check out those blue eyes!

My favorite picture of Tyler and Dan

Our family.

Tyler's First Hike

Well, in an effort to keep us busy I decided that Tyler and I needed to try something new.  After getting my sister on board with the idea Tyler, me, Katie, Ethan and Lauren all headed out to Tiger Mountain for a "hike".  I have to admit that I did not have the highest expectation from my child who notoriously does not like to walk.  Much to my surprise it was a blast.  Tyler throughly enjoyed experiencing the outdoors as did I.  Lesson to self... try it, it may be a complete success!

Tyler continues to amaze me everyday in the way that he experiences the world.  What an amazing time this is for him.  He is continually amazing me with his insight on the world and the people around him.  I called home to check on him one day while at work.  I asked to talk to Tyler fully expecting him to say no, he didn't want to talk to me.  But, today was different.  He was ready to talk to mommy and talk did he!  He gave me a 5 minute explanation on why he and Claire (his cousin) were not getting along.  Surprisingly he even took the blame for not wanting to share his new legos.  He is growing up so fast.  Dan will agree with me on that one.  He is continually amazed at the conversations that Tyler will carry on with him.  As we like to joke, he is such the little man.  

Example:  I was driving Tyler to my parents today and I thought I would stop and get him a muffin for breakfast at the market.  I pulled in and Tyler promptly looked at me and said from his seat "Excuse me mommy.  I don't want a treat this morning.  I just want to go to Nana's".