We Survived Week One of PDT!

It’s official. Josh is away at school and we won’t see him until sometime in May. Right now he is at Pre-Deployment Training (which lasts about two months). After that he has two more schools (one in VA and one in CA). Even though he is going to have a brief stop here in GA between those schools, we decided that Dylan and I would move in a couple weeks anyway. It will be really nice for us to be around family while he’s gone. And that way, we will be completely settled into our new house by the time he gets to Illinois in May. We will be able to relax and enjoy our time together instead of trying to unpack and organize.

"I'm gonna stop him from packing!"

Josh left about a week ago and we already miss him like crazy. The day before Josh started packing his suitcase that he’s going to live out of for the next four months, Dylan came into our bedroom with his book and plopped down on top of the suitcase. I’m pretty sure he was thinking, “If I just sit here, Daddy won’t be able to pack and leave for Pre-Deployment School!” Unfortunately, his plan didn’t work and Josh still had to leave.

Dylan's Progress Report: I’m not sure why it worked out this way, but this week has been a huge week for Dylan. Just like everyone told me it would happen - he has decided that it’s time to start talking. When Josh left, Dylan had about 8 or 9 words. Now, we are adding a few every day. The big thing in the last couple days is animal sounds. Josh had been doing animal sounds with Dylan for a while, but Dylan just wasn't repeating. The other day I was telling him animal names out of his book and when I said Monkey he did the sound. Right now, our pile of sounds includes monkey, dog, cow, and lion. His words are Mom, Daddy, yes, dog, duck, cat, sock, car, teddy, and chewy (I feel like there’s more, but I’m drawing a blank right now). Today we were working on saying the letters D and S (his initials). He also shakes and nods his head and uses sign language for Eat and More. I’m a proud Mama!

We’ve been trying to keep busy here now that Josh is away. I feel like I’m being productive, but I’m not seeing the results that I want, so I’m a little frustrated. I guess I’ve got to just keep with it. I’ve been trying to organize our house for the move, throw things out, and get car loads of stuff to Goodwill. Once the house starts looking move-ready I think I’ll feel better.

Making Valentine's Day cards

Our lifesavers have been the Runnels Family. Katie is always letting me gab with her when I need a distraction, Elleah’s loving all the playdates, and TJ doesn’t complain with all of the Anika & Dylan time. They even had us over a few days ago so the kids could make Valentine’s Day cards. The greatest survival tool a military wife has are good friends. And I have amazing ones. On that note, I’m also grateful to Colleen and Jonathan for calling me all the time. They make my heart happy, and I need that. I am blessed in the friend department.

Josh moved locations today. His first week was a class and now he’s getting into the “fun” stuff that he’s been looking forward to. The good news is that he has better internet now, so I’m hoping we can Skype soon and Dylan can see his Daddy.

We survived our first week apart (of many). I told Colleen that I was a little sad that Josh was missing these new things Dylan was saying, but I was going to have to get used to it. She said, “Just frequently remind him he is not only ‘missing it’ to better your family, but all American families!” See why my friends are amazing?

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we adjust to our new lifestyle. Thank goodness I have such an incredible husband who is totally worth it.

Christmas at Marlene & Larry's House

When we left the Quad Cities, we were headed East to Josh’s sister’s house for the Christmas weekend. We had such a wonderful time with Larry, Marlene and family. Dylan was completely loved on the entire time we were there.

Setting the table for our Christmas meal

On Christmas Eve, we went to church for the Christmas service and then headed back to the house for a wonderful Christmas meal. Marlene and Larry cooked up an incredible feast.

And we had to have Christmas toasts! There was a Sparkling Cider toast and a Corona Christmas toast. Good stuff!

On Christmas Morning, the younger kids were SO excited to open their presents, so we had an early wake-up call.

However, Marlene and Larry did tell them that they had to wait until at least 6. So, I was woken up at about 6:09 and present unwrapping commenced at about 6:15. I left Dylan in bed, but he heard all the excitement and woke up anyway. He was a little too tired to get into it like the other kids but he tried. As you can imagine, there was an late morning nap in store for him.

Cute Side Story: When we opened an 8x10 photo of the family (taken last summer at Grandpa West’s funeral) sent from Joe & Cindy, Dylan was very interested. He inspected it closely, and found his Grandma Cindy (you can see him pointing at her in this photo). He still likes looking at that photo. I keep it on a shelf low enough for him to reach. He carries it around the house checking everyone out.

We tried taking a family photo, but it was a little early for all of us and Dylan wasn’t really in the mood. Oh well, it works.

Strangely enough, I think Dylan’s favorite Christmas gift was actually Larry’s. He got a massage chair. Dylan saw all of us trying it out and decided that he wanted a go at it. We put it on the lower back setting so it was perfect for him. He sat so still and was so serious the entire time he was getting massaged. I thought it might freak him out, but he loved it. How crazy is that?

We left on Christmas afternoon to start our drive home. I know Dylan enjoyed his time at Aunt Marlene & Uncle Larry’s house just as much as we did. It was so special to be able to spend the holiday with them. We are very blessed to have such incredible people in our family.

Dylan and his cousins 

Our Busy Last Day in the QC

The day before we left Moline was Bob’s Birthday. (Funny note about this post. Even though it was Bob’s Birthday, all of the photos I have from this day are with my Dad’s side of the family. Interesting)

Bob took the day off of work, so we hung out with him all morning. We even treated him to his favorite Birthday meal. “Dead chicken from Jim’s Rib Haven.” Josh and I had to get ribs, but Bob got his favorite Chicken Dinner with hot sauce. He was a happy guy.

Even though it was Bob’s birthday, today was the only day that my Dad was going to be in town while we were (He drove from Colorado and got in early that morning) So after lunch, we left the house to meet up with him and Connie for the rest of the afternoon. We met them at the Mall so Josh and I could finish our Holiday shopping, and Dylan could wear out Nana Connie at the kids’ play area in the Food Court. Dylan was so excited to see his Nana. She had watched him the day before while Josh and I had a movie/dinner date.

Grandpa, Dad & I at Grandma's grave

When we left the Mall, Dylan was passed out in the backseat (too much Nana fun!). We drove to the cemetery to place a Christmas wreath at my Grandma’s grave. Remembering Grandma, she absolutely loved Christmas Eve with our family. She is missed so much at Christmas and all through the year. When she died, someone wrote in a condolence note to me, “Grandmas are so special.” It’s such a simple statement, but it’s so true.

After a couple hours at Grandpa Charlie’s house (where Dylan unwrapped a CAT tractor toy and tool box from Grandpa & Joanie), we headed to Harris for dinner with my family. Yup, we had Jim and Harris in the same day. QC food overload (but well worth it)!! Nana Connie and Poppy Steve showed Dylan how the pizza guys toss dough and throw flour at the window where the kids watch. Dylan loved it!

Dylan with his Poppy Steve

After dinner, we went back to my Aunt Karen’s house to open some more Christmas gifts. Once again, we were totally spoiled. Our families are incredibly generous. Dylan got toys and lots of books and some really cute outfits. He also got some fun wrestling time with Poppy.




It was a wonderful day with so much of my family. I think Dylan had too much fun!

An Early QC Christmas

Our early Christmas Day had arrived! Continuing on our early celebration plans, we got up on Sunday morning and got the stockings out. Dylan’s stocking didn’t have much in it because all of his gifts were way to big to fit in a tiny stocking. So he got to open a few of his big presents while we dug into our stockings.

Although Dylan has become a professional paper ripper, he took the time that morning to make one gift extra beautiful. It's obvious that if a present looks nice with one bow, it stands to reason that it would look even better with several! What an artist!

That morning Dylan got to open one of his gifts from Josh. It was a sit-and-spin! He needed a little help figuring it out, but once he did, he was on fire!

We wanted to take a family photo in our Christmas pajamas. That’s right, we get pj’s every Christmas Eve and wear them on Christmas morning. Of course, this year, we had two Christmas mornings when we could wear them. Dylan’s had monkeys in Santa suits on snow skis…awesome.

After a little roughhousing with Oscar, we were ready to get dressed and prepare for our family Christmas afternoon. I went to pick up my Grandma and Grandpa and Grandma Gisele came over too. We had a wonderful meal (Cheesy potatoes!!!) and then settled in for some presents.

Dylan made out like a bandit and I’m not sure any of us were good enough this past year to deserve all that we got.

Although Josh said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’ve been awesome this year!” hehehe.

Oscar even got spoiled!
I may have spoiled him on purpose because we were leaving him at Mom & Bob’s house for these two months before Dylan & I move to Moline. It was going to be easier to take him and leave him then, rather than when we are moving all of our stuff in February. Dylan was showing Oscar how to snuggle up on his new kitty bed. As you can see from the photo, Oscar was not as excited about it as Dylan.

Santa came early and brought Dylan a huge new toy box to put in his new room in Moline. It only took about 30 minutes before he decided he wanted to climb on top of the toy box and slide down the front. He is such a boy!

After the Grandparents were home, we turned on the Patriots game and snacked on leftovers all evening (cheesy potatoes!!!). It was a great day. Exactly how I would want an (early) Christmas Day to be. Thank you so much to my family for celebrating with us. It was perfect.

A Busy Early Christmas Eve

We spent the weekend before Christmas at my parents’ house. Since we were leaving a few days before Christmas, I convinced myself that Saturday, Dec 17 was Christmas Eve and Sunday, Dec 18 was Christmas Day. Santa came early, we did stockings on Christmas Morning, a family meal and presents - the whole she-bang. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Back to our Early Christmas Eve…

Dylan and I had been in Moline for almost two weeks without Josh. He was at a two week training school in California. Once he was done, he flew into Moline on the red-eye from San Francisco. I went to pick him up at 9:30 am on Saturday morning while Dylan had breakfast with Grandma Linda & Grandpa Bob.

Josh and I got back to the house right about the time that Dylan was getting a little cranky and ready for his nap. Not quite the welcome that I was hoping he’d give Daddy, but what can you do? While Dylan took his nap, Bob & I took Josh over to see the house that Dylan and I will be moving into in a couple months. Yes, it has been decided. Dylan, Oscar and I are going to be living in Grandma Gisele’s house. She moved out of the house and into an apartment a while back. The house didn’t sell and the contract was up with the real estate agent. So, instead of resigning with her and putting it back on the market, she offered it to me. It’s a win-win for all.

On the way back from the house, we picked up Hungry Hobo (always on the list of must-eat places when I’m in town) and brought it home for lunch. Dylan had just woken up before we got here and was a brand new boy. He was incredibly happy to see Josh. As a matter of fact, he was having a hard time looking away from him. Josh had to eat his entire lunch kneeling down next to Dylan’s highchair. They shared a turkey sandwich, lots of laughs, and lots of hugs and kisses.

After lunch, it was time for Josh to take a nap (he was REALLY tired after taking the red-eye) and it was time for Dylan and I to go pick up my step-mom (Nana Connie) at the airport. It seemed like everyone was coming into town that day! Dylan was a little shy at the airport, but warmed up to Nana by the time we got to Aunt Karen’s house. Then Dylan was getting spoiled with love by Nana and Great-Aunt Karen. He read books, showed off his dancing skills, went up and down the stairs a few times, and even got to pet the dog! What a lucky boy! My Grandpa Charlie and his wife also stopped over to say hello.

By the time we headed back to Mom & Bob’s house, Dylan was passed out in the back seat. Fun overload! While he took a quick nap, I woke Josh up from his nap because we had company coming. Mike & Liz came over for an evening of carry-out Chinese food, early presents, dance parties, and (once again) too much fun!

Dylan got to open an early Christmas present from Grandpa Bob & Grandma Linda. It was a Honda 4-Wheeler! When he saw it, his eyes got huge, he started clapping, and tried to climb on before we could get it out of the box.

He drove that thing around the house for about an hour. Then, he started getting ridiculous and wanted to stand up on the seat. I have such a BOY! He's a dare-devil. I am in so much trouble for the future.

Dylan was so happy to see his Daddy. He hardly let him out of his sight all night long. They played and snuggled all night.

It was a great early Christmas Eve. We saw SO much family and had WAY too much fun. We all slept well that night! And when we woke up…Christmas Morning!