Heirlooms and Varoom Varooms

A few days after getting back from California I had some company. Two of my brothers, Derek and Aaron and my Mom's husband, Mark, drove all the way down from Wenatchee, Washington to deliver a 12 foot trailer full of goodies from various generations of my family. The biggest and best gift was the beautiful upright piano my grandparents, and then my mother, owned. My mother learned to play on it, Crystal and I learned to play on it, and now Wilder will have his chance. I remember being knee high to a grasshopper and watching in sheer wonderment as my mother caressed beautiful tunes almost magically out of the piano. Then when she'd let me try my hands at it, only disjointed planging clashed out. How did she do that? Create such lovely music? There must be a secret code, I thought. And, surely enough, there was! And fortunately she shared it with me. So many special memories tied to this piano and I have already set Wilder down several times to begin his early music appreciation.
I had to take the guys to Duke's BBQ in Georgetown. It's a family favorite. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed eating outside. All in all, it was a fun experience.
Aaron (left) loves to peruse the stores. He spied the outlet mall in Round Rock and we all decided the visit wouldn't be complete without a "stop and shop" there. Oh, what goodies were found!
The next day Mark took the boys to the Inner Space Caverns just down the way. They obviously had a blast -Derek showed me all the pictures he took and gave me a virtual tour of the cave along with many of the facts he learned. I had fun making him a necklace with the shark's tooth he purchased, then I took the brothers to wade in the San Gabriel river at the park. It took me back watching them catch minnows and find weird treasures in the shallow river. It was just like 8, 10, 12 years ago. Wilder and I sat on the bank, warmed in the afternoon sunshine. There is something absolutely perfect about that park. Families and friends gathered in little groups, children ran around the playgrounds and through the water, geese strutted on the grass and dove for food in the river. The leaves back lit in the trees by the amber rays of the descending sun. What a beautiful place.

The guys left Sunday and after nearly a week of finally settling into the house for the first time since Brian left, I am beginning to feel normal. I still have boxes to unpack that Mom sent with the guys, but they are filled with very special things that are impossible to rush through. Each item holds so many memories and reminders of precious people from the past -and present.

Sitting here with my morning cup of tea I am embracing the quietness and easy tick of the clock. No hurry. Thankfully I have the blessing of no deadlines and only one little companion who needs my tender and very loving care. Right now I'm counting my blessings, which helps to banish the sadness that creeps in, and gearing up to create some new adventures. But first, a time to rest.

For Daddy

My Baby's Daddy requested some new photos, so, Brian, here's some just for you!

Today's messy carrot face.

I love the new chubs.

We love you so much, Honey! Many, many more pictures to come -and more often for you.
Hugs and Kisses!
-Wiley and Mama

Let The Good Times Roll

I ask myself, "How can a mother and father of soon-to-be six kids enjoy any more?" as Crystal and George took turns snuggling my baby. George proudly showed Wilder off at the office and Crystal would snag him out of my arms to get some good baby cuddles in. It's amazing how this couple's love for children is boundless.
Though I'm back in Georgetown now, I am catching up on the non-stop fun from Escondido. Crystal and I (and Timothy, as pictured) made curtains for the girls rooms after a victorious trip to JoAnn's Fabric. She also made a baby blanket a la Kelly (as dear Mitsi likes to call it) and matching pillow cases for Kaeli's room that coordinate with her new curtains. I was so close to stealing them -I adore the fabric and am now totally inspired to make pillow cases. Easy as pie and not quite sure why I didn't think of doing it earlier. Brian now has a request for a custom case for his teeny tiny Army issue pillow. I'm ALL OVER that project -white on rice, baby.
D-D-D-Disneyland!!!! Yep, we conquered a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth with all the Kinglets and the 5 mo. old Wilder. Unfortunately it was still spring break for many a folk so we didn't have the park to ourselves, BUT the experience was certainly memorable!
Arrrrgggghhh, Matie! Putting on our best (fuzzy) pirate scowls -I think Zaccai wins. Wilder was wild about Pirates! He waved his arms and kicked his legs like crazy (with excitement) when we wooshed underground and his head darted around at each new scene as we rounded the bends. He was in sheer wonderment at the sights and sounds that have captivated all of us fortunate enough to go to the Magical Kingdom.
Posing in front of the Island which apparently now is a Pirate Island instead of Tom Sawyer's. And did you know that the Swiss Family Robinson treehouse is now Tarzan's? I didn't even know they had put it up for sale!

Say "Mac and Cheese!"

Mouseketeers (or however you spell it) eating their mouse-ke-lunches on the mouse-ke-ground.

Wesley plopped his sandwich on the ground while giving full attention to his bag of Cheetos. The man knows his priorities.

Crystal and Timothy

Miss Kaeli

The emotive Wesley

Right outside our favorite place -the bathroom!- on the corner of Tomorrowland and Main Street.

A trip to Disneyland ain't complete without a stop at the Main Street ice cream parlor. Can you say, "YUUUM-MMEEEE!"? I thought you could.

Not that I'm discriminating, but since when did birds need to use the San Diego airport? I mean, come on guys -you have WINGS... I know, I know. We have Cinnabom and you just wanted a few crumbs.

Sadly, Wilder and I left. But we're planning our next trip soon. Not sure when, perhaps this summer, but we'll see the Kings again in the very near future. I am glad because I sure love those guys. More fun times to come -now what can I stir up for tomorrow...?

Easter in Escondido

Zaccai, Hannah, Wesley and Kaeli found nearly all the eggs (and a few showed up the following day...)

The Feast

Storytime! Crystal is the best reader (she does all the voices.)

He's getting handsomer every day.

Playtime in the sunshine

Beautiful

Tea for Two, or three or four -heck, make it Seven!

My sister Crystal can pull almost anything off. No matter how busy the day is there is always time for a party. That's her nature. That's how she rolls. And it's good to have her talents and attitude when you have your 6th child on the way (she makes pregnancy look as easy as vacation.)

Fruit, pastries, delicious cookies and Hawaiian inspired black tea were on the menu.

All in all, there were seven guests (I'm taking the photo and Wilder actually makes eight, but he didn't partake, just sat in his rocking chair beside me on the floor -not pictured.)

A Mama Sandwich. Sadly, we had to take Mom to the airport that afternoon. But at least we got to have tea together and our first picture as mothers since Wilder was born.

Settling Into the Sandbox

An update for wondering minds. Brian arrived safely in Kuwait and has been able to call twice to check in. Not able to give dates and exact places over the phone he said during out last conversation two days ago that next time I hear from him he'll be at his permanent post in Iraq.

A little tip -if you feel like sending a package to a soldier you will get a $2 discount on the new flat rate boxes (12x12x5 1/2.) Pretty neat! Brian has always said he doesn't need anything sent to him (they have stores on post where they can get nearly anything they could possibly want) but it's still fun to send things. I do recommend sending items that you'd be fine having passed along to the next soldier since it's nearly impossible to mail packages home and they have no space to bring things back in the bags they packed.

Also, if you have kids writing letters to soldiers PLEASE proof read them for inappropriate comments and questions. Happy thoughts are best. Things like, "I bet you really miss your family," "Do you get scared when the bad guys try to kill you?," and "Don't you feel sad about all the people that die?" are not quite morale boosting, if you know what I mean. Though pictures kids draw can be quite amusing to the guys, please also use discretion filtering what gets sent their way. Have kids write jokes or draw pictures about where they live and their favorite things or what they want to be when they grow up. Genuine communication and the unassuming hearts of children are always refreshing.

Speaking of children, Wilder and I are visiting my sister and her family in Escondido and our mom is visiting for the Easter week. It is always eventful here with 5 of their children (and the 6th on the way) and filled to overflowing with joy and love. I have never seen such a perfect picture of what family should be. So full of acceptance, happiness, exuberance, tenderness and life. You can see the enjoyment Crystal and George receive from being together as a couple and as a family. They discipline in love, they speak understanding, they meet each child's individual needs, and their love multiplies as their family grows. It is a miracle to behold (even if I do have to retreat to the guest quarters to recharge my battery with quiet time.) I'm so happy we're here and able to share this very special holiday with my mother, my sister and her wonderful family!

More pictures coming soon! -the camera's in the guest room and Wilder's napping; I'd rather not disturb him...

Many blessings to you and your family during this beautiful season of new and abundant life!

The Long Goodbye

Tuesday morning started out pretty great on all accounts (except for Brian scheduled to deploy that afternoon.) We cooked a "restaurant" breakfast (as we like to call it) of Texas French Toast, bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs, topped off with champagne and Anderson's coffee and Brian's folks joined us as we gathered to begin Brian's send off. After dining together we all hopped in our car -Wilder with his new best friend, Buddy Rabbit (named by Brian)- and headed for Ft. Hood.
Soldiers sauntered, families gathered, wives and mothers cried (us included,) little kids raced around and at least one threw up as a result. Three hours of waiting for what was supposed to be the painful beginning of a 15 month separation.
Brian has rarely posed so much in his life, but I am very thankful he indulged our shutterfly mania.

On Brian's To Do list the night before I wrote down "Kiss Kelly A Lot." I'm made sure it was sufficiently crossed off.
Sorry, you can't take the little guy with you. I need at least ONE of you here for now, and the other one better come back ASAP...
Brian and the family. This was the first of Brian's 3 deployment-send-offs Betty and Barry were able to be at.

Grabbing more of those kisses while I still can.

Well, we ALL got sent back home because the flight was delayed and were told to come back in the evening (at a set time, of course.) Wilder had a good nap on the way back to Georgetown. We stopped for dinner at Dukes and enjoyed the beautiful day by eating outside. We had a few more hours together, then all piled in the car and headed back to Ft. Hood.

After 20 minutes, we were ALL sent back home again. This time, come back at 1am. Betty and Barry said their goodbyes at our house and went back home. Brian and I had a few more hours to cuddle and played a few rounds of cards (I won, or course. Sorry, Dear -I bet you'll beat me at mid-tour leave!) Near 11pm Brian got a call telling him to come by himself since they were just going to get sent back home and then reassemble at 8am. Just in case, Brian took the car seat out, then drove up alone. Thankfully the intel was right this time and he showed up at the house a few hours later. Ah, one more night together, however short it may be.

We got up early and hit the road -so fast Brian got a warning ticket from a (not too friendly) traffic cop, but we made it back at Ft. Hood by 8am.

They formed, reformed and formed again. This is the second of all the forming.

A few hours later, they are unforming and... you guessed it....

Reforming. They are the most reformed group of men I have ever seen.

This was the third or fourth "last goodbye" we had.

I cry a little each time I see this precious picture. Oh, my two darlings.

Finally it truly was the end, or rather the beginning.

I have full confidence that Brian will come home safe and I will take good care of Wilder and myself while he's gone, so no need to worry. Since Brian left on Wednesday we have been having a long slumber party at his folks' house. After I came home from Ft. Hood and felt the palatable absence I knew I needed to be around loved ones who could help me with Wilder and Savannah when I needed a minute to breath. It has been a tremendous blessing to have them and their endless love for each of us. Brian and I are so very thankful.

Brian called today from Kuwait and he sounds great. It will be a few weeks until they get to Iraq and settled into their base. I will keep you posted on how he's doing and we certainly appreciate your prayers and support!