What's The Story Morning Glory? What's The Word Humming Bird?

Neal had a doctor's appointment today and had an EKG. The result... he gets to go back to training and be released from medical hold!!! If he gets into the next class he will be home late June or July. If he gets into the following class he will be home late July. There is a light at the end of the tunnel!!! Yahoo!

These are the Moments...

On Thursday I took a day off of school and went to the zoo with my cuties. Caleb was so excited. It was pure bribery. We told him that we would go only if we could get rid of his bottles and use sippy cups instead. He did great all week so we went to have fun. We bought a membership so we can go this summer.

Caleb was more interested in the train ride at the zoo than the animals. He is obsessed with trains right now. So we indulged him and had a quick train ride. We didn’t last too long at the zoo before he was bored so we went to eat lunch at the Gateway. Then we wandered around the mall and bought a few summer clothes. Then on the way to the car Caleb ran through the fountains and got a little wet!
This weekend was good to spend a last few minutes with Neal before he left. Caleb kept telling us that I went to work and his daddy was a cactus. We couldn’t figure that one out. Finally I realized that he was saying Neal was going to Texas. Strange, I thought I was married to a cactus… What a goof!
On Saturday we took Neal to the airport. Caleb was asleep so we decided not to wake him and let him go through the airport on his own. Caleb was sad when he woke up. It was a good two weeks, we are glad that we got them.

When I Say Cool, You Say Sweet!

This week has been amazing to have Neal back in our home! We are so glad the army let him have a couple weeks off to spend with us!
On the 11th I took Caleb to the airport to pick up Neal. He had no idea that Neal was coming home, but as soon as we pulled into the airport parking garage he kept yelling, "Daddy! Daddy!" Can't fool a three year old I guess. We walked through the terminal and as soon as Caleb saw Neal he made a beeline for him. He hasn't let go of him since!We spent Easter at home and had my Dad, Aunt Marla, her friend Gayle, and Gayle's aunt and mom over for dinner. It was so yummy. I felt lazy because all I had made was the ham and dessert. It was good to have them over though.
On Tuesday we didn't do a whole lot except I went to my friend Melissa's house and her sister cut my hair. It is short, but I like spending a lot less time with it. It was time for a change. I have had the same hairdo since Caleb was born.Then on Wednesday we went to the Discovery Gateway Museum and took our neighbor Bailey with us. Caleb and Bailey had a fun time, but it was a little too crowded for us. Too many elementary school children for me. I did want to enjoy my vacation time! On the way home we stopped at my fav fabric store so I can keep working on a quilting project.
On Thursday my mom and step dad came for a visit. We went shopping! I am having so much fun decorating my room. We went to Rodworks, and Tai Pan. I found a few goodies for my room. Then we had dinner with my step sister Hannah.
On Friday, after mom went to dialysis, we went shopping again to Ikea. I found a cute lamp and my mom got the same one in a different color. Then we went and bought crown molding for my nursery room project. I know it will be such a lovely room when it is all finished. I think I may even move in there. (Just kidding Neal!)
Friday afternoon we met my sister-in-law Emery and her boys for lunch.
On Sunday we had my aunt Marla over for dinner and to play the Wii.
Then I had to go back to school. Caleb and Neal are enjoying their time together. They came to visit my class. Tonight we are going to pick out flowers for our yard. It has been a good week. We don't want him to go back. We keep praying that all of this time away from each other will end soon... hopefully everything is okay with his heart. We will take him either way!

230 Days Later...

After exactly 230 days of being separated, the LOVELY army (note the sarcasm) has given my dear husband two weeks of leave to come home!!!! I am bouncing off the walls with glee, I am smiling from ear to ear, I couldn't be much happier! He comes home this Saturday!!! Still don't know the outcome of his radiology appointment, but at this point I don't much care because I am elated that he is coming home! I am giddy! Oh Happy Day is the title of my blog, and today is a happy day!
Love,
Katie

On The Way Home

Caleb saw a tractor in the field behind us and kept saying "Look Mommy, Tractor! Tractor!" I asked him what a tractor says and he replied..."Dump! Dump!" Strange child...

He's Three Already?

Wow! I can't believe that our little guy is three already. Time flies!
This weekend we went to visit my mom in Idaho Falls in her new home and to celebrate Caleb's birthday. We stopped off in Logan to see my cousin Emily and drop off material to them to make my nursery bedding.
On Saturday we went to pick up my mom at dialysis. Caleb loves his grandma and grandpa. He keeps telling me that they are going to come see him.
After picking my mom up we went to Rexburg to eat lunch with my Uncle Chris and his family. Then we went to see my grandma's house one last time. I started bawling the minute I walked in. My mom told me that I shouldn't go see her house because it would upset me, but I told her that I would always regret seeing her empty home if I didn't go. It seemed like a much bigger home with everything out of it. I have so many fond memories of her home. I lived there while I was in college, and despite all the 70's decor I will miss it tremendously. Caleb met me upstairs and gave me a hug as he saw my crying. I walked in each room to say goodbye. Then Caleb, without prompting, insisted that we scoot on our bottoms down each step. I told him that I used to do that as a kid. It made me smile.
Then we went to the cemetary so I could see my grandma's headstone again. I don't know when I will be in Rexburg again. I whispered to her, "God be with you till we meet again..." I miss everything about her, but most of all I miss being able to talk with her or get a yummy recipe. She was an amazing elite woman. I am blessed to have known her.
After our trip to Rexburg we went to my mom's house for naptime and then we went to feed the ducks at the Idaho Falls temple. Caleb was so excited that the ducks would come right up to him. He giggled everytime they came to eat out of my hand. He was sad to leave them.
Then we went to dinner at Johnny Carino's and then to let Caleb pick out a birthday present. He picked a Thomas the Train set. He takes the trains everywhere including the bathtub!
That night Caleb didn't sleep much and insisted on watching movies at 3 a.m. It was a long night! Reminds me of the night before he was born...
Sunday was Caleb's birthday. As soon as he woke up he wanted to eat his birthday cake. He couldn't wait any longer! He was so excited. He picked out a cake at our favorite bakery, Dippidee. He helped pass out cake to grandma and grandpa and then he insisted on giving Dezidog a piece too. What a silly, sweet kid!
Sunday was a long drive home, but Caleb slept most of the way home. I guess he was making up for lost time.

Things I would like to remember about Caleb at this age:
He is a very sensitive and caring child. Whenever he sees something sad he feels bad and wants to help.
He still likes to be carried everywhere, much to his mother's demise.
He has finally abandoned his soothie!
He loves Curious George, Word World, and Thomas the Train.
He hates having his clothes changed. If it were up to him he would wear the same outfit for weeks.
He likes to pretend to drive the car.
He loves tractors and trucks and demands to sit in one anytime he is allowed.
His best friend is a girl.
He loves to play with our Dezidog.
He loves to watch home movies and have books read to him.
He can navigate on the computer pretty well for his age.
He loves to be chased.
He is scared of the vacuum.
He hates taking a bath.
He misses his daddy.
He hangs up on people on the phone.
He still takes naps.
He loves to help cook and lick the beaters.
He could eat an entire can of olives or a jar of pickles if I let him.
He is daring.
We love him!

Funny Conversations with the Little Dude

Caleb (singing to himself in the car): The cows on the bus go moo moo moo, moo moo moo, moo moo moo, The cows on the bus go moo moo moo all through the town.
The dogs on the bus go woof woof woof, woof woof woof, woof woof woof, The dogs on the bus go woof woof woof all through the town.
Me: Caleb, how did the cows and dogs get on the bus?
Caleb: It’s a big bus!