Team Fun

Unfortunately the loss of team members is what it took for all of us to hug more and get together with each other more.  Even though Brad is recently out of the military it is a brotherhood thing that he will always belong to and bonds  that can never be broken.  Everyone took some family and regrouping time after the Memorial on Thursday but by Sunday we were back hanging with our friends. 

Before I get to all the Sunday pictures, here is Gavin as Buzz.  He came up to me and said “on” and held it out.  He was so giggly and happy with himself.  Hopefully Halloween will be this cute and maybe the pacifier will be gone by then! That’s a lovely thought.   

Easton dressed in the “Major League Redhead” shirt passed down from Gavin.  The second picture he is sneezing! Now we are ready to barbecue Brian and Becky style……

Meet “ducky” as Bradley has named her since he was 2 and couldn’t say Becky.  She loves the name but not as much as she loves her Bradley.  He really knows how to charm her.  She is such a sucker but it was her house so I guess she could do whatever she wanted!

Lacey and Easton

Tom and Brad.  Tom and Brad go way back from early on in the pipeline to become PJ’s.  Tom and his wife Marie traveled from Albuquerque to be here for everything. 

Adam and Lace.

Gavin trying to back through the doggy door while getting his hands on a keg for the first time.  Wow, that came early.  I thought we had at least until his teenage years before he tried beer!

Bradley swimming with Wyatt and William and Torey in the background. 

He loved this raft and relaxing on it. 

 

Gavin sliding.  I love his excitement and enthusiasm. 

Men mingling. 

Gavin was a little overwhelmed when the dogs both wanted to hang around him.  They had just licked his face. 

All the guys that were able to make it.  Some stationed in other states and some out of the military like Brad.  Let me see if I can name all of them….

Wes,Tom, Clint, Pat, Liam, Brian, Zach, Adam, Ben, Mike, Brad and Rob.

We stayed until 10:30 so this is how Bradley looked when we left.  Easton slept in the porta crib there and Gavin was a trooper and stayed up and was happy the whole time. 

We really do have a great “family” in our friends.  Everyone is grieving tremendously in their own way.  You can see we all try and make the best of it and we know spending time with each other is what is getting us through but you can literally feel them missing.  It is a big elephant in the room in their place and who knows when it will go away and when people will be healed from all of this a little more.  They will always be missed but I know there is a healthier way of missing them that has to come.  Instead of me sobbing all the time.  Johns wife was their and Dan’s girlfriend was too.  Amazingly strong women who are silently in deep intense pain.  They have a long road like all the family does so when you think of it a little prayer from time to time would help.  They will need them for the long haul.  

Give your friends big hugs today and tell them you love them.  If their is someone you think of calling and reconnecting with but keep putting it off, well now is the time to reconnect.  We are just passing through in this world but that doesn’t mean we should let life pass up by.  The friends and family that breathe life into you and that you appreciate with all your heart, make sure they know it! If you are reading this, I love you!

Lets Review

I am always reviewing as a mom.  We are always learning something and with young children review is key to that learning process.  There is a lot to teach the boys for school and life but this time lets just review our week! Shall we…..

Easton is doing his own caterpillar crawl all over the house still. 

Bradley went to his first CAMP all week.  From 7:30-12:30 with our towns Parks & Recreation Department.  It was swimming, exercise and crafts indoors.  The last day (today) was all outside at the park for a cookout and kickball and stuff.  He loved it and as always they said “he is soooo good!” He is the type of child that is GREAT for everyone else but mommy and daddy. 

Bradley’s busy schedule didn’t keep him from being the fun big brother he is. 

Everyday Gavin said “Brawee at camp!” They love popcorn as a snack. 

We finally caught Gavin in action climbing out of his crib.  It is on the lowest possible setting but that doesn’t stop him.

By the look on his face you can tell he totally doesn’t care that he is caught!

Bradley stepped behind the camera again for a photo shoot of me and E this time. 

One day Gavin was not napping and getting into everything so I strapped him into the baby bouncy chair in my room so I could take a shower and when I came out he was gone!! He stood UP and walked to hang out with Easton while the chair was strapped onto him.  I guess nothing at this point should surprise me with this little sneaky monkey!

On Thursday we went to the USAF ’s Memorial Service for the three men from our unit who were killed in the helicopter crash.  Two of them being Brad’s very close friends and teammates who always had his back! It was humbling, powerful and extremely emotional all in one.  There were about 800 people there so it is clear that Dan, John and Andy have absolutely no chances of ever being forgotten.  They will always live on with so many of us.  No pictures were allowed to be taken though.  Later that night I took a few when I made it to a BAR! Here is me and two of my close friends and PJ wives! Kim above and Marie below.  I regret not having more pictures but all the details were crazy that night. 

Now tonight we were low key and here is Daddy playing with the boys. 

Gavin was happy but then I wanted to take his pacifier away to get their pictures.  This is ALWAYS what happens if you take away his beloved “faci.”

Daddy had to sing and dance to get him happy again. 

Our three loves! I wanted to take their picture because Bradley always gets so excited when they all have dinosaur pajamas on the same night.  It is never planned.  It just magically happens.  Bradley will get dressed on his own while I get Gavin’s pajamas on and Bradley will come in the room and be thrilled to see he and I had the same idea.  Then we put Easton in his to match. 

The best part of dinosaur pajama night is when Bradley and Gavin start roaring together once they realize they are matching.  

 

Easton is always happy (even if he is running into a wall.)

That about sums it up. I wish reviewing was always this fun!

No Greater Sacrifice

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15: 13 Life is one of the most valuable things we possess.  To lay your life down for  friends or for your country, it shows the highest extent of love.  Jesus did it for us and so many fallen service members have gone before for our country that they love.  Now, today, 30 more have died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, paying the ultimate sacrifice.  

With an extremely heavy heart, Brad, myself and so many others say goodbye to two great men.  John Brown and Daniel Zerbe who were on that helicopter.  They have paid the greatest sacrifice and we will be forever grateful and they will be forever missed. 

It is a cruel and unfair world we live in. You want to ask “Why God” did our friends die?  Why did husbands, sons, uncles, brothers and fathers die today?  There is no explanation or answer for this heartache and loss.  As Brad said “It is the nature of the beast.” It absolutely sucks that nice guys sometimes finish last but we all know it is true.   However, in the midst of all this gloom we choose to believe that our God will prevail.  He is a mighty and just God and I know these men did not die in vain.  They fought for our freedom, my freedom, your freedom and our children’s freedom.  We take these freedom’s for granted so much but today I complained of nothing and loved on my family all day. 

Be thankful for your families today and say a prayer for the families of these two men who are grieving.  Along with all the other 28 men who died in the crash.  Brad and I did not personally know them but they were the Navy Seals mostly and pilots on board. 

Here is the story if you would like to read it but it has been all over the news today.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/08/06/afghan-president-31-americans-killed-in-helicopter-crash/

John Brown and his wife Tabitha Brown.   At Gavin’s first birthday party.

 

Zerbe, holding Bradley.  He was Bradley’s first visitor. 

Zerbe with his arm around Brad, Zach and Tom too!

Two amazing PJ’s rest in peace today. 

Hooyah, never forget!

“ These things we do, That others May Live.” The Pararescue Motto. 

( I am in no way giving justice to these guys since my tears are clouding my mind for the right words. )