Happy Birthday my Love

Today is Luis' big 30 birthday! Happy Birthday My Love!
I surprised him with some gifts yesterday after Ashlyn opened all of hers.

His reaction when he realized this gift was not for Ashlyn
A new video game, just what he needs! lol

Ashlyn's Birthday Party

Well it's been so nice having Luis home. We are in Laredo right now visiting his family and getting his daughter every day which has been nice also. Her and Ashlyn get along so well which warms my heart. We had Ashlyn's official birthday party yesterday, Strawberry Shortcake theme of course. Most of her cousins and aunts and uncles were all here, minus a few that are in the military and couldn't make it home. I wish I had pictures of Ashlyn hitting her first pinanta but my child was freaked out by it. It was huge and she was scared of it, it was funny. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!

He's finally home

So I had a minute to post these, since everyone is dying to see. While he's in the shower and Ashlyn is napping I thought I'd post real fast. The love of my life is finally home! After waiting 6 long months and the anticipation building day by day, the day finally arrived and he's home with us now. As soon as Ashlyn saw him walking out of the terminal, her mouth literally dropped and she gasped, she was so happy to see him. I let her down and she went running into her Daddy's arms. Talk about tears, it was so amazing to see. I was snapping away with my camera and taking in the moment as my body felt numb, the moment was finally here. She hasn't been able to let him out of herself since. A little tough competing for attention :)
Well enjoy the pics while I go enjoy my husband!

On his way!!!

Luis called me at 1:00 am this morning and said he'd be in Austin tomorrow around 4:00pm!!! I'm very excited, anxious and all of the above! He has a very long layover in Dallas so he's hoping to get an earlier flight to be home sooner! Keep the prayers going! Next time you hear from me, you'll know he's home and hopefully I'll have some pictures! Thank you for all of your support, I have the greatest friends!

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting....

I took Ashlyn to her first movie on Saturday. We went with our friends Shea and her son Isaiah and her sister Summer and her daughter Morgan. We went to see Kung Fu Panda. She was hesitant at first even about walking in the theatre but once the movie started she was engaged. And after the movie all she could say was "Mommy...like the panda?" so she loved the movie and I think the experience too. She also hikes her leg in the air and does a big HIYAH.
It is a very cute movie. Jack Black is the Panda, perfect role for him so it made it so funny.

Happy Father's Day

To my amazing husband. You are such a wonderful Daddy. No matter the time or distance apart, she will always be wrapped around your finger! You do so much for our family and I cant imagine having to walk in your shoes. I admire you and everything you do. You are everything I have ever wanted in a husband. I cant wait to see the look on your princess' face when she sees you in person standing right in front of her!
Today wasnt the same without you, but we'll celebrate all occasions hopefully by this weekend! Love you babe!

And of course..Happy Father's Day to my amazing Dad!
I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man as my father. He and I have such a close relationship I wouldn't trade for the world. You could say I'm Daddy's Girl. There is nothing in this world that he wouldn't do for his chilren (within means of course) So Dad, thank you for being such an influence in my life, being there for me in any situation, supporting me, advising me, comforting me, teaching me and much much more.

Here's to you and many MANY more years of celebrating YOUR day! Happy Father's Dad! Love, Mouse

We are some lucky girls, the men in this family are out numbered!

Here is your present G-Daddy

Patience is wearing out....

Ok so I know the countdown is getting much closer but at the same time it doesn't feel that way! I finally talked to Luis today, I hadn't talked to him since Tuesday and I was beginning to worry. He is so frustrated and just ready to come home, they put him back on the schedule to work which he's not supposed to be doing since he's about to come home on leave urgh! So he was supposed to be flying out of Afghan. on the 16th, but now it's the 17th. He goes from Afghanistan to Kuwait, then he has to wait in Kuwait for a flight out, and only God knows how long that is going to be. I pray not long. But he told me today Kuwait is having major sand storms and when that happens no one can fly which will put him there longer. I thought for sure he'd be here before next weekend, but now that doesnt look like it's going to happen.
So I'm a bit frustrated as is he. We just want him home already and the waiting is getting old and getting frustrated among all other emotions.
So please keep praying for us, pray for him FAST and SAFE return home. I'm just dying to see Ashlyn's reaction when she actually sees her Daddy in person again! She knows he's coming but to her, what does she really think? She says "Daddys coming soon" but soon to a child means nothing. I just want the day to be here so I can tell her, lets go get Daddy! The suspense, waiting is ahhhhhhhhhh killin me! Did I mention that already?

Sweet & Sassy Ink

I came across this cute website http://sweet-n-sassyink.com/ to order invitations. I had ordered about a dozen Strawberry Shortcake invites for Ashlyn's birthday party, placed the order and paid. Well, plans have now begun to change and the party may end up in Laredo with Luis family and Ashlyn's big sister. But I had the invites on order! So I emailed the company asking if there was any way I could cancel and get a refund since my husband is coming in from Afghanistan and it's just almost impossible to plan anything while being an Army Wife ;)
I got a reply from Kristen stating:

HI Kari,Sorry to hear that things may not work out as planned. With the military – I understand how that can be.I did print your invitations, but I can always use them for samples if needed.I will cancel your order as requested and issue you a refund. Please not that this is not our normal policy.Once you've ok'd the proof for printing – we can not accept cancelations or refund on personalized products as they can not be used by anyone else. But being a mother and have many friends in the military with families/children – I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND :)
Please thank your husband for everything he does for us – sometimes we lose sight of exactly what we love ...."Our freedom" to do exactly what we love – for me, that is designing!
~ Kristen

How great customer service is that! I told her that I would definently use her in the future and that I would pass her name and company's name around. So this is me spreading word of mouth about Sweet and Sassy Ink! They are wonderful and I look forward to using them again in the future.

Talk about a tear jerker

Tonight was the season premier of Army Wives. A fanastic show on Lifetime that airs every Sunday night. But man, I had a lump in my throat the entire show not to mention tears. I watched this last year but Luis was home then, but now that he's gone it is a lot harder to watch that's for sure. But it's still a good show for those of you who haven't watched it, I recommend it, it's not 100% true on how Army life is but you get the picture.

Luis will be home next week!!!! My heart races just thinking about it and anxious that time is not going fast enough, I just want him here already!!!

Goodnight!

My Little "Sassy"

I couldn't resist posting these. I rarely get Ashlyn to smile/pose or really just look at the dang camera for me so these were some of my favorites from today. Her new nickname is "Sass"

Happy 2nd Birthday Ashlyn Denise

My sweet baby girl turned 2 years old today. I know you always hear the saying 'how time flies' but it really does! She is amazing in every way and my life would be incomplete if she weren't in it. She lights up my life every day and always puts a smile on my face.

We had a small celebration for her birthday. We are having her party once her Daddy comes home. So some family came over and we ate and then some of us took her to Kiddie Acres which I was a little worried that I'd be wasting my time seeing as how she hates to ride anything and freaks out when I try and make her. To my surprise...she rode EVERY ride there!! I'm not sure if it's because her friend, Isaiah, was with her or if now she's 2 and she's a big girl! But I was so proud of her. I can't believe this place is still around but I'm glad it is. She had a blast.

1 week old

1 year

2 years