We have had a lot of sweet moments making a few more memories together as a family.
It was Josh's last Saturday as ballet dad, and he had a special treat for his princess.
Alex was sooooooooo excited about her new leotard.
I love the way she's looking at him in this picture.
They went out to breakfast before her dance class; Saturday mornings with Daddy has become a special time for both of them.
Later we went to a park in town that has a miniature train.
AND cotton candy.
Can you guess what color it was? ;)
Josh has been spoiling those two like crazy, but I guess I can't blame him.
Today we went to another park, and back to the bowling alley as well. We rounded out the weekend with one final swim in the neighborhood pool, as it closes for the season tonight.
Like the rest of the nation, we have also been reflecting on the tenth anniversary of September 11th.
It is easy to forget just how brutal and evil the attack on our country was.
Hearing some of the firsthand accounts of those who survived, and the recorded calls of those who did not is heart wrenching. It's hard to hear the sounds of voices filled with fear, and see the terrible images of people choosing to plunge to their death because the alternative was even worse.
But it is good to remember. Necessary, even.
Because the evil that was present on that day is still out there.
I hope we don't forget that there were people who danced in the street while watching coverage of the towers falling. That there are those who would do worse to us if they could.
The timing of this anniversary being just days before Josh leaves for war is somewhat helpful for me. I am reminded that what he does is necessary, and it is worth the personal sacrifice.
Josh has been talking to Alex about September 11th and about why he needs to go away to fight the bad guys. She has been thinking about it more than we realized.
Yesterday we went to the squadron to say goodbye to some of the guys who were departing (they are leaving in waves.) Josh cleaned out his office a little and the kids like to draw on his dry erase board when they go to his office.
This is what Alex drew.
Then she drew in a police car and talked about how the Police and Firemen ran in when everyone else was trying to get out. Daddy made sure she knew that they were heroes.
And I try to make sure she knows that her daddy is a hero as well.
We grabbed a few of Josh's uniforms and had an impromptu photo shoot this morning.
I love my little family!
22 comments:
ohmygoodness... I was doing fine until I saw the picture that your darling drew... wow... and as glad as I am that my hubby is finally coming home, I'm equally sad that yours has to go to take his place... oh how I wish they could all just come home... but they can't, because you are right - the battle rages on. And the work they do? it's good work. Valuable. necessary. You and the kids are heroes as well... don't forget that! Love ya.
ohmygoodness... I was doing fine until I saw the picture that your darling drew... wow... and as glad as I am that my hubby is finally coming home, I'm equally sad that yours has to go to take his place... oh how I wish they could all just come home... but they can't, because you are right - the battle rages on. And the work they do? it's good work. Valuable. necessary. You and the kids are heroes as well... don't forget that! Love ya.
I've been sneakily reading your blog for a while, but I've never commented before. The bit with Alex and 9/11 and the pictures and cops and firefighters touched me though and I wanted to finally comment! I love reading your blog!!
this has been such an emotional day and this post was the final straw...now that i have had a good cry let me tell you what a beautiful family you have (yourself included), inside and out! those pictures are treasures that show just how much love your family has for one another. tell your husband "thank you" and Godspeed...
I will be keeping your family and hubs in my prayers as he heads off to work. It is both hard and good to remember that day.
Your pictures are priceless. Hugs to all of you this week!
Praying for you guys! I know this week will be hard. I am thinking of you.
I guess that cotton candy was blue.
my friend, we're thinking of y'all and praying for your family. the photo shoot pictures are priceless and made me tear up. love y'all.
Thank you to your husband and your family is in my thoughts. Beautiful pictures, beautiful family. Esp. love the one of the girls in his uniforms with him. Should be on a magazine cover somewhere. B.
Thank you to your husband, your family will be in the thoughts of so many.
Good luck this week, I will be thinking of you and the kids. Hope everything goes well for Josh.
I am assuming Derek had a few more of the "best days ever..."? Haha, glad they were getting spoiled by their daddy. Love the new tutu, Alex will love wearing that to dance class and will be so proud of it.
The uniform pics are adorable, my favorite is the one where you can see Alex in the huge boots! So cute! I am anxious to see how you get through this, as I will be learning from you for when it is my time! Hope you have a good week :)
I am so sorry you & your littles are having to say goodbye to Daddy. I cannot imagine... my husband was deployed for a year but we weren't married yet. Completely different story when children are involved. Thinking about y'all and praying for your strength this week.
I loved the pictures... blow them up big and put them all over your house!
Oh my gosh! What wonderful pictures!! That was a great idea!! Thank you, Thank you, not only for the work your hubby does but also for you and your family and the sacrifices you all have to make in order to keep this county Free!
Stopping by from Taylor's blog. Just wanted to say thank you to your family for your service to our nation, because the families definitely do serve, too. Will be praying for your family this week.
I am sorry Josh has to leave again (Stay safe Josh!!). What a great post, the pictures are just priceless and really put tears in my eyes!
I remember being at an Air Force recruiting table at Eastern Michigan University when the planes hit...glad we kept a few "recruits" like Josh around!
Erin, you usually make me laugh until I cry, but tonight, I am just crying.
Thank you again for the sacrifice Josh and your entire family make for our freedom.
Your family is precious!! Praying the deployment goes quickly for you and your hero is reunited with his sweeties again.
I love your little family, too! My heart is aching for you as you get ready to say goodbye to Josh for a while, but I am so proud to know both of you, and so thankful for all of those who serve. I will be praying for you! Maybe you should stop off in Indiana as you travel to/from Michigan! Hugs to all of you.
Sally R.
Well, I don't really feel like my words are worth much, but I will say them anyway. Thank you, Josh, for your service. Thank you, from a humbled and grateful person who admires those who serve in the military and their families with all that is in me. Thank you sweet family, for the sacrifices that you all make. We will be praying for all of you!
I found you from The Lumberjack's Wife and your post broke my heart. I love the pictures of you kids in your husband's uniforms. Bless you and your family. You are making such a sacrifice for the rest of us and I pray your husband makes it home safely ...
It breaks my heart and I don't even know you. I'm so thankful to your husband and to our neighbor and to you and our neighbor's wife.
Thank you!
MELT MY HEART ERIN SCHORE
I love playing blog catch up. I am so thankful for Josh's continued service ... and your service as his wife and mother to those two adorable kids. Great pictures as always. Very touching and what wonderful memories.
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