get ready to squeal and giggle and then say "they grow up so fast."

I found these pictures the other day and fell in love all over again.

They are even more meaningful when I remember that they were taken very soon after Jess redeployed from his 12 months in Iraq. 17month old Ella has barely known her daddy here, but he has won her heart.

Hello, blog, I've missed you. . . .er...not so much.

I have to admit I've enjoyed a slower pace AND a computer diet lately. But I started reading blogs again, and it spurred me on to get back into writing. Hmmmm. How to catch you up. Backwards or forwards? Let's go backwards, so I can start with the reason that even my fingers hurt while typing this, then every word that follows will be that much more impressive.

I'm working out. Ok, just two days so far, but man oh man! Jess decided to do this thing called P90X which he can totally rock. It's hardcore, and not for mommies who previously stayed somewhat in shape by carting babies on the hip and walking. occasionally. rarely. sort of. So I modify every bit of these videos and make up my own, but hey! It gets me moving, right? Jess is going out of his way to help me. Yesterday he came home with push up bars and 20lb weights. for me. i laughed. Still, he told me I have to learn not to talk to him while we are exercising. That might just be the hardest part.
Rewind.

We came home Saturday night to a clean house. Not even "man clean." but really real clean. Bathtubs clean. Towels and sheets washed. beds made. My husband knows how to make me happy. He is also getting ready to sell our house. Arg. Yes, we will move, Lord willing, in July to Ft.Leavenworth (KC, Kansas) but we do have a house to sell or rent. I don't even want to think about it or write about it right now. . .

We spent a few days in Nashville and had our family Christmas there when my mom returned from Oklahoma. We missed Jess and Esther, who had to head home the day after Christmas. Here are some pictures from Christmas #4.

Before that. . . . Dad and I drove home from Ok. The kids and the dad did well for all 12 hrs.

To steal a quote from Dad, it was a long, but grace and peace filled few weeks. I am so thankful to get a hug and pictures with Papaw, and thankful I was able to be there for the funeral--if I hadn't been in Ok at the time, I don't know if I would have been able to get there. Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement! Here are some more Oklahoma pictures before I head out to restock the pantry:

Christmas morning

it took Jesse 3 hours to put together the 3 big kids' big present from Grandma and Grandpa. I think we were up til about 1am. . . but it's so cute!

FAMILY

Beach Trip

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;

Psalm 96:11

Ah, the beach! Even in November we enjoy the sand and the sound of the waves. For Veteran's Day we got to visit Jess's brother, Tim and family who were spending a couple of days just south of us at Amelia Island.
the whole Curry Clan

Cousin Ally! It was so fun to see the girls together again. They are quite a pair-as I'm sure their daddies were 30 years ago.

I took a picture right before I yelled, "GET HIM DOWN FROM THERE! ARE YOU CRAZY?"

Curry Girls

AH Autumn!

As we drove through the Kentucky rain we thought, maybe there's fall on the other side of this front! And sure enough, as we crossed the river into Illinois, the sky opened up to a bright blue and the temperature gauge read 60 degrees. Ah, autumn, we finally found you!

kids ready to go play at the Curry garden.

FRUIT! (do you know what that big tree is growing?)

Rachel, this one is yours:

Cousin Ally! The girls are at a perfect age now for instant bonding, hand holding, and wanting their hair styled just alike.


ella's fish

this is Jesse pretending to swing a sledge hammer at my head. nice.

speaking of instant bonding, Bree joined in and the threesome did everything together.

City folk pay lots of money for the day we had in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard! We ended the night with a bonfire and hayride!

My favorite part of the evening-- seeing Jess's, Brent's, Ryan's, and Tim's kids having a blast together! More on that later. . .

Yum Yum!

Ooooh, the food in Nashville is good. At home and when we go out!

Last night Jess and I went out to eat with sister Rachel and Dave. Because I fed Addie and put her to sleep before we left, this was the first time since she was born that I wasn't restricted to a 3-4 hour outing (yep, still won't take a bottle--she's 6 months, should i give up?) We went to Wildwood Oak Fired Kitchen on Hwy 100, kind of a neighborhood place. It was the kind of restaurant I love, where the chef has lots of seasonal specials and just reading the menu is a treat in itself. With the four of us ordering, we tried the Duck Crepe appetizer, the Salmon, Lamb, Duck, and Beef, an a Apple Crisp, a Chocolate cake, and a Passion Fruit Creme Brule. I don't think any of us were disappointed with any of it. Our waitress was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was laid back but still nice enough for me to feel like this was a special occasion. If you're in Nashville, I'd recommend it!

Then, this morning, my mom decided to try a Paula Deen recipe (so you know it's going to be delicious and horrible for you!) Canned biscuit doughnuts. MMMMMMmmmmmm! We made some dipped in chocolate, and others sprinkled with powdered sugar. We all agreed, the powdered sugar ones were by far the favorite--they tasted just like beignets. I think I'll have to make those again. So if you're in Nashville, I'd recommend stopping by my parents for some tasty breakfast.

The Wheaton Connection

Here is Jess with his boss, COL Inch. They are both Wheaton grads! God has blessed Jess with a little camaraderie on the other side of the world.

Happy birthday, Jess!

Happy happy birthday, from all of us to you!

Happy happy birthday, hope all your dreams come true!