With Every End of Life, There is a Beginning of Another

Life is precious. Sometimes we lose sight of that in the every day hustle and bustle. But that's the beauty of Thanksgiving...it's a day set aside to remember all our wonderful blessings that God has given us.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week, we lost someone very dear to us. Grandma Tegler passed away. Grandma Teresa was a beautiful soul who loved her family. She was 89 and has been suffering for a long time so it is a blessing that she is out of pain. She was surrounded by her children throughout her last weeks. She managed to open her eyes before she died, to smile at her daughters one last time. Then she let go, and the wrinkles on her face smoothed, almost as if her troubles had faded away. Pam said she looked at peace.

I'm thankful that our last memories with her were happy. Dane and Shannon's wedding brought the whole family back to Iowa, and to see Grandma at the nursing home. She was bombarded with visitors. She was absolutely glowing.

Brian has a lot on his plate with work right now, but was fortunate to squeeze in a trip home for the funeral. He left Friday morning so we were able to spend Thanksgiving together. Daryl flew in from Cleveland. Brian was disappointed to get very little time with his best friend. Daryl was more than understanding and they still managed to get a few hours of video games, OF COURSE. He also celebrated his 29th birthday.

Life truly is a celebration. I think there are reasons for everything, and I have no doubt that the good news we received a few days after Grandma's passing was not accidental.

And what is that news?!...

A BABY!!!

Brian and I decided after Shannon's wedding that we would leave it in God's hands, and apparently he works quickly. I will likely be due in early August and am feeling awesome so far (knock on wood). I shared the news with Brian, Caden, and Daryl at the end of our Thanksgiving meal prayer. I closed with, "Lord, open our hearts to Your Love, and especially to the precious new baby that you have graced us with."

Brian looked at me with a small smile and stated, "You're pregnant." Um, yes, Captain Obvious. He's happy but also hesitant...perhaps overwhelmed? My friends tell me it's a normal guy reaction for the second child. No turning back now! I am completely elated and can't wait to meet the little one. I doubt we'll find out the sex, but I do have an inkling that it's a girl.

Yay baby!

We told my family on Webcam and Brian told his family during his trip home. My Mom told the Klindt's after the Thanksgiving meal prayer. I've called some people but there's so many to tell, so I apologize if I haven't touched base with you yet.

Caden's already sporting the gear

Wait a minute...what does that say?!

Brian's sister Heather is pregnant with their fifth and due sometime early summer, so just as Caden and Isabella are close in age, the next set will be as well. Those cousins are guaranteed to be trouble!

Wow...that was a lot of news, huh. We've had our share of ups and downs lately. Caden was sicker than he's ever been 2 weeks ago with a cough and a fever for 5 days. Brian was out of town, and we didn't leave the house much, so I felt alone and drained. It hurts to see your child so miserable. He's better now! Well, with the exception of getting some molars. Ouch.

On a happy note, it's the Christmas season...I LOVE this time of year. I listen to Christmas music 24/7 starting the day after Thanksgiving. YESSSSSS. Caden was fascinated with the decorations I dug out today, especially my "O Holy Night" snow globe which he insisted that I shake and wind up a billion times. He helped me decorate (and undecorate) the tree. He also hoarded the candy canes. Something tells me those won't stay on the tree.

Caden, please put that back for the 80th time


Thank you for all your support the past couple weeks. We are thankful for each and every one of you. God bless you all, and especially Grandma and for the new baby, "Junior G"!!!

Marine Corps Ball

Every November, we look forward to the Marine Corps Ball. It's the one night out of the year where we're guaranteed a date to ourselves. And that means a lot once you have a kid!

This year, we decided to forgo Brian's Ball with Systems Command (BORING). Instead we went as guests to the HMX Ball (NOT BORING). HMX stands for Marine Helicopter Squadron and they are responsible for transporting the President. Everyone we know works for HMX, so we figured it made sense to ditch our ball and crash theirs. Our friend Rob organized it so that we got to sit at his table with him and Angel.

Rob and Brian with the Guest of Honor, Lt General Flynn (Brian's boss's boss's boss, or something like that...?!)

Those HMXers know how to throw a good party. We were pleasantly surprised by the incredible accommodations. We stayed on the 23rd floor of the Sheraton in Tyson's Corner of Washington D.C.

Awesome view of the fall colors

The food was good and Brandee even gave me her slice of cake, because she obviously loves me. I taught Brian how to two-step and we danced the night away. My knees were killing me by the end but it was soooo worth it.

Angel, Brandee, Lyndsey, and Me

Air guitar always seems like a good idea until you see the photos

We stayed up late and then the guys decided it was a good idea to grappel in our hotel room. That didn't go over well with hotel personnel and that promptly ended. Silly (make that, STUPID) Marines.

Get him, Doug! (Rob, wake up.)

Caden stayed overnight with the Rivera's. He played hard with John Paul and slept 12 1/2 hours as a result! He didn't seem bothered in the least when we dropped him off but he definitely acted like he missed us when we picked him up...that made us feel good. Thanks again Angela!

In other news, Brian got 2nd in the Turkey Trot. He was bummed but sort of anticipated a sub-par performance. He still won a turkey...woo hoo! I ran too, but didn't feel well. Okay, to put it bluntly, I felt like crap. But that's okay...I was happy to finish. I was super proud of Angel, Brandee, and Lyndsey because it was their first 10K race. 13.1 is next on their list (right girls?!) I'm glad they've caught the running disease. I like spreading it.

Brian got 2nd! First loser! YEAH! (He is thrilled.)


Brian is in Cali all week so me and little man are on our own. Caden's vocab continues to grow and he's recently started stringing words together in phrases. For example, a couple nights ago, we asked him if he wanted his pacifier right before bed time and he said, "No bah please." He's sly...he knew if he said yes, that meant bed time! He also says "No want" whenever he's opposed to my ideas. Hopefully his sentences will be related to more positive things soon, and not just "no." It's a fun stage. Well, minus all that toddler "no" business!

Donald Trump's prodigy


Let's see how many leaves I can get in my diaper...
click to see the video.

Stop, Drop and Roll

Caden loves fire trucks and goes nuts when he sees them, so we thought it was fitting for him to be a fireman for Halloween. Brian was envious because the costume was so realistic with real buckles and everything. Next year, honey.



We had a few incidents before we left the house, including Caden tripping over his own boots and flailing head first into a bar stool. Sigh. The dent in his head made me think, ER, here we come. But as always, a bump popped out and he was ok (after a few pieces of chocolate, of course).

The rest of the evening went well. Caden was generally cooperative and wore his hat willingly. We walked around the neighborhood with our friends Paige, Garrett, and Gabe (cutest bumble bee EVER). I pulled Caden around in his wagon. If I had been "Mom of the Year" I would have decorated the wagon to resemble a fire truck. Eh, I'm okay with being just "Mom."



Quantico housing is crazy because practically everyone sits outside and hands out candy. It's a child's paradise, and the gorgeous weather made it even better. Caden figured out the drill quickly and made no waste of time digging his sticky hands into the bowls of sugar-infested treats. He had 3 suckers before we even made it back to the house, some chocolates, and also the Sixlets I was so adoringly eyeing.

He thinks he's an Altizer boy and makes himself right at home. (Angie, do you want a fifth?!)

Brian evaluates the situation (aka, steals candy)


Brian had fun handing out candy and playing XBox, which apparently is an annual event now. We trick or treated at our own house as the end. Caden walked right up to Dad, took a piece of candy, waved "Bye Bye," and marched back down the stairs, ready to get more candy. It was hilarious. We watched Cars when we settled down for the night, which is now Caden's favorite show.

The holiday as a whole was a lot of fun. We did the Pumpkin Patch with the MOMS Group and Caden spent the majority of the time hanging out with (torturing?!) the animals.

Click here to see Caden, star of "The Cow Whisperer"

Mine.


Ride 'em cowboy


Mom, EW.


Stay tuned for another update soon including Marine Corps Ball pics...