Saying Goodbye..never an easy thing.

And so it begins. The Goodbyes have started. First up, Nancy Lawrence, Allan's advisor and absolute favorite proffesor from Embry Riddle. She has not only been a great influence on Allan, but has become a member of our family. We love her! She calls our kids "her babies', and spoils them rotten whenever she see's them. We met her at Freedom Station on Wednesday night. She hadn't seen Cwynn yet, and she was making sure we didn't leave before she saw all of her "babies". We will miss her soooo much. She is one of the reasons leaving here is going to be so hard to do!

Turning 36!

Every year we make a big deal out of birthdays..or try to. This year Allan and I were not blessed with an abundance on our birthdays..needless to say we were FLAT BROKE. Not a matter to stop the power of three (my great kiddos Caitlyn, Colby and Calleya). While Allan and I ran from OB appointments to grocery shopping (exciting stuff, I know!). Caitlyn spearheaded a campaign to surprise Daddy. What they lacked in decorations..they made up for in creativity. They cut 36 pendant style flags out and numbered them 1-36, adding cute saying and designs to each. They then hung them from the front door to the living room, ADORABLE!! The best part of course..their cake. They frosted a german chocolate cake and put 36 marischinocherries around it, a nascar (Tony Stewart, of course) on top. Along with a big plastic bug (the ones he is always hiding to scare them with), and a little green army man. My favorite part..grey candles that spelled out "LOVE" I didn't realize these were the only letters they found from the "Over the Hill" set I had used one year. EXCELLENT choice of words..Daddy LOVED every single bit of his birthday surprises!

The wheels on the bus...

Riding the bus, for some is a tedious task. Not so for my California kids. This is an experience they look forward to every morning. Colby couldn't wait to go to kindergarten, why? "I get to ride the bus with Sissy, Mom!" Classic!

Blue eyes..hmm, maybe!

Since Caitlyn was born, Allan has secretly wished for a baby with his blue eyes. I have not argued (Hello..his gorgeous baby blues were one of the first things I noticed about him). Fast forward 12 years to our 4th and final little one. Cwynn seems to have..so far,been blessed with his Daddy's eyes. They are a beautiful blue, and have shown no signs of changing to brown, as of yet. At this point with all of the rest, the brown had won, and the color was evident. Either Cwynn is being a stinker and playing games ... or Allan's hope for a baby with blues eyes is going to happen. Only time will tell.

First day of school!

School is here, again, and I have not one but TWO in school this year.Caitlyn has started in 7th grade, while Colby is in KINDERGARTEN!! They both looked so much more grown up on the first day..especially Colby. I cannot believe he is in shool already. He love his teacher Mrs. Roberts, and is waaay excited that his BFF Daniel Craner is in the same class. I guess things cannot get better than that. LOL. As for Caits, she is skipping a year of math and advancing to pre-algebra this year. For a mom that never even liked math..I am amazed that she is doing this..obviously didn't get that from me. Hehehe. Calleya was happy to accompany them both on their first day, however she was not happy when she couldn't have her own desk in Colby's class. She wore her backpack proudly though, and missed her brother and sister the entire day!!!

In the ARMY now

On August 5th, Allan met with a review board for entry into Officer Candidate School, his final step. That afternoon, at 3:55pm, he was sworn into the United States Army as a OCS candidate..he made it!! Being able to be there to see him make this step, was amazing. He ships out to bootcamp on November 16th, for 9 weeks at Fort Sill in South Carolina. Then it is off to Fort Benning, Georgia on March 1st for another 14 weeks of OCS. In total he will be away from us for 6 months. We are excited, scared, and a little hesitant about the changes yet to come. I am extremely proud of him, and the decision he has made.I love him for stepping up and finding a way to provide for his family, and serve his country in the same breath. I am an ARMY wife..and I couldn't be happier for my man in uniform.

Welcome to the world..

He is finally here, on my blog, that is. Cwynn Edward Hartung was born on July 22, 2009 at 8:18 am. He is such a sweet little miracle, and we are thrilled to have him here. I cannot imagine life without him. From the moment he made his debut to the world, he left an impression (quite literally actually as he decided to pee on the OB that was assisting in my surgery.) It was a hard road, and a bit of complications, but we are both home and healthy. He is such a mellow little guy. He doesn't like to fuss unless he has a reason, and he LOVES to cuddle!!! His brother and sisters are IN LOVE with him, and are constantly cooing over him. Big brother Colby tells me everyday how Cwynn is his best buddy-- how can you not LOVE that coming from a 5 year old.