Chandler's First Year

His first year in photos! http://www.ginasphotos.com/Chandler_One.exe

It's officially over!

That's right folks, I have come to the time in my life where I no longer have a baby. Chandler has officially weaned from nursing. :( He nursed the longest and seemed the most attached to it (just like a man!). But at the grand age of 13 months, he's done. It was easy too...we just stopped gradually during the day, and night times were harder for me, b/c I like my sleep. It was easier to just roll over and "pop it in". But, this past weekend he didn't nurse at all. I am actually pretty sad about it. That was a special bonding time that we shared, and he is my last baby, and now it's over. It it weird to think that I will never be at that point in my life again. That I am no longer HAVING children, but that I am now raising little people. My job from here on out is to make sure that they grow into caring, sensitive, smart, well-rounded adults. ACK! Wish me luck. Justin and I have said, we learn from the past, so let's hope that we don't make the same mistakes our parents made. That we learn from our pasts and that these 3 beautiful children have happy and healthy lives.

Pretty deep huh? :) Goodbye to the baby years...bring on the rest of our lives!

"Far Away"

This time, This place
Misused, Mistakes
Too long, Too late
Who was I to make you wait
Just one chance
Just one breath
Just in case there's just one left
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

[CHORUS]
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I miss you
Been far away for far too long
I keep dreaming you'll be with me
and you'll never go
Stop breathing if
I don't see you anymore

On my knees, I'll ask
Last chance for one last dance
'Cause with you, I'd withstand
All of hell to hold your hand
I'd give it all
I'd give for us
Give anything but I won't give up
'Cause you know,
you know, you know

[CHORUS]

So far away
Been far away for far too long
So far away
Been far away for far too long
But you know, you know, you know

I wanted
I wanted you to stay
'Cause I needed
I need to hear you say
That I love you
I have loved you all along
And I forgive you
For being away for far too long
So keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore
Believe it
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go
Keep breathing
Hold on to me and, never let me go

I love you babe! Miss you!!

Alive and well...sort of...

We made it to Houston 3 days before Christmas and it has been hectic (to say the least) ever since. Justin left Friday morning for 6 weeks in Virginia, and then will leave at the end of February for Bahrain. The next time we'll see him is the end of July for the girls' b-days. I forgot just how bad this sucks! To say it was easier with one child is an understatement. Faith and Chandler know no life without him and they both seem to be taking it harder that I thought. Faith keeps asking when he's gonna be home and Chandler doesn't sleep well at all. The girls also seem to be bickering and fighting more than usual, so that is frustrating as well. Although, it could just be that I am going at it alone, so it SEEMS worse. Who knows. So...that leads to an edgy, cranky mommy! I'm trying really hard not to be snappy, but I miss him too, and the lack of sleep isn't helping.

Anyway, keep us in your prayers. This is going to be a LONG LONG hard year!!