Battalion Ball

Aaron's battalion, 2nd Battalion 2nd Infantry Regiment (2-2IN) had it's Ball back in March. Now, what girl doesn't love shopping for a fancy gown, accessorizing it, getting all dolled up and feeling beautiful on the arm of a handsome Soldier? Well, this girl certainly enjoys all those things. Add to those, the chance for a great evening out with her husband, having fun with friends, and a night away from the kids in a fancy hotel suite in downtown Louisville, and you have one happy Army Wife.

We had a great time at the Galt House and enjoyed being able to celebrate the re-deployment with so many great people.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Happy Spring, Happy Birthday to Aaron, and Happy Easter. We have been one busy bunch celebrating and enjoying family time.

The daffodils have come and gone,

but we sure were excited when the appeared

Aaron's birthday fell on Easter weekend this year. We were visiting family up in Detroit and enjoyed a fun morning at a local, indoor water park.

Splashing and laughing

Happy Easter, 2012

Sister and Brother

Naturally, our two kiddos are not perfect angels. We have moments breaking up tug-of-war-with-a-toy battles, sister chasing brother because he took her baby doll, brother chasing sister because she took his backpack, and plenty of "Mommmmmm! He/She took my (fill in the blank)". And, as Colton is getting bigger he's even figured out how to tackle is big sister and throw her to the ground with little effort to get his point across. But, honestly, those moments are mostly shadowed by a pretty happy sibling relationship that seems to be getting pretty strong as our little guy and gal grow up.

Clara loves to snuggle with Colton when he allows it

And, even if Colton isn't too crazy about the idea,

Clara is often determined to show her affection

Colton often has a case of "monkey see, monkey do",

and wants to be just like his big sis

Hugs before bedtime are must for Colton,

he's got to give some love to his "Ra ra"

I realize that the arguments will get louder and perhaps more frequent as they grow, but I have a feeling these two are going to be looking out for one another and loving each other for a very long time.

The Little Things

Life is all about the little things. With Aaron home again, I have had plenty of opportunties to reflect on and appreciate all the little things that brings smiles and joy to our family. I'm sure there will be a time in the near future when we will once again take these moments for granted. But, it's in this time post-deployment that I really do appreciate and recognize how very lucky we are and how special it is to have these moments.

Snuggle time in bed on a Sunday morning

Wrestling on the floor

Piggy-back rides

Playing on the couch cushions

It's these little things that make life wonderful and special. Holding hands in the car, kisses goodnight, hugs in the kitchen, a text message saying "I'm on my way home", reading on the couch while Aaron plays video games, date nights, having someone to laugh with when the kids are being silly. It's these little things and so many more that make me so very happy to have my husband home.

Happy Birthday, Miss Clara!

She's four! She's four! She's four! Ladies and gentlemen we have a four-year-old in the house. Just like that, our baby girl, who once was so tiny and cuddly is now big and giggly.

Our bashful birthday girl

The amazing cake my incredibly talented friend Linda made

We celebrated with a Rapunzel/Tangled themed birthday party at the local "kids love it, parents go bonkers" hot spot of Blazers Fun Zone. Blazers is a haven of bounce houses, inflatable slides, rock climbing, putt-putt, roller skating and arcade games. The kids had a blast, the parents were busy keeping up with the kids, while also having a fun time watching and participating in the festivities. It was very nice to not have to prepare or clean-up and simply enjoy the celebration.

Clara and her friend Allie all wide-eyed and silly

Miss Clara trying out her new Barbie skates from Santa

The Birthday Girl enjoying some cotton candy on her special day

Clara's special day has come and gone and it was a great one. We are so glad our friends and family were able to celebrate with us. Now we get to watch as our big girl grows another year bigger, brighter, and keeps us smiling. 

Our Soldier is Home!

He's home, he's home, he's home! Those are some sweet, sweet words to say. Our family is whole again and all four of us are ecstatic. It's been just over a week since Aaron came home from Afghanistan and it's like he was never gone. It's so nice to be getting back into the rhythm of a complete family. Naturally, I love having help with the kids, the dishes, the meals, and cleaning up. Having my hubby home to snuggle up with at night is pretty nice, too! Clara has picked up right where she left off in her adoration of her daddy. Colton has taken to Aaron as if he always knew who he was. We were expecting a warm-up period for Colton since he was so young, but it's as if he's known his daddy all along. This has been a delightful surprise for us.

The "Big Day" was a Saturday and we were fortunate enough to have a Welcome Home Ceremony time at four in the afternoon. Some of the other flights had been arriving in the middle of the night and I was not looking forward to the prospect of getting the kids up and out of the house at one in the morning. Of course, the preparations weren't without complications. Friday morning, the day before homecoming, Clara tested positive for strep throat. Saturday morning, the day of the homecoming, Colton tested positive for strep throat. All I can say is, thank goodness for fast-acting antibiotics and the novelty of a crowded gym to distract even the crankiest, sick toddler.

Anxiously waiting for our Soldier

My fabulous cousin came with us to the ceremony. It was great to have someone else to share the excitement with, act as photographer, and help keep track of the kids. We arrived one hour early since we had no idea what to expect and didn't want to cut it too close in case the guys got there early.

Colton loved waving his little flag

When the announcement came that the buses had pulled up, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the loud music exploded from the speakers, I couldn't hold it together anymore. A year's worth of longing and anticipation came flowing out in tears. It was finally here. Our moment to search the crowd for our Soldier had arrived. All we had to do was wait for the Soldiers to enter the gym, assume formation behind a curtain, wait for the curtain to slowly and painstakingly rise, listen to the National Anthem and honor the Flag. As you can imagine, after waiting over one year, these short events felt as if they were taking forever.

But, it came, and it was all worth the wait. We caught a glimpse of Aaron from across the gym, and he spotted us. As soon as Clara saw him coming toward us, she burst out into a run and was swept up in her daddy's arms. Those first moments are so amazing. The first kiss so sweet. The first hug seems to freeze time. Nothing compares to those first moments you have your family together again.

A wonderful moment I like to think of as the family huddle. 

Our happy family, together again;

complete with exhausted daddy and two sick kiddos

I don't think Clara's smile could be any bigger!

My goofy boys!

We have our Soldier back. The kids have their daddy home. My love has returned. Our family is together again and life is sweet. Here we come 2012, the Barrett family is ready and willing to have lots of fun.