Too Tired to Climb!

How I wish I could find any place to fall asleep! We have found Nicholas many times like this. He will destroy his bedroom then just crash wherever he can! As you can tell, he pulled the drawer out from under his bad along with a few other things. Nic made himself so tired he did not even bother climbing in bed all the way! Too cute!

A Woman's Prayer

I have been sitting here looking at different layouts for this blog, when I came across A Woman's Prayer. I had to post it on here with the thought it will bring a smile to many women's faces! It brought a smile to mine!

Happy Veterans Day

I came across this saying today, that made me shed a tear or two. Please say thanks to the ones who bravely serve in our military!

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.


Happy Veterans Day!


Please check out the story behind Veterans Day at this link:

http://www.military.com/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day.htm

Britt's Surgery Outcome

It has been three weeks and one day since I had the hysterectomy. It was a success! Kevin and I arrived at Del Sol Medical Center around 530 in the morning on October 15. I was taken back to a triage room to change into the gown, horrible stockings (to prevent clots), and their slip proof socks. There they took my vitals and the surgical team came by to check on me and introduce themselves. I have to say, I had a great team of people! They instantly made me feel as though everything would be fine. I was so nervous going into the surgery. Following the surgery I was taken to a recovery room for a little over an hour. As soon as I woke up, I was able to go to my room. I remember bits and pieces of the recovery room and be taken to my to my room. I remember at one point hearing someone say "Mr. Biddle" and that caught my attention. I vaguely remember looking over to see Kevin walking towards me. Then, I was back out. Kevin said I fought with the nurses in both rooms trying to take the oxygen off of me. It was driving me crazy! I guess every time I took it off they put it back on. Even Kevin had to try to convince me to keep it on. I don't recall much of this. I finally started to stay awake around noon. I woke up in so much pain! They could not give me much at this point because of what I had already taken through my IV. That night they changed my pain medication, trying to make me more comfortable. My blood pressure dropped so low I had to deal with the pain.

The night of the surgery, Kevin brought the girls to see visit with me. We made our second attempt at getting me out of the bed to walk. We tried earlier that day before he had to leave and I was too dizzy and in too much pain for much success. That night I managed to walk for about 15 minutes around the floor. It took a lot out of me! Once Anna arrived, Kevin and the girls left. Anna, a friend of mine out here, decided to stay the night at the hospital with me. I am still so grateful she did!

On Thursday one of the doctors came by early to check on me. She let me know I had to stay until at least Friday since my blood pressure was so low. Which, in a sense, was a blessing in disguise! It gave me another day without the kids trying to climb all over me. I needed the extra rest. Around 430 Friday morning, Dr. Harlass stopped by. He let me know I would be released shortly after breakfast. At that point he went into detail the turnout of the surgery. The hysterectomy was without a doubt, the best thing that I could have done. Even as hard as it is on me now, I know we made the right decision after speaking with the doctor.

We went for my post-op last week. I am still limited to what all I can do. This is an eight week recovery. Though, with kids and Kevin at work, it is impossible to follow all orders. When Kevin gets home in the evenings, I usually let him take over. I always feel bad since he has been at work all day, but by that time, I am to a point that I can not do much more. Overall, the doctor has said the incision is healing nicely and things look great now!

Physically, I am feeling better today. It has been a rough recovery. I will say, this is a lot harder than all three c-sections I have gone through! Kevin was amazing the two weeks following the surgery when he was on leave. He was great with the kids, it gave him and Nic the bonding time they needed, but had yet been able to have. He took care of me, while at the same time getting on to me the first week for getting out of bed and doing too much! I can't stand staying in bed that long! Kevin went back to work a little over a week ago, which at times has been tough on me. It is hard not to pick up Nic all the time and to just take it easy still! I have realized how easy it is to become tired just from living my normal day to day life. It is taking a lot out of me. Yesterday was great, today I woke up in a lot of pain. I have also learned how easy it is to overdo things and that I really need to relax. Right now, I am battling the emotional side of it all. What gets me through is Kevin and our kids. I look at the three we have been blessed with, and more than ever, I am so incredibly thankful for what we have been given. A true blessing. I have always thought about how things happen for a reason and always firmly believed in this. I look back at getting pregnant at such a young age with both girls. At the time, people were upset and let down, and worried about how we would handle the challenges of being parents. I hope now every one's outlooks Then, came Nicholas a few years later. Seems to me, I have my reason now. Even though it has been a hard road at times, going through so much at our ages, I have never been more thankful, blessed, and happy with what life had handed us. Everything does happen for a reason, and had I not had the kids so early in life, I would have never been able to experience one of the most incredible joys in life!

Thank you to everyone for the prayers and support through this.

Look Mom, I Found My Hat...

Nicholas found the hat that we bought him late in the summer and had a blast putting it on his head in different ways! It was so cute watching him figure out ways to wear his hat! By the end of me taking pictures, you can tell he was ready for the camera to be put away. Such a "Kevin" look!

Happy Halloween!

The kids had such a great time this Halloween! We took them over to some friends house. All kids behaved wonderfully for us! It was great seeing the girls bouncing from house to house and being so excited. We ended up putting Nicholas in the stroller and pushing him up to a few houses. We caught him trying to eat the candy straight from the wrapper a few times. He would just chew on the wrapper until he broke it open. Cute! By the end of the night, all kids were exhausted! Our three ended up passing out in the car before we even got out of the Warner's neighborhood! Breanna was Sharpay from High School Musical, Caitlin decided she wanted to be a bride ~ even though she refused to wear the veil, and Nicholas was a puppy. Nic actually wore the costume without a problem but hated when we put makeup on his face! We used a dark grey eyeshadow on his nose and eyeliner for his whiskers!

Caitlin right before we left out house

Our "not so happy" little puppy

Kevin being Kevin...what more can I say?

Hmmm...wonder what he is trying to get into

Mommy and her puppy

Caitlin walking with Ricardo, Anna's son.

Long night for them, peaceful ride home for us!

Making His Place Known

Ten days after surgery and I cannot even rest comfortably on the couch! Only this time that is not due to the kids. Thanks to Dopey, our Cane Corso, I have a dog who is quite comfortable with laying on me. Kevin and I were on the couch watching a movie when he decided he should join us. Dopey makes it known he has a place in this house! Not so comfortable anymore!

Happy Birthday Breanna!

The time has come, yet again, to celebrate Breanna's Birthday. She turned seven today. She has been so excited about her birthday. Kevin and I, on the other hand, are having difficulties in knowing how old our little girl is getting! Where have the past seven years gone? Seems as though it was just yesterday I was in L&D in a panic because we were having such complications and her heart rate was close to non-existent. I can remember so clearly them getting me to the OR for the emergency c-section and praying my baby girl would be okay. Here we are, seven years later, with a child who has amazed us on a daily basis. Everything the doctors warned us about, she has proved to be wrong. Over the years she has had some struggles with asthma being that her lungs were underdeveloped at birth. We were told that she may be a little behind being that she was a little over five weeks premature. She is one of the most intelligent children I know. I am not saying that just because she is mine. Bre is a straight A honor roll student, who is going to be tested for the gifted program again this year at school. Our problem with her, she is at the whiny stage that can make a parent insane! Haha. She is so curious on the finest of details in life...she gets that from her mom! She is stubborn and strong minded...which is to blame from both her parents.

Happy Birthday Breanna! We hope you have an amazing day!

The time has come, yet again

The time has come again for Kevin to spend an unlimited amount of time in the field. Field training started almost two weeks ago, with Kevin and some of the Platoon spending the first eight days in New Mexico. Now, they are just pulling from the rear, while rotating guys that go out for five days at a time. Over the summer Kevin became a squad leader, at this point leaving him busy from the time he wakes up (between 3-430am) until far after he gets home (which he normally walks in between 5-9pm). Our lives definitely revolve around the Army more now than ever! He will be gone pretty much all of November with the rest of the Brigade and some in December. During this, he is supposed to be home for the Holidays. January-February they all have to go back to NTC....time to start preparing for yet again, another deployment. We are not sure at this point when that will be.

During all of this Brittney is having to have a hysterectomy, which will be similar to the c-sections she has had. The surgery will take place on October 15, first thing in the morning. She will have her cell phone on her in the hospital, as will Kevin.

The kids are all great! Nicholas is slowly beginning to talk and into everything! He is such a great toddler! Breanna and Caitlin are enjoying school. Breanna brought home her grades, three 100's, two 97's, and a 95 as her overall grades in her subjects. Caitlin is learning a lot this year and her writing has really improved.

Breanna has us already planning her birthday party. This year Kevin will be home and it will be on her birthday, October 25. She insists on having a Hannah Montana party and is very excited about it. Hard to believe she is going to be seven this year. Where does the time go? She is going through the stage now of whining when she does not get her way and has become really good at talking back!

Hope everyone's October has started of well!

Summer 2008

What a summer we all had! We kicked off the summer by taking a trip to Georgia. We spent a little over a week visiting with family and celebrating Mike and Maria's wedding with them. We all had a blast being able to see everyone! For Kevin, it had been well over a year since he had seen everyone. It was probably the last time he will be able to visit with anyone for possibly another two years. We are yet again planning for another deployment! At this point we do not know a whole lot on it.

We decided to let the girls stay in GA for six weeks after we left. Russell and Mom brought them back to us. Russell, Mom, and Ashton ended up spending about a week with us in El Paso. Of course, this visit was a lot easier than the last. Last year when they visited, Britt spent a couple days in the hospital from having Nicholas. The girls had a great summer being able to visit with all the Grandparents! We are still hearing stories on their adventures!

While they were away, we bought two new dogs. Spike, a tiny toy Chiuahua, and Dopey, a Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff). Both have turned out to be great dogs! Over the summer we have taught Dopey to sit and stay. He is very gentle with the kids, though at times, I think he forgets his size. Oddly enough, Dopey and Spike have become inseperable! They play and sleep together! The girls were so surprised to have two new dogs when they returned. All Caitlin could say is that she has wanted a big dog for so long now! (Dopey was about 15 pounds then. He will get to be about 150lbs).

Nicholas enjoyed the summer being an only child! He ended up getting so much attention while the girls were gone! It was nice being able to spend more one on one time with him. He is of course walking, and now into everything! He is getting so big. It seems once again, time has just flown by!

The girls returned home about three weeks before the first day of school. School started for them on August 25. Breanna began First Grade this year and Caitlin is in Kindergarden. This is Caitlin's first year with a full day of classes! She is adjusting well, but it has been difficult for her at times. Breanna, as always, is loving school! We spoke with her teacher last week. She is ahead of the majority of students in her class and will more than likely be tested for the Gifted Program this year. She is reading very well now and always wanting to learn something new!

Kevin is still waiting on either points to drop or to gain more points for promotion. He is promotable now, but with the Army working with a point system, it can tend to take more time than needed.

Our Mini Kevin

Nicholas has found his side of fighting for something he wants. Cassidy and Nic were fighting over the phone.

Such a "Kevin look"
No denying this kid! He is a little Kevin!

He's Caught!

I happened to walk by Nic's room, only to find him doing something he knows not to do! He has discovered the world of climbing...

Nicholas looking out his window...probably at the dogs. He has no idea he is even being watched.

"Oh, no. She caught me!" I have never seen him move so quickly!

Nic is all over the house now and has learned to pull all of his toys out, leaving a huge mess in his room! He is getting so big and amazes us with every passing day with the new things he is learning!

"Oh great...Mom has the camera out again"

Enjoying the ball popper

"Okay, I have had enough. Maybe she will leave"
"Nope, so I will just turn my back to her. Yes, I made this mess!"

First Day of School

The girls started school this year on August 25. Kevin was able to take the girls in with me this year, which was nice since last year he was in Iraq. It is so hard to believe Breanna is now a first grader and Caitlin is in Kindergarten. Hopefully this turns into another amazing year for Breanna and a great one for Caitlin. Caitlin is a little upset because she is no longer in Mrs. Baldwin's class, but after explaning to her that her teachers change every school year she became a little more accepting of a new teacher. She has Ms. Rivera, which I remember from last year. Great teacher! I think Caitlin will do just fine with her. Breanna has a teacher that we have never heard of until now, Mrs. Belmonte. We have all faith that Breanna will have a good year. She is more comfortable with the school scene at this point than Caitlin is. Another school year has begun! Where does the time go?

Sound Asleep

We started looking for Spike, our Toy Chih, and found him and Bre asleep in her bed! Of course, as soon as Spike saw the flash he woke up. Breanna managed to sleep through it all!

Dustin Proposed!

In June, we were fortunate to celebrate Michael (Kevin's brother) marrying Maria. We all made a trip to GA in order to take part in it. Now, it looks as though next summers visit will be planned around yet, another wedding! Today, Brittney's brother, Dustin finally proposed to his long time girlfriend Whitney! Dustin and Whitney have been together for over four years and plan on tying the knot on May 30, 2009. Brittney has set up a Wedding Website for them and for family and friends to view. For more information on it, please contact Brittney, brbiddle@hotmail.com.

Congrats Dustin and Whitney! We are all looking forward to spending on of the most memorale days you will have together with you in May! Thank you for making the five of us apart of your day! We love you both!

Dustin and Whitney seconds before he was down on one knee!

Whit in total shock! Yes, he is asking you to marry him!

Of course, she said yes!

It's official...they are getting married next spring!

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Biddle

Much needed family update!

I know, it has been awhile since we have posted anything. I am having some problems with my laptop and am unable to post pictures on here right now. I will send some via email soon!

As you can imagine, there has not been any downtime here since Kevin came home from the deployment! Kev arrived at the airfield here on December 8. After waiting all day, I was able to see his plane land around 6pm and was finally able to see him a little after 7pm. I cannot even begin to explain the relief, joy, excitement, pride, and so much more this brought. It is not possible to put it into words. It seemed so surreal to have him standing right there, in front of me. A moment that I had been waiting for had finally happened. The girls were at a friends house, but Nicholas was with me. At first he just looked at Kevin, probably trying to put everything together. I showed Nic pictures of Kevin everyday that he was away. Kevin, of course, had a bear for him from Germany. Kevin held Nicholas and he did great with him! After getting bags and loading the car, we headed over to get the girls. They had no idea that I would come home with Daddy! They thought that I was out Christmas shopping. Honestly, I think we had the best Christmas gift we could ever ask for! A Christmas to always remember. When they first saw Kevin, they just stared at him. I guess in disbelief. It took a minute for them to realize he was really home. Caitlin was the first one up and in his arms, followed by Breanna. Of course, there was not an early bedtime for the girls that night! For the first time in months, everything felt complete!

Christmas was wonderful! The kids all had a wonderful time. The girls had so much fun opening their gifts and Nic had a great time playing with paper and boxes! He was into everything he could get into.

The transition has been problem free! I know everyone has been worried how everything would fall back into place. It has been better than we could have expected. Kevin has been fine with life here compared to life in Iraq. More than anything, he has just been glad to be home with us. Kevin has loved that he can just relax, whether it be doing something around the house or playing one of his XBox games. Usually, it is hanging out, playing a game! No complaints here, at least he is home! He did take about a month of leave to get away from work, which was much needed.

I have obtained my real estate license. I am now a realtor with Coldwell Banker. I am now in and out of the office pretty much daily. With Kevin being home it is easier to work. Of course, he has been to a couple open houses with me that I have held. He has helped me out so much with everything.

The kids are all wonderful! The girls are both doing great in school. Breanna is above average on many things in school. Her teacher is still giving her extra work on a daily basis to keep her busy. Nicholas is crawling all over the house and into things. He will stand for a couple of seconds on his own...which only means that walking is right around the corner! I have loved every second with him, watching him grow. Since discovering my food, he refuses to eat baby food now. Every night we have to make sure that some of what we cook he can eat. He has such a happy personality and such a mama's boy! He says mama and bye bye now. Every now and then, he will say dada. He has six teeth with another one trying to come through. It is amazing how quickly they change and grow! Nicholas will be one in a little over a month. That is so hard to believe.

Overall, everything has been terrific here! I am sorry it has taken so long to get this update out. I will get pictures on here soon! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! I know we sure did! Thanks to all the ones that kept us and Kevin's safety in your prayers!

Carlsbad Caverns, NM

We decided to take a trip to Carlsbad, NM with the kids to check out the caverns. We all had a fun-filled day. The drive seemed to go on a little too long with the girls in the back constantly repeating "Are we there yet?" "I am tired of being in the car"...and so on. We stopped at the park area of the Guadelupe Mountains to walk and go through the small museum they have. Very interesting! After that we headed to the caverns. We had to end up purchasing a snuggli for Kevin to strap on him and tote Nic in. Of course, we were not thinking about the fact we could not take a stroller in! We took an elevator down, I cannot recall how far under we were. The girls were just as amazed as Kevin and I were. Kevin and I are making future plans to go back without the kids so we can do more advanced cave tours. We are wanting to do the ones where we actually have to get down and crawl through the narrow cave passages! We all had a great day in NM!

For more information on the Caverns and the National Park, check out the website, http://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm. We took the kids on the self-guided tour.