It's been a while...

Well, I guess its been a while since I posted - about 4 months. But, it's hard to do anything else but enjoy family time when you know it is short. Jason deployed on Sunday. We've made it (with flying colors, I might add) for 5 days!! We've been blessed to already be able to Skype and talk with him, although I don't know how long that will be available. The kids are doing remarkably well, so far. I promised Jason that I would update this as much as possible, so hopefully I will do a good job of it! The day to day of our lives is pretty basic, but my goal is to keep Jason involved in the basics.

I am so thankful and proud of our soldiers. It is something I always appreciated, but never fully understood - the sacrfice they and their families make. I guess the old saying is true...until you walk a mile in my shoes.... Living this Army life for the past 9 months has been a journey, but the sacrifice has not been huge. Now it is real. It is here. I am accepting it.

I am excited to see how the Lord will grow us individually and as a family this next year. My prayer and my song this week and for the time to come is that I will "lift my eyes to the Maker of the mountains I will climb." He alone is my rock, and I will look to Him for daily strength.

Deeper Snow

Today was our first snow day! We have had about 35 inches of snow this season! Last night we got about 8 inches and it has snowed non stop today, adding 5-6 inches today. The kids went into the backyard to track around in the snow!

Mauryn is standing next to our 6 ft fence. The snow drifted to this side of the yard, and is about 2 1/2 feet deep.

Sadie making a snow angel

Mauryn's angel

Denver kind of just laying in the snow!

A Christmas Tradition

For as long as I can remember, my dad would put my sister and I on his shoulders and we would put the star on top of the tree. Jason and I have continued this with our kids and every year the star is put up by each one.

Mauryn

Sadie - she has come a long way! She is pretty scared of heights, and most years her picture is of her hanging on for dear life and crying! Looks like she is still hanging on with all her might, but we got a smile this year!

Denver's turn

Oh, I have to add... we got a fake tree this year! This is a major no-no in the Bruce household! Jason's dad has a tree farm, so our trees usually come from there, but before we lived in Tucumcari, the only option was a live tree for us!! We committed a major crime and got a fake one this year!! Mainly because next Christmas Jason most likely will be deployed, and we realized that it would be difficult for me to carry a live tree in by myself-where as this one is pretty light and easy to assemble! But we already decided, we will only use this one when he is gone, and a real one all the other years.

Sledding

Denver hiking back up the hill

Mauryn at the end of her run

Sadie sliding by

The community we live in on post has a sledding hill! They designed this hill for the purpose of sledding, which means that it is really smooth and you can get a pretty long run! We had a lot of fun on our first sledding adventure of the season!

The Making of a Snowman

Our first snow was Thanksgiving weekend. We had about 5-6 inches. The kids had fun making a snowman in the backyard. That snow melted...but then it all started! Since Thanksgiving, we've had about 35 inches of snow! Crazy New York weather!!

Posing for Christmas

This one didn't make the cut! Showing his true colors!

Oh Captain, My Captain

Jason was promoted yesterday to Captain! Such a sweet time of ceremony and then a reception!
The troops were brought to attention, and then the commander spoke. He then pulled Jason's LT bar off, and I put his Captain bars on. It was a special time for our family!