2 Years Gone, Still Looking Forward

 

Today we are looking forward to Tasha and the babies moving to Colorado so these crazy cousins can grow up together.

We are also looking forward to the release of Oliver North's new book on November 5. Nick's wife contributed their story to the book. One of the desires of my heart after Nick was killed was that others would know our hero. And now many will. Our God is so good, he knows the desires of our heart and he loves us.

 You can pre-order the book on Amazon and receive it on the day it releases with pre-order price guarantee.

 Below is a re-post of something I wrote last year on this day.

Nicholas Adam Sprovtsoff, Semper Fi

I was 11 the year you were born and I couldn't wait to meet my baby cousin. You guys came down to stay with us over 4th of July and you were so tiny we pulled a drawer out of the dresser to make you a crib.

When you joined the Marines we were so proud, you were tough and we knew it. I liked having someone in our own family fighting for our freedom and protection.


As the deployments came and went and through the multiple cross country moves and the schools and the training and the advancements to your career, the important things stayed the same.

Our son Noah with his Uncle Nicky, Thanksgiving 2007

You were tough but you had the sweetest soul. So easy to know and love. You cared about relationships and people.

When you met and married Tasha we were thrilled all that love was being poured into another sweet soul. She is strong and bright and full of grace and she understands Sprovtsoff love.

Nick with his sweet first born baby girl, Lanie

The night of my 40^th birthday we found out you weren't coming home.

The phone rang just before 2 a.m. and I sat straight up in bed. I heard my brother’s voice break and I knew something was coming, but not this. 

This was your fifth deployment and no matter how dangerous the mission, you always came home.



Afghanistan seemed so far away, but there we were just 8 days later gathered at Arlington National Cemetery. Tasha with her belly round and full of life, a baby boy coming soon.

The Caisson

It came as no surprise when I learned at your funeral you took the Iron Man Award at the Basic Reconnaissance Course. Of course, you did. You were tough.

And learning that the Bronze Star with "V" Device you earned in Afghanistan in 2007 should have been a Silver Star except for an administrative error, again no surprise for a valiant warrior.

Seasoned, mature, physically fit. MARSOC Marine.

I still have your cell phone number in my speed dial and the matching dresses the girls wore to your funeral still hang in their closet. It's been a year today, maybe it's time to let those go.

October 2009, we all met at my Dad's while Nick was at EOD school.

Thank you for your service, Nick. But most of all thank you for loving us well. I'm glad we don't have to let that go.

Tasha, Lanie and baby Nicholas Tank Summer 2012

Nicholas Adam Sprovtsoff, Semper Fi

I was 11 the year you were born and I couldn't wait to meet my baby cousin. You guys came down to stay with us over 4th of July and you were so tiny we pulled a drawer out of the dresser to make you a crib.

When you joined the Marines we were so proud, you were tough and we knew it. I liked having someone in our own family fighting for our freedom and protection.


As the deployments came and went and through the multiple cross country moves and the schools and the training and the advancements to your career, the important things stayed the same.

Our son Noah with his Uncle Nicky, Thanksgiving 2007

You were tough but you had the sweetest soul. So easy to know and love. You cared about relationships and people.

When you met and married Tasha we were thrilled all that love was being poured into another sweet soul. She is strong and bright and full of grace and she understands Sprovtsoff love.

Nick with his sweet first born baby girl, Lanie

The night of my 40^th birthday we found out you weren't coming home.

The phone rang just before 2 a.m. and I sat straight up in bed. I heard my brother’s voice break and I knew something was coming, but not this. 

This was your fifth deployment and no matter how dangerous the mission, you always came home.



Afghanistan seemed so far away, but there we were just 8 days later gathered at Arlington National Cemetery. Tasha with her belly round and full of life, a baby boy coming soon.

The Caisson

It came as no surprise when I learned at your funeral you took the Iron Man Award at the Basic Reconnaissance Course. Of course, you did. You were tough.

And learning that the Bronze Star with "V" Device you earned in Afghanistan in 2007 should have been a Silver Star except for an administrative error, again no surprise for a valiant warrior.

Seasoned, mature, physically fit. MARSOC Marine.

I still have your cell phone number in my speed dial and the matching dresses the girls wore to your funeral still hang in their closet. It's been a year today, maybe it's time to let those go.

October 2009, we all met at my Dad's while Nick was at EOD school.

Thank you for your service, Nick. But most of all thank you for loving us well. I'm glad we don't have to let that go.

Tasha, Lanie and baby Nicholas Tank Summer 2012

Laundry, Spread A Little Love On It

I love doing laundry for my family.  I love knowing they have clean undies, their favorite shirt, and outfit choices instead of defaulting to what's clean. Along with laundry I also happen to love wrapping presents and going to the grocery store.  I know, I'm weird like that.


My friends and family know that Monday and Thursday are my laundry days.  I love these days because I don't have to go anywhere, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when it's done and by doing it twice a week it keeps the laundry pile from ever getting too big.


We use cloth napkins around these parts and I will admit that folding them can get tedious.  So recently I had a stroke of genius and taught the kids how to fold napkins and now they do it for me. And they do an amazing job. Which is saying A LOT because I tend toward OCD on how things get folded.

In the video Chloe is folding some of our favorite napkins from Katherine Rally Textiles. We have had them for two years, use them everyday, they are so soft, and they still look new.

A Party For My Love

February is one of my favorite months.  It's my Mr's birthday month, and he is a mighty fine reason for a favorite.

Each year I ask Alan if he wants a party and each year he says no.  But this year he agreed to a Super Bowl birthday party.  We invited our shepherd group and we pigged out on appetizers. 

Appetizers are one of my favorite party foods. Anything else is too much of a commitment {name that movie}.

A football cake is pretty much the easiest cake I have ever made.  I used a Wilton oval pan and my favorite chocolate ganache frosting.  {the cake is always from a mix}

 What is your favorite month?

 

Bowlful of Christmas Cheer

Rachel Winona

We're so glad to have this little sweetie join our family!  

She was born November 29, 2010

She weighed 6 pounds 10 ounces

I'm linking to Darcy's this week.  Go check out some other sweet shots at Life With My 3 Boybarians

Pregnancy Update--Due November 29

I have a new and improved delivery date of November 29.  I don't know a pregnant lady alive who wouldn't have her delivery date moved up.  The last few weeks are u~n~c~o~m~f~o~r~t~a~b~l~e!

 34 Weeks and just 19 days before delivery day!

We enjoyed our first Trunk or Treat at our church this year.

Our new baby was bustin' to join us.


Fall is in full swing here in Virginia and we are enjoying every minute!

Pregnancy Update--Due December 18

I will be 28 weeks this Saturday, but you would never know it from the size of my belly.  I tend to get a really big belly when I am pregnant, but this even seems big for me...like 46" around big.  This was taken today:

 Yes, there is only one baby in there.  We checked.

Noah and Chloe just got bunk beds and love sharing a room.  They are very excited about the new baby.

In other news, Chloe is potty training.  She is lucky she's cute.








I had to cut a pair of training pants off today and just throw them in the trash.

Summer Fun List

I like lists, and this is the most fun I have had with a list in a long time!

We are usually in Indiana for my family reunion every 4th of July.  We have a wedding there in a a few weeks so we had a "huge" fireworks display at our house this year.

 

Sesame Place was way more fun than we ever imagined.  It is a great amusement park with lots of water rides and if you go before the school year ends there are no crowds!

 

Noah's first roller coaster. 

The real me, big bellied in a bathing suit with no make-up.  Sesame Place will make you lose all your inhibitions.

I am linking to We Are THAT Family and WFMW, because summer lists definitely work for me!

Before Breakfast

This is what happens when the water company comes by to flush the water mains before breakfast.

Thirty minutes of water fun is a great way to start a hot summer day.

 
What are you doing today?

I am linking to Kristen's Works For Me Wednesday--go check out all the great blogs!