Swords and Knives: Manly stuff, ya know

Last week we had highlighted a part of Kaeley's wonderful personality with the Rose Pedal Cottage. Now we want to highlight a wonderful part of our son, Dallen, personality. Swords and Knives are a hobby, passion and upbringing of his. Growing up with a dad, uncles and grandpa who loves to shoot different guns it's no wonder Dallen has taken an interest. Shooting everything from an AK-47 to a 50 Cal. this kid will shoot anything he can get his hands on.


Dallen was taught at a young age how to handle guns, his Dad would often leave his handgun out and when Dallen would spot it he would immediately let his Dad know without touching the gun. Josh taught him proper gun safety and how to shoot at a young age. I think we got a future sharp shooter in the making.
For Dallen's 7th Birthday his Uncle Caleb bought him an awesome 410 shotgun/.45 Long Colt (which by the way is $50 a box and that's all he wants to shoot, he's not a cheap date), his first real gun he could call his own. His awesome uncle has also bought him pellet, bb guns and pocket knives. Whenever Caleb can he takes Dallen shooting and to gun shows with him, and somehow Dallen always ends up talking his uncle into getting him something (but how can you resist this kid, ya know).

Dallen doesn't just have a passion for collecting guns, he also has grown a strong desire to collect swords and knives. Last Christmas we got him 3 Samurai swords that he displays on a shelf in his room. Every time he can, he slowly takes the sword out of it's case and examines it. Sometimes we let him chop up cardboard boxes in the garage. He also has a collection of pocket knives, he likes to carry at least one around with him and more often than not, it's come in handy!


For his birthday last year I sat with him for a long time one night and we looked at all different swords online, he wanted the longest sword he could get. But knowing we couldn't fit this on a plane up to my parents house in WA, we settled on an awesome dagger. We let him choose the dagger he wanted and the one he's holding is the one he choose, it also came with a blow gun he likes to shoot at cardboard boxes as well. Knowing Dallen's strong passion for swords and guns it makes it easy to choose gifts for him when it comes to birthdays and holidays. And Josh and I have absolutely no concern he will turn the weapons upon his sisters or us. He's so sweet and so cautious that if we had any doubt of his ability to handle weapons responsibly we would not give them to him. So as long as he can continue to show the same responsibility we look forward to helping make his collection grow and helping him become a better shooter. Keep up the passion Dallen, we love you.

Rose Pedal Cottage

Every other weekend Kaeley returns to her dreamland. She is still only five and enjoys make believe and pretending where my other two angels have grown out of this phase. Kaeley’s life was once simple and uncomplicated. I remember coming home from work each day at about 3pm to find her standing in the window waiting for me to get home. Since then life has seen some turbulence and much has changed for her. She still remains very sweet and innocent, but at time she needs to escape from the stress of the adult world.

Her escape is the Rose Peddle Cottage which is always set up in the bedroom at my parent’s house. I have thought about taking it down while she is gone, but I just don’t have the heart. Each night she is here she sleeps in her cottage. She has about 8 inches of padding stretched out across the bottom to make a very comfortable bed. When is stressed she will quietly play inside it and pretend to be a princess, a baker, a storekeeper, etc. We have had several tea parties inside of this magical cottage, even though I can barely fit inside it. It has become her special place, her safe haven from the world. Her brother and sister understand that the cottage is her place and they are not to bug her when she is in it. Every night she sleeps there, every afternoon she naps in it. One night she fell asleep on Breanna’s bed so I left her there. At 3am she woke me up sobbing because her cottage’s bed was not set up (due to a tea party with her cousin Lexi) and demanded I fix it. I sent her back to bed figuring she would fall asleep without it. Five minutes later I could still hear her quiet cries as she tried to set the bed up. I finally got up and set the bed up and tucked her in. There is even a special tuck in required in the cottage, starting with a hug, a normal kiss on the cheek, buttery fly kisses, an Eskimo kiss and finished off with another kiss.

Needless to say the Rose Peddle Cottage is Kae’s special place. It has become a part of our weekend routine and part of her grandparent’s home. This blog is just to highlight one part of her wonderful personality and show the world her special place. Kaeley, we love you!

Josh I think you're sooo cute, handsome, loving, adorable, sweet, generous, and all those other things. You're a wonderful husband and father (even if people try to tear you down and lie). Mwah, two more weeks!!!!

Changes

Interesting day.... I received official notification of my separation today. I should be out of the Air Force NLT September 5th, fast I know. I have alot of stuff to do. Josh will fly down to help me with the final things with the house. So now begins a world of change, I've been in the Air Force close to 5 years and have to get a new job, learn new skills. Fortunately I have my G.I. bill, also my veterans preference and benefits and possibly and probably disability money. I'm a junior in college so over half way there to the bachelors which will open even more doors. Nowadays companies don't even care what major your degree is in just that you have one. Military has been an interesting road, no regrets I'm glad I served and wouldn't change a thing.

Will you give this to my daddy?

Today during lunch (in uniform), while waiting to order, a little girl- possibly 3 or 4 came up to me and said, "Thank you soldier," and then her grandma came up to me and said the same thing, even though I'm technically an Airman . I've had alot of adults come up to me but never a kid before, I thought it was very sweet and it's nice to know that even if people don't support the war the support the people in the war, and with that I would like to add this story I found.
Sorry it's so choppy (it pasted weird)

Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I

was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me

beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed

one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen..

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they

began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly

to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and

cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded

American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their

families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young

unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so

we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our

service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old ran

up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.'

The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy

for her.

The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself,

s aid he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then

suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the

biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was

Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had

been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her

daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all

of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the

other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They

started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to

Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he

told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he

had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek.. He finished b y saying

'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and

he is coming home very soon.'

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young

soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was

standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people

resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around,

there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in

one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney

with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and

thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's

good to be an American.