Enjoying the Sunshine!

Today the weather has been awesome! The sky is blue and the sun is shining! It's the perfect day to be outside! We headed to the backyard to play!

Gavin did A LOT of jumping on his new trampoline!

Chopper and I played ball for a while.

Gavin played with his new water/sand table....

 

and then went back to jumping!

It's been a pretty good day for so far. We've been out at least two different times! I hope this weather sticks around for a bit because this California girl needs some warmth and sunshine!

Month of the Military Child - Tribute to my Little Guy

April is the Month of the Military Child. I wanted to write a tribute to my little guy. He has grown so much these past three years!

 

I would like to think his resilience started early on while he was growing inside my belly. Matt and I just moved to Alaska and he had to deploy to Iraq a few months later. Two weeks into the deployment I found out that I was pregnant! Matt was deployed for the WHOLE pregnancy!

We were lucky that my hubby was there during the birth, even if it was a phone call! Yep, Matt was still in Iraq! They didn't meet until the day we got home from the hospital. Matt stayed for 2 weeks (R&R) and then had to return to Iraq for about three more months.

We started traveling with Gavin early. We don't have the luxury of living close to family. Our home is where the Army sends us, so we make up for the distance by trying to visit family as often as we can.

A few days before Gavin's second birthday, we had a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) overseas to England. We were jet lagged, in a new country, no cell phone, spotty internet, and just trying to figure out our new life! I remember we packed his birthday gifts in our luggage! We traveled with 9 bags!

Gavin has traveled sooooo much! He has visited many countries - by car, plane, train, ferry, and ship! He even has his own Frequent Flyer miles! We are blessed to have such a great traveler.   

Of course there will be challenges ahead - more military moves, new schools, new friends, and learning how to say goodbye to those we leave behind. Right now, one of the biggest challenges is not having his Daddy home all the time. Even though his Daddy isn't deployed, he still travels often for work. We try to keep a normal routine (minus Daddy) during these times.

Through all of the opportunities and challenges of being a military family, I am so proud of him for being so adaptable when I need him to be. My little guy is loving, smart, and funny! I couldn't ask for anything more! I love you Gavino Bambino!