An Iraqi and North Carolina update, LOL

Wow, time does fly when you are having fun or very busy, LOL. We have a very full week. Between speech, dance class, a Christmas party on base, 2 birthday parties and a dance performance for Sydney on Sunday. I just keep telling myself this makes time fly, but dude it also leaves you exhausted.

But we seem to be finally adjusting, the kids seem to finally realize that though dad is "far far away", that mom is still the Boss, LOL and they don't get away with anything.

Nick also seems to be a busy busy guy. They dont usually get days off out there, and with some encourangement he has been sending some more pictures. So I thought I would share with you.
The one on the top of this post is Nick on crossing the Euphrates River on the way to do a ride around the area, this is where he gets to interact with the local Iraqis.









Capt. Hadley and Ssgt. Cooper (Sorry, been dying to type that, LOL)



This is Capt. Hadley and Lt. Col. Nameer (I think that is his name), from the Iraqi Army. This is one of the, or the, Iraqi unit they work with. Nick says he is very nice and loves to take pictures of everything. Always asks about everyones families and interested in learning and getting to know them.

I have a few more that I will put in a slide show and post after lunch. Hope you all enjoy them. Hopefully, one of these days he will get time to post on the blog and he can tell you first hand how he is doing. Thank you all for the love, concern and prayers.

Packages and email

Hello Everyone!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. We are staying busy. Honestly, I would be happy if we could have a little more down time. LOL. I have Nick first box ready to ship, keep wanting to take it but somehow haven't made it so. Though tomorrow we have to go out for Speech and the main Post office is down the block. So, it will go out then. I am already working on a Christmas decor box. Nick LOVES LOVES Christmas, and it will probably be the hardest holiday for all of us to get through. So, with the kids help we found him a little christmas trees and a few ornaments and even battery operated lights.

Also, Nick wanted to make sure everyone knew that you can email him at ncooper15@gmail.com. He isn't sure if he will have a "regular military deployment" email address. Also, I know alot of websites say to send the guys MCX or PX gift cards, but there isn't an exchange where he is. As the article I posted earlier he is attached to the Iraqi Military, therefore the normal ammeneties most troops have access to, he doesnt. Though, he has email access, internet access and even a lab with web cams. Once he is set up in his sleeping quarters, he has a laptop and is planning to get a webcam. He sent me a list of a few more things he would love to recieve, LOL!!

P.S.- First Picture is of Nick package being sent tomorrow. And the other 2 pictures of the Christmas Decor

Ok, I will add that later, but the kiddos and I have to run to the store.
HUGS!!

One Week Down!!

Well, We have survived out first week. Must say 10x better then I could have even hoped for. The kids seem to understand the need to make the best and stay busy. They have really all rolled their sleeves up and tryed to help out.

Sydney is having the hardest time. Besides calling for her Daddy when she gets in trouble, LOL. It seems every other day she lets me know she is missing her daddy. The other day, she was beyond tired and the whole way home, she kept saying "Daddy GO HOME!!" over and over again. Then she followed it with "I miss my Daddy". But after I kept trying to make her feel better and being unsuccesful, Cameron stepped in and was able to bribe to feel with a promise of letting her play Monoply with him. (Awww!!) This was after he told her he missed Daddy to. And it was ok to be sad, and that he couldn't come home because he had a very important job.

Natalie seems to just be needing extra sunggling. And her rebellious streak has gotten a tad bit more prodominate. I get alot of I dont want to or just plain ignoring me. Which sends me wanting to pull my hair. Seems no punishment bothers her. So, trying to do the positive reinforcement. Where her sibblings for chipping in and not sassying me get a treat and she doesnt get to have one. Seems that being left out has some effect. Now to get her potty trained, even Sydney has tried and she just won't have it. She definitly has the stubborn streak in her.

Cameron misses Nick a whole lot. I think at times he feels out of place. Cameron is Nick's partner when it comes to running to the store, or fixing things around the house or even for chores. But, I have been trying to encourage to talk about it and draw. And his best friend Matt, said he would share his dad. And that is helping. Matt's dad just came back from a 7 month deployment. And Nick always invited Matt to the movies and outings with Cameron. So, they are kinda changing rolls and it seems to really working.
Matt's younger sister Madison also told the girls that she would share her daddy too. They get along really well and Madison is like a Big sister to the girls. I am thankful for having them around. It really helps. Allie and I have been friends for over 3 years. And we are lucky that our kids are so close in age. Matt and Cameron are a month apart. The girls and Allie's youngetst Joe are 7 months apart. Madison is almost five. So she is right in the middle of the boys and and the younger ones. And she can hang with either group, though she mostly likes to teach the girls the fine arts of pretend playing and dress up. =) But dont think for a min. she wont go and run with the boys and get dirty cause she can definitly hold her own.

Ben is the spoiled "baby" in both families. They all fuss over him. They take turns playing with him, teaching him things and TRYING to keep him out of trouble. He is entering the terrible twos and along with that he is cutting teeth. So he has been a tad bit difficult but once we can sooth him, he is back to his happy self.

For me.... I run around with head cut off all the time it seems. It took me a whole week to get my house in working order. And though not all the laundry is done, we are so much closer. Atleast, I can function and at this moment that is all that matters. If anything else, we are definitly staying busy!!!

P.S- The picture above is of Ben sitting in his new favorite spot. I keep telling him that the table is not for him to sit at but he wont listen, LOL.