Another week...

We have had another great week here at the Ritchie house.  We have played, learned, cleaned, and skyped.  Our electricity went out today for about an hour so Caroline headed to the grocery store to shop with the grandparents.  This girl loves to grocery shop...just like her Daddy.  After Caroline purchased the groceries Mamaw and Papaw took her for a trip to Sonic.  We have a busy and full month ahead!  September here we come!

More of Kosovo from Above

Zoo Day

 We had a free day today, so we met with the Price Girls and went to the zoo.  Had a good fun morning and then Caroline and I went on a lunch date for a little cheese dip and mexican food. 

Caroline and Bella checked out all the animals, while little Emma Grace took a nap.  Caroline had a melt down when we got to the car and she realized that she did not get to ride the carousel today:(  She is still talking about it and is very concerned....any grandparents want to take her to the zoo this next week to ride the carousel??? (hint hint)

SCDC Open House

SCDC had open house this past Sunday and Caroline was ready to see her friends again!  The purpose of SCDC is to extend the ministry of the church by providing a biblical based, age appropriate program to the community.  They provide a Christian environment in which the children can grow spiritually, socially, and mentally.  They want each child to develop a philosophy of life that is centered on Christ and that is in harmony with Christian principals.

I am excited for Caroline to start a new year with Miss Amber and all of her friends.  She even got to meet a few new friends at open house.  We started off open house in the sanctuary.  You would have been shocked at all of the children....as quite as a mouse; I was impressed.  Below is a picture of Caroline and Beau waiting for their class to be called and dismissed.  I know I have talked about this before, but Beau was Caroline's first friend to ever pray for during prayer time.  When she was little we would ask her who/what she would like to pray for and her reply would always be...Beau.  So sweet and great friends!

 Caroline's supply area

 A new folder... for the new school year

Caroline, Miss Amber, and Lexi.  Miss Amber's class has a pet bunny for this upcoming school year!  Run Bunny Run!

 Beau, Christian, and Caroline checking out the new class pet

...and when we got home we had a surprise on our front steps.  MiMi brought Caroline a new backpack to start the new school year!  Thanks MiMi! 

Tomorrow is Caroline's first day!  She loves school and is excited about the upcoming year!  Be sure to check out Matt's post below to see a few pictures from the current deployment.

Deployment Photos

 

This picture is of us flying in Indiana.  I thought the barely-visible moon behind us was pretty cool.

Kosovo terrain.  This is Big Duke, which peaks out at 8,200 feet above sea level.

Rolling terrain of Kosovo.

A beautiful lake in northern Kosovo.

The outskirts of a local town.  Not sure of its name, but it is fairly small compared to some others.

Big Duke as it overlooks Camp Bondsteel.

Medevac's biggest asset is our hoist capabilities.  We can lower the medic to the patient, if we can't land for whatever reason.  This picture is the medic hooked up to the hoist, preparing to be lowered to the ground by the crewchief.

The patient can be hoisted from the ground and loaded into the helicopter, as depicted.  These last two pictures were only training and were taken in Indiana.

Our Weekend through the I-Phone

Here are a few pictures from our weekend.  We came back from grocery shopping Thursday morning to find a blue balloon that Daddy had sent to Caroline...you can see her excitement!  The balloon is as big as she is!

A little car wash was much needed after our trip to Jonesboro.  I think we picked up just about every bug there was to pick up on the way home.

We left Thursday to head to Jonesboro and Hardy to visit the DuMonds and celebrate John's 30th Birthday.  I did take pictures at John's party, but they are not wanting to download correct.  Caroline had a blast playing in Grandma Etta's jewelry boxes!  I love getting to my friends and their babies! Oh, how I miss Holly and Tara! 

We are now settled in from church today and tonight is open house for SCDC.  Caroline has moved up into Miss Amber's class this year and is very excited to get to see all of her friends tonight!

Special Picture

I always check my email first thing when I wake in the mornings.  I had this special picture that I received.  Matt has his special rock and token on his bed.  We really miss him!  Caroline made a "Dad Rocks" rock this past Father's Day for him to keep in his uniform and I purchased a wooden token with a scripture verse on it that reminds him that God is always with him.  I smiled and had tears at the same time when I received this picture....not to mention his fine bedding in the background:)  We miss you Daddy!

Dare to Share

 This is the third year for our church to hold the "Dare to Share" program for the children in our community.  We have free school supplies (all the works), free hair cuts, and food. I do not know how many children came this year, but at one time I peeked around the corner to see hundreds of children and adults.  Woo Hoo!  This year Dr. Bannerman and myself got to perform free dental screenings for the children.  It was a joy to help the families, but such a joy to meet lots of happy and smiling kids.  Thanks Peggy and Jacob for all of your help! 

Also...I wish you could see the joy inside of me when I think about seeing our church serve the community today.  Our church members were busy bees and loving every moment.  I love my church family!

Happy Anniversary

Well today was a BIG day...today was our 5 year wedding anniversary and it was the day that Matt left Indiana and headed to Kosovo.  Oh such a overwhelming day.  

I have been on a cleaning rampage and this morning I decided to go through the office closet and write on the back of every single picture.  I wanted to label each picture with the date, location, etc.  Well...I did not get very far, but I did get through enough to realize that it was a perfect day for me to remember all of our memories of vacations, family times, and anniversary trips.  I am so glad that I chose today to remember all the memories.

But on another note, today marked another date on our books.  Matt left the states and headed for Europe.  My stomach dropped when I saw these pictures.  I love my husband dearly; please pray for him daily.  I have no words, just prayers of comfort, protection, and hope. 

New Shoes

This girl has a new pair of "light-up" shoes that she is in love with....I thought she was going to wear them to sleep!  She is not going anywhere without her new shoes. Thanks Nenaw and P!

Tuscan Burgers

This picture and post is actually for my husband, which I miss like crazy!  Why am I posting this picture in honor of Matt you may ask?  Well...Matt and I like to tease about #1 (Me not cooking) and #2 (People posting pictures of what they cook on facebook or some other sort of media)  So....here is my picture Matt!  It did turn out delicious....thank goodness the leftovers will last me all week, because I am not cooking again for another week:)  Love you and miss you!

Oh, how I miss my pilot!

 

Camp Robinson 'Back to School' Event

 I decided to help with the FRGs (Family Readiness Group) for the 77th this next year while Matt is deployed.  At first I was a little overwhelmed, but now I am so happy with my choice.  We held a Back to School Event for all the children of the 77th and had a great turnout for the first year!  The children had school supply boxes to decorate and free back to school haircuts.  Caroline did NOT want her hair cut today...only Mrs. Trish! (Trish is going to be so proud)  I was so appreciative of the stylists for giving their time unselfishly.  The kids loved every minute of the morning! 

But...today was one of those days.  One of those days when I missed Matt.  When Caroline arrived at the hanger she was so excited to see her Daddy.  She did not understand why other soldiers were there flying helicopters and her Daddy was not there.  It was one of those moments when I had to hold it together in front of everyone and in front of my daughter.  I just wanted to bust out in tears.  I can officially say I was ready to leave the dreaded lounge where we had to say good-bye to our Daddy.

Below is a picture of the two of us decorating Caroline's supply box (everything on her box and including her box was blue-her favorite color)

 Here is my buddy from this morning....Yes, I am officially a baby hog!

 Caroline's finished product...I tried to add some color.

Moren Family Photos

When I say I love my family, I mean I LOVE MY FAMILY! My Aunt Julie organized a photo session with the entire Moren crew.  Thanks Aunt Julie!  We are a close knit bunch, but it is becoming very difficult as we age to get the entire group together.   The picture below is my favorite picture of the session.  It shows the true side of my family.  We are a funny, serious, and caring group.  I am very close to my family and very blessed by their love!

Funny Photo

MiMi and her Girls

MaMaw and PaPaw with the grands and great-grands

I just thought this picture was too funny not to share...I LOVE my husband!

The Guinn Family

The Entire Crew

And...where all the love and family began...

...and now here we are.

I hope my family grows to be as loving and close as the Moren crew.  I love each and every one of you to the moon and back!