god's grace

i don't know why i've been putting it off, but it's been a really long time since i updated the blog. i guess maybe i don't want to be reminded of the past couple of months. brandon left for ft. hood, then iraq mid-march. this isn't our first separation by any means, but is by far proving to be the most difficult. i can't really describe the feeling of having to say goodbye to your best friend, knowing you will have to live without him for an entire year. that feels unbearably long.

support came in a hurry and we were blessed by many visits from the people we love. my mom actually left her job twice to come out and help us through the most difficult transition.

my brother, dustin, came out and we've also been able to meet him in st. louis for some fun as well.

my wonderful mother-in-law also came down several times in the last couple of months to help us out for different reasons, and even brought the old man with her once to help mow the yard and do some other things around the house.

my adorable nephew jackson, my brother pete, and sister-in-law jenny were also much welcome visitors to our home. unfortunately, an unexpected surgery caused me to miss a visit up to see my newly born nephew, jordan. that problem will be rectified asap!!

with the help of my mom and mother-in-law, i was able to fly out and see brandon in texas one final time before he flew to iraq. very bittersweet to see him and be with him, but have to say goodbye yet again.

i want to thank not only the wonderful family that has been to the house, but all of the friends and family that have supported and continue to support our family from near and far. we are making steps in the right direction with god's help and i know he has a wonderful plan in mind for my family.......i started to doubt it when i continued to struggle with panic attacks, continued back problems, a badly broken finger, and backing our new aspen into a telephone pole, but god is good and has humbled me and taught me many lessons through these trials.

i am blessed beyond words for two children that love me despite my many flaws and help me daily to reach a place of peace and contentment. i'm not there yet, but i know i'll get there. maybe it will take a year to get there, but i trust in god to care for brandon overseas and care for us at home. i know i can do all things through christ who strenghthens me.

Happy Birthday Casey and Sophia!

My baby boy turned 12 this past weekend! He's grown a few inches taller this year and is sporting a deeper voice. Casey and his cousin Sophia have birthdays only one week apart so this year we had a little celebration to honor them both.
Grandma Owens ordered a delicious cake.

Casey, Sophie, Grant, and Aunt Sheryl checking out the new gifts.

I couldn't resist adding this picture........beautiful Sophia.

It was a wonderful birthday weekend! Happy Birthday Nate-Nate!

Just one good picture

Just one decent family picture before Brandon leaves for Iraq. Is that too much to ask? Yeah, a "sort of nice" family picture......finally. Look below to see the process. Do you see what I have to deal with?
Dork Dog

Seriously??

Nice double chin, lady.

Huh, did it click yet?

This is painful.

Gearing up...

Well, Brandon picked up his deployment gear from CIF today. It's only a few short weeks away from his trip to the sandbox. Although we aren't looking forward to the separation, the kids decided to have some fun and gear up to see what it would feel like to wear all that poundage. Even empty, this ruck sack nearly pulled Kyla over backwards.

Suiting up.

Some pictures from family game day.

New Year

Happy New Year Everyone!! Our new year started with a sleep deprivation experiment that Casey is working on for the science fair. This is a picture of him struggling through a timed math test in the wee hours of the morning.
We did quite a few home projects during our two week break including caulking the tub, fixing the jetted tub pump, blowing over a foot of extra insulation into the attic, cleaning the garage, ordering new bedroom linens, and installing new hardware on the kitchen cabinets and drawers. Owning your own home is both rewarding and exhausting! Here is a before picture of our new cabinet hardward.....

....and after. Simple and functional....we love it!

Kyla and Casey modeling their new glasses from Grandma M.

We got a little bit of snow today. It was enough to have a little fun with.

Our snow bunny.

The kids quickly realized our back yard has way too many trees for sledding and they headed out through the neighborhood in search of the perfect hill.

Even Chobie loves the snow!

Happy New Year!!!

Christmas Memories

We had a wonderful Christmas this year and it all started with a visit from the Fergusons and Brandon's parents. No family gathering at the Owens' house is complete without a few rounds of guitar hero. Casey was sporting his new hairdo for the event.
Casey and Sophia rocked it out. I didn't get Grant in the picture singing, but he had some lungs!

Opening presents.

Gingerbread house making was lots of fun and the kids got very creative.

Grant made a mall, Kyla made a restaurant, Sophia made a house, and Casey made a church.

Best buddies.

The relatives went home on Christmas Eve day due to nasty weather conditions so we woke up on Christmas morning, just the 4 of us. There was a beautiful layer of white on the ground and ice crystals floating around in the air. It was a perfect setting to a wonderful morning with Bran and the kids. Since Brandon will miss next Christmas, it was extra special to us to spend this time together.

.......and no Owens blog is complete without a dog picture......there ya go. Merry Christmas everyone!!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas family and friends! I know many of you check our blog often, but for those that are visiting for the first time this year, a family update is in order. This past May, we were stationed to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri and in many ways it was like coming home. This is the place where Kyla was born and the place where our children spent many of their childhood years. It will be the place where Kyla graduates high school in a few short years.
Casey started 6th grade this year and has been working on his big Science Fair Project. He is a precious boy, kind-hearted in every way. Casey has been enjoying building new relationships at his new school.

Kyla started her first year of high school this year as a Freshman. She has been researching colleges and looks forward to learning to drive next summer. This beautiful young lady is growing up to be everything we hoped for.

Brandon is working at the MP schoolhouse developing curriculum for the CID courses this year. Unfortunatley, we got the news that he will be deploying this spring to Iraq for a year. We are confident that God has a special plan for our family and I know that our prayers for peace will be answered as we work our way through this challenge. Although we aren't looking forward to the separation, we are proud to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and looking forward to the newfound strength that we are sure to find through the hardship.

I am teaching this year in 4th grade and really enjoying the challenge, much to my surprise. It's a blessing to be at the same school as Casey this year. I was hesitant to leave the little guys in 1st grade, but find this new age group interesting and fulfilling.

The newest addition to our family this year was our Golden Retriever puppy, Charlie. After losing our good friend, Jake, a year ago, it was a blessing to have Charlie join our family.

I am grateful this year to celebrate the birth of the Savior that eventually led to the death of the Savior, a gift of grace to us all. Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!

Love, The Owens Family