hola.

Hey everyone!

Hope you had a beautiful weekend.

This weekend was...strange. I don't know. There are always these lulls/slumps during deployments where I just feel super isolated and lonely. We're in a slump right now.

The girls have been crying and asking for J almost every day (first time we've dealt with this ever). The other night, at bedtime, Harper was crying and saying "daddy" so much that she pretty much started hyperventilating.

I asked her what was wrong, and she told me that she especially missed J at bedtime because he always tucks her in and tells her special stories.

Ugh. I hate that. *I* can handle it, but I feel bad for their little hearts. I think about how much I miss him, and then I imagine that same longing in their little bodies...

As a soldier's wife, your job is to be strong. You hold the family together. I'm a pro at keeping my game face on. But that doesn't mean you don't hurt inside when your children hurt.okay. no more talking about this.

Moving on...we had the 75th Ranger Regiment  family day this weekend. It's a great opportunity to go experience a bit of what J sees and does!

There wasn't much for my littles to do, but we did get to do

face painting (harper asked a guy if he could paint a camo butterfly and i was laughing SO hard):

obstacle course...harper kept saying her sparkle shoes were falling off and sadie was a MANIAC. the guys were laughing at s b/c she was out of control:

 

 

 

 

there were also stryker rides, but the line was a bit much for us. i really wanted the girls to do that, though!

other than that,this weekend was pretty uneventful. we had a "dinner date" and went to church on Sunday.

oh, and i got in a little more creative time!

here's another look at Jenni Bowlin's new line, Family Tree.

This is a mini piece I made for the booth.

It's mounted on a piece of JBS chipboard (maybe 6x6??)

The papers, vellum butterflies, and chipboard butterflies are brand new. The chipboard butterflies are brilliant! They are the exact size of the butterfly stickers from Jenni's last release. There are also chipboard banner pieces to match the banner stickers!

Okay, that's all I've got today! Hope you have a wonderful day!

xxo

s

Comments

[Debbie]

I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through right now but know that there are a lot of people out here praying for you and thinking of you everyday! Your girls are soooo cute!

[Jennifer Camplin]

Lovely layout!!

Be strong.. okay to cry.
Be strong for your girls.

Hugs...

May I ask where did you find that alike comb stand to hold the layout?

[Samantha]

aww that is so adorable. the girls with the camo facepaint!! too cute.

So when does J get back?

[Samantha]

aww that is so adorable. the girls with the camo facepaint!! too cute.

So when does J get back?

[Stephanie Howell]

I collect floral frogs at flea markets. xo

[Ann P.]

You have always been a very remarkably strong person to me, Stephanie. I can't imagine the feelings you have throughout J's deployment period but I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to be as "game-faced" as you have been. Hang in there, Stephanie. We are all here for you whenever you need to vent! :)

[Carol]

obstacle course + sparkle shoes = priceless!

[Becca]

Big (((hugs))) to you three. I'm sorry you're having a rough time. You all are in my prayers. Very pretty layout. Becca

[Sandy]

Hi Stephanie.
Thanks for sharing your day. I admired your strong will and you are such a great Mom to your kiddos:) You set a great example for the girls. I am sorry that you are having a bit of a bumpy lull but just know us bloggers will support you.
Hope you and the girls are having a fantastic day!

[Joy]

I get such a giggle looking at the pictures of the sparkle shoes and the obstacle course- the look on H's face on the log jump made me chuckle out loud...

You and (all!) the girlies are ever in my prayers (and the not so girly J- of course, he *can* rock a tiara) and thoughts...hoping that you feel some extra measures of comfort and love this Monday morning...

We are all rooting for you! I am so proud of you girl. I wish it wasn't so tough.

[Rhona]

I take my hat off to you, I know I couldn't keep a game face - I'd be a wreck! Stay strong and one day your girls will realise just what a wonderful mother they have (and had!). Hope today is a little bit better :) Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. xxx

[Lisa Dickinson]

thinking of you sweetie. sending you hugs. :)

[Erin]

Hang in there! I know my girls miss their daddy so much when he is working around the clock and they don't see him for several days - I can only imagine what that is like for you. Stay busy and time will fly by. You are such a great mom to those beautful girls.

[Christa P.]

Thinking of you and the girls:) You know, I used to think that deployments were so hard when the girls were babies because it was mostly hard on me. Now that they're older and know what deployment means I think it's even harder because I see what they go through too. Here's hoping the next weeks are filled with lots of fun things to do to make the time sail!

[tara pakosta]

Stephanie, it must be so hard to hear them so upset! I am so sorry you are going through this. I know it wouldn't be the same, but it might help a tiny bit for next time he is gone: take some videos of him reading to the girls AND telling the favorite stories, then play those at bedtime. Or just tape record him. Whatever works easiest, but I bet they would love that! I think it would be really neat to have as a keepsake besides! If you don't have a camcorder, borrow one!
I am sorry you have to miss J and I hope he is back home SOON! God bless all your hearts, so sweet.
love,
tara

[Jenni Hufford]

thinking of you and praying for you all during this slump. i am so sorry the girls are having a hard time missing J right now (and you too). you are such a wonderful mama to them!

[Jennifer O.]

As a non-military mom/wife, I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is when they are gone. Its understandable that there will be slumps and everyone will be sad and lonely. You've got to give yourself permission for those. Hope that the time goes quickly and that happier days are ahead.

[Ann]

Three cheers for you, Stephanie! You are a strong woman and are teaching through your example that to your daughters. I'm delighted you can move through the sad, icky parts right into sparkle shoes and an obstacle course. Prayers rising for all of you.

[Ronnie Crowley]

I with a previous comment - tape him reading stories. I have an audio tape that my Mum made for us as kids and its a very special treasure. He could maybe find time to do someone while he's away and could mail them. I know our church collected books for a program which gave the books to the solider to read as they are deployed. The program them mails the recording with the book to the child.

[Colleen S]

I will have you in my thoughts and prayers. (You and your whole family.) Sending a smile your way. :)

[Keshet]

I hope you get out of the slump soon--I can't imagine how hard it must be, especially when they miss him! You are brave and a wonderful mama:)

[Julia]

I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it must be having to cope with this on your own. I take my hat off to you for the grace with which you deal with it. I hope you get out of your slump soon!

PS, that little yellow dress is absolutely gorgeous!

[C. Rayevich]

the beginning of this i could have writen. I'm going through the same thing right now. sometimes it's hard being the strong one =((
those JBS butterflies are beautiful, they look like you, you know what i mean =)
xo

[Leea]

Just had to say Thanks for "J" and what he is doing, but also to you and the girls on the homefront! You are doing a wonderful job keep up the great work, in everything that is hard, there will be days...Hang in there:)

[Vanessa Molina Santamaria]

Lots of hugs to you! I cannot even imagine but my thoughts and prayers are with you! I hope J gets back sooooooon! You are so strong and such a great mom to your girls :)

[Katie Squires]

You are amazing, hugs to you and your family :)

[jenn h]

I know how hard it is to keep the game face..sometimes for me I just have to cry right along with them. I know that not be the answer or make you feel better, but just know that it is ok. I don't know if you have heard of daddy dolls..but sometimes that helps too with little ones. They will always have daddy with them:):)

I think it is awesome that they have a day that kids can experience what the dad's go through..I have always gone the the spouse one for my husband, but they never do one for the kids..maybe I need to bring that up at the next meeting.

You are a strong person.

[reyanna]

Awwww! Loved this post. I'm sorry you and the girls are having a hard time right now. So hard! Maybe when he gets home, he can do a video reading a story to them. And you can put it on DVD, and they can watch it before bedtime. :-) I'll be keeping all you in my prayers! :-) Hang in there, Lovely!

[kate nazif]

I was trying to pick out my favorite photo, but I can't. They are all hilarious! I love them. I am sorry to hear about the slump. Just keep looking at these photos to make yourself laugh.

[Jersey Girl Anne]

I cannot even imagine what you and the girls are going through.But please know we all appreciate what you are doing for us as Americans. I was wondering what you meant when you said you wanted your girls to do Stryker rides. My son works for a company called Stryker and was wondering if it is the same. Stay strong and take care of all your little chickies!!!!

[Stephanie Howell]

thank you anne!
these are strykers:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stryker

[Amy]

Oh Stephanie, my heart hurts for your girls, and for you. I continue to pray for all of you. May God continue to bless J for his service, and all of you for your sacrifices.
Great photos, and such a pretty project (I love JBS).
Stay Strong!
Many blessings...

[Ginny C.]

Stephanie, I can't imagine what you dealing with. Of course, the girls miss their daddy & you wouldn't want it any other way. I have been reading your blog since Sadie was born, I am always so impressed with the job both you & Jimmy do as parents. These beautiful little girls are so lucky to grow up in such a loving home. Hug them a little tighter & double up the kisses, you are a wonderful mother & I pray Jimmy will be home soon.

[Liz MIller Faraone]

Your JBS piece is simple, sweet and precious.LOVE...Also, love the new belly shots. You look beautiful!

[tqpetersen]

Sweet Steph - I can only imagine how hard it must be... it brings tears to my eyes! You are truly a remarkable woman and I know J must be soooo proud of the strong, brave, compassionate woman/mom that you are. You and your precious family will continue to be in my prayers. xoxo

[Kimber-Leigh]

oh steph. it's tough when they miss him. tough for them and tough for you. and it's good for you to share that and not hold it all in. wish i could give you a hug.

but it looks like you're staying busy and having fun...that event looks wonderful. i've always wished the air force would do "kids taxi day" instead of "spouse taxi day". i know my children would love getting to taxi in a jet...just like daddy! glad you had that opportunity. and LOVE the camo face painting! i bet J. will get a kick out of those pics!

[Helen Tilbury]

It's not easy but you do a wonderful job! I also have 4 little chicks!! I scraplifted your SINCE WHEN layout this week & shared it on my blog, with a link & credit to you of course ;-D You can find it here if you want to take a look! Love your blog!! http://helentilbury.blogspot.com/2010/07/guess-who-won-plus-stephanie-howell.html

[Mel brewin]

Steph beautiful work as always. I wish I was there (even though you don know me) to give yu a big hug & take you all out for ice cream. You are doing such an incredible job and so is J. Hope you have some sunshine today to lift your spirits. Praying for strength & peace while you are in this time.
Love Me xxoo

[Stephanie Eaken]

FIrst off, the mini page is GORGEOUS!!!
And I am so sorry to hear that you & the girls are having a difficult time. My heart aches for you all. I can't begin to imagine how trying it must be for you w/o JImmy at home & for the girls who are so desperately missing their daddy! I hope he returns home very soon! A huge thanks goes out to you & the other military families for all that you endure while your loved ones are fighting for our freedoms! What a tremendous sacrifice to have to make. Praying for you all through this challenging time!
Hugs!! "
U

[Heather]

It is so difficult when the little guys are hurting. I'm actually off in a few minutes to go meet with one of the child specialists on post about my son, who is just falling apart about Daddy leaving...and Daddy hasn't even left yet! You're right...as adults, we can rationalize a deployment, but I can't even imagine how hard it is for our children. That thought exactly, is what keeps me strong for my kids while my husband is away.

[procrastination mama]

Thinking of you. It must be hard. I can't imagine. You are doing an amazing job. x

[Shara]

Girl, I hear you! I have to say concerning "Family Day," I'm sure it's so much fun but those Rangers sure are getting a work out totin' those kids around! I LOVE those pictures of your girls jumping over those mats and getting toted around! See you soon!

[deedee]

Gorgeous layout. :) Hope your babies hearts are better.