Happy Birthday, Tessa Bean



baby liam! love, love, love.

Today happened to be one of those days where I found myself alone on my lunch break in my car, sitting at the park, wondering almost aloud where time has gone. In a couple short months, we will have already lived in IL for a full year. Joe's Air Force anniversary is approaching in June, and that's not to mention that we now have a 2-year-old. I'm not entire sure what it was exactly that sparked the mini outburst of reminiscing, but I thought all the way back to this same time last year. Joe was just getting ready to make the official trip out to the strange little destination of Belleville, IL, and I was probably gearing up to leave work behind for the day and finish off the evening with Kalyn, Tim, & Paul over on the sand courts of Cinci Sand Volleyball. I'm amazed how one simple year can move so many mountains. We have been so challenged, but ultimately so blessed by what the last year has brought. Just little sidenotes, I suppose. :)

In other news, I got a text from Joe today reminding me that we were due on base at the Sandven house this evening to celebrate miss Tessa's 3rd birthday. Sydni was beside herself as we headed over there, knowing she would get to play with Tessa. I was excited to see baby Liam, since we had yet to see him since the day he joined the family. He. Is. Adorable.


chicken! :)

 A&K totally outdid themselves on the cooking; grilled chicken, pasta salad, fruit salad, and brownies made for the perfect dinner menu, and we even met a great new couple, Nick & Rebecca. It looks like they may be joining us at church this upcoming Sunday, along with their little one, Max. Exciting!

Happy, HAPPY birthday to you, Tessa Bean!

It's bath & bed time here!

xo | cmd

Babysitting :)

Kyle & Amy are one of the couples we know from base; Kyle works with Joe, and they were the two we initially hung out with as soon as we moved to Scott. Their daughter and Sydni always have a blast together, so it was our pleasure when Kyle asked us to keep an eye on Sydni while he and Amy went in to the hospital to await the birth of their second baby. Joe texted me at work to let me know that Tessa was already at our house, and that the two little girls were taking the afternoon by storm. 



welcome baby liam!



As soon as I got back to the house, I relieved Joe of babysitting duty and took the girls to church. It was quite the production getting them both into agreeable clothing; each of course had to have her own ensemble: cartoon character shirt, skirt, leggings, pigtails, backpack, stuffed animal, blankie, and juice cup. When I finally got them out the door and loaded into the car, I was forbidden to leave the garage until I got the Veggie Tales’ Hairbrush song running.

We made it through church with very little fuss, and for being such good little girls, I treated them out for some dinner together before heading back to our house. Since I’m editing this entry to backdate it, Tessa spent the night last night and her baby brother Liam was born this morning at 12:30AM!

We’re so excited to see him!

I’m a bit tired… Ciao for now J

xo | cmd

Toddler-sitting!

Today was an exciting day for Sydni. It's not unusual for her to hang out with other kiddies on the weekends, especially Sundays due to church and post-church play dates. Today was special because Amy & Kyle asked us to watch Tessa for the afternoon while they got some Christmas shopping under control. I told Sydni about it Thursday after I'd originally confirmed with Amy, and she's been babbling about it since.



little buddies :)

 I was quickly educated on what it would be like if I had been graced with twins. It was funny watching two little girls being two little girls and all the wonder that comes along with that. They were more than content to play Barbies in the doll house, push baby dolls around in the stroller, and marvel over newly-painted fingernails [I lended some aid in that one]. After hours of squealing, chasing, playing, and the inevitable increments of innate toddler territorial disagreements, they settled into the big bean bag chair and peacefully remained there for nearly the entire duration of Finding Nemo.

All in all, a pretty fun day here at the Dills residence. Joe slept through the majority of the day since he'd worked last night, but he was awake when Kyle & Amy showed up later in the evening. He works again this evening, so I'll leave it at that and get back to the rest of our evening here.

Ciao!

xo | cmd

Bible Study @ The Woods'

Calm Friday here at the newly established Dills residence: laundry, vacuuming, dishes, and errands. Pretty standard stuff. I managed to get everything finished in spite of Sydni’s incessant urge to help me accomplish all the tasks of the day. When it’s all said and done, even though I’m backtracking and backtracking and backtracking some more, it’s just another Mom-ism that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

t - o - y - s.

pastor ron woods & his wife debbie

Tonight we headed to our pastor’s house for the our 2^nd session of Bible Study. We’re working on a track right now entitled, “How to Raise Kids Without Raising Your Blood Pressure.” Kyle & Amy joined us this week, and brought Tessa to go play downstairs with Sydni and the other kids from couples attending. We’ve only been coming to this study group for two weeks now, but I’m developing a sincere appreciation for it, for this new church we’ve found, and for the people who have welcomed us so openly.

Kalyn & Sam are coming in tomorrow night, and on Sunday I’ll head out with them on the road to Arizona!

xo | cmd

Memorial Day 2011



American Flag: USAF F-117 Nighthawks



Happy Memorial Day!

Today I want to pause and THANK, from the core of my heart, the men and women whose lives were and are dedicated to protecting our rights and freedoms. You are remembered, supported, and honored.

Today started fairly early for us. We had a 7:00 AM breakfast date with KP & Sam before saying tearful farewell-for-now’s [mainly just KP & I crying like babies]. I got another parting gift from my best:



handmade book :)

Joe, Syd, & I hit the road after breakfast for the mid-length haul to IL. Time to move!! I didn’t realize exactly how FLAT the landscape actually becomes when nearing IL.



nope, not ohio, but i gotta love the name ;)



The good thing about driving from Eastern to Central time is essentially gaining an hour’s time. So, we made it to our IL home around 1:00 PM, CDT. We unloaded the final cargo and wasted no time getting refreshed and ready to head over the base [Scott AFB] to visit the Sandven clan [Kyle, Amy, & Miss Tessa]. We took a group stroll to the park and let the girls romp around together for a bit.

base park near the sandven's

Not too bad for the first day in! The Dills are officially together as a family.

I love it <3

 xo | cmd