TOMBSTONE

AJ's 2nd Bday and Christmas

Loooong Time No Blog.....

It's been a while.....like usual.  I'm up with AJ right now, he is running a really high temp..I think another ear infection.  So now is the perfect time to catch up on my blogging.  We've MOVED again!  We are now at Ft. huachuca, AZ.  Mo has switched to the dark side(Military Intel) and he is here for school.  We should be here for 6 months to a year.  We are not sure where we will move after that.  We think we want to try Hawaii for a bit, but not sure yet.  It will be very interesting to see what the future brings our way. 
We were home for all of Christmas.  In between there we had AJ and Tanner's Birthdays as well.  It was an extremely busy trip, but fun and full of great memories with family and friends.  Mo and the kids were sick most the time we were home so that was a little bit of a downer, but they all survived ok. 
Gracie will be starting school TOMORROW!!  She is excited to make new friends here.  She got to go to her old Pre-k back in AG while we were home.  She was so happy to go back and see some of her friends that were still there and her old teacher.  It was a lot of fun for her.  Hopefully she will like this new school as much as that one.  AJ is on the waiting list to start preschool 2 days a wk on post.  He probably wont get in until summer time, and that's ok cuz I'm not 100% ready for him to go yet.  I think it will be fun for him to go a little bit so he can go to school like sissy does.  He LOVES his big sister:)  Gracie gets so annoyed by him, it's pretty funny.  Just a  little glimpse of what the future brings us with those two I'm sure. 
Our baby Lola is fabulous for the moment.  I'm knocking on wood right now.  No medical issues for the moment.  She is becoming a really great dog.  Very chill, loves the kiddos, and is a super tough little thing.  She has ended up being a really good match for our family. 

ok im going to try to find some pix and get them posted on here. 

lots of love

Halloween Time

Here's a few random photos from this month.  It's been a fun and busy month.  Our days have been filled with pre-k, soccer practice, ballet practice, lots of Halloween/Fall activities, and hanging with some great friends.  My Grandma and Mom came to visit for a week in October.  AJ was sick the whole time, but other than that we had a great visit. 

AJ is recovering from double ear infections right now.  It's his first time being sick since moving back to WA. 

We move next month!!!  Already time to move again!  We will be home for a few weeks and then we will be off to Arizona for a short, but new little adventure. 

It's been great having Mo back home.  AJ is in love with his daddy, they are always playing around together.  AJ lights up when Mo walks in the room.  It's been nice to see since I was a little worried about the two of them bonding again with Mo being gone for so long. 

Gracie is enjoying her School, and she just finished up her soccer season.  She is loving Ballet and this week she is going to start cheerleading(God help us)

Wanted to get a quick little update out there.  I will write some more very soon.  Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying this amazing time of year.  So happy that its Holiday time....my favorite time of the year:)

Lots of Love, bri

Update on CPT Mo!!

Morgan is doing well right now.  He is getting things packed up to leave Afghanistan!!!!  It feels so good to type that finally!  He will be flying into WA around the middle of next month.  We will be there to welcome him home and then we have to stay until the end of July for there big welcome home ceremony and a ball that we have to attend.  We will then make our drive back to CA...making a few stops along the way to see friends:) 
Mo was officially promoted to Cpt. at the beginning of the month.  I think this is the first promotion that he is kinda proud of since being commissioned.  He seems to be doing really good though.  He can hardly wait to get home and just drink a beer :)  He doesn't even care what kind of beer, just a beer.

As for me and the kids....STAYING BUSY as always.  I think I've purposely stayed super busy this month in hopes that the time will go by quickly for us.  Our next trip is a quick trip up north to hang a few days with my bestie. 

I think that's about it for now.

lots of love to you all!

Quick B-Field Trip

We took a day trip over to B-field yesterday.  OMG it was HOT there!!  We went to my Uncle's egagement party, and we had a great time....lots of fun.  It was a super short trip, but it's always nice to see family and catch up.

cousins

AJ with his Great Great Grandma

cousins swimming

ha ha   look at Dee :)

trying to get all the little cousins in on this action

Also....Kyle had to go back to the Stan this morning so I snapped a quick family photo of the Hackett Fam before the headed to the airport.

Mo is coming home NEXT MONTH!!!!  It is so strange to finally say that.  We are counting down the days.  He is doing really good, just hanging in there and trying to survive his last month deployed.  We will be heading up to the base next month to greet him, and then we will drive back home and spend the rest of the time with friends and fam.....good stuff! 

OUCH!

Miss Gracie took a little fall in our backyard today :(  She got scraped up pretty good.  She wanted me to take a picture for Mo to see, so here is her boo-boo....poor girl

Random Photos

here is a few random pix from this last week......

love to all!

The Count Down Begins.

May 31st is the last day to send out mail to Mo and the guys!!!  This is exciting news!  I also got a call from an FRG leader yesterday about where and if it's okay to get a call when the guys are getting back!  This means it's all coming to an end!  I'm so excited to get my bestie back!  It's crazy to have watched a guy that I've know since childhood, grow up and turn into this amazing, strong, man that I have so much respect for.  I've gotten to see a whole other side to Morgan during this deployment, and I think it's been good. 

My baby is all ready for Kindergarten!!  I'm so excited for her.  It was so awesome too, because the teacher that tested her was Mrs. Jamison!  While she walked Gracie back for her testing she told her all about how she was her mommy and daddy's teacher too.  Gracie was so excited and felt so comfortable right away.  It was really neat to watch :)  Gracie has also started her swim lessons and she is doing really good.  She goes a couple days a week, and she is loving it.  I'm signing her up for soccer too. 

Stinkin AJ is sick AGAINNNNN!!!!  When this kid gets sick, he gets SIIIICK!!  It's suckin so bad!  He has a really bad cold and cough.  He has been into the doctor three different times this week and that's not including an appt to get a chest x-ray on him.  The Doc said he looks like he is teething right now too so that isn't helping out.  He is pretty miserable and cries ALOT :(  It's breakin my heart.  I just want this kid healthy for a long period of time!  Hopefully he will start feeling better this next week. 

I'm still doing my bootcamp!  I love it so far.  I only missed one day this month and that was because AJ had me up all night so I missed the alarm in the morning.  I'm up at 4:30 in the morning Monday-Friday.......it sucks, but I know it's worth it. 

Captain Morgan

Mo is on the list to promote to Captain!! He will probably promote next month or the month after. Congrats Mo!!

I swear this picture never gets old :)

The "high road"

I was on my way home from working out this morning and started thinking about why it's so hard for people to take the "high road"  When I'm talking on this blog, I'm talking just as much to myself as I am anyone who this might hit home to.  It honestly is so much easier to say hurtful, mean things than it is to say nice, encouraging, words!  That's pretty crazy isn't it?!?  I think so!  This is something I'm totally guilty of especially with people that I'm really close to!  The problem for me is that a lot of time I do things in advance to eliminate getting hurt worse!  I guess I don't have enough faith in people, which is also sad!  I guess the challenge for myself is to try and do the right thing even if it kills me, and it might kill me :) 

This time home has been full of challenges and such a learning experience.  Part of me wishes I never would have moved home this deployment, but the other part is glad for the lessons I've learned so far.  It's been an eye opening experience in so many ways.  It sucks, but I guess better to learn some of these lessons now than any later down the road?!? 

Have a good day peeps!!

Thanks a bunch!!

I had to get a TB Test today.....YUCK!  I didn't care for that much.  I can get my blood taken all day long, but when it's lower in your arm like that.....I don't like that one bit. 

I talked to Mo-bear a couple hours ago, he just got off the hill.  He is going to be out the majority of the time that he's off the hill this time so keep him in your prayers.  He was really sick right before he went up, but they gave him a z-pack and he's feelin good now.  He told me that he got a package from the Willett's and a card from Nancheeee!!  He was very stoked!  I just really want to thank all of our fam and friends that have been soooo supportive through this deployment.  The love has been amazing!! Even the community has played a big part in sending things over.  The guys love getting things, but even just the cards and letters are sooooo helpful and appreciated.  I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being so kind!! 

Bootcamp:  it's kicken my butt in gear and I LOVE it!!!  I really didn't think I would like it this much.  I'm really hurting, but it feels great.  I haven't felt this sort of pain since volleyball.  I heart it!!  We'll see if I feel the same this time next week though ;)

I'm looking forward to tomorrow....Natasha is watching the kiddos for me and I'm going to go spend some sissy time with Fritts!!  I'm really looking forward to having some no-kid time with her.  We don't get to do that a lot so I'm really excited.  I'm so blessed to have such a great little sister!  I feel sad that Gracie isn't going to have a sister to share life with, but not sad enough to have another one :)  I'm kiddin...really though...She can drive me crazy, but she really is one of my bestest friends!! 

Enough random talk for now......

peace out!

I'm Tired!

Today was officially my first day of "boot camp"   It's from 5:30-6:30 am, Monday-Friday.  I was really nervous going this morning, but I pulled through.  I'm going to be hurting tomorrow that's for sure!  I'm trying to get ready for our Hawaii trip!!  Finallyyyyyy,  Mo and I are going to be able to get away and take a trip together!  It's been a long time coming, and we are so looking forward to it. 
Since I was up bright and early this morning, I went and dropped off Gracie's CCS paperwork first thing.  Gracie had an Easter party at school today.  Her and Tanner came home on cloud 9, they had such a great day.  It's going to be a fun week for all the kids.  There is so much fun stuff planned at school, church, and in the area!  They are going to have a blast.  It's fun to watch them get all excited over the Holidays :) 
Alrighty, I'm SUPER tired and I have to get up at 4:45 tomorrow so I better keep it short.

lots of love....

ooops

some of the pictures got cut off down below.  You can click on the picture and it will show you the entire thing.

ALSO---LOOK UP---I put Mo's address up top so it's easy to find now

HMMMMMM....Where to begin......

I'll start with Mo  It looks like Mo-bear should be home around July 22!  That's only 4 months away!!! He is busy, busy, busy.  Up on the hill and then when he is down off the hill he is going out on missions daily.  Mo has a big decision ahead of him on choosing what direction he wants to take in his military career.  He is supposed to go into Military Intel. and we should be moving to Arizona.  He has also been thinking about going into Special Forces though.  It's a BIG decision he has to make, but I know he will make the right one. 

This kiddos are great.  I'm finally going to get Gracie back into swim lessons.  I've been slacking big time.  I need to get AJ signed up as well.  That's on my to do list for next week.  The kids and I have been staying super busy in hopes that these next few months will go by quickly. 

Gracie is doing great in school still.  She is going to have to start Kinder. here in Cali because she doesn't meet the deadline in WA state.  So, she will start here and then they have to take her into Kinder. in WA once she has started in another state.  She is soooo ready!  We went back and forth on what to do, but I think we finally got it all figured out.  She has been busy with school, friends, and her crazy cousins.  She is having a blast right now, but she still is missing her Daddy more than ever.

Ashton...oh Ashton.  This kid is my challenge for sure!  He's always sick, and he's just a big mama's boy!  He is such a pain in the booty, but at the same time he is the cutest, little, guy.  He gives you a big cheesy smile and your heart just melts.  He has us all wrapped around his chubby, little, fingers :) He is into EVERYTHING!!  He doesn't like to stay at home...he wants to be on the go constantly.  I'm sooooo excited for Mo to get home and help me out with this one.  I think Morgan is in for it :)  BIG NEWS~~~  AJ had his first experience down on the beach!  Yes, this is very sad seeing that we live right down the road from the ocean.  He doesn't like the sand too much, but I've never seen him so still before.  He just sits and takes it all in.  It was nice

                                                            

As for me, I might be getting a little side job here soon.  I should find out soon if I'm going to be working or not.  I'll tell you more when I know more. 
I'm starting "bootcamp" on Monday :(  I don't know what I got myself into?!?  I'm doing it with a friend and it's 5 days a week starting at 5:30 in the morning!!  That's ridiculously early for me and I might possibly DIE!!!  Hopefully I will get through it.......

She's my special girl :) 

On a side note.... have any of you eaten at the the crushed grape in slo??  yum Yum.  I've never tried it because I assumed it wouldn't be anything I would like.  It's soooooo good!!!  Ya'll got to try it!

http://www.crushedgrape.com/pages.php?p=deli