Birthday Love

I've been trying to distract my toddler with activities to help her deal with the big "D".  Today, is my hubby's 38th birthday and to celebrate I had my daughter practice making "Happy Birthday" video messages to send him.  We spent a good 20 minutes laughing at her silly messages and watching them together.  She loved the process of picking out the best one to email him.  Afterwards, I let her creativity go wild with arts and crafts.  The project, put together a "master piece" for her daddy's birthday.  Since we couldn't send the actual picture we killed another 20 minutes taking the best picture to show off her creation and emailed it to him.  The day ended perfectly with hubby giving us a call.  All I had to say was "It's daddy on the phone!"

Happy 38th birthday my love!  We miss you!

Counting Down

Another stretch of time away from blogging.  At this point I wouldn't be surprised if I have no followers out there.  When it comes to choosing between spending the precious short time with all my family home or sitting at the computer, this mommy and wifey chooses family.  We were surprised that hubby's time at home was extended as long as it was.  My three year old has been fully using every moment of daddy's time.

From the moment she wakes to the moment she closes her eyes for the day she asks for him and wants to play only with daddy.  I love watching them cuddle on the couch together or giggling in her daddy's arms.  I can't help but smile with how close they are.  In the back of my mind I know that the big "D" slowly approaches and there's nothing I can do to stop it.  

That's right, we're a military family and that means the big deployment is on its way.  I know this time will be oh so much worse.  Izzy understands so much more than the last time daddy was away.  I can for see screaming and crying in my future.  Until then, I'm going to enjoy every moment my hubby is home with us.  Until next blog, "peace out!" 

Unwinding for Lunch

Ca Nuong Vietnamese Roasted Catfish

So today I was supposed to tackle my child's clothes and toys to go through and sort out everything she's outgrown so I could give them to another mom that needed them.  I was also supposed to bag up another mound of things we are going to donate to Salvation Army and then pack the things we need for the next few weeks until we meet our things in WA.  I don't know if I was feeling lazy or stir crazy but I felt like I HAD to get out of the house.  I've stayed home everyday for almost two weeks doing things to prepare for this move.  I just needed time to get out of the house for a few hours, and unwind.

So I met up with my very pregnant sister, my nephew and mom to have Vietnamese style roasted catfish.  YUM!  The fish was so tender and juicy and the skin was crispy.  We used rice paper wrappers, added the fish, some noodles, cucumber slices, lettuce and mint and rolled them up to dip into a sauce.  It's so rare that we go out to eat a dish like that and it hit the spot!  Izzy enjoyed seeing her buddy Nate too!  She kept puckering up to kiss him and he was running around dodging her kisses and hugs.  I guess girls already have cooties by age 2.