In Brandon's Words: Letter dated October 3

The girls are really into shapes right now.  So I told Brandon to "write" them letters too.  We all received letters today. Here they are: 

October 3, 2012

Dear Valerie, 

Hey Sweetie, I am sure glad I got to talk to you on Sunday, that made me so happy.  I felt like a million bucks afterwards.  I am so glad that you are doing good without me and that you are having lots of fun.  I hope that when I do come home it doesn't make you sad.  Just kidding, I know it wont.

 . . . 

This past week has been a very interesting week - we got to go to the gas chamber!  Something that basically every new soldier has been dreading since coming here - except me.  They have all had repeated questions about it.  It is actually very funny just how much everyone around here seemed to be Dreading it.  When I did it I had to go into the chamber.  It was probably as big as mom and dad's family room in the house before they moved.  I was first in my little group and walked in.  I stayed next to the wall and walked all the way to the end by the exit door. We had our masks on and correctly seated and functioning properly.  The room was foggy white and they were burning tablets in basically a gas stove like our little one.  They told us to run in place for 60 seconds and do a few other exercises   Then they made us break the seal to our masks around our faces.  By the way I was sweating around the rubber part of the mask and it was causing my face to burn.  When we broke the seal we had to say our last name and last four digits of our social security number.  We then had to re-fix our mask and clear it and breath through it again.  When everyone was done with that they made us remove the mask completely and say something else that I can't even remember because I was coughing so bad.  We then walked out the door and walked down the path out of the vicinity and caught our breath.  I was probably the calmest one out of everybody.  I just stood there and took it.  It was terrible.  It was like trying to breath silver in a gas state and it burned everywhere that was wet.  

Apparently I took it pretty well.  Some people screamed and most were not doing very well and felt like they were going to die they later told me.  One of my roommates was directly behind me and later told me he couldn't even see. (It was hard) He knew I was in front of him so he just followed my footsteps out without opening his eyes.  He always tells everyone that I am really tough because the gas chamber didn't bother me.  He said I coughed once when I came out and was done.  Not true.  I coughed for a while, but was probably one of the first to recover because (I think) I was calm. And I just kept my breathing short.  Anyway it was a real strong tear gas that was in the room.  So now I can know what it feels like to have tear gas shot at me. 

[There are some pictures of  Brandon getting ready to go into the chamber, and recovering when he came out.  They are copyrighted or else I would post them here.  Here is how to find them  1. Click on this link.  https://saweb1.leonards.com/MilitaryActivityPhotos/ActivityPhotos.aspx?cn=8. 2. Select Company B219 3. Click on NBC 4. Brandon is in pictures 319081 on page one and 319182 on page 5. The number on his helmet is 331.]

This week I grouped and zeroed with my M4 Rifle which means I got all my shots together in a group on the target and moved that grouping to the center of the target by having my sights adjusted by one of the drill sergeants here.  I did it for the first time shooting on Saturday and Monday.  There were a lot of people who had to repeat their target and shoot again later.  They shot today while we did absolutely nothing.  

Those are pretty much the coolest things we did all week.

I wanted to let you know an interesting story . . .   [He repeats most of the story about his blisters and his cough]  . . . my blisters are doing great but as of Sunday I really had that bad cough at night and still couldn't sleep that well.  Everyone told me I needed to go to sick call but I knew what I needed and got a blessing at church.  The Elder's Quorum President gave it to me.  He didn't bless me that my cough would stop, but he did say that I would be strong both mentally and physically to get through basic training.  

I was kind of mad that he didn't bless me for what I asked.  However, that night when I was up in bed coughing I half fell asleep (I was really tired) sitting on the side of my bed between coughs.  I had a really short dream that one of our Drill Sergeants was telling me that I could overcome my cough mentally by telling myself that I wouldn't cough and forcing myself mentally not to.  When I heard that I literally tried it.  I held my breath and when I had the tickle in the back of my throat I just wouldn't cough.  I wouldn't let myself do it.  And it worked.  I woke back up enough to get in bed and try it again and I fell asleep for the rest of the short night - that was pretty late.

By morning I felt pretty good and the next night I tried it again.  I mentally told myself I wasn't going to cough when the urge came.  I just didn't and I fell asleep.  The next morning I felt great.  I still have a residual cough, but I feel a lot better an I am now keeping up with everyone else.  So the Lord still does answer prayers.  That only increases my testimony of that and Priesthood blessings. 

Today I got lots of mail.  Tell everyone thank you for sending me letters. It is nice to hear what everyone is up to.  I will try to write back at least once to everyone who writes me, but I can't guarantee anything.  

October 4 (next day)

I am very glad that the girls are doing well and that you are doing good too.  I love hearing from you - especially when you tell me that the girls are talking.  It blows my mind.  I just can't imagine - well I can imagine what it's like, but I still don't believe it. I will try to write each of them a letter in this envelope.  

I am so glad you had fun at the zoo.  And I am glad that you have seen just how fun animals can be.  Melanie wrote me and told me that she had a lot of fun at the zoo too with you and the girls.  She said that I have the cutest little family - so thank you Valerie for being the main component of that cute family.  I love you lots.  

I am also glad to hear your are still helping others like ____ in the branch.  Last night we had the bible study class that I like going to.  And it was talking about how christian churches were very hypocritical that they professed to love everyone but they turned away from those that really needed it.  And they put too many rules in the way so that people didn't feel welcome. The guy in charge asked if anyone felt like that on Sunday when they went to church.  And I was reminded of our church and more especially the branch.  I think that our Branch is the best place in the world because people are genuine and loved unconditionally.  At least to me that seems to happen. 

Just so you know, the 36 hour pass will probably be on Black Friday.  I don't blame you that you said you didn't want to come, but I would still like to talk on the phone with you most of that time.  I will probably get a hotel room with a couple of my roommates and just hang out.  

Aside from that I will probably see you on the  ____ of December.  If you would like to stay around here and check out a few things for a couple of days after Graduation I would love you to.  If not that's okay too.

And just so you know I am in the 189 Infantry Battalion in Company B (Bravo) and Platoon 3.  A Battalion is a lot of men.  A company is around 100 -120 men.  And a Platoon is about 50 men.  We are still going to be divided into squads which is about 9 guys.  

I love you and I better quit writing this letter so I can go to bed.  Have a good week and day.

Love you tons, 

Brandon

Checkin' Projects Off the List

A few days ago I split my to do list in half.  I made a section for "Things I have to do" and a section for "Things I want to do."  This has helped me find time to actually do some fun projects. 

The first thing I attacked was painting this shelf that Brandon made right before he left.  

 I took the back off and spray painted it red.  Then I painted the shelves white.

 Once I put it back together I couldn't get over how awesome it looked.  I had planned to add contact paper to the bottoms and tops of the shelves, but the red and white created enough visual contrast.

 Here is what the shelf looks like with everything in it.

I fell in love with the red back ground, and if I owned this kitchen I would be adding red to the backs of the permanent cupboards.  But since I don't own this place I settled for something with a lot less commitment. 

 I decided to do something with the contact paper that I still had left over.  I traced circles onto the back of the contact paper. 

 Then I cut them out and put them up on the cupboards.

 They look so cool!  These pictures really don't do them justice, but they give you the idea.  The girls are really into circles right now so they especially love the new kitchen decorations.

 As a final project I moved my squished penny collection into a larger frame.  The collection had out grown the previous frame in May. I had nowhere to put the ones I'd picked up in Colorado.  Luckily I had this extra frame.  Now I have lots of room to add more pennies.

Click here if you are interested in the size of my collection when I first framed it.  Even I am surprised at how fast in grew in 3 1/2 years.

These projects have only whet my appetite for more things to do. I have a whole list of things I want to work on.  I'm especially excited to start working on the Halloween costumes!

In Brandon's Words: Letter Dated Sept 23

Tuesday I received another letter from Brandon.  It was written before the one I received on Monday. Which means it was written before Brandon received any letters.   

September 23, 2012

Valerie,
You will probably get a few letters from me at the same time because I inconvieniantly forgot and locked up my stamps with all of my personal stuff, hopefully I can get them out today.

Today is Sunday - my least favorite day of the week so far because I can't go to church.  Neither last week or today.  I wish I cold so I could have a relaxing change of pace, but so far I have only been able to go once.  It is interesting though.  Today we were able to go to a non-denominational religious class - taught by our Lutheran Chaplin - I am glad I am LDS.  I have such a big testimony and feel like I know more about everything than him.  I hope that's not being cocky.  It was unique though.

Sunday's are definitely not a day of rest around here though.  We had first aid classes all day and we still had to do push ups and other exercises 

The highlight of today was when I was able to talk to my roommates a little bit about where they were from and about religion.  I told them about Mormons and what we believe.  They seemed relatively interested, but I don't know how interested they were.  We will let it set for a couple days I guess.

 . . .

I want you to know that you will forever be in my heart and mind.  I cannot wait to hear from you.  I wish I could read your blog and talk via e-mail.  Oh well, absence makes the heart grow fonder.  I am definitely growing even more fond of you.  One of the guys here mentioned that he likes how we have to stand at attention all of the time - he says it is like his personal time and he can think about anything he wants.  When I am at attention I think about you, Charlotte, Lydia, and Derrick.  I can't wait to get out of this basic training environment and go back to Salt Lake and see you all.

Don't worry, I'm not "truncky," I just have a lot of time to think and do nothing else.  I do not regret this decision to join the army at all.  I am glad I did.  It will be so good for all of us.  I am working my hardest and trying to get better at everything - not perfect yet, but I still have 11 weeks or so.  I will be home for Christmas and we will probably move in January . . . .

We are going to do land navigation soon.  Which is using a compass and a map to trudge through the woods.  I am pretty excited about that.  What else do we get to do soon that is pretty cool?  We are going to a shooting range and learn how to fire and M4 caliber rifle. (Go google pic it)

I have already been assigned one and am starting to learn the ins and outs of it.  There has been a lot of things that I have done or will do here that I have never done before.  (Oh and by the way, we always point the "weapon" down and to the left - and the general rule is: point it in a safe direction, never point it at anything unless you want to kill it.  And never keep your finger on the trigger, and always have it on safety.)

Oh and I am definitely going to go parachuting an become air born qualified.  Very exciting.  And there is more stuff I can't even think about right now, or remember, but it is all going to be fun.

I want you to know that I love you more than ever.  I miss you tons!   . . . I do think about you often, but I am still focused on the tasks at hand.  I hope you get everything that you need and want.  I love you and will see you later.

Love Brandon

And here are some interesting excepts from a letter to his parents.

  . . . don't worry, I am safe.  I am having fun.  I get to do all the things that all little boys want to do like crawl in the mud; swim fully clothed (boots and all); climb wooden towers, ropes, and nets; go rappelling; and shoot guns.  I am enjoying myself - and like our Drill Sargent said - not everyone gets to get paid to do nothing but exercise 

Before I came here I thought to myself that no matter what happens with the drill instructors - being mean is what he does, not who he is.  I have found that to be VERY true.  They can be very mean but they can be way awesome too!

All of our instructors have taken time to share stories and thoughts with us and laugh at or with us too.  It is definitely a worthwhile experience. 

In Brandon's words: Letter dated September 28?

I got another letter from Brandon today. Even better, I was able to talk to him for 10 minutes last night! (All you married girls better appreciate your husbands.)  It was a good conversation. Mostly we just talked about some "housekeeping procedures"  and reassured each other that we were okay. Here is the letter.  It didn't have a date, but the envelope was postmarked September 28th.  

Valerie,

It is soo good to hear from you.  I got TWO letters in the same envelope from you today plus the drawings from the girls, and the letters from your family.  It was really great to hear from everyone.  

I am glad that you are keeping busy with the girls and everyone else.  There is a lot of negativity around here such as many opinions about basic training that float around.  All of the swear words and dirty stories I hear.  Besides that everyone always is mentioning about how hard the army is on girlfriends and wives.  You listen to that and it makes you start to wonder if this was the right decision.  But when I hear from you telling me just how happy and what a good time in life you are having now- even though I am not with you- it reassures me that we made this decision together and you fully support me just as I fully support you.  Thank you so much for your positive attitude.  It makes all the difference in the world.

I can't wait to see how much the girls have grown and Derrick too when I get back.  I can't wait to see you.  

Tomorrow I am going to the Dreaded Gas Chamber.  That is the thing that everyone knows about Basic Training.  And everyone, except me, is terrified of it.  I just figure that it hasn't killed anyone before and everyone I have heard of says it is not too bad.  Again that will probably be the conversational topic of choice for the next couple of hours tonight and tomorrow.  

When I got my flu vaccine in Reception it gave me a runny nose and a cough. I have had the cough since I got to basic training (after reception).  When I got my army boots I got two giant open blisters on the back of both my heels - one a piece.  I was in really bad shape.  My feet killed, so I couldn't walk very well.  We used our calves and legs in exercise and I couldn't burn off the lactic acid in my muscles.  So I was limping and waddling pretty bad.  I also hadn't gotten too much sleep because the cough kept me up most of the night for several nights.  I was miserable.  I got into bed and prayed for help because I tried to do it my myself and it wasn't working.  The next day one - well several - of my roommates told me I should go to "sick call."

When I went to fix my cough they asked me if there was anything else and I asked about my blisters.  And like a miracle I got huge bandaids, moleskin, and tape - not to mention a paper that said I couldn't run, jump, march, or backpack for the next five days.  We went to do and activity and I couldn't do it because it required running so I sat on and slept next to a log all day.  I got a day off to recover just like I prayed for.  It was awesome.  I am still coughing a bit and my blisters hurt a bit, but I am doing a lot better.  

I am liking it a lot better and it gets better as it goes apparently.  I am doing it.  I am getting stronger, and I am losing weight, mostly stomach weight along with other places, and gaining muscle.  This is hard, but like you said, it will be hard, but it is going to bring us so much when we are done with it.  I am so happy to have communication from you.  It makes me feel so much better.  

Speaking of me looking a little different you should look at a few pictures of me.  Okay, you are right - I don't have a camera, but let me tell you a story.  

Last Sunday I couldn't go to the LDS Branch again, but the Lutheran Chaplain here told us we were going to have a non-denominational Christian Bible study on Sunday and everyone was invited.  So I figured why not.  I went with about 50 other guys from our company to listen to what he had to say.  It was good.  I had a good time mentally comparing and contrasting what he was saying with what we believe.  I love our church.  There is no ambiguity.  There is one way of looking at things and it's not, "how do you feel about what this scripture says."  It is, "this scripture says this, how do you feel about that?"  Anyway, I had a good time and he was really enjoyable to listen to and I learned more about general Christian religions. (Don't worry I am not changing religions any time soon.)  

Anyway, on Wednesday there is a Bible Study Class and I thought I would check that out too - beats cleaning with 300 other guys that have no clue what they're doing.  We watched a cool video that I will tell you about later.  What does this story have to do with a picture of me?  Here you are: there was a lady there that took pictures of all the soldiers who came to the meeting and has posted them to facebook.  All you have to do is go to facebook and . . . Hopefully you will be able to find it from there.

I think there are two of the congregation - yes I happen to be on the front row (not planned). 

Brandon is on the front row in the second seat on the left side.

And another with me and some other guys.  I am holding up the little card that is in this envelope.  Yes, I love you Val!    

Brandon is on the right

 I believe you can save the pictures and maybe post them on your facebook account.  You should be able to get it - you are pretty smart.  I hope this gives you something fun to do.

. . .

My roommates told me that when I was here the first day they thought I was kind of scary looking - the bald head I guess.  They told me that I looked like a really scary Russian guy that no one wants to mess with.  That made me laugh a bit.

I have also gotten the start of two nick names, but both have not stuck yet though.  They are Frankenstein and Egore. It makes me laugh.  I have always wanted a military nickname, but it makes me laugh that these two monsters are what people think of when they see me.  I don't think I am going to get picked on. I am glad.

 . . .

I just have to let you know that I am trying to share the gospel all the time down here.  I have talked to a lot of people about gospel topics.  A lot of them tell me I sound like I am a preacher.  I tell them that I am a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, and Elder in my religion.  That throws them for a loop.  I have shared my beliefs with a least 5 or 6 guys in my company and one guy said he wanted to go with me to church on Sunday.  That made me happy.  We will see what happens.

I am having a good time here.  It is different.  I don't want it to last forever, but it is a good experience   I was just thinking to myself how I loved my mission companions as roommates; I hated my college roommates (except you); and so far I really like all my platoon roommates.  No one is really violent at all and for the most part everyone gets along.

I'm pretty sure Brandon is the third guy in on the second row from the left. 

Thank you again for your support and for writing to me.  I love you tons, and I will talk to you later, and I will see you a little later than that.  Have a good week.

I love you,

Brandon

Week Four: Calling in sick

Wow, what a week.  Every one of us took a turn being sick with a cold.  But despite that (or maybe because of it) we actually had a really relaxing week.  

Monday was my day to be sick.  We all hung out in our pajamas and watched as much TV as possible.  The only reason the girls changed their pajamas that day was because I gave them a bath.  I went to bed EARLY at 9:00 pm.

Tuesday was Derrick's turn.  I don't know if he was teething of if he had the same cold I did, but whatever it was he was not happy.  In the morning he cried in my arms for about 30 minutes before falling asleep.  He doesn't usually cry that much so it was really hard to deal with not being able to console him right away.  

Later in the day I'd put the girls down for a nap, but Derrick was awake.  I brought him into my room and put him on my bed while I worked on the computer.  I was very surprised to look over and see that he'd fallen asleep.  I was suddenly stuck in the middle of a major mommy dilemma   One parenting rule says "never leave your child on the edge of anything."  Another rule says, "Never wake a sleeping baby - especially when the fact that he fell asleep means you will get an unexpected shower."  

As you can see from the picture, Rule #2 won out.  But I was responsible enough to put pillows on the floor incase he rolled off.  

When Hillary came home after work I went to help one of the ladies I visit teach dejunk.  I was there for three hours, and I loved it!  I love throwing things away and creating order out of chaos.  And she "paid" me with cute scrap book paper, and a lot of mega blocks legos.  The girls went nuts over the legos, and played with them for at least an hour and a half.

 Wednesday was Hillary's day to be sick.  Which was good for her because it was also her day off work.  My friend Sara L from the good old 61st ward came over to visit with her two little girls.  We had fun catching up and comparing kids.  Here baby is 5 days younger than Derrick and can crawl!

After Sara left, the girls showed off that they knew how to open the fridge.  They were especially interested in our little basket of Taco Bell hot sauce packets.

 When we set the table they brought the hot sauce over.  I let them eat it because, 1 they have to learn some how, and 2. I know the secret to cooling down the burning sensation.  The girls were fine for about 5 minutes and then it kicked in.  Lydia started saying "hot, hot, hot"  and crying.  I grabbed two spoonfuls of sugar and gave them to the girls.  The sugar immediately cooled off their mouths.  So the girls learned an important cause and effect lesson - If you eat hot sauce, then Mom will let you eat plain sugar.

Thursday was Lydia's day to be sick.  She laid around all day.  Charlotte joined her.  It was another day full of a lot of TV.  But in the evening Hillary watched the kids while I went visiting teaching.  I have to say that Hillary is a champ.  She is just fine being alone with all three kids.  I couldn't have done that at 19 years old.

Friday the girls were doing better, but we still didn't do a lot.

 Brandon's mom came and watched the kids so I could have some time to myself.  I went to the Library and planned my gospel doctrine lesson.

 In the evening we had our traditional movie night and watched "Bambi."

 Saturday was the first day where everyone was okay.  We were feeling better, but I still wasn't up to going any where.  The past couple of Saturday's I've been afraid to be alone with the kids.  But this Saturday was just fine.  We've established enough of our own routine that I don't miss Brandon.

The girls and I spent an hour cleaning my room and making my bed.  We had so much fun making my bed.  I'd turn the top sheet into a bubble and they would jump on it.  When they got tired of doing that we all got "inside the bubble."  And played in there for a while.  It was so much fun.

 In the evening I was able to go to the RS Broadcast/ dinner with my neighbors Melody and Danielle while my neighbors Alex and Caleb watched the kids.

 I seriously have the best neighbors in the world.

 Sunday was a great day too.  Remember when I used to complain about 1:00 church?  Well now I love it because I have all the time I need to give everyone baths and naps.  9:00 church is going to be a hard adjustment.

Today was also a great day.  Hillary was back (she comes and goes according to her work and social life schedule.)  The girls love her.  She was able to watch them while I took a very much needed nap (the girls had had a party from 5:15 am until around 7:00 when Derrick took over.)

The very best thing about today though was that Brandon got paid.  And what a paycheck it was!  In our entire married life we have never had a paycheck that big! I was able to pay all the bills and still have money left over.  And the best part is there will be another paycheck later this month!  Yeah, selling Brandon was a good idea.

I went grocery shopping, and I could have cried.  For the first time in a very long time, and quite possibly my whole life, I was not worried about how much I was going to spend.  I didn't have to worry about whether something was a need-need or just a need.  I even got to consider buying things that were purely wants.

Of course Brandon and I have several financial goals so I didn't go completely crazy with what I bought. But it was still fun.  I bought many things that we have needed for a while; bigger onesies for Derrick, socks for the girls, sticky tack stuff, a key for Hillary, etc.  I stocked up on some boring stuff like laundry soap and toilet paper.  And I bought things that I wanted; paint and brushes for a project, and an amaryllis bulb because I've talked myself out of one for the past 5 Christmas's.

Planting the amaryllis was our family home evening activity tonight.

The girls had lots of fun playing with the dirt. I think they will really enjoy watching the flower grow over the next few weeks.  I almost told them that when the flower blooms it will be time for Daddy to come home, but I'm not that dumb.

 I have to tell you about Lydia's outfit.  As I changed her diaper this morning I told her that it was October now. I told her all about Halloween and that she was going to be a butterfly and wear a beautiful dress.  As I tried to snap her sleeper back on her she pushed my hand away and said, "No, Fufferby."  It was pretty clear she wanted her butterfly dress now.  Which was unfortunate because I haven't made it yet.  So I did the next best thing and put her in a party dress.  And that's what she wore all day long. (And of course Charlotte had to wear a dress too)

So that was our week.  Hopefully this next week will be just as fun.  And who knows, we might even make it out of the house!

Inspiration: Feeling Prayers

A few years ago I started noticing when people used phrases such as "I've felt your prayers in my behalf."  Being me, my first thought was usually, "oh what does that even mean? How can you feel a prayer?"

Well during the last month I've learned what it means.

It means having a productive day while running on only 6 hours of sleep.  It means getting a shower because all three children miraculously went down for a nap at the same time.  It means neighbors stopping by at the right moment- or even the wrong one.  It means children happily playing long enough to make dinner.  It means safely shepparding 2 toddlers across a parking lot while holding a baby carrier and a diaper bag.

And especially it means always feeling calm and peace no matter what craziness is going on.    

So many people have told me that they are praying for Brandon and our family.  In addition to all of those prayers our names have been added to the prayer roll at many temples.  And I can honestly say that I have felt those prayers.

During the past 4 weeks I have felt a power enter my life that has helped me do things I thought were impossible 5 weeks ago.

Miraculous changes have occurred.  Most of the changes are small, but their impact is huge.  Lydia no longer cries at my legs when I try to get something done in the kitchen.  Charlotte will come when I call her instead of wandering off when we are at the park or library.  Derrick will easily go back to sleep when I feed him in the night.  If these aren't miracles then I don't know what are.

Tonight I had a touching experience with prayer.

We were watching a family video.  It was from the first year Brandon and I were married.  The girls loved pointing out Daddy and Mama. I loved the fact that they recognized my younger and skinnier self as their Mama (and that they finally learned to say Mama).

Out of nowhere I suddenly heard my cell phone start playing Brandon's ring tone.  I wasn't expecting him to get phone privileges until November or something so I was over joyed!  We were able to talk for 10 wonderful minutes.  The girls even said hello at the end of the phone call.

When the call was over we went back to watching the family video.  And when that was over I decided to put on our wedding video.  I guess the girls had had enough of seeing and hearing Daddy without being with daddy.  They both started crying and saying "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy."

It was close to bedtime so I hurried and got them in their pajamas.  They kept sobbing and asking for Daddy even after I put them in bed with their binkies and bottles.  So I did the only thing I could think of - I prayed. I asked Heavenly Father to help them understand that their Daddy loves them, that he wishes he could be with them, and that he will come home again.  I asked that they be given peace and comfort.  And I kid you not, both of them were asleep within minutes of saying amen.    

Prayer works.  I knew that before, but now I understand it more deeply.  Thank you all for your prayers in our behalf.  They have not been in vain.

Family Pictures - 2012

 I made sure we took family pictures before Brandon left.  His sister, Melanie, took the pictures.  We were going to go to a park, but it had been raining for about an hour.  So we ended up running out to her backyard between showers.  At one point the girls climbed into the wagon and we all crowded around for a random pic.  The result was this totally awesome picture that looks like we planned it from the beginning.  

 This is the picture I have hanging up in our house.  I love this pic because more often than not we always ended up holding all three kids.  

And of course we had to take one of just the two of us.

The main reason we did the family pictures was so the kids could have pictures with their Daddy.  

 I framed the pictures and gave them to the kids.  We keep the pictures on a low shelf so the girls can grab and hold them whenever they want.

Friday night they even slept with their pictures.  

We talk about Brandon a lot.  If the girls ask where he is I say, "He's at work."  And Lydia will say, "Gone." She doesn't say it in a sad voice.  She just says it like, "okay, that's where he is."

We also have a fun game we play. I tell the girls that Daddy is learning how to run really fast.  And they run around saying, "run, run, run."  Then I tell them that he is learning to jump and they jump.  We have a couple things that they do like that.  My favorite is when I say he's learning to say "Yes Sir!" and I salute.  The girls say something like "Yesir" and then try to salute.  Lydia pumps her fist out, and Charlotte smacks herself in the face. I've been trying to get it on video, but so far I haven't quite captured the cuteness/hilarity of it.