Look what I can do!

So, I know I have posted these pictures before, but I almost feel creative...and I had to share! :-)

Make a photobook - it's easy!

The Happity-Haps

Since Tam has been a little out of it this past week. I have decided to make a few changes around here. As you may of noticed I changed the format, included a random game (just in case the content of the blog bores you), and I am now adding a post. I have also instituted the “must have ice cream with every meal rule”. Oddly enough Tam doesn't let me do the grocery shopping on my own. I don't see want is wrong with ensuring we have plenty of cake, cookies, and ice cream. Who knows with a little more time what other changes might occur, but let's not get to crazy. I am just hoping that these changes stick before Tam realizes what is going on.

As was mentioned in an earlier post, this week has been really tough on all of us. It is amazing how quickly you become attached to a baby in the womb. We only knew of it for about 11 days, and we are feeling the loss no differently then if it was one of our other family members. However, everyday the sun rises and then sets, and each day it gets better. If there is one truism about life, is that life must go on. So tomorrow I will be back at work, Tam will be the perfect mother, and Maddie will go back to school.

Yesterday, was a very busy day. A friend of mine from work invited my girls to his 7 years-old daughter's birthday party at JumpZone. This is one of those places with the big blow-up slides and trampolines. I don't know what was more fun watching the girls get really excited and run and jump around on these things, or watching the three million other kids high on sugar and adrenaline. The screaming; ah, yes, I loved the screaming kids. I was reminded how much I love MY OWN KIDS. I lost Madelynn a couple times because I would turn my back to check on Emma, and Madelynn would run off to a new spot. Oh, and did I mentioned that Tam stayed at home to rest, so I was outnumbered.

Then we had a ward activity, a chili cook-off. Members bring their various types of chili to be judged. I have tasted the hottest chili I have ever tasted in my life. If I had any tape worms, I wouldn't anymore. They would have been burnt out of me. I think that chili that hot was created solely on dare. I ate it and cried like a little school girl. Ain't no shame in my game.

A fun game from the past

An update...

Tuesday morning I began to bleed heavily, and through the course of this week have miscarried.

It has been an incredibly emotional week for all of us. Miles and I have really struggled, and our sweet little Madelynn cried and cried when we told her there would be no baby. She offered us her money from her bank to "buy" back the baby. Emma brought me my pre-natal vitamins, which the girls called, "baby medicine" believing that that would make it all better. How we love our little girls!

We have been greatly blessed by an outpouring of love and support from our friends and family. How grateful we are for each of you and the wonderful examples that you are.

Miles command gave him most of the week off...without charging us any leave, and they sent us a beautiful flower arrangement. There are times when the Navy really comes through for us...and I am glad that one of those times was this week.

We are all relatively well, and I seem to be recovering quickly. We have drawn tremendous strength from our knowledge that all these things are known to our loving Father in Heaven. We know in whom we have placed our trust...all these things are in the Lord's hands, and we are willing to accept His will. We are sad, but we are ok.

Some news...

For all our Maschger Musings readers...we have BIG news!

On April 4th, 2008 we learned that we are expecting number 3!!!!!!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!! We are sooooooooooo very excited, as this has been a moment in the workings for at least the last 18 months! :-) As far as I can calculate, we are looking for a delivery sometime around December 11th. Madelynn is quite possibly the most excited out of all of us...she tells everyone she sees that her "mommy has a baby in her tummy"! I am really looking forward to the weeks and months ahead (especially since I haven't had any vomiting, yet!) as our little girls are a part of this process...hearing the heart beat, and feeling it move and kick...basically, we are one excited family! :-)

Love you all!

Trains, Kites and Cherry Blossoms

On March 29, 2008 our little family FINALLY decided that it was time to venture down into DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival. As we have been here for two years, and only have one year left on this assignment...better late than never! :-) So, we recruited the Carter family, our good friends who live 8 whole doors down from us, and headed out! Anyway, here are a few pictures of our adventure!

Ready to go! That is Emma underneath the blanket...in her defense, it was a cold, blustery March day!

Emma, Madelynn and good friend, Atticus, on the Metro. There is magic in a train ride! :-)

Our original plan was to enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom...what a treat to arrive on the Mall during the Smithsonian's annual kite festival! There were hundreds of kites EVERYWHERE! To this day, if you ask Emma what she liked most about this day her answer is, "I liked the Spiderman kite!" :-)

WWII Memorial. This is the first time I had ever seen it with the fountains...it is truly impressive memorial that demands reverence and honor for this chapter in history. Miles and I were very moved...

Atticus, Maddie and Emma enjoy the beautiful day, and the trash in the Tidal Basin! :-)

The "pink trees", as our girls called them. It was a truly spectacular sight, and I am sooo glad that we finally made it! :-)