My Baby Girl Turns 5!

August 16, 2002 2:15PM
Emma Joy Pahman is born!

Its so hard to believe it has been 5 years already. It's seems like just yesterday I was holding you in my arms and now you are getting ready to start Kindergarten. You are changing by leaps and bounds every single day. But no matter what, you'll always be mommy and daddy's princess, our baby girl!

Sadness

There is actually a lot of sadness right now. My husband, my best friend is getting set to go on 'tour' as it is called. I actually got asked "are you ready". Personally I would never ask another military wife, mother or the like that question. You can talk all you want about it. You can even prep for it. But truly when it comes down to it, I don't think one can REALLY ever be ready. Even overtime, not ready, but adjust would be more like it.

So do me a favor, please don't ask me if I'm ready, because honestly, I'm not. And when he first leaves, the answer to "how are you" honestly will be not good. I have to be strong, not only for my children and myself but mostly for Jesse.

In addition to what is going on with us, over the weekend I learned from a friend that she lost her baby;( Beginning of next month they were going to find out what they were having and just like that, the baby is in heaven. And if that isn't hard enough, her husband is deployed and she has other children to care for.

Now as if all that isn't enough, do you know what the divorce rate is in the US. Ok I'm not sure but I know it is pretty high. You never do think it will happen to me, or to my friends or family. But really, it does. In fact, I have 2 very good (totally unrelated - and don't ask because I won't name names) friends who are going through it:( One almost final, the other near the beginning. If you happen to be one of those friends reading this, just know this, I'm always here for you and I love you!

The El Paso Zoo

Sunday, August 5th, Jesse and I took the kids to the El Paso Zoo. Of course we ended up picking the only day were there weren't over cast skies and the sun was out. So, really warm! Oh well, we all still had a great time.

Pausing for a quick picture before starting our tour of the zoo.

We started by visiting the Mexican Wolf. Then the Spectacled Bear (I didn't get a good picture of him). The Mexican Wolf is critically endangered.

Next we made our way on over to Spider Monkey Island. These are also endangered. Some how we missed the Jaguar and Tortoise. Then it was on to the American alligator.

We then entered the South American Pavillion and then the American Aviary. We had to be careful entering these as some of the animals or birds are a little more free and could escape if not careful.


It was lunch time so we stopped and had a bite to eat. I had packed a lunch that we brought with us. We just ate some simple sandwiches, drank fruit juices and had some crackers.


After lunch we saw the Asian Elephant, another endangered animal. Then it was the Malayan Tapir. After that, we stopped by to see the critically endangered Sumatran Orangutan.


We then visited the Amur Leopard. To the Asian Rain Forest complex. Then back out to the Asian Grasslands.


Next was my favorite part of the zoo. Although we didn't stay and watch the show, they still were the coolest animals there (again, just my opinion)! The Sea Lions!!!


After seeing the Sea Lions and really, just Emma, Chris and I went as they were getting ready to start a show so no strollers were allowed (plus we were all really tired), we made one more stop. The Prairie Dogs! They had a very cool deal with these guys too. There was a part where you could actually duck under the ground and pop up in a little dome within their area. Jesse took Matt. It was so cute to see them in there.


Here you can see them just before they went in (above) and then in the dome (below).

Water Fun with Daddy

Last week Jesse and I took the kids to Biggs Water park. It really is a great place to go. Matt is still unsure of the water but his daddy helped him a lot. After playing we grabbed some dinner and went home.



Emma played for awhile in the water. Then she decided she was done.


Now Christopher, he was our little tadpole. He just loved playing in the water.

No Power

So last night we had a little storm, no big deal. Like a lot of the others, hail accompanied it. Only this time, our power went out. I mean we have had bigger storms and it never went you yet this time, it did. Now get this, while we were getting pounded with rain and hail just a few miles away, still on post, they had blue skies and a rainbow, only got a few drops.

Check it out. An accumulation of hail!

With everything off, it starts to get hot really fast. Once the rain stopped we took the kids for a little walk down to our mailbox and then stopped in front of a friends on the way back and let them play. This is also the point we really could tell, only our block (the side of our street and some of the homes behind us) didn't have power. If our friends across the street had been home, we would have been there. Our power ended up out for approx 3-3.5 hrs.

The only 2 flights left during the storm. DHL & UPS! Even FedEx waited until after.

Meet Samantha

She isn't the little puff ball I have been looking and hoping for but she is great with the kids so that will do! With Jesse getting ready to go, I thought a new pet would be nice to cuddle with. Don't get me wrong, we still love our Mitzi, she is just older and now set in her ways and would prefer to not snuggle when sleeping as much. Plus, the kids really can't hold her (we just can't get her to lose wt!). So without further adieu, here is Samantha (aka Sammy or Sam).



Don't worry Mitiz, we still love you!

Jesse's BBQ

As much as I hate saying it right now, I hosted a "going away" BBQ for Jesse on July 29. I thought it would be something this mom would enjoy as well so I made sure we had it while they were here. This way, she was able to meet some of our friends. Jesse had invited some of the guys from his unit, but since block leave had started for most, a lot were away with their own families.



A big thanks to our friend Jennifer (the one in the blue top) for bringing chips for the party! In addition, we served up hotdogs, hamburgers and chicken legs. All made on the grill by my wonderful husband, Jesse and our friend DJ (Jennifer's husband).



And yes, it did get a bit hairy at times. But that is what happens when you add 6 more kids into the mix:) Which btw, our kids just love!




I hope you had fun at your BBQ Jesse! We love you!!!