Words of encourgement

This is the card we received from Dave a few days ago.  It made me laugh, and I thought I would share it with you all!- April

Silver and Gold

There is a camp song that is sung in a round that goes: Make new friends, but keep the old.  One is silver and the other gold.  The kids and I had a chance yesterday to spend a terrific afternoon with some of those (g)old friends.  I found myself humming the song to myself on the drive home.  We have known the Goff's for over 7 years.  I served with Christina in YW, swapped daycare with her when we were both still working, Caleb & their son Braeden were born a few months apart, and they helped me so much during Dave's first deployment.  Although it has been a few years since we last spent time together, yesterday seemed as though it had only been a few days.  I felt as comfortable in their home as I do in any of my siblings homes.  I love that we have people in our lives that have kids that Caleb & Abby can play with with no problems, don't seem to mind that we eat their food & drink their sodas, and will let us keep their kids up late on a school night after eating pie & ice cream at 8:00!  As we were leaving, I told Abby to say thank you to Christina and Tyler.  Abby turned and said, "Thanks Aunt Christina."  That sums it all up.  You're our family.  You have shown our family love and I too want to thank you for welcoming us into your family.  I love you!- April

Family Pictures

So, about a month before Dave left, my mom told him: "You do realize that you have to get a family picture taken before you leave don't you?"  Dave: "I realize nothing!"  Mom: "Well, I need a new target for my dart-board."  Aah, yes.  That's the way we show love in this family!  The last family picture we had taken was when Abby was still a bun in the oven.  It has been a while.  I simply don't like getting my picture taken (I have a nasty habit of closing my eyes), and Dave doesn't particularly like the ridiculous poses in which photographers tend to place people.  That is probably why the "dog-pile" picture didn't turn out so well!  As we were leaving the portrait studio, I said to Dave, "Well, that wasn't horrible."   All in all I am pleased with the resulting photos.  My mom now has a great new dart-board on which to practice her dart throwing.  Dave won't forget what we look like.  And Caleb & Abby now have their own picture of them with their dad in their rooms.  We had some very sweet pictures taken of Dave & the kids and the kids & I.  Not too fond of the one with me and the kids, but I'll post it anyway.  Please  don't laugh; especially at the "engagement" picture of Dave & I.  - April

The calm before the storm!

Hello everybody!  I have hijacked April's blog momentarily to encourage each and every one of you to make some time to reach out to April, Caleb and Abby.  As tough as my job and responsibilities will be for the next year, they are nothing in comparison to having to raise two young children on your own.  Especially when the children in question are Caleb and Abby.  Those of you who have never had the "joy" of being separated from your spouse for an extended period of time, don't realize just how long the nights can seem when it's just "you and the kids."  I know that I will be able focus on the task at hand, and that I will be able take care of the lives that I am now responsible for, if I know that my family is being looked after.  So please feel free to give April a call, send off an email, or stop by for a visit.  I know that she could use the company.  As for me, I spend most of my days "putting out fires," trying to get answers to the unknown, and waiting for something to happen.  I'm sure that once our aircraft get on site, my days will start going by a whole lot faster and I will have to struggle to keep up.  Until then, I will continue to try to make the best of a lousy situation.-Dave

Flowers & Chocolate

I have some truely amazing friends!  There are so many of whom I think, "I want to be like you when I grow up."  One of them just brought these beautiful flowers for me and some chocolates for the kids.  Since the kids get to enjoy the flowers, I'll enjoy the chocolate too!  Thanks again - you know who you are!!-April

Address for Dave

I am posting this 1) because I just got it, and 2) so there will be a record of it!  Here is Dave's mailing address while he is at Ft. Sill (until Feb. 28) and the email address he will use for the duration of his deployment.  Oh, who am I kidding. Probably for the rest of his life!!

Sgt. Hoeveler, David

B Co. 1.214 Avn Regt

6607 NW Ft. Sill Blvd. 930 A

Ft. Sill, OK 73503-1800

dave.hoeveler@us.army.mil

-April

And so it begins...

Dave is safely at Ft. Sill, OK.  Nothing seems to have changed here, and I suppose that is a good thing! Ask me in 3 months if I feel the same way!  

Today Caleb went back to school and had a spectacular day!  I think he was really excited to get back.  He wanted to help me make something on the sewing machine during Christmas break.  I thought some PJ's could be easy enough.  After some running around trying to find a presser foot for the machine, today I was ready.  I made a pair for Abby to make sure I would know what I 

was doing.  I have never sewed with knits before and I'll tell you what - I don't like it!  Caleb & I haven't started his yet, but here is Abby modeling hers.  Oh, and they are big on purpose...that way she can grow into them! -April