Outdoors with Addison

Addison has been slightly under the weather this week, so I kept her home while Greg took the big girls to their final choir practice/party of the year. She was really wanting to play in the water in the kitchen sink so we decided to get out our old sand and water table for her to play in outback. She had a BLAST!

Emory's new friends

Emory has an insane fascination with Rollie Pollies! She spends every spare second she can find searching for and playing with them! I've taken a few pictures of her in our backyard over the past few days...

That white pocket on it's belly is babies! We've done quite a bit of research on them in hopes we don't kill every single one of them we find:)

You can't see it, but she is focused very intensely on a baby she has in her hand.

This was our find in about 10 minutes, then we had to pick Trinity up from school.

Today it really begins

The girls and I sent Greg on his way to his first day of training for the TXSG this morning. It was awfully difficult to get up that early on a Saturday, but I am sure grateful he doesn't have to spend the night away, so I'll take the early mornings! Luckily we have super busy day ahead of us, so we won't be able to stop and think about what he's up to.

He was really excited and just a little bit nervous when he left. I think the nerves were just the unknown of the day, but the excitement was everything! I cant' wait to hear all about it when he gets home this evening!

Here are a few pics I took of him when we got his uniform home:

Surreal

Today we went as a family to the Army/Navy store to buy Greg's uniform for him for the TXSG. Being in there brought back a lot of memories of being a care-free kid trying to look cool for the party/dance/musical coming up where the theme was something having to do with Camo. The girls LOVED the place! The begged for pink or purple camo shirts, hats and canteens! It was like they were in a toy store! Once I let it sink in that we were there, not to play, but to purchase a uniform for my wonderful husband to wear while he works (volunteers) to defend and protect our wonderful State of Texas...it was a bit surreal!



He walked out of the dressing room in his fatigues and thank goodness we had three exhausted and (by this point) bored little girls or I'm not sure how I would have reacted.

So, it's now a day later and I realized I forgot to post this, so I'll update it:)
I picked up Greg's uniform today, with the assistance of my two littlest girls, two baby dolls, one baby blanket and one Mister Frog. Greg was soooo excited to actually have it in his posession! He tried it on, not long after getting home from work...all I can say is wow! Thankfully this time, we not only had our children, but also two visitors from across the street playing so I was a little distracted from emotion. He looked amazing, it fit him just right, like he was supposed to be wearing it all along! Of course it probably doesn't hurt that we all but shave his head these days (yes, I said "we", he has me give him hair cuts these days), but from head to toe it just looked "right". He was so handsome! Now we just have to wait for the patches and it will be complete!

I'll post pics as soon as I get them off my camera.

Nervous

I am a little bit nervous about being without my hubby for any time at all, much less the possibility of several weeks! I haven't spent one night in our new house without him and I'm not looking forward to the first, but I know I will adjust quickly. Between the girls and the animals I will most definitely not be lonely!



I am a bit nervous about being without him during times that might also be times of need for our own family. We discussed the idea of our own neighborhood being an emergency area and him being called to serve somewhere else. Fortunately we are blessed enough to have my family just a few miles away. They are always, always, always there when we need them and I know they would be more than happy to help fill any needs he leaves behind! Most people aren't as lucky as we are to have a huge family/friends close by to lend a hand. We felt because of the amazing people we have been blessed with, the girls and I would be okay without him in such a situation.



One more, of many things, that makes me a bit nervous is his safety. It will be extremely rare for his life to be put at risk, but any risk at all makes me nervous. I don't know what I would do if something happened to Greg! That's all I can say about it right now, I can't stand that thought!!! However, I do know that whatever cards we are dealt we will be able to handle as long as we have God on our side :)

Pride!

I am soooo proud to have a husband with a desire to help other people! Through the TXSG he will be given the opportunity to help people when they have no where else to turn, when they are probably the most desperate they've ever been! I know everyone he helps will adore him and his wonderful sense of humor. He will surely bring a smile to many, many faces during his times of duty!



I am proud of him for putting his own time and desires aside to give time and attention to something bigger than him and our family!



I am proud of him for wanting to serve our country and the great state of Texas!



I am proud of him for too many more reasons to list...

then it's on to Pappy and Gommy's

After church and the great butterfly release we headed to my parents house for a wonderful meal and more egg hunting! Man, how in the world did the Easter Bunny make it to so many houses in so little time?!?!

This is how Addison spent dinner time. Thanks Yo Gabba Gabba for teaching us "COOL TRICKS"

Trinity tried to trick her Pappy, but I'm pretty sure he ended up getting her, just like always!

Addison and her Nini sharing some sugars :)

Emory was all too proud to show me the egg she found with Ariel on it!

Is that not the look of pure joy on Addison's face?!?! Love it!!!!!!!!!!!

The great butterfly release

Our church, like many others, had a butterfly release on Easter day. The girls have loved watching the caterpillars go through their life cycle and turn into butterflies and couldn't wait to see the big finale on Easter!

We found one that had escaped from it's habitat early that morning. Trinity got to play with it till it was ready to fly.

Addison LOVED holding them, as long as thy didn't move! The second one would move she would throw it :) Precious!

Emory, who lives to fine rollie pollies, was a little more timid about the butterflies for some reason.

Trinity couldn't get enough of them!

Happy Easter everyone!

Easter with the Hinckleys

We had a blast dying our eggs for the Easter Bunny to hide! All the girls got to wear our matching aprons from Valentine's Day!

Unfortunately the weather was not so great, so we settled for allowing the bunny to hide eggs inside this year. We still had a enjoyed the loot!

Trinity LOVED the duckling figurine Mommy and Daddy gave her :)

All dressed up and ready for church...along with the rain :(

Those are my goofballs! Wouldn't trade them for the world!!!!!!!!!!