Kritter's Korner

Last week my whole family (Ingram side) came to visit! We had tickets to see Dave Matthews Band--awesome show btw. Here are a few pictures of my sister, Karen, with my niece, Kassidy, my nephew, Grayson and Addison.

Does anyone remember the 2004 World Series when Curt Schilling pitched game 2 days after having surgery and bloodied his sock--yet went on to win the game? Well---I took my jogging stroller out for the first time yesterday. Addison is barely big enough to fit in it now. Kaitlyn and I went for a little walk--I ran one small section of the lake and thought my lungs were going to explode out of my chest--but mostly I was in pain because my new shoes were rubbing on my ankles--well I pressed forward and made it home. Instead of a bloody sock--I have bloody shoes. (Only a few minor differences in my story and Curt Schilling's) They have been christened well. :oP

Last week ranks up there with one of the busiest, saddest, most hectic, stressful weeks of my life! Jim deployed on Monday for Iraq. They spent some time in North Carolina, had a layover in Germany--flew into Kuwait and then finally landed in Iraq. He is there and is safe. We have had a lot of opportunities to talk--I have been surprised at how much we have been able to communicate. Skype is a godsend--and it is free! Not only can we talk on the computer we can see one another!

A day after receiving word that Jim had arrived safely, his father had a heart attack. Thank God it was a minor heart attack--but nonetheless--it WAS a heart attack. He had a cardiac catheter placed on Monday which revealed no blockage in the main artery, but a 75% blockage in one artery and an 80% blockage in another and then on Tuesday had angioplasty on those two arteries.

I just felt tired and worn out emotionally from such a stressful week--but I am thankful that everyone is safe and getting healthy again. I have to remind myself on a daily basis that there are people who have it far worse off than I and that things could always be much worse.

There was a woman standing next to me at Jim's deployment with 4 children ranging from ages 3-8 (I would assume) and those children were absolutely pitiful. When their father walked away to get on the bus, not only were they crying, but they were yelling, "Daddy, Daddy, don't go." It was enough to rip your heart out of your chest and trample on it a good dozen times. I think I cried just as much for that woman and her children as I did for myself that day. Once again I said to myself--THANK GOD Addison is so little she that she doesn't realize what is going on. It's not that she doesn't miss him, because at 2.5 months old I know there would be some debate on whether or not she would be capable of doing so.

I think I have proof that she does miss him or acknowledges that she remembers him. We had a Hug A Hero doll made for her before Jim left. It is about a 20" doll with Jim's full head to toe picture on it--it is actually more of a pillow than anything. On the bottom of the pillow is says "Daddy love you!" This pillow-doll also came with a voice-recorder and Jim recorded a message for Addison saying, "Dad loves you, be good for Mom." Well last night we had a long day, my sister and her family came into visit and we went walking at the oceanfront and didn't get in until much later than we should have being that it was a work night. So, with her schedule being off--Addison was exhausted, hungry and just plain frustrated. Kaitlyn has been staying with me and helping out and she was trying to calm her down--and was almost in tears herself, trying to tend to her while I was doing some before-bed chores. I took Addison in my arms and began talking to her--she was still upset and crying and I snuggled her Daddy doll next to her and pressed the voice button. SHE STOPPED crying! I pressed the button over and over and let her listen to her Daddy's voice and she just stared at me with a look on her face that I took to mean--"I know that voice, I like it, and I miss it." I know that may be inferring too much--but she stayed silent the entire time I was playing his message. It was a precious and tender moment--and YES...I CRIED!

Here are a few pictures of our family--some of are our last night out together with some friends, followed by his deployment pictures--followed by some really cute pictures of Addison :o) (The day he deployed it was 98 degress and the AC at his unit building was broken--so we look like we are melting in the picture--it was HOT! We all got a little sun that day--even Addison, despite my best efforts to keep her covered)