the end in sight

In less than three weeks, though we still don't know the exact day, Jeremy will be home. He went on his last mission yesterday and has officially turned over his job to the gunner from the replacement unit. Though it's all unofficial still, he expects to be flying from Iraq to Kuwait April 7, and from Kuwait to Fort Dix, NJ on April 10. Hopefully the "Wecome Home Ceremony" will be April 18...or 20...or who knows!

This week I've been slowly but surely packing things up and preparing to make the move back to Connecticut. Saturday afternoon my Dad and some random siblings will drive us to my Maw Maw & Paw Paw's home in Baton Rouge, LA. From there my grandparents will be driving us the rest of the way home in their minivan, stopping to stay with relatives several places along the way. It'll be a long trip, but at the end of the trip I'll be in my own little home again, and I am really excieted about getting to my own home again!

Our time here has been so many things: precious, hard, fun, overwhelming, irreplaceable. It was really awesome to see my parents and siblings actually getting to know my children, and vise versa. There were many times I thought that would never be possible. I got to know my brothers and sisters again, three years older than when I married and left home. They are without a doubt some of the coolest people I know...which I thought three years ago, but they're even cooler now. My family have been such gracious, generous, and patient hosts. I am really going to miss them, and my new church here, and many precious friends.

The last several months I've been very aware that Reuben's training and education was seriously lacking. Knowing what to do with babies and small children does not come naturally to me. So, I've been reading books, asking questions, and listening to a child training course on CD; trying to learn from others wiser than I. I can't wait for Jeremy to get home! He's so much better at this kind of thing than I am.

Amidst all the training issues, I've noticed that Reuben's speaking skills are not much better now than they were a year ago. So, the last Dr. check up I asked about that, and we were sent to get a hearing test, which happened this afternoon. It seems that he has fluid built up in his middle ear, he can hear most things, but it's all muffled. Now comes the excieting task of figuring out what to do about it.

potty training, etc.

So this past week I set out to potty train Reuben...or at least start the process. He really liked his underwear, in fact, at one point he turned around in circles about 20 times trying to see Lightning McQueen on his rear end.

Reuben in his "Cars" training pants

Unfortunately that was the only part of the experience that really worked out for us. Reuben peed just about everywhere but his training potty, and he really didn't seem to grasp the concept at all. Ah well...guess we'll just try again in a bit, he'll get it eventually.

Sitting on the potty watching a movie, just trying to keep him still until he actually goes where he's supposed to

This week I also managed to get a couple of tiny servings of rice cereal into Anna, and we had a little bit of success getting her to drink out of a bottle. The teething cookie (apart from being a huge mess) was a big hit though!

Enjoying a teething bisquit

It's so cool to see her play sitting up, and "army crawling" wherever she wants to go. She's such a sweetheart.

Texas Roadtrip

One of my keys to surviving this deployment is to plan special projects or activities that I normally wouldn't do while Jeremy was home. It takes the focus off of all the things I'm missing, and turns it around to see each day we're apart in a more posative light. For me that list of special projects and activities has involved reorganizing our house several times over, lots of quilting, some digital scrapbooking, spending time with my family in Texas, and visiting friends.

In the spirit of this survival key, Rebekah, Reuben, Anna, and I all set out on a road trip last Monday morning. Our first stop was at Bryan & Leah Hovey's home in Hilltop, TX. We arrived in time for a late lunch, and enjoyed the first good chat since Leah and I were at IPS together, back before either of us were married.

We took off from there for the International ALERT Academy in Big Sandy, TX to stay with Corrie & Keon Pendergast overnight. The last time I really got to stop and visit with Corrie, her oldester daughter Katie was not quite walking. Katie is almost four and a half now, and has two younger brothers: Connor (3?) and Clayton (1?). We had a fun time catching up and playing, and Stacey and Hannah Smith even came over for lunch so we could see them as well. (Hannah and Stacey took over the office I used to work in at ALERT)

Playing in Katie's room

Connor and Anna

Anna, me, Corrie, and Clayton

As naptime came around we loaded up again and headed for Brian & Amy Cahill's in Irving, TX. We got there in time for dinner and had a really fun visit with Brian, Amy, and 9 month old Lance. The next day we packed a picnic lunch and walked over to the park a 1/4 miles away and enjoyed the outdoors for several hours before packing up for our next stop. But on this little family, I'd like to pause to share some history...

There were only two reason that I survived the 14 months I worked in the main office at ALERT: the grace of God and Brian Cahill. In my half day job training my most helpful bit of instruction was "If you need any help just ask Brian, he's right around the corner in the Smaj. office." And ask Brian I did, more times than I could count, and he always managed to save the day. He's one of the most hardworking and patient people I know.

The first year Rebekah and I taught the canoe course at STEP together, we were roomates with Amy Jones, and over the course of that month we became fast friends. Bekah and I are agreed that Amy is pretty much the coolest, most amazing girl we know. She's always such an encouragement and inspiration...just thinking about her makes me want to be a better person.

I have a running mental list of both guys and girls that I would be very angry with if they married some looser I didn't like. Brian and Amy were both near the top of that mental list, so I was very happy when God brought them together...but had never seen them interact as a couple until last week. God did a really good job.

Reuben on the playground

Anna, me, Amy, and Lance

Again we took off right at nap time so Reuben could sleep in the car for the four hour drive from Irving to Bill & Holly Orr's place in San Marcos, TX. Holly kept dinner waiting for us, and even had a birthday cake waiting for me when we arrived. We tried not to choke on our food laughing while Bill told his paramedic stories, and then watched part of a comedian routine they'd been telling us about before we turned in for the night.

William Orr Jr. and Anna Beth

The next day Kerrie Lynn (Giese) Ryan drove down from Killeen, TX to visit with us for a few hours. The three of us had gone to church together for years, went on a mission trip together, and had always been "kindred spirits" though never exceptionally close. It had been over two years since we'd seen Kerrie Lynn, so we had a lot of catching up to do. She brought pictures from her wedding, and I brought some pictures of me and Jeremy. We had to leave in a rush to get back to Houston in time for Rebekah to teach a piano lesson, but it was a good visit while it lasted.

Holly, Kerrie Lynn, and me

The whole trip was really, really fun. It was overwhelming to be reminded just how many incredible friends I have, all over the country. The kids were troopers, and Rebekah was wonderfully helpful and very nice to have along.

Traveling Buddy Anna

Traveling Buddy Reuben

Our faithful driver Rebekah

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;" Phillipians 1:3-5

holiday catch up

For Thanksgiving this year, we went to my Maw Maw & Paw Paw's house in Baton Rouge and had a lovely time with my Dad's side of the family. At my grandparent's request, Anna, Reuben, and I stayed on for an extra week after the rest of the Don Zeeks went home. We had a really wonderful visit, and it was very cool to see my little guy toddling arround their home just like I did at the same age - even enjoying the organ with all the buttons, just like I used to do.

Reuben, Great Paw Paw Zeek, and Anna

Playing in Maw Maw & Paw Paw's living room

Reuben playing the organ

Me playing the organ, when I was his age

Shortly after returning to Texas, we were suprised and delighted to get an inch or two of snow on the ground; the most snow I'd ever seen in all my years living in Texas. It was mostly gone by morning, but boy did my brothers and sisters live it up while it lasted.

The week before Christmas found us moving into the spare room next door (finally!), and the crazy adventure of repainting the main living area at my parents, while having hard wood floor installed.

My sister Rebekah...after lots of paint fumes

We got the whole thing...well, mostly done and put together again just hours before Dad's family arrived from Louisianna to spend the holiday with us.

Me, Bekah, Minda, Aunt Marisa, & Cayla in our penguin slippers

Anna, me, and Reuben

Zeek family group pictures - Christmas 2008

Anna has been growing so fast! She's right on the verge of sitting up unassisted, regularly gets up on all fours, and rolls/ooches herself all over the floor when she's given the chance. She's generally a happy little kid, pretty dang noisey much of the time, a wiggle worm like you never saw, but happy and sweet as they come.

Sweet Anna

Reuben is so close to talking it's painful. Seriously, it's so frustrating, for him and us. He tells us all sorts of things in the course of the day, but most of the time we just can't make it out for the life of us. My youngest brother Willie has become very good buddies with Reuben, though he really enjoys playing with all his uncles (and Aunts too, though not as much).

Uncle Willie & Reuben

Jeremy's doing pretty good over there in Baghdad, with less that 100 days to go we are on the home stretch and very, very thrilled about it. He got the day off Thanksgiving and Christmas, though some administrator at the battalion level didn't file his paperwork, so the brigade level administrator decided Jeremy's battalion didn't get their day off for New Years (Jeremy was pretty bummed about that).

Jeremy & his new MRAP truck

Despite the fact that Reuben, Anna, and I are still batteling the same miserable cold we got five days ago, this was a very happy day for me. We finally paid off our credit card, and Jeremy and I both chopped up our cards to celebrate going into the new year debt free! Plus, when 2008 dawned I was dreading Jeremy leaving and having to somehow survive without him for a very long year; as 2009 dawns, I'm looking forward to him coming home, and the only thing happier than that is Jesus coming back.

the adventures of not-quite-superwoman

So, the weekend before I flew to Texas I did something I'd been planning on doing ever since Jeremy went to Fort Dix for mobilization: I went to New Jersey to visit my very dear friend Beth Anne and her family. It's about a five hour drive from my home to her's, and I must say I sorta felt like a hardcore pioneer woman. It was all rather empowering really, discovering that I can do far more wild and adventurous things I never would have imagined myself capable of.

Beth Anne & Anna Beth

Reuben at Beth Anne's neighborhood playground

It was a good warm-up for our trip to Texas the weekend following. I started out that morning happily ready to face the day as a grand adventure, and determined to enjoy every minute for Reuben's sake. Reuben got a little concerned when his stoller and blanket disappeared into a dark hole (the x-ray machine) going through security, but he was as good as gold until he was so tired he was beyond miserable. That came about two hours into our four hour layover. His misery reached it's climax as we sat on the runway for three hours before finally taking off for our three hour flight. When I finally saw my brother Jonathan on arriving at the airport in Houston, I was so tired, and so relieved that the whole ordeal was over, I burst into tears.

On the plane

Since our arrival we have been having an absolute blast. With a huge yard, a whole new set of toys, and a small army of adoring aunts and uncles Reuben is in little boy heaven. He is so rediculously happy, and Anna doesn't mind all the attention either. There's hardly a moment free for me to be bored or lonely (one of the main reasons I came) so I don't miss Jeremy as acutely as I do in CT. It still kills me watching his little ones grow up so fast without him, but there's no fixing that

15 days in paradise

I picked Jeremy up Sunday, September 21st, for 15 days of leave and we made it back from the airport in time for a bonfire birthday party for Jeremy's sister and niece at their house. Thus began a whirlwind two weeks, apple picking, hiking, visiting museums and air shows, eating dinner with someone almost every night, and ultimately just enjoying ever minute we had together.

Holding Anna for the first time

Apple Picking

Minter Family Picture

Reuben was not immediately overjoyed to see his Daddy, nor was he indifferent. He acted just as happy to see him as he would be to see any of his uncles that first evening. By the next day though, he opted to snuggle and play with Jeremy instead of me on multiple occasions, and from there on he acted almost as if Jeremy had never left. They had an awful lot of fun together now that Reuben can walk, run, and climb. Anna was her remarkably smiley and sweet little self for most of Jeremy's visit, charming her father just as every little girl should. Jeremy and I got to get away a few times just the two of us, or for a double date with a sibling now and again, which I thought was especially fun myself. Looking back I'm not sure how the visit could have been any better.

Snuggling with Daddy

Playing in the Puddles at Church

Jeremy's sister Hannah went with me and the kids to take Jeremy to the airport October 7 for his 10:40a.m. flight. Reuben gave Jeremy a good hug and understood we were saying goodbye, but didn't particularly understand the significance. This goodbye was the easiest one for me so far, and coincidentally our first goodbye where I wasn't pregnant (ah, life is so much easier without all those extra hormones!) A girl friend and fellow military wife from church brought over dinner and a movie that evening, and so mercifully I've had people around to keep me from slipping into the blues and staying there. Reuben woke up in the middle of the night, and when I brought him to my bed to warm up and go back to sleep, he immediately began searching the bed for Jeremy and grew rather agitated when he couldn't find him. Once I explained that Daddy was gone and he wouldn't be back for awhile he settled down and fell asleep, only to awaken shortly and start searching to see if Daddy had gotten home yet, needing yet another explanation before going back to sleep for good. Reuben isn't talking yet, so it's hard to know exactly what's going on in his little mind, and interesting to see how much he understands even though he doesn't respond verbally. I miss Jeremy quite a lot myself, but at the moment watching my little boy miss his Daddy is the hardest part of this separation.

Saying Goodbye at the Airport

My family, who lives south of Houston, is still recovering from Hurricane Ike but they're making steady progress. Reuben, Anna, and I will be flying to Texas October 25th for our extended visit. My grandparents camper (that I was going to stay in) was smashed by a tree that fell across my parent's driveway. However, the widow that lived next door decided to go ahead and move closer to her son in the aftermath of the storm, and her son has agreed to let me stay in the converted garage and house sit for him while he prepares her now vacated home to be sold. Brings to mind an all too familiar verse about God working all things together for good, doesn't it?

news from the front

My darling husband is wonderful in many ways...sending us pictures on a regular basis isn't one of them. ;) But, that makes it an extra special treat when we do get pictures from him.

Jeremy - out on patrol

the View from Jeremy's turret

the MRAP his squad just got

Jeremy's unit suffered it's first casualty this past Thursday. During a patrol a road side bomb went off, which they handled in text book fashion and no one was hurt. But when they went back later to investigate the incident, a secondary explosive device was detonated, killing one man and severely injuring another.

It's been best for me not think about this much at all, but it is a sobering reminder of how very much our prayers are needed. Psalm 91 has long been one of my favorites, but even more so recently as I pray that passage for Jeremy. Earlier that same week I had my first real "fear attack" for some reason. My mind got running and I was totally falling apart imagining the worst, all the while kicking myself for being so stupid. (Surely, just left over pregnancy hormones, right?) Anyhow, a few times through those familiar verses, and my confidence in God's perfect care and protection were finally restored.


Reuben and Anna Beth both seem to be growing before my very eyes. Anna's gotten into a smiley phase, where she often spends half the time she's supposed to be eating just staring up at me grinning her little head off. The other day we got our webcam connection up and Jeremy got to see her doing her little smiley thing, plus Reuben leaned over and kissed his little sister (as he very often does) right in front of the camera so his Daddy got to see it. Only 17 days left until Jeremy comes home on leave! I can't wait! :)