Monday, February 28, 2011

Pray Please :)

Hi all this is not a great post however we are in need of some prayer. I have a crazy week so I probably won't do much posting on here :( Don't leave me for good because when that man of mine FINALLY gets home I will be a posting machine I'm sure!!! So this week Jono is scheduled to leave the Stan on Wednesday. However, them being on a tiny little COP that the US doesn't even own (ANA and ANP own) it's really hard for 'birds'* to come and get them, especially if it snows they call it 'Red Air' and nobody gets out. So Jono and I are just really praying he gets home on time. 

Also with my school schedule it works PERFECT so I'm just really trying to be patient and let God handle this one... it's still hard though so that's why I'm really asking for all you alls help :) Thanks so much for always thinking of us and Jono :)We love and appreciate you all so much! 




This little lady really misses her daddy :) 




*Jono always calls them Birds and I just think it's kind of funny they are helicopters :) 

Saturday, February 26, 2011

2LT Sage

I'm pretty excited for Joel, Jessica, B man and Syd. Joel returned home yesterday for his 2 week leave. They are finally reunited and it just brings tears to my eyes. Such a beautiful family I wanted to share. Praying the next two weeks goes so slow for them! 

Joel has been serving with Jono on the Rahman Kheyl COP in Afghanistan. So that has been nice for them to be serving side by side little brotherly love. This family is so happy :) Love them! 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

20 Weeks.

No. I'm not 20 weeks pregnant. It's been 20 weeks since I've seen that handsome man of mine! Getting really excited it's coming so soon. I'm so ready to just be held by him and touch him! it's so weird I tell people all the time I forget what it's like for him to be in this house. He hasn't been HOME for 7 months. I would be so HOME SICK. UGH. GROSS. Especially the nasty conditions he has been living in. He will definitely be getting some major sympathy from THIS GIRL :) Probably get whatever he wants! Anyways missing him loving him more than ever.
I told him we should move there check out those mountains... sad thing is thats where the bad guys are :(


This is his duty for now... 


Soon this too will pass and this will be his duty...



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Super Mom.

So as most of you know. I've been really struggling with my school situation. I've gone from doing everything humanly possible to graduate next fall... to now not knowing what I want. I'm a full time mom... and student. Some days they work out and some days they don't. Some days I feel like I'm a terrible mom and some days I feel like I'm a terrible student. 

This year has been quite different for us doing everything just us girls. We have gotten through a lot. We have accomplished a lot. We've made it through holidays with out half our hearts and made it through all the nasty storms that passed our neighborhood. I learned how to file for taxes, and how to file an insurance claim on lightning. I've fixed my car and changed many light bulbs. I've painted and filled nail holes, yes I've even hung things. I've called multiple times to get things fixed around the house. I've even gotten angry, and as Jono says, "the only way they will come is if you talk to them in a stern voice"... and that's what I did, and what do you know they were here the next day 8am. 

I think I've truly found myself this year. 

I think it was easy to just let Jono do everything and take care of everything. This year it's been ME. I've yes taken care of our finances and saved us a lot of money, it's not been easy but we've done it.

So my thoughts with school. They are bitter sweet I guess. I can't wait to be a teacher, I can't wait to help children learn and know that I'm teaching for all the right reasons. I can't wait, however; taking 15 credits being a single mom isn't very ideal. I've been super mom all year and school is stressful and hard at times. I just want to know that with Jon being gone that Brinn feels secure and loved by me. I don't want to be super Mom.  I want to be MOM. I won't ever get these days with Brinn back. I won't ever get to spend summer days painting our toes and going on walks. I won't ever get back the days I would miss at the pool and swinging at the park.

My life has taken paths I never thought it would take. Jon and I have done this together... So I've decided  NOT to take classes this summer and be a mom. Some of you may think this is selfish. Some of you may think I'm crazy for even thinking about taking classes. I don't know I guess I'm doing this for Brinn and myself. We have a busy summer as it is and adding 15 credits on top of that doesn't seem doable. I'm not one to back down or say something is too hard, but I'm saying it and I know in my heart. WE. Will. Not. Be. Happy. 

Jon and I talked and he completely left it up to me. We both know if I was able to go to school I would graduate in December. I would be done and I could sub for the spring semester that would be very financially helpful for us. However, we've saved so well I have the opportunity to not have to do that. So I've chosen maybe the path not taken, or the dangerous path. But I know in my heart it's not up to me anyways its all God's amazing little plan for our life and he was just telling me to listen to my heart and soul on this one. Way too many things pointed to that little Brown Eyed girl that I can't wait to spend everyday with. 

Oh ya and I left out the other best part. My nanny kids :) If you know me you've probably heard about them once or twice. Haley, Owen, No no Noah, and Garrett. They are my other babies. I have been their nanny for four summers now. They are the most amazing kids ever. I will once again be their nanny and I CAN'T WAIT. I love them and know that we will have the best summer. The best part is Brinn gets to go and SHE LOVES THEM! She follows Garrett (3) like he is her best friend. So thank you so much everyone for the support and advice. I know I've been SO ANNOYING about my crazy school life and just not knowing what to do. But I've gotten so much great advice from people who know me and love me. It's meant a lot and contributed to my decision. 

I know where my place in this world is. Someday to teach and to touch lives of children... my passion. The other is to be a mother to the most beautiful little girl in the whole world. I pick her.



This is Brinn's backpack. She likes mine and she likes when I walk around in the morning with it on she laughs at me. So she has her very own with some books in it. She loves to put it on and just walk around and take it off and act like mommy. No backpacks this summer girl! GIRL TIME :)  Also this is her new smile... cute huh! 


 She is the biggest little stinker I've ever met. The greatest gift I've ever been given and the most amazing Job I've ever been blessed to have is with this little girl. I love her and we are going to have a great summer!!!! Plus daddy will be home :) 


Monday, February 21, 2011

Weekend Fun!

So the little lady and I had a great weekend. It was relaxing and nice. I got a lot of homework done and did some fun shopping around Ankeny with mom on Saturday while Papa babysat. Also got started on a little project I'm pretty excited about... You will see soon its a secret for awhile! Anyways we have been working in the nursery at church and we are loving it. Its been so fun I get to be in Brinn's room. It's quite interesting to see what the little stinker is up to when I'm in church and she is in the nursery.

For one thing, she is NOT shy, I know we already knew that. She is very very very rough. She is not very nice most of  the time. She does SHARE!!!!!! I did something right this year... Also she takes other kids food when it's snack time. She has a very outgoing personality! Other than that it was a BLAST! I'm addicted! So we will be doing it all of March and I will probably just keep signing up for months because it's a a great way to serve and it's fun! 

So here are some pictures of our fun weekend! 


Getting ready for Bubbles.. really excited... 


Brinn and her friends... Tyler in the red :) 


Brinn catching bubbles Amelia to the left Jacoby behind Brinn

Fighting with Jacoby for bubbles...


Smack blonde hair and it's little Jono 


My sippy cup


Snack time!




Brinn and Uncle Mike! 
Aunt Bekah and Uncle Mike watched Brinn so I could go to connection group... she has too much fun down there. 

Friday, February 18, 2011

The Small Things...

So I've had a revelation tonight...
Sitting on the couch watching Jerry McGuire.
I miss the small things.

I've felt pretty sad lately just sad that I miss my husband as much that I do.
Sad that I have to miss him I guess in a more selfish way.
I realize I miss the small things. 
I miss things that sadly I took for granted when he was here.

That Brinn has the most amazing Dad in the whole world. A Dad that misses her so much it makes him sick. A Dad that would give up not one motorcycle but two to marry her mommy and spend the rest of his life with her. A Dad that loves her unconditionally everyday. A Dad that would sacrifice his life for us, and our freedom. A Dad that goes to sleep lonely every night without his wife and daughter to kiss him goodnight. A Dad that gets through each day, knowing it's one day closer. 

The small things...are so small we don't even realize them when they are there.
Waking up to the one I love...
Smelly Breath
Scaly feet
Stinky Farts
You get the picture it's pretty amazing! 

I don't know why but I just LOVE hearing Jono pull his car in and the garage door open and he is home for the night. I really never took that for granted my heart would get really excited when he was home. He always loved my dinners too. He always thanked me for dinner. I miss actually eating with someone. As much as I love my little Brinn Brinn dinners they are full of jabbers and da das. We've actually resorted to watching the news because I hate the silence. 

I seriously have forgotten what it is life for him to be in this house. I can't wait for him to be home. It will feel so good for two weeks to actually have our family back. For neighbors to see him out and about, and to go on walks. To drive in our car. To go to dinner. We go to Palmers on fridays and it was sweet tonight an old man came up to me and said "You have a beautiful family. That is one lucky man.  Is he in the service?" I said Yes... "So is my son, tell him Thank you." Same to you sir. 

Well enough of my heart for tonight. Just waiting on that man to get his bottom home. Love you all 

SPRING FEVER...

We have spring fever like crazy in this house! Brinn and I are such outdoor girls in the summer I HATE sitting inside it kills me to be inside I can't imagine having to go to work everyday and looking at the beautiful sun waiting for us! So yesterday the second I was out of school we raced home Brinn took a nap I opened the sliding door and let the fresh air in!! My house was thanking me :) It totally cured our winter time blues! We went on a bike ride and a walk :) Brinn had a FIT when we came inside but it was almost six and I was starving I think she forgot she was hungry because normally she is itching at eating around five and it's so early! We just had a really good day... so we'll take it!









I look really icky in my picture but we were having so much fun I'm beyond caring! 

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

All I ask for anymore...

Today I took Brinn to the doctor for like the fifth time this month! Anyhow our Doctor is awesome. Dr. Shute, we seriously go to the doctor so much she really is getting to know us pretty well. She asks about Jon and how we are. She continues to assure me that Brinn will remember him she just knows it! Today she also just looked at me and gave me the biggest hug and I just had the biggest tears in my eyes. She said wow this year has flown I can't believe Brinn is one seems like just yesterday you were here every other day for that bottom rash. (If any of you remember that!)

Anyways just got me thinking about life. Just about how fast it goes, and how ungrateful I can be. I just think of Jono and I and how fast we've really had to grow up. I think life can just fly by us and we don't even see it flying by. I'm just so thankful for the life God's given me, every piece. Every experience just leads me closer to him. 

If you know me... I'm really inspired by music...I heard this song today. It reminds me of so much that has happened in the last year. Becoming an mommy and a wife so fast it was a crazy year but one I will never forget or regret best thing that has ever been given to me. So when I hear this song I just think of when I wasn't married and didn't have Brinn I was a very selfish person and now Jono and I are both like Trace here. We are for our family. The best thing for Jon to hear is that we are ok. That we are safe. That's all we ask for anymore... 








Tuesday, February 15, 2011

My Valentine.

So I was totally dreading this even more than other Holidays because this is one of our Favorites! We always celebrate and get each other gifts! Two years ago I got beautiful flowers and some Harley Davidson clothes. Last year I got my ring. This year I got a Macbook Pro and these BEAUTIFUL "Spring Flowers". Jon always amazes me with flowers. He gets something different every time and I just love it, it's so sweet. I'm a huge flower girl No it's not a waste of money I think it I had it my way I'd get some every other week haha! I have bought myself some this year too... just because I wanted something beautiful on my table! Anyways I had a GREAT day and as normal and perfect as it possibly could be with the Love of My Life half way across the world. He DID GREAT!
Nana got Brinn a new tea set they were having a tea party!

We had a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's!!!!! YUM

Uncle Alex and Aunt Nikki stopped over to wish us a Valentines Day and they brought a purple dog and candy!!! 

The other best part of our day Aunt Bobbi had a sleepover with us we watched a movie and played Tea Party! Thanks for staying Aunt Bobbi!


Aunt Bobbi all ready for work in the morning our sleepover is over :( 


My BEAUTIFUL flowers from the Mr. LOVE THEM Thanks babe! 


We are so blessed with so many people who love us and support us. It's just encouraging and motivating knowing that no matter what people love us. Valentine's Day is a reminder for the love that grows deeper and deeper for Jono he is such an amazing man and I'm so glad he is all mine. Can't wait for his return soon enough. Love you all!!!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

My Dad.



Have you met my dad? Well... If you haven't you're missing out. He is so awesome! Love him so much. He has been so awesome this year, he is my personal handy man. He comes when I call to fix things. He came tonight to put safety locks on our kitchen cabinets. Yes I have joined the baby safe bandwagon... I can't cook... can't even stand in the kitchen without it being destroyed by my little terror.






My dad has came and changed curtains drilled holes after holes. He has filled holes that I decided I didn't want pictures up anymore. He has painted and trimmed. He has made TV stands for my "Gym" in the basement. He has hung curtains in the basement to keep peanut out of the 'Utility room'. He has shoveled snow and scrapped ice. He has changed my oil and headlights. He has moved furniture when I'm ready for a change. He has fixed my fireplace, and furnace. He has fixed dishwashers and fridges. He is the ultimate handy man how lucky is my mom!

Leads me to the Ma. Love her couldn't live without her. She is here when I'm sick, when Brinn's sick. She is here to lift me when I'm done. She comes and cleans when I have nothing left to give for the week. She comes when I need a babysitter. She takes me of a shopping date for some good retail therapy. She comes so I can study and watch Mom h the peanut. She is just always there. She comes at 2am when I have bad dreams to make me feel better. She is my. She is here when the one person we need most can't be.

Love them. So thankful for them.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

"Embrace the Suck or the Suck will Embrace You."

Someone... once told me to "Embrace the Suck or the Suck will Embrace You." Well this someone was my husband. Lately I've totally been in the dumps. I'm not a dumpy person... at least I don't think I am maybe I am. I'm usually pretty kept together I guess. I cry in my own privacy and my own time. I mean who doesn't. 

I did really well the first part of this deployment just with staying positive... and I'm just starting to get mad at the world. Mad that Jon has to be where he is. Mad that my child calls other people Dada. Mad that I have to be alone at night. Mad about a lot of things. That used to not be so bad. Then I think I woke up out of this nasty slump finally today. It's been about a month. I realized what I HAVE. What I have is so amazing. 

I have a husband. My daughter has a Dada. I have so much to be thankful for. So from this day forward. I will not be negative. I have a smile on my face... and I will not let anything take away the happiness I have. Not even this deployment. There are Far WORSE things in this world than separation. 

Jono told me this today..."I always miss you and Brinn.
Its always there, never goes away, but I try to fill my head with other thoughts, activities, etc so that it doesn't consume me!" 

Thank you for everyone who daily lifts me up and encourages me :) Love you all! 













Sunday, February 6, 2011

Educate Yourself.

One of the most frustrating things I have found with our deployment is Opinions. I understand that people have their own little opinions about things, about our country, our soldiers, our leaders, our president and so on. The most frustrating this is when I hear people say "we are just over there killing innocent people." Also "Why do we have to go and get in everyone Else's business it's so rude." So first I'm just going to simplify this

A. They came here and messed with us.
B. We are not killing innocent people.
C. We are killing people who are killing our men and our soldiers.
D. Educate yourself!

Sorry I'm very blunt about this but it's a blunt topic. I know for me when my cousin Kory went overseas in the beginning of this war things were different. Living conditions, objectives, missions, and pretty much everything was different. I think that our objectives and missions have changed. I also know that I was not educated then, when my cousin was there. All I know is that we sent him stuff and he was at war, and it was scary. There were times when our family didn't hear from him for days. It was very hard, I never thought that I would experience it first hand, with my husband.

The night Jono left to head over to that place, I remember being really upset sitting in my bed eating chocolate chips. I just asked Jono what I could do to make myself feel better, to not be so scared. He said Nicole the most important thing for you to do would just be educate yourself. He said google Afghanistan, read about the culture, the religion, and the basic way of life. Then I educated myself on the Taliban, it was frightening the things that I found about them. Sad too how mislead they really are. However, it did make me feel somewhat better. I think for people who don't know what we're doing should just educate themselves and they will understand our objectives to this war, and why we are there. I know it's pretty important for me, because my husband is there. It's just as important for you because this is your country.

Some of the objectives we are now honoring are:

1. Making sure now that Afghanistan is no longer a safe haven for the Al Qeada and other trans-national extremists.
2. We have taken over many Providences that were a year ago, under Al Qeada control.

There are many more these are just the big points. I think our guys are doing a great job. My only ask of you is not support our men, and just educate yourself! Sorry if that is BLATANT :)

"All of our operations must be conducted in complete partnership with, and in full support of, our Afghan counterparts. This is, after all, their country, and we are working together towards a better future for the and their children. Increasingly- and understandably- Afghans want to exercise greater sovereignty in their country. This should be applauded; indeed, the commencement this year of transition of security tasks in select areas to Afghan forces, at a pace determined this year of transition of security tasks in select areas to Afghan forces, at a pace determined by conditions on the ground, will facilitate the Afghan forces, at a pace determined by conditions on the ground, will facilitate the Afghan Government's increasing exercise of sovereignty. We should enable and celebrate this, for our Afghan partners' success is, of course, our success." General, United States Army Commander, David Petraeus.

I don't know about you... but I wouldn't want him and his Army coming after me. They just didn't know what we were capable of when they came over here and started this. We stand for so much more than that. Love this country, love our soldiers, love how we fight. 

Friday, February 4, 2011

Perfect Day.

I'm Spring Crazy. I LOVE spring. It's nice, I love my windows down, I love ridding my bike, I love the park, I love my running stroller, I love it all. It's my ANNIVERSARY*. One of the best parts of spring is, if you know me. The first time I hit the water.

I'm a professional water skier**. If you don't know me. I eat, live, breath for water skiing in the summer. I'm kind of getting nervous, I get these CRAZY urges about this time every year, never fails I say it to dad "Can't wait to get out there Dad." Of course he loves it. He taught me, or as mom says "Brain Washed me :)". Whatever it is, it's my thing, it's one thing I'm good at and better than about everyone, Jono, Alex, mom, and a bunch of others at!!!!

I'm kind of worried because I'm taking 15 credits this summer and I have NO IDEA where I will fit my sets in each day... I have laid in bed many nights saying ok well you will have class 8 till 2 everyday then you can go to mom and dads get a set in and go home with Brinn for the night. So it will work. I only have 8 weeks of school might just move in with mom and dad get up in the morning ski a set and come home at 3 ski a set. That's two sets a day! So it will work out... OR I could not take classes nanny 2 days a week and SKI ALL THE TIME. I'm leaning more towards option two but my career is leaning more towards option 1. However, I'm still dreaming of skiing.

It's also the one thing I have with my dad that I just love. I've had so many awesome summers in my backyard***. I think one of the most selfish and hardest summers was the summer I was pregnant with Brinn. It was so hard to sit on the deck and watch everyone ski all summer I cried myself to sleep so many nights. However, Brinn was SO WORTH IT :) It was just really hard for me.. being a professional and all. JK  Here are some pretty awesome ski moments that I've had. Enjoy...


This is me at my first Regionals... It was beautiful in Illinois that day. Listening to Tom Petty Don't back down "mentally Preparing".



Dad and I at State (our house) with our New Goodes




State Champ


 Chris Perrish in Milwaukee for the Malibu Open ( real Pro)

Me on the dock at Regionals showing the ladies whats up 



Dad and I getting the boat ready for the spring 



Freddie the man, Jumping at the Malibu open 235ft... I was sitting directly in front of where he landed SO cool.




Marcus Brown, skied with him he has dreads the whole shebang, he has came to our lake and skied with us he says "Nicole, You ski wicked".


Marcus on the Dock ready to run 41 off 


 Perrish, awesome skier dad and I call him a baby because he is a sore loser we saw it in action that day... too bad it's just the name of the game. 





So here is what it looks like to ski like we ski....




I save the best for last. This is my place. This is where I go to get away from it all this is my perfect day my backyard. 


I'm so thankful for what I have been blessed with in my life. Right now I'm going through the blues of winter it's sad and depressing. I hate winter, especially winters I spend without my husband. I just say this year is different. I can't wait for these days. I cant' wait for days out on the water with my dad. These days are days that are closer to my man coming home too. Love him, love this, love you all.


*My First Anniversary that is :)
**I'm not a professional people just haven't ever seen anyone ski like we ski, so they think we are pros! ha ya right.
***My parents live on a man made lake that we made for water skiing, we have tournaments and tons of people in our ski club. It's the best part of summer can't imagine life without it!

Thursday, February 3, 2011

One for One.

 
I ordered these beauties today....


Ya I'm in love. I couldn't decide these or white. Then I decided I will just get white for summer in the summer! Soooo.... I felt awesome because my friend Kendra has since her whole life, been so amazed at adoption. I'm still convincing her that she has to have her own babies too. Anyways Toms does this awesome thing and they are doing it in Africa right now. Where when you buy one pair of shoes they give a free pair to a child without shoes.

So I was thinking that it was VERY selfish of me to get these shoes even though yes, they satisfy my fashion love! So right when I was deciding to get off and not get them I saw this...

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about. The TOMS mission transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.




 GiVe HoPe GeT tOmS...

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

SPC Jonathan Sage

I have been BEGGING Jono for pictures. Every time I get a chance to talk to him or email him I say please  send me pictures. I want to see everything what it's like there. He did great for awhile but I just got some more today!!!!! SO excited to share these with you!!!! 

Lately I have just been in the dumps. I have been in the dumps with school and just life. I have been really uninspired with everything in my life. I found that it's all because of winter. I'm really ready for spring. I'm such an outdoor girl. I ride my bike, I run, I swim, I SKI!!!!!!!!!!, there is so much fun stuff for us to do when it's nice out. When the snow wasn't covering the park Brinn could see it and would get mad if we didn't stop. Sorry Brinn it's 18 degrees out we are not going to the park. I think if we get some good window down weather, I will be so much happier and ready to finish off this deployment. 

Well enough of my jabbing here is my Jono looking VERY good if I say so myself... I'm a little out of line with how vocal I am about my husband, but he is very sexy I'm sorry if that offends you :) 


Jono on a Mission out in the amazing Stan.


 Gentosi, Jono, Terp, and Spooner



Jono showing a terp how to shoot