Thanksgiving and 30th birthdays.

As stated in a previous post, Thanksgiving meant getting to visit with G-Man, Gigi, Aunt Kylie, Uncle Ricky, Mimi, Pop-Pop, Uncle Bill, Uncle Steve and Michael. Whew. That's a lot of family, but we have strength in numbers :) It was nice to be able to see my dad again and the girls had fun seeing their great-grandparents. For some reason, Emily had been on a kick mentioning them, yet she hadn't seen them since this summer in New Hampshire. So it took a decent amount of driving over the 3 days we were in town, but it was great to have quality family time. We ended up eating Thanksgiving dinner at the dining hall down the street due to my dad needing strict cooking and such. He stayed behind but we all ate quickly so we could go back and visit with him. Oh, and watch more football too. Before going to eat, we put everyone in their coordinating colors and took some pictures. Picture taking is always an adventure with our family and something we can never take enough of.



This past summer we somehow got a humorous family photo that no one realized was being taken but we were all doing something different and totally not paying attention. Trying to re-enact that was what led to the picture above.
Since we knew G-Man still had to wear his mask around us a good bit of the time, we decided we'd bring Eric's mask for flying. It got a good laugh and had some funny pictures taken with it.

Most of the gang. Too bad Ricky and Eric thought they'd be funny by hiding behind people. Next time that happens, I'll make sure the girls camp out in his hotel room since we had joining rooms:)

G-Man with all his girls!

I love my baby sister! She's growing up too fast. I remember when she was my girls age!
I love my little sister, Aunt Kylie. I am always amused with the pictures I will find on my camera when it's up to her and the girls :) The girls always have a great time with Aunt Kylie as well.
With Thanksgiving day being on the 26th this year, it also was time to celebrate my 30th birthday. I am still trying to cope with being 30 now and was constantly reminded by my children, husband, dad, brother, you name it on how old I was. Thanks guy! They made sure they decorated the house and such while I had to sit outside. Emily at one point came outside and said "Mom, we can't tell you about your cake, it's a surprise". So we pushed the issue and said "What"?. She caught on and replied with "Wait, nevermind." and then wouldn't let us go any further. We all got a good laugh. (On a side note while mentioning funny things Emily says. We had a quick scare thinking we may not be able to make the trip to Jacksonville with Emily getting a cough so I got her an appt at the doc just to be sure. While in with the doctor, Emily wrote her name on the paper that was on the seat she was sitting on. The doctor was asking Emily how old she was and Emily said "I'm 4". The doctor said "Wow, you are smart Emily". Emily simply replied with "I was smart when I was 3 too"! What a character. This is the same kid that is determined to get Aspen (our dog) a bone for Christmas but "we can't tell him b/c it's a surprise".
Per doctor's orders my dad kept up his rehab and exercise schedule even on Thanksgiving day. We all took a family walk and saw some deer tracks, which we showed the girls and said they were probably the reindeer getting ready for Christmas.
Another highlight of the Thanksgiving trip for the girls was to ride the golfcart at the Sonneborn's house where G-Man and Gigi are staying in Jacksonville. We were running short on time, but they were thankful for the quick ride around!

Overall another weekend full of blessings. This Thanksgiving was obviously much more special than others. We have enjoyed the past few years having everyone at our house, but this year it just wasn't possible for my dad to travel that far so we worked with what we had. We always have a good time together and have lots of laughs and this trip was no exception. We are looking forward to Christmas together! Consider yourself caught up!

The new song on the site is one of my favorite Christmas songs and I realize it's about Mary and all her emotions she went through, but it reminds me of my dad. He was given the "Breath of Heaven" and we are so thankful we will get to spend Christmas with him back in South Florida!

Disney Weekend November 2009

Back in July I found a great deal on a military website for a condo in the Disney area and it came with Sea World passes for 4! Score! We still had a day left on our military passes from earlier in the year so I made the reservations for November figuring we'd have another grand time. That we did and it couldn't have come at a better time. Before hitting up Disney though, we decided to make a stop in Jacksonville and see G-Man with the girls. The girls were so excited to see him and Gigi. They brought stickers and crayons with them so the girls could decorate their masks. It was so much better to see my dad this way versus in the hospital bed where he was when I had seen him last. Our visit with them was short, but we knew we'd be back down for Thanksgiving to visit as well.



When you're in the AF, you learn to meet up with people where and when you can. One of my friends Kim and her kiddos don't live far from Orlando while her hubby is in Korea, so they drove over to meet us for a few of the nights.


The girls were super excited to hang out and Ryan tagged along and did his best to keep up. We stopped at my old stomping grounds (well for a year anyway), UCF and picked up Miss Marcy to join us as well. She had never been to Sea World so we were excited to experience that with her for the first time. We decided to try out Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party since none of us had ever done that and I have found a new time that I love Disney... when it's all decorated for Christmas! The girls thought it was awesome to see the castle all lit up and I'd have to agree.

We showed up late afternoon on Thursday and let the kids hang out before heading over to the Magic Kingdom for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas. All the kids loved having Miss Marcy around :)

Mickey's Christmas party was from 7 until midnight! Talk about getting to stay up past your bedtime. I think the funniest part of this picture is the guy cheesing in the background. On another version of this picture he had been paying attention to his phone.

I think Emily had looked at Mickey and was trying to pose by him.

Right when we got in the park, we took this picture. Getting 4 kids under the age of 6 to all line up for one picture was quite a challenge. Well, the girls posed well, but Ryan, well he's another story ;)
After having a late night, we took it easy the next morning and finally made it to Sea World around 11am! Emily was super excited about Sea World, almost as much as Miss Marcy :)

The kids even got to see Santa!

Feeding the dolphins didn't quite go as we had planned. I think Emily was a lot more talk before getting there, but once it came to the actual moment, well she was more comfortable just hanging by Mommy. We also went over the whale and dolphin show, but had to leave the first one b/c one of the whales wasn't cooperating and listening to it's trainers. Good teaching tool for the kiddos since we talked about what happens when you don't listen and how disappointed people get when you don't listen just as we were to have to come back later due to the whale not listening. Luckily by the time we got back for the show, the whale had come out of "time out" . :)

This is most certainly correct placement for this group! :) Move ahead to our daytime trip to the Magic Kingdom. The kids were troopers the entire time!

Our very first stop was to see Tinkerbell and her other fairy friends. The girls were excited and it was cute to see them step into the "fairy world" and flap their wings so they could shrink down to fairy size. Then they flapped their wings again to get back to human size.

Ryan may look like he's running away but this was the first person he'd actually go stand by, so it was a success in our book :)

So I send the big kids and the "adults" off to ride roller coasters while I take the two little ones to the Country Bear Jamboree show. *yawn* :) So once we meet back up, it's starting to get later in the evening and the big girls are begging to go on Splash Mountain again convincing me that "we won't get wet". See picture above for end result. I don't mind getting wet, just not when the sun is on it's way down and there is no hope for drying in the near future!

I couldn't get enough of the castle being all lit up with Christmas lights.

It was another late night for the kiddos but the girls pushed through and were in good spirits for the most part. They were in especially good spirits when we let them pick these dolls from the Disney store. We made sure to call Giga the next day to thank him for the early Christmas present :) Really we just knew it would be our last time at Disney for a while so we gave in and got them these dolls. Apparently even princesses have split personalities since the doll changes from Belle to Cinderella.

Overall it was a great trip and I'm so glad our friends were able to join us. Unfortunately we won't get to see them again for a while since they will be continuing their AF journey to another part of Korea. Hopefully with the AF being as small as it is though, our paths will cross again soon!

Birthdays, Halloween and the Wizard of Oz

Fast forward a few weeks and you have our squadron Halloween party where the squadron band Eric is part of entertained the crowd until we were told to go home. It was said to be the last show for "Double Down" since one guy was retiring and another was moving, but I hear it's in the works for another show. Hopefully, we'll see.

We had the party on Nichole's 6th birthday, so we tried to make sure we celebrated with her on Halloween and somehow in there we didn't get the full bit and didn't take pictures or anything. I don't think Nichole minded since she got to go trick or treating and totally ignore bedtime that night! Of course the girls were princesses b/c what else are they ever?





In the midst of all we had going on in October, we found out that we will be crossing over to another branch of the military for a few years starting in March/April of 2010. We are heading to Fort Riley, Kansas which is near Manhattan, Kansas, not New York :( When Eric is home, it is certainly the better hours and family time we are looking for having been on such a quick tempo for the past few years, but unfortunately, we have the potential to at least hit a deployment or two while we're there. It will not be a flying job, so he's bummed about that, but having been on two flying assignments back to back, he knew to expect not to stay in the jet. I will certainly miss hearing the jet noise. Maybe I'll just have to watch 'Top Gun' an extra time or two (wrong branch for us by the way) :)

Whew. Catch up.

Whew. I don't even know where to start so I will do my best to keep everything short. This has been a LONG few months with both great blessings and great losses. Allow me to do my best to backtrack and cover the past few months. The biggest event that happened can be found on my dad's blog at http://rickhornsby.blogspot.com/ Before starting this post, I glanced back through some of my posts previous to this and it brought to tears to my eyes thinking of all that has taken place in just the past 4 months. So, long story short, my dad was given 6 months to live without a transplant, received not just a single but a double lung transplant 2 weeks later and will even be home for Christmas! Praise the Lord! His transplant occurred on Oct 2nd, but was completed on Oct 3rd so we said he has a new birthday.

The night of my dad's transplant there was a crud tournament and the Gambler gals won. I don't remember a thing about it since I was a little preoccupied.

Then on October 15th our squadron lost a pilot. Eric was in the tower when it all happened and texted me to let me know he wouldn't be home for a while. It was a very emotional evening and following few days as he left behind a pregnant wife and young daughter. Our squadron stepped up and supported the best we could though and are continuing to do what we can for the family. It was difficult not to put myself in his wife's shoes and feel such a loss even though they were new to the squadron. With everything that had gone on with my dad, I had not gotten the chance to meet the wife yet but had emailed the gals in our squadron asking for prayers for my dad upon news of his transplant. I was brought to an emotion I had never felt before when I first met the wife who had just lost her husband a few days earlier and the first thing she said when I introduced myself was "How is your dad doing"? I was floored. As I said, a very emotional event to go through and there was a great memorial service on base which I will never forget. Unfortunately, no more than 36 hours after going through this, we found out some friends of ours at Hill had delivered their second baby boy (their oldest being just under 2) and a short time later, the wife passed away. (http://www.babyhomepages.net/friedmanfamily/ )Another great loss to the F-16 community.
Katie just after giving birth to Quinn Kat (named after his Mommy)

This just weeks after another F-16 wife who suffered from cancer passed away not long after giving birth to her first baby girl. (http://bandssullivan.blogspot.com/) Needless to say, I had never met the first wife or the pilot and his family, but as a mother and wife, all those events hit way too close to home. I found out about the news of our friend Katie on Emily's birthday so it was a tough day to try and keep it together for her sake, but we pushed through. (Even as I type all this now, it's still so heartbreaking to me). All of the spouses have young children and are dealing with life the best way they know how. I know that God has obtained a few extra angels lately and they will all watch over their families.

The Words I Would Say

I was searching around for songs tonight and I heard this one. Take a listen and play it on the music player off to the right if you want :) Just reminds me of things my dad would say. Check out his blog for more info on his status. http://rickhornsby.blogspot.com/


Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

Operation Breath of Life began Oct 2, 2009

Forgive me for not updating here. There hasn't been a ton to update especially with G-Man having gotten a call from the Mayo Clinic. Be sure to check out and follow the journey... it's been an amazing ride the past few days. Please continue to pray for my dad, family and all the medical staff involved.

Operation Breath of Life

The Tooth Fairy visits!

Well we were given the heads up by the dentist last month when the girls had their check ups that Nichole had two loose teeth, but she told us it would probably be 3-6 months before Nichole actually lost them. Ended up being more like a month! Of course, I missed out on it. Daddy would check the teeth each night before she went to bed and she began wiggling them with her tongue. Low and behold while watching Monday Night Football, Colts versus Dolphins this past week, I was sent a picture saying "Told you so" meaning I was warned that she would lose them while I was out of town. Oh well, I guess it was time for Daddy to be around for a first that I wasn't around for. Not sure there are any of those until now. Anyway, she was excited and her new teeth have already begun growing in there and she's already told me that her top left front tooth is a little loose! Man, when did my baby grow up??? I can't believe in just a few weeks she'll be celebrating her 6th birthday! Where does the time go? The tooth fairy had a $5 and a $20, needless to say, she only lucked out with the $5 but we'll be sure to tell the tooth fairy to keep smaller bills on hand :)

The picture I was sent right after they came out. A few days later, the new teeth are already coming in!

Hope Now by Addison Road

I was driving today to have lunch with my little sister and her basketball team at her school and heard this song that I can't seem to get out of my head now. Still struggling daily, make that hourly while being here in South FL with the reality of this settling in, but God is in control. Be sure to check out "Operation Breath of Life" from my blog post below. Oh and of course, this song is now the first song you hear on the blog, so stay for a few and listen in.



If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I'm Yours

(PRE-CHORUS)
I'm not my own
I've been carried by You
All my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

When my life is like a storm
Rising waters all I want is the shore
You say I'll be ok and
Make it through the rain
You are my shelter from the storm

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

I am not my own
I've been carried by you all my life

(CHORUS)
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
(Repeat 2x)

(CHORUS 2)
You've become my hearts desire
I will sing Your praises higher
Cause Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free
Your love sets me free

Operation Breath of Life

I wanted to find a quick and easy way (is there ever a quick and easy way about anything in life anymore?) to blog about my dad's journey, so this is it.

Operation Breath of Life

Not that anyone that checks this isn't already on Facebook and doesn't already get the 177 emails I sent out about my dad, but sorry, what can I say, I love him and I want everyone praying for him. Last night in church, the pastor spoke from 1 Peter 5. Verse 10 reads as follows : "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast". This is what I want for my dad.

Anyway, check out the blog and keep up if you so choose, but if nothing, else just please remember him in your prayers.

One of the dearest men in my life.

So a girl always has two men in her life, well if you're me you do. I couldn't have asked for a better husband or a better father. Unfortunately, as time goes on and each day passes, one of those men is hurting more and more. I will save myself some time and simply post on here the email update I sent out to some friends although probably anyone that reads this got that email anyway. So, here is the latest and please continue to pray! I love this man too much to be ready to let him go just yet! He's got some work yet to do here on Earth. But it's all in God's hands.


Hello everyone. It's been a while since I've sent an update on my dad and I wanted to let you all know the latest. He had an appointment this past Monday at the Mayo Clinic and they are very concerned with his test results. I don't know what all the numbers mean and such since there are always so many numbers and tests, but I just know that he went from being at the bottom of the list the last time he was on the active list (another story for another day), to being in the top 1/3 at least b/c of how bad his results were. He is on oxygen 100% of his day now (2 liters/min for @ rest, 8-10 liters/min walking and 15 liters/min while exercising, b/c they still want him to continue to be healthy while waiting). Being on the oxygen is a tough thing for him b/c I'm sure it feels like a burden and while he was not surprised by the test results b/c of how he has felt the past few months, the decline he's had in a mere 3 months is incredibly drastic and if he continues to decline at the same rate, he's been given 6 months. Even as I write that it's tough. One of my friends today asked me how I felt about it all. I have very mixed emotions I'll be honest. From anger, to frustration, to sadness and hope. No one would want to be in my head right now let's just leave it at that. They'd never be able to find their way around :) Honestly I'm really writing this email to simply ask for prayer. There is nothing more that can be done right now as we wait. I talked with a friend the other night and it's tough to say, but I found myself thinking how I wanted to start praying for the family of the donor b/c their loss will be my gain, but my dad needed a transplant like yesterday. He has decided that if in 4 months they have not received a call, they will look at moving to Jacksonville to live closer to the Mayo Clinic in hopes that something will come up sooner rather than later. Kylie will be well taken care of and will stay in South Florida and will be surrounded by friends and family who will help her through this journey. She's one tough cookie! I will be traveling home next week sometime simply b/c I feel it's something I may never get to do again and while it breaks my heart, I will not take the girls. Eric is going to stay here with them and keep Nichole in school and them on their routine. It's imperative that my dad not get sick, so bringing the kids in, even though neither one of them is sick at the moment, could only lead to disaster. As of Friday my dad will officially be on the active list and will wait for the call. We have been overwhelmed with the support he has received in working out transportation for him to get to the Mayo Clinic at a moment's notice. He told me tonight that they have like 9 airplanes and 2 helicopters at their disposal and if airports are closed for some weather reason, they have back up plans. It's amazing how detailed of a plan they (with the help of my dad's best friend) have printed out for everyone involved. Again, I know there isn't much anyone can say at this point to make any of it better. Even though I struggle daily with how God is handling this or allowing it to play out, I know he's in control and he knows why it's all happening.


Ok, well sorry for all the rambling, I have a feeling this email is completely jumbled, but like I said, it's just a taste of what's going through my mind. I am asking that you please just continue to pray for my dad as he goes through this step in the journey and for the doctors that will be performing the transplant hopefully in the very near future. The running joke is that we hope to spend Thanksgiving in Jacksonville. Not that I want to spend my 30th birthday sitting bedside in a hospital, I'll take the gift of having my dad around for another few years versus the alternative any day.

Thank you all in advance for your continued support and prayer.

Christy