Another thing on the "Things to do before you die" list checked off

We all went to the San Antonio Zoo yesterday and it was amazing! It was the best zoo I have ever been to. They had a ton of animals and they all seemed to be really happy and well taken care of. On top of that, it was the cleanest zoo I have ever been to. I have never been so close to wild animals before. We also saw many animals that we've never seen anywhere else. It was like being in a episode of Jeff Corwin. We saw a sting ray, a skink, numerous different monkeys, reptiles, and other wild animals. Richard even touched the rhino! He said the rhino felt like a giant scab (eww!!!) LOL. Steven absolutely loved to see all the animals that we have been learning about at home. He has a "Let's Take a Trip to the Zoo" book that he loves. We frequently read it and talk about the animals and practice the animal sounds. It was amazing to see him actually identify the animals without being told what they were. His favorite thing was the hippo! When he saw it he starting yelling "hippo hippo". My heart felt so warm and full. :) The hippo put on a good show for all the kids. He swam around in the water and then climbed out so we could all see him; he was huge! On the way out of the zoo we stopped and picked up a little stuffed hippo for Steven; he absolutely loves it! (It's so great to be a parent.)

They also had this great place called the Tot Spot designed specially for children under the age of 3. Everything was small and just their size. It had exhibits and stuff inside this building with a padded floor. You could just let them run around and be wild little kids and not worry about them falling and getting hurt or hurting something. We ALL had a lot of fun in the prairie dog tunnel. We got some really great photos and over all had a wonderful day. It's one of those days that will never be forgotten.

So this is how it feels to be in heaven

Well maybe not quite but is sure it an amazing feeling to be here with Richard. Steven and I flew to San Antonio, TX again on Wednesday (2/13). We had a great flight and Steven did very well; I didn't even have to "drug" him with Benedryl, lol. (I'm just kidding :P )Steven sat in his own seat with his seat belt on for the whole first flight and then he slept for most of the second. Then when we got to the airport we got our luggage and went straight out to the curb where or van was waiting. Everything just seemed to go off without a hitch. I am amazed at the kindness of the people here; I'm not sure whether it is because we're in Texas or because I'm on a military base, but the poeple here have helped me out so much. For example: when I first got to the hotel, they gave me a room on the third floor- yea, there was no elevator. So here I am with a baby, a stroller, a port-a-crib, luggage, and a diaper bag and I have to figure out how to get it all up to the third floor while keeping the baby safe. LOL Well this nice gentleman went and got his daughter to come and help and another lady stopped in the hall and helped out as well. It was really amazing; we all grabbed something at I was upstairs in my room before I knew it. Then a couple of days later when I had to switch rooms (because they gave me a room with two twin beds, hehe) another lady sat with Steven at the curb while I brought down all of our stuff. Then the guy that drove us to our other room pulled the van up right to the sidewalk next to our roon and set my stuff right by the door. So I just let Steven play and moved right in. Luckily this room was on the ground floor. Anyways, the people here are really nice and helpful :) We are having a great time here. It is so nice to get to spend time with Richard. Steven has been sooooooo happy and excited to wake up and have daddy come get him. We all went bowling and to the Riverwalk yesterday. (see pics) Today Richard got his first tattoo. He got a cord of three strand( a "God's Knot") tattooed on his wedding ring finger. Because his career as a loadmaster or a member of a flight crew, he is not able to wear a wedding ring while on duty. He just doesn't feel right without his ring on so this way he'll never be without his ring, even when he's without his ring. Our time here is far from over so I hope to have much more to report later. Richard would like to say something now, so I guess I'll shut my trap, lol.......

Richard says: Hi everyone. I am doing well. Thank you for all your prayers and words of encouragement to my wife; I apprieciate them very much. Things are going well here. I am top of my class (of 12) and have really enjoyed what I've been doing. I feel extrememly blessed with where God has placed me; It's one of those things where you get put into it unexpectedly and then looking back you can see where God has prepared the perfect place for you. I'll be finishing up here in two weeks and then moving on to my survival schools. I am expecting orders soon and will give you all specifics when I have them. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers; knowing that I have all of your support really means the world to me. God bless!