Christmas 2009

What a wonderful way to celebrate Christ Birth than having Christmas. As you all know Mike is in Iraq and with him gone we did not feel right putting up our big Christmas tree. So the kids and I decided to buy two small artificial trees and decorations. We sent one to Mike and we kept the other one at home. Here is our Christmas tree and the picture below this one is of the tree and ornaments that we sent to Mike.

Christmas is not complete without Mike being with us. We were very excited that he was able to contact us with Skype. He graciously waited until we got upon Christmas morning to open presents with us.

Here Tony is opening his presents.

And Cheyenne is opening her's.

After Christmas at our house we headed to Mike's twin brothers (Marty) house and had a wonderful Christmas dinner and then had more presents. Before we opened presents Mike was able to Skype in again from Iraq and read to us the story of Christ birth from Matthew and Luke in the Bible. What a wonderful story to be read on Christmas Day.

Every year Mike's mother (Billie) gives one member of the family "Gifts from Granny". The recipient this year was Cheyenne. Billie does her version of the 12 days of Christmas. As you will see by the picture below. Cheyenne had a great time reading each note that came with the presents.... then on the final present is the "big" gift that Granny gives you.
This year Cheyenne got money!

Baby Picture time...

Let me introduce to you Patrick. He is the little fella that I take care of in my daycare. I couldn't resist taking pictures of him for his Mom and Dad's Christmas Present. He was such a sweetheart laying on the blanket as I took picture after picture trying to capture the right one! I think I did a pretty good job, of course he is such a cute little fella that it would have been hard to take a bad picture.

Talking to Chris via Skype

Today I had the privilege of talking with Christopher on Skype. What a surprise for all of us here! He told us that he lives in a 40 man tent and sleeps on bunk beds. I asked him if this reminded him of living at home as a little boy sleeping on a bunk bed and he just chuckled. He did mention that he is not really working in his field right now, just doing lots of odd jobs and watching a lot of movies. He works the noon to midnight shift and is about 10 hours ahead of us in his time zone. Needless to say it was very good to be able to see and talk to him.



We Love and miss you Chris and are praying for your safety every day!!

Lovingly,
Mama

Cheyenne's Holiday Christmas Concert

Cheyenne had her Christmas Concert this past Thursday evening. She did a wonderful job playing the Contra Bass Clarinet... I was fortunate enough to be able to sit on the front row and hear her playing. I am so very proud of her!






Merry Christmas to All!!

Deployment UPdate three

Thank you for your prayers. We received word today from Cil, Chris's wife, that he made it safely to his destination. Right now he is battling his allergies due to so much dust. As I learn more I will update all of you again.

Much Love,

Deployment UPdate two

Just thought that I would update everyone regarding Christopher and his deployment. As of today's date we have not heard from Chris. I'm sure that he is fine, but you know how a Mom can get... I need to hear his voice to know that he is ok. So please keep him in your prayers! And when we do hear from him I will let everyone know!

Averie Grace is ONE

I would like to introduce to you my sweet little niece Averie. She is the precious daughter of my sister Leslie and her husband Ronnie.
Yesterday Averie Grace celebrated her FIRST birthday!

Happy Birthday Averie!!

Here is her complete family.
From left to right is Ashlie, Leslie, Averie, Ronnie, Alexis and Andrew.

They are a beautiful family!

Thank you Leslie for giving me permission to share your pictures on my blog.

I Love you all!!

Brackenridge Park

This past Saturday the kids and I went to Brackenridge Park here in San Antonio and took some family pictures. If you have read any of my blogs you know that I also enjoy taking pictures of flowers.

Here is a Water Lily that I found growing.
Isn't it pretty.
Anyway, hope you enjoy our family pictures.

This one is for you Mike.. I love you and miss you dearly!!

Sweet 16 and never been kissed... Cheyenne

And the man of the house while Dad is in Iraq... Tony

Deployment UPdate

Just wanted to take a moment and update everyone on the latest regarding Chris and Mike.

Chris is getting ready to deploy to Afghanistan this month. He is to scheduled to leave on the 28th of Nov. He is to be deployed for three months. Hopefully this time line will not change for him.

Mike is on the count down of coming home...AS of today his hospital in Iraq is scheduled to be taken over by the Reserve on Feb. 1, 2010. He is anticipating being back in the states very shortly after this date. As I find out information about Chris or Mike I will update the blog so that everyone is informed.

As always please keep Chris, his wife Cierra, Mike, our family and all of our military in your daily prayers.

Pumpkin Carving Time!!

It's pumpkin carving time.

We got our supplies together and started to work. Once we got past the icky part of cleaning out the inside of the pumpkin, we had alot of fun! First we drew out the designs, got to work cutting the designs out and wah lah we had carved pumpkins!!

Mike in Iraq via Skype

I just thought I would share with everyone a picture of my sweet husband talking
with me on Skype.

As you can see he is doing well.

We love and miss you Mike!!

Lovingly,
Debora, Tony and Cheyenne

Chey's a WINNER

We are very proud to announce that Cheyenne won First Place in her grade level (10th) for an essay she wrote for Hispanic American Heritage Month. The essay had to be a minimum of 650 words and had to tell about the influence that the Hispanic population has had on the US.

Way to go Cheyenne!!

War and Children

This little girl without saying a word says everything.

The price this war is taking on all of our military children is excruciating.
Some daddy's come home, some don't.

Please remember to pray for all military members,
on foreign soil and here in the USA.

(Here is the actual story that goes with this photo written by: Vince Lattanzio (Philadelphia))
Picture taken by: Abby Bennethum

A family photo that shows a little girl beside her father and his fellow soldiers in uniform as they prepare to go to war has resonated well beyond the tight knit Bennethum clan.

Four-year-old Paige Bennethum really, really didn't want her daddy to go to Iraq.

So much so, that when Army Reservist Staff Sgt. Brett Bennethum lined up in formation at his deployment this July, she couldn't let go.

No one had the heart to pull her away.

Sunset

This is the view of the sky before the football game started... Isn't it gorgeous!!

Homecoming Dance 2009

Our beautiful daughter heading out to the Homecoming dance at her High School.
She looks beautiful!!

Homecoming 2009

Friday, October 2, 2009 was Homecoming at Cheyenne's High School. We started with a parade and ended with a 48-0 win over Brook High School.

Katelyn (Drum Major) and Cheyenne

Cheyenne in formation while the Homecoming Court is announced.

Chillin' in the stands!

One Proud Band Mom!! and her awesome Clarinet player.....
Great Job Cheyenne, Mama is very proud of you.

Muscle Cars, need I say more?!

We were walking downtown across the street from the Alamo and we came across all these muscle cars. Unfortunately we got there just as they were leaving...

Mike these are for you.

Enjoy!!