... And the 2nd Half of 2012

... and now the continuation of 2012 ...

In mid to late June, the 'Joe family received the news that 'Joe was being transitioned from the Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) over to the Community Based Warrior Transition Unit (CBWTU).  This meant they had only a couple of weeks to prepare to leave WRMMC and return home where 'Joe would continue his weekly physical therapy and finish his recovery/rehabilitation from our home-base.
He has a wonderful PT team close to home and travels to the nearest Army Post for his medical needs.  Not all aspects of his recovery/rehabilitation have been addressed, but it's good to have everyone here at home. 


So, here's some highlights of the "rest of 2012"... 


Oh, one more thing though ... we had planned a big "Welcome Home from Deployment" celebration last January (just in to his deployment).  Grandad booked 12 days in
Disney World (surprise, surprise ~~ yes, we "heart" Disney) ... so, we decided to keep the trip since we would still be celebrating "family".  Well, one of the wounded warrior/Purple Heart non-profits awarded the 'Joe family with a week stay in Orlando, tickets to Disney and tickets to Universal Studios.  So, Grandad & I went along on that trip too -- we just stayed at a separate resort.  Two trips to Disney just a couple of months apart. We celebrated Lucy's birthday during the September trip (she had her first flight on her birthday) ... even Tag loved the characters and sights.  

So now ... some pictures to highlight the last half of 2012 ... 

 

Mid-July was the Homecoming for 
Daddy, Mommy & Tag ...
Lucy was soooo excited :)

I celebrated my "silent milestone" with my favorite people in August ... 
not a "milestone" by definition, 
but a milestone to me ... 
Happy 48th Birthday to Granny!!! 

It's good having everyone home together!










Lucy started preschool in September!!!! 
Wait a minute ... isn't she still supposed to be Granny's baby???

Our Princess celebrated her 4th birthday at 
Disney World ... 


her favorite is Princess Aurora (also known as Sleeping Beauty) ...

Lucy knows all of the princesses and 
even which prince belongs to them ... 

And Tag got to meet the mischievous 

but ever-so-lovable

Tinkerbell!

Please, Tink ~~~

Tag doesn't need any new ideas

in getting into mischief ...

But, he can still be your new best friend! 

 Oh ... and Lucy & Tag had their first airplane flights right on her birthday!

Pumpkin Patch Time ~~~ Lucy had fun showing her little brother all around ... 
and Grandad even left work early to join in the fun!

We had *the cutest* Merida and her little brother Hamish for Trick or Treat ...

And then Lucy's preschool had a special Fall Festival Treat ~~ and look who showed up .... 
it's Tinkerbell's friend Rosetta ~~~

I hadn't realized until posting these pictures what a busy September & October we had ... 
time really does fly when you're having fun with your grands!

And we all had much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving ... 

Right after Thanksgiving, we had our "Welcome Home" celebration in Disney World --- remember, the family vacation we booked in January 2012 to celebrate what would have been 'Joe's homecoming from deployment ... well, we celebrated our family -- especially our grands!

Tag ended up in the ER at a hospital near Disney close to our last night there -- little guy had developed the croup ... but he was on the mend to come home!
And then ... our first Christmas with everyone!!!

New Year's weekend Tag started running a high fever again ... it landed him another visit to the ER (but very close to home), and another ambulance ride across town to another hospital.  He stayed there a couple of days got home just a few short hours before midnight.  He said 
"I'm coming home to you Lulu!!! I've missed my big sister!!"



We've been through the highs and the lows during our 2012 ... 
but one thing is for certain ...

God has blessed us tremendously.  

Although we're not really sure what to look forward to in 2013, 
we know God is still in control and we are trusting in Him to see us through whatever comes our way.

~~~ May God bless you & your family for a wonderful 2013 ~~~