Finding the Words....

Ugh...as I sit here and think of something to say, I just can't. I just can't put it into words. I know what my heart feels but it just doesn't come out. So just like ripping a piece of paper from the typewriter, I strike the delete key.

A week ago, our lives were impacted by the loss of a dear friend. As I sit here and think about it and think what would have been, what should have been, and why. There are no answers. I am angry and sad.



And then I think of Clint...of the stories Travis has told me...of the conversations that I have had with him...of the friendship. When I think of him, I think of how highly Travis spoke of Clint and how he was always excited to be with him. How he always snickered and laughed at Clint's name, like some joke I didn't know about, truly a happy laugh. Then through Clint and Travis, I met Shannon.




Shannon is a military wife like me. She shares the love of photography, although I think she totally ROCKS it, she is strong at heart and loves her man. I can see why Clint loves her so much, with her shining smile, always giving heart, and funny little soul too.



And then from the two of them came Cadence, Audrey, and little baby Wermers. The sweetest little girls, that share the personalities of Shannon and Clint...of course their daddy's infectious smile too.

So on Monday when, some of our closest friends and family start to say goodbye to Clint.......it will be hard....we know we lost a good one...a Hero.

Clint, you will be missed.

The Boat Comes Home

It has been a long nine months for the men, women, and spouse of the USS Abraham Lincoln, but it has finally come home to Everett. The boat has been in Bremerton, this is where the boat is in it's shipyard period. The men and women of the boat were bused and ferried over from Everett everyday. Travis would drive over everyday with his shooter pals. It was a two hour trip each way. It made for very long days.

So today they came home and we were able to see our very first look at this huge boat, which I think I should refer to as a ship. I am so use to the sub terminology. It will be the first of many this year of out and ins. Travis will be spending much time away from us this year, even before his six month deployment. We will miss him very much but it is something we must do.

I posted this earlier on my Facebook but I wanted to share it with my blog readers too. I found this letter that Molly wrote a few weeks ago:

Even when he's not here I'll still love him!
Even if he's not here I'll still love him.
I know he's doing something good so I'll let him go, but I'll always know
he's thinking of me and I'll think of him. He'll always be right here
in my heart. Even if he misses stuff I'll still love him. I love my dad
more than you can think. I miss you daddy I still love YOU!!!! XXXOXXXO

I think she nailed it on the head.

Molly is super excited. They thought it would be funny to look goofy.



The girls waiting for their daddy.



JuJu cute as always.



Hunter, goofy again!



Gracie, she is very very happy to see her daddy.



Coming into port.Travis is on the back there somewhere.

2009 Year in Review

Well it is a few days late but better late than never I guess.

The Likes' have been very busy this year! Let's get started!

In January, we were able to take our second trip to Disney World.

Gracie wasn't to sure about this, but she braved Big Thunder Mountain and I am sure you can see she was very happy in the end.





I also decided it was time to stop being afraid of the manual setting on my camera and took Juliette's one year pics, a little late as always!



February we were gearing up for the big move to the West coast. Travis had his last flight wth VT-2. The girls were very excited to wet down their daddy!







March brought on the big move to the PNW, where Travis will be assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln. We made a huge road trip and were able to stop in San Antonio, El Paso, Scottsdale, Disneyland, Sacramento, and Eugene before hitting our final destination in Snohomish, WA.

Beautiful Sunset in Scottsdale.



Disneyland and California Adventure









April we were still settling into our new house and getting use to the area. We had a little bit of snow on the first of April, what an April Fools Day! Travis went to his shooter school in New Jersey and the girls and I stayed behind to do Easter by ourselves. Also in April we were able to visit Pike Place Market, Deception Pass, The Tulip Festival, and take a Grey Whale Tour. It was quite the busy tourist month for us!

Our April Fools Day Snow.





Grey Whale- They make a heart shape when they come up for air. Baleen whales have two blow holes and tooth whales have one.



Easter!



Imagine Children's Museum



Our First Visit to Pike Place Market.







Deception Pass



The Tulip Festival





During May my sister came for a visit to keep us company while Travis was in another school in CA. During her visit we were able to play tourist again and visit the Space Needle, The Pacific Science Museum, Pike Place Market, do a harbor ferry tour, Seattle Aquarium, Freemont Troll,and the Woodland Zoo. My sister and I were able to take two days to ourselves. The first we did a Orca Whale Tour and the second, planned by Travis, we were treated to facials, pedicures, and dinner out, what a good job Travis. Travis was also deployed this month to the USS Regan to complete his shooter training.

Space Needle



The Harbor Ferry Tour



My sister found Edward at Pike Place Market.



Visiting my sister's favorite place, Seattle's Best Coffee



The Orca Whale Tour



The Freemont Troll



June brought lots of visitors. My friend Leticia, who we know from Kingsbay, came for visit, as while as the Costello's. It was nice to have some company while Travis was gone. Not to mention the help packing the house up so we could move at the end of the month.

Travis with Hawaii behind him.



Doing his one part of his job.



July- The girls and I moved into our new home. Luckily we had friends here to help me move while Travis was still out on the ship. It was hard but us Likes girls are strong and we got it done! Travis was able to visit Thailand. Abuela and Boompa paid us a visit and took Molly and Gracie back home to Florida with them for a week. Abuela flew back with the girls and stayed a few days to help me finish the final decorating details of the new house. Also while Abuela was here we celebrated Hunter's sixth birthday and saw the Torchlight Parade.

A blimp from the Torchlight Parade.



Abuela helping Molly with her yoga poses.



Hunter showing off her birthday bracelet.



The view from Travis' room in Thailand.



August brought more friendly visits. My friend Leticia came for another visit and we were able to take the girls to Great Wolf Lodge. Then the same day she left my sister arrived. We didn't do much while she was here this time. My sister brought us the present of a cold. So we just hung out and spent time with each other. This month I also lost a very dear pet of mine. Samantha was our Quaker Parrot that Travis and I have had for 12 years. She was very sweet and will be missed very much. Gracie had her 8th birthday party! Travis visited Dubai this month and we were hoping for his return next month!

Gracie turns 8!





The Great Wolf Lodge.





Travis' desert jeep ride in Dubai.



September brought us happy times! Travis came home at the beginning of September, right on time for school to start. My sister headed home the day after he returned. It was so nice to be able to have all of our visitors here while he was gone. Our friends Sarah and Garrett came for a visit. Juliette was very happy to see her little boyfriend. School started for the girls, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade. Before school started we were able to take a quick break to The Great Wolf Lodge again. It was so nice to finally be a family again.

He's almost here!



We see him!



We love our DADDY!



Good to have him home.



JuJu and her boyfriend Garrett



Molly's first concert, Mile Cyrus.



October was a great month. We were able to visit Disney World one last time before our passes expired. We also celebrated Molly's 10th birthday and Halloween! Poor Travis missed out this Halloween, but we will have many more.

Halloween



Molly's Birthday



Disney World























November started the holiday season for us. We celebrated Juliette's second birthday this month.



December we were busy as you could see by my last two post. In addition to my post we were also able to visit Snoqualmie Falls and Zoo lights in Tacoma. We especially loved Buddy and his mischief, I can't wait for his return next year from the North Pole!

Zoo Lights at Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma.





Snoqualmie Falls, it is 100ft taller than Niagara Falls.



It has been quite the year and I feel very blessed to have all of my friend and family in my life. We are in for another crazy year! Keep your eye peeled for my post!