I love my husband. Even across the miles he has a way of making me laugh when I'm crying and emotional. Now that is skill!!! HAHa.. Many people say that laughing at life's trials or things that are hard is the only way to get through them or make you see things are not that bad. I believe that. With mark we laugh, and were able to push through these months while away from one another. Seeing his face on SKYPE for the first time was such a joy. I laughed and smiled the whole time, because he was smacking his gum, and he could see me, but could not see himself, and even tho we felt stupid, it was so nice to be able to laugh at one another for feeling stupid. I cried when john laughed and smiled at his daddy for seeing his face as well. Mark brought to the skype cam the Buz Lightyear you see off to the left. It's one of johns favorite toys. You dont understand how much a family means to you until your heart and it's strings are pulled and tried from miles away. This time away from mark has been hard, but we've both grown stronger together through the lord and his love. MARK I LOVE YOU!! THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME SMILE AND LAUGH. I'm glad Buz & Woody are keeping you safe at night.

love kristen

5 Days until our Son Cody James Arrives.

Our world is so crazy. Learning how to skype, trying to set up computers, or just plain not have them crash on us. Setting up verizon wireless. Cordinating who will watch his older brother john, who will take pictures, who can be there to support me and try to fill the large shoes mark has left to fill. It's all so much to do, but it will be worth every min. All the stress leading up to his birth will calm down and it will be minites on March 20th, that he will be welcomed in with his mommy and grandma kelly. Soon there after Cody will be able to hear his daddy's voice, and his daddy will be able to see his beautiful face via skype. How wonderful for all the advances of techonlogy. Mark will not miss a beat. Photos will be taken, along with Video. Mark will always be able to see and hear new things about his new son Cody and vise versa. Small groups of people will come and go while in the hospital, but his daddies voice he will remember, and keep close to his heart. He may not feel the touch of his skin, but he'll know his daddy from what his older brother tells him, and shows him from his daddy book. Cody will learn the smell and touch of his mommy, and the sound of his brother running through the house with cars and buzlight year. He'll see and touch and learn things from his nani, who always has her hand in nature. He will feel the sweet kisses of his cousin audrea, and the gental touch of johns baby skin agianst his. He will know he is loved. Cody will adjust well coming from our fathers kingdom. He will be home.
As a mother all is leading up to no-longer having one child but two. Two of heavenly fathers choice sons. I am blessed. I sometimes think the lord has given me such a huge task, especially with mark being deployed. But I know that everything has a purpose, and that my faith can and will make me stronger in order to adapt to change and to be able to be the best mother to John and Cody. I pray daily for strength, and I know i'm only as strong as the lord allows me to be, so while mark is away. Heavenly father is my rock, and my foundation, and I know i'm stronger because of his love.
I love my husband and all he is and does for his family. We were very stressed about having a baby, and having mark being deployed. Yes, we've had trials, but the Lord has gotten us through them. We are excited only 5 days left. We are ready to welcome the birth of our Son Cody James Ralston. We love him, and all he will become.