Halloween and etc.

Despite the fact we've been off the grid for the last six months, much has happened. Most importantly, Zach's home for good. Also, we had a good Halloween. Lleida was Super Girl, and Cairo was Batman and Calvin of Calvin and Hobbes fame. For some reason, the pictures aren't loading, so I'll try again later

Dance Recital

I realize it's been quite awhile since I last posted, and I do apologize for that. To make up for it, you get not one, but two dance videos from Lleida and my recital. Lleida, of course, is darling. I on the other hand wore short (short) shorts and am desperately out of shape trying to do a dance like a 4 minute sprint. Needless to say, I'm not quite as cute. Nevertheless, I love you all and will try really hard to be better about updates.

Zach has landed

Zach is now officially in Iraq at his Base. His base is called Falcon. It's in southern Baghdad.

We got to talk to Zach on Skype today. Originally, I was thinking, oh, the phone calls and occasional email will be okay. We'll save money that way and it's really not that big of a deal. I was completely wrong! It was so fantastic to see Zach talk and smile. The kids were ecstactic. Cai kept staring at our moniter (which a giant flat screen tv) in wonder and Lleida kept jumping up and down and saying, "Hi Dad! I see you, I see me!"

Obviously, a good time was had by all, and best of all, we got to say Good Night and blow kisses to Daddy before the kiddies went to bed.

Such a little man

Saturday, the kids and I went to my nephew Morgan's birthday party. A great time was had by all, and at the end, we went outside to play. Due to the generosity of his cousins, Cairo got to ride on a Cairo sized 4-wheeler. Which he LOVED. It's apparent this boy's a Bagley.

I know it's been awhile...

Zach and I in North Carolina in front of the Poe House

Lleida in front of our neighbors giving away pizza bites.

Alrighty, people. I realize it's been quite some time since I last posted, but in my defense, I'm lazy.

To update ya'll on what's been happening, Zach was able to come home for a few days, and then I went to North Carolina with Zach for a week, before he took to the skies and headed over seas. The children and I basked in all that is Zach and I had a fabulous week alone with Zach (Thanks Mom!)

Now, everything is back to semi normalcy, albeit without Zach. Z says it's hot over there, but the chow is good. We say it's finally nice over here, and the kids are constantly dirty because they LOVE to play in the dirt. Not the grass, or the swing set, or with balls, the dirt. I have wised up and bought them a plethora of cheap shovels and rakes and the like and so far the children are quite happy, which in turn makes me happy. I'll try and post some pictures of them "gardening" soon.

He Walks, He Talks, He Eats Big People Food (albeit messily)

Here are some pictures and video of Cairo.

I actually took this video of Cai walking last week, but couldn't get my pictures to download until this week, so just for your info, Cai's an even better walker now. I'll try to get more video soon.

This picture of Cai with the messy face just cracked me up. We were eating spaghetti O's and while Lleida did a great job of not making a big mess, Cairo got it all over his body. Literally head to toe. Sadly, I didn't grab the camera in time to take the picture of Cai licking his tray clean.

The second video is of Cairo, Papa, and Juliette (Brandi's baby) who's a month younger than Cai. They were both sitting on Papa's lap happy. This was a first time experience. Love you all.

Rockin' Out

This post is mostly for Zach. As you can see, our two sugar bugs are having a great time rocking in their rocking chairs. I did make a mistake on the video, however, Papa (my dad) made Cai's rocking chair, he didn't buy it. We love you Zach!

Shoes, glorious shoes

Alrighty people, these are my most favorite shoes and I'll tell you why.

1. They all have heels between 3 3/4 inches and 4 1/4 inches. This is important because I am short. I might be 5'2", but that's accomplished only with really big hair.

2. They are fabulous. Every woman should own a pair of killer red shoes. It really makes you feel good. The gold shoes make me feel like I can take over the world. The black ones have a little lace up on the front, very reminiscent of corsets, make me feel a little naughty. And the snake skin? Oh the snake skin shoes (not real snake skin, but we can pretend) just make me feel fabulous! I admit, I like my shoes just this side of slutty, and if they are just that side of slutty, even better!

Alas, I am still on the lookout for a pair of 5 inch heels, but these shall carry me through until that day.

Zach is gone but all is well

I'm now officially a war widow. Technically, Z is still in the United States (Mississippi), but we no longer have a husband and daddy at home. Lleida, Cairo and I were able to spend all last week in Boise with Zach while he began his mobilization. To make it even sweeter, Cai has progressed light years in his walking skills which pleased Zach to no end. We talk to Z about once a day to see how he's doing (okay, but bored with briefings). As for us, my heart dropped when we drove into our driveway and I realized, this is it, I am now a single mother for the next year. Have I ever mentioned that I decided against single motherhood when I had to take care of Dad and Shawn for two weeks while Mom, Candi and Trina went to pick up Brandi from Germany? Yah, well, otherwise things have been pretty good. The kids, though sick with winter woes, are fantastic. Lleida has been a fabulous helper and since both kids aren't feeling well they've been going to around 7:00 p.m. Awesome.

I want to give a special shout out to Mom. Thank you, thank you for coming to Boise to drive home with me. Thank you for watching my children so I can go to dance. Thank you for always loving and supporting me. I love you so much. Happy Birthday Mom.

Oy Vey

Yes, oy vey is all I have to say. As you know, last Thursday, Cairo got tubes put in his ears. Well, four days later, I had surgery to remove my ovaries. I realize that may sound a little crazy, but two years ago I had my uterus removed and since then, every month my ovaries have exploded (I get ovarian cysts that burst, it really hurts). Because of the Bagley genetic blood clotting disorder I inherited, it was questionable if I could go on hormone replacement therapy or not, which is why I ended up having surgery so close to when Zach is leaving - next Wednesday on February 11. So far everything is going okay. My stomach still hurts, which makes sense since apparently the entire left side of my body was attached with scar tissue that they had to remove and cauterize, and both my ovaries had obviously seen better days, but so far my hrt seems to be working. Keep your fingers crossed.

Next Tuesday, we leave for Boise to begin Zach's mobilization. We should have a little bit of time to spend with him before he ships off to Mississippi for a month of training before heading to Iraq. I can't believe it's come so quickly. Zach should start blogging here when he leaves to keep everyone updated. So many things going on. Oy vey.

He's my baby

So on Thursday, January 29, 2009, at 6:45 in the morning, Zach, Cairo, and I showed up at Madison Memorial Hospital so our Cai could get tubes put in his ears. As you can see from the pictures, he looked adorable, yet slightly pathetic. All he wanted to do was cuddle and sleep both before and after surgery. I kept freaking out because while we know Cai's birth mother's medical history, we know nothing of his father's and I had no clue whether he'd be allergic to the anesthesia or not. Alas, all is well. Cairo is now just as happy and feisty as ever and I swear he hears better. I am looking forward to no more ear infections and antibiotics (6 infections in 3 months gets a little much) and the diarrhea it causes. Yea ear tubes!

Do I make you horny? Do I?

Yes, this is my super sexy baby Cairo livin' it up on our sheepskin. I have so many fond memories of sheepskins. There was the one hanging up in Dad's "den" that we were convinced was a bear skin - and subsequently would dare each other to touch it at night, certain of impending doom. And plenty of other furs scattered about the house and cabin on furniture. Zach and I went to Jackson Hole this summer and found our 4 pelt fur and I had to have it. Yes, all you vegetarians and vegans out there I'm sure are fuming, but I'm an Idaho girl. That means I eat meat (lots of it) and wear leather with aplomb. Anyway, we take it home and it's the new favorite thing in our house. I love it because it makes me feel luxurious, Lleida loves to brush it, an Cai, Cairo loves to lounge and lay and revel in its soft furriness, and Zach likes it because the rest of love it.

Brunson Family New Year's Resolutions

Nine years ago, I made a resolution to date a guy for more than 2 weeks. As a result, I got engaged (then un-engaged) to a guy a never would have dated more than twice had I not made that goal. Ever since then, I have been anti-resolution. But this year, I had a change of heart. So this is the 2009 Brunson Family Resolutions.

Cairo: To learn to walk and get more teeth.

Lleida: To spell her name without help and get big enough to ride the bus.

Jaclyn: Buy (and wear) a pair of 5 inch heels.

Zach: Not get blown up or shot.

Yes, this goals are impressive, but I think we can keep them.

Zach in Iraq

So, as many of you have heard, Zach is leaving for Iraq in February and should be gone for a year. We're not sure exactly when in February, as we haven't recieved official orders yet, and there's a slight chance he'll only have to be gone six months instead of a year. We're still waiting and seeing. As to what I'll be doing, I'm staying here, at my house, in Rexburg. Lleida will continue to go to Pre School and dance class, and Cairo and I will just hang like we always do. Fortunately for us, our family's nearby. Brandi lives 10 minutes away, Mom lives 20 minutes away, and Shawn lives 7 minutes away. So all in all, it's not as bad as it could be. Plus, there's the added benefit of seeing Zach in uniform. Can we say HOT!!!

My First Blog

Alright people, I've been talking about doing this forever, and now I've finally done it. I've started a blog. I love looking at all my cousins' blogs and they've inspired me to start my own. That, and Zach's leaving for Iraq and I thought this might be a nice way for him to see and hear what we've been up to. So, this is it for now, but stay tuned...