We Love Our Ryan

It was such a blessing to have Ryan home with us for Christmas this year! Caleb and Emma love big brother Ryan so much. It is so cute to watch them say good night to Ryan's picture every night before bed. Emma loves to pick up the picture to give it a hug and a kiss. So having Ryan home was a real treat for them!

I think that the whole family felt blessed having Ryan home this year. Ryan is going to be deployed to Iraq in a few weeks, so it meant a lot to Rick and I to have him with us. We are worried and proud at the same time. The night before we left to come home and Ryan was to head back to California we had a family prayer over Ryan at Grandma Wiese's house. It was wonderful to be able to do that. I know that it meant a lot to Ryan and it made good byes a lot harder for him too.

Caleb and Emma cried when we took Ryan to the airport and had to say good bye. They don't understand enough yet...but they know that they love him! It was hard to see them cry for him and it was even harder to say good to him this time knowing that he will be defending our country over seas in a war.

These are pictures of Caleb and Emma trying on Ryan's hat and boots....they really mean a lot to me!

Emma wearing Ryan's hat.



"Mommy do I look like Ryan?"


"How the heck do you tie these things?!"

"These are big boots to fill!"

May the Lord protect Ryan from all harm while he is away. Help Ryan to stay close to you dear Jesus in such a worldly area. May you comfort him in times of home sickness and in times of fear. May the Lord keep his hand on our family in this time. We will be sad and miss him. Help us Lord trust you in the protection of our son! In You Ryan is safe! Fill Ryan with the truth...that he is OUR hero...we ARE SO PROUD OF HIM! And we LOVE him more than he will every know! Amen!