Stephen's Homecoming

On Tuesday, November 24th, Stephen finally returned home from deployment. Madden and I met him at the hangar on base where the plane arrived. Stephen got to hold his son for the first time in 6 months!!! Madden reached out to his daddy's face and then leaned in to kiss him! He remembered his daddy! It feels so wonderful to have our family complete again. Life has never been better!

November 2009

Madden turned 9 months old this month. A couple days before that he took his first unassisted steps. My baby is walking already!!!

This month has been busy. Madden and I left my mother's and headed down to my sister's for a week before flying out to Washington. In New Braunfels, Madden and I got to spend time with Granny Kay and meet up with some friends. My best friend Lindsay and her daughter came down for my birthday, and we went to Chuck E Cheese and Wurstfest. We had lots of fun, and Madden got to do so many exciting things. I took him to the park several times, and he had a blast. He loves to be outside!

On November 16th, Courtney flew with us back to Washington to help out. I couldn't have done it without her and can't thank her enough for her help. Madden slept on both flights and even slept the entire 2 hour drive to Oak Harbor from the airport in Seattle. Now we are waiting for Stephen to return. He gets home tomorrow!!! We are anxiously awaiting our reunion!

Alyssa "Ally" Coker

My brother and his wife welcomed their first child on November 5th. Ally was born at 11:15 am in Corsicana,TX. She weighed 6 lb 14 oz and was 19 inches long. Madden and I were in town staying with my grandmother for a few days before heading home to Oak Harbor for Stephen's return. We arrived in the Corsicana area on November 4th, so I guess Ally was just waiting for her aunt to arrive before making her entrance. Courtney even made it up there the next morning to see Ally within her first 24 hours, just as she did with Madden.

Mother and baby are doing great, and Clay is one proud Daddy! Ally already has him wrapped around her finger! I'm so happy I got to see my first niece before I heading home!