The Craziness...

that is my life. I'm starting to wonder how I ever had time to work. Ok, so that is a little dramatic. I am the first to admit that I lead a life of relative leisure since I resigned from teaching last year. However, my life still is, none the less, crazy.

In the past 4 weeks we have welcomed Robert home only to see him off again. But, we were able to pack in a ton of family time before he left. I was spending time with my guys instead of blogging, so here's a recap.

Thanks to a little help from my sister we had a wonderful vacation at the beach. Collin loved playing in the pool with daddy, and really isn't interested in water that doesn't have an appropriate ledge from which to jump. We took Collin to see his first movie in a theatre - Toy Story 3, of course. We went to the park, worked in the yard, watched pre-season football and just had a wonderful time being a family. Fortunately this latest trip won't be as long.

Playtime

This is my view from the couch as I sit back and enjoy watching my guys play with legos and Mr. Potato Head. This picture brings about the most amazing feelings of happiness, relief and love. My husband is home and my family is whole. Even if the time is short, it is wonderful!

Alone

Believe it or not, with all of the fan fare and people at the hangar to welcome home the men and women of VMM-162 some marines went home alone. It was such a sobering sight as I held on to my husband and watched this young man walk away alone.

He is just one of a handful of marines that returned home with no one there to greet him. Regardless of the reason(s) why no one was there for him he still returned from deployment to no one.

While all members of the armed forces deserve your gratitude and thanks, men and women like this deserve it most. Not because they are any better at their job or any braver, but because they do it all with little or no support and thanks at home.

WELCOME HOME MARINE! JOB WELL DONE! THANK YOU!

Never Underestimate...

...the power of the written word. In our world of technology and an ever shrinking world we have more "friends" than ever, and yet, we are more alone than ever. In our busy lives it seems we don't even have time to smile at each other, much less write. Despite this truth, this week I saw a show of such great thanks and appreciation come pouring into my living room floor.

About two weeks ago I took on the project of helping to welcome home the single marines in Robert's squadron. We had more than 200 young men and women who would be coming home to the barracks. Some had family in town, but not all. So, I set to securing more than 200 dozen homemade cookies (never underestimate the power of women on a mission - thanks ladies!) and a thank you note to go with each of them. With one click of the mouse the email was out and the responses came as quickly.

Men and women across this country so excited and honored for the opportunity to express their gratitude to young men and women they will never meet sent letters of thanks. Some came with pictures, some in emails, some on index cards and some in beautiful envelopes; all filled with such pride and emotion for these "kids" who risk their lives so that we may continue to live ours as we wish. One of the neatest ones said this, "If you ever wonder who you are fighting for I've included a picture of my children."

In the end I received over 600 thank you notes in just a little more than a week, most from people I don't even know. The single marines received a package of letters, as opposed to just one. While myself and those who wrote, will never hear an audible thank you or get the joy of seeing the look on a 20-year-old's face as he/she sits in a barracks room alone to read the greatfulness of a nation; we know to never underestimate the power of the written word.

And Daddy Makes 3!!

On what can only be described as the HOTTEST and MOST HUMID day of August we waited...and waited...and waited. Sweating more than I do at the gym and Collin soaked to the bone we searched the skies for Robert's plane. Ok, so Collin tuckered out and I searched.
Then from over the horizon we saw them. Finally, after 7 months they were overhead and coming home! Flying in a beautiful formation with Flight of the Valkyries playing in the background the Ospreys flew in to MCAS New River.

After a parade rest shut-down, and a formation the Marines were released to find their families; and we were anxiously waiting. The anticipation was over and a I felt a flood of relief as Robert snuck up behind us.

Kisses and hugs for everyone, and our family is back together. Our undying thanks and greatfulness to our friends and family who have supported us and prayed for us during this time. It is one of the things that gave us the strength to make it through. Just remember, they aren't all home and some are returning soon. Never stop praying for our military members.

Your People Will be My People

Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16).

While it may seem odd to be thinking of this nearly 5 months before our anniversary, it is often present in my mind due to the interesting lifestyle we have set-up for ourselves; and because I read a devotion today in regards to this very verse. Here is my adaptation of the author's thoughts (some lines are used verbatim).


It's been almost 7 years since my grand-mother stood before a crowded chapel of witnesses and read those words (Ruth 1:16), as I promised to love and honor my husband no matter what. When I made this promise, I meant it. I just didn't realize what it meant at the time. I wasn't thinking deployments, multiple careers (of mine), 7 moves in half as many years, and holidays trying to split time equally. But I would learn.
I have been learning through doing. What I promised then, I am living out now. Nearly a decade, various cities, and a child later I am learning that marriage is a committment of super glue proportions. And it's the committment that sticks even when the feelings ebb and flow. That's the beauty and courage of marriage.

Penny-pinching so you can accompany on an un-accompanied assignment. Going to family events (weddings, birthdays, graduations...) alone?
Your people will be my people.
Strange accents, foods, politics and television preferences?
Your people will be my people.
Death, divorce, and adoption?
Your people will be my people.
Trying to understand the purpose of sitting silently in the woods with a gun for an entire day?
Your people will be my people.

Because, after all, marriage is the ultimate parable, isn't it? It's the living picture of a God who looked at us in all our silly, selfish ways and then loved on us regardless, so that he could make US - His People. Amazing, crazy love. And all we have to say is, "I do."

So, now and forever, to both men in my life (God and my husband, to avoid confusion) - I DO!

(post adapted from (in)courage - http://www.incourageme.com/)

Chugga, Chugga, Choo-Choo

For those of you who do not have little boys you can't fully appreciate their fascination with trains. They love them, everything about them. They love the speed, the noise, the movement, the horns, the bells, the tracks, everything. Collin is no different.
We are very fortunate to have a train museum in Wilmington. As we embarked this morning with some friends to see the train museum I was a little nervous. It's one of those places that you know could be overrun with older folks who don't appreciate a child's energy. My fears were quickly assuaged when we got there.

It's kid friendly! There was even a play-room just for children. There was a model train that the boys could control, a wooden caboose in which they could play and toy trains galore. Then, there was an entire room of model trains set up for the boys to watch. It was wonderful. Collin and his friend had no interest in the museum part, but were quite excited when they realize there were also "real" trains on which they could play.

So, we ended our outing playing on the real trains. The boys were happy and tired as we headed to lunch. It was a good day.