Yellow Ribbons.

Remember when the war first began? And do you remember the yellow ribbons that adorned the trees of at least one yard on every block on every street in America? Even into the 2nd year of the wars - Afghanistan and Iraq - yellow ribbons were an important part of the landscape of so many homes. Is it me, or is there a lack of those nowadays? Have we become so "conditioned" to the state of war that we don't fly those ribbons any more...or am I missing them? On the way home tonight we went past a home in a very nice subdivision - it was a corner home. Even though the winter landscape from today's weather made things look pretty scary (60 mph winds)and kind of bleak, the yellow ribbons flying from every tree on the property and from the light posts on the front door brought out different emotions as we passed by. First, that someone the owners of that home love is overseas. Secondly, that no matter how difficult today's weather has been, the environment is a lot more friendly than the soldier for whom those yellow ribbons fly is experiencing right now. And, of course, there were silent prayers for that family and the man or woman in whose honor those yellow ribbons are flying.

When Laurie and Stephen were deployed, I bought yellow ribbon from the local craft store - the prettiest yellow I could find, and not exactly the cheapest - and tied bows on every tree in the front yard and also from the light fixture by the front door. Tears streamed down my face as I put them up - and prayers were constant on my heart. Laurie came home first, but those ribbons stayed up until Stephen's post deployment leave. On the day they arrived here, I asked them to remove the ribbons together...and I cried with gratitude that I had them both right here.

In a few months, I will make a trip back to that very same craft store and once again buy yellow ribbon. It lies heavy on my heart - and yet I am soooo trying not to think about it. Trying to live in the moment as they say, and not look too far ahead. It's not God pleasing to worry about the things that are coming - or that mankind tells us may be coming - is it? I will answer my own question. No it isn't. But when you love a soldier - or two soldiers - it's easier said than done. You who have loved ones in the military - well, you understand. And those of you who don't have loved ones serving, you are with us and it is so important to us.

I needed to stop at the craft store today to look for some paper and things for a storybook I am writing for Kasey's birthday...but you can guess what I stayed away from.

Yellow ribbon.

God bless you. And God bless our troops - and those of us who wait.

Running Free

Hello my friends. It's been awhile since I've posted - the days go really, really fast right now because we are training new staff and there just aren't enough hours in the day. Sure is good when I leave work at the end of the day though - and to come home and help Ron with dinner. Monday night he picked me up from work and we ran into some snow on the way home. Finally arriving home, to greet us there was a crockpot full of homemade sauce with chicken in it (thanks to Ron's handiwork, and it smelled wonderful). I made a fresh green salad and we talked about the day as we worked together...the kitchen smelled so good and it was so warm and comforting at the end of a long day. After dinner, being that it was laundry day, I put a few loads of laundry away. Laundry is so cool - especially on Mondays because we usually find a random sock or two from Veronica's stay on the weekend. Little tiny socks that cling to bath towels or stick to the cuff of Ron's jeans. So when I shake out the laundry as I fold it, tiny little pink and white treasures come flying out - never in pairs of course. But I like to imagine those two little tootsies running around in them. The feet never stop. She never walks, so they sure get a workout, those tootsies of hers. They run free every chance they get. A happy sight for this Nana. I smile just thinking of it
The snow continued to fall during the evening on Monday - but fairly light. 1-3 inches is what the weatherman said - Tuesday morning we woke up to 10 inches or so - the trip to work was a real picnic (tongue in cheek humor there). But to see the snow covered trees and grass was like looking at a Currier and Ives painting.
This weekend, Nana and Veronica are baking. It's supposed to snow most of the weekend so we might make our way to the big hill two doors down in our neighbor's back yard. We have a snow saucer just waiting to get christened. Oh my gosh it's been so long since I've been on a snow saucer. Maybe I will think twice about that.
And so, those tootsies that never stop will be running around here again on Friday night and on Saturday morning they will quietly sneak down the stairs to find out who is going to give her a glass of juice (usually it's Papa). Veronica will ask for all the things that she knows she can't have fror breakfast - pickles, cookies, soup. It's a ritual :). Although our weekends are drastically different than they were 6 months ago, we are adjusting quite well to the adventure.
God is so good to bless us with these things - a three year old's tootsies running free in the sox that get washed at the same time...but never show up in the dryer together. Her sweet little voice, and the heart that is happy. It may be different, but I'll take it any day of the week.
Blessings my friends.
God bless our troops - and those who wait.

Part of the flock.

I guess it's starting to sink in that Stephen will deploy again this year - and that the twists and curves of that roller coaster ride will be heating up again. We will also be caring for Kasey if Laurie is accepted in the program she is going for - she and Stephen had us named as designated guardians for their family care contract. Thus is the nature of the military. Many of us know it - it's part of the "drill." And it's part of why I lean on my faith and stay with "the flock."

And although it is always there in our subconscious - right below the surface waiting to remind us in those quiet moments when we think about our future - it's something that we try not to dwell on. Those of you who have walked in the shoes understand - right? Anyway, Stephen won't get his new unit assignment until next month so there's no sense worrying about it now. (she says confidently). The deployment may not happen for a few months yet - and I will definitely let you know when it happens.

How funny (not ha ha funny, but odd funny) that we often think that we can love an "in-law" as much as we love our own children. Laurie just happened to choose a soldier whom we loved from the moment we saw him - because Laurie glows. It gives a mom and dad such a grateful heart - and when I bought the bumper sticker that says "My son is serving in the US Army" I meant it sincerely - didn't even look for a son-in-law bumper sticker cause I love him as my son. When he is deployed, a son is deployed - not my daughter's husband. Thank you, God that he is such a blessing to our family.

This will be another life experience for Kasey to learn about being the child of two soldiers. I pray that God will give me the words and the strength to know what to say when his little heart is missing his mommy and daddy. But he is my little soldier - gritty, determined, typical little boy who at not quite 3 can stand at Parade Rest and has learned that mommy and daddy sometimes have to go away but they will always (please God) return. The Father watches His flock at all times and we are all part of the flock. Unruly and unwilling at times to stay in the pasture but He always reaches out that staff and brings us back in the fold.

For those experiencing deployments now, your loved ones are in my prayers - and we are all waiting for His answers. God bless those you love who serve - I hope you know how much they are appreciated.

This week is going to be a busy one at work, but sometime during the week Ron and I are going to look at RVs....sigh....the search begins again. I could probably tell you the specs on any make or model Fifth Wheeler that is on the market...but the dreaming is fun. Eventually, the dream will be a reality (God willing) and my two star banner will hang proudly in the window of an RV as we travel across the country. This is a good thing.

God bless you - and may His Son shine on your week.

Sue

Happy 2008!!

Good morning friends - Happy New Year!

How did you spend your New Year's Eve? I sat here at my computer most of the night refreshing the screen as the kids traveled home and finally - when I saw that their last flight had landed safely - I just waited for the phone to ring. Ten minutes after the plane arrived at the gate, the phone rang and it was Laurie. "Home" again. A little bitty tear let me down at the airport and Kasey wasn't happy that "Handma and Handpa" were not going on the plane with him. But we told him that we would be visiting him for his birthday very soon.

Their visit was so much fun - Christmas was beautiful - everyone was here including Tina and Veronica - things were almost as though our family isn't going through a separation between Scott and Tina. And Laurie and I had a girls' day out on Saturday - lunch, movie, shopping. I asked Laurie, as we were talking a bit about Scott and Tina and how things didn't work - if she and Stephen are as happy as they appear. How they make it work. And she said, because we understand the way things work, the military life is something we are both accustomed to and something that we understand - it's give and take and understanding separations. It was enough to make a mom cry - how does this 27 year old baby of the family get to be so darned mature? And oh, God, thank you.

Do you have any resolutions for 2008? I have made one or two. The first is a two part (maybe three part) resolution. First, to learn how to say "no." Part two of that is, therefore, to take better care of myself. I am young - at heart - but in chronological years...well, in 2009 I will be at the minimum age to collect social security so I am not a spring chicken. And I want to be able to enjoy retirement when that also happens in 2009. So I will concentrate on what my Supervisor is asking me to do at work - training others on the tasks I do - it will make my retirement a much easier transition for all of us. That is probably part 3 of it all - learn to delegate (huh?).

My second resolution is to not worry as much, which in itself will not be easy to accomplish since 2008 will also be a year when the sandbox is part of our lives as Stephen changes units and is deployed again. This will be a tough one - but a path that we have traveled before and one that hundreds of thousands of families are experiencing even as I type.

I count on the hope that my two old friends - prayer and trust - will be constant companions. That Ron and I can concentrate less on the war, and more on what needs to be done for Laurie, Stephen and Kasey as we all endure this again. This time will be different because Laurie and Stephen have Kasey and he will be missing his daddy. Somehow, I know that our faith and trust will be well placed - God will be with us all.
Whatever plans you have for 2008 - may God bless them. May His path for you be one which you find easily traveled. And, especially for my friends with loved ones deployed - or with deployment orders in the future, remember that you have friends who are with you. Friends who understand, who pray with you, and who stand with you at the foot of the cross waiting for God's answers.

It's a New Year! Trials and struggles are not greater than the abundant blessings God gives to us. What greater blessing is there to know that He is with us at all times?

From this Two Star Mom to all of you - Happy New Year!

Sue