On being a Two Star Mom

I looked back at some of my old posts this weekend - since we are coming up on two years since Two Star Mom hit the blogging world. With all that has happened in our lives since Laurie first came home with the "I'm going to join the Army" announcement nearly 11 years ago, I was reminded yesterday during the garage sale that there are a lot of us out there. It's comforting to know that this sense of overwhelming pride/love/fear/OH MAN HERE WE GO AGAIN is felt by so many other parents. Today, as we wait for Laurie's call and hopefully to find out if she made the cut for the program she's been trying to get into, I am grateful for our very last garage sale customers yesterday. A dad - younger than Ron and I - but with the gray hair that so often comes with being a parent (a military parent specifically:), his son - serving in the Army now for 9 years and the son's wife who reminded me so much of Laurie - freckles, ponytail and all - now a veteran after serving in the Army as well. The dad said, "we saw your Army stickers and decided to stop." It wasn't difficult at all to get into a conversation - about Pride/love/fear and OH MAN HERE WE GO AGAIN. :)

The son and his wife served in Iraq at the same time - together in the same city but not in the same unit. So they were able to see each other, and their parents feared for them both at the same time (a familiar story to this mom's heart except that Laurie and Stephen didn't see or hear from each other for 5 months during the time they were over there together).

And so, we spoke to these two young people as we speak to all soldiers. Thankful, with respect and with honor. They are after all, the best of the best our nation has. And when they left, although they hadn't purchased anything, we were richer by far in having met them.

And THIS two star mom is grateful for each new day that I get to BE a two star mom. It's not easy, but it's easier to be the mom rather than live the life my children lead. And it's a strengthener of faith and trust. I saw a lady this morning at church - I posted about her grandson several months back - a Marine who came back from Iraq and is now going to Afghanistan amidst rumors in the news that Iraq is safer than Afghanistan. It's not easy-but we step out in Faith and with Trust in our Triune God. Our Father the Creator who restores the faith we need to get by each day. His Son Jesus - our reason for the trust we have in God's perfect will, and the Holy Spirit - who guides us each and every day in the way we should go.

Stepping out in faith isn't always easy - but we aren't doing it alone. We have our family and friends, and the military family of friends who walk in our shoes, yet are each in a unique situation.

I try to always remember that my support system sometimes need me as THEIR support system too in other matters of life that are important to them.

And I lean on my Friend who is always with me. With US - how does He manage all that?

I don't know...but I don't question it. This two star mom is just grateful - for all of you, a gift from the Father.

Sometimes, when it seems to be too much, our Father lets me crawl onto His lap to rest. It's a reassurance that all is well. And truly, it is, isn't it?

God bless you all.

Two Star Mom

Make me an offer!

Saturday in Western NY - garage sales abound! Including our garage. Yesterday was the beginning of a 3 day sale - was supposed to be a block sale but it doesn't look like too many are participating. That's a good thing for us - we did very well yesterday - $130 bucks - and only one person tried to get something cheaper and Ron held his ground. It was a chainsaw and all of the accessories - runs great, asking price $35 which even the guy said was a good price...then proceeded to ask Ron if he would take $30 and Ron said no. The guy bought it for asking price. Geesh. We've been open for an hour this morning and have made nearly $100. This is good - tanks of gas money for our trip next week. We must have good prices on the stuff because they are buying the stuff without questions (except for that one guy). If someone wants to buy two thingss, Ron usually gives them a combined price. It's worth it if we can get rid of the stuff and not have to throw it out.

Probably one of the most popular items were the two HUGE bags of stuffed animals which had a sign on them: FREE TO A GOOD HOME!! The last time Laurie, Stephen and Kasey were here we asked Laurie to pick the ones she wanted to save or give to Kasey and then we sent them out in a box because it was Christmas and their luggage was full enough. She then gave us her blessing to do whatever we needed to do to make sure they weren't thrown out, making sure that they would go to kids who wanted them. Uh, Tina allowed Veronica to take a couple of them but the rest went out to the garage sale. Two kids were here, took one and then came back for more. (one apiece please) Then a family with six kids came and wanted more than one apiece. One little kid was upset that he couldn't have more than one so his big sister said to him in a loud whisper, "that's ok, I'll take one too and then give it to you when we leave." Funny. Anyway, they are nearly gone and I am glad because at least we didn't throw them out. Lots of memories in those animals. ("Be strong, Susan, be strong" this little voice is telling me).

So, last night my foot and ankle were like a balloon - today is much better so I will be busy today doing things to get ready for our trip. I am so thankful to have this air cast on because it doesn't hinder me a bit. Tomorrow I am going to try to drive - just to church which is only a few minutes away. I won't try driving to work yet - stop and go traffic for 28 miles would not be good for the ankle.

A week from now we will be with the kids and Kasey. I can't wait - it will be a wonderful 10 days-even our road trip will be fun. They always are.

Prayers for our troops - it's been a sad week in the sand with many casualties. May God bring those soldiers families peace in their hearts. And may they know that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

God bless our Troops - and those of us who love them.

May He also bless you...thanks for stopping by.

The doc says....

Hi everyone.

Thank you for your comments and prayers. I went to the orthopedist yesterday and he said that if I was going to do this, I did it the right way. No torn tendons, and when I sprained the ankle, in the process of the sprain, the tendon pulled a bone chip off my ankle bone but the tendon did not actually tear and the bone did not shatter. So I am so thankful. I have to wear an air cast for six weeks and of course ice and elevate it but I can make the road trip next week. I feel so blessed. I am back at work today - elevating the ankle on the same box that I used to elevate my leg when I broke my kneecap last year. At least I am consistent. :) I just had to move it under my desk from the left side to the right.
Prayers for our troops - those in the Middle East and those who serve everywhere else, including those stationed here at home. God bless them all with courage and faith and peace. And those of us who love them.
Hugs to you all,
Sue

ELEVATE, ELEVATE, ELEVATE!!


Today I was coming down the stairs with Veronica, not paying attention to what I was doing and stepped off the last step - suddenly realizing as I crashed to the floor that it wasn't the last step.
I fell with all my weight on my right foot and ankle, heard a crack as I went down. And there you have it - one easy lesson in how NOT to descend stairs. We took Veronica home early and went to the urgent care center and the xrays confirmed a chip in my ankle bone. So here I sit with a soft cast on my foot and ankle and looking forward (NOT) to seeing my primary care dr. in the morning and maybe an orthopedist. Lots of ibuprofen, ice, and elevate, elevate, elevate.
I can walk with a cane and as I told the dr. today this will NOT keep us from going to see the kids next week. Thank goodness I have 10 days to rest it. It could have been a whole lot worse.
So if you don't see me around for a few days, this would be why. The nurse in attendance is pretty strict so I have to do what he says. :)
God bless our troops and those who love them.

Long may she wave!

Today is flag day - a day that Americans sometimes forget in the busy-ness of life. But indeed, she flies regardless of whether we remember June 14th is the day to honor her.

We took Veronica to Chuck E Cheese's today and I noticed something. There were a LOT of people - younger people in their 20's and 30's who had shirts on that had a flag on it. Some shirts faded - tried and true to their owners like the picture that was on it - but flags just the same. It felt good to see it. I wore my red shirt with America written across it in white, and my blue jeans and white shirtjac. You better believe I'd remember today.

It's also the 233rd birthday of the US Army. Happy Birthday to the best army in the world - and to the soldiers who are the best of the best. And this two star mom is grateful for everyone who stands up to volunteer to defend our nation. It's truly an Army of one - and each and every soldier is the Army.

Laurie and Kasey arrived where Stephen is today - they will have several weeks together before Stephen is deployed. He is a proud soldier - proud of the flag and the country he defends. I am trying to think of something I can take to him when we go out there in a couple of weeks. I don't know what I can give him to let him know how proud we are and how deeply we love him. God will help me on that - I am trusting in that.

Also, on June 14th, I wish my dear friend Arkansas Sue a Happy Birthday. There is a group of us military moms who call her that because her name is Sue (nice name) and she lives in, well, Arkansas. There's a funny story of how she got her name, the same story that made me end up as Suelaurie amongst our closeknit group of friends. We called each other that once, and it has stuck for more than 6 years.

God Bless America and the troops who keep her free.

A good man.


Today, on the way home from work, as we were stopped at a traffic signal on campus, the talk radio host suddenly made a sad and shocking announcement that had just come in from CBS: Tim Russert had passed away suddenly this afternoon.
Tim was not just an average reporter - wasn't out to get a story at any cost as some of the reporters we see on tv. He was a kind man, anxious to give the American public a good and accurate view of what is going on in our nation - and across the world. But tough as he was on those he interviewed, there was compassion and empathy in this man's heart.
And of course, his Buffalo roots went deep - he was so proud of our city and of the difficulties our city has weathered; proud of every trip Buffalo Bills unsuccessfully made to the Super Bowl and of the Sabres Stanley Cup losses, but mostly he was proud of his Buffalo heritage because it represented a toughness that doesn't exist everywhere. He was proud of his relationship with his dad and his son, and of the strength of the people who live in the city he grew up in.
I could go on and on - but all the networks and news channels will do the same so I will just say thank you to Tim for the honesty and goodness he portrayed in all of his reporting. We will miss him here in the Buffalo area.
He was a good man.

Borning Cry

Today is Veronica's birthday and she is 4 years old. I saw her come into this world and was the fourth person to hold her - after Tina, Scott, and the nurse. The beauty of God's love all wrapped up in a tiny little baby girl. She was blue because the cord was around her neck, but she pinked up really quick and cried with vigor - as if to say, "ok, what am I doing in this cold room? I WAS nice and warm just a few minutes ago!"

Scott and I had been with Tina all during the night before - the room WAS cold, and as Tina slept peacefully with the intravenous drip quietly going to work to induce her labor, Scott and I were together, but alone with our thoughts - since talking would have woken Tina up. They had allowed me to say a prayer with them before Tina slept, and I was thankful for that privilege.

And so, finally, after a full day of labor, Veronica (we now call her the Binker for some unknown reason) was born shortly after 6 pm. Funny but usually you can't tell who a baby looks like when they are first born. But Veronica was just a dark haired Scott - it was like going back 30 years as I remembered the day he was born - and my red headed boy who had REALLY not wanted to arrive. After 10 full months, he finally did.

Sorry, I digress.

There is a song we sing in church during baptisms, and oddly enough, during funerals as well. It's called Borning Cry, written by John Ylvisaker, and it is God speaking to us about how He is there when we are born...and watches our lives unfold. It goes from birth, to youth, speaks of middle age, and finally, how He is with us when we are old. I cry buckets when we sing this song and I mean buckets. It just tells such a story.

And so today, as He has been since she was conceived, the Father is watching our Binker. Our Princess, as she so often proclaims herself. :) He has a lot of watching to do now - no doubt his eyes are always busy as she runs here and there in play. Scott and Tina are taking her bowling tonight and on Saturday we will have a little party for her.

Put Borning Cry into your browser sometime - read the words and remember them. They are not just words to sing on special occasions, but all of our lives.

Happy Birthday Binker - we love you!

God bless our troops and those who love them.

Taking Flight.

We have a room air conditioner in our family room. It sits in the top window, cools things down nicely on those really hot, muggy days and nights(like tonight) when the breeze coming through the sliding glass door to our deck and the open windows do not provide the cooling cross ventilation that can be so refreshing on a summer day, or night.

Each year, a mama bird builds herself a nest on top of that air conditioner, just outside the window. It clings there during the late winter storms of March, the heavy rains of April, the uncertain weather that May can bring. While the air conditioner wears it's winter cover on the inside of the house, on the outside there is a mama robin sitting on that nest. She holds on for dear life - not just her own, but that of her yet unborn babies. She leaves only once or twice a day for food, or waits for the daddy bird to bring it to her.

When God - in His remarkable compassion and perfect timing - finally allows the patience of the mother bird to be rewarded and those tiny blue eggs give way to fuzzy little creatures, we begin a new watch of the nest. The view is different.

Ron, from his study window and while he surfs online for places we will be taking our RV to, can see the amazing picture change each day as he sees those baby birds peaking their tiny little beaks above the shelter of the nest. And soon, he hears their little peeps as they squawk at their mom for food.

Then, before we realize it, it's time for them to take flight; they leave the nest for moments at a time with their mom and dad - learning to fly - until, finally, they are gone. Sometimes, as it happened this year, one stubborn little bird waits awhile - not quite ready to take flight. And Ron watches each day as the "holdout" sits in the nest, or perches on top of the air conditioner - which this year just so happened to need repairs. Ron couldn't fix it of course because the nest was still there, and couldn't move the nest in case the little bird took a long day trip but needed to come back to it's shelter. As if on cue, with this weekend’s warm weather moving in, we found the bird gone this week, and it was safe to remove the nest it from it's perch. Funny feeling - hearing the air conditioner that now hums behind me, it means that it's gone...and next year, if everything goes as planned, we will probably not see that rite of spring.

And so it is with us all and with our children. We take flight when we know that it's time. Whether it's leaving a home we've lived in for half our lives, or watching a child leave to make their way in the world. Scary thought, no matter who you are - the parent, or the child.

As Scott goes apartment hunting, I think of the fact that this will be the second time he has left "the nest." The first time was 9 years ago - he was so excited about finally having his own place. All the things that have occurred in those 9 years, his marriage, a child born, a separation...and coming back to the nest for awhile. He knew that he could; that he was welcome...and that we would be here too, so it wouldn't be a strange place to come home to. When he leaves again, it will be just as painful on this mom's heart as the first (and yet I want it to be just as exciting for him as the first time he left). But isn't that what we do? We let them go...no matter how many times they need to return, we need to let them go again.

Taking flight - it's not easy. For our family, as so many others, Stephen is leaving the nest…taking flight in a different way when he travels to the sands of the Middle East. And when Laurie and Kasey walk away from the airfield when his bus pulls away – so many of you know the scene – they will be taking their own journey. Dear God, protect them all while they are apart. (a prayer I say each day for others as well).

We have a lot of flights ahead of us as I retire within the year, as we sell our home, and as we move to where Laurie and Stephen and Kasey are. Until then, well, we’ll be sitting in or near the nest – until God decides that it’s our time to leave the nest and just like that little bird, without fanfare.
After all, He is with us.
No, it's not easy....but this taking flight is the cycle of life. Just like those baby birds, we don't take flight until we (they) can fly on our/their own. (Dear God - please let my children always need me).

God bless our troops and all of us who love them.