Chores and Road Trips,

It's been a busy weekend here. Chores and errands on Saturday, church, Sunday School, and hair appointment today. Laurie and Kasey had their last road trip for awhile as they left the post where Laurie was for her TDY and is back where her home post is. She will work there a couple of weeks before leaving to go to where her new assignment will be. Ron will go out before she moves to help with the move and then to bring Kasey back. A lot of things ahead for our family. Finally have an address for Stephen and can start writing - lucky him. I am one of those letter writers who adds happy faces and all that to my letters. Not inappropriately of course, but I do enjoy happy faces. :)
Later on in the week, Ron and I will drop Lily off at Scott's and be on our way for our own road trip to GA for our niece's wedding. I am looking forward to that like nobody's business.
Ron and I were sitting in the family room earlier watching the Buffalo Bills beat St. Louis, and I looked around at the currently neat room - most everything cleaned, well, except my desk - and I realized how empty it is without the Binker's toys here. So I said to Ron that Kasey can put his toys in the family room, in the living room...anywhere he wants them to be. Of course once we put the house on the market, we will have to have a few rules but hey, I'm flexible.
I also want to call Stephen's mom this week - it's good to keep in touch. Once one week goes by, pretty soon it's two, and so on.
So, my friends, have a great week. Be safe and be blessed. I'll miss you but will be back next week.
God bless our troops and those who love them.
Sue

Getting ready.

It was a great week - lots to do at work, at church, and at home. Laurie and Kasey traveled a lot this week, finding Laurie's apartment for her new duty station, and going back to their home at her TDY station to gather up their belongings and prepare for Kasey's move here. It will be a busy month or two...Ron and I have a wedding to go to in Georgia for our niece, and the following week, Ron will be helping Laurie move and bringing Kasey to grandma and grandpa's house. I am good with this - I welcome everything that is planned, but I have one thought that is hard to get past and that is when Laurie needs to send Kasey with Grandpa. I am trying to be strong about all that since Laurie will need me to be - it's just the thought that her heart, and Kasey's, will be hurting...therefore mine. And, that Stephen will be wondering how it is all going.
BUT, there is much to do. We have to get this house up for sale so no time to think about things that only God's love can heal. And so, today, I went down to the basement to empty some boxes and consolidate some things - get them ready for their big adventure in our RV - whenever that may be. If you could see the boxes of pictures we have - they are waiting for scrapbooks and albums, for sending to others perhaps, and for keeping. SO they are all going in one of those big rubber tubs with a cover on it. At least I hope I only need one of those tubs. As I transferred the pictures from the boxes to the rubber tote, I tried not to look at too many of them - because we all know what happens then...well, you have a pretty good idea of how I am. In one word: sentimental...and so you know what THAT means when I look at pictures - you get the "picture" (sorry for the play on words there). But oh good grief, I can only hold out for so long before I stop and look at a few. And then a few more, until before you know it, I am sitting on the basement stairs looking and smiling and sighing. (OK - I ADMIT IT - crying too). I emptied 4 boxes and called it quits. It took me two hours - would have only taken half an hour had I not stopped along the way. But I got ideas for scrapbooks for Kasey and I to make during the winter, found some pictures of Laurie and of our family that I can send to Stephen.
And so, we are getting ready to roll. Slowly - but surely - the walls in the basement are nice and clean, the floor is being prepared for painting, and all those things that we've been holding onto for years are being sorted through, remembered, and perhaps discarded. But there's nothing wrong in the memories - just makes you want to make more...know what I mean?
Yeah, it's going to be a challenging year but we are up to the challenge....and then some.
About Stephen, Laurie has heard from him a couple of times - and Kasey has been able to talk to his daddy too. I smile when I type that - it's a really good thing, don't you think?
And by God's grace, my heart is still at peace. Guess He's getting me ready too - it's not all about pictures. It's about faith, about prayer, and, I think, about being a grandma.
Yup - still smiling here.
God bless ALL our troops and those who love them.

Inspirations.


Did you ever stop to think about all the people who inspire us? How do they inspire us? I can tell you from (just a few years of) personal observation....people who inspire me are usually those who have been dropped off in a valley, with long roads ahead of them, and very rough terrain beneath their feet. Sometimes they have shoes, and at other times they travel in bare feet.
They face cancer, perhaps. Or the illness of a loved one AND their own illness. Or the death of a loved one. And yet, their faith tells it all. Their faith - it makes their faces radiant and their hearts humble; they have the best sense of humor...and the greatest appreciation for life.
They didn't ASK to be an inspiration...who wants to go through hardship; or to be an example of how to walk in a valley? The answer is simple. No one. But that's where the grace comes in. It's the grace - the humility - that sets them apart. Because they don't talk about it unless they are asked; they don't dwell on it, but instead enjoy every moment of life they have. They may have close friends to lean on, but nearly all of them know their closest Friend is always with them. And always, when we are trying to show Christian love to them, WE see Jesus in THEM. I know a few people like this...and they don't even know that I am in awe of their faith...their steadfast trust that God will answer our prayers for them in a way only He ordains, and that they will accept His anwers whatever they might be.
We pray for God to be ever close to them.
No, we really don't want to be a source of inspiration because it usually means we are going through difficulties.
But thank you Lord that you give us the eyes to see you in these people and the hope that we can be more like them in our everyday lives.
I am in awe of young military families...I know several young women who read this blog who inspire me because they are at home with the kids, filling two roles and have a job description pages and pages long; and with situations that would be so much easier to deal with if they had their spouses home instead of in the sand. I have a child who is one of those young women - getting ready to start her own long journey without Kasey who will be here and Stephen who is "over there." Oh, I know, there are young men who are doing this as well as their wives serve far away.
When it comes right down to it, you all inspire me for one reason or another, and although I have never met many of you, I give thanks for you. May God help me to practice His grace more diligently and to spread His peace.
Blessings my friends and may God bless our troops and those who love them.

Assembly line cooking.

Tonight when I got home from work, I did what I usually do...called out: "NANA'S HOME!!"
Ron greeted me, and Lily, but not Binker. This is the first weekend in a year - except when we've been visiting Laurie and Stephen and Kasey - that Veronica hasn't been here with us. She's at her dad's new apartment this weekend and that's where she will go nearly every weekend. And so, we are back to visiting her and Scott on Saturday afternoons. It's ok - I'm glad Scott was able to get his apartment - but nobody came running and smiling when I got home today. Sigh.
And so, tonight I got busy and did some cooking after dinner.
A few weeks ago, a lady at church called me and said that our mutual friend had broken her femur and was very restricted in what she can do. So she said that we were going to bring meals over to her -could I do them this weekend? She asked for 3 meals for our friend.
So what's on the menu? I made a big pan of swiss steak, there will be rice, a small green bean casserole (ummm, can you have that if it's not a holiday?)...and cornbread. There are duplicates for Ron and I. Then I thought it would be good to make one final tuna pasta salad - summer is almost gone and I hate to see it go without another pasta salad. So, there are three bowls of tuna pasta salad in the fridge: one for my friend from church, one for us, and one for our friend next door whose wife is in FL taking care of her parents. Ok, now you HAVE to have dessert - right?
So I made my specialty - homemade lemon chiffon pie. Three of them. One for my friend Marion, one for us, and one to split between Scott and our neighbor. Just before I deliver it I will put the final touches on it - mounds of fresh whipped cream around the edge of the pie.
Yeah - it was good I was busy tonight. I am trying to unwind a bit before bed, but since I am working at the garage sale at church tomorrow, I guess I should get some sleep. And my feet are killing me.
Praying that your weekend is blessed. Mine already is cause you are here and reading this.
Sue

Remembering.

May we never forget those who were lost that day. Those who lost someone - or maybe two somebodies; and those who have been lost since then - in the wars, or from the ash and rubble breathed in by so many in the cleanup in the days, weeks, months...years..after the attacks. Or those who were lost due to broken hearts - never recovering from their loss.

Remembering those who guard and defend our nation...locally, nationally, and across the world.

Police and firemen, our service men and women.

Your loved ones and mine, and the strangers we've never met, but to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

God Bless America - my home sweet home.

Time to adjust things.

Well, now that Stephen is overseas, I have come to an executive decision: Don't go to Army Times website. I LOVE their website, but not right now. Feeling a bit vulnerable these days and so, I will be selective about where I visit. MAYBE Fox News (after all, they are fair and balanced and we do have an election going on :).
www.militarymoms.net without a doubt will stay at the top of my favorites - you should visit there sometime - awesome group of people there you need to meet. And of course all my favorite blogs will stay - that would be all of yours and more as I find them. (blogs are good).
Ron and I are now finding more and more blogs written by people who are full time RVers. In other words, they are already living our dream.
I digress....
Anyway, after a rough weekend, I am back up and on my feet again. The extra little thing that got tossed into our weekend is that Scott found an apartment. Now this is a GOOD thing, but it also means that I need to go through Scott and Veronica withdrawal. Oh, we will see them often, but I was really getting used to the schedule, and to having our weekends revolve around having the Binker. This too shall pass.
Laurie and Kasey seem pretty good - Kasey is trying to figure it all out ("Did Daddy get all the bad guys yet, mommy?").
Yesterday in church, our wonderful Pastor said a prayer for Stephen - and for all of our family, plus all of the military and their loved ones, he also said to the congregation: "try to understand - but you never will - what it's like to have a loved one serving in harm's way." I said to him after the service, "I praise God for you Pastor Garry." And I do; because he knows this mom's heart is trying to summon all the faith she has - and yet I am human.
But God is faithful. He doesn't need to hear my prayers to hear or to understand my heart.

Pretty awesome, huh?

God bless our troops and those who wait.
PROUD Two Star Mom

The Little Engine That Could.

The roller coaster has pulled into the station - my left foot is in it...the right dragging just a bit to slow things down. But it can't be done. It's time to climb in - head, feet, and everything in between - including my heart. And oh, that first hill - it looks so darned steep.

But we're pulling away from the loading platform. And another roller coaster ride is beginning.

Some of Kasey's favorite books and movies are about Thomas the Train and Friends. Years ago, I remember reading to the kids about The Little Engine That Could - it was one of those Golden Books that I read first to Scott; and a few years later to Laurie.

"I think I can...I think I can..."

And so, as Stephen deploys, I will remember that book from so long ago. My yellow ribbon pin with the Army Star charm is ready - it will be worn every single day for a year until he comes home. The pain in my heart is not so much worry or fear, but rather the thought of our kids parting for a year. Yes. I know. People are doing it every single day - have done so since time began.

But, more than this afore mentioned little book, I will keep God's Word...

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

And so, with God's help and with prayers for my children from so many of my friends, and from this mom's heart, I can say..."I know we can , I know we can," until, finally, the day we can say..."WE DID!"

Dear Lord, please bless all of our troops. Every single one.

Thanks for stopping by my friends.

Two Star Mom

What's in a number?

64 - it's a good number, don't you think? I think so...Ron's not so sure. Today is his 64th birthday. He didn't ask for much - an apple pie. One of my specialties - tastes pretty good too!

(I had to make sure it was a good present).

I always want to ask someone who thinks they are old at 40, or 50, or 60 - (or beyond):

"Why does it bother you? It's only a number." Of course I don't ask, because I remember turning 60 myself about 18 months ago. 60 can be a little intimidating, if you let it.

For nearly 40 of his 64 years, Ron has been one of those awesome husbands that on many days I feel I don't deserve. But God gave him to me anyway.

A blessing which still makes me shake my head in amazement. Every single day.

Happy Birthday, honey.

I love you - but only God knows how much.

Labor Day....for some.

Before I began to write today's post, I thought a little background would be good so did a little online research on "Labor Day." This is what I found:

Labor Day:
Labor Day is the celebration of the value and dignity of work, and its role in the American way of life.

The value and dignity of work. Miner, steel worker, office worker, cashier at the local grocery store, server at your nearest McDonald's, stay at home mom - or dad, or our Pastors. It matters not where we labor, it's that we do. That we think it's important to get up at 6 am (or earlier for some of us), to drive the commute, or take the commuter train or bus, or to wake the breadwinner and make sure that they have a good breakfast - maybe even if it's just a good cup of coffee - and a brown bag lunch to tuck into their briefcase - it's important that our work ethic is out there. Are we influencing others just starting out? It's consistency, getting past the rough spots, smoothing those edges out with our desire to make things better, trying to set an example. Or spreading the Good News that others may know WHO we can thank for all our blessings.
To all of you out there - no matter what it is that you labor at - THANK YOU! You help keep the world turning for all of us.
Of course we cannot celebrate Labor Day without remembering those who serve 24/7. Firemen and women, our Police forces, our political leaders. Our MILITARY. 24/7 without a thought of why there is Labor Day. To most of these people who serve - including the firemen and police and politicians - local, state, and national, and the military - today is another day to serve and protect so that we can have our picnics, our days off, our Monday afternoon scenic drives with our family.
God bless us all - that no matter what we do, may we somehow leave something good for others.

Enjoy your day my friends - you have worked hard for it.