AND SO WE BEGIN.

This picture speaks for itself.

Blessings,

Kasey's grandma.

These are the days which the Lord hath made.

I have this friend - her name is Nancy and, although we live hundreds of miles from each other, we are as close as sisters. This is because we are not only good and close friends, but also sisters in the faith. I first "met" her on our military moms website nearly 7 years ago...I took notice of her posts and of her Christian faith and trust. For a week or so, I followed her posts about the fact that her son Josh was returning to the States after serving in Germany. As the day of his arrival home got closer, her posts were, well, softer. Thoughts I think I would have been feeling in her place. I could only imagine the excitement of having a child return from so far away. On the morning he was coming home, Nancy posted. She said that she woke up that morning, sat up in bed and - planting her feet on the floor beneath her - she proclaimed, "This is the day which the Lord hath made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!" I knew right then and there that somehow, God would find a way to keep us connected and that we would become good friends (and sisters in the faith). And He did - and we are connected by His grace.

As I planted MY feet on the floor this morning, I realized this would be a weekend of many emotions. A meeting at church tomorrow until noon, shopping for Kasey's favorites - Quaker oatmeal with dinosaur eggs, juice (cranberry or orange), and LOTS of milk (and ice cream). Maybe a couple of special "kid" bowls for him to use for that oatmeal and ice cream.

Then home to finish up his room, and do a few finishing touches - make some cookies for Stephen, do some laundry, touch up the bathrooms, and clean the refrigerator. Ok, so it's gonna be a little busier than I thought. :-)

I got the last two boxes that Laurie packed for Kasey - they arrived today. Those two will be unpacked with Kasey's help since they hold some important things. Let me just say Buzz Lightyear has arrived. I am going to get some helium balloons on the day Kasey arrives - will tape them to these last two boxes and put them in his room. At the end of the day we will send the balloons skyward - to mommy and daddy. In the little boy's heart that beats within him (and maybe even in mine) he will wonder whether mommy or daddy gets their balloons first.

Ron called - they have arrived in the city of Laurie's new duty station. They are about to go out for dinner. Kasey is wound up like a top, the dog is trying to figure out what the heck is going on - but as long as she can rest her chin on Ron's knee she is fine. She will sleep with Ron again tonight as she has all week -all 80 lbs of her. Makes me smile. She will be good company for Laurie.

And so, these are the days the Lord has made - I will rejoice and be glad in them. I have come to realize that as much as I know Laurie's heart is hurting, I haven't given her enough credit. I did a post not too long ago about the magnets on my desk at work - and that one of them says "Army Strong." Another says "Happiness," the other "Faith." Well, I keep remembering the Army Strong one - that one suits her to a tee. But also, so does the Faith magnet. And that so many times God seems to be testing that faith. That may be true, but I heard some words tonight which REALLY made me sit up and take notice. For He is not only testing us, but SHOWING us our faith. I guess He is showing me the faith of my daughter.

Yes, and in these days - and in all things - we shall rejoice.

God bless our troops - every single one - no matter where they serve.

Understanding Supervisors.


Today was a long day. The alarm clock rang and I thought, "NO! IT'S TOO DARK!" I heard the rain falling outside and it was beating against the window. Something tells me that you all know this drill. :-).

The day was a normal one -just long..made longer by the fact that Laurie was waiting for her re-enlistment paperwork because she is supposed to be swearing in tomorrow - out of the Reserves and back to the good old regular Army.

At four o'clock Ron emailed me that the paperwork came through and she was on her way. She will stay nearby the Meps office tonight and tomorrow morning say "I do" again to Uncle Sam. Seven years this time. I guess I must have been worried about all the paperwork getting there on time...or maybe just overwhelmed by the thought that it's really here. The time has come. Thank God my supervisor Pam's office is directly across from my desk. I was away from my desk and into her office in a shot because I knew she was in the back of the office talking to some of the other staff. So I knew I had a minute or two to try to compose myself and dry the tears that always seem to be so close to the surface these days.
I closed the door a little bit and just after I did that, Pam came into her office and knew immediately that I was crying - my back was to the door and she could tell by my posture. She asked me what was wrong...I think she was scared that it was Stephen. I quickly said "everything is ok...just a little overwhelmed right now."
And so she sat me down and I just kind of explained what it means to me that Laurie is swearing in tomorrow - another 7 years. And she listened and asked all the right questions - and shared the fact that she sure understands that it would be overwhelming for any mom.
So when I start this post out with a title 'Understanding Supervisors,' I don't mean trying to figure them out - but rather giving praise to God for someone who lets me be me - who realizes that although I put on a good front 98% of the time, and do my job every day, there's this corner of my heart that just has to give way once in awhile. The mom part - ya know?
And so I pray tonight, Lord thank you for your visit to the office today as Pam and I sat and talked. Thank you for her compassion and friendship and that she was there at that place and time when I needed a friend who cared.
And Lord, please bless Laurie - sbe might be strong and determined and a good and willing soldier, but always - ALWAYS - she is still my little girl. When I started this blog 2 and a half years ago, it was because she had re-joined the military - ha! The Reserves! But I knew it was just the beginning - she was breaking us in for what she really wanted to do. She found her niche and I guess so have Ron and I - as military parents. Thanks for listening - and for your prayers. Our troops - they all need those prayers, as do all of us who love them.
God's blessings to you all.

A Different World


It's 6:10 am, and I sit here in the office heating up my breakfast sandwich. McDonald's isn't open at 5:30 in the morning - at least not around here they aren't. But I did find a gas station that sells frozen breakfast sandwiches - the man was just making the coffee so I will have to settle for the coffee I make here every morning. I hope it tastes extra good this morning.
I got Ron to the airport for a very early flight and rather than drive all the way home, I came to the office. I'm only 2 hours early. :-) Good time to get rid of some extra "debris" on my desk.
My whole world looks so much different at this hour of the morning. The campus is asleep - a few maintenance trucks, here and there a student getting in their early morning run, but for the most part, it is dark and quiet , the parking lot casting unfamiliar shadows, (makes one pick up their step just a little), and I even needed my security swipe card to get into the outside door.
And, in just a little over a week, a whole different part of our world will change for indeed, the early morning flight that Ron is on this morning will take him to Laurie and Kasey. It will be a busy week for them - Ron helping Laurie get things packed up, Kasey's little 3 year old hands helping in every way possible. And Laurie - she will be leaving the active Reserves and going back in to the Active full time Army. They've got her for good now I think - at least for 7 more years. And then probably 3 years after that.
Never have I been more proud to be a mom - a Two Star Mom.
God bless our troops and those of us who wait for them...and support them in all that they do.
Blessings my friends.

A little bit of everything.


We had a good weekend - the garage sale was pretty successful, I got a long letter out to Stephen, had several things going on at church this morning and managed to be where I was supposed to be WHEN I was supposed to be: Church Council meeting; sang in the choir; Sunday School - not many kids today so the classes combined and sat out in the sunshine playing Bible trivia. Teachers against the kids - teachers won by one point...whew! That was close!
Home to a quick lunch and then we closed up the garage sale and went to an RV show. Gorgeous day in Western NY. We went to one of our favorite restarants for a quick supper and then stopped for ice cream on the way home...figured it was better for us than pie from the restaurant. Ok, whatever. :-) But it sure tasted good.
Fall is in full radiant color here in Western NY - the crisp fall air filling our nostrils with one of my favorite smells. Two years ago we had the October Surprise storm - an ice and snow storm that left us without power for days and some for weeks. The old trees that lined Delaware Avenue in Buffalo were asked to carry the burden of ice and snow and leaves, and couldn't. The arch that motorists once drove under now is missing in many areas. Many of them were lost, and are still not all completely cleaned up in the park and the cemetary in the surrounding neighborhood.
We've heard that this will be a rough winter here. Kasey will have plenty of snow to play in - now he just has to find the person who is going to go down the hill on the sled with him. Something tells me it's going to be me...grandpa doesn't do that anymore. Then Grandpa is going to have to pay for my new boots. We also need to buy Kasey some snow pants and a warm jacket. He has a nice warm scarf I knitted for him a couple of years ago that I hope Laurie has sent. Otherwise, I'll just have to knit him another. We'll go shopping together for the yarn so he can pick out the color. And then he can watch it take shape as I knit it.
And so, tomorrow Ron will pack away the things that have been in the garage most of the summer for our various garage sales - making room for the car. The next (and, praying, the last) garage sale will be in the spring.
Laurie and Stephen and Kasey spoke to each other and saw each other over the weekend on their computers. THIS news made my whole weekend. I need to look into this sound thing for our computers so Kasey and Stephen and Laurie can see each other online while Kasey is here.
Another week begins tomorrow - they all seem to be going so quickly. But I am ready for it - as ready as can be.
Hope it's a blessed week for all of you.
God bless our troops!

Stiff Upper Lip.


Well, as I might have told you in my last post, the boxes have been arriving with Kasey's things in them. And although I didn't mention it here, but mentioned on my military moms website, it's a bit overwhelming trying to imagine Laurie boxing all Kasey's things up to send to us. BUT, at least she knows that Kasey will be with grandma and grandpa who love him, and that she will be able to talk to him every single day - and probably see him for Christmas.
And so, with that said, I've decided to try a new approach: STIFF UPPER LIP, SUSAN!
We are blessed. Laurie has been accepted into this awesome program and once she starts her studies she won't really have a whole lot of free time, but she will be in the states, will hopefully be able to be here for Christmas; there will be pictures of Kasey waiting in nearly every email we send her, and she can call us whenever she is able. And, God willing, once we sell our home, we will be taking Kasey to live in the same city she's going to be stationed. There will be hard times AND good times - some tears and some laughter, and oh my goodness - only God knows what else. Trips to the zoo, or to the aquarium...to the grocery store and of course to the toy store.
Tonight when I talked to Kasey on the phone, he told me he is coming to visit me, "but not yet, grandma." No, not yet Kasey....but soon.
With all there is to do...I'd better get my new philosophy in motion. Wish me luck, ok? And a few prayers would be greatly appreciated.
Stephen is doing well, is settled in and my first package to him is in the making. I sent him a letter today with a picture of Laurie when she was about 12 (or a little younger) and she was dressed in some sort of get up for a game she was playing. Then there was the picture of Kasey I sent which was taken this past summer while we were all together on vacation. The last time he was deployed, I sent him a picture of Laurie when she was about 3 - sitting in my rocking chair with her bib overalls on - jeans on the bottom of them and the white bib which had pink rosebuds in it. So this time, since they are five years older, I thought a more "mature" picture of a 10 or 12 year old Laurie would be appropriate. :-) I hope they make Stephen smile.
Until next time...God bless our troops and those who wait.

Another Story of Camelot.

Back home again, my friends. It was such a wonderful weekend - seeing family and friends from across the country. We had a good (albeit long) trip to GA on Thursday, it was only a 15 hour drive. :-)But the wedding and other events - just being one of the bride's aunts and being able to participate in the preparations was such a blessing. And my older sister Pat and I hadn't seen each other in way too long, so we had a blessed time catching up.

We stayed in wonderful lodge type accomodations and Ron and I were in the same cabin as Pat and Allan. It made for great conversations and just bonding again after so long. Not that we were out of touch, just haven't seen each other. We didn't get much sleep though. :-) Also, our cabin had the hospitality bar on Friday night after the rehearsal dinner. The last guests left well into the night...ummm...early morning.

The wedding itself was something like a tale out of Camelot. Our niece, glowing and beautiful on the arm of her stepdad, (that's another Camelot story in itself), our new nephew so overcome with happiness that he was wiping away the tears as the vows stuck in his throat from the wonder of the day and of that moment, and the meaning behind the words he was finally speaking. We of course were all crying like babies ourselves...including the Deacon who married them. But it was wonderful.

Home again, after our 15 hour road trip yesterday, we are recovering today.

I titled this post "Another story of Camelot" for good reason. Laurie and Stephen's courtship and marriage have been like a fairy tale. Even with the military throwing in some "curveballs" here and there, they have been blessed. It's something a mom can think about and smile.

And this week will be one of preparation for Kasey. Some boxes have arrived for him and I will unpack them - they are his linens and clothes so I will have everything ready when Ron brings him back with him from his trip to help Laurie move in less than three weeks. So much to look forward to - and so many prayers to say.
Stephen is safely to his base in the sand - he called Laurie yesterday. So the writing and the package stuffing begins. It will give Kasey and I stuff to do together.Well, plenty to do here so I'd best be getting to it. It's good to be back. I loved visiting Camelot, but the real world awaits. Blessings my friends and God bless our troops.