Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Branching out!

It seemed inappropriate to include all my travel adventures here on Two Star Mom. This is, after all, a blog created to honor my two soldiers and all of our military and their families. Being part of a military family is a unique honor - a roller coaster adventure in itself.
And I have a feeling that being on the road full time in an RV will also be unique - a real trip. Pardon the pun, please.
In any case, I made the plunge and created another blog for the traveler in me to use. It's called - Living the Dream - I THINK!
I tried to insert the shortcut into this post but wasn't successful, and so if you'd like to visit, the link is in my profile. Ironically. although I struggle with Two Star Mom in trying to post links and shortcuts, I have been able to set up a link list - still incomplete - on my new blog. That is a big YAY!! since so many of you have been visiting me for so long and I couldn't figure out how to send others to your sites. Problem solved, or so it seems. If your site isn't there yet, it will be soon.
I will still be here as Two Star Mom, but I'll be hanging the two star banner in our fifth wheel trailer and taking it on the road. I hope you visit once in awhile to see where we are - hmmm, does that sound like I don't know where we are going?
One last thing for this morning's post and it has nothing to do with blue star banners or RVing. It's all about health and the flu epidemic that is beginning to move across our nation, and the world. Be safe, be cautious, be alert for the signs of this disease in your family or others. All of you are a blessing to me and I'd like you to stay healthy and happy. These are precautions that we will take as well - so that branching out and moving on can become reality.
God's blessings my friends and God bless our troops.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

So, What's Up Doc?



This is a post I have been praying I could make for a couple of weeks.
It all started a few weeks ago with a hearing test at an ear, nose, and throat specialist. I've been having so much trouble hearing out of my right ear - it's been a gradual hearing loss, but definitely more prounounced in the last several months. It was getting to the point that nearly everything couldn't be heard, or if I did hear someone speaking all the words were garbled. So, before we headed out and before my health insurance switched over, I thought I would have it checked out. I flunked the hearing test miserably, more than that - because everything is garbled - the ENT dr. asked me to have an MRI to rule out a rare type of benign tumor that causes the symptoms I've been having. I had the MRI the next morning - got the results last week. The doc comes into the room and said, "you're the lady who's going to travel in an RV, aren't you?" And I said, "Yup...aren't I?" (there was something about the way he asked the question). And then he told me he was going to throw a monkey wrench into our plans because guess what? I am one of those one in 100,000 people who get this rare type of benign tumor. He told me it's on my brain but it's really small. Three methods of treatment: watch it with MRIs, radiation, or surgery. Enter shock and awe. And tears. So I go home and tell Ron I have a tumor, and got an appointment with a neuro surgeon.
The appointment was this morning and the news was good - find a good primary MD when we get to our home base, and then have him refer me to a good neurologist who will monitor it for me. The tumor is on the nerve to my auditory canal - not actually on the brain. The hearing that is gone is gone - no treatment will bring it back. But the news was the best I could hope for.
The neuro surgeon summed it up pretty good this morning - told me that the ENT dr. was definitely looking for this tumor when he ordered the MRI. He also said this usually hits people like a ton of bricks. Yup, he's got that right.
So, with the blessing of the doctor, it's full steam ahead. Pack, sign papers, and close the door behind us as we begin a new journey in two weeks.
Oh, and I finally found the place in WNY who makes the PERFECT pizza - and great wings too. I think we found that place the day I had my hearing test - at least something good happened that day. :) We took Laurie and Kasey there yesterday.
But the REALLY good thing that happened that day was that God sent me to an ENT doctor who was thorough by suspecting a tumor. And by making sure I followed up.
So, God is still here, blessing us. No surprise in THAT, is there? He is so good.
Blessings my friends.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

With the sure and certain hope of Resurrection.


When my dad passed away in 1999, we were thankful that he had made all the pre-arrangements for himself and for mom before their health began to fail. They lived in Florida, and so, as my two sisters and I met that afternoon at the funeral home in Florida, there was very little we needed to worry about. The funeral home director had made all the arrangements to fly dad's remains to Buffalo for the viewing, the funeral, and the cremation. Dad even had his and mom's urns selected and purchased. And so, since I was the only daughter living in Buffalo, I brought his ashes home - and mom's also when she passed away in 2003. We knew that before we left for our new journey, the ashes would need to be interred in Dad’s family plot of a small cemetery about an hour from my home. Laurie hadn’t been able to get home when Dad died because she was in training, and she also did not return home when mom passed away since she and Stephen were on their honeymoon (I chose not to tell her until they were home), and also the war was looming and they were about to begin their deployment training. When I knew that we could inter Mom and Dad’s ashes while Laurie was home on leave, I asked her if she would like to be present. She said yes- it would be closure for her.
This morning, Ron and I, Laurie and Kasey took the ashes to the cemetery and had them interred. My sister asked me to be the one to do the brief service since she and our other sister both live out of state and couldn't be here to participate. So last night, I wrote a brief service, choosing Scripture and hymns I knew mom and dad would like.
I printed the service out last night on plain white paper, adding a graphic of a cross and a heart, and the words of John 3:16 to the front fold of the service; this morning – in the rain and cold wind of a WNY April morning, we stood before the urns and said our goodbyes. They are finally at rest. There’s an empty corner now on the concrete ledge that goes around our fireplace in the family room; yet with the sure and certain hope of resurrection, I said my earthly goodbyes this morning – knowing that at the time God has pre-ordained me to join them, I will embrace them again. To close the service, we sang The Common Doxology.
Indeed, Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Thank you for letting me share.
God bless you and may He bless our troops.

Sunday, April 19, 2009


The girl in the Nike sweatshirt:
















There's one thing better than a hug from your child - and that is:
watching as she hugs her own little boy. Life in it's perfect circle.
Dear Lord thank you for this long awaited reunion - please bless Laurie's and Kasey's time together. And also please bless a husband and daddy in the sand, knowing the two people he loves most in this world are together.






































































Monday, April 13, 2009

Let's get serious here!

Ok, this week is going to be a killer. Packing, cleaning, and physical therapy. Dishes, pots and pans, linens and all miscellaneous things joining us on our journey need to come out of their rightful places and get wrapped in newspaper and into boxes. Half of the two and a half car garage will be filled with boxes by week's end. This is a good feeling. Saturday, it took me a couple of hours to sort out all of Kasey's toys and condense them from two boxes into a large plastic tote with a picture of Lightening McQueen on it and a bright red cover (let know if you don't know who Lightening McQueen is :). Kasey, trying to help (but mostly saying, "I've been looking for this grandma" and then playing) was also asking, "Why is this taking so long and when can we color Easter eggs, grandma?"
Last night I was really tired - hips really bothering me from standing on the ceramic tile floor all day in the kitchen - so I was in bed by 9:30. It was a great day, but grandma was tired.
Today, no appointments or anything to draw me away from the fun - :) so I will get a lot done.
This is so that when Laurie comes to visit she won't feel like she has to pack stuff and can just spend time with Kasey.
The physical therapy for my back is going ok. I am finding all sorts of joints and muscles that I didn't even know I had but I guess this means it's working.
But I guess I'm not getting anything done sitting here blogging, right?
Better get moving. Literally.
God bless those held captive by the pirates in the standoff which just ended - and the Navy Seals who rescued them - thank God for their bravery.
May He bless all of our troops - those standing guard at home, and all those across the seas.

Sunday, April 12, 2009


HE IS RISEN!!


It is Easter Sunday - the somber days of reflecting on the last supper, the betrayal, and Jesus' trial and death are over (all of which should never be forgotten), and CHRIST IS RISEN!

This morning's service of joy was as uplifting as always - the church filled with the scent of hyacinths, lilies, and tulips, the windows draped in white with butterflies fastened to the drapes to remind us of our new life in Christ. Pastor had changed the communion assistant schedule to include me because he asked me to serve this one last time with him before I leave in a couple of weeks. So, it was not only joyful this morning, but bittersweet. This was the 26th Easter Sunday since God called our family to the doors of this church. Year in year out, day in and day out, moment to moment, there has never been a time when Jesus hasn't been there. And because of this constant reassurance, He has been with me as well - no matter the path God has led me on.

And so again this morning, He was there in all His risen glory.

May He be with you today my friends - and each day to come. May the joy of the risen Christ also bless and be with the men and women who serve our nation at home and away. His peace is one which is everlasting - and the hope we have in Him a hope that endures forever. It matters not where we are, He goes with us.

HE IS RISEN. ALLELUIA!

Thursday, April 02, 2009


It's not always easy.

We talked to Laurie last night. She got another good grade on an exam yesterday, but she said that two of her friends had not made the grades they needed to stay in the program. It's an extremely difficult program, and to make the "grade" so to speak, they are required to study, study, study. They have no "life" to speak of except studying, and I think it's discouraging sometimes when soldiers see their friends try so hard and not make it. Some people just don't do well on exams - studying for hours doesn't help, and hope isn't enough to get the grade they need. And so, although I heard discouragement in her voice last week, she isn't changing a thing. Her life is studying, PT, taking the dog for a walk or run, doing laundry (while studying of course). I know that she is tired, but she feels it's worth it. And so, Kasey and I will fill a box with happy things and send it to her for Easter. He made a wonderful dinosaur picture yesterday at preschool and he says his mommy likes dinosaurs so he will send it to her in our happy box.
Same with Stephen - he never sounds discouraged, but does sound tired. Our happy box will go to him tomorrow as well. Sometimes when he calls us at dinner time and he should be in bed, but says they just got back, it makes me wonder how the mission went. Know what I mean?
So I bought him some extra special things yesterday and Kasey and I will make some cookies tonight and frost and decorate them. Stephen will know without a doubt who decorated them. :) And this is good. It isn't always easy to know what to say when they are tired or discouraged, but I just ask God to give me the words that will offer a little bit of sunshine or peace. I count on Him a LOT.
Things here at home are good - if busy is good then we are REALLY good. It's wonderful to have my early morning time with Kasey, to get him ready for school, comb his hair a bit because he needs another Army style haircut (we just did that about 3 weeks ago - it grows really fast).There's a lot to be said for busy-ness. It keeps me focused on the task at hand, and helps my heart be grateful for God's hand at work in my life. We don't always know where the road is going to take us- further away or closer to home - but we know He is always with us however long that road may be. And I am assured of His hand on my children as well. I pray they feel it.
God bless our troops - and all of us who wait.