Banner's Up!!


Hello dear friends. Today we became residents of South Dakota. The people at the DMV office were quite nice, and my picture doesn't look too bad. I kept my eyes open so this is good. But I think I look like a chipmunk.
At any rate, it feels kind of weird...but at least the plan is going quite smoothly. On our way through IL yesterday, we stopped at a store and I bought some little suction cup thingies that you put on windows for wind catchers. And of course, for Blue Star Banners. And so, this two star mom has finally put up my two star banner...it's in the back "picture" window of our RV for all the world to see. I had looked for-and found-the box I had packed it in on the first day I unpacked...but couldn't find the suction cup thingy which I know I packed with it. So I finally just bought some more and hung the banner today. I must say, I feel more at home now.
We are having a pretty good time, although there is a lot of work involved in moving into an RV from a house. Kasey is having a ball - is such a good traveler and stays awake most of the day but does take a good nap sometime in mid afternoon. I miss his little jibber jabbering for those couple of hours.
Tonight, as on all the other nights we have spent in the trailer, Kasey is sleeping with us - as is Lily. The sofa bed still has a few boxes on it and the bed is big enough for all of us. I think there is a bit of comfort for all of us in this. But tomorrow, I will be able to clear the sofa so he can sleep in his own bed tomorrow night. Our time with him is quickly passing - and I won't get into that or I won't be able to finish this post without some tears. Last night Ron was talking about when we are on our own and of course I teared up at the thought. Ron said he's pretty sure Stephen and Laurie would notice if we tried to keep him. Funny.
So, here we are...we are home tonight because we are in our RV in our new state. By Saturday we will be gone and on our way to see Laurie. This is a great thing for us all.
As our troops in the sand get closer to that date that is in the news, please pray for them...for God's hedge of protection to be all around them - and that those who wait will feel that assurance of God's protection around their loved ones.
Be blessed my friends.

New Journeys...




The house is sold, the ink on the last signature of our closing papers long since dried, and we have been living in a motel for a week now. The check has cleared the bank and we pick up our brand new fifth wheel on Saturday. By Sunday afternoon, we should be on our way west.
Sounds good, right? Yes, and it's also good to see the plan in black and white. But it's also a bit of a challenge. An emotional challenge for this mom.
Coming home from dinner tonight, I realized that all the "things" which make our town comfortable will remain here....and we will be finding new comforts in every mile we travel, in every town, or forest, or RV park we call "home" for however long we stay, and in those quiet nights in campgrounds hundreds of miles from Western NY. We will travel far and wide...east to west, north to south and back again to the North (but not in the winter :) and somewhere along the way I will get used to it all. And find the comfort that I found here in Western NY for 62 years. Nothing will change - I will be Ron's wife, mom to Scott, and to Laurie, and to her Stephen as well, and Kasey and Veronica and Luke's gram. But in a different place.
And of course, I will be a two star mom. When Ron and I left our house on closing day, the last thing I did was to take down the yellow ribbons from the trees in the front yard. Ron insisted that I not save them....and that new ribbons will adorn our RV. I felt a little sad about that, but he was probably right...they had gone through a heck of a western NY winter, a windy and rainy spring, and looked pretty much done for.
Tomorrow I will go to the local Bath and Body Works and fill a basket with some things for the teachers at Kasey's school. They have been great to us all...and in fact today Kasey came "home" with 2 Father's Day gifts...one labeled 'Dad,' another 'Grandpa.' The same thing happened for Mother's Day...mom and grandma packages. So I'd like them to know that we appreciate their understanding Kasey's unique situation these last nearly 8 months. They've always allowed him to talk about his mom and dad and his grandma and grandpa, and how his daddy is getting the bad guys and mommy is learning something that she will be able to do for a long long time...even when she is out of the army.
He has grown up a lot - I know I mentioned that in my last post. And we have been the blessed witnesses to that.
And so, our new adventure is beginning. Oh, I am still Two Star Mom....guess I probably always will be if Laurie and Stephen don't change their plans.
Wherever the journey takes us, however long the Lord will allow it to be, we are hoping for fun, and knowledge, and, well, comfort.
Ron said it all in one sentance this afternoon...."We live in a great country. It's time to see it all."
And just think, you get to see it with us. :)
God bless our troops and those who wait.

From Toddler to Little Boy.

So many wonderful blessings have come our way these past 7 plus months since Kasey came to live with us. And, of course, challenges as well. Lately, just in the last few weeks, he has changed. When he first arrived, Moosey - a huge stuffed moose that I...ummm, that Santa gave him in Christmas of 07...was his constant companion. Bedtime pal, extra pillow when he turned himself around in bed at night, and just plain friend. Although it was gradual, Kasey began leaving Moosey behind when he went to bed at night...would say "oh yeah" when I asked him if he wanted him in bed. But now, Moosey remains in Kasey's toybox and he takes his hotwheels cars to bed. :) A few, and within reason. Which averages out to be 7 or 8. Now that we are all sleeping in one room - Kasey on his thick quilt on the rug in our bedroom and us on the mattress on the floor - when I wake during the night as I always do, I often hear noises. I hear the sounds of Kasey...mumbling in his sleep, turning over, and the sound of his hot wheels turning over as well. It's a funny thing, but comforting as well, to hear these things in the middle of the night. It means that yes, my boy is still warm and cozy and sleeping like a log.

And he is also more independent - takes more showers instead of baths - supervised by one of us to make sure he doesn't slip in the shower, and of course with a pair of orange goggles to protect his little eyes from the baby shampoo. Funny. (We've gone through an awful lot of that in the past couple of weeks since he's been doing this himself). And we've noticed in the last couple of weeks a spontaneity in hugs and kisses. When he first arrived, if we would ask him for a kiss, he would put his head down and let us kiss the top of his head. Now, he holds up his little face for a kiss...those wet little kisseys that I love because his face is so adorable as he is puckering up to plant the kiss.

And the hugs...not just a quick hug that sometimes misses entirely, but a real hug - both arms held there in a good hug that says I love you. Sometimes, I stop and think of the fact that in less than 3 months, he will be back at home with his daddy - this 11 month time of blessing which seemed so scary, wonderful, overwhelming all at the same time when we first began this journey- will be over. Now, I think only of the blessing - the confidence and trust Laurie and Stephen placed in us that day when Kasey was still a baby as they asked us to sign the family care forms in case their Army commitments ever required them to both be gone at the same time. From 3 year old toddler, to 4 year old little boy - and to think we are living these days with him.

And yet, I can't wait until his mommy and daddy can have him back - not that I am anxious to give him back...but that they can experience this wonderful little boy once again. Thank you, Lord...and please keep his daddy safe in the sand, and his mommy steadfast in her studies.

God, please bless our troops...and those who wait.