We Just Never Know...


We just never know what God has in store for us. When Stephen left 6 weeks ago, it was hard to imagine what it meant to him - what was going through this little family's hearts and minds. He told us to have a good year. Easier said than done for him, though. After Laurie returned from her training for the first part of the program in TX, The kids had 10 months to be a family together and it went so fast. But as that 10 months went so quickly, we could only pray that his deployment would go quickly as well.
And so, the roller coaster ride continues. The highs of Laurie's program being very close to being completed, and then she could settle down and practice what she learned. It would give her some down time - FINALLY! But then Laurie found out last week that she will be assigned to one of the Army posts in Texas. Did this mean she and Stephen would be at separate posts when he returned? It looked that way. She emailed her program coordinator to find out what was going to happen. Who would Kasey live with? But no, when Stephen gets back from the sand, he will also move there so they will still be together. They were supposed to stay here, but the Army doesn't always remember what they say. Thing is, logistically speaking, the move is pretty much in Laurie's hands. We will do all we can, of course, as far as the actual move. But the planning, the dates to be coordinated, and finding a new place to live for the five of us will be pretty much up to Laurie. Stephen will help her find a home via the wonders of internet and we will stay here until Kasey finishes the school year, and then follow Laurie. Thankfully the Army will pack and move them, so we can be here for that too. We will move out so the house can be rented, and live at a hotel for a couple of weeks until Kasey is done with school. They would like us to stay with them - to help with Kasey AND because Stephen (in Laurie's words, "loves you and likes having you around."). I guess Laurie and Kasey do also. :)
But we will increase what we give Laurie each week to help with additional expenses. There will be a small war over this but we are still the parents. I love being the parent!
When a soldier leaves for deployment, he or she just never knows what the year will hold. But they trust that they will come home to the people who love them.
This is no different for Stephen - he has people who love him and he knows that we trust as he does - that God will bring him safely home. And home is not where his house is, but where his loved ones live.
And do you know what? Two Star Banners are ok to hang in the Lone Star state too. It will be the last thing I pack here, and the first thing I unpack in our new home.
Blessings my friends.

More Than Words.


The roller coaster....it's something that many Americans are riding on every day....and maybe not at an amusement park. But it's a ride that brings many emotions....fear, excitement, ups, downs, and on some days, you just never know what you are going to get because the curves are a little too sharp to see what's ahead.
But to love someone - or more than one someone - who serves in the military is the proudest ride a person could ever experience in a lifetime. We are blessed to have our daughter and son in law both serving. Laurie has been in for 12 years, Stephen for nearly 16.
This morning there was a Veterans appreciation assembly at Kasey's school. We went with Laurie...and when they asked all current and former members of the military to stand, I was so proud to watch as Laurie, and Ron, who is a Navy veteran of the Vietnam war, both stood. Many, many active military were present at the assembly and with a military band there to boot, it didn't take me long to use the tissues I had stuffed in my pocket as we left the house. Kasey was there in the front row with all the rest of his class and it was awesome to see the kids as they waved their flags during the closing song - Proud To Be An American - not sung by Lee Greenwood but by the school kids themselves. They knew every note, every up and down and pause and the words were heartfelt as they sang.
Laurie also cried - I know it was a difficult assembly for her with Stephen in the sand and I know that she was wishing he could be with us too. I was glad I had extra tissues - she needed them. And as we listened and watched and smiled and cried, it could only be appreciated in full to be in one of those roller coaster cars. To understand that these kids and teachers REALLY wanted to give a tribute and to know that a lot of planning went into every bit of the program.
The tears today were not just Laurie's and mine. To look around and see them in the eyes of men and women in their military uniforms, the veterans with their dignified posture, and the kids in their colorful red, white, and blue (and they managed some pretty ingenious ways to get those colors into one outfit :) - all of these things a reminder that the brave who have fought, those who still take up their arms to protect us, and those who have given that ultimate sacrifice which can never be forgotten by all they leave behind - did so because they were and are Americans who are loyal to our flag. And they want(ed) to keep us free. To think our present day military actually volunteer to do all this...to risk all of this - is pretty amazing.
I am having trouble getting my head wrapped around all of this today - words aren't enough, and even the ones this thankful heart prompts me to type are not adequate.
But because of those who serve(d) - including my own two soldiers and the man I have loved for 41 years - I cried tears of pride and thanksgiving, and maybe even a little pain and anguish this morning. They are cleansing. and there is no shame in them.
And when Kasey gets home from school today, the hug I give him will be a little longer because I know that he is serving too. He will not understand now, but someday, on another Veteran's Day, he will know.
Thank you for stopping by - please say a prayer today for those who have served, who still serve, and for those who love them. They would be so appreciated.

A Nation of Change?

I'm not a political person. I have my views and opinions of course like everyone else, but I don't normally voice them in my blogs. I believe that my vote counts, though, and that when I voted for President Bush in both of the Presidential elections when he was on the ballot, I had made a choice which I felt good about personally, it was also the choice I felt was best for the country. And as President Obama said yesterday, this is what makes a democracy great - the right of our people to chose. Despite the fact that the wars begun during President Bush's first term in office are still requiring my own two soldiers and their little boy to be far apart from each other more times than I care to count, they are not complaining and not questioning the need for their separations and service on foreign soil. And if they don't, far be it for me to second guess this life they have chosen. This is their lives - in more ways than one - and they are together in it whether they are on American soil, or somewhere far away. And every time they sign their name on that dotted line to serve additional years, they know and understand that the sacrifices may be greater than they are bargaining for, but which they are willing to risk.

As voters spoke on Tuesday at the polls, it was clear we are a nation looking for new folks to decide important issues for us in Washington. Since we are not residents of Colorado, we were not eligible to vote, but the results were just as important to us. The Governor's race in NY still held our interest since my pension is resting in the NY State retirement system...changes there could affect our future here. And of course Scott and his family are impacted by NY state government every single day.

The other night I was watching the Giants/Rangers world series game and as in all the previous games, the song during the seventh inning stretch was not 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' but rather 'God Bless America' - a song which always brings tears to my eyes and a lump to my throat. As I watched the singers (members of the Armed Forces) trade places at the microphone, the camera panned throughout the crowd and to the players. Hands over hearts, lips moving, and just some folks standing there in respect for our country and for what we stand for. After the singers were done, and the crowd continued cheering, there was a camera shot of both Presidents Bush riding across the field in a motorized cart, saluting to the singers because they were military. And the crowd cheered for both of them as they did for God Bless America, and those who had sung it.

A nation of change? Perhaps we are, yes. And this change is not just shown in elections but rather in the affection and respect Americans have for those who serve. Remembering the disrespect so many of our country's men and women had for the soldiers (and by soldiers, I am encompassing all of our military branches) returning from the VietNam war, it's felt deeply to see the current generation of the Armed Forces being appreciated. Since Ron is a VietNam vet, he especially notices the respect the people of our country have for those who serve...and the thanks our citizens give to those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan....or to those they happen to meet on Anystreet, USA. There are many Americans who do not agree with the wars, but they are giving the respect to those who are fighting them, and keeping us safe at home.

A nice thing, don't you think? As a two star mom, I can tell you it's a wonderful to know that although my children no longer serve in a time of peace, they serve a nation who is thankful.

Blessings my friends,

Sue