Can I Call You When Daddy Comes Home?


The other day, Ron and Kasey were talking about the fact that Stephen will be home soon. Kasey was happy, of course, but then got very pensive. Ron said, "what's wrong, Buddy?"
And Kasey said, "But Grandpa....can I call you when my daddy gets home?"
Ron told him that we would BE HERE when his daddy comes home. And Kasey said,
"No, No. I mean after daddy gets home and you and grandma go to live in the desert, can I still call and talk to you and grandma?" I guess we've grown on him a bit in the last 9 months. This makes me smile.
He's been asking a lot lately why we have to go live in the desert (Arizona). Ron doesn't really have a better answer other than, "well, Buddy, that's where Grandma and Grandpa want to be for the winter." (jury is still out on that one as far as grandma is concerned :). Grandma sure wouldn't mind a Colorado winter...very few snow storms in this area of CO. So this will be up for discussion in the weeks to come.
When I hear Kasey's little voice asking such serious questions - and telling us that he will miss us, I am so grateful for the wonderful experience we've had with Kasey. The ups and a fair amount of downs too as Kasey has grown into a more independent little boy, have kept us happy and busy and fulfilled.
"Can I call you when my daddy comes home?"
Kasey, there won't be a moment when we won't be thinking of you and hoping to hear your little voice. It's a sound I could never do without.
Thank you, Lord for the blessing of this little boy.
God bless our troops, and those who wait.

As Beautiful as Ever.


This morning, Ron and I were driving about town, and always, the mountains were in view. They are so majestic - and it caused me to remember that America the Beautiful was inspired by a visit to the top of a mountain here in CO. As I thought about that, it brought to mind 9/11. and perhaps one of the most poignant moments of that day. It was when so many of our government leaders - of both parties - gathered on the Capital steps in Washington DC and sang God Bless America- united in the tragedy that our nation had endured that day. I have a lot of trouble singing those songs because of the lump that forms in my throat and the tears that cloud my eyes. But I always manage to get through them.
We are a proud nation - hopefully not a boastful pride - but a pride which makes our hearts swell with thanksgiving at being one of America's citizens. And when I see our military men and women dressed in their BDUs, going around town - banking, shopping, errands that we all do - it just causes me to be proud of all of them. Over and over again.
And when I look at them I wonder...is he or she a veteran of the Iraqi war? Are they scheduled for deployment? Do they have children who have missed them - or who will need to say goodbye in the near future?
We all do our part to keep America who she is, live good lives and help one another if a need arises. But the men and women in the Armed Forces give a lot more. Some of their sacrifices are known by those of us who love them, but even we can't grasp the magnitude of everything they have given up...including the families of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. They give their lives every single day...may their families know it is not in vain. Nor will they ever be forgotten.
This is because the America they fight and die for is still free. And beautiful.
God bless our troops and those who love them.
Thanks for stopping by.
Sue

NO MORE MAIL!!


After a week at Laurie's, and then three HOT days on the road, we are finally at our home base and are waiting for news on when Stephen will be coming home. Saturday when we were on our way to the zoo, Laurie's cell phone rang and it was Stephen. NO MORE MAIL!
THIS is a good thing as anyone who has ever had a loved one deployed can tell you. And so, now that we are where we want to be for a couple of months, we will have some fun with Kasey, do some shopping and finish unpacking the trailer. I have quite a bit of wall space so there will be plenty of room for my patriotic wall hangings. Call this mom happy and finally, after a rough few months, I think we are content. Scott will be here later this month, Laurie will also have leave in August, and they will stay here. So we are allowing ourselves one free day tomorrow, then begin the fun part of decorating and the rest of the unpacking.
Kasey is so excited to be here. Such a lot this little boy has been through in the past 10 months.

I must admit, there have been times during these last few weeks when I can honestly tell you I thought we were crazy to do this full time RVing thing. But God is good - He knows just how much we can handle and stops at that.
So now, instead of writing letters, I can start writing my lists and planning Stephen's welcome home dinner. Right here, in our RV. At home.
God bless our troops...and those who wait.
Blessings,
Sue

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.

The Faces of War



The other night, just as I was putting my laptop to sleep for the night, I noticed that I had a new email from Laurie...the subject line: Picture of Stephen!
Opening it, her words to Stephen's mom, to Ron, and to me were that she found a picture of Stephen on her FRG website. She was so thrilled to see it. It was an action picture - apparently taken during a mission. And while I shared my daughter's thankfulness at finding the one picture out of God only knows how many out there in cyberspace with a picture of her beloved soldier, it also made me cry. (you know how I am). I opened the picture and clicked on it to give me a zoom in, and sure enough, there he was. Now, my first words to that picture were, "Oh Stephen." And the next? Through tears, my prayer, Dear Lord, please bring our soldier home safely to us.
It brings the war too close to home...puts a personal face on it that I cherish...and yet, the loneliness that I feel for him and for Laurie and Kasey. Their loneliness for each other. He is but one soldier in more than one hundred thousand US troops now serving over in the sand. But he is OUR soldier, just as all the men and women over there belong to someone. They belong to many people - and all of them are ours. As individuals, and as a nation.
President Obama said on Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetary, they are the very best our country has to give.
God bless them all - those faces across the sea, and those who serve at home.

Quiet moments.


I love those last few moments before Kasey gets tucked in to bed at night. The busy-ness of the day is left behind and the time for reading stories and saying prayers becomes a haven for this grandma. That's just it - after a long day for both of us, Kasey and I settle into who we really are - a boy and his grandma. It's our time to put behind us whatever stressors have made their unwelcome presence into our day. For me, those include this waiting for our closing to be done on our house, or the times I've had to raise my voice to a little boy who is being just that, a little boy. 'Eat your peas, Kasey.' 'No more chocolate milk until you have some bites of chicken, Kasey.'
'Please wash your hands, Kasey." Etc., etc., etc. (sigh).
For Kasey, it's putting the time outs he may have had at school behind him, or the words he may have said to grandma or grandpa which got him in trouble...all those moments which make a day upsetting to a 4 year old boy.
Tonight, the pain in my ribs was really bothering me but I wanted to read Kasey a story about Lightening McQueen and his ever present friend Mater the Tow Truck. When he saw that I was in a great deal of discomfort, he filled in the blanks...knows the book by heart...and recited it word for word just by memory and looking at the pictures. After the book, it's time to tell Kasey a story. He always tells me what the story should be about, and leaves the rest to grandma. :)
In those quiet moments, we also say Kasey's prayers - blessing everyone he can think of including 4 legged creatures he (we) love. Tonight we did a little detour from the prayers as he mentioned his doggie Mya and how he will see her when we visit Laurie in July. He can't wait - the love for her (and his mommy) brightening his little face with a beautiful smile.
We asked God to bless his daddy - and a side conversation with a quivering lip as he asked me why his daddy has to be in Iraq. My own lip quivered as I told him his daddy and all the other soldiers over there are brave and wonderful people who believe in making sure everyone is safe from the bad guys.
As we got near the end of his prayers, he was a little restless and I mentioned to him that when we talk to Jesus we should always pay attention to what we are saying. Which prompted a conversation about how Jesus died - "are those the same bad guys where daddy is grandma?"
(No, Kasey, but people are still not understanding why Jesus died which doesn't make them bad, just not understanding about Jesus).
In the end, we adjust his covers, turn the right nightlights on which allow him to read his book one last time for the day, and we say "Night Night, I love you" about 4 times until he is done asking last minute questions.
And I walk down the hallway....not feeling like a guardian at all.
Finally, I am just grandma. And I smile...just as I am smiling now.
God bless our troops and those who love them. Especially their children, who wait -and wonder just how long it will be before it isn't grandma who says their prayers with them, but their mommies and daddies.

Because of the Brave

This is definitely a weekend when all military families reflect on the freedom our nation so cherishes - and even more, on the loved ones who keep us free. There's not a whole lot to it - plain and simple, we are free because of the brave.

We are ever so mindful of who to thank. Those who serve now, those who have served in the past, and especially those who have sacrificed everything - even their very lives - so that we may remain free.

It's a belief. A treasure we have been given; and something we can all too easily take for granted if we don't set our hearts in the right place.

What will you do this weekend to honor them? We will hopefully talk to Stephen - more importantly KASEY will talk to Stephen. We will also have our daily conversations with Laurie (and more importantly KASEY will talk to Laurie). And wherever we go, as we pass the flag dotted cemetaries, we will thank God for all who give today - all who gave so much in the past.

There is a certain pride that is in the hearts of Americans - not a boastful pride, but rather an appreciative pride. It allows us to stop and think - to be thankful for this land we live in. Not for the material things we have, but for the principle on which this nation was founded. For our freedom to worship, and speak, to be together in our ideals and opinions - or to differ in them.

I give you thanks, dear Lord, for our freedom. For these men and women who have given so much for so many years.

Since the beginning of time, there has been strife in this world. And therefore, warriors. Great differences in warriors, though, have made the struggles different as well. In America, we fight for Freedom - here on our soil, and wherever it needs to be defended.

In the hearts of our American warriors dwell committment, loyalty, courage, and if truth be told, fear. May Faith also dwell there as well. ALWAYS, may they know that God is with them.

God bless you and this land of the free we call home.

Connections



We are still waiting for a new closing date - a date that actually sticks this time - so this morning, I had just a few more things to go through before I could say I was satisfied with what I saved and what I couldn't keep. I have this notebook type album made by a good friend a long time ago. It's a red notebook with patriotic cloth covering it and the words "Military Moms" on it. Inside, many pages of postcards from military moms I have "met" over the years via this wonderful blessing called the internet. Some have remained good and close friends, some are easy to remember and make me smile in doing so, but are no longer part of our military moms website and we have lost touch; and others who have left the mms website are still good friends. A few years back, maybe 5 or 6 years ago, we had a group who decided to have a postcard exchange - we sent postcards from our home cities to each other and we gathered quite a nice collection - these are the postcards I found today in the notebook. Going through the pages of the book today and looking at the postcards from all over this great country, it made me smile.
My Two Star Banner is now packed away in a box and safely inside a uhaul, but it will be one of the first things I unpack when we have our new home and are sitting in a campground. I anticipate all the new friends who are out there - military parents those who see our Two Star banner and realize that they have found other military parents who can understand the sacrifices made, the fears they have, the pride.
I am grateful for the connections that make this roller coaster ride such a blessing - and if you are reading my words right now, I am grateful for YOU.
God bless our troops and those who love them.

Stars and Stripes Forever.

Well, since today seemed to be a pretty good day pain-wise, I thought it would be a good day to pack/sort/pitch the stuff in my linen closets. I only needed help with the top shelves - had nurse Ron pull those things down to my level for me. I sorted through the sheets and tablecloths and cloth napkins - so many were inherited from my mom and Ron's mom and Laurie had asked if I could give her some of them (gladly Laurie), so I went through them all. In doing so, I remembered the tables our moms used to set - with the ample and steaming bowls of mashed potatoes, and vegetables with cheese sauce or butter, perfect salads, and platters of meat - and full to the brim gravy boats sitting next to them. Dinner rolls - mmmm good - with REAL butter.

Anyway, it was a good project for today. A nice box of memories will go in the trailer with Laurie's name on it.

Of course it also meant going through the tons - ok, not tons, but LOTS - of dishtowels I have built up over the years. Some of the towels I've b0ught found their way into scrub buckets filled with Murphy's Oil Soap or Mr. Clean, and I found a few more that qualify for Mr. Murphy during today's task. But oh my gosh - I never realized how many patriotic towels I've bought, and been given, over the last 10 years or so since Laurie went into the military. Stars, stripes, patriotic hearts, lighthouses with flags offering a symbol of "light" as well. (Karen, I thought of you when I put them in the "save" pile, and figured you probably have some which are similar. Then there were the several navy blue and white checked towels with the patriotic hearts on them - Kim and Linda - I remember those with the mugs you gave me (the mugs are amongst those going with us - they made "the cut":). And the red and blue towels with white stars on them which Laurie bought in our favorite gift shop near one of her past duty stations where she and I did some of our best shopping with Ron's blessing - well, ok, maybe not with his blessing, but with his credit card. (Isn't that the same thing?).

And so, even though our patriotically themed wallpaper was stripped last month for the soon to be new owner of our home, the things that made this house our home - the touches that define who we are - will go with us. I am smiling here.

Stars and Stripes Forever? You bet.

God bless those who fight for those stars and stripes - and those of us who wave them proudly as we wait.

Ummm, Doc, can you help me please?


Hmmm. No, this isn't a repeat post. Last night, I had an early dinner (soup, sandwich PLAIN lemonade) with my friend and her little 8 month old daughter (she's gorgeous and friendly and smiley) and then stopped at Tim Horton's for some decaf coffee and some donut holes for Kasey.
When I got home, Kasey was talking to his mommy. Happy that I hadn't missed her call, I put my stuff down and went over to sit down. Kasey was just saying his goodbyes so I took the phone when he handed it to me and started talking to Laurie. Enter KLUTZ. I lost my balance as I was sitting down in the chair. The rest is kind of a blur...I fell, hitting my back on the cement ledge around the fireplace, bounced off the ledge and landed on the floor. Couldn't breathe, couldn't talk, couldn't holler for help or tell Laurie I was ok. I could hear Laurie saying - "hello, hello - are you there, mom?" And then I heard Kasey say to Ron, "what's the matter with Grandma? " Enter Sir Lancelot (Ron) who was asking me why I was on the floor, why I couldn't talk, what was the matter with me. One word answer: "FELL!" I couldn't tell him what happened - he just thought I fell. So, he hung up the phone - Laurie had hung up by then and two seconds later the phone rang and it was her - she thought she got disconnected. Ron told her that her mother fell and was trying to decide whether or not to get up off the floor.
So he said that I would talk to her today.
Enter pain. Shock is gone, pain is setting in. I got to the couch - Kasey runs to get his favorite blankie and says, "here grandma, this will make you cozy." (Don't you LOVE little kids? They offer so much comfort in so few words).
Long story short, I went to bed at 10 pm, woke up at 1:30 am and Ron helped me out to the recliner where I slept for four hours. This morning I felt better except for the spasms of pain in my rib cage. One visit to my favorite family doctor in the whole wide world, a visit to the xray place, and voila! 2 broken ribs, but my lung wasn't punctured.
Six weeks and I should be fine. But he gave me a couple of prescriptions for meds. He did say the packing, traveling, etc., wasn't going to be easy. Oh, well. When I think of how serious it could have been, it's really ok.
Today is Laurie's birthday - 29 for the first time. How did so many years go by? We called her first thing this morning so Kasey could say Happy Birthday to mommy. She had gotten her birthday box yesterday so that was the first thing she did when she got up. (this from the girl who said 'I don't need a THING.') I love sending birthday surprises, don't you? Even if they don't need anything - it's important to say to them: I NEED to tell you that I love you on your birthday and always.
Ron and Kasey should be home soon with Kasey's movies for the weekend. Bless his heart - and his grandpa's too. How blessed am I to have them here? No words to describe that blessing.
Have a good weekend everyone.
Message to self: try to stay upright. :)
God bless our troops.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Who would have thought?

Yesterday was my last day of work. It becomes official at beginning of business on Tuesday - I am retired. It's been quite a week for me...people stopping by my desk to say goodbye, or to say they thoroughly expect me to stop back sometime when we come "home" to visit Scott. And yesterday was an extremely emotional day - trying to get things done, a few problems here and there, little fires which needed extinguishing. And so, by the time I got to my wonderful party at 3 oclock, I thought I was doing well - tears had fallen during the day at various intervals but I had a handle on it.

Uh huh, sure I did.

It was a wonderful party and I did quite well until I opened my gifts - my co workers were so generous. And then it was time for me to speak. Saying good bye is just not something I am good at, and even though it came out ok, I woke up this morning thinking of all I could have added. There were three banners hanging on the wall with so many wonderful sentiments written on them, I didn't dare read them until I got home. This is also when I read some of the cards which were written by people I have come to love and respect - some of them in the background of this picture. Long story short - the smile on my face above is how I feel - truly. It was taken when I saw Ron and Kasey walk into the party and I thanked God that this is where my future lies - Ron has always been my life, but now we have another excellent adventure ahead of us. I look back on all the things God has brought us through, and I am so thankful, but I am sure that He has so much ahead of us as well.

When Ron and I got married nearly 40 years ago, Richard and Karen Carpenter had a mega hit - We've Only Just Begun.

Honey, here we go again - just beginning. But I have a feeling that every once in awhile, I just might be looking back - to savor the memory of 14 years working with friends in a job I loved.

God bless our troops.