I have been trying to adjust my mindset. When Eric is gone I will have to take care and think of it all in a different way than if he was just gone for a weekend or a business trip. Earlier this week I made my way to the upstairs potty. When the time came for me to reach for the mostly used roll of TP, I fumbled and it rolled clear across the bathroom to the door. Just as it stopped, Tiberias, our 8 month old Bichon, appeared at the door. He is known for his toilet paper antics. He whisked the roll into his mouth and ran down the steps. And there I sat. If someone is home, situations like this are never a problem. But in this instance I found myself alone. And then I started thinking about how Eric will be completely gone for a long time which brought me to thinking about my toilet paper supply and storage. So today we bought a ginormous package of TP from Costco and I will be distributing it appropriately in the house for just such an instance where I am alone with a TP stealing dog and no one to rescue me.
I spent 2 days at Eric's office this week. I surprise visited him one afternoon because Brady had some things to take care of. And the next day Eric and I had things to take care of. The first day I found myself trailing behind their pace. And then I noticed that all of the other people in uniform carried the same pace. And the next day it was the same and I felt as though I just couldn't keep up. It is built in them...taught and learned. It is incredibly impressive. You can feel that they are all a part of a team. It is now second nature to all of them and noticeable to those on the outside.
Prayer Requests:
1) Paperwork is started but we have a long way to go. Please pray for our organization efforts of all documents and paperwork.
2) Pray all of our projects get completed in the 4 months that we have.
3) Prayer of praise for these really nice moments we are having together and also with family and friends.
4) Pray we get all traveling and visiting done.
Thanks to all our family and friends..you are all awesome!
1 Peter 1:6&7 In this you rejoice, although for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials so that the genuineness of our faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Monica
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Postings and requests
Happy Snowy Monday! We are snowed in with no school once again. What a winter! I have a theory that we are getting all of this snow and ice this winter so I won't have to deal with snow and ice next winter while Eric and Brady are gone. So..sorry for the double winter...we'll see if my theory holds.
Eric had a great first drill with his new troops this weekend. He is overwhelmed with information. Unfortunately, my postings will be pretty discreet and vague. If you want details, you will have to speak to us personally. That being said please be discreet when you comment on any of my postings.
Eric does have a specific request. He wants to spend as much time with family and friends as possible before he goes. So please call, visit, go out to dinner...whatever...movies..anything. We will do what we can!
We have a number of things that we need help with before Eric leaves. If you have any knowledge or expertise, that would be great. If you would like to physically help, that would be great too! If he was only leaving for a short time they wouldn't be so imperative. But the length of time demands they get fixed.
1) Both of our toilets don't flush properly and we don't know why. We don't know if they just need all of the stuff in the tank replaced or if we need new toilets. Those of you who try to flush our toilets know what a pain they both are.
2) Our downstairs bathtub is currently under reconstruction because the faucet developed a leak. And in order to fix the leak we realized we had to replace the entire surround. So we need plumbing, drywall, and tiling done. We are willing to do the work but we need some instruction and/or help.
3) The stair rail going upstairs ate through the plaster and we need some fixing there. Not even really sure what to do. I am needing a railing. And if any of our parents come visit they really need a railing.
We have one current need for him. If anyone has a laptop that is current and could accommodate skype, we are looking for one for him to take along. It was suggested it would be best if he had his own.
That is all I am thinking of right now. I'll post them as they come up. Thanks for your considerations!
Prayer Requests:
1) Eric's date is good for Logan's graduation....thank you for your prayers.
2) Pray for Eric and Brady to have fairly regular access to a chaplain and mass.
3) Pray Eric is able to study all of the materials given to him and get all of his military things in order, take care of his full-time job, and for us to get all of our papers and responsibilities in order like bill-paying, wills, power of attorneys, etc.
4) Thank God for putting together some really neat opportunities for Eric and Brady. I wish I could post them all but I can't for security reasons. You will have to ask.
2 Samuel 22:47 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
Love,
Monica
Eric had a great first drill with his new troops this weekend. He is overwhelmed with information. Unfortunately, my postings will be pretty discreet and vague. If you want details, you will have to speak to us personally. That being said please be discreet when you comment on any of my postings.
Eric does have a specific request. He wants to spend as much time with family and friends as possible before he goes. So please call, visit, go out to dinner...whatever...movies..anything. We will do what we can!
We have a number of things that we need help with before Eric leaves. If you have any knowledge or expertise, that would be great. If you would like to physically help, that would be great too! If he was only leaving for a short time they wouldn't be so imperative. But the length of time demands they get fixed.
1) Both of our toilets don't flush properly and we don't know why. We don't know if they just need all of the stuff in the tank replaced or if we need new toilets. Those of you who try to flush our toilets know what a pain they both are.
2) Our downstairs bathtub is currently under reconstruction because the faucet developed a leak. And in order to fix the leak we realized we had to replace the entire surround. So we need plumbing, drywall, and tiling done. We are willing to do the work but we need some instruction and/or help.
3) The stair rail going upstairs ate through the plaster and we need some fixing there. Not even really sure what to do. I am needing a railing. And if any of our parents come visit they really need a railing.
We have one current need for him. If anyone has a laptop that is current and could accommodate skype, we are looking for one for him to take along. It was suggested it would be best if he had his own.
That is all I am thinking of right now. I'll post them as they come up. Thanks for your considerations!
Prayer Requests:
1) Eric's date is good for Logan's graduation....thank you for your prayers.
2) Pray for Eric and Brady to have fairly regular access to a chaplain and mass.
3) Pray Eric is able to study all of the materials given to him and get all of his military things in order, take care of his full-time job, and for us to get all of our papers and responsibilities in order like bill-paying, wills, power of attorneys, etc.
4) Thank God for putting together some really neat opportunities for Eric and Brady. I wish I could post them all but I can't for security reasons. You will have to ask.
2 Samuel 22:47 The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!
Love,
Monica
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Toasty Woes
One of my common complaints in the winter is I am always cold. Sometimes so cold I can't warm up. Our new-to-us house was built in the 1920's and can be a drafty at times. We also have hardwood floors everywhere. So I bundle up and put my slippers on and do my best.
Eric has been busy making lists and thinking of things that would help me out while he is gone. He proudly sent me a text saying he had a surprise for me. When I climbed into bed that night it was toasty warm..unusually warm. I thought for a moment he had laid on my side for a bit and warmed it up. But then he grinned and asked me how I liked my toasty warm bed. He had put a heated mattress pad on just my side of the bed. How sweet is that? And now if I am cold I have a perfect place to go!
Well, this weather has been crazy and we've had some pretty cold temps this winter. So another night I came home and Eric had placed our space heater in our room. It was wonderfully toasty warm in the room. And then I climbed into my toasty warm bed and all was good.
Now I'm really excited about my nest that Eric has created for me. He also got our wireless router hooked up which allows me to take my laptop to my toasty warm nest. Life is good!
And then I got a cold. My Sjogren's Syndrome and colds don't get along too well when it comes to sleeping. I'm already really dried out during the night from no blinking and little swallowing. And now a cold. So my throat is sore and I'm coughing and snoring. It is a miserable sight. And I love my toasty room but at night we have to cool it down so I don't dry out too much. And then we decide it is time for the humidifier.
Eric was gone one evening a couple of weeks ago. So I went upstairs and turned on my space heater and my mattress pad and climbed into bed with my laptop. I decided I better run the humidifier and climbed back into bed. All was well...for a few minutes. And then the fuse blew. So now I'm in the dark with my laptop. I sat for a minute and then said to myself, "Well, I better get used to handling these things alone." In the meantime, Laramy had bolted out of his room wondering what had happened. And so the two of us proceeded to the basement to fix the fuse.
We were unsuccessful. And Laramy was pretty stressed because he wanted to finish his laundry. But after I sat in the dark for awhile I realized it was only my room and his room that was out. I guess he realized it too because without a word he switched his laundry around. And I smiled.
So Eric returned and fixed the fuse. And I learned that sometimes you have to just wait a bit and then flip the switch and it will come back on. And I also learned that I can't be too toasty in my room or I will blow a fuse. I'm pretty sure I will learn many, many things in the coming year.
Happy Saturday!
Love,
Monica
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock.
Eric has been busy making lists and thinking of things that would help me out while he is gone. He proudly sent me a text saying he had a surprise for me. When I climbed into bed that night it was toasty warm..unusually warm. I thought for a moment he had laid on my side for a bit and warmed it up. But then he grinned and asked me how I liked my toasty warm bed. He had put a heated mattress pad on just my side of the bed. How sweet is that? And now if I am cold I have a perfect place to go!
Well, this weather has been crazy and we've had some pretty cold temps this winter. So another night I came home and Eric had placed our space heater in our room. It was wonderfully toasty warm in the room. And then I climbed into my toasty warm bed and all was good.
Now I'm really excited about my nest that Eric has created for me. He also got our wireless router hooked up which allows me to take my laptop to my toasty warm nest. Life is good!
And then I got a cold. My Sjogren's Syndrome and colds don't get along too well when it comes to sleeping. I'm already really dried out during the night from no blinking and little swallowing. And now a cold. So my throat is sore and I'm coughing and snoring. It is a miserable sight. And I love my toasty room but at night we have to cool it down so I don't dry out too much. And then we decide it is time for the humidifier.
Eric was gone one evening a couple of weeks ago. So I went upstairs and turned on my space heater and my mattress pad and climbed into bed with my laptop. I decided I better run the humidifier and climbed back into bed. All was well...for a few minutes. And then the fuse blew. So now I'm in the dark with my laptop. I sat for a minute and then said to myself, "Well, I better get used to handling these things alone." In the meantime, Laramy had bolted out of his room wondering what had happened. And so the two of us proceeded to the basement to fix the fuse.
We were unsuccessful. And Laramy was pretty stressed because he wanted to finish his laundry. But after I sat in the dark for awhile I realized it was only my room and his room that was out. I guess he realized it too because without a word he switched his laundry around. And I smiled.
So Eric returned and fixed the fuse. And I learned that sometimes you have to just wait a bit and then flip the switch and it will come back on. And I also learned that I can't be too toasty in my room or I will blow a fuse. I'm pretty sure I will learn many, many things in the coming year.
Happy Saturday!
Love,
Monica
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal Rock.
Friday, January 22, 2010
My Troops
Believe it or not I have been surprised by people's reactions when I tell them about the deployment. I'm not sure what I was expecting. But I wasn't expecting the sadness, tears, and shocked looks. I suppose I have been expecting this for a long time. Don't misunderstand me. I was not jumping for joy when he told me. But I know I have also spent years preparing for this moment.
A few years ago our good friend, John Mayer, and his son John Michael spent a year in Kosovo. If Eric had stayed in the guard, he would have went with them. During that year, I never thought much about Eric missing out. But when they returned and we went to the open house, I realized Eric should have been with his fellow soldiers and my heart ached for him. I knew, even though he couldn't say it, that he wished he had been with them. When Eric decided to re-enlist, I did not hesitate. He is a soldier and he is incredibly happy being a soldier. He is who you want defending your country. But all this time he has been sitting on the bench. And now it is his turn to play the game.
I have completely different feelings about Brady being deployed. When 9/11 happened I was thankful that Brady had asthma and would never have to serve. But Brady is his father's son and he always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He thought his dream was lost. But his asthma turned out to be severe acid reflux. He was able to enlist. I would never step in the way of any of my children's dreams even when they want to step in harm's way. When he was injured at basic, his heart ached and it saddened me to think that he might not accomplish his dream. He did. When they stood face to face at the airport in their Class A's...what a moment for me as a wife and mother!
So...to my troops here at home... don't be sad or look at us with pity. But stand proud with me and behind our family as we go through this time. Pray for us. Laugh with us. Hug us. Fly a flag. Call us to chat! Send us an encouraging email. Come visit. At times we may need you to cry with us. Knowing that we have support will make this so much easier!
So we will send them off with an ache in our hearts and a smile on our faces!
Prayer Requests:
1) departure date after Logan's graduation
2) great first drill weekend this weekend for Eric with his deployment team
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
Love,
Monica
A few years ago our good friend, John Mayer, and his son John Michael spent a year in Kosovo. If Eric had stayed in the guard, he would have went with them. During that year, I never thought much about Eric missing out. But when they returned and we went to the open house, I realized Eric should have been with his fellow soldiers and my heart ached for him. I knew, even though he couldn't say it, that he wished he had been with them. When Eric decided to re-enlist, I did not hesitate. He is a soldier and he is incredibly happy being a soldier. He is who you want defending your country. But all this time he has been sitting on the bench. And now it is his turn to play the game.
I have completely different feelings about Brady being deployed. When 9/11 happened I was thankful that Brady had asthma and would never have to serve. But Brady is his father's son and he always wanted to follow in his footsteps. He thought his dream was lost. But his asthma turned out to be severe acid reflux. He was able to enlist. I would never step in the way of any of my children's dreams even when they want to step in harm's way. When he was injured at basic, his heart ached and it saddened me to think that he might not accomplish his dream. He did. When they stood face to face at the airport in their Class A's...what a moment for me as a wife and mother!
So...to my troops here at home... don't be sad or look at us with pity. But stand proud with me and behind our family as we go through this time. Pray for us. Laugh with us. Hug us. Fly a flag. Call us to chat! Send us an encouraging email. Come visit. At times we may need you to cry with us. Knowing that we have support will make this so much easier!
So we will send them off with an ache in our hearts and a smile on our faces!
Prayer Requests:
1) departure date after Logan's graduation
2) great first drill weekend this weekend for Eric with his deployment team
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.
Love,
Monica
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Welcome Pugh Sitters!
As many of you have already heard, Eric and Brady are both being deployed overseas. Eric and I have been having many conversations about many tough things. One of these things is letting people know how they both are and any news that I have heard. So in order to keep you all informed without having to repeat everything a zillion times I have created this blog. It will also give you a place to go in the event you hear something alarming on the news. This will allow Eric to possibly check in on our daily activities if he has time and access to a computer. He has been told that it would be best if he can take his own laptop. We are not sure at this time what communication will be available for him. So it is very possible we will only be able to talk to him once a week. We are hoping for daily emails and a skype session whenever possible. We won't be able to know their locations, I believe.
Right now we don't know very much at all. There are many things that we need to take care of before he leaves. We do have some things that need done in the house and we are taking care of necessary paper work.
That being said I'm going to list some things that we may possibly need help with and I will definitely be listing prayer requests. I am looking forward to all of your support...my "Pugh (pew) Sitters" which you will be known as if you follow this blog. :) My hope is that my news and stories will help ease the stress of them being gone and keep us all informed. As most of you know a day rarely passes without something funny happening in the Pugh household.
Prayer requests:
Eric's departure date - we need it to be after Logan's graduation...there is talk of moving it up
God Bless!
James 1:12 Blessed are they who persevere under trial for when they have stood the test they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those that love Him.
Love,
Monica
Right now we don't know very much at all. There are many things that we need to take care of before he leaves. We do have some things that need done in the house and we are taking care of necessary paper work.
That being said I'm going to list some things that we may possibly need help with and I will definitely be listing prayer requests. I am looking forward to all of your support...my "Pugh (pew) Sitters" which you will be known as if you follow this blog. :) My hope is that my news and stories will help ease the stress of them being gone and keep us all informed. As most of you know a day rarely passes without something funny happening in the Pugh household.
Prayer requests:
Eric's departure date - we need it to be after Logan's graduation...there is talk of moving it up
God Bless!
James 1:12 Blessed are they who persevere under trial for when they have stood the test they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those that love Him.
Love,
Monica
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