Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Pictures
I thought you all might like to see a few pictures that were taken in the last couple of days. He assures me that is him walking....and even though he definitely looks thinner...I can tell it is him.
God bless and thanks for your prayers
Love,
Monica
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
How to spend a Sunday
Sundays are the hardest day of the week for a military family I think. For us, it is very hard to pretend Eric is at work. His absence has been felt deeply by me on Sundays for all the years he's been a soldier. Many Sundays after church the boys and I head to Jordan Creek for lunch and some hang out time. We did this even before Eric left. It seems to be the one time during the week when we are all together. So while we miss Eric's presence we have still continued to do something after church each Sunday. And it most definitely keeps me occupied instead of feeling lonely.
This past Sunday we found ourselves eating lunch together in the food court. But Logan had to work at three and I had a couple of errands to run. So Logan drove the boys home because they decided they didn't want to stay with me. I basically just wandered for a little while. I found myself looking at Younkers yellow dot shoes where I managed to score a really comfortable pair of $60 anti-gravity sandals for $8. I love looking for deals and decided to head towards Dillards. But then I was sidetracked by another store. When I wandered out, I found myself passing by the guys giving the chair massages..you know the ones..they have them in every mall. Well, I've been needing a massage. My massage therapist (massages really help my Sjogren's) closed her shop to go back to more schooling and I'm still searching for a new one. So I was just watching them and the next thing you know they were talking to me..trying to convince me to get in the chair. Well, what did I have to lose? And he said, "Oh..you tight" (he was Asian). Really? I could have told him that. So I proceded with the 20 minute massage which I have to say was really okay and much needed. So I paid him and started walking. But wouldn't you know that the guy in the next kiosk who promises amazing curls wanted to also curl my hair? Well, I was in for that. In fact, I told him to just curl up my whole head! His name is David and he is from Israel. We had a very nice conversation about my Baha (have to tell them when they are touching my head) because his sister is deaf from an explosion. And he did a fabulous job on my hair and taught me how to actually do the curls. I really wanted to sleep on it before making a decision to buy. And I tried what he taught me with my straightener. And I have to say that I believe it is worth the money if anyone has ever wondered. I didn't have near the success with mine.
So you're thinking I'm heading home now right? No! Next up... the Seacret ladies! Oh..most days they really irritate me. And I own one of their sets courtesy Brady. So I ususally say I already own it. But she wanted to wash and lotion my hands. And so I let her. After all...I was massaged and curled. I might as well be lotioned up too.
The only thing that would have finished off my afternoon would have been if the See's candy ladies would have been passing out free chocolates. But that will start soon with the upcoming holiday season. I'll have to remember to not wear my zebra striped coat then so as not to be memorable. Then you get handed one every time you pass by.
Well, I can tell you that I CTM as I walked away and headed to my car. What a funny out-of-character way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon. Somebody better tag along with me next time and keep me in line!
Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for healing for Eric as he took a very hard fall and has a couple minor injuries. I don't know anymore than that.
2) Pray for Brady as he settles in to this next month of training in a new location. There will be a couple of weeks where we have no contact with him.
3) Praise once again for the gift of Eric's laptop. It is the only way we have had to communicate. He currently has no way to call. His laptop, even though the connection has been very poor to say the least, has really been a blessing.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
This past Sunday we found ourselves eating lunch together in the food court. But Logan had to work at three and I had a couple of errands to run. So Logan drove the boys home because they decided they didn't want to stay with me. I basically just wandered for a little while. I found myself looking at Younkers yellow dot shoes where I managed to score a really comfortable pair of $60 anti-gravity sandals for $8. I love looking for deals and decided to head towards Dillards. But then I was sidetracked by another store. When I wandered out, I found myself passing by the guys giving the chair massages..you know the ones..they have them in every mall. Well, I've been needing a massage. My massage therapist (massages really help my Sjogren's) closed her shop to go back to more schooling and I'm still searching for a new one. So I was just watching them and the next thing you know they were talking to me..trying to convince me to get in the chair. Well, what did I have to lose? And he said, "Oh..you tight" (he was Asian). Really? I could have told him that. So I proceded with the 20 minute massage which I have to say was really okay and much needed. So I paid him and started walking. But wouldn't you know that the guy in the next kiosk who promises amazing curls wanted to also curl my hair? Well, I was in for that. In fact, I told him to just curl up my whole head! His name is David and he is from Israel. We had a very nice conversation about my Baha (have to tell them when they are touching my head) because his sister is deaf from an explosion. And he did a fabulous job on my hair and taught me how to actually do the curls. I really wanted to sleep on it before making a decision to buy. And I tried what he taught me with my straightener. And I have to say that I believe it is worth the money if anyone has ever wondered. I didn't have near the success with mine.
So you're thinking I'm heading home now right? No! Next up... the Seacret ladies! Oh..most days they really irritate me. And I own one of their sets courtesy Brady. So I ususally say I already own it. But she wanted to wash and lotion my hands. And so I let her. After all...I was massaged and curled. I might as well be lotioned up too.
The only thing that would have finished off my afternoon would have been if the See's candy ladies would have been passing out free chocolates. But that will start soon with the upcoming holiday season. I'll have to remember to not wear my zebra striped coat then so as not to be memorable. Then you get handed one every time you pass by.
Well, I can tell you that I CTM as I walked away and headed to my car. What a funny out-of-character way for me to spend a Sunday afternoon. Somebody better tag along with me next time and keep me in line!
Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for healing for Eric as he took a very hard fall and has a couple minor injuries. I don't know anymore than that.
2) Pray for Brady as he settles in to this next month of training in a new location. There will be a couple of weeks where we have no contact with him.
3) Praise once again for the gift of Eric's laptop. It is the only way we have had to communicate. He currently has no way to call. His laptop, even though the connection has been very poor to say the least, has really been a blessing.
James 1:2-4 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Every moment is a new moment
I sat down this morning to work on the computer when all of a sudden I heard Christmas music coming from the television. I turned my head in amazement to see a commercial for an upcoming Christmas concert. The passing of time is more evident with the change of temps this morning, toilet paper in my trees for homecoming, and the inevitable early arrival of Christmas commercialism.
Eric and I have settled in to chatting once a day. Our schedules are flipped. When he is sleeping, I am in the middle of my day and vice versa. One of my favorite moments is waking to the ding of my blackberry telling me I received an email while I was sleeping. And I can usually get at least one eye open to see what Eric had to tell me while I was dreaming away. Although I have to admit, that I usally have to read it again later in the morning after a cup of coffee.
My dining room table is full of donations for my pencil/marker drive. Logan picked up boxes and customs slips yesterday at the post office so I can begin packing them. I am surprised and overwhelmed at the response. It takes about two weeks for Eric to receive a box. So if some of you sent a package on your own you will be able to gauge when it might reach him. I also received donations for postage without pencils. Any extra postage money I have will be used to purchase more pencils to fill out a box. I have tried very hard to keep track of everyone who donated. But many of them came without a name. Thank you all so much for taking the time to participate! As of this moment Eric reports that he hasn't received any boxes. But he has promised a picture as they start to arrive. And that will give us all something to look forward to.
Yesterday I received a phone call from Grassley's office in reference to my email about Eric's mail contractor. I was surprised to say the least. Many of you have heard me say that I am just fortunate to be able to vote after flunking political science twice in college. It is like I am studying a foreign language upside down. But every moment of this year is a new moment for me. And (don't choke here honey) I realized that I don't need to know the political process to be a concerned citizen with a problem. I was listened to and heard. So now I am waiting to hear if there is still a mail problem and, if so, Grassley's office will act with my consent.
Prayer Requests:
1) Pray for Brady as he transitions to the next phase of his journey.
2) Praise for great friends and family who helped with Logan's car dilemna! It is back in Winterset and in the shop getting fixed.
Romans 12:11,12 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Eric and I have settled in to chatting once a day. Our schedules are flipped. When he is sleeping, I am in the middle of my day and vice versa. One of my favorite moments is waking to the ding of my blackberry telling me I received an email while I was sleeping. And I can usually get at least one eye open to see what Eric had to tell me while I was dreaming away. Although I have to admit, that I usally have to read it again later in the morning after a cup of coffee.
My dining room table is full of donations for my pencil/marker drive. Logan picked up boxes and customs slips yesterday at the post office so I can begin packing them. I am surprised and overwhelmed at the response. It takes about two weeks for Eric to receive a box. So if some of you sent a package on your own you will be able to gauge when it might reach him. I also received donations for postage without pencils. Any extra postage money I have will be used to purchase more pencils to fill out a box. I have tried very hard to keep track of everyone who donated. But many of them came without a name. Thank you all so much for taking the time to participate! As of this moment Eric reports that he hasn't received any boxes. But he has promised a picture as they start to arrive. And that will give us all something to look forward to.
Yesterday I received a phone call from Grassley's office in reference to my email about Eric's mail contractor. I was surprised to say the least. Many of you have heard me say that I am just fortunate to be able to vote after flunking political science twice in college. It is like I am studying a foreign language upside down. But every moment of this year is a new moment for me. And (don't choke here honey) I realized that I don't need to know the political process to be a concerned citizen with a problem. I was listened to and heard. So now I am waiting to hear if there is still a mail problem and, if so, Grassley's office will act with my consent.
Prayer Requests:
1) Pray for Brady as he transitions to the next phase of his journey.
2) Praise for great friends and family who helped with Logan's car dilemna! It is back in Winterset and in the shop getting fixed.
Romans 12:11,12 Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Riding the wave
Today is just one of those days...one of those roller coaster days. I have had a lot of things happen (car issues/leaky pipe/dental insurance) one thing after another. So I'm riding the roller coaster of emotions today and missing both of them very much.
I thought you might all like to see a current picture. This was taken a couple weeks ago. He is well and settled. I think he looks quite a bit thinner. I don't have a current picture of Brady. But he is spending his leave days with Jayme and I'm hoping she will bring back a few pictures to share. I am so thankful they get to spend a few days together. And I pray they really have a fun and relaxing time together, too.
I have had a wonderful response to my crayon and marker request. Thank you everyone who has contributed. It will really bless him and help him do his job. I am still gathering them and will start sending them soon. I have had very generous donations for shipping as well. If you are interested but haven't heard what I am doing, please contact me and I'll give you the information.
Labor Day weekend found Ayden and I taking my mom and dad to Mt. Rushmore. I have always been fascinated with watching my sons see things for the first time. Watching children be amazed at something is awesome. This was Ayden's second trip and he was amazed in a different way this time. But I have a new perspective after watching my parents view Mt. Rushmore for the first time in their lives with all of their life experiences. I am very blessed to have experienced it with them and I am so thankful we made the trip. Every moment in my life is a learning experience and I learned a lot about myself during the trip, too.
So while today has been a wave of emotions, it is also a learning day, too. And tomorrow is another day and one more day passed until the guys return home.
God bless,
love,
Monica
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