Tears and Laughter

Tears come at unexpected times.  I haven't blogged for a couple of weeks.  When I signed in this morning, I checked the other blogs I follow.  One of them is written by a fellow soldier of Brady.  He has been on the same journey and has already arrived in Afghanistan.  As his pictures came up of his travel overseas, my tears started.  The feelings about a mother of a soldier and a wife of a soldier are completely different. 

As a mother there will always be a part of me that wants to just rescue my baby and bring him home.  And I know in life there will be those moments when you are there rescuing your children even in their adult lives..even if it is just to stand by their side.  Eric and I experienced that with our parents when our children were born particularly with Brenden and Laramy.  But I also know this is Brady's dream and he doesn't want me to rescue him but to just know that we are standing by his side.  So know this, son, we are here and we have your back in whatever we can do and especially as we kneel to pray.

As a wife I don't feel the need to rescue my husband but to honor him by doing the absolute best I can here at home.  And by doing my best, I am staying very busy.  The gardens are done.  The porch is painted.  The garage is sorted and tools put away.  I've emptied the pond and staked up the redbuds.  I've sorted his clothes and given many away (he's lost weight and I'm shopping to replace).  I'm painting and sorting and scrubbing and cleaning. 

And then there's work, friends, travel, family, bills, errands, boxes to ship, and Logan, Laramy, Ayden, Bren and Sarah.  Oh..and a wedding!  I am working on the guest list for Brady and Jayme's wedding and we have our niece's wedding coming up at Thanksgiving.

All these thoughts started with a couple of comments said to me this week.  I went to the Assessor's office with my DD 214 in hand to get a military reduction on our property taxes.  And as some of the paperwork was being done she said, "You have a son over there, too, right?  I don't know how you are doing it".  

Well, I do have my moments like the one I had this morning.  I had a huge moment a couple of weeks ago when the phone rang and I thought it was Brady calling after no communication for a time.  It was Brenden.  I hadn't talked to him in awhile either.  So we shared a good laugh at my confusion and tears.  Most of my moments come when looking at pictures or skyping with Eric.  People continue to ask about them and it truly touches my heart. 

So my reaction to all of this is the only choice I have.  I could stay home and worry and stress. Or I can stay busy and do my best.  And all of my friends are doing a great job of keeping me busy. 

So for the month of October, Lisa and Dawn win for the best job of keeping me busy with a quick trip to Vegas! And, yes, Eric loved that I went and was able to see Donny in concert which was a lifelong dream for me.

Fun and laughter most certainly help.  I can't wait for the guys to return so we can make some wonderful memories!

Check out Lee's blog if you wish  http://www.oef2011.blogspot.com/ !

Prayer requests:

1) safe travels for Brady

2) physical stamina for both of them

3) emotional strength for all of us esp. the boys here at home

4) praise for easy and often communication and Eric's laptop once again

5) praise and thanks for lots of awesome friends

6) praise for those who barely know us but ask and say we are in their prayers



1 Thessolonians 1 2&3 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

God Bless,

Love,

Monica

Fall Things

When chatting with Eric one day, I realized there were things I was forgetting to tell him.  I am thinking I am telling him everything.  But with as big of a family as we have, things do get forgotten.  So I spent some time today uploading these videos and pictures to give them a taste of home from this fall.  We miss you both and love you and can't wait for you to be home with us to enjoy all of these activities with us next fall!

 Jr. High Marching Huskies

Covered Bridge Festival Parade 2010

(video featuring Ayden marching with his french horn)

 Marching Huskies

2010 Season

(video featuring Laramy with his marching tuba)

High School 11/12 Choir

Laramy at center top

Liz and Lisa down to watch Laramy march

Melody and baby Taylor

Ayden marching

okay..this was taken last winter but I thought it would make you laugh...why don't Logan and Laramy want their picture taken?

Monica and Selah

Cyclone Erin (isn't this awesome?)

My dad can strike up a conversation with anyone!

New Beautyberry bush for Eric...I was not influenced by the purple berries at all

My Christ Renews Carroll Outreach Sisters... me, Jean, Cindy, Kristi, Kasey, Angie, Pam, Heather, Deb, Carol, and Janelle.

The Christmas decorations are up in the stores and another season is upon us.  Time marches on as usual.  And we continue with our days and activities.  But, for me, not a second goes by without a thought of either of them.  And I know so many of you are praying for them because you tell me and you ask about them. Thank you so much for all of your continued support. 

I have reports of pencils being received from the Methodist church in Grimes.  Thanks, Shellie!  And I have reports of pencils received from Papillion.  Thanks, Mike and Chris!  And I have another report of pencils received from Clinton.  Thanks, Carol and the bank!  Hopefully he will remember to tell me about each package he receives.

God bless,

Love,

Monica

The Bucket Not List

I came back after a long weekend away to find a picture of Eric sitting down having a meal.  And, of course, I naturally looked over what was on the menu.  I spied a dish of beans and wondered how that went for him.  And I chuckled to myself quite a bit about the beans.  For those of you who know Eric well, you know why I chuckled.  For those of you who don't let's just say Eric doesn't eat beans....ever.  Lucky for me I was able to ask him about the beans this morning during our chat time.  It went something like this:

Me:  I saw the picture of you eating.

Him:  Oh, good.

Me:  How were the beans? (I am totally snickering and chuckling with this comment)

Him: Same as usual....

For a few short seconds I thought..he ate them?  he didn't eat them..  was he just being polite? and then I started to feel impressed that he was putting aside his extreme dislike and horror at the thought of one even touching his lips.. and then he finished his comment...

Him: ...still just laying there in the dish

Phew!  Now I know one doesn't spend a year away from home without changing.  But if he came home liking beans I was going to wonder if I got the same husband home.  And then he said....

Him:  had a bad run in with some mutton, too.  Those things need to be added to my bucket never to do again list. 

So I know that many people make their bucket lists of things to do, but there needs to be a bucket not list..just in case your memory fails and you forget you didn't try something or to remind yourself that you weren't going to do that anymore.  And maybe there needs to be a bucket over and over again list...things you can't get enough of like Mt. Rushmore.  It is something you could see time and time again and still be in wonderment and awe at it. And I know there are a few restaurants I could put on my not list and moments with friends on the over and over again list.  I know the older I get the more important all three of those lists have become to me.

Prayer Requests:
1) Brady is finishing some training this week.  We haven't had much contact with him.  Pray for him through each transition. 
2) Eric is well but feels daily stress.  Pray for him physically and mentally.
3) Praise for the continuous endless list of friends and acquaintances who ask how they are doing and how we are doing. 
4) Praise for my Christ Renews outreach sisters and for the wonderful weekend we had together.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.  When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. 

love,
Monica