This year will pass and so many things will happen. Days will go by and not all daily tidbits will be relayed. So I will be highlighting happenings at times so Eric will be in the know. I decided you all should join me in the fun because there is never a dull moment in the Pugh household. So here are just a few life lessons we have all learned lately.
*When you take a box to the to the post office, if you expect it to go to the address you intend, you must pay postage. The same rule applies when you take a box to UPS to be shipped.... and so now we have two stories instead of one...thank you Laramy. That being said, Logan has successfully mailed two packages to his dad due to the lessons learned from his brother, Brady, and his brother, Laramy.
*We just found out that Ayden thought all of his life that hamburgers came from ham. We have informed him that they are beef and I believe his fog has lifted...life seems a little more clearer for him now. Maybe I have cleared up some questions for some of my blog readers as well.
*When you go out to eat and order a grilled chicken salad, you should expect to receive a grilled chicken salad for your meal complete with the salad dressing of your choice. If by chance you receive a burger and fries instead, don't look at your server and ask, "Is this the grilled chicken salad"? Because I can guarantee that your server will go back to the kitchen and burst into uncontrollable laughter at your expense. And you all ask why I still wait tables?
*When you eat lunch out with your friends and an older lady approaches your table to tell one of your friends she looks just like Julia Roberts, make sure you encourage the lady to say whatever else is on her mind. In fact, if she wants to take a picture of your friend, let her! And then just continue to call your friend, Julia, even if her real name is Melody.
*When you are teaching your children to drive, make sure they understand that occasionally a parent might scream. This will more than likely happen if your child doesn't put the car in park before he decides to take his foot off the brake and you are rolling towards the car in front of you.
*If you happen to have a car that syncs to your phone through bluetooth, it is not necessary to put the phone up to your ear. It should take you only once to learn that lesson but some of us are a bit slower and it might take twice. This is especially important to learn if you only have one good hearing ear and can't figure out why you can't hear the person on the phone that you called.
Laughter is a great way to relieve stress! Read between the lines...I'd be more than happy to elaborate on each of the stories!
Love,
Monica
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
How do I talk to thee? Let me count the ways.....
I have been too busy communicating with my husband to blog I guess. Seems like a lifetime since he left and it has only been two weeks. But many things have happened in those two weeks and even though we've been able to communicate daily right now I still haven't managed to keep him updated on all of the things happening with our family and friends.
Eric left on the bus and we waited a few hours and started texting. We decided he would take his phone with him for this first month to ease communication. I am very thankful because we've been able to text daily. I will miss that very much. He also had his laptop but had no internet connection for the first few days and even then it is not the best connection. We did finally manage to skype for a few minutes before the connection was lost. And while we were trying to get the connection going again we had texted a few things and then he called to say it wasn't working or something. So we hung up and texted some more. It is very difficult to text a whole conversation. But his evenings run late and lights go out so that's all we've had most of the time. After the failed skype session and more texting I stated in desperation that I would just send him an email. And then I received a text back...CTM and TIME. Well, if you've read my previous blogs you will know that CTM means chuckling to myself and the new one TIME means tears in my eyes. He was chuckling so much about our communications that he had tears in his eyes. And then he said, "Do you realize we have texted, skyped, talked on the phone, and now emailed?" There was no CTM for me...I bursted into laughter and LOL'd for quite awhile.
I am thankful and know that communication will soon change. His phone will arrive home for safe keeping until he returns. And depending on connections and time, it sounds like we will be down to every other day for a call or email. I am still thankful and will look forward to emails and maybe even a few hand-written letters.
In my two weeks I have updated my auto insurance information, called a tree guy to have a large broken branch removed from our oak, changed the furnace filter, priced and compared belt sanders, researched porch paint, had the oil changed in my car, bought a stake for our little redbud tree, bought lube and lubed our bike chains, and even (don't pass out honey) got my hands muddy in the garden. I'm capable. I'll manage. But there have been moments when I've had to text him TIME because that's just the way I feel even though I'm okay.
Prayer Requests:
1) Safety
2) RAGBRAI is coming up and Ayden and I will be riding every day with Brady and Jayme as our crew. Please pray for good weather and no scary storms this year.
3) Brady's sending ceremony is quickly approaching and we'll be faced with saying goodbye once again
Thanks and Love,
Monica
Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Eric left on the bus and we waited a few hours and started texting. We decided he would take his phone with him for this first month to ease communication. I am very thankful because we've been able to text daily. I will miss that very much. He also had his laptop but had no internet connection for the first few days and even then it is not the best connection. We did finally manage to skype for a few minutes before the connection was lost. And while we were trying to get the connection going again we had texted a few things and then he called to say it wasn't working or something. So we hung up and texted some more. It is very difficult to text a whole conversation. But his evenings run late and lights go out so that's all we've had most of the time. After the failed skype session and more texting I stated in desperation that I would just send him an email. And then I received a text back...CTM and TIME. Well, if you've read my previous blogs you will know that CTM means chuckling to myself and the new one TIME means tears in my eyes. He was chuckling so much about our communications that he had tears in his eyes. And then he said, "Do you realize we have texted, skyped, talked on the phone, and now emailed?" There was no CTM for me...I bursted into laughter and LOL'd for quite awhile.
I am thankful and know that communication will soon change. His phone will arrive home for safe keeping until he returns. And depending on connections and time, it sounds like we will be down to every other day for a call or email. I am still thankful and will look forward to emails and maybe even a few hand-written letters.
In my two weeks I have updated my auto insurance information, called a tree guy to have a large broken branch removed from our oak, changed the furnace filter, priced and compared belt sanders, researched porch paint, had the oil changed in my car, bought a stake for our little redbud tree, bought lube and lubed our bike chains, and even (don't pass out honey) got my hands muddy in the garden. I'm capable. I'll manage. But there have been moments when I've had to text him TIME because that's just the way I feel even though I'm okay.
Prayer Requests:
1) Safety
2) RAGBRAI is coming up and Ayden and I will be riding every day with Brady and Jayme as our crew. Please pray for good weather and no scary storms this year.
3) Brady's sending ceremony is quickly approaching and we'll be faced with saying goodbye once again
Thanks and Love,
Monica
Exodus 15:2 The Lord is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Skipping
As we drove away from the sending ceremony, I found myself thinking about how much better I did than I thought I would. I had such a constant, crippling feeling thinking about that last goodbye. And I found myself just being okay. I had asked my doctor for anxiety meds just in case. But I was bound and determined to not use them and just feel every moment. On the way to the ceremony, it was just Eric and I in our car. We prayed almost the entire way and I found myself in a wonderful place of peace.
I don't often get the chance to see Eric march and behave as a soldier. I see him in his uniform almost daily since he is full-time. But as the soldiers marched in, there was a magical sense of pride that happened...good, acceptable pride. And I always feel such a sense of protection around all of them in uniform. I love seeing him be a soldier. And I am so thankful for all of the other soldiers he is serving with, including my oldest son. I can say that now with more acceptance than I could when we were younger.
And then it was over. Hugs were over and goodbyes were done. I was afraid I was going to have to medicate all the rest of my family with my pills! But we were soon on our way home and all okay. I was fine all evening at home. Eric was able to text me later into the afternoon and while he was unpacking and settling into his bunk. And we said goodnight. I am so thankful for texting right now.
Morning came and I had a few unexpected tears as I awoke. But I was fine. I was fine all morning until I decided to go to the grocery store. And then I found myself tearing up in the chip aisle! I was fine all the rest of the day until I got to work...had another unexpected moment. They were starting to surprise me because I thought I was doing fine.
Friends and family have been awesome in the last few days...calling, texting, checking on me. And I kept reassuring them I was fine. My Christ Renews sister and dear friend, Liz, called and we decided she would come stay for the holiday weekend. We got up and went to a few garage sales with Melody and then stopped for coffee. At the coffee shop...more tears! Liz said right there that we needed to come up with something every time I choked up...something to do instead of tears....yes! let's skip! And then later in a little shop...the lady said something to me that totally choked me up... Liz says, "Do we need to start skipping?" Which brought me to tears and laughter.
Later that afternoon Liz and I went to the grocery for some holiday fare. Fareway is loaded with flags in the windows in support of the soldiers. In the first aisle is the Dr. Pepper display...and she looked at me and said, "Do we need to start skipping?" And so right there...we skipped past that display and broke into crazy laughter much to the shock of my youngest son who wasn't sure he wanted to be seen with us. I kind of shocked myself with the ease at which I skipped!
As we walked into church on Sunday I asked Liz, "Would it be appropriate to start skipping here?" And then after church in Old Navy I almost had to skip by myself after I saw the table where you could stop to write a letter to a soldier....Liz was farther into the store. I had to find her and we broke into more crazy laughter thinking about skipping again. We laughed our way through the store with more skipping comments.
Skipping is working for me. Will you know if they are tears of sadness or tears of laughter if you see me skipping in a public place?
Well, at this point I would maybe post a picture. I have an awesome one of Liz in Old Navy but I am under strict instruction that it is for my eyes only in case she's not with me and I need to skip with tears of laughter. Thanks Liz for skipping with me!
Love,
Monica
Isaiah 12:4 "...Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known to the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. "
Prayer Requests:
1) Praise for everyone who has supported the soldiers by buying a flag or buying Dr. Pepper products in your neighborhood grocery and convenience stores. It was a huge blessing for them to receive the gift card and phone card.
2) Praise for the gift of technology and ease of communication.
3) Praise for the publicist catching our last goodbye hug and kiss. This was a huge blessing to me when I discovered it later that day.
4) Praise for friends and family watching out for me and supporting our family.
I don't often get the chance to see Eric march and behave as a soldier. I see him in his uniform almost daily since he is full-time. But as the soldiers marched in, there was a magical sense of pride that happened...good, acceptable pride. And I always feel such a sense of protection around all of them in uniform. I love seeing him be a soldier. And I am so thankful for all of the other soldiers he is serving with, including my oldest son. I can say that now with more acceptance than I could when we were younger.
And then it was over. Hugs were over and goodbyes were done. I was afraid I was going to have to medicate all the rest of my family with my pills! But we were soon on our way home and all okay. I was fine all evening at home. Eric was able to text me later into the afternoon and while he was unpacking and settling into his bunk. And we said goodnight. I am so thankful for texting right now.
Morning came and I had a few unexpected tears as I awoke. But I was fine. I was fine all morning until I decided to go to the grocery store. And then I found myself tearing up in the chip aisle! I was fine all the rest of the day until I got to work...had another unexpected moment. They were starting to surprise me because I thought I was doing fine.
Friends and family have been awesome in the last few days...calling, texting, checking on me. And I kept reassuring them I was fine. My Christ Renews sister and dear friend, Liz, called and we decided she would come stay for the holiday weekend. We got up and went to a few garage sales with Melody and then stopped for coffee. At the coffee shop...more tears! Liz said right there that we needed to come up with something every time I choked up...something to do instead of tears....yes! let's skip! And then later in a little shop...the lady said something to me that totally choked me up... Liz says, "Do we need to start skipping?" Which brought me to tears and laughter.
Later that afternoon Liz and I went to the grocery for some holiday fare. Fareway is loaded with flags in the windows in support of the soldiers. In the first aisle is the Dr. Pepper display...and she looked at me and said, "Do we need to start skipping?" And so right there...we skipped past that display and broke into crazy laughter much to the shock of my youngest son who wasn't sure he wanted to be seen with us. I kind of shocked myself with the ease at which I skipped!
As we walked into church on Sunday I asked Liz, "Would it be appropriate to start skipping here?" And then after church in Old Navy I almost had to skip by myself after I saw the table where you could stop to write a letter to a soldier....Liz was farther into the store. I had to find her and we broke into more crazy laughter thinking about skipping again. We laughed our way through the store with more skipping comments.
Skipping is working for me. Will you know if they are tears of sadness or tears of laughter if you see me skipping in a public place?
Well, at this point I would maybe post a picture. I have an awesome one of Liz in Old Navy but I am under strict instruction that it is for my eyes only in case she's not with me and I need to skip with tears of laughter. Thanks Liz for skipping with me!
Love,
Monica
Isaiah 12:4 "...Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known to the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. "
Prayer Requests:
1) Praise for everyone who has supported the soldiers by buying a flag or buying Dr. Pepper products in your neighborhood grocery and convenience stores. It was a huge blessing for them to receive the gift card and phone card.
2) Praise for the gift of technology and ease of communication.
3) Praise for the publicist catching our last goodbye hug and kiss. This was a huge blessing to me when I discovered it later that day.
4) Praise for friends and family watching out for me and supporting our family.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
ctm
I am really surprised at how slowly these last few days have seemed to pass despite our lists of things to accomplish. But my attempts to stop time by stealing batteries and unplugging all of our clocks still won't stop Eric from shipping out in just a couple of days. And at this point he really needs to go because otherwise we won't know if he was a good teacher or not in ways of the manly, smelly house chores that I fervently avoid when he is home. My home tour concluded today with information on the furnace filter, water shut-off valves, and a demo on how to actually start and use the weedeater thus hopefully averting anymore minor concussions. (sidenote: Eric did ask me this afternoon if he should cut that pointy thing off of the garage. But I told him that I have hit it twice with my head and I ought to know that it is there by now....and yes, I did give myself a minor concussion with the incident that occurred a couple of weeks ago.)
During the past month while Eric was gone we were able to text in the evenings before bed. And we did test out our skype capabilities a couple of times. We are told the delay with the video calling is quite delayed but we should be able to call using skype fairly easily. It is very difficult to not get stressed and emotional during such a stressful and emotional time. So we worked very hard over the last few months preparing and I don't think much time passed without making plans and talking about the next twelve months. So while he was training we tried to make our texting fun and not stressful. Texting verbage often involves shortened words or simply letters like ttyl or lol. Eric sent me a text with the letters, ctm, at the end. I'm pretty tuned in but I was unfamiliar with what that meant. So I finally bit and asked, "What's ctm?" He replied, "Well, I don't usually lol...'cause I don't laugh out loud so I don't text it but I do often times ctm....chuckle to myself". And that actually made me lol!
We have had some pretty awesome support over the last few months while preparing and I want to say some thank yous that are on my mind right now...I know I will have many, many more through the year and will remember even more kindnesses shown our family.
* To our Christ Renews brothers and sisters who have been amazing support: You were the first ones to learn of Eric and Brady's deployment and have stood by us in friendhip and prayers. You totally shocked us with a gift of a laptop for Eric to take with. I cannot tell you how much that will help us communicate. Not every soldier is so fortunate to have their own.
* To my awesome girlfriends who already have lunch scheduled for Friday: Thank you for holding my hand, watching my back, and always making me laugh!
* To our neighbor Jason Johnston: You blessed my husband immensely by filling the external memory with movies but esp. with all of the music. The music was such a surprise to him and brought tears to his eyes.
* To all my family and friends: Thank you for your unending expressions of love and support. I hope I only get to call you through the year for no particular reason at all.
Tonight we celebrated Eric's birthday a couple of days early. We gave him a gift-certificate for a year free of doing dishes! I tried one more time to stop the clock by passing food counterclockwise.... and I hope you all are experiencing a little cty at the moment...chuckle to yourself.
Love,
Monica
Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for the sending ceremony Thursday which is also Eric's birthday.
2) I still need to purchase a lawn mower. But praise for my neighbor Yvonne who has been so kind to let us use hers in the meantime.
3) Pray Eric gets everything packed like he wants.
4) And please pray that there isn't even one thing that we've forgotten so we can move on to getting Brady ready and shipped.
Joshua 10:13b The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down for about a full day. (see..time stopped in the Old Testament...it could happen today! :) )
During the past month while Eric was gone we were able to text in the evenings before bed. And we did test out our skype capabilities a couple of times. We are told the delay with the video calling is quite delayed but we should be able to call using skype fairly easily. It is very difficult to not get stressed and emotional during such a stressful and emotional time. So we worked very hard over the last few months preparing and I don't think much time passed without making plans and talking about the next twelve months. So while he was training we tried to make our texting fun and not stressful. Texting verbage often involves shortened words or simply letters like ttyl or lol. Eric sent me a text with the letters, ctm, at the end. I'm pretty tuned in but I was unfamiliar with what that meant. So I finally bit and asked, "What's ctm?" He replied, "Well, I don't usually lol...'cause I don't laugh out loud so I don't text it but I do often times ctm....chuckle to myself". And that actually made me lol!
We have had some pretty awesome support over the last few months while preparing and I want to say some thank yous that are on my mind right now...I know I will have many, many more through the year and will remember even more kindnesses shown our family.
* To our Christ Renews brothers and sisters who have been amazing support: You were the first ones to learn of Eric and Brady's deployment and have stood by us in friendhip and prayers. You totally shocked us with a gift of a laptop for Eric to take with. I cannot tell you how much that will help us communicate. Not every soldier is so fortunate to have their own.
* To my awesome girlfriends who already have lunch scheduled for Friday: Thank you for holding my hand, watching my back, and always making me laugh!
* To our neighbor Jason Johnston: You blessed my husband immensely by filling the external memory with movies but esp. with all of the music. The music was such a surprise to him and brought tears to his eyes.
* To all my family and friends: Thank you for your unending expressions of love and support. I hope I only get to call you through the year for no particular reason at all.
Tonight we celebrated Eric's birthday a couple of days early. We gave him a gift-certificate for a year free of doing dishes! I tried one more time to stop the clock by passing food counterclockwise.... and I hope you all are experiencing a little cty at the moment...chuckle to yourself.
Love,
Monica
Prayer Requests:
1) Please pray for the sending ceremony Thursday which is also Eric's birthday.
2) I still need to purchase a lawn mower. But praise for my neighbor Yvonne who has been so kind to let us use hers in the meantime.
3) Pray Eric gets everything packed like he wants.
4) And please pray that there isn't even one thing that we've forgotten so we can move on to getting Brady ready and shipped.
Joshua 10:13b The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down for about a full day. (see..time stopped in the Old Testament...it could happen today! :) )
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Eric received one of these phone cards in a care package he received. Check it out for an easy way to donate and find a home for old cell phones in need of a home.
More information to follow soon with addresses.
Love,
Monica
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
More information to follow soon with addresses.
Love,
Monica
http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/
Monday, June 21, 2010
One more hello, one more big goodbye
This past weekend was wonderful with Eric home on leave. And, as usual, time did not stop for even a second. But I am thankful that he didn't have to be back for formation until 10am this Monday morning. It allowed us to have one really fun evening at the movies with Logan, Laramy, and Ayden and it extended his Father's Day. I am looking forward to picking him up on Friday for one more hello.
We spent the weekend having nothing planned which Eric really needed. It is also highly recommended during these last few days with family. His days have been scheduled up and long. Saturday morning he asked me to take him out to Pammel Park so he could hike back. I dropped him off and went home so Ayden and I could ride our bikes out to meet him. Ayden and I met him around the egg farm and he was doing well. We finished our ride and he arrived home a few minutes after us. Yes, he has already dropped some weight so I can't imagine what a year is going to bring for him.
Saturday evening we had a really nice time grilling with Brenden, Sarah, Logan, Laramy, and Ayden. We had a storm wrestle its way through Winterset Friday morning so Brenden, Sarah, and Eric and I went for a ride to see the damage after dinner. And then we all picked up sticks in the yard from the storm and planted some plants and a bush that I got Eric for Father's Day.
We are missing Brady and Jayme. Brady has been gone since June 4th at annual training. He is currently in Minnesota and will return towards the end of the month before Eric leaves. I am looking forward to spending time with them in July before Brady deploys August 5th.
Our last week together will be very quiet. I am thankful for families who have done this before us and can give us guidance on how to prepare. We think we have everything done we could get done. But I am sure I will find things. For now, I am trying to be faithful until I have to say one more big goodbye.
Prayer Requests:
1) Pray I find the money, time, and knowledge to purchase the right mower.
2) Pray for the kids. This is very difficult for them and I know they don't necessarily know how to show their emotions.
3) Pray for Brady and Jayme as they face deployment.
4) Pray we all handle the sending ceremony and saying goodbye one last time with as much emotional grace we can find.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Love,
Monica
We spent the weekend having nothing planned which Eric really needed. It is also highly recommended during these last few days with family. His days have been scheduled up and long. Saturday morning he asked me to take him out to Pammel Park so he could hike back. I dropped him off and went home so Ayden and I could ride our bikes out to meet him. Ayden and I met him around the egg farm and he was doing well. We finished our ride and he arrived home a few minutes after us. Yes, he has already dropped some weight so I can't imagine what a year is going to bring for him.
Saturday evening we had a really nice time grilling with Brenden, Sarah, Logan, Laramy, and Ayden. We had a storm wrestle its way through Winterset Friday morning so Brenden, Sarah, and Eric and I went for a ride to see the damage after dinner. And then we all picked up sticks in the yard from the storm and planted some plants and a bush that I got Eric for Father's Day.
Sunday brought mass and a lazy, nappy afternoon. We decided to make some memories and go see Toy Story 3 in 3D. Eric, Ayden, and Laramy hadn't seen a 3D movie yet. We chose to go to the 3D and HD theater. It was a great movie and we all enjoyed it. I know I am particularly emotionally vulnerable but I think I would have gotten teary at the end even if Eric wasn't deploying in light of how the story line parallels my life right now with Logan.
Our last week together will be very quiet. I am thankful for families who have done this before us and can give us guidance on how to prepare. We think we have everything done we could get done. But I am sure I will find things. For now, I am trying to be faithful until I have to say one more big goodbye.
Prayer Requests:
1) Pray I find the money, time, and knowledge to purchase the right mower.
2) Pray for the kids. This is very difficult for them and I know they don't necessarily know how to show their emotions.
3) Pray for Brady and Jayme as they face deployment.
4) Pray we all handle the sending ceremony and saying goodbye one last time with as much emotional grace we can find.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Love,
Monica
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Early Morning Agri-business report featuring the 734th
This video ran early Wednesday morning...no Eric but nice to watch.
Love,
Monica
http://www.whotv.com/videobeta/72e19490-f9e8-475e-9ac3-9d03f47be598/News/Morning-Agribusiness-Report-6-9-10-
Love,
Monica
http://www.whotv.com/videobeta/72e19490-f9e8-475e-9ac3-9d03f47be598/News/Morning-Agribusiness-Report-6-9-10-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
