Memorial Day

Memorial Day isn't just a day off work or a kick-off to summer. Memorial Day is just that, and day to Memorialize, REMEMBER those who have given so much for life as we know it.
Over the course of our Nation's history, over 1 million 250 thousand American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have given their lives to protect this country and her people from "ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC"
That is a staggering number, yet, thus is war. And sometimes, war is a necessary evil, to ensure fore mentioned, life as we know it.
All too often, military service is a THANKLESS job, but where would we be without the billions of young men and women who answered the call of this GREATful (and sometimes ungreatful) Nation?
In my mind, every person who has ever donned the uniform of America's fighting men and women (and their families, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) should be honored on Memorial Day, and Every day.

FALLEN WARRIOR

A Warrior fell today.
How he is remembered is up to you.
How will you remember him?

Will you remember the WARRIOR?
Will you remember the HUSBAND?
Will you remember the FATHER?
Will you remember the SON?
Will you remember the BROTHER?
Will you remember the FRIEND?

The WARRIOR stood before you and deflected the danger before it got to you.
He didn't ask for your thanks, he didn't ask for your praise. It was second nature to him. That this day might happen was before him, and still he stood there.

The HUSBAND was the man who loved his wife. He too stood before her and deflected danger from her. It was second nature to him, he did it without thinking. Her love for him was all the thanks he ever needed. He loved to make her happy.

The FATHER watched after his children. He watched them like a wolf protecting its litter. He delighted in their smiles and laughter; he enjoyed playing with them and making them happy. He made sure they had the best he could afford, going without himself to accomplish that goal; teaching them right and wrong, watching them grow.

The SON was the man who made his parents proud. He would do anything for them. They rejoiced in all he did, they helped him grow. They watched him transform into a man right before their eyes; moving from a baby to a little boy, to a teen, and into a man. He loved seeing his parents happy and always did his best. What he was and what he stood for made them proud.

The BROTHER was the man who watched after his siblings. He played with them and bickered with them as well. They didn't always agree, but they loved each other. He strived to help them, and they strove to help him. He loved to be around them and missed them when he couldn't be there. Their bond, no one could break.

The FRIEND was always there for you, you could count on him in a pinch, call him in the middle of the night and he always answered. He was there when you needed a shoulder to cry on, he was there to celebrate your accomplishments, he backed you up when you got in over your head. He asked for nothing in return.

Which part of him will you remember? I choose to remember them all. Each and every part made him what he was. I may have never met him, but a brother to me has been lost, he will always be remembered. My brother has fallen but he is not forgotten!
Let us all remember that FREEDOM IS NOT FREE!

2 Months

Has it really already been 2 months? Has it only been 2 months?
These are the questions I ask myself daily. In one moment, it feels as though he left only yesterday, and the very next moment it feels as though we have been apart a lifetime. I miss him so much, and other times, it doesn’t feel any different than when he was here. It seems as though when I am in one of those funks of really missing him, and feeling like time is dragging by God steps in, places a hand on my shoulder and whispers into my ear. "Footprints" I know HE is in control and is carrying me, when I start to fall into despair. HE is so faithful, and I am so thankful for the relationship that I have with the LORD. Without him in the midst of what we are enduring, I don’t know how Mountain Man or I would get through.

But, getting through is what we are all doing. The girls have finally rounded a corner, and have settled a bit. They love their Daddy so very much, it has been a huge adjustment for them. They are able to talk to him everyday on the webcam, and that certainly makes it easier for them, him too, I think. Yesterday, he had trouble with his connection and was unable to get on at his regular time. Fuzz realized as evening approched that she hadn’t spoken to him, and said "Mama, Daddy’s computer must be acting up, he hasn’t called us yet. I’m sad, I really want to talk to my Daddy." I told her that Daddy would call when he could, and that she should get her Daddy Doll, maybe that would make her feel closer to him. She did, and started talking to him and telling him how much she missed him and that she asked Jesus to fix his computer. I went into the kitchen to take dinner from the oven, she came running in. "Mama, the computer is ringing, maybe it is Daddy! Hurry! Come on" Sure enough, there he was! It was not time for him to call us, it was the middle of the night in Iraq, still 2 hours before he had to report to work, but he had woken up in the middle of the night, and decided to get ready and go into work early, so that maybe he could catch us before the girls went to bed. God is indeed, SO GOOD! And just a lesson for those of us who get so caught up in things, go to the LORD. Ask, and it shall be given.

Mountain Man misses everyone so much. His wife and children, his parents, sister, parents and brother-in-law, niece, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. Everyone has really shown him lots of support with cards, pictures, care packages, etc. We can never express to each and every one of you how much it means to us to know that you are thinking of him and supporting him. Sometimes, even for me, it is easy to lose sight of what we are doing over there, or put it out of our minds. I hope that each of you who check our blog and/or send things to Mountain Man will make a comittment that even when Mountain Man comes home, you send a Thank You card occasionally to ANY MARINE/SOLDIER.

Life at our house is good. Again, we miss Mountain Man so, but we are blessed! We pray the same for each of you!

Raider Family Day

We had the squadron Easter Party yesterday. Good fun except for the wind making it a bit chilly. Big thanks to the Girl Scouts who have adopted our squadron as their community service project. They are an amazing group of young women! It takes months to coordinate one event. They got gifts for the kids donated (this time it was Easter Baskets), candy filled eggs, craft tables, etc.

We had a great time, the food was good, the companionship is immeasurable. The only thing missing was our Marine! Nothing is quite the same without Mountain Man here with us, and Fuzz and Curly Top have no trouble letting me know that.

I asked them when we got home if they had a good time, they both said yes, and then in unison, said I wish Daddy could have gone too. Sweet girls, they love their Daddy so.

Hope all is well with each of you.
All our love,
Mama and the Giggle Girls

Oak Tree

A mighty wind blew night and day

It stole the oak tree’s leaves away

Then snapped its boughs

And pulled its bark

Until the oak was tired and stark.

But still the oak tree held its ground

While other trees fell all around

The weary wind gave up and spoke

“How can you still be standing, Oak?”

The Oak tree said,

“I know that you can break each branch of mine in two

Carry every leaf away,

shake my limbs, and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,

Growing stronger since my birth,

You’ll never touch them, for you see,

They are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn’t sure of just how much I could endure

But now I’ve found,

with thanks to you,

I’m stronger than I ever knew.

Mastercard commercial

The other day, Curly Top was acting up while talking on the webcam to Mountain Man. I had already fussed at her several times, so...Daddy fussed at her and made her go to the corner


Price of a Laptop Computer $700

Price of webcam $50

Price of internet access $60

Being able to put your daughter in timeout from a military base in Iraq: PRICELESS.

So ummm.. Mastercard...call me, let's talk.
Love to all,

Cinderella Ballet

Me: "Fuzz, what was your FAVORITE part of the Ballet?"

Fuzz: "I liked the part where Cinderella had on the sparkely yellow dress."

Me: "You mean, you like the Ball scene?"

Fuzz: "Yes, it was my favorite, they were beautiful dancers, Mama, and they did Jete's."

Me: "I liked that part too, Fuzz. So, Curly Top, what was YOUR FAVORITE part of the ballet."

CT: "I liked EVERY PART, will you take me again soon?!"

So, all in all, the ballet was good. We were supposed to arrive 40 minutes before curtain, and we did...which was terrible because the girls were so excited to see the ballet that 40 minutes was more like 40 years for them. When intermission came, CT was concerned that we were leaving and begged me to stay, I had to explain how intermission worked. Fuzz started feeling bad during the first Act...a little whiney...but she was a trooper, and when the the Second Act started with the royal ball, things got better for her. Curly Top sat as still and quiet as a church mouse for most of the show, except a few gasps here and there, and the smack smack smack of her little hands clapping with the rest of the audience. She was in heaven tonight. I love to see their little faces light up with that kind of excitement, and awe. Makes all the days that they are a pain in the nether reigons a little more bareable.

Mountain Man is doing well. He is in an OSHA class this week to become the "Safety Officer" for his squadron... 6 months to go...
Love to all

I miss you

You are in my thoughts
Every minute of the day,
But it is in the quiet of the night
When I miss you most.
I miss the feel of your arms
Wrapped around me in loving embrace,
The touch of your body next to mine,
The scent of your skin,
The moist warmth of you breath
On the nape of my neck.
Hurry home soon Love,
I miss you so.