I have never......in all my life....seen such a thing. Have You?

SNOW!!!!

I love snow! I really do! I get so excited when the forecast is calling for it. I know it can be so dangerous and so inconvenient for so many people and sometimes even for me, but I just love it. I feel like a big kid everytime I hear it might snow. This time was a pretty good one for us up here. I really don't know the accumulation total because it is different all over. The winds were so big that we just have snow drifts everywhere. At one place it's about 12 inches and at another place it's up to my thigh. I do know that it's taller than Gracie. She loves it too! We've had a fun day!!!

Talk about emotional~

The big day finally arrived! November 21st. We had dropped him off on May 1st, said our tearful goodbyes and drove away. I cried a few tears and then took a deep breath and put a bandaid on my heart and asked God to hold it there until he comes home. We had much to do to keep us busy and a few ports here and there to be able to hear his voice. We got into our daily routines and tried not to really even think about counting down yet. Knowing that he was in dangerous territory for a while made it hard to not think of the worst, to not think of all the "what ifs"...But soon we were down to 1 month....so exciting...until we were told they were extended....maybe....not sure how long. HARD! Then it was 6 weeks extended and I just cried a little and then got tough again and moved on. But then Cindy told me the extension was to be shorter than expected and we rejoiced.....and started counting down DAYS! In the last week, I couldn't sleep or think of anything else. I daydreamed of his return and what things would be like. I was so very anxious and excited. I truly missed him like I've never missed him before. We'd done a zillion of 2-3 monthers on a trident, but just never anything quite like this. The day came and we tried to pass the hours. I tried to look so nice for him.........and finally it was time to go. We went down to the pier and the excitement filled the air. The navy band was playing good ol patriotic music and the other wives and family members were everywhere all filled with excitement. And then...........we saw the boat. My friend Cindy and I gave each other a hug and just said "we made it" and the tears started and I couldn't stop them. The relief, the excitement, the joy, the thankfulness and the pride that wells up when that sub comes toward the pier and we know that our men are on that and where they have been and what they have been doing for our country.......it is just inexpressable. They opened the gates and let us on the main pier and we watch and wait for our man to come off (and they all look the same ofcourse). But I knew when I saw him and Cindy just said "Go, Go"! He was in his dress uniform and looked so very handsome. I have never seen him come off in his dress blues before so that was really awesome. The kids ran to him and he knelt and they both hugged his neck and he hugged them like I have never seen before. I then got my hug and I never wanted to let go. He was home, He was home , He was home!!! May I never, ever forget how it felt to be without him, may I never forget what he and all of the others are doing for our country and may I never take for granted my freedom and my safety because there are men and women fighting and putting themselves in danger every single day to make sure that I have just that. May God truly bless America and may America truly learn to love our Amazing God!!!!!

"17th"

The 17th of November, the day I was born. The sound of that day always bring such warm memories and fun times. Each year as a child, I was always made to feel as special as anyone could feel on that day. Special treatment from Mom and Dad, the birthday cake (homemade ofcourse) of my choice, and always fun! A few times I had parties with friends which was fun, but many years, my birthday was just celebrated at home with my family and those are some of the best memories I have. Ofcourse my Mom is the master of getting special presents and wrapping them as that of an artist. I ALWAYS got happy birthday sung to me and my picture taken as I blew out the candles......sometimes we had to do a redo because the first one didn't take.....and I still do that to this day to my kids:) And after I married and have moved from state to state I still have been able to have special birthdays. Some I have been home for, some have been spent with family visiting, some with my husband, some with my kids and some with my husband and my kids. And some have been spent with very special friends made along the way that truly understand the navy life and care enough to make my day special. This year my friend Dee (of which we need a real picture taken of us together with me NOT in a spongebob suit) made me dinner and had me and the kids over. Rach made my cake, Gramma sent what she needed, and so we ate and laughed and had a great time. And my other friend Cindy took me for a girls morning as well the day before.....Great friends, special memories. And my family back home and my friends abroad all still remember me on that day with a card, a gift or a special phone call.......Those days are when I realize all of the people that God has put in my life that I so often take for granted. All of them thinking of me on that same day.....Should I ever be so blessed?

The Latest....

Just a few things that have been going on around here lately....

MawMaw, PawPaw, and Hudson came for a visit in September. I got to experience just how funny Hudson really is...and he doesn't really mean to be! He's a joy to have around! And oh so patient with Brady. Then Cindy and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch...that was fun! Thank goodness for good friends! Then Gramma, Grandpa, and Daniel came for fall break. They were here for Brady's birthday party at Chuck e Cheese. That was so much fun too. We didn't do much else that week, but always nice to have them around. Daniel also did good with Brady, but being 13, I think Brady got on his nerves a little bit more. I'm sure he would mine too if I was still 13!!! Time is going by, little by little, day by day. We found out that Daddy is extended another month. 7 months, 5 days.......hopefully it won't go any longer, we are ready to have him home! But until then, we will just fill our days with friends, fun and thankfulness!

"Mommy, I can't wait to see Jesus"

I have now had the privilege of having such a sweet talk with both of my children at the age of 4. I can remember being on our couch in GA when Rach was 4 and her asking so many questions about Jesus and then just holding her as she cried because she wanted to see him so badly. Brady now is so curious and has been asking questions. And as we passed up bedtime tonight because we were still talking, my heart smiled. He too wanted to know all of the ins and outs. He too sat and cried in my arms because he wants to see Jesus, but also because he would miss me if he dies. It is amazing to be able to tell your children, with no hesitation, that once they are in heaven, they will not want anything else. Ofcourse Brady thinks it will be nice if there's some toys there but not cars because he doesn't want to get ran over:) Trying to explain it all in a way that they understand and in a way that's not scary, but yet in a way that is truthful is a hard job. I am thankful that my children want to see Jesus....I do too. And I am thankful for my amazing God who loves me so much. And I am thankful for Jesus!

Pumatoes

When Brady says the word Pumatoes it could mean a tomato, it could mean a potato, or it could mean a tornado. He just asked me "Mom are Pumatoes real?" So I said you mean the red ones or the brown ones? He said "No, I mean the ones that twirl in the air." I said, "yes they are real." He said " If you were ever pumping gas and I was in the car and we had a pumato and you got blowed away, I would be really lonely." I guess he would!