Ole Glory

One of my favorite sights is watching our American Flag wave.  I have always loved our country and respected our flag and the people who defend it but let me tell you, the love of my country has grown leaps and bounds since marrying a military man.

 

 

People are thankful for men and woman like Joe.  Every time we are together (and he is in uniform) there is at least one person who shakes his hand and says "Thank you for your service." Believe it or not, I am not very good at that. It's come second nature to me seeing men in uniform and that is something I will strive to be better with.  Shaking the hand, holding the door, buying the meal, looking them in the eye and truly letting them know my appreciation.  Hugs will also not be off limits.  Especially if I find out they are "PJ's"- USAF Pararescue. Joe discovered a show on the National Geographic Channel called Inside Combat Rescue. Cameras follow a group of PJ's during their deployment at Bagram and Kandahar Air Bases in Afghanistan. Each mission they are focusing on saving the lives of their military brothers and even the lives of the local Afghans. Forget any 'military' movie you've ever watched on the big screen and tune into this show for true, real, live action.  We've watched 3 shows so far and each one focused on a different set of guys and their families.  Each show I've cried.  Each show I'm moved.  Each show I scoot closer to Joe just to feel him and hold him because he could and would die for his country like the men in the show.  Its raw, its real and its touching.  Everyone needs to watch at least one show.  Set your DVR's and prepared to be amazed at our US Military. 

Enjoy seeing the flag wave this weekend and take a moment to truly remember what it represents and how our men and women of the United States Military have paid the ultimate sacrifice for your freedom and liberty.

Enjoy your family.

They are His

"They are not my children, they are not my children, they are not my children."  I kept repeating that to myself when I started getting anxiety too early seeing as I was already worrying about my girls dating years. 

The diva's and I went for a summer night walk around our neighborhood last night.  One home we passed in particular had a mom and daughter sitting out in their driveway.  7:27pm a black ford mustang zipped around the corner and parked in front of their driveway.  Boyfriend was there to pick up girlfriend.  After a couple of minutes and me slowing the walk down to eavesdrop of the situation I heard the mom say "You are taking her for ice-cream?  Well, thanks for picking her up, have fun and be careful." Then just like that, the daughter be-bopped to the black sports car and off they zoomed down the street.  My mind instantly went to the future and that being one of my daughters in the black sports car zooming off into the sunset.  That's when the phrase "they are not my children." came to my mind.  I had to remind myself they are God's children.  God's.  He gave them to Joe and I to raise, love, nurture and provide for but they do not belong to us, they belong to Him. 

The helicopter mom instinct in me will want to hop in my car, follow them just to ensure safety. That will probably be frowned upon by my daughters but you can guaranteed there will be tracking devices on their phones and their curfew on their first date will be 9:00pm.  The peace of God will have to wash over me in that instance.  I'll want to worry and fret with an added dose of anxiety.  Lord help us get through their dating years....They are my world.  I wanted them to stay this small forever. 

Enjoy your family~

Knock the dust off

Today is one of favorite days of the year.  The coming days will be mornings of low-key calmness, more family time, vacations, the smell of sunscreen and staying up until the sun goes down.  Being with my girls is one of my favorite activities.  Don't get me wrong, the "DD's" (Dueling Diva's) whom my dad so aptly named, have their moments, or days.  Getting under my skin seems to be one of their favorite past-times but with all that said, they are great girls and I love them and love being around them. 

This day is an accomplishment for us.  Remembering back to the 3rd day of school when I was not allowed to walk my little EJ to her kindergarten class and instant bawling ensued.  Seeing the tears in her eyes broke my heart.  She clung to me like her life depended on it and she was not letting go.  Being her security is my job and I had to give her up and trust that she would be taken care of.  Thankfully I was able get her down the hall to her class, she was still bawling and now sister and I had joined in.  EJ's teacher was standing in the doorway.  Finally I peeled her off my hip, little razor fingernails cut into my neck.  Handing her over instant relief and peace came over me when I saw her teacher scoop her up and hold her. I knew then that she was in great hands.  I was able to walk away knowing that she was being cared for and taken care of. 

My mini-me had a great 2nd grade year.  She's grown leaps and bounds in her reading and is now above level.  She is already excited about starting 3rd grade and learning about cursive writing and multiplication. 

My girls continue to amaze me. They are resilient and roll with the punches even when their normal routine shifts while Joe is gone on trips.  I am proud to be their mom, I am proud that they are obedient (for the most part), show respect to others, practice their manners and try their best in school.  Banana splits were on the menu tonight as an end of year surprise treat.  One of my favorite things is to surprise people.  I, myself, hate surprises but I love giving them.  Thank you girls for loving your momma, thank you for telling me often, thank you for holding my hand and hanging out with me.  Hope that never changes.... (Read this when you are 15)

I look forward to spending this summer with you.

 

Enjoy your family~

Happy National Angela Day

Today I had a birthday. 

8 years ago I gave birth to my first born daughter 4 days before I turned 25. 

I am horrible at math and I still know that the total equals me turning 33 today. (correct, dad?) :-)

My birthdays used to mean celebrating all month long. I loved and still do love birthdays but when it falls so close to your child's it starts falling on the back burner.  That's perfectly fine with me because I have memories of fantastic birthdays and now its my turn to creating great memories for my girls. 

Today I am thankful for:
Face Moisturizer because my skin does not look, act or feel 25 anymore. 
My gray hair that I keep finding spurting out the top of my head.  
The bags under my eyes. I inherited them from my dad and will forever remember him every time I look in the mirror.
A husband who doesn't care about any of the issues I just stated. 

I am thankful for my health, my children, their health, my husband, family.  I am thankful I am able to work from home and stay close to my kids if/when they ever need me.  I am thankful for God and for his constant loving of me even when I feel its not deserved.  Many blessings have been handed to me and many more to come.



Enjoy your family~

This Year

Mom's make sacrifices.  Mom's put everyone's needs first over there own and we wouldn't have it any other way.  Small things like serving up their kids meals first or keeping your child's clothes and shoe supply well stocked while you are still wearing things from 1999. 

This year I've decided this is the year of me.  I am taking care of me and making time for me.

For 8 years now its been all about the kids and the hubby and that's the way its supposed to be.  Let me clarify, I am in no way complaining about my family, I love my family more than life itself and I would die for any one of them but in recent years I have slowly started to loose me.  I feel like I've given, given and given more and in the process I'm loosing myself.  Some days its all about going through the motions and just trying to make it to bedtime so I too can crash in bed. 

Goodness, I will do simple things like wash my face before I go to bed or bigger things like enjoy a long weekend away with my husband.  This year I will do whatever I think is needed in order for me to clear my mind and be a better wife and mom. 

Other things on my list:
More working out
More pedicures
More blogging
More lunch dates with the Mr.
More massages
More sitting back and listening to music
More shutting the bathroom door after dinner and enjoying a bubble bath
Did I mention more working out ???
More praying over my family
More house cleaning done by a professional
More shopping so I am not wearing the same 3 outfits

Looking forward to starting to feel like "me" again. 



Enjoy your family~

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

The difference between last Thanksgiving and this is mind boggling to me.  Looking back on time it truly seems to fly by. Wasn't it just last week that Joe was deployed? He's already been home almost 7 months already.  Thanksgiving Day last year was hard for me and I just want to take a moment to say how thankful I am that he is warm and toasty laying next to me in bed.  Snuggling up next to him last night remembering how I felt so alone and sad the night before Thanksgiving last year, remembering that all I wanted to do was reach out in bed and feel him on his side but all I felt was emptiness.  Switch gears: Sad story over but just know that I am THANKFUL so thankful to have him home.

I am thankful for all the troops deployed (and spouses) this holiday season. 


Happy Thanksgiving all! 



Enjoy your family~

Who needs an ACL anyways?

It has been brought to my attention that I have not blogged in awhile.  To be quiet honest with you I have kind of felt uninspired.  There has been stuff going on my our world but I honestly don't really feel like blogging about it.  Here is a quick recap of one thing that has been going on....

The middle of September Joe had ACL surgery.  He promised me he would be a better patient than he has been in the past.  The last time he had knee surgery, even though it was just a scope, it was painful and due to his lack of patience with the recovery process he pushed it and went back to work far too soon.  This time around he agreed, took three weeks off and was/is more patient with the recovery.  It is a long process though- Holy moly- 4 weeks into it and his knee is still swollen and he is still walking on crutches.  Keeping his spirits up is starting to get harder and harder.  I know its hard for him to still be limping and unable to walk without assistance and I sense his frustration.  We celebrate the small victories.  Putting his own shoes on or walking 3 steps alone, bending his knee at 90 degrees or driving.  Physical therapy is helping and hopefully very soon he will be off the crutches and walking without pain.

The day after his surgery he started this leg machine.  30 degree's caused him pain but Dr's orders stated he had to exercise in the machine 3 times a day for 2 hours each time.  In 14 days he increased 30 degrees to 100.  It was hard for me to see him experience pain.  Watching someone you love, who is insanely independent, in pain, struggling, needing help with simple tasks is sad to watch.  I am so thankful I was here to help him and even more thankful he let me help him.  So, to recap the moral of this story- Take care of your knee's so you wont need ACL surgery one day.






Enjoy your family~