Hubby went to see a full bird colonel this morning to talk about his future. He and I were a bit trepidatious about the exchange as we both knew how it would be determining our immediate and foreseeable future. Turns out we needed not to be so concerned. The Colonel actually berated Hubby for the amount of work he has been doing and further stated that he should be scaling back on his work load instead of taking so much on. What this all means for us of course is that Hubby will be transferring out of USAREC as of September of this year. He will be transferring to an Army's Wounded Warrior Transitioning Unit (AW2TU). We don't know yet where he will be stationed, it will be one of three places two are in Georgia and the other here in South Carolina. Fortunately the kids and I will go where he goes. We had heard previously that this wouldn't be the case and I am very pleased that I can continue to love and support Hubby where ever the Army takes us. It would be nice to stay in S.C., as my family is here and so are the many friends I have been able to reconnect with from High School. But where ever we go I am confidant that is where we are supposed to be. I am praying that we stay in S.C. though (smile).
One of the good things about the AW2TU is that Hubby will no longer have the stress or pressures that he has dealt with for the past 12 years. All he will be required to do from my understanding is go to his Dr appointments, go through all the processes needed and so forth. I am sure there is going to be much more, but as far as what he is doing now and his responsibilities later.. big difference. The AW2TU is there to help Army personnel who are wounded in the transition into civilian life. From what I understand the one of the biggest pluses to this is that Hubby will be bumped to the front of the list at the VA, and when he retires he will have a shorter wait time to receive his benefits then otherwise.
I told the kids that we were going to be moving soon, and I need to sort through many things to get ready for the movers. I haven't told them how soon, but a month into school and we will be relocating. Thankfully it will only be a month into the school year. It is easier to transfer and make new friends early in the school year then later. With moving comes many an upheaval. There will be utilities to turn off and final bills to pay. School and Pediatrician records to collect. Then there is all the other stuff. Thankfully the Army will pay movers to once again come, pack up our things and haul them all away. I was thinking today about all the things I will be saying goodbye to. This time it won't just be the friends, church and community. I will be saying goodbye to the life my big little family and I have known for almost 11 years. The last ATC we went to was the last one we will ever go to, going to a new company and starting up the FRG, proudly saying that Hubby is the Station Commander. There is so much in this chapter of our lives that is coming to a close. But that only means that a new chapter is beginning.
I am not sure where this new chapter is going to take us, nor what new friends we will make along the way. I am confidant that it will be an adventure. Hubby will be the bread winner to an extent, but then I will be pitching in as well. In a way our roles will reverse and we will navigate these new waters together. I am so thankful for Hubby. I know that he calls me his "rock" but to be honest, he is as much mine as I am his.
Until next time Dear Readers, Be Blessed.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
Reflections and Other Things
Sometimes it is good to look back and remember. If anything else, that is what I can use this blog for. I can read through my entries and see just how much my little big family has grown, how much Hubby and I have changed and even get a small glimpse of all there is still to come.
If you had told me 13 years ago I would be happily married, with three children and a little rat dog. The only thing that would surprise me would have been the rat dog. Apparently I have changed a bit more than I thought in the past few years. But then each road you travel will do that to you, at least it should. If you never change, then you are not growing and if you are not growing then what is the point?
Hubby is at the brink of a big change. One that will effect all of us in our little family. Hubby will be up for retirement soon. In less than two years he will be separated from the Army, Recruiting and all that he has known for the majority of his life. What he will be left with is myself and the children. These will be new waters to navigate, I am sure we are up for the challenge. Of course separation from the Army lends it's self to a mountain of other things. This website can assist with the transition, I am already checking things off in my head that we need to do before next November.
All three of the children will be in school, and I plan on going to work full time. Hubby has thought of going back to school and getting his degree so that he can be a JROTC instructor. I will start my job hunt this fall when school starts, something that I can do while the kids are in school and save up as much as we can. I am not one of those picky job seekers, if it means I am flipping burgers or waiting tables then so be it. My thought is that with the job market being the way that it is, if you can get an honest job you should be thankful and work to the best of your ability. I am well aware that one of the down sides to me not having worked in the past year is that those hiring are not as likely to take me as seriously as someone who has only been out of the work force for a few months. I trust that God will provide work for able hands and my little big family will be well cared for.
Of course this change is coming with a load of upheaval. The house we now live in is rented, the cars are two years from being paid off and then there is all the emotions that go with change. I am thankful that the past 10 years have taught me how much we are loved by Heavenly Father. No matter where we have gone there has always been a place for us. There has always been a church home, a house to move into, ready friends to be made, and the school districts have been top notch as well. The children have made as many friends as they have left and on a whole have rolled with the punches.
The transition to civilian life really shouldn't be that difficult. Considering we have lived off the economy and never on a base for the entirety of our marriage. The biggest changes will be Hubby's job, my job and our finances. Wow, I guess when you put it that way, those are three pretty big things to change. Add to that moving to a new area and all the wonderment that carries with it, and you get the idea.
So for now I will pray. I will pray that the area we move to be ready for us. That there is a church family waiting to enfold us in their congregate; a house ready to be made into a home; friends who are willing to open up to a new family; a school that is prepared for the children; and jobs ready to start. To some that may be a lot to ask for, but I am confidant of God's provision. Not all of it may come at the same time, but I know that in God's timing it will all come.
This transition comes with it's own well of emotions. For almost 20 years Hubby has lived the mission, whatever that mission may be. When he was in the Infantry it was an entirely different mission then in Recruiting. Over the past few years I have born witness to the change in him. But no matter how he has changed the mission still comes first. I am quite sure that even on his last day he may be finishing up a packet so that someone is squared away to ship off to basic. That is just who Hubby is. With out the Army I know that his accomplishment at the end of the day will need to change. Instead of mission completion there will need to be something else to fill that gap. I am praying. I pray that he will find satisfaction in the road that lies ahead, that no matter what he knows that I am here lovingly supporting him in every way that I can.
Well dear readers, all three children are up and my day is itching to start. I hope that you are blessed and that at night when you are going over your day you find accomplishment not in the things that you have done, but in those that you have shown love and been loved by. Be Blessed!
If you had told me 13 years ago I would be happily married, with three children and a little rat dog. The only thing that would surprise me would have been the rat dog. Apparently I have changed a bit more than I thought in the past few years. But then each road you travel will do that to you, at least it should. If you never change, then you are not growing and if you are not growing then what is the point?
Hubby is at the brink of a big change. One that will effect all of us in our little family. Hubby will be up for retirement soon. In less than two years he will be separated from the Army, Recruiting and all that he has known for the majority of his life. What he will be left with is myself and the children. These will be new waters to navigate, I am sure we are up for the challenge. Of course separation from the Army lends it's self to a mountain of other things. This website can assist with the transition, I am already checking things off in my head that we need to do before next November.
All three of the children will be in school, and I plan on going to work full time. Hubby has thought of going back to school and getting his degree so that he can be a JROTC instructor. I will start my job hunt this fall when school starts, something that I can do while the kids are in school and save up as much as we can. I am not one of those picky job seekers, if it means I am flipping burgers or waiting tables then so be it. My thought is that with the job market being the way that it is, if you can get an honest job you should be thankful and work to the best of your ability. I am well aware that one of the down sides to me not having worked in the past year is that those hiring are not as likely to take me as seriously as someone who has only been out of the work force for a few months. I trust that God will provide work for able hands and my little big family will be well cared for.
Of course this change is coming with a load of upheaval. The house we now live in is rented, the cars are two years from being paid off and then there is all the emotions that go with change. I am thankful that the past 10 years have taught me how much we are loved by Heavenly Father. No matter where we have gone there has always been a place for us. There has always been a church home, a house to move into, ready friends to be made, and the school districts have been top notch as well. The children have made as many friends as they have left and on a whole have rolled with the punches.
The transition to civilian life really shouldn't be that difficult. Considering we have lived off the economy and never on a base for the entirety of our marriage. The biggest changes will be Hubby's job, my job and our finances. Wow, I guess when you put it that way, those are three pretty big things to change. Add to that moving to a new area and all the wonderment that carries with it, and you get the idea.
So for now I will pray. I will pray that the area we move to be ready for us. That there is a church family waiting to enfold us in their congregate; a house ready to be made into a home; friends who are willing to open up to a new family; a school that is prepared for the children; and jobs ready to start. To some that may be a lot to ask for, but I am confidant of God's provision. Not all of it may come at the same time, but I know that in God's timing it will all come.
This transition comes with it's own well of emotions. For almost 20 years Hubby has lived the mission, whatever that mission may be. When he was in the Infantry it was an entirely different mission then in Recruiting. Over the past few years I have born witness to the change in him. But no matter how he has changed the mission still comes first. I am quite sure that even on his last day he may be finishing up a packet so that someone is squared away to ship off to basic. That is just who Hubby is. With out the Army I know that his accomplishment at the end of the day will need to change. Instead of mission completion there will need to be something else to fill that gap. I am praying. I pray that he will find satisfaction in the road that lies ahead, that no matter what he knows that I am here lovingly supporting him in every way that I can.
Well dear readers, all three children are up and my day is itching to start. I hope that you are blessed and that at night when you are going over your day you find accomplishment not in the things that you have done, but in those that you have shown love and been loved by. Be Blessed!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
On Life and Death with the help of NASCAR
Miniman is in speech therapy camp this summer as he has trouble pronouncing some words. Before camp (which meets 2x a week) I drop the girls off at a friends house for a play date, so Miniman and I can have some time. On the half hour drive to and from camp we have the most interesting conversations at times. Yesterday's camp theme was pirates. He made a hat and did different pirate things. He came out with a pirate hat. We walked to the truck, clambered in and after asking my little guy "Arg you a Pirate?" with his reply being a toothy brilliant grin of "yes!" We then started in on a conversation that went something like this:
Miniman:" how tall I will be when I am 100 yrs old.
I replied with "God lets you grow until he decides you are perfect, then you just start looking older."
Miniman: " What does an old person look like?"
Me: " Everyone looks different when they get older, some look tired all the time, some get grey hair and others get wrinkles like raisins."
Miniman: "Mommy, when will you die?"
Wow, if that is not a loaded question. I had to think for a minute about the route this innocent conversation was taking. Do I give him the quick "I don't want to be bothered very much answer" , or do I answer him as honestly as I can because I don't know when or if I will get this chance again. Well, I did the latter and this is how the conversation went. Keep in mind Miniman just had his 6th birthday.
Me: "That's not up to me, I will die when I completed my purpose"
Miniman: "What is a purpose?"
Me: " Well honey, you see when God makes a person it's he makes them for a reason or a purpose. Just like when an owner makes a car for NASCAR, it's made for a purpose."
Miniman:"Okay"
Me: " When an owner makes a car he insures that it has everything it needs to win the race, and it's the same way when God makes a person. When that person is born it's like the race has started or the green flag is flown."(At this point I knew I had his attention so I kept going while he listened.)"The race keeps going until the checkered flag flies, their might be cautions when someone gets sick but the race is still on. God decides when to wave the checkered flag. No one knows when their race will be over, we just have to live everyday to the best of our ability. But when the race is over, if you have asked Jesus to come into your heart you will go and live with him forever in heaven."
Miniman: "What is heaven?"
Me: "Heaven is the place where Jesus lives and welcomes all of his children home. When your body dies your spirit goes to heaven. Heaven is a wonderful place. There is no pain, crying, sickness or death there. In heaven there is joy, peace and love. Does that answer your question?"
Miniman:"Yes"
Me: "So what have you learned?"
Miniman: " That you grow until your perfect, you get tired when your old, your born with a purpose and heaven is a wonderful place."
I am thankful that he and I can have these conversations. He doesn't always open up, but when he does it can be a very thought provoking topic. Goosie hasn't asked me these questions yet, Bubbles has yet to. I just pray that when they do I am ready.
Earlier this year I reconnected with my friend R from high school. Her sister-in-law T was ill and they were headed up to my neck of the woods for medical care. I offered a place to stay. While I dislike the reason she and I reconnected I am grateful we were able to. Recently T took a turn for the worse. It was hard for R, and her family. Just last night T was healed. T is no longer on this earthly plain, she is in heaven. T no longer feels pain, sorrow, prejudice or anything else besides the loving arms of Heavenly Father. I pray that R and her family find comfort in this knowledge.
Until next time Dear Readers; live everyday like it's your last, tell/show your loved ones how much you love them because you never know when your checkered flag will wave.
Miniman:" how tall I will be when I am 100 yrs old.
I replied with "God lets you grow until he decides you are perfect, then you just start looking older."
Miniman: " What does an old person look like?"
Me: " Everyone looks different when they get older, some look tired all the time, some get grey hair and others get wrinkles like raisins."
Miniman: "Mommy, when will you die?"
Wow, if that is not a loaded question. I had to think for a minute about the route this innocent conversation was taking. Do I give him the quick "I don't want to be bothered very much answer" , or do I answer him as honestly as I can because I don't know when or if I will get this chance again. Well, I did the latter and this is how the conversation went. Keep in mind Miniman just had his 6th birthday.
Me: "That's not up to me, I will die when I completed my purpose"
Miniman: "What is a purpose?"
Me: " Well honey, you see when God makes a person it's he makes them for a reason or a purpose. Just like when an owner makes a car for NASCAR, it's made for a purpose."
Miniman:"Okay"
Me: " When an owner makes a car he insures that it has everything it needs to win the race, and it's the same way when God makes a person. When that person is born it's like the race has started or the green flag is flown."(At this point I knew I had his attention so I kept going while he listened.)"The race keeps going until the checkered flag flies, their might be cautions when someone gets sick but the race is still on. God decides when to wave the checkered flag. No one knows when their race will be over, we just have to live everyday to the best of our ability. But when the race is over, if you have asked Jesus to come into your heart you will go and live with him forever in heaven."
Miniman: "What is heaven?"
Me: "Heaven is the place where Jesus lives and welcomes all of his children home. When your body dies your spirit goes to heaven. Heaven is a wonderful place. There is no pain, crying, sickness or death there. In heaven there is joy, peace and love. Does that answer your question?"
Miniman:"Yes"
Me: "So what have you learned?"
Miniman: " That you grow until your perfect, you get tired when your old, your born with a purpose and heaven is a wonderful place."
I am thankful that he and I can have these conversations. He doesn't always open up, but when he does it can be a very thought provoking topic. Goosie hasn't asked me these questions yet, Bubbles has yet to. I just pray that when they do I am ready.
Earlier this year I reconnected with my friend R from high school. Her sister-in-law T was ill and they were headed up to my neck of the woods for medical care. I offered a place to stay. While I dislike the reason she and I reconnected I am grateful we were able to. Recently T took a turn for the worse. It was hard for R, and her family. Just last night T was healed. T is no longer on this earthly plain, she is in heaven. T no longer feels pain, sorrow, prejudice or anything else besides the loving arms of Heavenly Father. I pray that R and her family find comfort in this knowledge.
Until next time Dear Readers; live everyday like it's your last, tell/show your loved ones how much you love them because you never know when your checkered flag will wave.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Happy Birthday America!
The USA was born a free nation 236 years ago today. Since then countless military members and their families have sacrificed for the freedoms of many. What the many fail to realize is that military members give up their freedoms to uphold those of others. America has remained a free nation because of the brave men and women who are willing to stand in the gap and fight for that freedom. Members of different political parties are all too willing to sign those freedoms away to appease the proverbial squeaky wheel of the few, in the name of being politically correct.
The founding fathers were not being politically correct when they signed the Deceleration of Independence, nor were they being politically correct when they rebelled against the king of England. The one desire they had was that people would have the ability to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the past few years, if you have really been paying attention more and more of our freedoms are being taken away. Yet fewer and fewer it seems even mind that it's happening. Who we elect in office on all levels state and federal does make a difference and if you don't like what is happening you have the ability to change it. So many have fought for our freedoms and rights, yet so many of us are willingly throwing them away. So wake up.
Freedom is not something that we were born with. It is a privilege that was sacrificed dearly and fought hard for. We as an older generation are the caretakers of the next generations freedom. It was entrusted to us to make better for them, not to squander. Too often I have heard about personal rights. It is true, we all have many personal rights, but our rights end where another persons begin. A quick example: my neighbors have the right to throw a party at their house, they do not have the right to be so loud that they keep my family from sleeping. See how that works? We as american's have freedom to do so much, yet I wonder what we are doing with those freedoms.
Yesterday Goosie asked me why the 4th of July was so important. I was surprised that she had yet to learn about it in school, as it is the most important day in our nation's history. I sat her down and went over Columbus, why we celebrate Thanksgiving, suppression under the King and what our Founding Fathers did. I also told her what Hubby's job really was, what so many in our military do. They protect our freedom, our way of life.. so few are willing to stand in the gap for freedom. Yet brave men and women do it everyday when they put on their uniform, lace up their boots and answer the call to arms. So many families have sacrificed much so that we as a nation can shoot off fireworks, grill burgers/ hot dogs and if your not careful forget.
Today we will make a birthday cake, grill out hot dogs, slice up and eat a watermelon. We will enjoy fireworks set to a symphony and in my heart I will remember. I will never forget, I will ingrain being a patriot into my children, tell them the story of the birth of our nation. Freedom isn't free, the lives lost from each generation pay the price of that freedom and I refuse to forget how much others have done for me. Until next time dear readers.. Be Blessed. Happy Birthday America.. the nation of the free because of the brave!
The founding fathers were not being politically correct when they signed the Deceleration of Independence, nor were they being politically correct when they rebelled against the king of England. The one desire they had was that people would have the ability to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In the past few years, if you have really been paying attention more and more of our freedoms are being taken away. Yet fewer and fewer it seems even mind that it's happening. Who we elect in office on all levels state and federal does make a difference and if you don't like what is happening you have the ability to change it. So many have fought for our freedoms and rights, yet so many of us are willingly throwing them away. So wake up.
Freedom is not something that we were born with. It is a privilege that was sacrificed dearly and fought hard for. We as an older generation are the caretakers of the next generations freedom. It was entrusted to us to make better for them, not to squander. Too often I have heard about personal rights. It is true, we all have many personal rights, but our rights end where another persons begin. A quick example: my neighbors have the right to throw a party at their house, they do not have the right to be so loud that they keep my family from sleeping. See how that works? We as american's have freedom to do so much, yet I wonder what we are doing with those freedoms.
Yesterday Goosie asked me why the 4th of July was so important. I was surprised that she had yet to learn about it in school, as it is the most important day in our nation's history. I sat her down and went over Columbus, why we celebrate Thanksgiving, suppression under the King and what our Founding Fathers did. I also told her what Hubby's job really was, what so many in our military do. They protect our freedom, our way of life.. so few are willing to stand in the gap for freedom. Yet brave men and women do it everyday when they put on their uniform, lace up their boots and answer the call to arms. So many families have sacrificed much so that we as a nation can shoot off fireworks, grill burgers/ hot dogs and if your not careful forget.
Today we will make a birthday cake, grill out hot dogs, slice up and eat a watermelon. We will enjoy fireworks set to a symphony and in my heart I will remember. I will never forget, I will ingrain being a patriot into my children, tell them the story of the birth of our nation. Freedom isn't free, the lives lost from each generation pay the price of that freedom and I refuse to forget how much others have done for me. Until next time dear readers.. Be Blessed. Happy Birthday America.. the nation of the free because of the brave!
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