Thoughts on Thursday

It's been a pretty intense week...thank God for caring people. It was the kindness of others that helped LilBlue and the kindness of a stranger that assisted MiB. So thankful that the goodness in others is still alive and well, no matter what we see and hear in the over sensationalized media coverage that bombards us 24 hours a day.

Sunday evening as LilBlue was heading back to school, she had tire trouble and thankfully there were people to help. Now, this is not to say it didn't come without a price (think BIG towing bill) and some lessons, hopefully, learned. She knows our thoughts on frequent weekend travels and also what we consider to be the smart way to do it. While we feel she disregarded both, no matter the tire would have most likely been a problem eventually. So we are moving forward and again, hopefully, feel it is a lesson learned. Growing up is called "growing" for a reason I suppose.

Monday evening we were at a gathering and MiB choked on a piece of dry chicken...really, he was choking, as in, complete airway blocked, could not speak, not breathing type choking, it was quite an intense situation, thankfully, there were three nurses and a doctor at this event along with a bigger guy, named Paul, who did his best with what he knew to perform an abdominal thrust that helped move the chicken. Even then he still had trouble breathing and we ended up in the ER. My MiB is a very blessed man for sure.


Thoughts on Thursday:

• Basic first aid training is way under rated!
• Going away gatherings are uncomfortable...
• WooHoo night shuttle launch this weekend!
• I dislike dealing with car repair long distance
• I love new recipes that turn out f a b u l o u s !

As a side note, there is some debate on the methods of how to actually treat a choking victim. The latest recommendations seem to indicate that five sharp back blows should be utilized first before attempting the abdominal thrusts. Either way, it is important to know what to do, so I say again, knowing some basic first aid is a great thing. Many employers require their employees to take these type courses yearly or at least refresher courses from time to time; many times people complain about it, but I am here to tell you, it is important stuff! So pay attention and learn it. You never know when it will be needed and you may be the only one who knows how to save someone elses life.

Thanks again to Paul! You truly are a lifesaver.

Three Cups of Tea

If you have a reading list, please add Three Cups of Tea to it. I have just finished reading it and it is an incredible read. I am now in search of Stones into Schools. It is my understanding that it starts up where 3CT leaves off. If our base library does not have it, I will purchase it and donate it when I am done. I am not sure if they have 3CT but I plan to check next time I go; if not, I will personally make sure they have it in the very near future. I am that moved by the efforts of this man, Greg Mortenson.

E D U C A T I O N is powerful! I have always been convinced of this, Mr. Mortenson proves it.

I am a reader...I read a lot. I can knock out a pretty good sized book in one day if I am really reading. I am not a speed reader, but I do read fast. So I will admit it took me awhile to read through this book. It is not what I would term an "easy read", but it IS a powerful read. Well worth the extra time and effort. So go on, borrow it from your local library, a friend or go buy it, it is a must read in my opinion!

If only we would all go out of our way to make a difference, what a different world we would live in...

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

That was the "what's on your mind" statement I just posted on FB a few minutes ago...really, it's not totally true, but it just sounded right since it is Monday, it is raining and I happen to be down today.

A late night phone call, lots of tears and more late night phone calls and a few texts later and it's a new day...

But the lingering thoughts of what is the outcome really going to be are swirling around my head this morning. I have been, as A would say, "close to tears" all morning. It all started with several phone calls from lil'blue last week who is stressing over school. So much so that she is emotionally overwrought during most of our conversations, so much so, that it rips my guts out to even answer the phone when I see that she is calling. She is as some would say, having a rough go. What can a mom do when she is 1400 miles away? Pray...pray without ceasing as we are told this in Thessalonians, oh trust me, I have been doing that, no question! Then I saw on one of my other FB friends wall this..."The Lord will keep you from all harm --he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Psalm 121:7-8 This applies to my child, too. He will keep her from all harm, he will watch over her life and he will watch over her coming and going now and forever. So I find comfort in that, but the reality is I fear for her, for her loneliness, for her dislike of college, for, well, for a lot more reasons then I shall write about to protect her privacy. But let's just say, I would desperately covet your prayers for her, as I feel so far away and unable to physically lessen her worries. I pray that you would remember her as you pray that she finds comfort and an earthly friend to help brighten her days at school. That she would continue to seek out friendships and not retreat to the solitary space of her room; that she see God in the flesh through someone who she crosses paths with, that she is able to spot His hand of mercy, that He radiantly shine upon her today and each day with His favor in her classes.

She is 19 years old, I have to allow her to make choices, to do things in her own way, she must. I cannot always step in to solve things for her, to make her choices. I soooo want her to make decisions (good ones but I know there will be some not so good ones as well), it is part of the maturing process, right?, it is part of the whole becoming an adult. However, it is NOT at all easy to see and especially through phone calls that are tear filled. So thank you for prayers said from a mom who loves her child and is watching from afar as she struggles to successfully find her way on a road that seems to always be uphill,

AAAaaackkkkk...

I soooo forgot it was Thursday yesterday. Yeah, well, it's been a wee bit busy in my world. Took a trip "up north" (Florida panhandle) last week and internet capabilities were not readily available and the schedule was pretty full so I gave myself a pass...however, I had full intentions of getting one done for this week and lo and behold the day slipped away and I was not on the computer much at all; I turned in early and so totally missed my "Thursday Thoughts" posting moment.

Anyway, here we are, it's Friday...guests will be here for dinner this evening and we have a fancy-smancy function on Saturday night. This week has been meetings, lunches, dinners with friends from past assignments and fun stuff like that. I have also been catching up on some scrap booking. I am organizing the "undone" years and plan to tackle them in the near future. It's not unattainable so I plan to just jump in and do it!

There is change on the horizon and we are trying to map out how that will look, suffice to say we are in the know on our next assignment and the phrase I have been using is, "it's a he, not a we." For those of you that may not quite get it, that means MiB is going back to the BIG sandbox this summer for a 365. I know that is part of the life we lead so I am trying to figure out how that will look in my world. The challenge comes in due to the fact it will be a forced move from our home here since the house comes with this position and since MiB will no longer be in this position we must move. Since I must move do I want to stay here where I have been only a short time, do I want to move home, do I want to be a vagabond, do I want to live w/family, friends or what? I also do not have lilBlue to house or watch over so in a sense I have no ties to tend to and will have quite a lot of free time on my hands for the first time in, well, let's not go there, but lilBlue just turned 19, so you get the picture! Those are the big questions swirling around in my brain since last Thursday when official notification came down.

Onward to my thoughts, scattered as they may be:

• WOW, moving again!
• Life is ever changing!
• I love the weather here...
• We tried Indian food this weekend, yum!
  
• I am definitely needing to get back in the gym

Just the facts...for those who are going to ask...he has to be in place in June, it is for one year, we will not be discussing exactly where he is, he is honored to go back and does not at all have any reservations about that! He is an Airman through and through and knows the job is anywhere, anytime and mission success, whatever it may be is paramount for the continued freedoms of peoples from all nations.

Have a great weekend! I think since there is rain in the forecast that will be non conducive to surfing we will be looking to take in some movies!

THAT day- 16 January 1991

16 January 1991

On this date at 11:33 a.m. LilBlue joined the world, weighing in at 5 pounds 9 ounces and 19 inches long, she has grown some, now at 5'4" and just tipping 100 pounds she is an exceptional young woman.

She is energetic, lively.

She is loved, she is lovely.

She has an incredible smile, with dancing eyes.

She is a socialite, but still wants/likes/needs her downtime.

She can eat her weight in mashed potatoes and gravy :p

She is a snacker!

She LOVES Dr. Pepper and Welches Sparkling Grape Juice.

She thrives on music, can sing very well but doesn't for audiences.

She is the one and only in our life, we love her beyond measure; we can't wait to see what the future holds for her and how the Lord will lead and guide her as she continues to navigate her future. We pray for her every single day, for her safety, her success and her happiness.

Happy, Happy Birthday LilBlue, we love you!

Oh boy...

it's a new day, for that I am thankful, the last few have been up and down with anticipation...more on that in the near future. For now I give you this from, believe it or not, Lemony Snicket! Who would've thought.

It is difficult, when faced with a situation you cannot control, to admit that you can do nothing...Lemony Snicket

Chew on that for bit, really waller it around...it's exactly how I feel. If you are keeping up, I made reference to the fact that I live in a holding pattern, I don't say that as a complaint just an observation and how it works in this business, but this quote from Lemony hit square between the eyes.

Thoughts...that's all I got for ya this week and it is enough to keep ya busy IMO :)

Thursday Thoughts!

Here we are in the first week of the new year and I feel change in the air...of course, I will take it with a grain of salt because change is constant in our world, but it still causes me to ponder, to wonder the "what ifs?" What I have found is that I live in a constant state of change a "holding pattern" if you will. I have always felt this way but the other day I verbalized it to MiB and he was amazed I felt that way. I mean that thought has been swirling around in my head for eons and I thought for sure I had said it in front of him...but I guess not.

I don't dislike this "HP" thing because I think I have just come to accept it. I mean after a few years of living it, it is the norm but it is definitely how I feel. I realize I have felt this way since MiB enlisted in the USAF and we waited word on our first assignment while he was in tech school. Then with that very first move with the USAF I could not go with him since "concurrent travel" had not been approved. Basically, we were moving to a foreign country and had no place to live so MiB had to go first and secure housing for us and then I could come. It was a process that left me hanging in the states for 8 weeks or so. I flew for the first time, alone, half way across the US to Philadelphia then on to Terceira Island in the Azores, Portugal. Talk about a culture shock! No phones, water on even days, electricity that was off more then on and kerosene heaters for warmth.

I won't say it was the best assignment we ever had but it was a great assignment on many levels...we were newlyweds and this was a remote island, no one was running home or calling parents when something went a muck, we only had each other and God. I personally think it was divine planning that gave our marriage a rock solid foundation - one that has kept us grounded for nearly 24 years.

THURSDAY THOUGHTS:

• God is in control

That's it, just one this week :0)