Engaged...

Last night we got several calls from LillBlue...no voice messages were left, then there was a text...

We were at the pool and my phone was in the car. When we were leaving I did not call her back but texted her and said we will be available in about 5 minutes was she? She texted back YES so we called when we got back to the house. Since we are still very perceptive parents I had a feeling I knew what the phone call was about, but I waited to hear it from her.  She was over the moon excited and totally giddy :)

To get the full story we must back up to Easter in MO earlier this year. Or maybe even 2007 or was it 2006 that we FIRST heard about this Bud? Yes, way back then. But let's just take it back to Easter for now. We took a long weekend and went up and she came down with the Bud. The Bud spoke with MiB...he asked for permission to marry LilBlue. Talk about whoa, MiB thought he was ready to answer that question, but then when the time was upon him his brain went foggy and thousands upon thousands of thoughts were rolling around in his head. And getting the words out as he wished was very difficult. Anyway, after an extremely deep somewhat long conversation that was even emotional at times he granted said permission. Next stop was checking in with Uncle G, yes, the Bud made a good decision by checking in with Uncle G. After all, he has and always will claim her for his own, it seemed only right. He got a good lecture, uh, I mean talking too, or er, uh, great discussion and then was threatened with his life given permission on that end too!

 Chatting with Uncle G

No worries, wedding is not too soon so to speak. He was just asking and there is no wedding planned to take place until after graduation NEXT spring. That's a relief. Because we really want LilBlue to finish school before going off and getting married! Ahhhh, but there will be a ring...sometime this summer he says to MiB. Okay, so we now know, we just don't know. He has the goodtogo but when he will act on that goodtogo is unknown! The reality is we know it's just a matter of time...breathe in, breathe out, that's what I keep telling myself; after all, she IS 21 years old. I was already married by the time I was 21. That's really irrelevant, she is mine and 21 is too young to be getting married!

So in May when we were in the BIG O for her surgery, we went to see the narrowed down ring choices. Both are beautiful and I think she will be thrilled with either one. So to recap again, we know, we just don't know; we are in a holding pattern until he pops THE question and gives her the ring...

That time came last night. That's why we got several calls with no messages and finally THE text :) When we did talk with them, she was just a tad bit excited! She's going to be a Mrs. and she is certainly thrilled about that, she loves the Bud :)

Wedding is most likely going to be next summer some time. Let's just pray for a mild day rather then a melt your face off day especially if she wants it to be outside! I know she has already started planning...she's been "pinning" under a Mr&Mrs category for quite awhile now but in the last 24 hours she gone pincrazy! LOL

Tonight they had dinner at at the Bud's house where there was a little engaging celebration. Let the countdown begin!

Celebration Cake! Looks yummy!

MANY CoNgRaTs to them both and may God bless them richly with many happy years to come. It's extremely easy to get married, but staying married is the part you have to work VERY hard at every day. To working hard together! We love you both and truly want the best for you!

Happy 26 :)

Twenty six years ago on this date I said "I do" to the MiB...

 

 1 June 1986

And it was just fine with me that we stayed home this evening for some MUCH needed downtime, ate leftovers and enjoyed quiet time together (well, except for my snoring, sorry!) I enjoyed it as much if not more then some of our other special days, truly I did! It's the "just being with you" part that made the time special, not the location or event...I think that's the way it should be and I'm thankful we have that kind of relationship.

143 MiB :) 

I still heart you!

Another Mr & Mrs :)

We arrived E.A.R.L.Y this a.m. for another wedding in MO. Like 0015. Got some sleep, hit the White Grill with the Grands for lunch, loved on the Littles and then headed to the Chapel!

My cousin is getting married today. Weddings are such fun events, this was no exception. After a simple civil ceremony we enjoyed a lively reception afterwards. It was neat to see the family. Always good to catch up and see how much our children have grown and the new additions. Always good to meet new folks too and do some reuniting with old friends and acquaintances! Usually these events are full of mini reunions all over the room and always lots of fun! This was no exception. 

It was REALLY sunny in the chapel...I squinted much of the time!!

 CUTENESS!!!

My favorite part of the processional, except the bride walking in, of course!

The ceremony was short and sweet and did the job. My dad made sure I saw on his watch that it had lasted 16 minutes as I had piped in earlier we'd probably be done in under 15 minutes. I was only a tad off. And as dad put it we drove/would drive an hour (round trip) for each of those minutes.

 Here she comes, there she goes!

The OFFICIAL part!

Officially Mr & Mrs :)

 Bubbles away...

At the reception we enjoyed some wonderful smoked meats and great sides! It was tasty. Thanks to the cookin' cousins for doing the spread, again, it was tasty! Then there were cupcakes, LOTS of cupcakes; and there was wedding cake of course, cause it was a wedding after all! Now those were all fine and good but I personally enjoyed the mints the most. They are my absolute favorite and I ate waaaaaay too many, but each one was yummy!  And just to clear any misconceptions, these are not store bought mints, which can be lovely, I like those too, especially the butter kind. Which are sometimes very difficult to find! BUT these, these mints were the homemade ones. Made with one of my favorite things, cream cheese! Oh yes, I did just say c r e a m c h e e s e. So, you know these are some kind of awesomegood mints and I did eat many; like 12 dozen or so, they are small. Okay, maybe not 12 dozen, maybe they aren't THAT small...I know I had at least A dozen :/ aaaaackkkkkk

 Cupid Shuffle :D

So after our dining on the lovely meal and indulging in the cake there was dancing. LilBlue and MiB participated more in this than did I but MiB and I did take a turn on the dance floor. It was a wonderful, celebratory evening!

Again, HUGE CoNgRaTs to the new Mr & Mrs! So glad we were there to spend your special day with you!

Marriage Choices

A FaceBook friend posted this link recently and it caused me to take great pause. I have some really strong feelings about marriage (not that I have ever voiced them on here). Ha, yeah right, that is a joke! You also know I have some very strong feelings on divorce and have blogged that subject as well. So when my FB friend posted this link, the title made me click because I have already married the one I love and I'm like wahhhaat? So I read it and thought hmmmm. Now I am sharing with you and wonder what you think...

I'll tell you the title gives my mind a challenge from the getgo! I mean seriously then why would you marry if not for love? At least that is what my brain is saying...however, some of the points she makes, make sense to me. Like I said it made my brain go hmmmmm.

I am linking the entire article and I am cutting and pasting the entire article is as well. I hope this isn't against any bloggy copyright rules. If it is and I am informed you will see the content disappear but the link will remain. And just to be safe the author of this piece is NOT me it is Marie Hartwell-Walker, Ed.D. I want to make that abundantly clear, this is not me, it's something I read from a FB post and I am sharing because the whole think was extremely thought provoking IMO. Without further ado!

Five Reasons Not to Marry the One You Love 

For many young girls, being a bride is the closest thing possible to living out childhood fantasies of being a princess. The wedding industry and bridal magazines collaborate in spinning the myth. Find the perfect prince, put on the perfect wedding pageant and live happily ever after. It’s an alluring story for almost everyone. How could it not be? For the unhappy, the alone, and the lonely it can be an intoxicating idea. Getting married can seem like the end of all a girl’s problems. Getting married can seem like a way to get a new start.

It doesn’t work that way. Marrying as a solution to painful circumstances almost never leads to a good and lasting marriage. Marriages that are a conscious or unconscious way out of a difficult situation don’t have the staying power that comes with mature love, shared values and a commitment to the future by two mature adults.

Here are my top five mistaken reasons that people marry:

1. To escape the family of origin.

Jackey’s parents are brutal. She hasn’t felt loved just about ever. Her mother is constantly critical. Her father scares her, especially when he drinks. Her younger sister seems bent on setting her up to be the target so she can fly under the radar of parental chaos. For Jackey, marrying her boyfriend as soon as they graduate from high school this June seems like a way out.

Yes, some families are abusive. Some parents don’t know how to love and protect. Some are so toxic that the only way to survive is to flee. But flight into an early marriage with a teenage sweetheart or just anybody who is willing isn’t a good enough foundation for a marriage. The fear that spurs flight can cloud a person’s judgment about who would really make a good partner. It’s easy to romanticize someone who offers an alternative to daily ridicule and pain.

2. Because it’s the next logical thing.

 Tony and Melody have been dating since they were 14. Neither of them has ever dated anyone else or even considered it. They’ve been best friends and lovers through their teen years, went to the same college, and have been talking for years about what kind of house they’d like to have someday and what their kids’ names will be. Tony’s parents adore Melody. Melody’s parents think Tony is a fine match for their daughter. It only makes sense for them to get married. Or does it?

Neither Tony nor Melody has a clue about who they are without the other. They have never tested themselves as individuals; never been anywhere or done anything significant that didn’t involve the other. Sometimes couples like them can last. But often enough, the growing up that happens in the 20s means growing apart. As they enter careers that introduce them to new people and new experiences, one or the other of them may well begin to wonder if they would make the same choice now as they did when they were 14.

3. To fix the other person.

Joey and Maryanne agree on one important thing: He needs fixing. He needs her. He feels empty and desperate without her. He says he will die if she leaves him. He has even threatened suicide if she tries. She has an idea that she can rescue him and that she gives meaning to his life. That idea gives meaning to hers. 

Neither of these people has a strong sense of self or life goals they are passionate about. The intensity of their relationship consumes them and distracts them from finding and maintaining good friends or good work. They are each other’s everything. What they fail to understand is that by being so wrapped up in the drama of “saving” him, neither one of them is developing personally into the adult they could be. It’s unlikely that Maryanne can “save” Joey when Joey doesn’t really want to stand on his own feet. A marriage created on these terms is likely to be disastrous for them both.

4. To legitimize sex.

Angie and Nick both come from deeply religious families. Angie pledged she would stay pure until marriage. Nick agreed that it was very important to wait until their wedding to have sex. But a combination of hormones and alcohol overtook those good intentions. They had sex. They liked it. They rationalized continuing to be intimate but the guilt that came with it made them both miserable. To them, getting married makes going against their own values at least a little okay. Never mind that they each had some doubts about the relationship before they fell into bed with each other. Never mind that they each still kind of blame the other for what happened. Those seeds of doubt and blame are likely to fester and grow. Marriage may make them feel less guilty about having sex but it won’t resolve other issues that undermine their relationship.

5. To avoid being alone.

Robyn is terrified. She’s always had a boyfriend since she was 13. She has dated a number of guys but always had someone new lined up before she ended a relationship. Now 22, she’s just been dumped by the most recent boyfriend for being too needy. A demanding project at work has meant long hours at the office and no time to look for someone new. She hates being alone in her apartment at night. She doesn’t know what to do with herself on weekends. She feels empty and scared. She’s tried calling her ex but he’s put off by her tears. She’s running through her files for someone, anyone, who can fill up the hole in her life. She’s likely to fall into marriage with the first guy who shows interest just so she’ll never have to feel this way again.

Marriage does provide a partner in life but it doesn’t guarantee that the partner will be good at partnering. Sometimes people like Robyn luck out and find someone who is truly willing and able to be their best friend and companion. More often, they are terribly disappointed. In their rush to marry to fend off their fear of abandonment, they didn’t take the time to find someone who shared their interests and values.

Men can be as vulnerable to making these mistakes as women. Older people aren’t exempt either. Regardless of age or gender, the desire to marry, to have a constant partner, and to share a life is a healthy one. However, a wedding that’s a mistaken solution to personal or couple problems won’t guarantee a happily-ever-after marriage. That requires a union of two complete and whole adults who love each other deeply, unselfishly, and respectfully and who share a commitment to keep their wedding vows. Only then can a bond be created that withstands life’s challenges and deepens over time.

What say you? I know there are readers out there and you do not comment, you check in faithfully, sometimes you email me privately a comment or even comment my FB page about a blogpost you liked, loved or whatever, however, I would love to see some comments here on the blog itself. Come on, come out of lurker mode, it's painless, really! Besides I know you are visiting, I have blogtracker on my blog. Yeah, I know you probably didn't realize that. Sorry, it's just a way for me to see if people are reading and they are they just aren't commenting. I do that too on some of the blogs I read so it's not like it's not okay but I would like to hear from you, so check it! Just do it, okay? All right, good!

Thankful for my experiences

I really am thankful for the experiences I have had, those that were good and not so good. These experiences have shaped me, made me who I am, good and not so good! I have thoughts, very passionate thoughts on many issues due to the things I have experienced. One of those is divorce. I hate divorce, I am a product of divorce, I have such disdain for the process, I have no doubt I will not change my thought process on this but I do understand it. Doesn't mean I like it, I hate it, but I already said that. It's how I feel due to my own personal experience. I'm sure you have your own life shaping experiences. And even with the negative experience I have in regards to divorce it has made me have a determination to not experience one in my own marriage.

Another one for me is the military. I love the military and all that it means, and trust me I GET IT, what it truly means. After 25 years of being married to the military I'm pretty sure I can speak to the military lifestyle as far as from a spouses perspective. Those who have never served, or been impacted by someone who has served just cannot grasp this in my opinion. And since less then 1% of our nation's population chooses to serve there are many who do not get the concept of the military. This is through no fault of their own, however, I do wish more people would realize this is a great sacrifice and not take their freedom for granted. Still I love our military experiences and would not want to have it any other way!

I am also thankful I have had the honor of being a parent. It has not been easy, in fact it's been downright tough on many a day, we have had our portion of trials; we are not perfect parents, we did not have a a perfect child. The teen years nearly killed us, not to mention the couple years leading up to those teen years. However, God sustained us and here we are with a full blown legal to vote nearly legal to buy booze child. Scary isn't it? I know getting through the teen years was challenging and MiB and I never took on the parenting style of being your child's friend. In fact, we were the ones who were probably more involved and more accountability then most of our child's peers parents. LilBlue had a tough road, we did not allow her to roam free, we mandated check ins, calling in for change of plans, meeting dates before dates, chaperoned events, etc. Even with all this we still experienced some lying issues, a little rebellion, a lot of attitude, oh my, I'm thankful those days are behind us. However, I am also thankful we did not have a teen pregnancy, we did not have illegal drug use, alcohol incidents or trouble with the law. We have much to be thankful for and I would not trade the parenting experiences we have had though I would do some things differently given the opportunity.

So those are are just a few of the experiences I have had that have made me who I am...there are many, many more but I am going to leave it at this...it's supper time and I am ready to sit down and enjoy a quite evening at home. MiB will be along shortly after a little ice breaker social for his conference this week. One nice thing is that it is a local conference so he will be home each night :)

Wedding...Thankful we could be there!

The Littles were adorable at the wedding...I'm so very thankful we could be there to help out with the festivities! We had the fun of being last minute planners, decorators, errand runners and all around helpers to do what ever was asked of us! We also did some "what we thought should be done" things too! A garage was transformed! It was really neat to be apart of it! I pray for their future and happiness, I pray they stay as committed as it takes to make it work!

 

LilBlue caught the bouquet and of course is ready for that day in more then a day dreamy sort of way as most young women her age are...I fear that day will be hear sooner then we want! We know of course this is a natural progression in a relationship we just pray that they know we believe it should be for better or worse; should not be entered into lightly for convenience sake or any other reason then to be married and become one and work as a team on a life built together, period.

I'm so thankful for the weekend with family! It's great to be able to get together for fun things such as a wedding! Now we are in the car headed south for the long drive home and LilBlue is headed north. Prayers for all of our travels to be safe!

31 Days of Miltary Life ~ Day 6

Last night we chose to "celebrate" with some new found friends. Actually celebrate is a little off, we went out together before he heads off to the AOR. If you are non military acronym savvy that just means he is going to be now be working in an area that isn't very safe. Deployment is another word for this. It is usually a negative word in our business. However, that is only typical on the spouse end. After all, we are the ones staying behind to be both mom and dad, continue to keep everything running smoothly and maintain a sense of sanity. Not easy! The member that goes isn't on vacation, but they are in the fight so to speak. For the most part they are loving the experience of feeling like they are making a difference, working nonstop and days passing quickly but months drag on. They are on the tip of the spear, gaining knowledge and wisdom that only "boots on the ground" can, they are observing first hand what many never will. It's a proud moment. Being in the AOR is a honor and many while hating the being away from their own families part do and would return again and again. Serving in this environment is unlike serving anywhere else. I cannot fully describe it but I have been around enough to know that these men and women in uniform volunteer to go back again and again because they love what they do. They are America's best and they are proud to serve!

Good luck Chief F! We will help as much as we can on the home front while you are serving on the forefront.

As far as my journey today I attend Suicide Awareness training. While not a real fun brief to go to I did picked up some new insight. Suicide happens, it happens in all walks of life and unfortunately we see if far too often in the military. I'm reminded again to be very sensitive to certain signs and behavior of those around me and not to just let an off day or comment go, dig deeper. It was a good refresher.

Oh and I think even though I am on this 31 day roll I will still do Thursday Thoughts:

So today my thoughts are:

• Smitty's was darn good!
• Road trip to MO coming soon...
• Wedding bells will soon be ringing.
• B I N G O this Friday night, then tacos.
• Suicide training, necessary but not at all fun!

Just to clarify, the wedding bells are NOT LilBlue but my niece.

31 Days of Miltary Life ~ Day 5

 

Today is a milestone for us! And since 1984 we have celebrated this day. It was on this very day back in 1984 that MiB asked me to marry him. PLEASE NOTE this is NOT the day we got married just the day that he asked!  It is the day I said, "YES"! We celebrate this day every year, we make it special, we do fun things. One year I got him a tie and told him I would "tie the knot with him again any day" other years we just take the time to go to dinner, just us and away; other years I have made a special dinner; he has also been the dinner maker...he does an awesome steak on the grill with a baked potato and a nice green salad!. There have been several years where we have not been together on this day but we still try to make it special. we usually do cards. We have done funny, serious, sentimental and even homemade. I have filled his car with balloons, he has brought me flowers, and even candy! It's just a day we celebrate in our world.

 Oh yes he did!

As far as relating this to military life, well, sometimes you have to make your own fun, your own traditions, your own way. You don't usually have blood relatives around, so you make it with who and what you got. It works and it's fun! Everyday is not a celebration, but I recommend ALWAYS taking the time to celebrate; take time to smell the roses so to speak. Life is way too short and too precious not to celebrate. And celebrate the little things right along with the big. We have seen families lose loved ones unexpectedly, it's not fun, so be a celebrater, doesn't matter that it's not a BIG day, make it BIG in your world, fuss about the great things, make a party out of an accomplishment little or big cause it's those things you will remember and will hold on to as some of your best moments! Trust me, so get out there and find something to celebrate or make something up, life is good, but you may have to work at it sometimes to get it that way.

In 2009, I made note of this day... and I did it again in 2010, the post from 2010 has more of a military life feel to it as we were far apart. But both are a pretty good read if you have the time!

Thoughts on Thursday...

My thoughts today are cheerless...if you came looking for a funny story or a laugh you will not find in today.

Another BIG D has hit our family. I have to say in all honesty I had a feeling this day was going to come, in fact, I am surprised that the marriage lasted as long as it did. I recall perfectly the night we got the phone call letting us know that he was getting married...MiB and I both looked at each other and said many prayers that night before going to bed. Honestly, we prayed for something to prevent it from happening cause we both felt it wasn't right.

It was a "rush job" in our opinion (and NO there was not a baby on the way, that's a whole other issue), a decision being made on not such good reasoning. I won't go into that, it's not really my story to tell, but suffice to say MiB and I had our doubts. It's never good to have the "I told you so" card on your side, but there was a solid talk before the wedding took place, he knew he should have never walked the aisle that afternoon and he did it anyway. So here we are some nearly 14 years later and he is walking down the aisle again today! Only this time it is to the judges bench in a courtroom where the gavel will bang down and what was will no longer be. A shame really, due to many, many reasons, many reasons if I so wanted I could probably make a case for ending my very own marriage..if I wanted to be that selfish. Yes, seriously, I think I could have a case for divorcing if I had that mindset. My MiB takes after his dad and some of those characteristics aren't that flattering and we live a military life of lots of stress and separation but thankfully, we worked through this, we come up with ways to love each other unconditionally, to think positive, to not dwell on all the negative. I have my own set of faults in this too! People, there are NO PERFECT PEOPLE, well, excuse me, there was one...you do know what happened to him? Yeah, it wasn't pretty...

So anyway I could go on and on and on, on this, but let me start wrapping up by saying this, I mean if you are still reading to this point I want to say something more encouraging on marriage! Your marriage should be NUMBER ONE! It should be your primary area of concerns, you should be focusing on it ALWAYS. Guard it with your life, make it your goal to make good decisions regarding your marriage, your home. There are people out there who would love to be in your shoes, they will do for your spouse what you do not, they will gladly step in so guard your marriage with your life! If you have children, they are very important but your marriage is more important. I believe the greatest thing we have given LilBlue is our example of marriage and while not perfect she has witnessed give and take, unconditional love between us, working out issues and romance.

As I said I could sooooo go on and on and say sooooo many more things, not even it was his fault, it was her fault things, they both had faults! Trust ME on this one!!! However, the nuts and bolts of it are this: a marriage is over, and like I said they both had their shortcomings, we all do, but seriously there could have been resolution if had been wanted; there could have been happiness many moons ago had there been more of an honest partnership, if you get married it shouldn't be an adversarial atmosphere, your spouse is NOT the enemy. And I think God should play a big role...you should be in it together and for the long haul.

It saddens me to think that people who choose divorce think God is in it and is blessing the mess they made of His holy institution, I mean, really? Are you kidding me? God ain't proud of you...does he still love you? Yes, but he is grieved and unhappy with your choices.

God is not happy about divorce, PERIOD. You can be excited, happy, sad, mad whatever, but rest assured GOD HATES DIVORCE and people who let their marriage go are selfish, self centered, egotistical, disobedient, irresponsible and a whole host of other things that could make your blood pressure rise if it hasn't already... and I hate divorce, too. My parents were divorced, I hated that! I have issues with divorce (not divorced people but divorce, there IS a difference) in case you didn't pick up on that. And if you don't like my stance sorry, it's MY BLOG, I can say pretty much whatever I want cause again, it's my blog to voice my life and things that happen within my life.

My dad did not want a divorce, G did not want a divorce, it stinks to go through this as one of the parties getting the divorce who didn't want it, but let me tell you it royally stunk to be the kid going through it as well. Thankfully, there were no children born into this union; however, their are two that came with the marriage who are now grown and unfortunately screwing up their own lives and those of their children....boundaries people, boundaries. It is my belief that had solid partnership parenting been involved in the rearing of these two you would see a difference in their lives but again that didn't happen and now the result of this is playing out. It isn't pretty from what little I know and the shame of it is the children are now going to be the product of this same type of unhealthy, adversarial environment.

I am going to get off this topic now, it's a downer and again, if I offended you, well...I am sorry for that, I think that stinks, but I make the posts on here and this is how I feel and how I see it and so it is what it is. Tomorrow will be a new day..

Happy Heart Day!

I have such a great man!!!!

This is his post for today... I cannot top that so I won't even try, he knows me well.

I did LOVE the card he sent this year, a musical one, with the TIM MCGRAW song My Best Friend, that was pretty darn cool! Roses are so not me on this day, another day for no reason, you bet that's okay but never dreamed about, which is what makes it so right...

Thank you MiB for loving me above all else...thankfully we have weathered the life in blue quite well, IMO, and we are still happy about being together all these years later. You are a most awesome helpmate and I know you are the man God intended for me to marry. Honestly, we have our quirkies, we really do, but we keep on keepin' on and enjoy life together, really, we ENJOY life TOGETHER. By choice we spend A LOT of time together, I like it that way. I would never have dreamed I would have the life I do, I am so thankful and thrilled to have had the experiences we have, I would never choose a "do over" I think we got it right and look forward to life after the blue with you! I am no-doubt-about-it livin' the dream!

143!

YES!

I am thrilled that I said yes to my MIB 26 years ago today when he ask me to marry him…I know he thinks I have been the one to give up so much and endure many things in this USAF marriage but I know he has been a solid, stand up guy and done the same for me just in different arenas. After all, I did go back to finish school once we were married, then the last couple semesters we had LilBlue. He always supported me in that and did whatever he could to facilitate picking up or dropping off LilBlue in those days if he was in town. I think he has been a great son-in-law, uncle, brother in law to those on my side of the family, taking “hits” for the team, making time to do the fun and not so fun, making sure we were inclusive in family events, going our separate ways when necessary to get all the visits in, taking LilBlue for our “chick trips” and being a driver or picker upper when asked. He rarely says no when it comes to the family. We have always lived away and he always tries to make sure we take some of our leave seeing family.

I know our marriage is solid and take comfort in that when I think of his being gone, I don’t think I would hold up so well if I had concerns about our marriage. It is good to be able to trust, to feel loved from afar, and to know that I have a man who loves me.

As I have said every year since he ask, YES, I would do it all over again beyond a shadow of a doubt and YES, I am still lovin’ being Mrs. Blue and look forward to many, many, many more years to come together doing all the things we love to do but mainly just be together.

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)