Only a child of God

I have spent the last two nights at work looking at something online. If you need some inspiration today, or any day, go here. This young girl is wise beyond her years! Be sure to read her story under "her life". Hope you are having a wonderful week!

H.O.C.

God has blessed me with a few men in my life that have taken care of "house matters" while Cory has been away. I lovingly call them my "husbands on call" (HOC). Anytime something happens at the house - ranging from clogged toilets, to beds that need to be put together - I call one of my HOC's and they either come to fix it or walk me through the repair. I love these men dearly and while they are by no means a substitute for MY husband, they have taken excellent care of me (us) over the last 8 mths. I'm sure they are just as ready for Cory to come home as I so they can "retire"! Here's just a few things over the last month that I've had to call my HOC for!
A few days ago, I went into the girls bathroom to "tidy" up a bit. When I flushed the toilet, it wouldn't fill up. Do you know what I'm talking about? My intial feeling was "NO WAY". Let me back track - we moved into our house in Sept and 3 days after moving in, we had to have our septic tank pumped. Our house is only 3 years old. I was infuriated. I know people who have lived in their house for almost 30 years (ie my parents) and NEVER had to have theirs pumped. Then I was upset about the price - its CRAZY expensive. (I realized that people who do that for a living are actually underpaid as it is absolutely disgusting). Anyway - back to the story. I went in a few days ago and felt my blood pressure shoot through the roof. I called one of my HOC's - Cory's best friend, Trevor. His wife kind of chuckled when I told her the situation and she said "I can probably help you more than he can - he's not a toilet man". She told me exactly what to look for and how to fix it! Problem solved - and I didn't even have to pay a plumber! I guess that was one for the WOC - that's another post and group all together!
Then tonight I started the dishwasher before heading to work. It was my short night, so when I walked in the door at midnight, an extremely noctious odor hit my nose. I asked my mom what that horrid smell was. She said she couldn't smell it but that Hailey had smelled something earlier. From a previous experience, I knew right off hand what it was. You see, when we lived in our apt in Texas, we had our first dishwasher (my first one EVER). One night there was this horrid smell (similar to the one I smelled tonight). We thought it was something on fire in the apt above us so we checked with our neighbors to see if they smelled it as well. Sara, our neighbor asked if we had been running the dishwasher (undoubtedly she had made the same mistake at some point). It was a wooden spoon on the "warmer". Tonight's culprit, a plastic lid! No HOC needed! Aren't you proud?!
As I was letting my mom out of the garage, she informs me that the doorknob on the door to the garage is broken. She wasn't kidding. As I grabbed it, it fell off into my hand. I don't even know where to begin with that one. That will be tomorrow's job, I suppose. Which HOC to call for that one - we shall see!
One day back when I was doing my Paramedic Refresher my battery in my car died. I knew what to do to fix it, but had one other problem. Mondays are MY day to carpool. It was a Monday. It was 1:30pm, I was in Greenville and the kids had to be picked up by 2:20 in Spartanburg. I called my "#2" husband - as I am his #2 wife! He's a local fireman and left work to pick up all the kids. My mom often jokes that Shawn (my #2) has a second family - ours! His wife ( my best friend, Amy) is so generous in sharing him when we need him around the house!
Don't get me wrong, I love my husband and miss him more than words can express, but it gives me great peace to know that if/when I need something here at the house, God has given me a group of men that are willing to pitch in and help out! I also don't want you to think I am helpless. I'm sure I could figure out some of these things on my own (like the dishwasher), but it takes a lot of stress off me to know that if something does arise - I don't have to stress! God has given me people that can fix it and more importantly don't mind doing so! I love you all dearly and appreciate your helping hand more than you will ever know!

Bring on the rain

One of my favorite songs of all time is "Bring On the Rain", by Jo Dee Messina. This past week, I have listened to this song more times than I'd care to think about. It always gives me the motivation I need to pick up and keep going. Here are the words - maybe they'll brighten your day when you need it most!!

Another day has almost come and gone
Can't imagine what else could go wrong
Sometimes I'd like to hide away
Somewhere and lock the door
A single battle lost
But not the war
Cause tomorrow's another day
I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain.

Its almost like the hard times circle round
A couple drops, and they all start coming down
Well I might feel defeated
And I might hang my head
I might be barely breathing,
but I'm not dead, no.
Cause tomorrow's another day
I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain.

No I'm not gonna let it get me down
I'm not gonna cry
And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight
Cause tomorrow's another day
I'm thirsty anyway
So bring on the rain.

Our first "battle wound"

As if our week wasn't crazy enough with Reese's surgery, we found out Wednesday that he broke his left leg. We think he fell on it wrong at some point. He has broken his left fibula (the small bone in the lower leg). He has been a real trooper - he has faced the Dr offices (as there have been several) with courage and bravery that even a hardened veteran would be proud of.
Below you will find a picture of him from Thursday. He is all smiles. However, his cast is now green because his Orange one was sliding off, so we had to have it cut off and a new one made. He did not cry AT ALL having it cut off and put back on! Daddy, you should be proud!
Please pray for him as he has several weeks that he has to wear this cast! Pray for me as I try to catch on some much needed rest that I was deprived during this CRAZY week and pray for my nerves - I don't think I can take much more before Cory gets home! Also, if this is any indication of what is to come in our lives with this little boy - pray for patience and GOOD DOCTORS!!!

Here is a picture of Reese just before his surgery on Monday! He was such a big boy and didn't even cry when they took him back! Isn't he cute in his hospital gown?!?

Surgery,Sickness,Stolen Goods

Reese had surgery on Monday to put tubes in his ears and take out his adenoids (which were growing stuff ON them - YUCK). He did really well with surgery and has done well so far with recovery. He hates to have the drops put in his ears, but I think that's mostly because I have to hold him down and he is definitely a "free spirit" and hates to be "bound by anything". Anyway. Thank you for your prayers!
My mom called me Sunday night at work and told me that Samantha was sick. She is notorius for throwing up in the bed (usually while her sister is sleeping). She came out of the room and told Pappie that she threw up a little in his bed - boy was that an understatement! Pappie said it was massive! My personal opinion is that she ate too much Pineapple. I'm not exactly sure of the amount, but if I know my girl (which I know I do), she probably ate until she was about to pop - or throw up in this case! Thank God it wasn't the "bug" again!
In more distressing news - I've had TWO magnets stolen off my car in the last month! The first was a magnet from the girls school and the other was a yellow ribbon that read "Keep My Husband Safe". What a shame! People never cease to amaze me! If the people who have done this injustice happen to come across my blog, I hope you enjoy them and I hope you lay awake at night ridden with guilt! (I'm being dramatic again, but it is aggravating).
Its Tuesday! Yay! Almost half way through another week! Can I get a WooHoo for warm weather!?!?!
PS If you haven't already, scroll down to the bottom of my blog and click on "Through my soldier's eyes". That's my hubby and he's been blogging away!

Aware

Most days I go through life on autopilot. Since Cory has been gone, I have tried very hard to stay exhaustingly busy so that when I do finally go home, I'm so tired that, the fact that our bed is empty, doesn't bother me. For the most part, I have handled our separation fairly well. I've had my moments, don't get me wrong. But even I have been suprised at how strong I have been through it all (thus far). I try to make my Soldier proud by being a good Army Wife. And I feel in my heart that he is.
Today I went to a new LifeGroup (like Sunday School) at church.It is for Newlywed/Engaged couples. I am so excited about this group as I have often felt a little out of place in other classes. I am also SO excited about the teachers. The "lead" teacher is a the wife of our Pastor, a precious woman that I know will be a wonderful teacher and the "assistant" teachers are a wonderful couple that I definitely look up to when it comes to having a Christian home. I am also excited about being with other couples that are going through some of the same "life challenges" that we are.
While I sat in this group this morning, I was at peace in my heart that I was where God wanted me to be - a feeling, I am sad to say I haven't felt in our church for a while. And while it gave me great joy to feel like I was involved in something that I feel God designed for me (I know that sounds selfish, but He knew I needed THIS class with THESE teachers), my heart was broken.
I sat and looked around the room at the couples. Some of them I have known a long time, some of them I was just seeing for the first time, and some I had seen but not "met". I do not know where any of them live, how they met or what they deal with on a day to day basis. None -the-less, I found myself jealous. I was painfully aware that I am (physically) alone. I don't know why it was TODAY that it hit me so hard, but it did. I went through Thanksgiving,Christmas, our Anniversary, New Years and Valentines with what I would consider minimal heartache. But today has been hard.
I look forward to what God will reveal to me over the coming weeks and months in this Group. I hope to learn from the other couples as well as share my heart and experiences. I know we are on the homestretch of this Deployment and each day brings him closer to being home. However, its not getting any easier. Please continue to pray for all the soldiers and their families!

I declare WAR

Cory has been gone for almost 8 mths now. He's lived in the trenches. Treated our Nations finest for ailments ranging from the common cold to wounds received in combat. Treated locals with compassion and humanity. Not showered for days at a time. Slept in caves. Ate more MRE's than he'd like to think about. Shot at the enemy (quite possibly killing them - I don't care to know those details). Arranged for a dozen medevacs and shared his medical knowledge with countless individuals. He, along with all our other soldiers (both living and not) are the TRUE heroes of this war. They are fighting a war, that I fear has many more battles to come and may not be over anytime soon. However, while my husband is "waging a war on terror", I am fighting a war of my own...
The enemy is not easily swayed and stands firm on his position. While to some, he may seem small and harmless. He has almost brought me to my knees countless times. He, like most enemies is very tactful and seems to know how to "hit me when I'm down". His mission is clear. And for him, defeat does not seem an option.
I am waging a war on bedtime terror and picky eating! Reese has decided that bedtime is not what it once was - a time to cuddle with Mommy (or Grammie when I'm at work), have a bottle and listen to soft lullabies as he drifts off to sleep holding his "beloved" blankie. He fears he will miss something if he succumbs to the ploys of the "sand man". Therefore, bed time has become a battle worthy of the history books - right there with Normandy, Baghdad, Pearl Harbor, etc (ok, I'm being extremely over dramatic with that, but you get the point - its a battle!) The last two nights have been exceptionally bad!
At one time, I looked forward to bedtime! Not only because it meant that my bedtime was near, but because it meant that my little boy, who seems to be becoming more and more independent as each day passes, would actually cuddle with me and let me stroke his head and hold his hand. Now, I dread the battle of wills that is sure to ensue.
I know that some may feel that by now, I should of had him "soothing himself" to sleep in the bed. And if that's what you've chosen to do now or in the past, thats awesome. However, I haven't felt comfortable with that yet. I didn't do it with the girls and when they were "ready" they did it on their own. Reese will only be little for so long and I plan on taking full advantage of every minute. On that note, I am realizing that it may be nearing "that" time - as he is wearing me (and my mom) out fighting.
Do any of you have any helpful tips to make the transition go a little smoother? I am definitely open to suggestions. Reese is a VERY stubborn child (he is definitely his parents child). I've tried a couple times to lay him down and leave. After 30 min of screaming that could quite possibly peel the paint of the walls, I went and got him. He'll do just about anything you ask, but on "his terms" (don't know where he gets that from). Somethings got to give - for my and Grammie's sake! Any advice is definitely appreciated!
I often joke and say that 1 Reese is 10 times harder to raise than the girls are together. This is just one of the areas. Reese has decided that at the ripe ole age of 1, he is going to be a Vegen (minus the veggies). He only eats fruit and bread! No meat, no veggies. I buy only fresh fruit so he's at least getting the healthy stuff without the syrup and I have gone so far as to allow him only V8 Fusion and Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise (both have a single serving of veggies in a serving of juice - that taste like fruit juice) just so that Reese is getting some sort of veggie intake. He ate all the Veggie Baby food (minus peas) really well, but now will not even touch those! Ugh! Any advice on that front is desperately needed! Is this something I should stress about?
So while my husband is valiantly serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, I am battling the will of a stubborn 1 year old! A war I need no medals or commondations for (not that I'd get them), just change! I realize there will be many battles - some lost, but most won (as I am where he gets most of his stubborness from, therefore my will is stronger). And this battlefield shall be conquered, so HELP ME GOD! And then its on to the next. I will not let a 26lb, brown eyed, crazy haired, two toothed, fruit loving, veggie hating, little boy (who looks more like his Daddy everyday, sigh) defeat me!

Welcome back

My husband has decided to rejoin the world of Blogging! If you get a chance, go here to check it out! Show him some love!