The Road less Traveled

Today marks 16 years of marriage to my wonderful husband. What amazing and fun filled years we have had so far. They have flown by so quickly...makes me think of the old beginning of the soap my great-grandmother used to watch. "Like grains of sand in an hour glass, these are the days of our lives." Well, I can't lie our life together has been filled with a little bit of drama over the years...BUT you know I wouldn't trade our worst day together for the best day without my wonderful husband. He knows me, he knows how to make me laugh, and when to make me laugh. Unless you count the time when I was in labor with our first. He was trying to get me not to think of the contractions so in that failed attempt he said, "The doc is going to come in and say you are dilated to only 2." And when the doc did, I think the look I gave him was one that could have killed (I had been in labor for several hours, hooked up to pitosin, no epidural...yet). That same day he was watching the contract-o-meter and trying to encourage me by stating, "Wow, that one must of really hurt." Okay, I am laughing now, it is pretty funny looking back on it.

When we married, we were pretty young. You know I wouldn't change a thing. I would marry him over and over again. I guess I have done that already, we have renewed our vows twice since then. Once soon after we had eloped. We were having a formal wedding, and the officiant asked aloud everyone if knew we were already married. Several of us joked that if they didn't they "do now." Yes, everyone did know. We had planned on keeping it a secret from my family. But once married I was so proud to be married to him that I couldn't keep it a secret. I felt like yelling it from the roof tops. I am sure I did something similar, maybe it was more yelling it out my window of my little Toyota I had back then. Since I was young and in college and that was the thing to do.

Well dear wonderful sweet husband of mine, I love you MORE!!!!!! Thank you for each day! Even though we are a 'few' miles apart, it feels like you are here with me. Thanks for 16 years, heres to many more!!!!!!!

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference

Rain

12 days ago, my wonderful husband headed out to war for the second time. I remember that day well. It was raining. All of us went into the airport and found out that there was an hour delay on his flight. So my wonderful husband decided we needed to leave the airport for a bit to pass the time (he is just so smart!) So where did we go you ask? But to a military surplus store of course (I did enjoy it mind you, don't know if I am just a warped wife of a Marine). We just looked around since all needed gear for the deployment had been purchased, packed and shipped over. So it was more out of curiosity that we chose that place. So after our all too short jaunt out we had to start weaving our way back to the airport. Once there we parked and ran into the airport trying to dodge the rain drops(it didn't work). When we got back it was time for goodbyes. Of course, "Thing 2," and I started to cry. But, "Thing 3," was too young to understand (so I thought), and, "Thing 1," was trying to be as adult about it all as best he could. So in a haze we said good bye and that fog followed us out into the downpour. None of us noticing that we were getting drenched. None of us moving quickly, but more like an unconscious being drifting here and there not knowing what to do or where to go. Lost. We sat in our truck trying to make sense of it all. Trying to grasp for something to draw us away from the pain. I did eventually begin to drive, and somehow we made it out of the parking lot. The rest of the day we just spent as a family. Not wanting to share in our sadness.

Eventually we all were able to be around other people again. So what did I decide to do, but to torture my already hurting kids. I took them shopping. What did I go shopping for? A purse. Now if you are a woman reading this you know the importance of finding the right kind of purse. It has to fit everything just so, no other purse will do. You want something like the one you have on your shoulder, but the one on your shoulder just doesn't work, because it isn't like the one you have in your head. SO if you are a man reading this, you are totally confused. I am sorry, a woman's mind is a little complicated, but we know what we want. It is just hard to get to find that perfect thing we have figured out. Anyhow, I did find a purse that was close to what I had in mind, and settled on it. After I figured the kids had been punished enough we ventured out to Chuck-E-Cheese. It was a little strange because when I think of CEC, I think of a well oiled operation. This was not the case this time. It left me wondering if this little place had suffered from our economy. But the younger two didn't seem to notice, and had a good time. "Thing 1," hung around and helped out where he was needed. I love it that he will go play with the other two, saying he is going to keep an eye on them. But in reality he wants to play too.

We did eventually make it home after our trying day. The kids miss their wonderful daddy, and I miss my wonderful husband, but we are surviving. :) During the days since I have thought that I have heard him driving his jeep down the road to our home and have to stop myself from running to the door to greet him. You know I was a nut case before he left, so things haven't changed much since. :) But God's grace is sufficient!

Swimming

I am swimming in a sea of green and brown. Where am I you ask? I am sitting on my bed watching my Wonderful Husband pack up his gear. Cammies, body armor, helmet, a camelbak, skivvies, deck of cards, the mounds are endless. It is easy to look at 6 months before they begin. I think that I am in denial, not having a hard time with what awaits ahead of me. It is easy to overlook the inevitable when out on a date to Chili's. Or a quick run to Walmart that turns out to be an even longer trip because we decide to go see what kind of fans they have at Lowes. You know, I think that I will just keep myself in the dark until he leaves. So if you see don't tell me okay?

Smile

Good morning dear reader, I am sending out a smile to you wherever you may be. A huge smile, one with lit up eyes. Let me tell you about my epiphany. I was at Safeway on Sunday picking up donuts (I just love donuts!) anyhow I was at the self checkout and the lady working there was in need of a break, and was very vocal about it. I looked up and smiled at her and asked if it had been a rough morning. She said it had. She was holding a Starbucks cup (I think that anyone with Starbucks coffee should be smiling and skipping about), so I asked her if the coffee wasn't working. Of course I was laughing and smiling, trying to pass some of the happiness I had (probably from the excitement of picking up donuts and surprising my family with them). She stated that the coffee wasn't working, that she had some really rude people that had come in on their way to church. They were upset that they were going to be late for church, and apparently wanted something for free. Anyway, we won't go into how that made me feel thinking about the couples witness coming in upset and admitting that they were heading off to church (or my witness I have had being a believer and being rude to someone). I kept talking to this nice lady and told her I was sorry, and that it wasn't nice what they did. She then said, that she was feeling much better, and "what a difference a smile makes." I of course smiled at her again, and told her that her day was going to get better, I was just sure of it!

I walked out of Safeway with a new perspective on life. It was as if God was saying, this is my message for you today. Please take it to heart...and oh I am trying. It made me think of how God wants us to have joy. Joy in even in the hardest of situations.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." -James 1:2

We need find the positive in it all, to know that He is in control no matter what happens. It makes me think of my lovely grandmother that is now with her Saviour. She was such a joyfilled person. I only remember her being mad one time. Once, I can't even go an hour without being upset by something. She would say, "Tiff, you need to be careful to plant flowers in your garden and not weeds." She was trying to tell me to remember the wonderful things in life not the bad things. Like it says in Philippians:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."-Philippians 4:8

So today, I pray you have a joy-filled day! Rest assured that God is in control, He's got you covered! So go to Starbucks buy a coffee and be happy :) Oh and pick one up for me ;)

Afghanistan

Well, it is official. My wonderful husband is heading out again to war. We found out for sure at lunch time today. It has been talked about in hushed tones for over two weeks and now we know. We just told our kids and they took it beautifully! It must be because my wonderful husband has a way with people and such a positive effect on them. AND, because I have such wonderful kids. "Thing 1" talked about how old he is...13 and did we know how old he was. He keeps trying to point out how old we are :) What a great kid!!!! "Thing 2," said that God would protect Dad like He had in Iraq, what an awesome faith. "Thing 3," wanted to sing us a song she had just made up. Their reactions were covered with much prayer! So it was definitely a God thing! My kids are not new to deployments. They are used to quick meals, and me driving them everywhere. BUT please keep them, and my wonderful husband in your prayers. So when is this to take place...in 2 to 3 weeks. We will know more soon.

Let's Get it Started

I FINISHED!!!!!!!! Yes, I did it! I finished my FIRST marathon. I say first because I have decided that it is my new addiction. I loved it! Every minute of it! I started the day pretty early, I woke up at 2 and just couldn't go back to sleep. I tried to not toss and turn so my wonderful husband could get some sleep since he was going to have the kids and he needed all the sleep he could get. Anyhow, I made myself stay in bed until 4. Then I got up and crept back to the bathroom and started the chore of getting dressed and rechecking my gear, for the fifth time. My family all woke up to say goodbye to me and to wish me luck. I believe I left the room about 5, I can't really remember the exact time I was just so excited, and nervous, and I had this overwhelming sensation that I was going to be sick! I took the elevator down to the lobby to catch one of the shuttles the hotel was running to start of the marathon (all for the additional price of $10 for 2 miles). I talked with the two men that shared the shuttle with me. One of the guys and I ended up walking around with to pass the time. I ended up ditching him, not because I was trying to be rude, but because I needed to make a port-a potty trip and didn't want him tagging along (oh and I really didn't want to run with someone I just met, especially a man!) So I excused myself and headed out on my own. After over 2 hours of shivering, walking, an additional port-a-potty trip, a gear check, and stretching it was finally time for me to head over to the corral that I was assigned to. Yes, I did say corral, I felt somewhat like a cow waiting to be slaughtered, but tried not to think of it that way. :)

Since this was the Rock-n-Roll marathon they played several songs while everyone milled around. The song you are listening to (unless you paused it) is the song that started the marathon. Let me say it was an AWESOME way to start! Imagine 7,372 people lined up ready to run. The gun went off and we stood there. What were all of us waiting for you ask? Well for those in front of us to start running. The crowd felt like one huge organism moving forward together. All doing the same thing and acting, feeling the same way. We kept walking forward getting closer and closer to the starting line. Then those in front of us start to run, but we were all running before the starting line. Part of me didn't want to start running until I crossed the starting line, because that is where the marathon began, and the other part was soooo ready to start to run! Then I waved at Senator John McCann because he was there to say a few words before the race. (Yes, just a few feet away from him, he smiled down at me and waved back at me...) I wanted to yell out, "Sorry you didn't win! You were the one I was hoping for, since write-ins don't usually win." But I restrained myself, and finally came up to the starting line.

...I started my i-pod and watch while crossing the line and headed down the street, only 26.2 miles to go. I have to say running in a marathon on a cold morning has its additional hazards, forget the possible falls, hurt feet, blisters, sore legs, and dehydration. I had to keep checking my feet to make sure that they didn't get tangled up in all the discarded clothing. Gloves, jackets, sweaters, pants, you name it were all lining the road waiting for Goodwill to make their rounds. What a lovely run! Lovely cloudy day! (I am being serious.) Crowds lined the streets cheering us on. People with signs, one..."Toe nails are overrated," another,"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,"another "You have done worse thing for a long amount of time," another, "Beer that way ->," and many signs made to cheer on those who dared to make the journey. Besides the signs in the spectators I even saw several signs on runners backs, "Text me, at ..." (I guess that bald youngish guy was desperate and looking for a date), another..."If you find me drag me over the finish line." Oh then there were the sad t-shirts of people running in memory of comrades lost in war, or mom's who have died. Then there were others from different organizations running for pledges, and then there was me. A mom, running to prove that it could be done. And I did it! My family was there through out the race. So wonderful to see them! It was the first time for my wonderful husband to see me run and the first for my kids as well. My official time was 4:30:07. And by God's grace, I didn't fall, or break or tear anything. I kept running. I did walk a few minutes after mile 21, but I ran over the finish line. I DID IT!!!!!! And next time.....Next time...I will go FASTER!!!!

A New Day

A week ago today should have been the beginning of our Spring Semester...but we skipped school and headed for the big city. There was shopping to be done and In-N-Out was calling us. What a lovely day! Tucson, was the location of the big city adventure, and the weather was gorgeous! I don't know what I was thinking when I forced my kids to put on long sleeve shirts and proceeded for the 77 degree desert weather. Now mind you it is a bit warmer than were we are in the mountains (by maybe 10 degrees). Anyhow, now I wish it was last week. Ah, to have another carefree day. But today will be good none the less! We have our homeschool park day. Lets see if I can get the kids out of the house by 12:15. How do moms do it that send their kids to school? I have no idea. It doesn't matter what time we start we always seem to be running a little behind. Well it could be that I try to make sure that if someone breaks into the house while we are gone they will be greeted by a nice clean place. Yes, they will be thankful that they didn't break into some dirty place. For all those who have the same problem group therapy sessions meet every Wednesday at 1pm ;)...actually we meet at 1:30, but allow for some last minute cleaning time.

Well dear reader, I am now less than a week away from my marathon. Imagine that a marathon. I haven't been worried one bit until it really hit me on Saturday, now the freaking out has begun! Questions like, what should I wear, should I do a salt shot while running (pour one of those little salt packets you get from Sonic down your throat), do I wear pants, or go for shorts? What if my Nike + ipod stops working while I am running? Will I see my family? All these questions and more have been running through my head. Then today I go out to run and what do I do? I fall. Yep, I slid across the pavement cutting my hand, knee, pants, flashlight, and my pride. The whole time I could hear my wonderful husband saying that I don't need to do anything different, I don't want an injury before the big run. I didn't do anything differently (like run harder, or increase my time), I actually cut down my run by 1 mile, which is really my normal mileage until a few weeks ago when I upped it. The funny thing was, even with my fall, I still did really good on my time. Once home I took some Ibuprofen to make sure I wouldn't be too sore. Anyhow, so in just a matter of days and I will be running my first marathon...AHHHHHH!

You know what one of the best things are in the world? A little one sitting in your lap! My youngest, "thing 3," just came out. What a joy this little girl is, and twice the trouble as her brothers! A few moments ago I woke up eldest son, "thing 1," so he could take out the trash. He was just so happy to obliged. I had to remind this teen of mine that he did stay up later than we asked, and it was almost 8:30 am and time for school. Oh he just is so happy, he'll be fine right? My middle son, "thing 2," is still curled up in bed, probably next to one of our furry feline family members. What blessings I have, sweet challenging blessings! Well I guess it is time to go teach my little ones that God has entrusted to me. To you, I pray your day is blessed, and filled with His joy!