Long time-no post

Well a lot has happened since my last post. We had the distinct pleasure of watching our son Brandon graduate from Navy boot camp. It is sobering to see your son stand in uniform and take the oath to serve his country. Pride does not even begin to describe how a mother feels. Brandon is now at Nuclear Engineering school in South Carolina which means Chris and I are down to one "child" left at home. That "child" is actually our 21 year old daughter-Ashley. Time has somehow moved on without asking if that was okay with the mom! Ashley will graduate from nursing in one year and that means she too will head out to start the life God has planned for her.
That means that Chris and I will be once again on our own. How did time move so quickly? I sit here and wonder if I really took time to enjoy each moment with my kids. I hope I did but I know that time was wasted cleaning and worrying about the unimportant stuff.
I always told my kids that I was not perfect, to keep track of those moments, write them in a "book" and when they were of age we should publish the book and make a mint of money. Well, I know they kept the book mentally-the good, the funny and the tough stuff-but we did not make a mint. What we did make was memories that we share and enjoy.
Take time to enjoy your kids, let the dishes pile up and laugh, cry and smile with those precious children.

Westward HO!

My dad is a great fan of the western, which comes naturally since he was a ranch hand in his early years. I have spent many Saturdays watching westerns with my dad much to the chagrin of my mother. I have come to love a good western and as I travel home from Chicago the old familiar phrase of "wagons HO! stick in my mind. A road trip is quite exciting especially when you get to see your son as he steps out on a new phase of life, visit with old friends and family.
You forget that family knows all about you, things that mere friends can never know, and still accept you. In each family there is a keeper of the history, that one person who loves to tell the story that brought us where we are today. My cousin Nadine is that keeper for me. As we walked through her home this last week I found out more about my great-grandparents than I had ever known. The thing that stuck with me was the sweet tone with which she spoke of my great grandmother. I never had the pleasure to meet Grandma Goodman, yet I now have an impression of her that will stay with me all my life. Thanks Nadine!

4th of July-Freedom

Today I had the distinct pleasure and pride to watch my son Brandon salute a commanding officer as we crossed the Navy base. I have also watched how other people-strangers-react to his presence. Many have come up to him and shook his hand while thanking him for his service to his country. As tomorrow is the 4th of July his service is even more important. At his graduation the Admiral said that the 691 sailors in front of us were "volunteering" to serve their country. How very special it is to see these young men and women make this choice.

I have had time to talk with Brandon and I know that God has guided him to this career. May God continue to guide him each step of the way.

To all who have served our country and to all who will serve I thank you. God bless America!!!

All Grown Up

You know that your job as a parent is pretty much done when you see one of your children graduate from Navy Boot Camp. It was quite impressive to see our son Brandon march into the review hall at Navy RTC. He did not look like the young man I sent to RTC. We have spent two days listening to all he has accomplished these past eight weeks. I am proud of the man he has become and even prouder to see how he interacts with strangers who thank him for his service. May God be his final commander and may he continue on this path.

On the Road Again

I love a road trip, especially with my husband. We left California on Saturday, June 26th. First stop was Flagstaff, AZ where we spent time with my cousin Robert, his wife Elizabeth and their precious daughter Esemee. We had such a great time. It is amazing how much you fail to know about your own family because most of your time together is limited to those family events like Christmas, etc. We laughed about child hood pranks, enjoyed each other as adults and just laughed.

I can say that I am blessed to have Robert as my cousin. We left Flagstaff and drove to Texas. Not much to say about Texas but it is a good place to drive through on your way to somewhere else.

We then stopped in Oklahoma for good food and some sightseeing. Oh yeah, the reason for this road trip is to go see our son Brandon who is due to graduate from Navy RTC on July 01st. Take time to travel this great country!

Go Navy!

The time is almost here to watch our son Brandon graduate from Navy Boot camp at Great Lakes, IL. We have received a couple of last letters from Brandon and can already tell my little boy is now a Navy Man! I am so proud that my son has chosen to serve his country. Today serving in the military is fraught with issues from the public at large. No matter what "they" say we know that serving this country is of the highest calling.

Brandon has one last challenge which is the "Battle-station 21". It looks intense but God will be his guide. I pray that God will protect him these last six days and deliver to me a new man. Not only a man created by the Navy but molded by God.

Go Navy!

Almost travel time

It is one week until we head on the road to see Brandon. He is due to graduate from Navy Boot Camp on July 01st and we are very proud of our son. Our only communication has been in the form of letters which are cryptic at best. When you send an email and receive a reply you can see what you asked the person so your brain does not have to remember so much info. Well, with letters the writer sends a reply but you have forgotten the questions. We have sat and brainstormed over what would have been the question that elicited that specific reply. It has become quite a game of "clue".

Chris and I are headed for another road trip which we love. The best part of this trip is that it ends in seeing our son. We pray God's continued protection over him as he winds up these last few days of boot camp.

GO NAVY!

Medical science catches up with faith

Okay-I just read an article on how prayer affects our overall health. The quote that struck me "Here's the deal in the end: Whatever the benefits may be, it sees that we are wired for prayer and meditation. And it doesn't matter what culture we're raised in-whether we flip the switch or not, this inclination is there, waiting for us." Come on-those of us who believe in a risen Savior know for a fact that our health whether physical or spiritual is made better through prayer. We don't need a study to prove what we know is true. Let us embrace our freedom to pray, meet with our savior and cast our cares upon Him every moment of every day!

Letters-mail the old fashioned way

We live in a society where everything is instantaneous. We have instant food, instant media, even instant movies. Today I received three hand-written letters from my son who is at Navy boot camp. I have already read them three times, held them close and felt his emotions in each stroke of the pen. One thing is true he needs to write bigger so his mom can read without having to move the paper further away! There is no greater joy than having something to read over and over that keeps our hearts warm. Take time to write to those you love and I don't mean an email or text!

God cares for his children

As I have said before this week has been a horrible week. I have prayed each day that God would deliver a blessing-sort of my own fleece-and God answered as He always does. My blessing was a phone call from my son Brandon who is at Navy boot camp. The sound of your child's voice can cheer the heart like nothing else.

Brandon is fine and doing well at boot camp. He is the "Mail PO" which Chris says is the Mail petty officer. Just by our few minute conversation I know that he is fine and in God's hands. Lord thank you for my personal blessing!

Truth-God's Truth

I have discovered that the world is afraid of truth-God's truth. I have recently encountered this issue in my life and am grateful to God for His Truth-not the world's truth. We know that the world wants truth to be relative. I have found that this really means that the truth I use must make me look right at all times. However, God says that His truth is about Him being right-ALL THE TIME. It is so much easier to trust in God's truth which never changes than the world's truth which is truly self serving.

When people use the word truth don't automatically accept is as truth. Test the truth against God's word, then be prepared for opposition. May God's Truth be the only truth we need!

Frustration

Well, today has to be one of the saddest days in all my years of teaching. I can not go into details but suffice it to say that I feel useless. I feel like the creature in "Frankenstein" where he longs for someone, anyone to accept him, no matter how he appears to the world. We tend to judge others in order to create a sense of security within ourselves. God is greater than all the weapons this world has to throw at us. I just wish that I could feel this security at this moment. Just because I do not feel His security does not mean it does not exist. I pray for peace, confirmation of God's grace and time.

Exhaustion

How can it be that I am so tired. Each and every day I grade papers, write out stuff for my students, juggle all the late work and then grade some more. Oh yeah-I think I know why I am tired. Summer will be a time to re-charge and find direction. Come quickly summer!

Just a Note

Today came the first "note" from Brandon at boot camp. How sweet are the four sentences he wrote to us. If you know Brandon he is always quick with the wit. His note says "boot camp is all it is cracked up to be". It is amazing how a few short words can warm a mom's heart. I am glad to know that he is safe. He asked that we send his bible which makes me feel such great joy and peace. In this day we take for granted the feeling of looking at handwriting and getting the feel of the sender. A mother knows the tilt of each letter and remembers the days and hours practicing those letters.

My heart is warmed by a personal note. I am glad that letters sent through the post office rather than email are so special.

Prom

As a teacher and junior class advisor I get the joy of attending the prom. As my husband, Chris and I drove to this years prom we discussed how the prom has changed since we were in high school. Now don't think we are being old fashioned and using the phrase-back in the day. We just were seeking to understand how the prom has evolved.

This years prom was held at the March Air Museum. The male chaperones were overjoyed to be able to roam about the museum, look at planes and read all those plaques. Why do men insist on reading every plaque they see but can not read a set of instructions. Sorry-I digress.

The prom-well girls and boys still dress up but they seem to have lost the art of dancing. It is actually hard to watch them dance. I am not sure they know how to face their partner as it seems to be one big group session. In fact, when the slow music comes on they all sit down. Now I remember looking forward to that slow song so I guess that means I am getting old.

All in all the prom was enjoyable but I am not sure I understand why it happens and what it is supposed to represent. Tradition dictates that the prom must happen so it will but can we salvage the dancing. Time will tell.

Time

Let's see-time is the one thing that we want more of and don't have enough of. That was a true reality today. It was a hard teaching day, then I am trying to get the Junior Class ready for the prom that is this Saturday and oh yeah I am in school again. Time where have you gone. Each day is measured in the minutes of free time and the hours of work. Summer is just around the corner and I am looking forward to rest.

All in one box

Today all of Brandon's worldly belongings were mailed to our house by the Navy. It is so strange to open a box and see your son's clothes, phone, pen, pieces of paper from his pockets and even his underwear. How can one child be summed up in a box? The hardest part of all was that there was no note from Brandon saying hello, I am safe, etc.

We know that we can not leave this Earth for Eternity with any of our worldly belongings. Christ requires that we come just as we entered this world, empty. This box reminded me that it is not about our stuff it is about who we are when all that stuff is gone. I pray that Brandon is a child of Jesus and that his "stuff" will not change that nor will it enhance it.

Oh yeah, they even sent home his bible. Now that is quite a shock. But I am secure in the fact that Brandon does not need that bible to commune with his savior.

God-keep my son close, comfort him, keep him safe.- Mom

Some days it just does not pay to get up. Why are Monday's so difficult when Sunday was so quiet? I can not believe it is almost time for the school year to end. There is so MUCH to do and so much to still teach. Today was especially hard as I had to face my own imperfections-UGH! However, three physics students convinced me with a poem to let them be a team of three-now this is why I teach every day!

Time to study for my own Calculus quiz tomorrow! May God bless tomorrow, take care of all the issues and shine through this imperfect soul.

Mother's Day

Today is mother's day and all my children are scattered. Charles and Emily are hosting lunch today so we will join them later, Brandon is at boot camp and Ashley is at work. Brandon left behind a Mother's Day card which made me cry. It is crazy how one can miss a grown child.

Chris and I went to church then home to do a little pick up to get ready for another busy week. Remember all you young mothers to enjoy your kids while you can still hold them in your laps. Soon enough they will be grown and past holding. Love them with open arms so they feel free to begin their own lives.

A new phase of life

Well, we sent Brandon off to Navy boot camp this week. He called when he arrived and said we will not hear from him for approximately two weeks. It is hard to let our little ones go but I raised him to be proud of this country, to serve God and his country.

I pray each day, actually each moment of each day, that he shines above all others and glorifies his God.

Ashley is up working at camp and it is just Chris and I this weekend. Empty nest hit all at once. I know I am not old enough for this but here it comes.