A Weekend to Remember

So, this past weekend, ryan suprised me with a weekend away, and also got tickets for the weekend to remember conference. We didn't make it to much of the conference, but the night we did go...it was very nice. The speaker and his wife had been through 6 miscarraiges, so that was interesting, to see how painful events can either bring you closer as a couple, or tear you apart...

Other then the conference...we stayed in Baltimore at the waterfront Marriot on the 26th floor. The view was amazing. We spend a good bit of time looking out the window, lol. We don't get out much I guess! We tried different foods...an Asian restaurant and a Tai one as well...that was the best sushi.

It was so nice to be free of responsibility and relax. It reminded me of our dating days...in high school...we were best friends and didn't worry about a thing. We still are best friends--just have a lot more decisions to make, kids to care for etc.

And now...back to reality :o)

Ryan graduates next week...the kids and I are driving down...THAT should be interesting. I am debating driving through the night. Then, another 6 weeks to go.

Bumper Sticker

At work today, I read a bumper sticker that said...

"Get a life. be a Christian"

I really don't like bumper stickers. What purpose do they serve and what difference are they making?

Anyway...in other news...ryan is coming home this weekend! What a suprise :) I have been really very stressed at work and home with a lot of demands...so I will really appreciate this time. And, we won't be moving...we will hopefully just be relaxing.

Bobby

I laid awake last night thinking about Bobby. He was an old man, an alcoholic, that came every day to the bar I attended**

**As a side note, I attended the bar because I had to. My foster family dropped me at the age of 18, when the checks stopped coming in....so I then found a full time job as a mortgage loan processor...went to school full time at night, 4 nights a week, and worked at the bar until 2 am 3 nights a week. I was surviving. I was determined to not let my circumstances crush me**

Bobby was so sweet...yet, he had nobody...no family, no friends, just his alcohol and the bar he faithfully attended every evening from 4pm until 9pm. He staggared out and staggared in -- he was lonely, he was searching, and he wasn't finding the answer.

I would pray for him at the bar. I wrote poems about him. I talked to him and learned his story -- he was amazing. I wanted so badly to tell him about Jesus...but I didn't. I was young...I was afraid to get fired...for one thing...and I just didn't know how he would respond.

I quit working there after two months, because it was hurting too bad to see those people wasting their lives. I found out that Bobby died only days after I quit.

What if I had told him about my Jesus..and it changed his life...a soul saved. I don't want any more "what-if's" in my life.

Snow Days ... and Random Acts of Kindness

One thing God does for me when Ryan leaves is teaches me that sometimes we have to ask for help. It is just so difficult for me. I always try to be strong...I can do it myself... Well, I know that we should be humble, and able to ask for help. So, I have been, and I am so thankful for great friends who are there when you need them.

(Why is it that last year there were NO snow days, but then, Ryan leaves for 4 months, and we have THREE snow days in a row? God is trying to develop my endurance! )

On another note...a family at church sent me pizza the other day. As I got home, frazzled and wondering how I was going to pack, make dinner, get the kids uniforms ready...and...well, get to bed sometime...the pizza man knocked on my door! It was so wonderful, I actually got tears in my eyes (yes, pregnancy hormones make me SUPER sensitive...but that is another blog). Anyway, I just wanted to share that because I thought it was so special...so thoughtful. I have gotten flowers, cards, candles....but never a pizza on a bad day! Sometimes it is those random acts of kindness that remind us that God does care.

The Military Wife...

She's Mommy and Daddy all rolled into one,
She'll never rest easy until her job's done,
She sits all alone and in silence she weeps,
Did I do a good job, is my family okay?
But deep in her heart she knows that it's true,
God is right beside her helping her through...

Super Mom

So, it's been a while since I've updated -- I will try to do better.

Ryan left for Chaplain School Sunday -- and, well, it has been a huge adjustment. We learn so many things about each other, and learn to be more thankful during these absences. I, especially, have more appreciation for all Ryan does when he is here. The kids miss him terribly. Here is my typical day:

5:00 AM: Alarm Rings
5:25 AM: Slowly get out of Bed
5:30 AM: Quiet time, Read Bible, Pray
6:30 PM: Wake Kids up
Prepare Breakfast
Assist in getting uniforms on
Get dressed, hair, ready for work
Make sure all homework is done and appropriate papers are read and turned in
Feed Kitty
8:00AM Sierra and Gabe out the door in the car and to school
8:30 Commute to work
9:00 PM WORK
5:00PM Commute to kids
5:30 Get home MAKE DINNER
6:00PM Eat
Clean up
Take Trash Out
Homework
Baths
Devotions
Read Books
Call Daddy
8:30PM SLEEP


At this rate -- the time will fly faster then I can imagine.