Baby Gates are my Sanity Savers--Usually

Here stands a little Troy on the small baby gate, wishing his mommy would stop taking pictures already and take him over to her side.

Swinging your leg over a three foot tall baby gate--not the one in the picture--about ten zillion times daily does wonders for your flexibility.

Doing so with a baby in your arms does... something good. Improves your... strength. Or something.

And doing so with a sleeping baby in your arms, gently enough to keep him fast asleep as he's then placed in his crib... that just means your starting to learn how do this "mommy-thing."

Hat's n' Hearts Marathon

Preemie and NICU babies are near and dear to my heart, being that I've known quite a few of these precious babies and their families in the past couple years. I also have a cousin who is a nurse in the NICU and has relayed many stories of the little ones she ministers to daily. The picture of our dear friends' baby girl lying in the NICU bassinet the day she was born at 24 weeks has left an impression on my heart that cannot be erased.

I saw this today on Susan Godfrey's Blog and knew I'd not only found a way to be a little bit of a blessing to these seriously ill and oh-so-precious little ones and their families, but also a way to actually DO something with a few of those five million hats of all sizes we were given before Troy was born. :grin: We were just going through his old clothes last week and didn't know what on earth we were going to do with all those hats! Many of them were too big when he was born, are too small now, and another baby could never hope to use ALL of them! So I'll be mailing out a little package with a few baby hats, and praying for the babies and their families who will one day wear them.

Faddish

(and, by the way, I'm home from church with Troy because we both have colds. So when you see the time this was posted, 11am on a Sunday morning, don't think I'm just playing hookie from church. My hubby is there all by his little lonesome, leading music and directing choir. And I'm here, sniffling and sneezing... and blogging--after having my devotions, of course. :grin:)

Now that my pathetic plea is through, you may return to your regular blogging.

Anyway, to begin.

Do you ever start cracking up at your own thoughts?

Maybe I'm just weird and alone in this, BUT, at least I don't do it often. :grin: And, so, when it happens twice in one week, John begins to think that not only are my screws loose, he'd better start looking for them in the corners of the house or find some new ones quick.

Laugh attack Number One came on Wednesday night on the way home from church, while I was remembering the crazy time Heather and I walked close to two miles one way to another friend's house just so we could start our first day of walking to get in shape together. With Brianna walking along also, little Anjolie and itty-bitty three month old Lily in the double stroller. Up kinda-steep-when-you're-walking hills. But that's a whole 'nother post in itself. Kinda like the time we got up at 3:30 am to get ready to be at church (35 minutes away) for the sunrise service. Our hubbies left together even earlier than we did, since they were cooking for the breakfast they, along with the other deacons, were hosting. We considered not going to the sunrise service, since Heather had three little girls to also get ready for Easter, but she was singing for the service and I was playing the piano for her, so, ya know, that kinda settled the issue. Yes, we've had some pretty hilarious moments together, that's for sure.

Laugh attack Number Two came yesterday, this time as were driving home from the Exchange here on base. I was looking toward the hills that surround our base to the left and remembering some old friends who lived there when I was in high school, and one thought led to another, and... I was again, chucking, chortling, and guffawing. John, quite patiently and with one eyebrow raised, asked what the story was behind this one... so I told him. In my own signature way. With every single detail.

So. When I was "in high school" (which, translated, means, being homeschooled, but with friends from church who were both homeschooled and went to our church's little ACE school--and who were just regular ol' teens across the board) we could be a little silly. Shocking, I know. So silly, in fact, that when someone's little sister was learning to do simple crochet chains with some old, gray-blue scratchy yarn, we could turn it into our own little fashion statement. At church one Sunday afternoon, this little girl gave a couple of us looong strings of her crocheted creations, which the same couple of us absentmindedly tied into long "necklaces." Deciding they looked much too ridiculous to wear as necklaces, my friend Robyn wrapped hers around her wrist. So I did the same thing--a perfect example of fifteen year old maturity, of course. Then Misty did it. Then Vanessa did.

And we wore them like that. Every. Single. Day. For months.

We knew we'd really started something when, a month or two later, the older sisters of the little crocheter asked her to make them some.

It didn't matter what we were wearing. Church clothes, sports clothes, casual clothes. We wore these silly "bracelets"--which, when wound around our wrists, were a few inches wide--with everything, much to my mom's dismay. :smile: I remember one Sunday, getting ready to leave in a fancy black skirt/blouse set with deep red flowers scattered across it, hair in place, black high heels, silver necklace and silver-black earrings... and the blue scratchy yarn bracelet. That was the day Mom gave the death sentence to my oh-so-fashionable "jewelry." She asked Dad... what did he think? The look he gave--a signature "Daddy look," half "Ash, I love you but you're impossible," and half "This has gone too far,"--the look said it all. So, off came the bracelet. Robyn even asked where it was that morning, and I had to explain. It was a sad day.

But, I thought it odd when, a couple days later, I realized I hadn't thought to put it back on. When I glanced at the bracelet hanging in all it's gray-ish yarn glory on my mirror, I wrapped it around my wrist again, and thought it looked kinda... ridiculous. Yep, that was it. Why would anyone want to wear such a thing? Honestly. Goodness gracious. Aaaand, into a drawer it was stuffed.

That was me. At fifteen. Cause for a laugh attack a few years later and sure enough, with a few screws loose.

Can the desire to be fit drive mama's crazy?!

I think perhaps it can.

We were driving home from church on Wednesday night, in near-silence (except, of course, the snoring of the baby in the back and the low unintelligible hum of music turned down), when, quite suddenly, I started cracking up. Just like that. Laughing my head off.

John asked if I was okay.

I told him, that, in fact, I was just fine.

He eyed me cautiously--no doubt wondering how long it would take him to find the marbles I'd lost--and asked why on earth I was laughing like that.

"Because," I managed to sputter. "I was just (chortle, giggle, guffaw) thinking of the time when...."

(Cue

Sleepy Little Man

There are some naptimes when I can't wait for him to fall asleep so I can finally get something I need to get done.

But then...

There are some naptimes when I forget about all that I meant to accomplish, and just can't seem to pull myself away from the side of his crib. I just... watch him sleep. In awe of this precious little one God has given me.

I wuvs him, I do.

Perspective

You know, it can be oh-so-easy to focus on ourselves. Oh, you knew that? I seem to have forgotten.

I laugh when I read my little posty from last week about all of our "plans." You probably laughed when you read it. Remember my tag line, that we'd probably just be sent off to Japan or something in the next couple months? I meant that as a joke, but, um...

No, we're not going to Japan. In fact, we have little idea where/if/when the location would be if we/Troy and I/John go anywhere.

And you know what? I'm okay with that!! Shocking, no? But that's today. You didn't talk to me yesterday. :smile:

For many different reasons just about every major area of our life is up in the air right now. God knew I needed another lesson in that there school of flexibility! Yesterday, when I found out that we might be in for some much bigger changes than just moving across base, I was, frankly, scared, fearful and anxious. I kept busy throughout the day while we waited for the confirmation we thought we'd get at some point yesterday. But John finally called in the afternoon and said that the person on whom everything hinges is on leave this week. We won't know the answer to the big question until next week. Soooo :deep breath:, that means we'll just wait. And know that just as we will trust the Lord then, we will trust Him now, while we're waiting.

At one point, in my mindless wandering throughout the day, I went through a mental checklist of the "BIG" areas of a normal life, and laughed to myself that there's some sort of question mark next to each of them for us.

Then came reality. A little bit o' perspective to make me see just how selfish I was to worry so much about things I could not control. God knows the end from the beginning... I don't. He knows what is best for us... I don't. And He has proven Himself faithful in so very many situations. How could I even doubt for a second that He would allow something that is not for our ultimate good? My fear is not a reality. It just isn't. I'm worrying about something that I have no idea or control over whether or not it will actually happen.

I thought of little Ashley, who is in such great need of prayer today. Her daddy and siblings had to go back home, so her mama is alone again and Ashley's having a hard couple days. That is reality.

I thought of an old, old friend who has just this week been put on hospice and is at home now, losing her battle with cancer. She is a pastor's wife, with four children and a little bundle of grandchildren. She is tired, so very sick, and will soon be with the Lord. That is reality.

I thought of a very dear friend of mine, who is facing for certain nearly every aspect of the things I am fearful of. She is still just trusting the Lord and continuing on. That is so very much reality.

I thought of Kelli, for whom so many blogging mamas pitched in to help and pray last week, and who has received some heavy news today. She will be going on full dialysis, having a shunt put in to her heart through her chest, going to the hospital 3 times a week, for 3-4 hours each day. She is still waiting for a kidney transplant. That is reality.

Today I read the entire story of a little girl I had prayed for, Emma Grace. By the end, my cheeks were wet and yet I was overcome by the sheer awesomeness of our Father. Even in the hardest of times, He has shown Himself faithful and more than we could ever ask or think. Emma's mommy has been through more than I could ever dream of, and can still smile and praise the Lord for all that He's done. That, dear sisters, is reality.

So I'm going to continue on in reality, whatever that is for us. Not in fear, not in stubbornness because I think I know what is best. Not in worry upon worry because I can't see more than a day ahead. God has given me today, and that is reality.

I am so thankful for the ability to delete comments.

I'm so ridiculous.

I was working on someone else's template for them this morning (and no, it wasn't yours, Mom :grin:), finished it up, quickly emailed them to say that it was running.... and went about my merry bloggity way.

Read a blog I visit frequently, left a comment. Went back, saw the comment... under the identity of the person I'd been doing bloggie things for earlier. Icon of my friend and her husband and all.
Goodness gracious. You'd think I had a couple screws loose.

Maybe I do.

A few weeks ago I stumbled across a blog which chronicles the life journey of one very special baby girl. My interest was immediately piqued for one obvious reason--she and I share our first name. The spelling may be different, but I'm the odd one here, and as I told little Ashley's mama, we "Ashley/Ashleigh girls" have to stick together. :smile:

Ashley is a very sick little girl. She was born prematurely at only 28 weeks gestation at only 2lbs. 12 oz. and has since endured every health trial imaginable. She is currently in the ICU and just a few days ago was literally fighting for her very life, moment by moment.

The Lord has blessed little Ashley with an amazing family--two godly parents and an older brother and sister--who daily live out their trust and surrender to the Lord through each circumstance, wholly submitted to His will, knowing that He loves their precious baby even more than they do, and that He is encircling her in His arms daily. As a mother, my heart breaks for them at the thought of watching your child go through so much pain and difficulty. Their faith and strength amazes and challenges me. I honestly don't know that I would have such a testimony in the same situation.

There are a few different people that those of us in the Blogosphere are praying fervently for, little Ashley being one of them. No doubt most of you have seen her name on various blogs recently. We have buttons on our side bars reminding us to pray for these dear ones each time we view them, so I thought Ashley was in need of one also. I am most certainly not a designer. I don't have fancy fonts, programs or experience, but I can lift this little girl and her family up to our Heavenly Father in prayer, and can declare that I'm doing so in the form of this little button sitting on the side of my blog.

Will you join me in praying for this baby and her family? You can read the rest of their story here and see more pictures of Ashley here. Perhaps each time you see the "Praying for Ashley" button over there, you'd take a moment to remember to pray for a precious, fragile baby girl.

If you need the code to display this button on your blog, please send me a quick email using the link under my header. I've tried and tried, but Blogger doesn't allow me to post code without "reading" it.

In Which I am Rather Disjointed and Random

I was up at 5am this morning to run with John... such fun. I wish I realized how much I would enjoy the run in those first morning moments when I have to drag myself out of bed and can only think, "Why on earth am I doing this again?" Oh, yeah, because of that chocolate dessert from last night...

John told me this morning that "they" are requesting a six-month extension for him here in the desert, which means that we should be here until January 2008. And that's good. Considering that we're, uh, moving and everything. :smile: I like knowing that I'll have at least about a year in our new house (with a yard! Glory Hallelujah!!) before heading off to... someplace. As I've stated more than a few times, I'm not a "changey" person. My mom is afraid that I'll be one of those people who has the same hairstyle for forty years, regardless of whether I look like I'm 80 when I'm 28 or vice versa. (She also mentioned last week that I've been talking much more than usual about when we leave our desert home. Which, upon further reflection, made me think that I'm trying to de-sensitize myself to the idea by talking about it with her... I have to work myself up to life changes... kinda like I have to work myself back up to my 2.5 miles I was running two months ago...) So, to prove that her predictions about my hair are unfounded, I tell the hairstylist that I want a change each and every time I enter the shop. But I still come out looking pretty much the same. Same ol' look, just slightly different lengths. Anyway... what does this have to do with where the Marine Corps tells us we are going to live? The fact that I believe it must be a prerequisite for any military wife to have won some kind of award before her marriage for being The Most Flexible Woman Around. (In life issues, not physical flexibility, of course. :smile:) Or at least have taken a good strong course in the subject. Which, as it happens, I thought I had already done on a few occasions before I met My Marine... though, apparently, one can be quite wrong about oneself.

Then in a year, who knows, except for the One who orders our days, what will happen. Most likely we'll be moving, requesting the West Coast, of course, but not guaranteed it, and John will have one of two jobs: another instructor position at a base near here, or actually doing the stuff he teaches currently (imagine that?!) and heading to where it's needed--in the sandy spot across the globe. Which we haven't yet experienced as a Marine Corps family and we look toward with the expected mixed emotions--John wanting to serve his country, do what it is he signed up to do, and what practically every other Marine he works with has done, but of course not looking forward to the separation. But, hey, we're a Marine family, serving not only our country, but our Jesus, who gives us strength in every situation. Ooh Rah! :grin:

So, all that is to say that I'm happy to know--with as much certainty as anyone who has any connection to the military can have--that we'll be here, nice n' close to my lil' family and our lil' church we love, and only a day's drive from John's parents... for a while yet.



Now, you know what God will probably see fit to do as His "comment" to my little posty here, to send me through another School of Flexibility, Trust, and Dependence on Him? :) Send us to, say, Japan, or something. In a month... or something like that. :wink:

We're Moving?!

Yep, that's the news. But not very far away... just across base, to be exact. We were "forced" (their term--sounds so harsh!) to move a little over a year after we were married because the military housing company planned to do renovations to the housing we were in. Now, a year and a half later, they've worked their way around to the housing we're currently living in.

I checked the mail yesterday morning after my run, and found The Letter in the stack of coupons, junk and fake credit card offers. And I kinda freaked out. :) I knew it was coming sooner or later, but moving was the last thing on my mind at that moment. I mean, I had just hung three new pictures/paintings on the walls the night before.

But... this is what I signed up for when I married a Marine, right? :grin:

So, the good things:

1. John is home. He was supposed to be gone for Staff Sergeant's Course this month and next, but at the very last minute, his partner at work found out there had been a mistake and was kind enough to call him in Colorado a couple days before he was supposed to leave and let him know. :grin: We thought it odd, but obviously the Lord knew that we would have to make a move during that time, and the John's wife couldn't do it alone. And, he could be in Iraq. That would be... not fun. For more reasons than moving. Obviously.
   
2. It's just across base, and not to the other side of the country--or world. Yep, we're still waiting for that one. Since we've been married, we've only lived thirty minutes away from my family and my/our current home church, so the transition wasn't too great there. Whew... it'll be interesting when it happens!
3. We get SNCO housing!! My Marine Wife friends.... you know what that means! :grin: A yard, three bedrooms, and a bigger living room! Woohoo!
   
4. We are leaving behind The Loud Obnoxious Neighbors, with whom we share one entire side of our house, and who play the absolute loudest, worst music at all hours of day and night, and who act like we're wackos when we ask them to turn it down because our house is rattling. Heather, you probably could hear them when you lived here--they've been here for six years. Hopefully our next neighbors will be a tad quieter.
   
5. My dear 16yo brother is much bigger and stronger than last time we moved. Can anyone say, "Will work for food?" :wink:
6. I'm not dealing with morning sickness like I was last time. :smile: Speaks for itself.

And not-so-good things?

1. The thought of packing doesn't thrill me, when it's just to haul our stuff a mile or two across base.
2. A move was semi-unexpected and will happen within the month.
   

Obviously, the good outweighs the bad, six to two. After the initial surprise, we decided it's going to be kinda fun... just more practice for the next eleven years. :grin:

A Little Bit O' Lovey-Dovey-ness

I cannot even explain just how much I love hearing my John sing. :soft sigh: Yes, it sounds so very smooey, but, honestly, those of you who don't know him don't know that he actually has a pretty awesome singing voice. (He would never say such a thing, but as his wife I am bound by no such law :grin:) He won all sorts of awards in high school and has continued to sing ever since, though he says Marine Corps boot camp ruined his voice... which I think is ridiculous. :) So, I love when he sings. We're listening to a CD that we haven't heard in a while... but that we listened to very often in the early days of our relationship. It is oh-so-much-fun to hear him walking around singing all the songs he sang to me in those days. Lots of romantic memories.

On another note (same movement, different measure...) I smile at the wording of our "friend details" for our Facebook accounts:

• You are in John's family.
• You traveled to Denali, Alaska in summer 2004.
• You have worked at home :) since 2004.
• You have lived in [the desert], CA since 2004.
• You met randomly in 2003: At church, in 2003, married in 2004.
• You have dated since 2003 and you are still dating.

Especially that last line... but it's true. :)

Okay, enough mushiness for now... :grin:

Because of who You are...

I'm sure many of you have heard this song before, but I don't listen to the Christian radio station here very often, so I heard it for the first time all the way through tonight. I just fell in love with it...

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

--Casting Crowns, 2003

Home once more!

We've arrived home in the past couple days, and are s.l.o.w.l.y. recuperating from our trip. It's still a little hard to believe when we step outside that it's 65 degrees as opposed to the 15-20 we have been used to for the past few weeks. But, we are out of the snowy story book and back into reality of our desert life! :) So, speaking of reality...

Once I get this unpacked, put away and organized....

Am I not brave to show such a sight? But, as I said, this is reality :grin:

And this all washed, dried and put away...

And I did make sure that there were no "unmentionables" visible in my laundry pile before taking this pic :wink:

Get this dusted...

Notice the hand and finger prints all along the bottom of the dusty TV, courtesy of the little one who is seen in the reflection?

...THEN I'll be back around. :)