Bow-Wow, Baaa & HooRay!

There has been quite a bit happening around the B homestead.  EJ has been pestering me to post some photos of Piper, his black & tan hound.  She is growing so much and so fast - I didn't realize she would grow as big as it appears she will.

Piper

Piper playing w/ EJ's inner tube

 Can you say Baaa?  EJ and OG purchased their 4-H lambs 11 days ago.  They are CRAZY about them.  I am already wondering how they will ever let the sheep go to market - but to market they must go.  Anyone who knows me personally will be SHOCKED to find out that the lamb crib is in our basement.  Yes, that's right, I am housing livestock inside my home!  That means I have officially been transformed into a farm girl.  Of course it's only temporary.  As soon as the lambs are a little older and can stand the cold night time temps our region gets this time of year, they will be relocated to the unheated, non-electric barn.

EJ & Lucy

Lucy & Looney Tunes w/ little Oscar nudging in for a bottle too.

Most importantly, we have a new U.S. Airman in the family.  Mrs.A's oldest daughter just graduated from Air Force Basic Training.  Our entire family is so very proud.  We both have children who have/are serving as U.S. Sailors and U.S. Airmen.  I can't help but wonder if any of our remaining younger children will also serve in our nation's military.

Memorial Day Prayers

The back yard bar-be-cue fun of Memorial Day was changed for me in 2003.  That's the year our oldest son, AB, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.  I suddenly realized, on a very personal level, that not only have countless men and women made the ultimate sacrifice in serving our nation, but so had their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

Our family, and our oldest son, AB, were and are abundantly blessed.  AB served our nation within the safety of U.S. borders.  However, today, one of our other sons, JP, a U.S. Sailor, is currently deployed outside the comfort and safe boundaries of the United States that we Americans take for granted every day.

For me, personally, not only has Memorial Day become a day of somber remembrance and appreciation, but it has also become a day of prayer.  I pray for the peace and comfort of the families our service men and women have left behind to mourn their sacrifice.  I pray that our Lord, Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace), will bring peace to their aching hearts.  I pray that our Lord, Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals), will heal the wounds inflicted by this loss.  I pray that our Lord, Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), will provide for the spiritual and physical needs of these families.  I pray our Lord, Jehovah Nissi, (The Lord My Banner), will remind these families that they did not give the ultimate sacrifice in vain.

To the families of those who have sacrificed all while serving us, I not only thank you, I also mourn with you.  To the men, women and their family members who are currently serving, I pray for the safe return of you and your loved ones.

What If ...

Earlier today I spoke via telephone with Mrs. A, my dearest and closest friend and sister in Christ.  We've known each other for about 10 years and our sons grew up together attending the same church.  We both have sons actively serving our nation's armed forces.

Her son, GM, has received word that he may again be deployed later this year.  Our JP has also received news that he may be deployed to the same region during the same time period.  I always experience a catch in my breath whenever I am told either of them will be deployed - it is the life of a family whose children serve our nation.  Today, Mrs. A shared with me that she told JP that having him & GM deployed to the same region at the same time might be too much for her.  JP tried to reassure her that part of his job was to ensure that GM's department was protected.  Unfortunately, this did not ease her mind as she then recalled that JP's department is most vulnerable to friendly fire. With a crack in her voice that is caused only by tears in her eyes, Mrs. A asked me, "What if GM's department was responsible for friendly fire ...?

Hmmm, what if ... I tried to reassure her by reminding her that our sons voluntarily chose to serve our nation.  With full disclosure they voluntarily chose the departments and jobs they perform.  I also told her that we MUST trust the Lord regarding our sons and whatever the future brings.  Unfortunately I am not very witty nor quick minded when placed on the spot regarding emotional situations.  Instead of my silly rambling, I wish I had shared ...

Proverbs 3:5-6:  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thy own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."

Psalms 46:1-3:  "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."

1 Peter 5:7:  "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you."

John 16:33:  "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Psalm 37:24:  "Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand."

Psalms 138:7:  "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me."

Psalms 18:2:  "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high power."

I don't know what the future holds for our families.  But I do know that we can live with confidence that when the times of sorrow, pain, tribulations or trials do come, God has promised to bring us through them.

Thank A Veteran

(photo courtesy of: samanthaTSU at www.photobucket.com)

Today, I'd like to encourage you to pray for our U.S. military, active and veterans, and their families.

Whether you take great pride and fully support our military OR even if you disagree with the jobs and missions they are assigned to carry out, I gently remind all that because of the job they do, they personally ensure your freedom to hold and express your opinion. Because of this, I think our veterans and military personnel, from the highest ranking down to the newly enlisted, deserve our utmost respect and, of course, prayers for protection, guidance and wisdom regardless of our personal opinions.

Yes, I am biased in my own opinion(s). I am a proud mother of a U.S. Air Force Veteran and I am currently a proud mother of an Active Duty U.S. Sailor. I've previously written about the mixed feelings and emotions I experience, endure and contend with as a mother of active duty children. Feelings of pride and hope coupled with feelings of worry and uncertainty.

Regardless of any emotion I, as a mother, may be experiencing at any given moment, I always carry a feeling of gratitude. I am grateful that my sons, and all the others who have gone before them and all those who will come after them, were and are ready, able and, most of all, willing to enter into service for their fellow countrymen - even service for those who disagree with or despise them.

I hope today you will take a moment to offer a prayer of thanks for the men and women who have made personal sacrifices to serve our nation and also show some gratitude to those who are currently serving our nation. Because of them, we all have the freedom to hold the ideas and opinions we carry.

Chicago's LegoLand Discovery Center ...

While in Chicago, we also visited LegoLand Discovery Center. This place was absolutely amazing! Below are photos of Downtown Chicago made completely out of legos. As a child, AB was a total lego maniac - the discovery center was a real special treat for our family.

While waiting in the entrance line to LegoLand, a gentleman approached JP and said, "Thank you", while handing him 5 entrance tickets, a value of $85! JP responded, "Wow! thanks!" The gentleman replied, "No, thank you" and walked on into LegoLand with his family. Later that day, while EJ and OG were riding on a flying helicopter, Grandpa spotted the gentleman and again thanked him for his generosity. The gentleman asked if JP was his son, to which my dad explained that he was his grandson & that AB is a U.S. Air Force veteran. The gentleman told my dad that he just wanted JP and our family to know that he appreciates our service and sacrifice. He told my dad that many folks today seem to take our active and reserve military personnel and veterans for granted, but he doesn't. The gentleman asked my dad to again thank JP for his service to our nation.

The whole situation has touched me so deeply. This gentleman is the first stranger I've encountered who has expressed his appreciation for our nation's military personnel. This man will never know how much his words, of "Thank you" means to my family.

Aren't these Lego models fantastic?

Where, Oh Where, Has That Peculiar Lady Gone?

Most recently, she went to Chicago! Well, not exactly Chicago ... we all went to the northern suburbs of Chicago, specifically the Great Lakes/Waukegan/Gurnee areas. Why, oh why would we go? To see JP graduate from Navy Basic Training, of course! Yes, that's right folks, we are now officially the proud parents of a U.S. Sailor!

Our trip was absolutely WONDERFUL. Mr. B flew in from North Dakota (ya know, he still works up that way), AB and BT flew in from North Carolina and New Jersey, and the little ones and I drove up with my dad (aka, Grandpa). The weather was free from snow and ice so everyone arrived and departed without delays.

I also want to send out a warm THANK YOU to all the citizens of the Chicago area. Southern hospitality has nothing on you guys! Everywhere we went, folks held doors open for us, they said thank you, please and literally went out of their way to be polite and courteous. I was overwhelmingly impressed!

(by the way, I FINALLY figured out how to download photos onto my blog using this silly old laptop - HOORAY!) back row, LtoR: AB, me (Mrs.B), our Sailor, JP, Mr. B / front row, LtoR: EJ, OG and BT

JP moments after we found him amid 1,500 other boot camp graduates.

Recruit Training Navy Marching Band

Thankful & Map of the Fallen

(I am sorry regarding the cropping of the above photo, blogger's not loading it correctly, please click on the image for the full view.)

Both my grandfathers served in the U.S. military during war time. Fortunately, both returned home physically whole. Although drafted during the Vietnam war, my father received a medical discharge during basic training and thus was not eligible to serve. Both my grandfathers passed away at a young age which prevented me from personally knowing them. As I grew up Memorial Day weekend was just another excuse for a block party or family Bar-b-Que.

Once my eldest son, AB, and daughter-in-law, KM, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Iraq war, Memorial Day took on a whole new meaning for me. I never knew if he or she would be deployed to a war zone. I never knew if he or she would be the target of others who hate our nation and those who serve to protect our ways of life. Today, I no longer view Memorial Day as just another holiday for a block party or family Bar-b-Que. No, I somberly appreciate the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women and their families who have paid the ultimate price while in the service of our nation.

In only a few short months, I will, again, tell another child, "Thank you and remember that I love you" as he departs for his basic training in the U.S. Navy. The Lord kept His hand of protection over AB and KM during their enlistments. I trust God's sovereign plan as JP prepares to serve our nation.

I'd love to insert a beautiful poem here, but I don't really have one. However, my friend, Mrs.M, over at Evening Shade and Morning Latte posted these poems, http://frugalhomeliving.blogspot.com/2009/05/memorial-day-lest-we-forget.html. I found them to be touching and appropriate. I hope you enjoy them.

I have another friend, Mrs.P, who has a special knack for finding all sorts of things on the internet. She recently found, Map of the Fallen (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10248763-1.html). It is an interactive Google Earth program that allows those of us here at home to see the actual site where our Iraq and Afghanistan heroes have fallen and which city/town/neighborhood he or she was from.

Today, let's remember to say a special prayer of comfort for the families of those who have given their lives while in our service. Yes, I said OUR service. Although you nor I personally signed the executive orders to send these men and women into war zones, they were/are there because we are here at home fully enjoying our block parties & cook-outs. I pray you have a blessed Memorial Day.

"I do solemnly swear that I will support and defned

the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform code of Military Justice. So help me God."

We are proud to announce that our son JP was graduated from home school Friday, December 19, 2008. On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, JP was sworn into the United States Navy.

He will participate in the Deferred Enlistment Program (DEP) and continue working at our local pizza shop until his departure for basic training in November. Upon completion of basic training he will enter "tech school" for training as a Cryptologic Technician.

At the age of 12 JP contracted a life threatening illness. During his recovery, his eldest brother, AB, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. For the past seven years, JP has been consistently told that he'd better save money, get good grades for college scholarships, enter an apprenticeship, etc. because the U.S. military would not be an option for him. He was repeatedly told that none of the U.S. military branches would accept him due to his medical history. This has been a heavy burden for JP to carry because unlike his older brothers, JP is not an academic person. He really doesn't like text book or a school learning environment. He's never had a desire to pursue a college degree. He's always wanted to graduate high school and go to work in a trade.

A couple months ago, JP decided that despite all the nay sayers regarding his medical history, he was going to apply for the Navy and see what they had to say. After weeks of waiting for his medical records and a grueling physical, he was accepted. He is very excited about the new chapter of his life he is is embarking upon.

Mr. B and I are satisfied JP is comfortable with the direction he has found for the next four years of his life. I personally was very concerned because for JP, college would have been like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. I didn't want to push and shove college upon him - I know every moment would have been agonizing and he'd most likely end up quitting. At the same time, the thought of JP floating out into the sea of life without additional education or job training was also worrisome for us. Yes, we are quite satisfied that JP has goals, direction and a plan on how to get where he ultimately would like to go in life.

I continue to stand upon the Word of God where ever my children are concerned. God has blessings and plans for each of them. I trust He will lead them where He wants them to go. If they stray, I stand in faith that it will be only for a short season. For JP God has promised the following, "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." Psalms 1:3.

My Kids Wore Combat Boots

Yes, my eldest child, AB and his wife, KM, are U.S. Air Force veterans. AB enlisted only a couple months after the U.S. invaded Iraq and KM enlisted a few months later. I am very proud of their decisions to serve our nation. They are now civilians and working on building a "normal" life.

A very close, dear friend of mine, just returned from her son's graduation from basic training. Her son and my son, JP, were/are childhood friends. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy. I am proud for her and her son. I am confident the Lord will use the U.S. Navy to continue growing her son into the man he was created to be.

As a mother whose experienced "handing the apron strings" over to the U.S. military, I can relate to the various fears, concerns, pride, joy, and yes, even sadness and sometimes helplessness that mom's go through while their children are serving our nation. We worry about their physical safety during this time of war. We not only worry about them being sent into combat, but we also worry about the angry, hateful, anti-military civilians who may inflict harm upon them because they choose to defend even those who hate them. We are concerned about their spiritual growth or maybe even lack of. We experience a pride that can come only from realizing that he/she has made a commitment to serve our nation unto death if necessary - that type of pride is difficult to express. We share in their joy and excitement of new adventures and experiences. We all share a sadness that comes from being separated from them, often by 1,000's of miles. Unlike those whose sons or daughters get into trouble or an accident while attending a college of their choice far away, we can't run to rescue our military children during a time of crisis because the military stands between us and them.

How does a mother handle this melting pot of emotion? AB had been out of high school for a year before he decided to join the military. Our family had been experiencing a very difficult time of rebellion with him, so his decision was actually a welcomed relief for us. Although relieved on one hand, I still experienced the above mentioned emotions. My first and primary emotion was one of fear since our nation had just invaded Iraq and tens of thousands of young men and women were being deployed into combat weekly.

My first born. Since I was a teen aged mother, I had literally lived my entire life for him. Words will never express the depth of fear that gripped me. When your child enlists in the military during war time, the possibility of losing that child is totally and completely in your face. During this time, I looked to the Bible for an answer to my fear. Our Lord is always so very gracious and kind to His children when they are heavy burdened. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 - "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." In studying God's Word, I found not only the comfort I needed but the promises listed for each of my children in the left margin of this blog. Our Lord did more than answer one prayer, He gave me promises to cling to for each of my children - no matter what their futures may hold.

There are times, as I am sure with all mothers, that I experience emotions of doubt or worry regarding my children's spiritual growth, or maybe even stagnation of such. Whenever I sense these emotions creeping in, or I receive some discouraging news about one of my children, I look at a photo of my precious child and I quote the scripture promise the Lord has given me for that particular child. No matter the circumstance, no matter the nay sayers, I stand on God's Word. I know beyond any shadow of doubt that God will honor my prayers for my children because I know that God is a God of His Word. He will not forsake me. Isaiah 49:16 - "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me."

I often hear people state that they wish they had a manual for life. In reality, if they own a Bible, they do. The Bible will address any situation we find ourselves in. The Bible provides us with comfort when our hearts are shattered beyond repair. It will stop fear and doubt dead in their tracks. It will show us a way to light and life when we find ourselves in the dark. It shows us how to achieve order when there is chaos. It offers us instruction and correction when we are lost. The Word of God will bring us hope when we are facing hopelessness. Today, I'd like to encourage you to look to God's Word, the Holy Bible, for comfort, peace and sustenance in all things.