Today is a very special day for our family. For the last 3 months, Chris has been at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course. As you all know, he has a calling to become a Chaplain for the U.S. Army. It takes a very special individual to be able to perform this type of duty. This school is only part of what he will have to complete in order to earn Chaplain status, but today he graduates.
Chris has worked very hard over the past 3 months and has also only got to be with his family about once a month. I know this process has not been easy for him, but he is a very strong man and he is very obedient to God.
Graduation is at 2:30 p.m. today on post. We will all be there to cheer him on as they call his name. I could not be more proud of him. Just to know that he graduates today makes me shine with pride to be his wife. Of course, I have always been proud to be his wife. He is the most wonderful man I have ever met.
After graduation, Chris gets to come home, which is the best part of him graduating. Being without Chris for 3 months has not been easy. The kids and I have missed him so much. But now, he is going to be home with us. I am not leaving this hotel parking lot without him this time. The only tears that will be shed after this trip will be tears of joy!
So today, I want to tell Chris that I am so proud of him and that I love him very much. God could not have given me a better husband.
To all of you who have supported us along the way, I want to say thank you. For those of you who watched the kids for me, cut the grass, and said prayers for us, took trips with us to South Carolina, and for those who lent a listening ear, thank you! I love you all so much!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Our First Banquet
Last night was what I have been so nervous about for the last several months, the wife banquet here at Fort Jackson. I had purchased a dress and grew out of it and had to find a new dress only a month or so before the banquet. I was so nervous I would grow out of this one too, but I didn’t. Thank God! During my last trip here I scheduled a hair appointment and planned to have my makeup done at one of the counters at Belk or JC Penny. I thought I was very well prepared. Boy was I wrong.
We arrived Tuesday and since we didn’t have room inside the car for my dress, we laid it in trunk on top of everything. I knew it would probably need pressed when we got here and it did. The hotel offered the service and I explained I had to leave at 5:00 p.m that next evening and they assured they would have it back in time. I very reluctantly handed them the dress. The next day we learned we had to leave at 4:45. My hair appointment was at 2 and I assumed it would take about an hour to do my hair and then have my makeup done. Well, about 1 ½ hours into the hair appointment Chris walked over to me and told me we wouldn’t have time to get my makeup done. I really wanted to cry but I didn’t. It ended up taking 2 hours to have my hair done. We literally had to run out of there to get back to the hotel and get ready. We got to the hotel about 4:15 and my dress was not back from the cleaners. Panic almost set in. I said a prayer and went up to the room and started getting ready and putting on my own makeup. I was in the bathroom getting ready when they knocked on the door with my dress. I finally got it about 5 minutes before we had to leave. I was so stressed out. We had to rush out of the hotel, leaving Alana crying for us. Chris was telling me how he had been almost dreading this event and I told him I would try to make it memorable and try to make jokes here and there to keep us from getting stressed.
When we arrived, my feet were already hurting from the devilish shoes I bought. I joked with Chris and told him we would make a ritual and burn something from this first formal event of ours and mine would be the shoes. We had to be there at 5:15 and rushed there. When we arrived the only thing we did was stand out front in the foyer of the place where it was steaming hot. We kept waiting to line up and shake hands with the top guys but they never would get it started. They then moved us into a different room where there was alcohol and punch and fruit. This is where we socialized with all of Chris’s buddies. At one point I felt sick and had to walk out for a few. When I walked out the line started forming to meet the top guys so we were in the back half of the line. The line had probably 300 people in it. As we were waiting I got sick and felt light headed. I told Chris I needed to go sit down and he grabbed my hand I started to walk away and he explained I wasn’t feeling well and as we were walking out I nearly fainted. I have no idea why but I know I felt like a huge loser. We sat on a bench outside while the line moved and once we saw the line was almost at the end we went back in to get in the back. When we finally got to these people, Chris did great on his introduction, which has to be done a certain way. The first guy seemed very strict and orderly, he was a West Point grad and took everything very seriously. He made a slight joke and we laughed and then he was very straight faced again, just like a switch was flipped. It was very odd. The rest of everybody else was very polite and easy to get along with. Seating was assigned so we found our table and the ladies sat down while the gentleman stood. It was so nice.
Everything began around 7:00 p.m. They had all the formal things at the beginning. They introduced the head table, had the posting of colors, and national anthem. There was also the introduction of the POW table where we would all take the time to remember those who have served and never come home or have been prisoners of war. A prayer was said before we sat and all I could do was thank God for bringing us there. I felt so honored to be there. I am just a simple country girl from Empire and there I was in a fancy evening dress with my hair professionally done and all these fancy things around me. Candles were lit and waiters and waitresses were waiting on us and refilling our glasses as needed. I just felt so special to get to be a part of this. Then as we sat we were told who was to go first at the buffet line. We finally made our way to the line and the food was very delicious. Everything was set up so nice and fancy. There were several choices of desserts available. As we ate, the different platoons sang their platoon songs. There were several different entertainment acts, of course the best one being the guys making fun of the guys in charge.
A guest speaker with a very decorated background spoke. He was a very nice speaker. He spoke to the wives and told us how important our role was in this calling. This calling is not just for the husband. The calling has to be a team effort on behalf of the entire family. He talked about how his wife made him a hero in the eyes of his children. It was a very touching story. He also spoke of how important the chaplain duty was and told these guys they had a very challenging role because of how the new generation is growing up. He did a wonderful job on the speech.
As the evening ended there were a few songs sung and the retiring of the colors. We were then dismissed and Chris and I left.
During the intermission we went to have our portraits made only to learn that the portrait people had already packed up and left so we didn’t get a professional photo made, which was very disappointing.
We had all these plans of a romantic evening and none of the plans worked out how we expected. Even though we had to rush to get there, had a few instances of getting sick, and felt extremely uncomfortable in this formal environment, we loved every minute of it because we were together. Our very first formal event for the Army is now over and we have many wonderful memories to carry with us to the next one, not to mention lots of humorous memories. I couldn’t have asked for better. My man looked so handsome in his uniform. We were so exhausted we came home and went straight to bed. It was a wonderful evening with a wonderful man.
Thank you all for your prayers.
We arrived Tuesday and since we didn’t have room inside the car for my dress, we laid it in trunk on top of everything. I knew it would probably need pressed when we got here and it did. The hotel offered the service and I explained I had to leave at 5:00 p.m that next evening and they assured they would have it back in time. I very reluctantly handed them the dress. The next day we learned we had to leave at 4:45. My hair appointment was at 2 and I assumed it would take about an hour to do my hair and then have my makeup done. Well, about 1 ½ hours into the hair appointment Chris walked over to me and told me we wouldn’t have time to get my makeup done. I really wanted to cry but I didn’t. It ended up taking 2 hours to have my hair done. We literally had to run out of there to get back to the hotel and get ready. We got to the hotel about 4:15 and my dress was not back from the cleaners. Panic almost set in. I said a prayer and went up to the room and started getting ready and putting on my own makeup. I was in the bathroom getting ready when they knocked on the door with my dress. I finally got it about 5 minutes before we had to leave. I was so stressed out. We had to rush out of the hotel, leaving Alana crying for us. Chris was telling me how he had been almost dreading this event and I told him I would try to make it memorable and try to make jokes here and there to keep us from getting stressed.
When we arrived, my feet were already hurting from the devilish shoes I bought. I joked with Chris and told him we would make a ritual and burn something from this first formal event of ours and mine would be the shoes. We had to be there at 5:15 and rushed there. When we arrived the only thing we did was stand out front in the foyer of the place where it was steaming hot. We kept waiting to line up and shake hands with the top guys but they never would get it started. They then moved us into a different room where there was alcohol and punch and fruit. This is where we socialized with all of Chris’s buddies. At one point I felt sick and had to walk out for a few. When I walked out the line started forming to meet the top guys so we were in the back half of the line. The line had probably 300 people in it. As we were waiting I got sick and felt light headed. I told Chris I needed to go sit down and he grabbed my hand I started to walk away and he explained I wasn’t feeling well and as we were walking out I nearly fainted. I have no idea why but I know I felt like a huge loser. We sat on a bench outside while the line moved and once we saw the line was almost at the end we went back in to get in the back. When we finally got to these people, Chris did great on his introduction, which has to be done a certain way. The first guy seemed very strict and orderly, he was a West Point grad and took everything very seriously. He made a slight joke and we laughed and then he was very straight faced again, just like a switch was flipped. It was very odd. The rest of everybody else was very polite and easy to get along with. Seating was assigned so we found our table and the ladies sat down while the gentleman stood. It was so nice.
Everything began around 7:00 p.m. They had all the formal things at the beginning. They introduced the head table, had the posting of colors, and national anthem. There was also the introduction of the POW table where we would all take the time to remember those who have served and never come home or have been prisoners of war. A prayer was said before we sat and all I could do was thank God for bringing us there. I felt so honored to be there. I am just a simple country girl from Empire and there I was in a fancy evening dress with my hair professionally done and all these fancy things around me. Candles were lit and waiters and waitresses were waiting on us and refilling our glasses as needed. I just felt so special to get to be a part of this. Then as we sat we were told who was to go first at the buffet line. We finally made our way to the line and the food was very delicious. Everything was set up so nice and fancy. There were several choices of desserts available. As we ate, the different platoons sang their platoon songs. There were several different entertainment acts, of course the best one being the guys making fun of the guys in charge.
A guest speaker with a very decorated background spoke. He was a very nice speaker. He spoke to the wives and told us how important our role was in this calling. This calling is not just for the husband. The calling has to be a team effort on behalf of the entire family. He talked about how his wife made him a hero in the eyes of his children. It was a very touching story. He also spoke of how important the chaplain duty was and told these guys they had a very challenging role because of how the new generation is growing up. He did a wonderful job on the speech.
As the evening ended there were a few songs sung and the retiring of the colors. We were then dismissed and Chris and I left.
During the intermission we went to have our portraits made only to learn that the portrait people had already packed up and left so we didn’t get a professional photo made, which was very disappointing.
We had all these plans of a romantic evening and none of the plans worked out how we expected. Even though we had to rush to get there, had a few instances of getting sick, and felt extremely uncomfortable in this formal environment, we loved every minute of it because we were together. Our very first formal event for the Army is now over and we have many wonderful memories to carry with us to the next one, not to mention lots of humorous memories. I couldn’t have asked for better. My man looked so handsome in his uniform. We were so exhausted we came home and went straight to bed. It was a wonderful evening with a wonderful man.
Thank you all for your prayers.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Getting Closer
I have just 3 days until I get to South Carolina for my final trip. This time, I am going home with my husband in tow. I can hardly wait. I am trying to get the home in order so it will be nice for him. That has been a miracle in itself. It seems like every time I get something accomplished, something goes wrong. But, I am trying and not giving up.
The wife banquet will be Wednesday night and I am so nervous. Chris was telling me about how he has to introduce me and himself and it is a whole big ordeal. I just wish we could do things the country way, “Hey, how’s it going?” And be done with it. Ha ha! I am nervous about how the dress will fit and how my hair will turn out. I am just ready to get it done and see him graduate. Graduation is Friday. I am so excited and I am so proud of Chris. He is such a dedicated and hard working man! I hope he knows just how proud I am.
The kids are probably going to love having Daddy home again. Mommy is drained and almost without energy altogether. I am now 7 months pregnant and feeling every bit of it. This baby is bigger than the other two so far and the weight on my small frame is very hard to carry. I miss running with the kids and playing rough with them. Now I am a wimp and too tired to even read a long story to them. Hopefully Daddy will have some energy for them when he gets home.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and helping us out during this time. I appreciate every kind deed and every prayer whispered for us. If it weren’t for you all and your support, where would we be? Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love you all!
The wife banquet will be Wednesday night and I am so nervous. Chris was telling me about how he has to introduce me and himself and it is a whole big ordeal. I just wish we could do things the country way, “Hey, how’s it going?” And be done with it. Ha ha! I am nervous about how the dress will fit and how my hair will turn out. I am just ready to get it done and see him graduate. Graduation is Friday. I am so excited and I am so proud of Chris. He is such a dedicated and hard working man! I hope he knows just how proud I am.
The kids are probably going to love having Daddy home again. Mommy is drained and almost without energy altogether. I am now 7 months pregnant and feeling every bit of it. This baby is bigger than the other two so far and the weight on my small frame is very hard to carry. I miss running with the kids and playing rough with them. Now I am a wimp and too tired to even read a long story to them. Hopefully Daddy will have some energy for them when he gets home.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been praying for us and helping us out during this time. I appreciate every kind deed and every prayer whispered for us. If it weren’t for you all and your support, where would we be? Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love you all!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Bright Future
There is so much going on at once it is unreal. In exactly 15 days, my husband will graduate from his officer course. He will be coming home with us this time. It is going to be so strange to actually see him all the time again. It is going to be wonderful, yet strange. I am curious show the kids will react and nervous about how Chris will have to adjust. This house is very loud and crazy most of the time and he us used to having it quiet in his hotel room. It will all work out though.
I realized a few days ago how close I am to actually having our third child. Owen is due at the end of October. Judging by my size, I would say mid October is more like it. I can hardly believe it is already getting close to time to have him. I am so nervous. Evan and Alana are so rough and I will have to be on my toes for a while. I go to have another ultrasound the first week of September to determine if I will require a C-Section or not. I would love to be able to have him without a c-section so I am praying about this.
Right now my main concern is getting ready for my final trip to South Carolina to see Chris graduate. The wife banquet will be held August 26 and I am a nervous wreck. We have to shake hands with people and I get so nervous when it comes to doing things for Chris. I want to make a good impression and I end up getting so nervous. Not to mention that I have already had to replace my dress once because I grew out of it. I better fit in this one. I am going to try it on next week one more time before leaving. If I grow out of this one, I am going to be mad.
Anyway, there is so much to look forward to over the next few months. I thank God that He is always with me and holding my hand because without His strength, I would not be able to stand!
Love you all!
I realized a few days ago how close I am to actually having our third child. Owen is due at the end of October. Judging by my size, I would say mid October is more like it. I can hardly believe it is already getting close to time to have him. I am so nervous. Evan and Alana are so rough and I will have to be on my toes for a while. I go to have another ultrasound the first week of September to determine if I will require a C-Section or not. I would love to be able to have him without a c-section so I am praying about this.
Right now my main concern is getting ready for my final trip to South Carolina to see Chris graduate. The wife banquet will be held August 26 and I am a nervous wreck. We have to shake hands with people and I get so nervous when it comes to doing things for Chris. I want to make a good impression and I end up getting so nervous. Not to mention that I have already had to replace my dress once because I grew out of it. I better fit in this one. I am going to try it on next week one more time before leaving. If I grow out of this one, I am going to be mad.
Anyway, there is so much to look forward to over the next few months. I thank God that He is always with me and holding my hand because without His strength, I would not be able to stand!
Love you all!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Love Sick
I am like a love sick puppy. It’s almost as if we are dating all over again. When he isn’t here I think about him constantly. Everything I do I think of him and how it would be if he were here. Here we are in the final stretch of his absence and I am missing him more now than before. I just saw him last weekend. It is getting harder, not easier. If the good Lord ever does need to send Chris on a deployment, I will need more prayers than ever. I pray that day never comes but deep down I feel it will.
Speaking of deployments, please continue to pray for Johnathan and Crystal. Their baby is now 9 days old. She is gorgeous. Johnathan is in Afghanistan and will get to come home toward the end of the month to meet his new daughter. I cannot imagine the emotions Crystal is going through with him being half a world away. Chris is only 2 states away and I am whining like a baby. Anyway, please pray for Johnathan’s safety as he comes back to the US and then has to go back to Afghanistan. Also pray for their family to be strong during this deployment.
Military families are very much in need of your prayers, please don’t forget them! It takes a lot of strength that only God can give to help them through these types of situations. Thank you all for listening, praying, and for the many kind deeds that have been done for us.
Love you all!
P.S. Chris did great on his PT test today, thanks for the prayers!
Speaking of deployments, please continue to pray for Johnathan and Crystal. Their baby is now 9 days old. She is gorgeous. Johnathan is in Afghanistan and will get to come home toward the end of the month to meet his new daughter. I cannot imagine the emotions Crystal is going through with him being half a world away. Chris is only 2 states away and I am whining like a baby. Anyway, please pray for Johnathan’s safety as he comes back to the US and then has to go back to Afghanistan. Also pray for their family to be strong during this deployment.
Military families are very much in need of your prayers, please don’t forget them! It takes a lot of strength that only God can give to help them through these types of situations. Thank you all for listening, praying, and for the many kind deeds that have been done for us.
Love you all!
P.S. Chris did great on his PT test today, thanks for the prayers!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Need Prayers Please
Today was such a challenge! The kids were very rowdy! Evan especially. He kept screaming at me and hitting me. This separation has been enough to prove to me that without a Daddy at home every day, the kids are more challenging. I don’t know how a single mother does it. If there are any Daddys reading this, you make a huge difference in your child’s life. Even if you don’t realize it, your child needs you!
Since Chris has been away, the kids have acted harsher toward me. Alana has developed a horrible attitude and mouth and Evan hits me and screams at me all the time. I know they miss their Daddy but I also know they need to learn respect for Mommy. I know I haven’t had a lot of patience or energy for them lately and that makes them rowdy too.
Anyway, Chris has a PT test this Friday so if everyone would, we would appreciate prayers going out for him. We believe he will pass but he would like to beat his score. God can do all things! This is his final PT test at this school and we want him to blow his score out of the water!
Next week he will be out in the field for several days, as if they were in a combat type situation. He enjoys doing those types of things, and it will give him a nice break from all the boring classes he has been taking.
Just 20 more days until I make my final voyage to South Carolina. This time, I am bringing my man back with me! On the 30th of August, we will all be home! I will be so glad! The kids too I am sure. And of course Chris’s cat, Pooh, will probably be beside himself.
Thank you all for your prayers, please keep praying for us. We need it!
Love you all!
Since Chris has been away, the kids have acted harsher toward me. Alana has developed a horrible attitude and mouth and Evan hits me and screams at me all the time. I know they miss their Daddy but I also know they need to learn respect for Mommy. I know I haven’t had a lot of patience or energy for them lately and that makes them rowdy too.
Anyway, Chris has a PT test this Friday so if everyone would, we would appreciate prayers going out for him. We believe he will pass but he would like to beat his score. God can do all things! This is his final PT test at this school and we want him to blow his score out of the water!
Next week he will be out in the field for several days, as if they were in a combat type situation. He enjoys doing those types of things, and it will give him a nice break from all the boring classes he has been taking.
Just 20 more days until I make my final voyage to South Carolina. This time, I am bringing my man back with me! On the 30th of August, we will all be home! I will be so glad! The kids too I am sure. And of course Chris’s cat, Pooh, will probably be beside himself.
Thank you all for your prayers, please keep praying for us. We need it!
Love you all!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Back Home
It has been about 36 hours since I left Chris to come back home. Already I feel drained. There is just something about being with him that makes me whole and energetic, yet relaxed. I feel complete and secure when I am with him.
We didn’t get home until nearly 7:00 p.m. last night and Evan was furious when I brought him into the house. He cried until I put him to bed and he fell asleep. I wanted to cry too but I distracted myself by trying to unpack. The trip home was long because it rained the whole way home and there were many accidents. One accident was so bad we sat still on the interstate for about an hour because a helicopter had to come and evacuate someone. Actually it rained the whole trip to and from South Carolina. Go figure.
Anyway, we spent time together as a family and it was wonderful. I was able to cook for Chris and do his laundry, which ot most people is an annoying part of life, but I miss doing those things for him and felt useful again. I cannot wait for things to get back to normal. Of course normal will only last about 1 ½ to 2 months until we welcome Owen into the world. Then normal will once again change. But I don’t care what happens from here on out as long as we are all together. I don’t care if we have to move, I don’t care where God takes us, as long as we are healthy and together. (Although I do want to specify to God that I do not prefer to move overseas.)
Anyway, only 22 more days until I get to see Chris again! 23 more days until the wife formal and 25 more days until he graduates. And, only 27 more days until we all return home TOGETHER! I ain’t going home without him next time. Somebody will go down if they try and stop me!
Thank you all for your prayers!
We didn’t get home until nearly 7:00 p.m. last night and Evan was furious when I brought him into the house. He cried until I put him to bed and he fell asleep. I wanted to cry too but I distracted myself by trying to unpack. The trip home was long because it rained the whole way home and there were many accidents. One accident was so bad we sat still on the interstate for about an hour because a helicopter had to come and evacuate someone. Actually it rained the whole trip to and from South Carolina. Go figure.
Anyway, we spent time together as a family and it was wonderful. I was able to cook for Chris and do his laundry, which ot most people is an annoying part of life, but I miss doing those things for him and felt useful again. I cannot wait for things to get back to normal. Of course normal will only last about 1 ½ to 2 months until we welcome Owen into the world. Then normal will once again change. But I don’t care what happens from here on out as long as we are all together. I don’t care if we have to move, I don’t care where God takes us, as long as we are healthy and together. (Although I do want to specify to God that I do not prefer to move overseas.)
Anyway, only 22 more days until I get to see Chris again! 23 more days until the wife formal and 25 more days until he graduates. And, only 27 more days until we all return home TOGETHER! I ain’t going home without him next time. Somebody will go down if they try and stop me!
Thank you all for your prayers!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
7 Wonderful Years
Tomorrow, August 2, Chris and I will have been married for 7 wonderful years. This October will be 11 years together total. These have been the very best years of my life. Chris is my best friend, my love, and everything in between. He has always loved me for who I am and been there for me through it all. We have been through a lot in such a short period of time, but it seems as if our love grows stronger by the day.
The first several years were tough but we learned a very valuable lesson and I hope we can help other couples with just this one bit if advice: put God first. Once we put God first in our lives, our love for each other just exploded and multiplied by a thousand percent!
The last couple of months, since we have been apart because of his Chaplain school, we have both come to realize just how much we love each other and have missed each other more than we could have imagined. I now have a new appreciation for every minute we have together. Our time together is so precious.
Anyway, Chris, if you are reading this, I love you so much! Happy Anniversary! I look forward to traveling down whatever road God takes us together. You are the best part of me, you complete me. I love you, I love you, I love you!
The first several years were tough but we learned a very valuable lesson and I hope we can help other couples with just this one bit if advice: put God first. Once we put God first in our lives, our love for each other just exploded and multiplied by a thousand percent!
The last couple of months, since we have been apart because of his Chaplain school, we have both come to realize just how much we love each other and have missed each other more than we could have imagined. I now have a new appreciation for every minute we have together. Our time together is so precious.
Anyway, Chris, if you are reading this, I love you so much! Happy Anniversary! I look forward to traveling down whatever road God takes us together. You are the best part of me, you complete me. I love you, I love you, I love you!
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