What we've been up to.

Let's see... since my last post, my parents have been out here, we've been to Georgia, Jeff got promoted, we found out we won't be allowed to PCS after his deployment, and who knows how many other things. We've had several disappointments and lots of smiles. I've laughed hysterically with friends and cried on the phone to my husband. I've nearly completed another Beth Moore Bible Study and have started reading Christmas books to my kids. Just life in general with all its ups and downs, ins and outs.

We're looking forward to some big stuff on the horizon. Jeff will be home for R&R in a few days. My Dad is retiring in a couple of weeks. School is going to stop and we will head to Great Wolf Lodge for a welcome vacation.

Our Christmas gifts are bought and I'm realizing with great shock that we are about to close out another year. In some ways, I couldn't be more excited because it's been such a difficult year. In other moments, I wonder where the time went and did I learn anything from all those difficult moments this year.

What about you? Are you ready for Christmas? Has it occurred to you yet that this year is almost over?

Is your husband coming in from a deployment soon?

These can be purchased at Old Navy. I'm not condoning the use of these sleep masks. I'm only informing my readers of where you can get one... if you were to need it... for sleeping... :)

Mr. Fix-It

Ummm.... Hey y'all!!! There's a leak over here!!!

I got it! Could somebody get the third one over there?

The Rock Star.

When you take a child to an indoor water park, they will believe...

They are a rock star.

The Silence.

It's my first post in more than three months. We've been through a lot and I don't think we're done yet. Our lives have completely revolved around things that aren't appropriate to share at this time on such a public forum, which has made for a whole lot of silence.

I've learned some things.

God is still God in the overwhelming silence.

You can't tell squat about a person's life by looking at them. Don't be hasty to judge anyone.

I had no idea how little I really valued caring for and about other people vs. how much God desires for me to.

Our "pain" tolerances are all different. A crisis in someone else's life may seem like an inconvenience in mine but I have no right to look at them with any less compassion.

Friends are seriously undervalued.

When people offer to help, say YES. You aren't letting them serve in their God-given capacity if you don't. And yes, this is a public apology.

Pride goeth before saying no to a helpful friend! :)

Simplicity is best.

Love is the best band-aid.

Have a great day everyone!

Children and MY bed.

Here's the breakdown on the night so far:

10:00 p.m. Anna shows up and can't sleep. "Mommy, can I sleep with you?" She's not scared or hurting. She just wants to. I manage to get her back to bed. She's the chief parent beater if she manages to get in bed with you. You can count on Anna to leave a bruise for no less than a week if she's sleeping with you.

Some later hour. "Ouch!" What is she doing in my.... Oh wait! It's not her, it's him. Him! What is He doing in my bed and why is he kneeing me? Am I broken or just bruised? Must. get. more. sle...

Another later hour. Sniff. Sniff. Sniff. More sniffing. Lots of sniffing. This is never going to end sniffing. "Mom my nose..." Patience Amy. You know you have some. "Go Blow". "Mom, my nose is bleeding." No patience left.

Flip on lights. AHHHHH!!!! Some nose has been murdered right on my bed! Sheets have to come off and go in the washer. The bloody nose shows up to apologize for bleeding and I see that my first born has somehow missed the fact that he's covered in blood from the tip of his forehead all the way down his torso and both arms. This proves the fact that men really are oblivious sometimes.

Note to self: "He's not pretending to overlook the fact that the dishes need doing. In his world, they aren't even there. "

At this point, I could attempt to get back in the bed and hope for more sleep after boarding up the door and some minor sound-proofing modifications. Is Lowe's open yet? Let's build something together. :)

Weird thoughts about marriage

I heard it said that Elizabeth Edwards didn't leave her husband of 30 years over his recent affair because it was a single mistake in what has been many years of a happy life together. She referenced the fact that he'd been through so much with her that it just didn't seem right to throw it all away over a single indiscretion. That has had me thinking about what is worth throwing a marriage away for.

I see lots of marriages ending over simple disagreements that get blown out of proportion. Sometimes its the silliest of things and then the next thing you know, you're sure you've disliked him or her for the entire time you've been married. Have you ever felt that way? I'm sad to admit that I have. I've disagreed with my sweet husband over little things and then the next thing I knew, he wasn't that great of a guy after all and I wasn't sure why I married him to begin with. We are so temperamental sometimes. The grass is always greener on the other side mentality isn't a good one to have when you're married.

I'm not knocking those who are in a marital situation that NEEDS to end or people who are already divorced. This isn't about trying to change the past or living in an unhealthy situation when God has given you the go ahead to get out.

Have you ever wondered though, if 50% of marriages end in divorce, that must mean there are a lot of really unhealthy people out there who are so toxic to others that they can't be in a relationship. I wonder what it takes to heal all those wounded hearts.

Have you learned anything interesting from being married?

Here are my top 3:

1) It's not easy but I don't think God intended for it to be easy.

2)It is worth it.

3) It makes you a better person (refer to #1).