102.8

102.8.
Great. I had a feeling when I woke up yesterday, and saw Mason's not-so-clean nose, and light cough. I have officially developed a mother instinct, I guess. Coen's had a cold, so I figured it was just that summer cold everyone's passing around, and didn't think to much of it. By 5:30pm, though, he's lying on the couch watching "Darth Mal movie" (Star Wars Episode 1). I look over, and instantly recognize that glassy-eyed look that usually comes with a fever. I grabbed our new, handy-dandy digital ear thermometer, and within about 3 seconds, I had confirmed my fears. 102.8.

Wow, that's a little high for me. So, I instantly kick into "mommy mode" and hook him up with some Motrin, as well as a Pedialyte cooler that we keep on standby. Having a sick child in the house with a newborn is a first for me, so I give him the lecture on staying away from Coen. As if it will do any good. "We'll all end up with it by Friday," I thought. We still might.

I stroke his head of hair, and tell him we'll get him all fixed up. He instantly tones down his usual four year self, and becomes the baby he's quickly outgrowing, again. It made me think. How quickly he will outgrow his need for me. How quickly the day will come when his wife will put him to bed, and help him fight a cold. It made me nostalgic. It made me even treasure the fact that he is a little sick, just a bit. I thought to myself, that when he's sick, he loves to be held, and taken care of, and Mommy is just about the best thing in the world.

He told me and Martin last night (in so many words), "I hate being sick- I'm going to miss school and karate tomorrow." Yet, these are times of his life when he'll look back, and remember how Mommy and Daddy took care of him when he was sick, and maybe even think fondly on these days. I must say that thinking of these things made it a little easier to get out of bed at 4:00, and then at 5 something, and then at 6:30 to feed Coen. How little time I will have to do these things.

I also thought that this must be the way God looks at us, as His children. He really hates to see us get sick, or be sad, or have a trial in our life, but He will use the opportunity to "pull us into His lap", hold us close, and teach us things. The older I get, the more I look to God to be my Father. Not just a God with white hair, long beard, big stick- waiting for me to mess up. It's awful, but I think that's how we sometimes see Him. I'm learning to see His love in everything.

God has used this song by Natalie Grant several times in my life. Please read the lyrics. It makes me think of Our Father wanting to hold us, and bring us close.

"HELD"

Two months is too little

They let him go

They had no sudden healing

To think that providence

Would take a child from his mother

While she prays, is appalling

Who told us we’d be rescued

What has changed and

Why should we be saved from nightmares

Were asking why this happens to us

Who have died to live, it’s unfair

This is what it means to be held

How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know

That the promise was that when everything fell

We’d be held

This hand is bitterness

We want to taste it and

Let the hatred numb our sorrows

The wise hand opens slowly

To lilies of the valley and tomorrow

This is what it means to be held

How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know

That the promise was that when everything fell

We’d be held

If hope if born of suffering

If this is only the beginning

Can we not wait, for one hour

Watching for our savior

This is what it means to be held

How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life

And you survive

This is what it is to be loved and to know

That the promise was that when everything fell

We’d be held

Another hair cut???!!??

Today was our (Martin, Mason, Coen, and myself) day to spend with Tim. Mom had a wedding reception to cater, and Andrew and Dad would be assisting. Naturally, I hopped on the opportunity, and went to get Tim. I felt kind of bad, because usually, when we do these type things, we take Tim, AND Andrew. But, Andrew was getting paid to work, and his girlfriend, Cassie would be working, too, so I think he was probably happier where he was.

Tim had planned to sleep in, and I guess in the Marine world, he did. He said he woke Andrew up at 5am, and they went for a run. Sounds like fun. Maybe if he was living at my house, I'd be a little thinner.

Anyway, we picked him up, and decided we were going to head over to Concord Mills (our huge outlet mall, right outside of Charlotte). I thought it might be a good place because there's games, and a movie theater, AND shopping, so I knew he wouldn't be bored. Even a trip to the mall is not simple with 2 kids, so after loading both strollers, and a very packed diaper bag, we headed over.

Tim said he wanted to be back home by 8, so he could catch the season premiere of his favorite show. We asked him if there was anything he wanted to do, and he said he wanted to get a hair cut. Go figure. There's hardly any hair left to begin with. He asked if we minded, and I said, "Well, it's not like it's going to take that long.... there's not much there to cut." He said he felt better afterwards. Okay.

We had some very yummy burgers at Backyard Burger, and then finally after the drive, unloading the car, and one stop at the bathroom, we were ready to check out the mall. I joked that the neon lights, sounds, and asthetic overload might be too much for him. He seemed to handle it well, and one of the first stores we stopped in at was a knife/sword store. Tim was in heaven. Apparently, he LOVES cutlery. Not really, just swords. Anyway, he bought some Asian sword display thingy with two swords and a dagger. I've never seen a smile so big on his face. He wasn't really interested in the mall much after that.

Tim seems different, but the same. It seemed like it took a while for him to fall back into his old self, but by the end of the day, he was joking around again. We had good quality time. I needed that.

We also grilled steaks on the grill before I had to take him home. Martin pulled off perfect steaks and pasta. I slaved over a couple of pieces of store-bought frozen lemon pie, that Tim requested.

My poor husband is probably feeling a little neglected with all this fuss over my little brother. Actually, I know he's not. He said he knows Tim's only here for 10 days, and he's okay with me spending as much time as possible with him.

Thanks everyone for your nice words for me, and Tim. A girl's pretty lucky to have such a great family as I do, AND good friends, to boot.

Been There, Done that... my experience at Parris Island, SC

Been there, Done that, got the bumper sticker....

As you may know, this is a week that my family and I waited for a very long time. 13 weeks, to be exact. I actually did get a bumper sticker... it says, "My brother fights for our freedom... He is a U.S. Marine", and a yellow ribbon magnet for my car "Keep my brother safe". We made a little ceremony out of putting the magnet on my car, when I got home, (Mason and I did). I'm actually going to make the bumper sticker a magnet, too. Here is my account (in a nutshell) of the three days we spent at Parris Island, SC, while we were there to pick up our new Marine, PFC Tim D.

What I expected: a nice setting, but drab, military buildings...
What I got: Sunrise, AND Sunset views while driving over the bridge coming and going to Parris Island. Marsh lands, but beautiful with the sun reflecting off the water.

What I expected: a brief look at military life.
What I got: the constant echo of "Aye, Ma'am!" or "Aye, Sir!" ringing in my head, even 7 hours after we left. A piece of a culture that I will always carry with me. The feeling that I should be marching in time.

What I expected: my little brother turned man.
What I got: a very lean (I'm talking slim), matured man. One comment from him, "When I was upset at someone, I just thought 'Marine Discipline', and walked away". Maybe I need to take a lesson.

What I expected: pride in one of my baby brothers.
What I got: In addition to my pride in my brother- I found more pride in my flag, my country. I've always been pretty proud of being American, but as the colors were brought forward during the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony, I found myself crying as I thought of all the men and women who've paid a price for those colors. And their families. And I thought, "I BELIEVE in this country, what it stands for, and that flag; because my brother is willing to lay down his life for it."

What I expected: a little emotion at the ceremonies.
What I got: a lump in my throat that doesn't seem to go away. The lump is the pride and tears of pride I feel for him. I think it might be there for a couple days, at least.

What I expected: Tim would be happy to see us.
What I got: a tear sliding down his cheek, while he hugged our mom for the first time in 13 weeks. I don't know if she saw it.

What I expected: an emotional Graduation ceremony.
What I got: a nice, formal Graduation ceremony with pretty nice weather. A very emotional Eagle, Globe and Anchor Ceremony- a shining moment for Tim, and the feelings of my patriotism for this country and love for a brother, bubbling up.

What I expected: a new Marine, ready to chow down.
What I got: a new Marine, ready to chow down. He grabbed that bag of Doritos so fast, I couldn't believe it. I scored a home run by supplying Twix bars and Snickers. His first meal of choice, off base- a Subway 12" pizza sub. Another new female Marine had the same idea, as she and her family came in shortly after.

What I expected: a new-found pride in my changed family.
What I got: a kinship with families all across the country. As I sat through both ceremonies, I thought of the families of the 1 million previous Marines, as well as the military families acrosthe country. I feel like I am a part of something bigger. "The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it." (See Matthew 6:20).

What I expected: a smooth, relaxing visit to see and pick up our new Marine.
What I got: a action-packed, not so relaxing visit to see and pick up our new Marine- Complete with the usual family bickering. To which, while we were bickering under a big oak tree, with our picnic of hot dogs at the rifle range, Tim said, "I've missed this soooo much. "

What I expected: a changed Tim.
What I got: a changed me.

View the photo gallery here, or email me to get access:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?&conn_speed=1&collid=68695039311.51344039311.1158371772905&mode=fromsite

I have decided to try out this blog thing. I've always liked to journal, but with two kids, I haven't done it in so long. This might be good, because I can type much faster than I write. I feel a little like Doogie Houser, M.D. though. Hee, hee.

Today is Monday, September 11. I was hoping to purchase a new American flag, but didn't get a chance to do so, so I had Martin put out our old one. It's really in bad shape, faded from the sun, and all, but I felt like it was better to fly that one, than none at all, on this day.

The TV is filled with numerous documentaries, commentaries, and programs about 9/11. As if we'd all forgotten. I know some have, but I am a very passionate person, and letting go of the memory might be something that never happens for me. I am tired of hearing everyone blame everyone else for 9/11. Those terrorists will find a way, no matter what we do. They have given themselves completely and blindly to a religion that will not deliver what it promises. I actually find myself sad for them. Once they realize the mistakes they're making it will be too late for them. I am so thankful that my God is the God of love.

We got a phone call from the infamous Tim yesterday afternoon. My mom was ecstatic, of course. I was excited to hear from him, too. Mom and Dad got two of the extensions, and the third was passed between myself, Rebekah and Andrew a few times. Poor Tim could hardly get a word in edge-wise. We are all so proud of him. I asked him if it was okay for us to do digital pictures of his face to put on pop-sicle sticks for the moto-run, and he said the DI's had already made threats about that. We did warn him that we're bringing signs. He'll just have to deal with that.

I hope that he graduates the Marine Corps with the confidence that so many do. He has earned it. He has every reason to be proud of himself. I know I could NEVER do what he's done.

With vacation upon us, it's been so nice having Martin home with me today. It's great to have the support system. We went ahead and sent Mason to preschool today- he had fun- apparently, they ate apple things today. He seems to really be enjoying it this year. Coen seems to be doing everything fast! He's three months old, and already rolling from his back to tummy, and reaching and grabbing things. The smiles and laughs are irreplaceable.