Stop, Drop, and Roll

This past Tuesday, when the adults and teenagers were out on church visitation, our younger kids got to learn about fire safety. I know my two little ones, Simon and Samantha, had a great time and were very excited to let mommy know what to do if she caught on fire. Though the masks were initially scary for Samantha she was quick to calm down. The lessons taught were much appreciated by this mom. Now that the kids know what to do if there ever is fire, and what the firemen will look like, they have a better chance of getting to safety.

Oh, Happy Day

My handsome husband called today from the Persian Gulf somewhere. We only get to talk on the phone a couple of times a month, so when he calls I am on cloud nine for the whole day. This is our third deployment since we have been married and has been the easiest by far in the way of handling things while he is gone. It has also been the hardest separation ever from an emotional standpoint. When Brandt is home I have the opportunity to "decompress" so to speak at the end of the day. We spend a great deal of time talking of the future and where we will be when he leaves the service. He truly is my best friend. When he is gone a part of me goes with him. On several occasions we have teased that on a ship as big as his (he is on an aircraft carrier) I could easily sneak on and never be noticed. Just give me a uniform and stash me in his sleeping quarters. If only I were so brave to try and so brave as to be able to be away from my children for so long. I truly count myself as the more fortunate than he. I get to see my children, my friends, and my church family all the time. My support system is huge, where as there are but a few in my husbands world that love the Lord and care more of the things of heaven than of the world. With that in mind I try hard not to complain about the separation (though not always successful) but rather encourage and lift him up as much as possible. Through all the time we are apart I look forward to when we will no longer have to live this life. Remember to be grateful for your husbands. It is such a blessing to have one who is there daily for you to love and serve. God bless.

Cookies for Daddy

The kids and I all took part in making Easter cookies for my husband Brandt, who is deployed in the Persian Gulf. After experimenting with icing on cookies I knew that they would never make it to the other side of the world and still look nice, so I was hoping to use fondant instead. After seeing the price of store bought fondant I decided that icing would have to do. Then the thought came to me. Can I make my own fondant? Of course, I can do anything if I truly want to, so off to the internet I went. Homemade fondant is easily and cheaply made with powdered sugar and, you'll never believe it, marshmallows. I couldn't have been more excited. The process was quite simple and after dying the fondant wonderful pastel Easter colors the kids and I had a wonderful time making these tasty sugar cookies for Daddy in hopes that his Easter would have a bit of home to it while being so far away.

Inspired

After many visits to my sweet sister-in-laws blog I have decided that this great opportunity to reflect on my day, share a thought, or explore a new life circumstance could not be passed up. The sweet or silly things that my children have done or said are often forgotten with the closing of my day. How sad. This new outlet of journaling, so to speak, and sharing with others the lessons that are so often taught by the little ones of my family, will hopefully be a blessing to others as well as a way to remind myself of how important it is to take time to reflect on the brief moments that make our lives. Happy reading.