Happy 2008!

Today is the last day of 2007. In fact, we only have a few hours left! I hope it was a good year for everyone. I also hope that whatever you didn't achieve in 2007 will be achieved in 2008.

Every year I wonder what will be different at this time next year. Whatever happens in the coming year, I'm sure I'll be able to handle both the good and the bad.

I wish everyone lots of happiness, success and contentment.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone!

Another New Year

It's been a long time since I've been able to write anything. For whatever reason, words escaped me and the stress I felt completely went against the relaxation I normally feel while I'm writing. I thought I give it a try again tonight to see what happens.

Tomorrow will be New Year's Eve and I'm already wondering about what changes will take place in the coming year. 2007 was overall a pretty good year. Candie survived her first test as a military wife, the deployment of Thomas to Iraq. She grew into quite a strong woman, but then she comes from a long line of strong, independent women. It seems to be a trait that comes from my mother's side of the family. Thomas returned to her in October and it was a joyous time in her life. I'm proud of my son-in-law and daughter. I hope 2008 will see their love and marriage grow stronger with every passing day.

During this year I also gathered up all the willpower I possess and began a new diet and exercise regimen which resulted in a 55-pound weight loss. Part of my success comes from the fact that, rather than being driven by appearance, my motivation came from the desire to be the healthiest I can be. I've also accepted the fact that losing the weight is the easy part; maintaining my ideal weight will be harder. However, I'm up to the challenge and I can honestly say I'm happiest when I'm exercising on a daily basis, whether I'm lifting weights or walking.

In September, the entire family rejoiced over the birth of my niece's son, Daniel. Daniel is my mother's first great grandson. My sister is now a grandmother! I have become "Aunt Grandma".

There were heartaches this year, too. My friend, Doug, lost his son in August and his sorrow is still overwhelming at times. If I could, I'd take away his sadness. I pray that he will experience a little relief in the coming year. Also, my father-in-law, Albert, passed away after a short battle with cancer. I didn't get to spend as much time with Albert as I would have liked, but I'm very thankful that he and my husband reconciled shortly before Albert's passing.

Overall, it's been a good year filled with a little sorrow, laughter, good times and growing friendships. I'm grateful for the new friends I've made, the new level of friendship I have with friends I've known and the health and happiness of my family. I pray that 2008 will be a good year for everyone I know. I thank God for the gift of such a wonderful, happy life.

God bless our troops and their families. Ease their pain at being separated from their loved ones and bring them all home safe.

Let's Say Thanks

Let's Say Thanks

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! My son-in-law is home from Iraq with my daughter and I'm very grateful for that. However, I am having a difficult time remembering that there are so many of our troops still overseas. I've been sending postcards to our troops through the "Let's Say Thanks" web page. I've included a link here for you to follow. Please consider doing this as many times as you'd like. In fact, I have it saved it to my "Favorites" and go to it often. It won't cost you anything but the time it takes to type your name, city and message!

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families, especially now during the Christmas season.

The Fall Season - Once Again!

Now that the time has officially changed from my beloved daylight savings time to standard time, fall is officially upon us. I love the spring and summer months because of the activity and anticipation of new adventures. However, this fall has already brought some interesting changes in my life.

First was the arrival of Thomas from Iraq. Candie, and many other Army families, had been anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones, almost since their deployment in August 2006. Then midway through the deployment came word that the deployment had been extended. I was proud to see my daughter recover from her disappointment and continue to be a source of encouragement and comfort to her husband, Thomas. Now that he has finally returned they will be able to live and love as a married couple again. It's a reminder to me that she is a grown, independent woman now.

The other change in my life was one that I'd thought about as a vague possibility someday, but was totally unprepared for. This past Halloween was the first since 1975 that I was not out trick-or-treating with one of my children! Not that my youngest didn't trick-or-treat, she just went with her friends and one of their moms. It was her first move toward independence from me. I must admit, this development left me with mixed emotions! I often joke with my younger kids, telling them that when I had them, they'd promised not to grow up but they did anyway. My poor husband tried his best to comfort me, but I was beyond being consoled. So, in order to fill the evening, we attended the vigil mass for All Saints Day then went to Target. Life, it seems, goes on and we either sink or swim with each life-changing moment. Personally, I've always chosen to swim so next year will probably dress-up in some sort of costume and hand out candy.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. They need extra prayers now that the holidays are close at hand.

Prayers Answered & Birthday Weekend

First I must start out by saying that the Lord has answered my prayers and brought my son-in-law home from Iraq, safe and sound. He called me yesterday morning a few hours after he landed in Hawaii. It was wonderful to hear his voice and he was so happy to be home with Candie.

They will now have the chance to be a normal married couple for a while, which they deserve. Candie has been a good military wife, loyal and full of love and support for her husband while he was deployed. It was hard on her and I can't even begin to imagine how she mustered up the inner strength. I'm proud of her and the woman she has become.

Thomas also made a huge sacrifice in leaving his beautiful bride and their home together to serve his country. He is everything I hoped for in a son-in-law and I'm so proud to have him in my family. I have prayed many hours for them and know that they will be blessed with a wonderful marriage and a loving home.

Also, this was my birthday weekend and having Thomas arrive safely was the best gift I could have received. My sweet husband sent me to Hawaii to spend some time with Candie earlier this month, so this has probably been one of the best birthdays of my life.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their families. God bless everyone especially Thomas and Candie.

On His Way Home!

Today I heard from my daughter Candice that her husband Thomas is on his way home from Iraq! She spoke to him this morning and he was in Kuwait, waiting for his flight back to the United States. He's expected to arrive in Hawaii sometime this weekend. Needless to say, Candie is excited and happy at the prospect of having him home.Thanks to all who prayed for his safe return. Please remember to keep praying for our troops and their families. They need our love and support.God bless you!

Support Our Troops

My son-in-law, Thomas, is due to return from Iraq any time between now and the end of October. I'm thrilled that this ordeal will be over for Candie and Thomas soon. Tonight when I called Candie I heard something in her voice that I hadn't heard since he left. She was bubbly and happy and rushing to make her preparations for his homecoming.

Last week when I was in Hawaii visiting her, we went to Schofield Barracks where he's stationed. It was exciting to see the "Welcome Home" banners strung out across the entrance and the base seemed alive with families and newly-returned soldiers. As we drove through the housing areas, I caught sight of many homes with "Welcome Home, Daddy" and "We Missed You" signs in the front yard. I guess living in an area that's not near a military base, it's easy to forget the homecomings that are taking place everyday.

On Sunday when I returned home, there was a young soldier standing in the airport waiting for his flight to Hawaii. I watched as a man and his two young children approached the soldier. The man introduced his children to the young man and said to the kids, "Did you have something to say to him?" The two children then said, "Thank you for protecting us. We appreciate it." The kids looked so proud and the young soldier said, "Thanks. It's my pleasure." I will pray for that young man every day because I know that there are family members who will miss him while he's deployed.

When Thomas deployed, I put a yellow ribbon in my tree and promised to keep one there for him until he came home to us safe and sound. I added another one on August 1 for my cousin, Jan, who is now serving in Iraq. I've decided to keep a yellow ribbon in my tree until all our troops are home. I feels it's the least I can do to repay them for all they're doing for us.

Please continue to pray for our troops and their loved ones. Whether you agree with the war or not doesn't matter. They are our brothers/sisters, neighbor, friends, sons/daughters, husbands/wives, fathers/mothers and they deserve our support and prayers.

God bless everyone, especially our troops.