Life derails you...

This picture was taken less than six months after Marc got home from Iraq. It was Fourth of July 2008. We were in front of the White Sands National Park, which I highly recommend, if you are ever in that area. We spent the day sledding on the soft white sand and then went into Alamogordo for fireworks that night. It is one of my favorite memories.
Now that I have two years distance on the 15 month deployment, I can look back on it with less emotion. I have been thinking lately about how it changed me, Marc and our family. I know that none of us will ever be the same.
I was talking to Julie, my mother-in-law, the other day about how I used to be so good about remembering birthdays and sending thank you cards. She asked me what happened and all I could think of was, "Marc went to Iraq." I know we came out stronger, braver and better for our service, but I often wonder what bits of ourselves we lost.
I have said before that I know, I can see in Marc's eyes, that he is different. I just forget that sometimes, so am I. I didn't see the horrors of war, and because of people like Marc, I probably never will. But I cannot help thinking of what parts of self I may have lost. I had such plans for my future when I didn't have any life experiences, or kids. Now I understand that life itself derails our plans. The key is to just have enough faith that God knows what he is doing with us.
I may not be who I thought that I would be at 32 and a half, but progress is something. I have moved forward.

between you and God...

I just found this amazing quote on someone else's blog. Had to have it. Need to read it daily and live it...

"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating and building, others could destroy overnight. Create and build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you have anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."
--Mother Teresa

It's a GRIL....

I mean, IT'S A GIRL!!! Sergio has told me all along that I need to have a girl because I am "out of numbers." Translation- out numbered. Tonight he told me that I am half way to being "in numbers." If this little girl entertains us half as much as the two crazy boys we already have, we are in for quite a lifetime...

Christmas 2009

We didn't officially have a "white Christmas." It snowed a couple of days before and it stuck around a bit. I forced Marc out with the boys in the snow. Marc is TERRIFIED of being cold, so it took him about 30 minutes to get decked out in all the warm weather and waterproof gear the Army has issued him. Then they had a great time on the trampoline.
We got the boys a couple of science experiments for gifts and they thought that the coolest part was the safety goggles. We also watched a lot of movies and snuggled on the couch. The boys particularly loved "The Three Amigos". After it was done, they went and dressed up as the three amigos. They got their bathrobes for coats, beach hats for sombreros and each had guns and a horse. It was really entertaining as they ran through the house shouting and shooting.

Homesick.........

but I am not sure for what. Marc and I were talking yesterday and realized we are both homesick. I couldn't even admit it without tearing up. I know most people think we are brave living so far from home and family. Maybe we are, most days, but some days, you just want what is familiar. I realized this is probably why I have been so BAH-HUMBUG about the holidays. (That and Marc has to leave again for all of January on Sunday.)
As I have thought about what exactly we are homesick for, I am not quite sure. I know we miss things like Sonic size drinks, drinks with ice, drive-thrus, tasty food, well organized roads and highways, being able to call people when you want without having to worry about time zones, and countless other things that made our lives easier in the USA. I know we miss these things, but I don't think that is what we are really homesick for. I am sure it really boils down to being able to feel connected to those we love. Our friends and families. And yes, I think that ultimately, we are homesick for our connection with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I think that at this new start time of year, I am going to try and reconnect better with those relationships that really bring peace into our lives and meaning to our days....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Marc loves to tell a story about when his brother Joseph was in high school. Joseph went to visit a friend and the father of that friend was hanging Christmas lights. Apparently annoyed, Joseph wished the man a "Merry Christmas!" The man's reply was "Merry Christmas. I am spreading Christmas frickin' Cheer. Merry Frickin' Christmas!" I think it is a funny story, mostly because I can picture it. I realize that there are traditions and customs that we follow at Christmas time. I think we can let the carrying out of those traditions rob from the original purpose of those traditions.
During a holiday dedicated to the most charitable person in all of mankind, our Savior Himself, should we be running around so crazy that we are too tired or stressed to be courteous to our fellow man, or worse, our own family?! Do you think he would want us to take the next six months paying off the "Joys of the Holidays" because we couldn't just simplify. Why do we feel the need to overcomplicate things?
Christmas really is a simple holiday, even if you do include Santa. We celebrate the "birthday of Jesus" as Sergio likes to say. We give gifts because "Heavenly Father gives us gifts" answers Giovanni. The whole point of this holiday is to celebrate the greatest love of all time. To remember that if it weren't for Jesus Christ, we would have no purpose and no hope.
After we put the boys to bed tonight, both boys suddenly called out for us. I just assumed it was the first of many on such an exciting night. They just wanted to remind us to put out the plate of cookies for Santa, and to not forget the carrot for the reindeer. I sadly told them that I didn't have a carrot, but could put out extra cookies. Giovanni, after thinking a bit, said, "You can put an apple. Horses like apples, I bet reindeer do too." I thought that was smart and started to close the door, Giovanni again called out that I should include a note to Santa. I was a bit annoyed because he has already made a couple of lists and I was beginning to worry that he had missed the point of the holiday. He then told me that I needed to write a thank you note to Santa to thank him for coming and bringing us our nice presents.
I was so relieved. That is really what this season is about, especially if you count Thanksgiving. We have a great opportunity to be grateful. To remember all of our blessings and truly thank God for them.
So Merry Frickin' Christmas. I hope it was simple and peaceful...

School pictures 2009

England has a couple of traditions that I really like. I LOVE that my kids go to school in uniforms. It really saves on the fights in the mornings and I like that all kids, no matter their economic status have the same clothes. I also like that they take sibling pics at school. I know that both boys are really chees-ing it up in these pics, but don't we all have a school pic like this in our albums?!