Sweltering!!!!!!!!!

As I write this, I'm sitting in a house that is now 86 degrees (I know Quentin...it's nothing compared to Iraq) and I'm getting a little irritable at all the sweat I'm enduring. You ask why? Well, seems my a/c unit has quit running, for the umpteenth time this year!! I've called my landlord (3x) and am still waiting on someone...anyone...to come check it out. Not looking like a very probable possibility tonight...being it's nearly 9pm. So, here I sit. I've had numerous offers to bunk with tonight...but I just am tired, hot, and cranky...and the prospect of packing up and staying somewhere else just isn't very appealing...and makes me even more cranky. I began calling my landlord before noon today, so I'm thinking that I should've been pretty close to the top of that list and for the amount of money I dish out each month...air...cold air...is not something I want to go without. I was trying to have a positive attitude about the whole situation, but I think that left about 10 degrees ago!! Catch you later if I don't melt into oblivion.

Post-Deployment...nice ring, huh?

I just got home from our first official "Post Deployment FRG Meeting." That sounds so good!! We had a pretty good attendance today. We're gearing up for the homecoming of our soldiers and preparing for our FRG to move into the next phase. It seems there's so much to get done...banners to be made, t-shirts to design, celebrations to plan....not to mention the stuff around the house that needs to get done. Although I must say, I'm in pretty good shape there. Everyone is getting so excited. We have a "banner painting" party scheduled at the first of August and our t-shirt lady is busy designing the welcome home shirt that we hope the entire town will sport in support of our guys. We want to paint this town yellow and line the streets with supporters, bigger and better, than for the send off. It's hard to believe that it's been a year....(marked on July 22)...but here we are. For the most part, we've survived. I'm reminded of a quote by Maya Angeou...." we are changed by our circumstances, but we are not reduced by them." I think that sums up the past year. I know that I have been forever changed...patriotism now runs deep in my blood...I'm more independent and less afraid of leadership....my children and I have forged a bond that could not have been made this strong under normal circumstances....I am much more grateful and less selfish. The list goes on...

Thankful

I'm slowly readjusting to life without Q again....just a few more months....It's been nice to reflect this week on our visit and to see how far we've come as a couple. I stand in awe of our Father who in His infinite wisdom saw how this deployment would unfold and he kept me hanging on to a hope until this time passed. I'm so thankful that I didn't give up on mine and Q's relationship. I'm grateful that I had true friends that held me accountable and who encouraged me to keep on keepin' on. I'm humbled that I have a husband that put up with my inconsiderate and selfish ways knowing how much he loved me and that if he loved me long enough...I would come around. I honestly have the best spouse. Thank you God!!!!

Family Time

Let me say...we've had an awesome past 2 weeks with Q being home! Sadly, he only has 2 more days and then he'll go back to the "sandbox." He keeps reminding me that means we only have around 2 months till this deployment is over!! Woo Hoo!! Anyway, we've spent some much needed quality time as a family...we've gone on vacation in Branson, went to church together, prayed together, visited family and friends, and ate...a bunch...lol. It's not been without it's awkward moments and feelings, but all in all, it's been a great visit. I love having him home and cuddling with him at night. Oddly, even his snoring is comforting...lol....lets me know he's there. Just wanted to give a quick update and let you guys know that we're still around...just soaking up each other for the next few days until as Q would say..."our LAST goodbye."

Reunion

Just a quick update....Q is home on leave from Iraq. I picked him up on Thursday...a little earlier than planned...but we made it and we're all together. He called me on Wednesday night while we were at the fireworks show and told me he was in Shannon, Ireland and would be in Atlanta at 7am on Thursday. His plane from Atlanta to Memphis wasn't scheduled until 7pm on Thursday night. I got up early Thursday and just tried to take my time getting ready and relaxing...no stress here...lol!! At 7:45 am...he called from Atlanta and said he'd gotten an earlier flight to Memphis and would be there at 9:15 am....oh my gosh!! I woke the kids and hurried to finish getting ready. We arrived at the airport at 9:35 am...he had to wait on us for about 15 minutes, but I'm sure it was worth it! We've just spent the last few days catching up and relaxing. We've visited with his parents and mine and a few couples from church. It was so nice to attend church together as a family yesterday. I have to admit...it's been a little weird...we're having to try to find our way with each other again. Almost like strangers, but not quite...we know each other...our past...our history...but the last year has changed us both in subtle ways and it's just a little unchartered at this point. So far so good...and we're looking forward to leaving for Branson in the morning. We're going to spend 5 days there as a family and just hang out. After that, we'll be trying to get in visits with friends and family before he has to head back to Iraq. One good thing as Q has mentioned...when he says goodbye this time...he'll only have around 2 months to go...then home...for good! Well, talk to you all later! Have a wonderfully blessed day!!!

Coming Home

I'm anxiously awaiting Q's R/R....as he is somewhere enroute to the USA. I'm busy cleaning every nook and cranny....what I do when I'm nervous or anxious....he's probably filling out endless paperwork or snoozing on a plane or listening to his Ipod. It's just so hard to fathom that he's really going to be here in just a few days or less. My nerves are keeping my stomach a bit unsettled....I guess just all the excitement and uncertainty. I've found that military R/R does not mix well with Type A personalities...aka Me. I like to know all the details...the military is hell-bent on me not knowing anything until the last possible moment. I want to be prepared...to be ready...I guess they figure I should just stay that way and when I hear the word..go. So, here I am...cleaning...again...you'd think I'd run out of stuff to do by now, but I somehow find another dust bunny to clear away. I know I'm talking in circles...too much stuff floating around in my head. I feel like a giddy school girl getting ready for her first date. I love my husband! And I can't wait till I see him get off of that plane!! He's really coming home!

Finished Book

I finished the new Karen Kingsbury book, Sunrise...it was really good. A great story of love's endurance and commitment and God's faithfulness. Of course, it's a series, and the next book doesn't come out until the Fall...so I'll have to wait a few months to see what happens to the Baxter clan. We started the book of Proverbs yesterday. I'm a lover of quotes and Proverbs is full of them, so this is one of my favorite books. I'll try to keep you posted and pass on some of my favorite morsels of wisdom when I come upon them.

Do You Trust Him?

Today's sermon from Pastor Charles was one of those hard-to-swallow kind for me. It's not the first time the question was posed, but I think it may have been the first time I actually "listened." We all believe in God. Scripture even tells us that the demons believe there is a God. And I'd be safe to say that a vast majority reading this right now, even believe "In" God....you know, believing that He can do miracles, that He does have a plan for your life, and that He will come to take us home some day. But, the question is..."do you trust in God?" The gut answer is yes, of course, but Charles challenged us today to step aside from our normal "churchy" answer and really evaluate if our lives demonstrate a complete and full trust in God. Why is it that it seems so easy to trust God for some of the big issues in our life (ie. cancer, death, etc.) but we (or at least I do) fall short in the everyday life. I desire so desperately to trust God with everything and all that I am. So, for me, this has probed a spot in me that wants to explore why it's so hard for me to let go and trust....completely trust. I have a feeling I'm beginning one of those journeys...hang on...could be a wild ride. And I challenge you to examine your own relationship with God...look to see what evidence there is that you trust Him....after all, that is the fundamental building block of our supposed faith. Definitely food for thought.