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So you all know that Will is not mobilizing with his unit. We’ve come to grips with it – what choice was there? For those who don’t know, you can read about it here.
This is the week that’s been like an elephant in the room. it’s the week the unit mobilizes. They don’t deploy quite yet, but they are mobilizing and will be leaving their families behind. Next weekend there is a family support meeting. I’ll be the only wife in attendance whose husband won’t be mobilizing. There’s a wee bit of anxiety over that.
Guess you gotta deal with the elephant at some point. It’s tough, though, and I don’t know what emotions this week will bring.
You all came through when I first asked for prayers for this family and more are needed. With a heavy heart I’m updating that CPT Yllescas passed away. This is the one thing all military families try their best to prepare for and hope it never happens.
“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.“ Joseph Campbell
CPT Yllescas joins the other heroes in their walks with God.
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This family could use some prayers, well-wishes, etc.
Copied fromher blog:
A little while ago I had to make the toughest decision of my life. They found a huge blood clot in the main part of Rob’s brain. I could either let it be and let him die a peaceful death or I could choose to do an emergency craniotomy on him. However, he has a huge chance of dying on the operating table and if he makes it, he has a huge chance of no quality of life. Rob told me specifically that he does not want to be a vegetable. However, I cannot believe that God got him this far to let him die now or let him live the rest of his life as a vegetable. The neuro dr said that the majority of the outcomes are not good but he has seen some cases where the person made it through fine. He said we may not know how much damage he’s suffered for a year or more. After talking it over with his parents and my mom, we felt that we had to give Rob a fighting chance. I decided to have them do the craniotomy. I mean the odds were not good for him to have survived the IED but he did. So he will survive this and he will be cognitively ok. That’s what I’ve got to have faith in. God is working through the dr’s. He knows that Rob has 2 little girls that need him very very much. So all I can ask for right now are more prayers than you’ve ever prayed before.
This morning I woke up to the sound of Olivia screeching, “I don’t know how to sleep.” It was shortly before 6 a.m. Three years ago she wasn’t here.
Shortly before 6 a.m. it was about 29* outside, but the heat is on inside keeping us a toasty 70*.
In a couple of hours I’ll begin cooking our Thanksgiving turkey to go have dinner with family. There will be plenty of food and laughter and stories will fill the air.
As I began my day, a couple of hours earlier than I had hoped, I can’t help but remember the things I’m thankful for. There is so much. We have our family. We have our friends, who are the family we get to choose. I’m thankful for my bloggy buddies and e-pals. We have a roof over our head and food in our refrigerator. We have jobs that keep our bills paid. We have our health. We have each other, which, some days, doesn’t seem like a lot, but it is.
I’m thankful to have a family that spans the globe who protects us from the four corners of the earth and defends our freedoms.
We send you wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a wonderful day no matter where you are or what your day brings.
Our best to all….
The Ls
Guess where I’m going…here’s a little clue….
Take it easy, witchy woman. I’ve got a peaceful easy feeling after a tequila sunrise. One of these nights I’ll take it to the limit with life in the fast lane. I’m hoping for no more cloudy days and that love will keep us alive.
Any guesses?!?
Okay, I’ll tell you….We have tickets to go see the Eagles!!! I’m so excited. Honestly, it was a toss up between Hinder and Motley Crue or the Eagles. I left it up to Will and he chose the Eagles and I’m glad. Yippee!
Now, I must go…I’m busy being fabulous.
Speeding ticket. Dammit. He didn’t clock me. He clocked the car in front of me and, because I was behind him, I got one, too.
*******
It’s Tuesday and I’m not so disjointed today. Here’s what happened yesterday. There were 3 of us in a row…car #1 was going about 45 in a 55…guy in front of me passed him then it was my turn. The guy in front of me was flying and then saw the trooper on the side of the road with another car pulled so he slammed on his brakes and by, the time I passed, I was close to him because he slowed down so much. In SC, the troopers have radar in their back dash so they can clock those behind them. He clocked the car in front of me going 69 in a 55, but because we both passed, he gave me the same ticket; my pass was legal but he said the speed was too fast. Still not sure how he could have clocked me as I was behind another car. I didn’t really arugue with the cop, but I told him I had some concerns about the speed he said I was driving as I knew how fast I was going when I started and when I pulled behind the guy in front of me after passing, I was going less than 60. For those shaking your heads, no, I’m not making excuses and, if I deserve the ticket, fine. But I don’t think I do.
I drive the same way to work every single day and I know the schedules and routines of the cops who patrol this stretch of highway. There are five of them…three county and two state troopers. I pass the same ones every single day at about the same time.
If I pay my fine by my court date, it will reduce it to two points on my license, no insurance points and the fine is $81.50. I’m not sure if I’ll go to court and try to get it dropped or just pay the fine and let it be done. I’ve got some peeps I’m talking to about it.
Nothing as significant as the meaning of life, but…
It’s 12:45 a.m. and I’m awake. I wasn’t awake until a little over an hour ago when Will kicked into hypersnore. Holy hockey sticks. I kicked, poked, prodded, yanked his pillow out from under him and contemplated putting mine… Well, I got up. Is he snoring now? Noooo. As soon as I lay down and get my feet in that just right place and begin to drift off he’ll start up again.
*sigh* He says I snore, but I don’t think so. If I do, he’s not losing any sleep over it. Next move: Cold feet to his inner thigh.
Love the color.
Cut is okay. Long layers and some thinning. Asked if she could thin my double chin, hips and thighs, but she said no. I tried.
Straight is good.
We’ll see what tomorrow brings after I wash and style.
I did like the waves, but they were so unruly and so stinking unpredictable. Did I mention they were just in the front? I’m sure they’re still here…just tamed.
For the first 34 years of my life I had straight hair. Straight. The late 80s and early to mid-90s don’t count because of the perm craze I went through.
This is how you’ve known me for the longest time - a little longer here, a little shorter there, but this is pretty much it.
Over the past year or so, my hair has done something totally on its own. This is me this morning. I have an appointment at 3 for something to get done.
I don’t mind the wave/slightly curly look and would love to have lucious curls, but I don’t. I have nagging waves that sometimes want to curl, but it’s on my hair’s whim. Humidity so works against me and its getting harder to straighten when I blow it dry.
Oh, wait…Did I tell you it’s only in the front? Suh-weet, huh?
Will let you know what I decide to do with it because I know you’re all on the edge of your seats.
Me: Olivia, what do you want for Christmas from S*nta?
Olivia: Not much. Some new stickers. Maybe crayons. Oh, yeah. Coloring books.
Me: Stickers, crayons and coloring books. That sounds good.
Olivia: And a new computer. Mine’s not good enough.
Just so you know, she doesn’t have a computer. Not even a pretend one.
Olivia likes to stall going to sleep, but what kid doesn’t?
This was tonight’s play-by-play.
Round one (shouted from her bedroom)
Olivia: I’m itchy. I need lotion.
Me: Get one squirt and rub it in good.
Round two (peeking into my bedroom door)
Olivia: Why is PomPom still awake? It’s past her bedtime.
Me: She’s waiting for you to go to sleep. (she leaves)
Round three (slinking into my room)
Olivia: Mommy. Do we have enough light bulbs?
Me: For what?
Olivia: For da lamps and stuff. In case they burn out.
Me: We have plenty of light bulbs. Don’t worry.
Olivia: Good. I was worried. Good night, mommy.
Me: Good night.
That was the end. Normally we have to have 3 sips of water, a few potty trips, another baby, another book, blankets are too straight, blankets are crooked, she needs her feet propped up, and so on.
Think I need to remind Will to pick up some more light bulbs. Just in case.
Chateau L was full of tears and broken hearts tonight.
Tonight, there is a broken hearted almost four year old who is in bed without supper and who lost her t.v. privileges. She decided, before I even put dinner on the table, that she didn’t like what I cooked and refused to eat. I told her fine, but it was dinner time and if she wasn’t going to join us, then she needed to go brush her teeth, put her jammies on and go to bed. She headed down the hallway and was given one more opportunity to join Will and me for dinner. She did. She pushed the food around and took two bites and acted as if it was killing her. She pushed her plate away and refused to eat. Will got her up, they went to brush her teeth and she was told to get in her bed. In the beginning, she cried hard in hopes of us caving to let her back up to 1. eat something different and 2. watch television. Absolutely not.
After listening to her cry for about 20 minutes, I went in her room and we had a talk. I asked her why she was crying and she gave some lame-o something or another about her day at school. When I told her to tell me the real reason she was crying she said it was because she wanted to watch television. The conversation then went into privileges and special treats. I asked her did she know why she lost her t.v. time and why she was in bed? She answered me yes. I asked why and she replied with, “because.” Around these parts, “because” is not an acceptable answer. I wanted a reason. So, we started the conversation over and I asked her the same question again. She replied, “I didn’t eat my supper and I was ugly. I lost my fun time. Dems da rules.” We did our night-night prayers and the rest of our bedtime routine. I told her I loved her, she told me she loved me. I told her it was time to roll over and snuggle up and I would see her in the morning. She did. She’s asleep. A full hour earlier than normal.
Damn. That was H.A.R.D. Super duper hard. She didn’t ask for a snack. She didn’t ask for something else to eat. She said, “okay.” I wanted so badly to fix her something I knew she’d eat, but the rules are the rules are the rules. The sweeter she was about it, the more I wanted to, but I stood fast and didn’t break.
Usually, talking to Olivia works. We’ve never really talked “baby talk” to her and have had conversations with her even before the days of her fully understanding what it was we were talking about. I think tonight proved that it has paid off. In a big way. My girl knew what she did wrong. She knew what the consequences were for it. She (eventually) accepted it. Sis B said it best in the comments a few posts back, “4 is the new 15.”
This parenting thing. It’s a bit tricky, you know, but I think I’m doing alright with it. I might make it until January after all. Ya’ll, my baby’s gonna be FOUR.
I really miss this stuff.
There are many, many posts throughout the internet and blogisphere that are so eloquently written with heartfelt sentiments. Those who have hung around with me for a while know how near and dear our military folks are to me. Being married to one, who comes from a long line of ‘em, kind of helped to shape me like that.
One of my favorite quotes is by Joseph Campbell, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Another is by Bob Dylan, “I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”
Many of our veterans and service members don’t like to be called heroes. They say that is reserved for their fallen brothers and sisters. I certainly appreciate that and I do try to respect it. You are the minority who have chosen to serve our great Nation. Whether you serve(d) in war time or peace time, in my eyes, and the eyes of others, you are a hero.
My words aren’t eloquent and they certainly aren’t profound, but my message is written with a full heart and sincerity…
Thank you. We appreciate you.
Be well.
This past Saturday, Will, Fabul-O and I loaded up to go to a local airshow. It was a small one at our local municipal airport with warbirds and later a special show. To start said show, were two parachuters. Trying to keep Olivia as enthralled as I could, I pointed out the tinsy white spot of an airplane that was circling overhead and saw two black spots. I told her, “Watch baby! The soldier boys have jumped from the airplane!!” She’s watching and I’m pimping it. Hard. So I’m watching and I’m pointing this out to the little posse of people around us and Will asked me what we were all looking at. I pointed to the aforementioned dots and told him, “The jumpers!” He shook his head and pointed in the OPPOSITE direction where they had just pulled their parachutes. We were all watching two crows fly.
Teach ya’ll to listen to a girl with football shaped corneas and no glasses on.
Ya’ll wanna know what this is the tracking information of? Huh? Huh?
| Tracking Number: | Lots of numbers | |
| Type: | Package | |
| Status: | In Transit | |
| Scheduled Delivery: | 11/10/2008 | |
| Shipped To: | Where I work, SC, US | |
| Shipped/Billed On: | 11/05/2008 | |
| Service: | GROUND | |
| Weight: | 33.80 Lbs | |
| Multiple Packages: | 16 show all |
| Near where I work, SC, US |
11/10/2008 | 8:00 A.M. | OUT FOR DELIVERY |
That’s right! A Second Helping is being delivered to my office this morning! I can’t wait to see it. I’m hoping it looks okay. I’ve only seen a black and white proof of the cover. Perfect timing for the holidays. Oh, I’m so nervous.
This year I didn’t do a card drive for the troops. However, there are folks who are!! Operation Love From Home has a goal of 50,000 cards. Mama Kat is a fellow blogger who started OLFH and she has the information posted on her blog. I’m sorry I’m so late posting this. Time flies when you’re having fun! I was fortunate enough to participate with the Marine Moms in Bethesda for a project they have going on. Please help Mama Kat and the great folks at Operation Love From Home. I participated in their July 4 card drive and it was a huge success!
For those who might not want to click it, here’s the skinny. She wants 50,000 and needs them by Nov 22.
OK folks, here we go again, collecting Christmas/Holiday cards for our deployed Heroes!!! This year the goal is the biggest ever: we would like to get at least 50,000 holiday cards to our Heroes in harm’s way! We can’t accomplish this awesome goal without YOU! Please forward this info on to others you think would be interested in this project, and if you have a blog, please consider posting about it. This is a team effort…together, we can make a real difference to our troops who are missing home during the holidays! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We have a printable flyer we are happy to send you (can also be downloaded from our Yahoo! group), as well as a letter that you can send to local schools/organizations to seek their support. Just drop us a line and we’ll be happy to send those items to you. Thank you for your support of our heroes! Info re: Love From Home 2008 is below! Most sincerely, “Mama Kat” Orr, President, Operation Love From Home.
The Mission: To collect at least 50,000 Christmas/Holiday cards for troops stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and all over the world.
The Reason: Being away from home and living in harsh conditions with combat & constant danger is difficult ~ our troops need to know we have not forgotten them!!! Mail from home helps to keep our troops’ morale strong, making a very real difference in their lives. It keeps them motivated and focused when they know we care about them!
The Address: Send your signed, unsealed thank-you cards to the following address:
Mrs. Kathy Orr
OPERATION: LOVE FROM HOME
P.O. Box 1660
Loganville, Georgia, 30052
ALL CARDS MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2008.
The Guidelines:
- The cards can be handmade or store-bought. This is a great opportunity to get your Scout troop, school, church and other civic organizations involved in doing something to show support for our troops.
- Please, no glitter on the cards. Because of the intended destinations of the cards, nothing “shiny” should be sent for safety & security reasons.
*IMPORTANT: This is not a “dating service.” Please do not send suggestive or otherwise inappropriate cards or materials. Please also refrain from making political statements of any nature. We will be reading and screening every card received to ensure that the above guidelines are adhered to. Remember: This is strictly to let the troops know that we love them, we are proud of them and that we HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN them! If you have any questions, please contact us at Kat@OperationLoveFromHome.org or info@operationlovefromhome.orgCheck out our website: www.OperationLoveFromHome.org for more info!
I was over at Sandra’s place, and she has this post (has sound on the post). The song is by Darius Rucker, “It Won’t Be Like this for Long.”
I’ve re-read my post about Olivia at the doctor’s office and reminding myself how she sat there as brave as she could for as long as she could. She tells me all the time, “I’m a big girl, mommy.” Yes, she is. But she’s also my little girl. The little girl that jsut 33 short months ago was screaming as I held her for the first time. The first words I said to her were, “It’s okay. Mommy’s here. I love you.” I bet I’ve said those words a million times, if not more.
Tuesday night was a very trying evening for us. The ride home from school was laden with “why?” questions of all sorts and after about 30 minutes, I really couldn’t hear it any more. I asked her to please, please, please just be quiet for a few minutes. She replied, “OK, mommy. I’m sorry.” She didn’t need to be sorry. She was being, well, her. I was the one who needed to be sorry. We got home and had dinner and a tea-party and our nightly routine. After everyone was gone to bed, I couldn’t sleep. I went and sat on the edge of her bed and watched her sleep. My once scared little girl is now almost four with so much independence and ideas and strength. Her imagination is off the charts and the compassion this kid has is unbelievable. Watching her sleep wasn’t enough for me. I picked her up and rocked her. She had no idea I was there (she’s not much of a rocker/cuddler any more). I closed my eyes as I inhaled her shampoo and lotion. I never, ever want to forget that scent. The way her skin feels to my touch. I’m constantly reminded by her that life is okay. It may take me a few days to get back into the groove, but it’s okay. We all have bad days. We all have our attitude issues. Sometimes we all just want peace and quiet. No matter what, my beautiful, brown-eyed girl always tells me she loves me and puckers up for a big ‘ol kiss.
Tonight we went to the Wal Marks for some stuff and I told her to not let me forget to get mousse. After giggling, because the only mousse she knows is the animal, she asked me, “Why?” I told her I needed it to try and make my hair pretty. Her reply, “But your hair is beautiful pretty just like it is.” Beautiful pretty. There’s a combo I’ve never been called before. That’s how she sees me, that’s how I’ll be.
We hug and kiss and laugh daily. We have good days. We have bad days. We have days that hover in the middle. However, at the end of each and every day, no matter what our fights and our struggles were, I get the biggest hug and the wettest kiss and the best, “I love you, mommy” my tired ears can hear. That is followed by an imaginary watch, necklace and some snack she whips out from behind her back. Because it’s getting cold now, she ties a green bean hat on my head. Don’t know what it’s for, but she says I need it. She takes my word, why shouldn’t I take hers?
My baby’s growing up so fast. So stinking fast.
“It won’t be like this for long.”
Today I took Fabul-O to the doctor for blood work to test for any signs of trouble from possible melamine tainted formula from her days in China. We walked in the lab and she very politely informed me that she didn’t want to see this doctor because “Dems stick you and you bleed. You get band-aids. It still hurts. We can leave.” I assured her they wouldn’t be sticking her fingers this time, but I didn’t tell her what they were going to do. I also told her no matter what, I’m right there and we’ll be okay together.
She climbed up into my lap and we rolled her sleeve up. She looked at me with those HUGE, gorgeous, HUGE brown eyes wide open as the lady tied the tourniquet on her arm. Then the phlebotomist broke out the needle, which looked like a dragon fly, so that bought me about 2 milliseconds before panic started setting in. As they thumped on her vein she stared wide eyed at the needle that was going to soon stick her. I had one arm around her waist and the other in her lap. The lab tech was holding her arm steady and I told her to squeeze my hand when it started to hurt. They put the needle in her arm and I didn’t hear a peep. Not one single sound. Then I felt the tears hit my hand and my heart broke into a million little pieces. I leaned up and looked around at her face and it was so red and the tears were HUGE crocodile tears. I don’t know that mine could be that big, but I doubt they were much smaller. It wasn’t until the very end that she cried out. I have never cried at any of her shots or blood work, even when she was small. I was always the brave one. Not today. Those four tears that fell on my hand stung with their coolness as my little girl sat as brave as she could for as long as she could. When all was said and done, they let her pick the band-aid; she chose a Barbie one because it matches her Pop-Tarts. We rolled down her sleeve, I wiped her tears and they offered her a sucker. She told the nice lady thank you and then looked at me as she sniffled and said, “I told you they were going to stick me.”
FYI: She shows no signs of any problems, but we decided to err on the side of caution and take this first step.
Donna and Joe got the call they’ve been waiting over for three years for!! Go on over and show ‘em some love. That is one cute kid!
This picture was taken one week shy of two years ago. Only thing I know to say is I sure do know how she feels.
