Tis the season for good food, good friends and beautiful fall scenery.Here's a shot of my back yard this year.
Dear Betsy
7 years ago
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Michigan Fall
Tis the season for good food, good friends and beautiful fall scenery.Here's a shot of my back yard this year.
Parenting of Teens
...I don't like it. Not even a little bit. Well ok, maybe a little...
.....sometimes that is.
It's haaard.
They don't listen.
It's a constant battle.
There's SO much drama.
I suddenly know nothing (or so they think).
Someone please tell me it's not just my teens!
I need wine for my whine.
.....sometimes that is.
It's haaard.
They don't listen.
It's a constant battle.
There's SO much drama.
I suddenly know nothing (or so they think).
Someone please tell me it's not just my teens!
I need wine for my whine.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
I forgive you Santa
Sitting in the hot tub last night (that's where Raine comes up with her good ones), we were talking about Christmas presents. I was asking her what she wanted and she mentioned what Santa might bring her.
I reminded her that last week when she was being naughty, I told her that Santa might not bring her anything unless she started being good again....
...Her reply....I forgive Santa.
After a couple of chuckles, I said...Raine, what do you think about that...do you think you should be good in case Santa is watching.....
...Her reply....I forgive you too. :/
I reminded her that last week when she was being naughty, I told her that Santa might not bring her anything unless she started being good again....
...Her reply....I forgive Santa.
After a couple of chuckles, I said...Raine, what do you think about that...do you think you should be good in case Santa is watching.....
...Her reply....I forgive you too. :/
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Tough Memories
Tough Memories
Over the weekend we had a joyous, yet sad anniversary date. Nov. 9th was the 2nd anniversary date of my dad's hunting accident.
As soon as November starts looming....it's almost all I can think of. It's weird, I can go most of the year (most, not all) just keeping it in the back of my mind, but when November hits...the thoughts all come back.
It's not that his injuries are overlooked during the year. They were so severe, we will never see past them again. He's paralyzed, and his whole life is forever changed, but he's ok. He will never get better than what he is right now...but, he's handling it.What is hard about remembering is seeing him, or imagining him at the time of his accident.
I feel the temperature of the November air, and think about him lying there for hours in the cold. I see the bare branches and think of him crashing down and hitting the ground. I see the fall leaves lying on the ground and think of him lying broken on the ground, barely clinging to life...alone. Alone in the dark, and the cold...and in pain and numbness. It just kills me everytime I remember the details of what he went through. I see his face...as white as death when I first saw him in ER after he was found...6 hours after the fall. I see my mom crumbling in the hall when she heard that his back and neck were broke. I feel the chill when I listen to the doctor say that the only hope we have is to save him from dying.
I have to MAKE my brain not think these thoughts, and focus on the present...I see him lying there in bed, smiling when we walk in and saying Hi babygirl. He didn't even remember the anniversary Sunday when I walked in with 2 bags of his favorite candy and a card. He didn't know what the occasion was...
...I wish sometimes, that I could forget too.
Over the weekend we had a joyous, yet sad anniversary date. Nov. 9th was the 2nd anniversary date of my dad's hunting accident.
As soon as November starts looming....it's almost all I can think of. It's weird, I can go most of the year (most, not all) just keeping it in the back of my mind, but when November hits...the thoughts all come back.
It's not that his injuries are overlooked during the year. They were so severe, we will never see past them again. He's paralyzed, and his whole life is forever changed, but he's ok. He will never get better than what he is right now...but, he's handling it.What is hard about remembering is seeing him, or imagining him at the time of his accident.
I feel the temperature of the November air, and think about him lying there for hours in the cold. I see the bare branches and think of him crashing down and hitting the ground. I see the fall leaves lying on the ground and think of him lying broken on the ground, barely clinging to life...alone. Alone in the dark, and the cold...and in pain and numbness. It just kills me everytime I remember the details of what he went through. I see his face...as white as death when I first saw him in ER after he was found...6 hours after the fall. I see my mom crumbling in the hall when she heard that his back and neck were broke. I feel the chill when I listen to the doctor say that the only hope we have is to save him from dying.
I have to MAKE my brain not think these thoughts, and focus on the present...I see him lying there in bed, smiling when we walk in and saying Hi babygirl. He didn't even remember the anniversary Sunday when I walked in with 2 bags of his favorite candy and a card. He didn't know what the occasion was...
...I wish sometimes, that I could forget too.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Hubbies video
Hubby made a video clip while he was in Iraq....it's going in here for safe keeping. :)
Friday, November 7, 2008
New nursery rhyme?
Raine's version of B-I-N-G-O
"L-A-N-G-O,
L-A-N-G-O,
L-A-N-G-OOOO and NEMO was his name-O
......hee-hee
Dad's Story
Do you know how everyone dreads the middle of the night phone call?...Well, last November I got the middle of the night knock on the door. (horrible experience I might add) It was my cousin and his wife...these were his words..."Jen, get dressed and get to the hospital, it's your dad".
Here's the story......
Nov. 9th 5:00 pm.....my dad get's off work earlier than expected, and decides to make up on the hunting time that he had been missing out on.My mom is still not home, so he leaves her a note on the table..."Gone hunting". He heads out onto the family farm's 70 acres for 1 last hour of prime hunting time, to one of his many tree stands.
6:00 pm.....dad shoots a deer with his bow and arrow.
6:10pm....dad stands in his stand, and gets ready to climb down to track the deer. The tree stand is old, and the supporting board gives way, breaks and falls. My dad falls 15 feet, head first to the ground below. Along the way and during the fall, he breaks his neck, his back, his wrist, his sternum and several ribs. He also punctures a lung, and has a closed head brain injury. My dad lay alone, unconcious on the ground.
Sometime that evening....mom gets home from work, see's the hunting note, and settles in for the night. She has to be to work at 3:00 AM, and dozes off on the couch...waiting for dad to come back in.
11:00 pm...Mom wakes up and realizes the time and that dad is not back inside. She panics, and runs outside in the woods alone, yelling his name. After a while, of almost getting lost herself...she calls my aunt and cousins who live next door....by this time, another hour has passed.
12:00pm....My aunt convinces my mom to call 911, and help is on the way...the hunting party for the hunter has started.
1:00AM....7 hours after the fall....my dad is found...alone and broken, near death in the woods.
After 3 hospital transfers, 9 or more surgeries, 2 months on a ventilator, 4 months hospitilazation, and SOOO much more in between, we are almost a year after the accident. My dad is now paralyzed from the chest down, and his life will never be the same....but, he is here. He is a changed man, physically and emotionally, but...here.
Today my son hunted in my dad's tree....
We bought a new stand, and my husband SWORE to me that it was secure. He promised!!! I guess my dad's good luck and love of hunting passed on to his firstborn grandson. This is a pic of 2 of my favorite men...my son, and my dad.....Tyler got an 8pt buck on his second day of hunting.......The tradition lives on......
Here's the story......
Nov. 9th 5:00 pm.....my dad get's off work earlier than expected, and decides to make up on the hunting time that he had been missing out on.My mom is still not home, so he leaves her a note on the table..."Gone hunting". He heads out onto the family farm's 70 acres for 1 last hour of prime hunting time, to one of his many tree stands.
6:00 pm.....dad shoots a deer with his bow and arrow.
6:10pm....dad stands in his stand, and gets ready to climb down to track the deer. The tree stand is old, and the supporting board gives way, breaks and falls. My dad falls 15 feet, head first to the ground below. Along the way and during the fall, he breaks his neck, his back, his wrist, his sternum and several ribs. He also punctures a lung, and has a closed head brain injury. My dad lay alone, unconcious on the ground.
Sometime that evening....mom gets home from work, see's the hunting note, and settles in for the night. She has to be to work at 3:00 AM, and dozes off on the couch...waiting for dad to come back in.
11:00 pm...Mom wakes up and realizes the time and that dad is not back inside. She panics, and runs outside in the woods alone, yelling his name. After a while, of almost getting lost herself...she calls my aunt and cousins who live next door....by this time, another hour has passed.
12:00pm....My aunt convinces my mom to call 911, and help is on the way...the hunting party for the hunter has started.
1:00AM....7 hours after the fall....my dad is found...alone and broken, near death in the woods.
After 3 hospital transfers, 9 or more surgeries, 2 months on a ventilator, 4 months hospitilazation, and SOOO much more in between, we are almost a year after the accident. My dad is now paralyzed from the chest down, and his life will never be the same....but, he is here. He is a changed man, physically and emotionally, but...here.
Today my son hunted in my dad's tree....
We bought a new stand, and my husband SWORE to me that it was secure. He promised!!! I guess my dad's good luck and love of hunting passed on to his firstborn grandson. This is a pic of 2 of my favorite men...my son, and my dad.....Tyler got an 8pt buck on his second day of hunting.......The tradition lives on......
1/125th Inf Homecoming
This is the link to the news clip of my hubbies homecoming. You have to click on PLAY VIDEO...enjoy :)
http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=120802
http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=120802
ABC's Gone Wild
Hubby is NOT allowed to help Raine...or anyone else for that matter, with their ABC's EVER again!!
I'm sitting here helping Raine with her Alphabet letters and sounds...
....here is a little taste of HIS version as he shouted them at us from the next room.
N -----Naughty, Nightie
T------ Thongs, Titties, Tequila
I totally tuned him out after that...Weirdo!
Bunny Ramblings
Some of the funny things I need to remember :)
Her name is Marshmallow, but I'm gonna call her Marshmallow Sniffy, cuz I like it like that.
Aww, come here bunny, you look sad.
I love you bunny, I'll never kill you.
I'm her momma, but Nick is NOT her daddy!
Her reply when I told her she's being nice to her bunny...I know, and I don't even slap her!
My bunny thinks I smell good.
Look mom, she can hop like a bunny!
To Nick...My bunny is better than your dog.
Was it bad...
....for me to start cracking up laughing when I got a call from my son's middle school to go and pick up my oldest son.
He was suspended for 2 days for being involved in a food fight. This is their last week in the MS building...and then they will be highschoolers.
Sorry...it was just funny to me (of course it probably wouldn't be if I was working in the cafeteria today)
Memorial Day Thanks
I have trouble finding the right words...
I have trouble finding the right picture.....
I have NO trouble finding the thoughts that come to my mind, and the tears that come to my eyes, when I think of the TRUE meaning of Memorial Day.
It is with such great admiration that I give my whole hearted thanks to all who have given that ultimate sacrifice.
It is with such immense pain that I feel for those left behind, hurting.
From the bottom of my heart, thanks for being strong enough to do what needs to be done...for all of us.
Painfully honest
You know it's time...
...to get a new bra, when your 4year old see's you in yours and says...
...mommy, that doesn't FIT you anymore...urghh
...shopping anyone?!
Do men listen?
LOL...This is just too funny not to repeat.
We (me, Raine and hubby) were sitting in the hot tub this morning. It was nice and relaxing...so much so that Raine didn't want to get out. She started her game of delaying us by playing the "Magic word" game. She put her legs up as a bridge...and wouldn't let us out until we came up with the magic word. Here is part of our conversation....
Raine: You have to say the magic word mommy
Me: I've tried all the magic words that I know...I need some help...
Raine: ok. it's...Pretty please with ice-cream with chocolate sprinkles, chocolate syrup, whip cream and a cherry on top.
Mom: ok, Pretty please with ice-cream with chocolate sprinkles, chocolate syrup, whip cream and a cherry on top.
Raine: Good..your turn daddy
Dad: uummmm....sprinklies, chocolate swirls, and dolphins?
Now..there is your PROOF that men never listen!!
My 3 Gems
This morning I have 3 things that I am greatful for....
1.) Tyler
He and I are both feeling back to normal, and are rebuilding our relationship.
2.) Nick
As difficult as he can be at times...he never fails to shower me with love.
3.) Raine
She has learned the value of telling the truth, and almost brought me to tears this morning when she proved that to me.
Teenage appetite
Well no wonder...
...you don't feel good!!
I received a call from the MS to pick Tyler up, he's not feeling well and has an upset stomach.
So..I get there and casually ask, well...what did you eat bud? Here's his reply....
2 pancakes
2 sausage and egg bagel sandwiches
6 pieces of bacon
3 sausages
and 6 or 7 juices
....ummmm, well, YEAH!! I'd not feel well either!
Pep talk for a Military Wife
...This was an actual conversation I had with hubby tonight....(I was feeling blue)
B: Hello sweety
J: Hey
B: What r u doing?
J: I'm not doing anything
B: R u feeling ok today?
J: I've been kinda weird all week...
J: I'm tired of being alone and doing it myself
B: I know ,it will be over soon
J: Not really
B: We're in the military sweety
J: I know babe
J: It just sucks sometimes is all, at times like this.
B: I know it does
B: It will get better I promise
J: I know
B: We do what other people wish they could do
J: How's that?
B: We help the United States prevail over terrorists.
J: I don't
B: Yes u do ,without you I wouldn't be in the military. I couldn't do it unless I had you.
J: aww
B: You r my right hand in this, and you help me get through the hard times more than u know.
J: Are you reading this out of a book? lol
B: No silly
B: For real, you allow me to have a family AND still fight for our country, other people are not strong enough for that.
J: I know
B: Do you work tomorrow?
J: Yeah, you?
B:No
J: aww, you suck!
B: No, you suck
B: ok well I'll call u in a little bit sweety
J: Alright babe...byee
B: I love u
B: Byee
J: I love you too
J: Bye
.....Corny, huh? :)
B: Hello sweety
J: Hey
B: What r u doing?
J: I'm not doing anything
B: R u feeling ok today?
J: I've been kinda weird all week...
J: I'm tired of being alone and doing it myself
B: I know ,it will be over soon
J: Not really
B: We're in the military sweety
J: I know babe
J: It just sucks sometimes is all, at times like this.
B: I know it does
B: It will get better I promise
J: I know
B: We do what other people wish they could do
J: How's that?
B: We help the United States prevail over terrorists.
J: I don't
B: Yes u do ,without you I wouldn't be in the military. I couldn't do it unless I had you.
J: aww
B: You r my right hand in this, and you help me get through the hard times more than u know.
J: Are you reading this out of a book? lol
B: No silly
B: For real, you allow me to have a family AND still fight for our country, other people are not strong enough for that.
J: I know
B: Do you work tomorrow?
J: Yeah, you?
B:No
J: aww, you suck!
B: No, you suck
B: ok well I'll call u in a little bit sweety
J: Alright babe...byee
B: I love u
B: Byee
J: I love you too
J: Bye
.....Corny, huh? :)
Michael
As you all know...my hubby was deployed to Iraq for 15 months...not too awful long ago. During the time that he was there, he and the other soldiers in his "squad" became very close...even life-long friends. Not only them...but, their wives are now my soul-sisters...we have actually made it through hell together!
The media sometimes portrays our soldiers in a harsh light, and many of you know that that is one of my pet peeves...and one of the hardest parts of being a soldiers wife. I support him to no end.
There are SO many different sides to this war. It is definitely NOT just 2 sided, as in us and them. We (military) really are trying to do our best for this country(Iraq) who has no support of their own.
OK...enough of the emotional rant that I can get on so easily.....onto my news!
During the time that my hubby was there serving, he became VERY close with his Iraqi Interpreter....we call him Michael (unsure of his Iraqi name). Actually...the whole squad did. They (the intrepreters) were in just as much danger every day, right alongside our guys...helping their country in any way they could....even under great fear of retaliation to them and their families for working with the Americans. Michael's biggest dream was to be able to come to America and start over, here with his family, and be safe.
I just got word today that Michael was finally approved for a Visa and will be arriving in the States this week. He will be staying with the different families in our squad until he can get established. I can't WAIT to tell my hubby the good news...and I am really hoping that he will be able to stay with us for a time.
I am talking to a wife of one of the guys as I type this journal....and we are planning our next get together...to include Michael.
It's really not everyday that you hear about our guys opening their homes to "strangers" from a land that we are currently at war with...it really touches my heart, and I wanted to share it with you. :)
My Daughter's Prayer
Dear God ~
Thank you for my daddy.
In Jesus name Amen.
(This was at breakfast this morning...have you ever heard anything sweeter?! ) :)
My moment at work
My moment didn't happen during "Me" time...but, during work. Then again....My work is a big part of who I am...so, maybe it did.
Today one of my students (8 yrs old) came into my office during his lunchtime for his routine Insulin shot. He is newly Diabetic, and sometimes has trouble accepting all that he has to go through with the disease. Today was different.....
I walk in the office, and he lifts up his shirt, throws him arm at me, and says "Shoot Me" ....LOL. I giggled for about 10 minutes after he left!
....I love my job :)
Today one of my students (8 yrs old) came into my office during his lunchtime for his routine Insulin shot. He is newly Diabetic, and sometimes has trouble accepting all that he has to go through with the disease. Today was different.....
I walk in the office, and he lifts up his shirt, throws him arm at me, and says "Shoot Me" ....LOL. I giggled for about 10 minutes after he left!
....I love my job :)
Warning...
...Just a warning here.
I'm about fed up with BBC and SeRiOuSlY considering leaving soon. I will invite everyone who wishes to follow me to my blog. I promise to start keeping up with posting here. :)
Sorry for anyone who has been bummed out by my not posting lately. :/
I'm about fed up with BBC and SeRiOuSlY considering leaving soon. I will invite everyone who wishes to follow me to my blog. I promise to start keeping up with posting here. :)
Sorry for anyone who has been bummed out by my not posting lately. :/
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