'Will You Choose Joy?'

Today in the mail we received my 'heavenly' mother-in-law's new book.  I personally have been quite excited to read it.  We opened it up right away and looked at the pictures, and then promptly inserted the dvd.  It was amazing to hear her voice again.  Of course I'm sitting there listening and watching while tears are rolling down my cheeks.  You see, I knew my mother-in-law growing up.  I had the honor and pleasure to have conversations with her.  She was an amazing woman.  it's funny because there are many times being with michael, steve, and ally where she shines right through them.  don't get me wrong, they are their dad too, but there's something about a mom in her children's life that leaves a mark.  Michael is an old soul, and chivalry is not dead with him.  He's definitely his mother's son.  There have been times where i know mom is laughing at me having to deal with michael and his strange silliness.  

this book that she wrote is a compilation of sermons based on the book of philippians, but with little 'joyisms' from her life thrown in.  There's also a great dvd with michael's dad's recordings.

i am honored that she is my heavenly mother-in-law.  while i have an earthly mother-in-law in aunt carolyn who is a blessing to me, our children will know about normajean and al.  they were such special people.  i'm honored and blessed to call them my in-laws.

so yes mom, i choose joy!!!

Long time no post...

I know my grandmother will be happy that I finally posted something.  I'm sorry I haven't posted in 2 months, but there really hasn't been much going on here.

February went by with Michael being away most of the time.  They were on post out in the middle of no where doing trainings.  Michael was in charge of putting medics in different scenarios to see how they would react.  I on the other hand continued to job hunting and started classes toward another degree.  I attend a Care Team training the end of the month.  Care Teams are teams that are put together by the battalion in case there is an incident where a soldier is killed in action.  A group of 3-4 ladies would come at the request of the spouse and be there to give support to the spouse in ways of making sure pets are walked and fed, play with the children, accept food from neighbors and others, etc.  I'm excited to be apart of this.

In March Michael left for Ft. Polk, Louisiana, for pre-deployment training.  He left 10 days ahead of everyone else so that he could help get things set up.  I've been job hunting still.  I actually also have become the Decorating Committee chairperson for our upcoming battalion ball in June.  Michael is so excited for this.....he can't wait to get me all dressed up and try to get me to dance.  I've also been volunteering at the battalion in getting info into the database for the Family Readiness Support Assistant.

So far in April the same continues.  Michael's still away for another 2 weeks and I continue to plow away at job hunting.  We've started with fertility treatments in February.  Please keep us in prayer as we'll be starting something new in the next few weeks.  We only have 4 months until Michael deploys to Afghanistan again, so every moment counts in the "infertility" area.  We're praying that something will happen.

Yes, Michael will be deploying again.  This will be deployment number 4.  He leaves for 12 months in mid-August.  

I know you're all praying for us as our life always seems to be in upheaval.  We are so happy for the time that we get to spend together and we know that someday all this will be over.  I promise not to let so much time pass again on posting.  

Until next time....