Caleb, you are too kind

A conversation Caleb had with me during the morning hours of getting ready for school...

Caleb: "Hey Mom, how much does is cost to go to the spa for a hot-tub and massage?"

Me: "Caleb, I don't know why are you asking me this? Please eat your breakfast."

Caleb: "I am done Mom, I need to brush my teeth. But really Mom, how much is it?"

Me: "UGGHHH, Are you talking all day at the spa? And why do need to know?"

Caleb: "I don't know, how much?"

Me: "Well, a couple of hours is about a $100, and all day a couple of hundred!" said in frustration.

Caleb: "Oh?!" said with a bit of confusion and disappointment.

Me: "Why is this so important?"

Caleb: " Well, Mom you are looking a little rundown and stressed out."

Me: "Nice Caleb, thanks for letting me know!"

Caleb: "I am just trying to help."

Me: "Go brush your teeth, now please!"

Caleb: "Yes, ma'am. I love you!" said with eyebrows raised and a half smile!

Not sure how I should respond to this, but it's apparently obvious to my kids that I am rundown and disheveled. Praise God, we only have 30 more days till Mark gets home.

Anyone wanna sponsor a day at the spa for me?!

Couldn't Resist

I couldn't resist this comic; it's so true on so many levels. Mother's everywhere gotta do what they gotta do!

Can't believe...

I can't believe it's 2010. That means that my boys will turn 11 this year and my daughter 10. How can that be... seriously I still feel like an insecure 27 year old. Why 27... I don't know, when I was in my early 20's I had much confidence and wore it on my shirt sleeve. When I was 27 I was pregnant with the boys, and scared to the innards of my being. I was crazy in love with Mark, we were soooo naive yet so sure of ourselves in the parenting/marriage department. We had spiritually, emotionally and mentally grown so much since we had met and married, we hardly recognized our lives. Yet here we were, ready to have some babies. Everyone told us having children will change you forever. I didn't get it until the day they were born, but I sure do now. Since that glorious new year of 1999 the world has changed, we've changed, boy have we ever changed.

In so many ways we've grown become stronger, more independent and yet still lack confidence in ourselves. We have achieved many of the goals and aspirations we wrote down years ago; so why the lack of confidence? Why do I still feel so insecure. I heard this quote once by Ray Kroc "When you are green you are growing, when you are ripe you rot." I certainly don't feel like "I've arrived", but I also don't feel like I am growing to the depth I desire. I need to fertilize my foundation, my roots so to speak so that I can grow stronger and fuller. The key question is ... "How?"

It's been a while since I've had some goals, I've always had dreams. Goals are different. I think I would add to that quote above... "When you are green, you are growing because you have goals and a plan. When you are ripe, you just have dreams and you wither away because you have no plan."
I've set some goals and laid out my plans to see a harvest. I hope over the next several months you'll see the results of my actions... for I have an Action Plan!

setting up

Never fear... this blog is not complete in it's design so if you happen upon this blog, I am truly sorry. Please check back in a week or less and I promise to have it's design done and entries made!

Christmas for our military...

Twas the night before Christmas, he lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house made of plaster & stone.

I had come down the chimney, with presents to give
and to see just who in this home did live

As I looked all about, a strange sight I did see,
o tinsel, no presents, not even a tree.
No stocking by the fire, just boots filled with sand.
On the wall hung pictures of a far distant land.

With medals and badges, awards of all kind,
a sobering thought soon came to my mind.
For this house was different, unlike any I'd seen.
This was the home of a U.S. Marine.

I'd heard stories about them, I had to see more,
so I walked down the hall and pushed open the door.
And there he lay sleeping, silent, alone,
Curled up on the floor in his one-bedroom home.

He seemed so gentle, his face so serene,
Not how I pictured a U.S. Marine.
Was this the hero, of whom I’d just read?
Curled up in his poncho, a floor for his bed?

His head was clean-shaven, his weathered face tan.
I soon understood, this was more than a man.
For I realized the families that I saw that night,
owed their lives to these men, who were willing to fight.

Soon around the Nation, the children would play,
And grown-ups would celebrate on a bright Christmas day.
They all enjoyed freedom, each month and all year,
because of Marines like this one lying here.

I couldn’t help wonder how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve, in a land far from home.
Just the very thought brought a tear to my eye.
I dropped to my knees and I started to cry.

He must have awoken, for I heard a rough voice,
"Santa, don't cry, this life is my choice
I fight for freedom, I don't ask for more.
My life is my God, my country, my Corps."

With that he rolled over, drifted off into sleep,
I couldn't control it, I continued to weep.

I watched him for hours, so silent and still.
I noticed he shivered from the cold night's chill.
So I took off my jacket, the one made of red,
and covered this Marine from his toes to his head.

Then I put on his T-shirt of scarlet and gold,
with an eagle, globe and anchor emblazoned so bold.
And although it barely fit me, I began to swell with pride,
and for one shining moment, I was Marine Corps deep inside.

I didn't want to leave him so quiet in the night,
this guardian of honor so willing to fight.
But half asleep he rolled over, and in a voice clean and pure,
said "Carry on, Santa, it's Christmas Day, all secure."
One look at my watch and I knew he was right,
Merry Christmas my friend, Semper Fi and goodnight.

I was deeply moved at church yesterday. I visited a church that every week prayers over the list of names of members and friends who are deployed. I was stunned to hear the name of my own Marine spoken in that prayer. I cannot express how grateful I am to know that people are sincerely praying for my Marine and all our military scattered around the globe. As Mark spends his third Christmas apart from us, I know he is in good hands... God's hands. He is safe, protected and guarded by his fellow Marines. He is not alone, but he is with his band of brothers, the largest fraternity in the world, is men... his Marines and I am forever grateful for their dedication to "our God, our Country and our Corps."

Merry Christmas Mark... I love you.

MSgt. Mark Francis

This is the 'Gunny... '

He's now a 'Master'! I am soooo Proud of Him!

I truly am honored to be his wife, it's a privilege everyday to wake up being married to a Marine, to be his bride... his best friend. I love him, I love our life, I love our God, I love our Country and I love our Corps. I couldn't be more proud of him, Congratulations!

Things I never thought I'd say...

When I dreamed of becoming a mom, I never imagined I would say things like...

• "Stop farting in your sister's room! The next time you do that you'll clean her room!"
• "No you cannot take the TV remote to the bathroom!"
• "No, you don't have to do your homework unless you want to repeat 4th grade."
• "Yes, I know the tooth fairy. Do you want to talk to her?"
• "I can't wait till your father gets home!" (I only say that one to myself though!)
• "Who are you?"
• "Which one are you?"

Do you ever find yourself saying things you never thought you'd say? If so please share... I need a laugh too!