Sunday, November 15, 2009

the calm before the storm


318/365
so tomorrow is the day. the start of the countdown to homecoming... in the past 3 days we have celebrated our 10 year anniversary, thanksgiving & christmas. one one time, and two a little early. it's been a bit of a crazy week of icky colds and precious moments all mixed together.

today we did our early christmas. stan gave the girls the little gifts he'd picked out for them. each deployment he's picked out a little something extra special for them before he goes. this year he commissioned a friend of ours to make stamped silver bracelets for the girls with a special message just for them on it. what a daddy! and as i type this i'm watching him wrestle with both of the girls pinned down at once  and lots of giggling. it's sort of a magical calm before the storm tomorrow morning. sweet, silly and perfect.

317/365
saturday we celebrated 10 years of beautiful imperfection, faithfulness and love. the man who has loved me through every up and down, but more than that...  he has supported me through trials. encouraged me through desperate loneliness. put up with my incessant practical jokes. given me so much more than i ever deserved. to the man of my dreams... i love you with all of my heart. and just for you... 11 is the new 10. {wink}

316/365

315/365

314/365
emma and i spent nearly the entire week under the weather. lots of nose blowing, coughing and resting. it slowed us down a lot this week, but sometimes there is something good about a week of down time. even if it means you can't breath! lol. just as emma and i have been coming out of the fog, torrey came down with the yuckies on friday... so i'm sure we'll be spending a lot of next week behind the power curve. so the perfect excuse for snuggling on the couch and getting a little extra mommy/daughter time on a hard week.

313/365
the school put together an amazing assembly for veteran's day. it's such a special day for the vets and the kids. it made it especially special to the girls this year that it fell before daddy left. not only that, but he was able to actually make it to the assembly, too. double delight! the kids presented a flag to each of the vets made up of handwritten names of each student and staff member in the school. i spent a good part of it in tears. mostly for another family in our school who lost their daddy last year in afghanistan. just another reminder of how some gave all for all of us to have so much... that our lives are so filled with blessings we can hardly stand it, if we only keep our hearts open enough to see them.

to all who have served this great country, or love someone who has or who does... God bless you and keep you, and God bless America.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know how hard it is just to send my husband off for a week's conference, it's just a week- In sharing your feelings and preparations for this deployment, the care and selflessness your all showing to one another, speaks volumes. We'll be praying for you and the girls as well as Stan. We are truly greatful for the many folks that serve in keeping us safe. That includes you, Noel and your girls. Thank you, for making the sacrifice to be a military wife. We'll be praying for you.

Peggy Lee said...

My heart aches for you and your family, I know how hard it is to celebrate the holidays before for that same reason. I will keep you in my prayers and I thank you for being a military wife too just like Kim did above comment. I know first hand and it is a huge sacrifice. Be strong.

Peggy Lee.

Martha said...

I hope all goes well. I've been there. God take care of Stan and all of our military. My husband was in the Army and deployments were really hard on us, so we're back to civilian life. Thank you for what you do, the sacrifices you make, America is worth it.

Unknown said...

This post made my heart ache for you guys. I can't even imagine how hard this is for your family. Hang in there. {{{hugs}}}

Chris

CreativeChretin said...

Noel, i will be praying for you and your family. I can't imagine what you are going through, but i know that God is faithful. :)

Jennifer Evans said...

We celebrated Thanksgiving this weekend with our family. Our niece goes back to Irac this week and so we celebrated her birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with her. Love ya and know what you are going through. You'll make it through this storm because you have friends everywhere lifting you up with friendship, love, and prayers!

None None said...

Praying for you and your family as you prepare for the next stage. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sacrifices you and your family make for our country. Lots of prayers headed your way and Stan's way.

CathyB said...

Noel, I've had your family on my heart for days now. I can't begin to identify with you, as some of the other military wives can; but I know it has to be an awful thing for you and the girls (and Stan too!) in saying goodbyes... but I love how you have labeled it "the start of countdown to homecoming". That is perfect! You're on my personal prayer list, as well as that of my entire church. May the next six months fly by with amazing warp speed until you can welcome him home again... just in time for summer chores. :-) Hope Torrey feels better soon, and that Stan was able to ward off the germs and stay healthy for the task at hand. CathyB

Barb said...

Sending love, good thoughts and prayers for you and your family, Noel. xoxo

Michelle said...

Noel, thinking of you, Stan and the girls. How hard this must be. Keeping you in my thoughts and a speedy and safe return for Stan. Thank you to all of the military servicemen/women and their families for all that they do!!

Katie Scott Scrapbooking said...

You have an amazing family and I'm pretty sure you have a lot to do with holding it all together so it seems like fun. Wishing your husband a safe return and thanking him and all the troops. Hugs to you. Katie.

Angie... by the said...

Hi Noel,
Thinking of you and hoping you and the girls are doing ok. Hoping you're laughing and giggling your way thru the day...Big {{{Hugs}}}

torrey said...

mom,that is a very hansom pic of dad.:) love torrey

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin