Laughter...

We had a pretty great Thanksgiving.  We shared our last holiday together (for a while) with family and friends.  We had planned to go to the Marianna Caverns for a cave tour, but after driving an hour to get there we were told there was a three hour wait.  (Of course I had called ahead and was told there was no need to make a reservation because there was NO wait.)  Despite the fact that my plan didn't work out, we had a pretty good trip that day.  The boys giggled all the way there, a nice changed from our usual car rides. 

Last night Ray and I stayed up way past our bedtime.  We watched a movie from our bed, chatted, and just laughed.  We laughed over the movie and just laughed because we were being silly.  I laughed so hard I cried... laughed so hard that it was hard to stop.  The movie ended and we still had the TV and light on, almost like neither of us wanted the evening to end.  I know I didn't. 

It hit me hard that I will miss times like these.  We laugh together so much, I don't know what I'll do without that.  I found myself trying to record each detail of the evening in my brain so I could recall it on a sad day.  We started laughing again and I wanted to take a picture of it, to remember.  We laughed even harder over trying to take a picture of ourselves.  Laughter just makes things better.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under Heaven: ... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance."  Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 4

Skittles...

I volunteer in the boys' classrooms once a week.  Dylan's class (3rd grade) has matured past making turkeys out of construction paper and "kid stuff" in general.  Carson's class (1st grade) however is in its prime.  I sat there today cutting, folding, stapling, and hole-punching construction paper into books. I know this took much skill and this is why she asked me to do this task! ;)  Anyway, while I work, I observe.

Carson's teacher rewards good behavior, returned papers, etc. with a Skittle.  Mind you, one Skittle would only leave me wanting more, but these 1st graders seem content.  I notice that these kids work for these Skittles and most of the time, they only get one.  All that effort for one measly Skittle?!  

It makes me think that while the Bible says we should not do good deeds to receive praise from man, it's still nice to hear.  God loves our praise and we are made from his image therefore, I think we need it, too.  Now, I'm not saying that you must make an effort to "attaboy" everything, but I think we all need a Skittle every now and then.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8
  

Honey Do's...

Sometimes Ray says that I don't need him.  He thinks that I can get along just fine without him.  On some level, I guess he's right.  I manage to work, take care of the boys and the house... the same as most other moms.  I do NEED him though.  He is my husband, my best friend, my love.  I miss him.

He will be home tomorrow!  Alot has happened in the Perry house since he's been gone.  He will come home to new flooring and Carson's missing two front teeth.  Just to prove how much I need him though, I saved a few things just for him.  Carson's bike tire has a hole in it, the hallway light bulb needs to be replaced, and we have a dead spider that has taken residence on my new floor (pictured above).  I probably could have put on my big girl panties and gotten rid of it, but I didn't want to rob Ray of a blessing. ;)

I can't wait to put my arms around that man tomorrow and feel his around me.  There is something safe there... it is where I fit.  And... I'm ready to have that carcass removed from my nice, new floor! :)

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" Ephesians 5:25

(I'm not positive, but I think this verse applies to spider removal.)

Veteran's Day...

This picture was taken in 2007, which was the last time that Ray returned home from a major deployment.  Today is Veteran's Day.  I am so thankful for ALL who have served and are serving our country.  There is so much sacrifice that goes with the life of a service member.  They are serving our country, most by their own choosing, to protect you and me.  They protect us from true evil that we really can't understand. 

They sometimes live in conditions that are dangerous.  They sleep in dirt... cold, hot... alone.  I can't imagine missing the birth of my child, birthdays, Christmas morning, first step, first word, etc. but they do it.  I've never really heard one complaint.  They serve so we can sleep safely.  I appreciate that.

Thank you to each and every Veteran and Active Duty of the United States of America... most of all, thank you to my best friend and husband. You sacrifice so much to provide for and protect us.  We love you more than words...

"Welcome Home" pillowcases that lined the hanger...

Daddy's plane landing...

Waiting on the plane to stop and daddy to exit...

Daddy coming out...



Sweet reunion...



Trials and Time Limits...

I haven't written in a while.  So many topics have been running through my head, but I haven't had the time to sit and type them out.  God has shown me His power these past few weeks.  I've tried to not stress or worry and God has rewarded that by answering my prayers in His time.  I was reminded during the sermon last night that God doesn't wear a watch.  His time is infinite and we want to put limits on it.   Even though it might not be our time, He always comes through at the right time!

I've been busy trying to keep everything going by myself.  These past few weeks pale in comparison to two years, but we've made it so far.  I've neglected some things, forgot some, too!  I'm learning to forgive myself and allowing myself to be human... I feel like I've let some friends down while others have picked me up. 

At times when I really thought I could go no more or handle one more problem, God has showed His love for me through some wonderful people.    Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness are HUGE. 

I still have bunches of things going on... and I think Satan is trying to destroy a few or a least testing my faith.  But, I have faith that God will work it all out...

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

God waited until the tooth fairy had $2.00 TWICE before both front teeth came out!



Dylan made the Honor Roll for the 1st 9 weeks of 3rd grade!