Welcome Home Ceremony! Oh YES We waived our flags!

Us, pushing play on our lives together again! :)

HOME AT LAST!

Ten Months, 12 Days since I last kissed my Hunky Hunk of Love'n Husband (he loves that name, lol). 

Not our longest deployment, but long enough! Hours of waiting in an airplane hanger, temperatures that made the equator look like a pansy, surrounded by anxious family members donning patriotic clothing, and no shortage of American flags--now those are the ingredients for a good 'ole Welcome Home Ceremony! 

Spirits were high, the energy higher! Anticipation doesn't even scratch the surface of what I was feeling. Nervous? You bet. Excited? Um, yeah. Just plain ready to get my man back? Totally. Ready to to get out of my high heels? Please Jesus make it soon! lol. We waited, AND waited. Then waited some more. And when we were done waiting, guess what? Yup. There was more waiting! :) BUT SOON, we all tunneled toward the runway, and searched the skies for the plane...waiting once more. :) 

You wouldn't believe the sound that erupted from the crowd as the plane touched down! Their cheers...my cheers, lol...grew louder as the men filed from the plane. Everyone had been waiting for this moment. Our men were home safe, boots on the ground, and would be in our arms soon.

Like most families there, we weren't new at this deployment bit, so I knew when the soldiers were released, a flood of families would pour from the bleachers spilling into the sea of camo. Staying put, up high on the bleachers was my best chance of him finding us--and he did!! To see him again...kiss him...hold him...watch him grab our children up in his arms...my friends, there are no words to describe. Priceless. One of those moments in life that you store in your heart and treasure, pondering how unspeakably precious it is.  

So he's home!!!! I want to thank you all for following us through this journey, and I would love to share a bit our excitement with ya'll. Please enjoy the video clip, and pictures below! Feel free to leave comments & share this post with your friends and family. :) XOXOXO! :) 

Here they come!

All the pics!

I've Been Waiting: When I Finally Make it Home Video

The wait is almost over!

The next time I post it will be pictures of our family REUNITED! In the meantime, enjoy the video and song by Mercy Me. LOVE it!! 

Mealtime Moments: Dinner Conversations & FREE Meal Plan!

Most of my favorite memories revolve moments that have included good food, good conversation, and lots of laughter. 

This is what we do with our food!

Family cookouts, and get-togethers. Sunday lunches at Granny's house. Romantic evenings with my Honey. Dinner around our table. There's something special about gathering together with those close to you to laugh, eat, and simply be with each other. Jesus even knew there was something great about a good get-together. He's constantly eating and talking with his Disciple peeps, and feeding thousands--how's that for a catering job?

It's not that mealtimes are magical, although there are times when I'm positive the food is so delicious it is better than magic. No, there's no real magic in dining together. The special ingredient is fellowship/getting to know one another better/sharing life.  It's sitting down, slowing the pace of your life, and giving a bit of yourself in order to connect with those you love.

I've heard it said that the most valuable gift you can give someone is your time, and that's what mealtimes are. 

Breakfasts are busy, lunches are low key as we are separated throughout the day, but dinner is where our family reconnects. Don't get me wrong, some nights we park in the living room for a quick dinner and movie, but we work very hard to make sure we have that time around the dinner table. 

Take the Dinner Table Challenge with me. Meet your family around the Dinner Table at least 5 nights a week, and see what a difference it can make. Busy schedule? Not sure what to cook? Let emeals help you out with meal planning! Check out this Vacation Menu plan from emeals to free up your time, save money, and allow for more family time. 

Not sure what to talk about around the Dinner Table? Here are some ideas. :) 

Family Meal Time Conversation Starter Tools
Games:
Bust out Scrabble, a deck of cards, Trivia, and any other game your family likes. 

blogs:
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/26492/dinner-games

http://faithful-families.blogspot.com/p/family-table-games.html

Websites:
100 Questions to ask your Kids

30 Family Dinner Questions (REALLY CUTE IDEA!)

Books:

    

Stronger Than We Think: Encouragment for Moms

"I don't know how you all do it." Many civilian women/moms say to me. "I could never be without my husband for that long. I'd go insane." 

Ha! What makes them think I'm not insane? There are days I teeter on the edge of insanity. I'm sure my kids would agree.

It's not like I want to be without my husband. I don't look forward to him leaving for lengthy periods of time. Although, admittedly, I don't mind a nice week or two away here and there, lol. To these women/moms who think they couldn't do Army life, I say to you: you're stronger than you think. I was stronger than I thought, BUT, that took some hard knocks to find out.

Life happens. Things are thrown your way whether you're military or not. I've learned that it's how you respond that matters. We learn to be strong. Courageous, kind and loving. Whining, fussing, and complaining does no good for anyone. It stresses my husband out, depresses me, frustrates our children, and causes rifts in our marriage, and family.

How did I learn? Where else? The Bible of course. I totally still struggle with being strong, brave, courageous, kind and loving. I'm such a work in progress--like right n
ow, I'm Picasso looking. There are days I just want to crumble, and I need to cry. I need to vent. Then I get back up, and say, "Okay, God, help me out."

Take a few moments can and check out the verses below that help keep life in perspective when times get hard. They remind us that we are stronger than we think.

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing." Philippians 2:14

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


"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28


"I can do all things through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13


"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23


"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37


"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2


"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9


Ever in a bind? Don't know what to do, how to respond, or what the next move should be? Ask God. He gives wisdom to those that ask.  

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5