Awaited updates ~ see below...

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted. Jay and I have been busy... getting to know each other, spending time with the kids, developing a routine, visiting friends that have supported us this past year, adapting to work, loud noises, praying through Jay's severe headaches, crowds of people, we find that both of us are easily over stimulated, and finally the MOST IMPORTANT ... Our spiritual well being. God is moving us in a new direction and we are extremely EXCITED to see what the Lord, has for us. [details later] ;-)

I think things are finally slowing down, since Jay has been home. Although Jay, has been home from Iraq, 3 months and 9 days. He has been gone 3 weeks working at Ft. McCoy, Wisc. and Camp Ripley, MN. It is Jay's job (along with several others) to receive the equipment that has been arriving back to the U.S. from Iraq. So as I type this Jay is at Camp Ripley for the week. At least I don’t have worry about Mortar Attacks!

Marriage Retreats Through The Military

March 26th- 28th STRONG BONDS: we spent a weekend in Shoreview, MN. The weekend was paid for by the MNARNG. It was nice for Jay and I to come together this weekend, because it was his first full week back to work. We were able to identify our stressors and work through them. We sat through classes and were able to have some quality time alone. TALKING; and learning how to communicate face to face. Not via telephone or computer.

On the second day of this retreat, Jay met up with a familiar face from Le Center, Another soldier and his wife. This was the first time I had met them. This soldier is in the Mankato unit. As his wife and I talked; I found out that she is the Family Readiness Group (FRG) leader for this unit; which means she heads up the family support during a deployment. I also learned that this is the unit that Andrew will be with when he deploys next spring. (Yes, next spring!) I felt as though the Lord had brought these two amazing people into my life at the perfect time. It is a blessing to know the FRG leader first hand. She will have access to important information while Andrew, is deployed! GOD is so GOOD!

April 30th – May 2nd MIRACLE LODGE: Stewartville, MN. We spent another amazing weekend away. April 27th was our 20th wedding anniversary! Friday night we introduced ourselves to a group of NEW military families as well as a few of my favorite army wives and their husbands. Chaplain John Morris, the MN state chaplain for the Guard hosted the weekend. He is an AMAZING SPEAKER. We touched on communication once again; we laughed, cried and enjoyed the amazing spring weather.

Later on we sat around a bonfire, meeting and talking with other military couples. I noticed a few ladies that were sitting across from me; they were talking and complaining about the military. I was annoyed to say the least, and thought to myself… “STAY AWAY FROM ME”. Well, of course the Lord had other plans and brought these two little ladies into my life. One of the ladies lives close to us; while the other has smaller children. One of them came up to me in tears the next day needing support. My heart ached for her as I could relate to her pain, grief, heart ache… Her husband was close to the 3 MP’s that were killed in July… TEARS were inevitable. I could see it in her husband’s eyes. Tears as I type this…. Deep Sigh… Saturday: we had an option of break out sessions, horse back riding, back massages, walks, and so much more… Each couple also received a special quilt from “Quilts of Valor”. During the sessions, we were able to share openly and honestly about some struggles we are facing, received support and prayer… God is faithful!

Saturday evening we had a special dinner with the MN Veterans that sponsored our weekend. These Vets wanted to give us the SPECIAL WELCOME HOME that they never received. It was very emotional. Each Veteran and their spouse had a relationship with Christ. It was cute.. I could tell that they were trying to find out where we were spiritually, and then they finally said; so I can tell you know the Lord.. I said YES, WE DO! CHRIST is the reason we made it through this deployment. PRAISE GOD! Later on we met up with a few couples and played a board game… Boy did we laugh, it felt so GOOD! Sunday: we slept in and made it to chapel. Jay and I renewed our wedding vows, it was very touching… ALL of the couples renewed their vows at the same time… it was really neat!

Atlanta Georgia

May 6th - 8th ~ Andrew Graduated from Basic and AIT (advanced individual training). My first comment is PRAISE THE LORD FOR GPS, GARMIN saved our marriage while visiting Ft. Benning, Georgia!

Jay and I went alone; we stayed in a quaint little cabin next to the Chattahoochee River, no worries there was a fence that was between the river and us, to keep the Gators out!

It was a weekend for CELBRATING.. May 7th was Jay’s 48th birthday as well as his 30th anniversary to the date; of joining the National Guard. The exact date Andrew graduated from Basic training and Mothers day weekend.
Jay wore his class A uniform while he pinned on Andrew’s Infantry Blue Cord. At that moment… it was the first time MY SOLDIERS had seen each other in over TEN MONTHS. It was emotional!

We had a fantastic time with Andrew. On our way to the airport, we were wondering what to do… Andrew suggested visiting a tattoo parlor!?! [All I can say is when you have adult children and have gone through hell and back with them during their teen years a TATTOO is NOT a big deal]. So for you that are freaking out… your turn is coming! :-)

We have learned to pick our battles and we’re blessed to be there with him while he got this tattoo. The artist was a very nice guy and we had a great couple hours hanging out and visiting.

The Lord directed us as to which place we were to go… Andrew called a friend of Jay’s to google Tattoo places, The place he found had closed and someone there HIGHLY recommended another place. Well, we could not find it and settled for the nearest one. A police officer was actually hanging out in the tattoo place (we settled for). They were talking about other tattoo places and spoke of the one that was recommended to us… they shared how this other place employed drug dealers and how they are always redoing their tattoos… PRAISE GOD for HIS guidance!!

So Andrew got his first tattoo in Georgia, right after basic training! It is of a cross that one of his buddies from basic drew for him.

Prom 2010

above.. Tyler, Amanda, Ethan and Jacki

We flew in from Georgia at about 11pm. We got up the next morning to get Tyler ready for his Junior Prom. We had never met the young lady Tyler was taking to prom until she came over to our house that day to take photos. Amanda works with Tyler at the grocery store and is also in band with Ty. She seems to be a very nice girl, and great friend. It was a beautiful day.

Sunday Mothers Day we were ALL TOGETHER for the FIRST time in ten months. It felt COMPLETE to have everyone HOME!



Reign adoring her older brother

Military Family

We have been blessed to have met so many people/family in the military. We have shared in their blessings, new pregnancies, engagements, promotions,. and we have shared in their heart aches, financial struggles and divorces.

One couple has been wanting to get pregnant for awhile, this was their second deployment and they chose to wait. She also was told it would be difficult to get pregnant, due to a medical condition. I have been praying for them and GOD IS FAITHFUL… she is about 2 months pregnant!

Another couple was facing divorce, lawyers were contacted … Jay and I have been on our knees for their marriage. The other day she called me out of know where, to ask if we could take their three kids for them so they could get away and talk this through and work it out. PRAISE the LORD. They spent this last Sunday with us grilling out and visiting… GOD IS SO AMAZING!!!

As far as US, SPIRITUALLY… God is MOVING us, to a new location.. to be determined. We wait with tremendous anticipation and excitement! More later……