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……

40 days

Jay was home exactly for forty days! Where did the the time go?

I Praise God, for an easy transition. We were able to rest, and truly enjoy each other and the kids. Reign and daddy were able to get to know each other again. Reign had NO PROBLEM adjusting to having daddy home. The first week all I could do was just look at him, it was hard to believe he was HOME!

One of my friends asked me; What was the hardest part of the deployment? I told her; The day I left Seattle, was the hardest part... I felt as though my heart had been ripped out of my chest and a piece of me was missing for a year. I seriously thought that it could have been the last time I would ever see him.

I Thank God, for his healing and restoration, Although we are doing great, [because Jay, is home] We still have a ways to go. I hope to find the time to blog in the next few weeks.

THANK YOU for praying for our family!

Mini vaca

The boys worked pretty hard all year and deserved a vacation. We decided to treat the boys to a mini vacation at Wisc. Dells. We stayed at the Kalahari. The boys loved surfing and knee boarding as well as all the water slides. Reign went swimming a few times, she tuckered out pretty easy.

It was nice to hang out and have some good family time!

Drill Sergeants

We got a letter from ANDREW! He LOVES basic training.. It must be in his blood. He is level one combative certified, and kicked two out of the three of his drill sergeants "you know what" in a wrestling tap out drill. He said the third drill sergeant is a beast! He has made two good friends, doing good mentally, and he says he is reading his Bible daily! That’s MY BOY!

He can get packages.. just no food. They will take the food away from him. He has to do 20 push-ups for every letter he gets, however he says he wants mail. If you are reading this please take the time to send him a card or letter with a family update or scripture in it. THANK YOU

He writes every other day and really really likes basic training... All I can say is WOW! and Praise the Lord.

getting back into the groove...

I did not realize how sleep deprived I was until Jay came home.

The last two nights I have actually slept. I'm not awake, waiting for Jay's late night call, or worrying about if he's going to call, or if he doesn't call I don't have to worry about why he didn't call. The first night he was home, I SHUT my phone OFF Praise God!

When we came home from the armory our front and back yard was totally plowed out, and there was a sign on the back door saying "welcome home Jay" from the Chadderdons! Praise God for awesome neighbors! :-) They snow blowed away 8 inches of snow for us!

Jay has been unpacking a little each day. Today he repaired a few things around the house. It is so good for him to be home.

Jay is HOME!

Reign, told the boys last night that their daddy is on an airplane, and that this is her "OWN" daddy.

The weekend before Jay comes home

Friday, night I spent the night at my sisters. I went to the armory to welcome home the RedBulls and did not feel like going home alone. We watched a few movies and had a great time visiting. I slept with Reign, she tossed and turned ALL NIGHT leaving me very tired the next day.

Saturday, I went to the salon to get my red hair redone, she added high and low lights... it looks amazing I am so happy. I know Jay will love it!

I did some shopping, and then brought Caleb to a friends house, got home around 9. I talked to Jay until midnight; when Reign, woke up crying and barking like a seal. She was trying to catch her breath.... so much for sleep. I prayed, turned on the shower for humidity, took her outside and then finally to the ER. They gave her a steroid... PRAISE GOD she could breath. CROUP, it was... We got home at about 2am. Reign, was ready to run a marathon after the steroid took affect... so much for sleep.

Sunday, No church... SLEEP. Reign, and I had a great time having "girls day/night"
bubble bath, hair, nails painted aqua green, her favorite color. we made necklaces and worshipped the Lord. It blesses me to hear her sing Holy Holy Jesus, and Jesus loves me. I tear up thinking about it. She is so precious.

I feel like I have so much to do around the house before Jay comes home; somehow I dont think the cleaning and laundry are going anywhere, and I don't think Jay will notice or care... It feels good to be able to rest and relax before his homecoming!

IM

This last year Jay and I have spent several minutes "instant messaging" it has been the easiest and cheapest way to communicate.

TODAY ~ I sent Jay a random text message. He texted me back... "get on IM". I almost ran to the computer, thinking Jay was ONLINE. I stopped myself and realized we can talk on the phone. That was the strangest feeling; I texted him back.. "what for? call me" for just a second Jay, had forgotten that he could call me... we LAUGHED! :-)

Another army wife, said wait until he is in the house and you send him a text message... this is weird to me. I wonder how long its is going to take for it to feel real!

Write to Andrew!

Andrew's Address... mail ONLY, He CANNOT recieve any packages at this time!

Harmon, Andrew 423
Fox Company, 1-19 IN
9075 Holcomb Drive
Fort Benning, GA 31905

Tuesday February 9th!

Jay is coming home on Tuesday February 9th!

Here is the the tentative itinerary:

2:00 pm - Nancy and the kids will arrive at the armory.
3:00 pm - Jay's plane will land at the airport.
4:00 pm - Jay will arrive at the armory.
5:00 pm - We will eat at Old County Buffet - which is a few blocks from the Armory, ALL are welcome! :-)

I would suggest that YOU be at the armory no later than 3:00 pm

Blessings
Nancy

REMEMBER: this is the ARMY, nothing is ever set in stone, things MAY and sometimes DO CHANGE.
I will let you know if the TIME CHANGES.

2nd ~ 3rd WAVE of Red Bulls

A few of us Army wives went up to the Armory to welcome home the other Red Bulls. The 2nd wave, we really did not know any soldiers that were coming home. The third wave... all of my army wives husbands came home. I'm the only one left with out a soldier... Jay is in the fourth wave, the last wave. We believe the Lord is saving the BEST for LAST :-)

The morning after the soldiers came home I got two phone phone calls from two army wives... Their soldiers had come home last night and they were in tears...

I felt blessed that Jay, was not home at this time so I could encourage them and take the time with them that they needed this morning. If Jay were home I do not know that I would have been able to do this. God is so GOOD!

I can see God moving in these two relationships and I PRAISE HIM for it!

My HAIR is Red!

Yes, RED... I dyed my hair RED! per Jay's request. I tried it slow, TWICE ~ by myself and freaked myself out. I stopped it mid process both times and rinsed it out. The other day I went to a salon to get it done... OH MY GOSH! I am going back for a FOURTH time to see if they can calm it down a little bit!

The stuff we do for our husbands! :-)

Early Out

Jay flew out of Iraq on January 27th. He was not suppose to leave the country until February 2nd. He was ahead of schedule.

Jay was in Kuwait, for about 3-4 days. and then headed for Germany. He had about 3 hour wait until he was bound for the U.S.A. Jay landed in Maine on February 2nd!
He waited a few hours and then flew to the state of Washington. While he is in Washington they are doing several briefings, physicals, dentist appts, health Ins. lots of paperwork ect. Most of the soldiers are in the demob process for about 7-10 days.

It was so nice to have him call me on his cell phone.. to hear his voice without a delay. I did call him once that day, just to see if I could, ;-) I know strange?! however I have not been able to do that in over 6 months! :-)

Its such a relief to have him stateside. My stress level dropped from a 10 to a 0, that day. PRAISE GOD for JAY'S SAFE RETURN, to the USA!

250 RedBulls are HOME

Sunday a few of us Army Wives welcomed home the first wave of troops. I had a great time, sharing in the joy of other families, Welcoming home their soldiers.

I learned that one of the soldiers that Jay is with will be facing some criminal charges. PRAY for this family... My heart is so grieved. They are a young family. The children range in age from 3 months, 3yrs and 4yrs. This soldier will most likely loose his military career. this soldier, will NOT be allowed to come home with the troops. :-( this makes me so sad. Let your MERCY FALL LORD, on this family!

On a lighter side of things... We got a pink slip in the mail box yesterday. Jay's tote was waiting at the Post Office to be picked up! This means he is one more step closer to being home!

The other night Jay and Reign were talking on the phone. She says out of know where... "daddy I need my own Bible". He told her, "when daddy comes home he will buy his baby girl her first Bible". It amazes me, that at 28 months old, she is asking for her OWN Bible. Praise the Lord! :-)

Pray for Tyler... He is in transition mode, and really having a tough time with it. I'm trying to discern which is hormones and the stress of giving back control to Jay. PRAY PRAY PRAY
blessings to you!

Georgia

Tuesday afternoon Andrew drove to South Dakota, and by Wednesday night he had made it to Georgia. He sounded really good on the phone. Wednesday, during church he called to say he was waiting in Atlanta, for the shuttle to take him to Ft. Benning.

He realized he was not alone, as he has made a few new friends. I suspect I will not hear from him for a few weeks.

Continue to pray for God's favor over this young man, while attending basic training and AIT.

I'm Pregnant!

NOT! Now that I got your attention ;-)

I FEEL like I AM pregnant... You know when people keep asking the mom to be; have you had the baby yet? when is the baby due? Lately so many ask... is he home yet? when is he coming home? do you know the day he's coming home? Well, just so you know... I REALLY DO NOT KNOW when he is coming home. He could be home tomorrow or the end of February... We are hoping for mid Feb. however that could always change.

The other thing that reminds me of a pregnancy is: I feel like I am nesting... preparing emotionally and physically for Jay's homecoming. Trying to get the house clean and get Jay's clothes washed. I have not slept all week. My hours of sleep have been 10pm to 3am. I am not wanting to go anywhere... I'm sure there is some kind of physiological reason behind all this. I feel like I'm in a waiting period and I cannot do anything else. Just WAIT... I felt this same way right before Seattle and before Jay's leave in July.

A few months ago I was so emotional about this change, now I am nervous. I ask myself... Do I dare get excited? it seems like a dream. deep sigh...

Pray for both Jay and I that we get peaceful rest, in Jesus name!