the moon and venus...

AKA God is really awesome! (the squiggles picture from yesterday- Julie, you nailed it! )

You might think I am a bit crazy, but oftentimes, I feel like the moon is there just for me. And when something spectacular happens with the moon, I feel like God is giving me a treasure - especially from Him for me. Do you have anything like that between you and God? I hope so... I love the harvest moon, I love when the moon peeks at us during the day, I love when it looks mysterious between clouds. And the other night, you could clearly see Venus sitting right next to the moon's bright crescent.


It was bingo night, and we noticed it when we walked out to the car. And I (of course, could not remember what it was next to the moon, but I was pretty certain it was a planet and not a star, because, if it were a star wouldn't it always be there?) pointed it out to Barbie when we dropped Logan off. And I googled it when I got home and found this. Then I went and tried to take pictures. Then I put the boys to bed and was going to try to take more pictures... But it was gone by then because it was only out for 3 hours. And I was SO glad I didn't miss it. And I was so thankful that He gave it to me, and gave me eyes to notice it too. I think we miss His gifts a lot, simply because we aren't looking for them. Our minds get so jumbled up in all the details of life that we miss the beauty of His creation, and the promise of His provision.


I thought for sure February would be a tough tough month. Brad's XO (that stands for executive officer, I think) told the spouses last April that the guys were on an 11-month mission, that they would be back no later than February 2009. Rumors swirled in the months that followed... but at an FRG meeting in August, the Rear D Commander told us again, that FOR SURE the guys would be back in February. Sometime in early September we got a letter from the Battalion Commander that stated it would be a 15-month deployment. Period. Stop spreading rumors. Thankfully, Brad came home for R&R at the end of September, so I didn't mourn that loss then for too long. And I thought for sure it would haunt me in February. I thought a heaviness would settle in, and hover around me. I thought my heart would break all over again. But it didn't. And I believe God protected my heart. I know myself, so when I say it was God that protected my heart, I mean it. And He gave me the moon and Venus to remind me that He always will. No matter what.

Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

1 Thessalonians 5:24

Brad and I covet your prayers as we approach the one-year mark. I especially ask that you would pray for Brad. They are beginning a new mission, and he will be working 12-hour shifts (I think something like that anyway). But I think it will just be exhausting, and not really fulfilling-exhausting...at a time when all the guys are already worn out. Just pray for endurance. Pray that he can spend some time alone with our Father, that he can get out and run when he needs to, that he can rest when he has opportunity to do so. Pray that he can finish this well. Pray that he can help those around him do the same. And pray the same for the boys and I. Walker is already getting excited to see his Daddy, and in a 2-year-old's world, 100 days is LONG time (let's face it, in my world 100 days is a long time!)


We have been so blessed by the support of so many. We appreciate the way God has proved His faithfulness repeatedly during this journey. We continually desire to bring honor to the One who has called us here. Each day.

a visit from astro and such

yesterday Walker and I cleaned out the garage (somewhat) and I moved the fishing pole to a more accessible location...so Wilson thought this afternoon would be a good time to practice his cast... Aaron, Nicole, and Gavin stopped by for a bit, they had been out of town this weekend visiting family... So the boys were happy to have their buddy back. Walker surprised us all when he pushed Wilson & Gavin around the sidewalk in the wagon. And Wilson surprised us that he could steer that thing half-way decent!Aaron had to supervise a bit to keep them from heading toward the street... See the sweet little addition to their family? I love the size discrepancy between "astro" and Aaron!

Big Girl was a little jealous that I was so smitten with the little fellow. Puppies are the sweetest...especially when they belong to someone else! =) (I am happy with the one big girl that we have, thankyouverymuch.)

And, can anyone guess what this picture was supposed to be of? You can see I failed at capturing it...

answer to be revealed tomorrow... or whenever I get on to blog again. ;)

playdate/picnic at the park...

...some of the ladies met at a park on post yesterday after PWOC. It was a BEAUTIFUL day! A wonderful glimpse of things to come... today its chilly & breezy, so I am glad we got our picnic in yesterday. Walker is the one in the shades ;) We had to take his other shirt off because a kid flung water all over Walker and another little girl... of course, the water-thrower was not in our 'group' and his mom didn't see it happen... Walker went and wagged his finger in his face though. He is a defender of his friends.

I had so much fun hanging out with him, he LOVES to be outdoors!

I can't get over how old our baby is getting.

He was totally chillin' in the big swing...
And, naturally, I had to snap a self-portrait with the little man. We were getting ready to race down the slides. I would've totally beaten him if it weren't for my hips...

Wilson was a little jealous and angry when he found out we had a picnic. (He saw our lunch bag, and knew...) I tried to explain to him that when he was little he and I did all kinds of fun things together, and now its Walker's turn to spend special time with Mommy. He didn't really accept that argument, and deep down, I do feel a little bad about it. But such is life.

Tonight we are going to BINGO night at his school. Boy is he fired up about it too. I have been preparing him for two days now, "You might not win a prize, ok?" I think I am secretly preparing myself as well - momma likes prizes, you know?

who let the frogs out?

...I know, seriously, could I be a bigger dork?? We have had a burst of springtime here this week. I even saw a tree budding earlier today! Spring is my favorite season (well, I love fall too, but I know winter comes after fall, so spring wins...) I had to snap a picture of Walker playing outside this afternoon - where the sandbox used to be... Not sure if there will ever be grass there; especially if he keeps excavating everytime we go out... I also snapped a picture of the Djiboutian bracelet my husband sent me. I will probably be wearing it often... might have to switch my other bracelet back to the other wrist... they kinda clash...

Brad sent the boys these little carved frogs as well. Walker was pretty thrilled with his...

Wilson was equally thrilled when he came home... his is the bigger frog - naturally.

The little sticks rest in the frogs mouth and when you take it out and rub it along the ridges on the back, the frogs make a croaking sound...

Here is a little frog and boy video for you, Brad...

Walker repeatedly said, "Hit it, Boy!" whenever they would start playing them.

piercing questions.

"Momma, I got your knife..." Walker yelled as he came running down the hall, while I was checking email this morning. Let's just say I was a little freaked to turn around and see what he had... Thankfully it was just my nail file... or my tiny knife, whichever you want to call it.

And on a much more serious note. This thing fell out of my sewing machine last night while I was getting a bobbin out of my little-secret-compartment-drawer...

...any ideas what it is... or where it goes??? Is it just some really weird foot that fell out of my little-secret-compartment-drawer???

just some sugar...

I just love Walker in this color green.. and since I was snapping his picture, I thought I better snap one of the big guy too...

so much sweetness!

miss skinny legs...

here is a quick picture of the big girl this morning before her haircut... and, of course, the cutie boys. I updated the wreath for spring with a couple of patriotic birdies... (this really doesn't fit with the rest of the post, but I just wanted to show y'all)

and look how pretty she is after... you can't really tell, but her toenails match her purple ribbons.

Wilson liked the new cut... I was really hoping to have her all-poodled-out this time around, really girlify her with enough time to grow it all out before The Man comes home... but she was too matted so we had to settle for painted toe nails...

Walker ripped the ribbons out of her hair before I even got to take pictures (I had to find them and put them back in...), he takes after his daddy in that regard. These boys are not big on the froo-froo even for our big labradoodle.

belts and turkey

I whipped up a couple of little belts for the boys the other night with one of Brad's ACU tops (the zipper was broken). You can see Wilson likes his... Here is a little closer view...

Walker liked his until I put it on him. Maybe we'll try again in a day or so...they don't need them with most of their pants, there are just a few pair that fall right off their little booties... I found the simple tutorial here.

We had a turkey dinner tonight. I sort of forgot about the turkey in our freezer - I originally planned on cooking it for Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa G. My friend and her son came over. Her husband is in Iraq and he left shortly after Thanksgiving. If you think of it, when you pray for us, would you also pray for Katie? I am finally spotting the shimmer of light at the end of our tunnel, but she can still see the light behind her from when he left. Every day over, is one day further from the day she last held him. (Thankfully my mom came and picked us up and brought us to Michigan at our 2 month mark. THANK YOU MOM! In case I didn't tell you before, THANK YOU! That was definitely a needed diversion for us then!)

So, your prayers are greatly appreciated. As always.

hero...

We were listening to K-Love on the way to school this morning (we always listen to K-Love -- unless an Amy Grant song comes on), and they are hosting a contest called "Uncommon Heroes." Basically, listeners can call in and tell a story about someone that has helped them become who they are today...

A lady called to tell a story about her elementary PE teacher, and from the backseat Wilson said, "We already know who our hero is..."

I turned around to look at him, and he smiled and said, "Daddy."

And momma almost started bawling right there behind the wheel.

redneck...

...valentine's. That's right, we're Nascar fans. The kind that buy their valentine's two days later for half-off... JJ with his Jimme Johnson heart'o'chocolate cars... ...and of course, you know Wilson got a Dale Jr. tin.

I just could NOT pass these up at the commissary today. Thankfully I pryed myself away from the Hershey's Pot of Gold Caramel Pecan box for $1.85. I am still surprised that it didn't end up in my cart.

For those of you that hadn't heard, we paid off the last debt of ours last week. I am still processing it all. I look forward to celebrating this milestone with Brad in person. It has been a long journey. Really, a new path altogether, as we won't suddenly revert back to "the way things were..." I think the thing that most surprised me about this journey toward becoming debt-free was how discontent I used to be... there was ALWAYS a list of things in my head that I wanted... I was jealous when other people got 'breaks' or got what I wanted... I judged how other people spent their money. God has definitely worked some MAJOR changes in my life, and in my heart. I'll have to write a post about it, maybe my top five lessons or something... I know a burden that I can never fully understand has been lifted from my husband's shoulders. I am so grateful.

a couple things...

I took these pictures some time in the last week or so... yes, they are in laundry baskets; um, yes, they are tied together with a microphone... they played like this for-ev-er......and giggled their silly heads off. (Who am I to judge, I made a bookshelf out of cardboard?!)Oh, and a girl from our SS class is expecting a baby girl this Friday. I wanted to get her a little something, and I found this SUPER easy tutorial on a blog for a swaddle sheet and burp clothes. She is an Army wife and I think something handmade is extra-special when family is so far away... Their last name is Cherry, so I picked a fabric with cherries on it... hehehe! Now I am waiting for someone else I know to get pregnant so I can make another...

And today, I got to take pictures of Nicole & Gavin welcome their hero home. It was the first welcome home ceremony that I have been to and it was spectacular. SO MUCH EXCITEMENT! I hope I got some good shots for them, I put my camera away and used theirs...

(Julie, "we're debt free" post still to come...)

done

the last of the great cardboard creations is completed. Part of why I have not been blogging in the evening the last few weeks is this big cardboard book display...Remember when Logan came over and helped me with a project in the driveway??? She and I froze our little tushies off sitting on the concrete paper-mache-ing this beast. It took me a few tries to get the 'shelves' exactly how I thought they should be... Last weekend I moved it inside so I could work on it in the evenings after the boys went to bed. Here is a picture of the boys on Wilson's Class Picture Day - of course he wanted to wear his tie! You can see the back of the bookshelf in this picture too. I used newspaper for the first layer of paper-mache and I used ripped-up picture book pages for the last layer - then sealed it with glossy mod-podge.

And here it is. I don't know how long it will last. I cut pieces of quarter round to use as 'rails' in front of each shelf. I asked a man at Lowe's about how to fasten the quarter round - that was an interesting conversation. Poor guy kept muttering, "I wish I could picture what you are talking about..." Finally, the night before last, I got an idea from "Ask This Old House" about how to hook the quarter round onto the sides. Its too hard to explain here, but as long as we are careful, it might make it a week or so...

To put my husband at ease, I took the rest of the cardboard scraps to the recycle center this week. Two trips worth of cardboard.

I think Brad was beginning to worry a bit about my sanity when I told him I was working on a cardboard bookshelf... And then when I told him a little about my conversation with the guy at Lowe's... I said, "No way would glue hold a 52 inch piece of molding up..." And Brad -a little shaken- asked, "That thing is 52 inches wide????" I know I told him I was using that flat panel TV box...

Anyway, I have wanted a bookshelf to display all the picture books for quite some time, this style bookshelf is SO stinking pricey... And knowing we will be moving, its hard to put that kind of money into something that may or may not work in the next place. So here is the solution - for now.

I got my sewing machine back out. I think I will enjoy those projects a little more. This was a little more effort than I intended... then it became a challenge to complete... you know, I HAD to finish it.

I will post pics of the boys, etc perhaps this evening. Now that I don't have to get my hands all dirty after they go to bed. Also, one of these days I will have to type up the "we're debt free" post. Wow. So much has happened while I was paper-mache-ing.

we are still here...

Wilson swinging last week...

Walker getting ready to roll, complete with Viking hat...

I will try to take some pictures this week...

a couple reenlistment pictures...

...Brad emailed these to me today. I thought some of you might like to see them. They had a little reenlistment ceremony for Spc. Lutz. I do like the pomp and circumstance that goes along with these types of things. Reminds one how serious a decision this is... ... I am proud. Proud to be married to this man that follows God well. Keep up the good work, babe.

this is home

Brad reenlisted today! I think I have known for quite some time that we would be sticking with this military life for awhile longer. And even so, I was surprised how quickly we came to this decision. God has led us well. I do not doubt that He will continue to do so.

Do you remember that I had hoped Brad would fall in love with Africa and we would become career missionaries??? That was my wish, not God's desire. Africa will always, always be deeply rooted in my heart. I am not going to get into predicting God's path though. His way is always surprising, and His timing is impeccable.

I will confess, while I was sort of wishing for Brad's heart to fall in love with the people of Africa, my heart was falling for the military families. Big time. It happened so gracefully, so powerfully, so deeply. There is a need here. And it is not going away anytime soon. Husbands will deploy. Families will be apart. And not only that - God is at work here. In so many ways. And the crazy part about this life, is when I say 'here' it means all over! Mind-boggling and comforting at the same time. And the best part, Brad and I both feel that He has personally invited us to join Him in His work right here.

There is a song that I have been hearing for quite some time now, and it really sums up how I feel about this part of our journey. (Isn't there always a song for me???)

Sometimes it seems a bit appealing to wonder about if we just got "out." But I can't really go there, because I know this is where we belong. The crazy thing is, when Brad was in training, the song "Homesick" made me cry every time I heard it. The part about 'if home is where the heart is then I am out of place.' And now, even apart, I feel like we are "home" right smack dab in the center of God's will for our family. Apart, but held tightly together by Him.

P.S. I had no idea this song had anything to do with Narnia. I just heard it on our satellite station. However, when I began singing along with it, I used to think it said, "And I can't go back, back to Hollywood" instead of "And I can't go back, back to how it was." One day I finally decided that I wanted to understand more of the "Hollywood" reference. So when I really listened to the lyrics, that is when I got it. I've liked the song a lot more since then. And yes, that does mean I am dork. I own it though. I am ok with that.

january thaw...

...when Wilson got off the bus yesterday, he wanted to sled on the front sidewalk. The north side of the house hadn't thawed... much. you see we pulled out the 'fancy-dancy sled' again...

wipe-out! (meanwhile, Walker is playing with the ice-cold water coming out of the eaves run-off)

...it was actually SUPER slick out there, because the snow/ice had melted really s-l-o-w-l-y. so it was turning into one large slab o'ice instead of individual pellets of ice... you know?

they both had a turn falling onto their little keysters...

I had to snap a picture of the 'thaw in progress.' I was standing between the street and the sidewalk to prevent any mishaps. This part of the yard was not blocked by the shadow of the house, so you can see it was fairly well melted... I still ♥ these shoes Brad.

...and always the diligent one- after a few turns on the sledding sidewalk, Wil wanted to finish shoveling the driveway. They pulled out their 'equipment' again, and got to work. Thankfully the sun did most of the work earlier in the day. Wilson was able to complete the job and enjoyed the satisfaction that came with his accomplishment.

Today was not nearly as warm as I had hoped it would be... but I will not complain, because I have a feeling most of you reading this would've gladly traded your weather for mine. I worked on a project outside. Curry and Barbie were kind enough to let Logan come help me. It was so fun hanging out on the freezing driveway with her today! Anyway, I am waiting to post pictures until the project is all done...

"snow" day #3... the fun never stops...

Wilson wanted to shovel the driveway today. I couldn't help but take some pictures... the equipment they are using for the size of driveway we have; pretty much is a direct correlation to the City of Lawton trying to clear the streets in town...

not even exaggerating... I saw a large tractor clearing streets on post today, I think they only have the one!

Wilson even tried a make-shift plow on his coaster car... very creative...

We did enjoy our day, it had a few bumps and a couple drops of Tabasco sauce, but overall, it was another nice, free day! I think tomorrow will be back to the grindstone. I kinda feel bad for the teachers after the kids had three days off in the middle of the week! I think Wil's class will be celebrating their 100th day (it was supposed to be Wednesday).