Tomorrow morning we leave for our sons Air Force graduation.
This has been the year!!
In March we flew to San Diego for our Marines graduation ceremony, in May our daughter graduated from college and into the real world, and tomorrow we leave for our Airman's graduation ceremonies.
San Antonio and 100 degree weather here we come ready or not.
I don't know how many more life changing events I can handle.
I think I need a vacation.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Sr. Mary
Our little Sister Mary has a new name. Sister Anne Therese - (pronounced te rez) - as in Saint Therese of Lisieux.
What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
Her parents made phone calls to announce her new name just as parents announce the arrival of a new child. it was so awesome to get the call :)
I can't wait to see pictures of her in her new habit and veil. She was so excited about her wedding dress when she was home in May. She has sewn the entire thing herself. with not a little seam ripping occurring. lol
What a beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
Her parents made phone calls to announce her new name just as parents announce the arrival of a new child. it was so awesome to get the call :)
I can't wait to see pictures of her in her new habit and veil. She was so excited about her wedding dress when she was home in May. She has sewn the entire thing herself. with not a little seam ripping occurring. lol
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
and he is off...
Today our son Nick left for basic training. He has waited so long for this day. Today he left as a newly engaged man leaving a woman who understands his desire and need to do this as much as his family does. And we will miss him but in just 9 weeks we will see him graduate and in a few months he will be back planning their wedding.
Congratulations Nick
Be Safe
We Love You
love Ma (and Pa)
Congratulations Nick
Be Safe
We Love You
love Ma (and Pa)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Baby Therapy
Sister Mary is home for her 5 day visit. It will be four years before she is back in Minnesota for a visit.
Sr. Mary is the youngest daughter of our good friends to me she is The Little Sister. In August her parents delivered her to St. Cecilia's in Nashville. She will be a Dominican teacher when she is through with her course work. She loves her new life as a postulant and it shows. Her mom told me she brought home the clothes she traveled in to Nashville 9 months ago. She will not be needing them again. Ever. She is staying. And it is no surprise, for as my daughter Brittany said more than once this weekend, she glows. Sister Mary has found her vocation and is loving it. Thank the Lord for vocations and young women like Sister Mary.
Sr. Mary's entire family came over for supper Friday evening. We were to have a bonfire but it was raining. Sister Mary who had been up since 4 AM lasted until about 10 and she was ready to head home. She usually gets about 7 hours of sleep and was getting up early in the morning to go to morning Mass. Saturday night Sister Mary, her parents and her sister Sarah came over for a bonfire this time we had time to visit. Sister really does glow with an inner peace as she is walking the path set out for her by our Lord. She freely shares her life and stories about her family the sisters, her St. Cecelia family. They stayed late it was after 11 PM before they headed home.
Her parents are having a struggle. As I watched them the past 3 days. Her mom talked to me letting me know her feelings. But her dad, he is so unusually quiet. My heart is breaking for them. They know this is right, they see the joy and peace in Sister Mary. This is their baby, their little girl. Living so far away in a way of life we only have glimpses of. She will take her first vows in late July and get her habit, her wedding dress. She said the dress was done before she left on her trip and she sewed it herself. (And spent some time ripping out stitches to make it right.) The veil is not yet complete. This summer she has classes at the convent one of the classes is learning about her vows.
Brittany came home this weekend just for Sr. Mary. Sr. Mary has kept Brittany and her husband in prayer from the time they were married, when they started to treat their infertility and she was one of the first to know they were pregnant. Oh how she prayed for these babies. But today at Mass I wondered if there was another reason for this impromtu visit home. As I watched Sr. Mary's dad walk into church I felt the need to offer the baby I was holding to him. So just as Mass started he looked back at little Michael in my arms and put his finger out for Michael to grab on. As much as I wanted to hold my grandson I leaned forward and asked him if he wanted to hold Michael. Sr. Mary's dad held that baby all through mass. I cried several times at Mass for him, for them. I really hate when I have no control over tears. I don't know what he thought after mass I know I looked like I had cried. But I got the biggest hug from him. He didn't say a word. I don't know if he was trying to comfort me because of the tears or if he was thanking me for the gift of holding that baby. But I am going with the latter.
We got pictures of the Little sister holding those 2 boys in church. The next time she sees them they will be about 5 and in school.
Tuesday Sr. Mary will leave to return to her home, to her family, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. And to close
the words Sr. Mary's friend Nikki wrote about saying goodbye to Sr. Mary again...
"you would think saying goodbye would start getting easier, but that definitely doesn't seem to be the case does it... thank You Jesus for such an incredible friend! I can see why You chose her to be Your Bride :) "though I cannot see your face, I will see you in the Eucharist" ♥
Sr. Mary is the youngest daughter of our good friends to me she is The Little Sister. In August her parents delivered her to St. Cecilia's in Nashville. She will be a Dominican teacher when she is through with her course work. She loves her new life as a postulant and it shows. Her mom told me she brought home the clothes she traveled in to Nashville 9 months ago. She will not be needing them again. Ever. She is staying. And it is no surprise, for as my daughter Brittany said more than once this weekend, she glows. Sister Mary has found her vocation and is loving it. Thank the Lord for vocations and young women like Sister Mary.
Sr. Mary's entire family came over for supper Friday evening. We were to have a bonfire but it was raining. Sister Mary who had been up since 4 AM lasted until about 10 and she was ready to head home. She usually gets about 7 hours of sleep and was getting up early in the morning to go to morning Mass. Saturday night Sister Mary, her parents and her sister Sarah came over for a bonfire this time we had time to visit. Sister really does glow with an inner peace as she is walking the path set out for her by our Lord. She freely shares her life and stories about her family the sisters, her St. Cecelia family. They stayed late it was after 11 PM before they headed home.
Her parents are having a struggle. As I watched them the past 3 days. Her mom talked to me letting me know her feelings. But her dad, he is so unusually quiet. My heart is breaking for them. They know this is right, they see the joy and peace in Sister Mary. This is their baby, their little girl. Living so far away in a way of life we only have glimpses of. She will take her first vows in late July and get her habit, her wedding dress. She said the dress was done before she left on her trip and she sewed it herself. (And spent some time ripping out stitches to make it right.) The veil is not yet complete. This summer she has classes at the convent one of the classes is learning about her vows.
Brittany came home this weekend just for Sr. Mary. Sr. Mary has kept Brittany and her husband in prayer from the time they were married, when they started to treat their infertility and she was one of the first to know they were pregnant. Oh how she prayed for these babies. But today at Mass I wondered if there was another reason for this impromtu visit home. As I watched Sr. Mary's dad walk into church I felt the need to offer the baby I was holding to him. So just as Mass started he looked back at little Michael in my arms and put his finger out for Michael to grab on. As much as I wanted to hold my grandson I leaned forward and asked him if he wanted to hold Michael. Sr. Mary's dad held that baby all through mass. I cried several times at Mass for him, for them. I really hate when I have no control over tears. I don't know what he thought after mass I know I looked like I had cried. But I got the biggest hug from him. He didn't say a word. I don't know if he was trying to comfort me because of the tears or if he was thanking me for the gift of holding that baby. But I am going with the latter.
We got pictures of the Little sister holding those 2 boys in church. The next time she sees them they will be about 5 and in school.
Tuesday Sr. Mary will leave to return to her home, to her family, the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. And to close
the words Sr. Mary's friend Nikki wrote about saying goodbye to Sr. Mary again...
"you would think saying goodbye would start getting easier, but that definitely doesn't seem to be the case does it... thank You Jesus for such an incredible friend! I can see why You chose her to be Your Bride :) "though I cannot see your face, I will see you in the Eucharist" ♥
Monday, May 2, 2011
May 2nd
Today is my oldest daughter's 27th birthday. I was thinking of her first thing this morning when I heard the headline news Osama Bin Laden is dead. This news has overwhelmed the media today. On the internet there are many rejoicing. A military facebook friend asked for flags to be put as profile pictures. I was disturbed by what many people had written on their facebook pages.
this was the first one I could feel myself recoil as I read this it seems wrong:
Osama bin Laden was shot in the head.. by US military! We have the body..
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!! Oohrah We got him!!!!
Before I left for work I found a picture in my photos of white headstones from a small old National cemetery that our family stopped at years ago. I posted that as my profile picture. The thought of the number of deaths that have occurred since 9/11 here in the US and in the Mid East had me questioning the celebration of a mans death.
I fear for the safety of people around the world and for our military men and women.
I fear there will be an escalation to terrorist attacks.
I am saddened and afraid for all of us.
Dear Jesus be with us
this was the first one I could feel myself recoil as I read this it seems wrong:
Osama bin Laden was shot in the head.. by US military! We have the body..
USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA!!!!!! Oohrah We got him!!!!
Before I left for work I found a picture in my photos of white headstones from a small old National cemetery that our family stopped at years ago. I posted that as my profile picture. The thought of the number of deaths that have occurred since 9/11 here in the US and in the Mid East had me questioning the celebration of a mans death.
I fear for the safety of people around the world and for our military men and women.
I fear there will be an escalation to terrorist attacks.
I am saddened and afraid for all of us.
Dear Jesus be with us
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The times they are a changin
Yesterday was a day of changes for our family.
Our Marine graduated from his combat training course and has moved on to his advanced school. He will be in Monterey California for about 18 months. I hope we can go visit him while he is there.
Our daughter has a job starting 2 weeks after her college graduation. The job will be demanding.... at least 2 weeks of every month will be on the road. Of course we do not know specifics at this time. She will be looking for a place to live in the Madison area. Hopefully with a a roommate and she knows of several others interviewing for jobs in the area.
My DH has a new title with increased responsibilities including a lager territory which means more time on the road.
With life comes changes.
I welcome these changes !
Our Marine graduated from his combat training course and has moved on to his advanced school. He will be in Monterey California for about 18 months. I hope we can go visit him while he is there.
Our daughter has a job starting 2 weeks after her college graduation. The job will be demanding.... at least 2 weeks of every month will be on the road. Of course we do not know specifics at this time. She will be looking for a place to live in the Madison area. Hopefully with a a roommate and she knows of several others interviewing for jobs in the area.
My DH has a new title with increased responsibilities including a lager territory which means more time on the road.
With life comes changes.
I welcome these changes !
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time passing
It has been almost 3 weeks since my last post. Our birthdays are this coming week mine and DH's -we celebrate 2 days apart. I will be 48... I can't believe that. Where has time gone? Birthday's have never bothered me. A lot of people tell me they find it hard getting older. I guess I've always thought the alternative to a birthday is being dead - so birthday's are a good thing!!
DH is celebrating his 50th birthday - a 1/2 century old. That's almost dead right?
I found a card that tells him to avoid going toward the bright light -I laughed and bought it. I also found one that talked about bacon.... He'll get it ( the card and the part about bacon :) .
The kids came up with something special for their dad's 50th since none of them can be here to celebrate. They have been busy planning this for a few months since with Chris gone it has been hard to make sure he gets his part done. Of course the procrastinators are Nick who lives in our house and Brittany who came up with the idea and planned it.
Speaking of Chris have not heard from him since April 3rd. He has been in the field without liberty for the last 2 weeks. Hopefully he will have liberty and time to call us this weekend. He will have another field exercise similar to the crucible next week. It will be a 4 day exercise after which he will graduate and move on to his advance schooling. He will be stationed at the Presidio in Monterey, California for about a year and a half or 580 days they really gave him the time in days! He will be at the DLI - Defense language Institute. After 580 days at DLI he will have more schooling somewhere in Texas for another 3-5 months before he will be deploy-able. So we have about 2 years of knowing he will be safe state side and then all bets are off. Since the mid East languages have the longest schooling we believe that is what he is learning and he will be somewhere in Afghanistan after his schooling is complete.
And speaking of completing schooling Kelsey will graduate on May 15th and if all goes well we will move her into an apartment in Madison. She has been interviewing and things look promising for a job there. I feel emotional knowing both of my girls will be settling so far away from us but we knew when they went to school there this was a possibility. I also know she can stand on her own 2 feet since she has done such an awesome job of this over the past 5 years. During these years we have usually seen her 4-5 times a school year.
Nick is holding steady - he is waiting for the day he leaves for basic training and in the mean time keeps busy. He will be a semester short of graduation when he leaves for basic training.
Which brings me to Brittany and Ken.... I can't even imagine how busy their lives continue to be. Brittany works 2 weeks of day shifts and then a week of evenings. She works every 3rd weekend. Kens new job is going well. The boys continue to grow and are both over 14 pounds at just about 4 months. I can't wait to see them next weekend and again at Easter.
Just a quick pic of Chris with his nephews - notice the hair is the same!!
DH is celebrating his 50th birthday - a 1/2 century old. That's almost dead right?
I found a card that tells him to avoid going toward the bright light -I laughed and bought it. I also found one that talked about bacon.... He'll get it ( the card and the part about bacon :) .
The kids came up with something special for their dad's 50th since none of them can be here to celebrate. They have been busy planning this for a few months since with Chris gone it has been hard to make sure he gets his part done. Of course the procrastinators are Nick who lives in our house and Brittany who came up with the idea and planned it.
Speaking of Chris have not heard from him since April 3rd. He has been in the field without liberty for the last 2 weeks. Hopefully he will have liberty and time to call us this weekend. He will have another field exercise similar to the crucible next week. It will be a 4 day exercise after which he will graduate and move on to his advance schooling. He will be stationed at the Presidio in Monterey, California for about a year and a half or 580 days they really gave him the time in days! He will be at the DLI - Defense language Institute. After 580 days at DLI he will have more schooling somewhere in Texas for another 3-5 months before he will be deploy-able. So we have about 2 years of knowing he will be safe state side and then all bets are off. Since the mid East languages have the longest schooling we believe that is what he is learning and he will be somewhere in Afghanistan after his schooling is complete.
And speaking of completing schooling Kelsey will graduate on May 15th and if all goes well we will move her into an apartment in Madison. She has been interviewing and things look promising for a job there. I feel emotional knowing both of my girls will be settling so far away from us but we knew when they went to school there this was a possibility. I also know she can stand on her own 2 feet since she has done such an awesome job of this over the past 5 years. During these years we have usually seen her 4-5 times a school year.
Nick is holding steady - he is waiting for the day he leaves for basic training and in the mean time keeps busy. He will be a semester short of graduation when he leaves for basic training.
Which brings me to Brittany and Ken.... I can't even imagine how busy their lives continue to be. Brittany works 2 weeks of day shifts and then a week of evenings. She works every 3rd weekend. Kens new job is going well. The boys continue to grow and are both over 14 pounds at just about 4 months. I can't wait to see them next weekend and again at Easter.
Just a quick pic of Chris with his nephews - notice the hair is the same!!
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