It doesn't get any easier...

As the storm quickly draws near to Texas and Steve in Houston, I just find it harder and harder to be patient. Is it because he's been gone so long? Probably. Is it because I'm concerned for his safety? Probably. Is it because I feel the strain of trying to keep things normal for my children at home? Surely.

And I've had wonderful support from my family and friends! As a matter of fact, I'm majorly indebted to many of you for being so supportive. Especially my mom and dad, Melissa, Shelley, and Sarah Gayle. You all are probably ready for Steve to be home so that you can have a break from me! But, even with all of the help we've experienced, we all know that no one can replace daddy!

And I realize this too... I need a break. More of a mental break than anything. I've tried to hide it and pretend that I'm capable of doing it alone. I never want to have to ask for help. But I guess I need it. Steve told me last night that he was ordering me to hire a babysitter for this weekend so that I could take an evening off. So, tomorrow evening, Sarah is going to watch the boys. I still feel guilty allowing someone else to completely care for them. Like I'm a failure for not being able to do it by myself. But I'm tired. And overwhelmed with all sorts of emotion. You know, Steve is not just a husband or father around here. He's my best friend. And having your husband and your best friend away at the same time is hard!

I'm alright. I'll always be alright. It's just hard to admit emotion like what I'm experiencing. I love my children! And I never want to fall short when it comes to mothering. But I feel like I'm letting them down. And that makes me feel inadequate.

Ike is coming!

Well, Ike will be making landfall sometime late tomorrow night. Steve is now in Houston staying in a hotel again finally. They are doing all sorts of preparations for tomorrow's hurricane. Their equipment is all parked indoors and they will probably sort of batton down their own hatches tomorrow. I'll most likely lose communication with him here in the near future. That's bumming me out. We've been able to be so close through our communication recently.

I think I'm just sort of down in general. I've been amazingly staying upbeat, but suddenly it's hitting. I think the stress of the storm added to the fact that this will be our third weekend without Steve home is just weighing on me. Plus, it's supposed to be a rainy weekend followed by more rain early in the week. It's hard to be forced indoors with three stir-crazy boys. I know I'll be fine, and I haven't lost Faith. I'm just a little emotional I guess. God will provide.

I'll keep you updated!

Another update

Well, not a lot has changed in the past few days. Steve is still in Lafayette Louisiana. He will likely be moved to Texas today or tomorrow. He's speculating San Antonio, but we'll know for sure in the near future.

One of the nice things about all of the down time that he has had this week is that we have been able to communicate very often. We text more than we talk, but it has been fun to stay connected throughout our days. It's not likely that many couples have the opportunity to grow closer together with such a distance between them. But, we have! Being apart has forced us to communicate better than we probably ever have. I miss him dearly, but I treasure the way our relationship has grown over the last twelve days.

And...I had a fun surprise at my door yesterday. Take a look:

My sweet husband took the time to find a florist and have these sent to me. They are pink roses. Pink is my favorite color! He's really the best!!!

Ike is scheduled to make landfall late Friday or early Saturday. After Ike hits and they can assess what work needs done, then we can start the countdown until Steve comes home. My prediction would be no sooner than next Wednesday if it doesn't do much damage like Gustav. However, it could be as late as next weekend or early the following week if Ike is as powerful as they are predicting. For now, patience and prayer are getting me through. I've never been much of a patient person... but I'm learning!

The children are doing very wonderfully through it all. Isn't it amazing how resilient they can be? I'm so stinking proud of them!

One final note... I think this was it. I think this is what God was preparing me for a couple weeks ago when I said that I felt change was on the way. We've had big changes around here through all this. And the best thing is that I feel that our marriage relationship has strengthened greatly, and that is amazing given the separation we are experiencing. God is faithful! He's really allowed us to thrive through what could be a very difficult time for us! I'll forever praise Him!

I saw God today...

Have you heard that song? It's a country song and I couldn't even tell you too much about it except for that in it George Straight sings of all of these moments in his life where he "sees" God. More like feels his presence probably, but you get my point.

Anyway, in accordance with that song... I saw God this evening. Not actually saw, but you know, felt his presence. Here's the scenario: I am tired and I feel like I was at a point of dispair almost, when God revealed Himself to me. I was on my way home from my mom and dad's with the boys, and I felt like I wouldn't even be able to muster the strength to get them into bed tonight. I prayed to make it through it. My prayers were interrupted by the phone ringing. It was Steve! It immediately lifts my spirits to hear from him anyway, but tonight he had a special request. He wanted me to use the speakerphone on my cell phone to allow him to help me tuck the boys into bed. I never even had to ask! God provided and I hadn't even had a chance to finish my prayer. Steve was a Godsend to me. And, you know, this was the best bedtime we've had since he left. I can just imagine how God heard me crying out and then put it on Steve's heart that he should call and do that for the boys. It was such a relief, and a blessing.

The best part is... most nights when I tuck them in they are rowdy and I frequently have to go in and get on them. Tonight... silence! I feel Him, I hear Him, and I'm praising Him right now for his mercy on this poor tired mother. Nolan also went to bed awake and yet is not making a peep. He NEVER goes to bed this easily. I know I'm seeing God today. And all I know to do is to share it with you!

As for Steve, he is in Lafayette Louisiana. He will probably be there for a few days until the storm takes a more definitive path. I think the team is pretty bored at this point, just hanging around and waiting for Ike. I'll update you on them when there is news other than the fact that they are bored and waiting!

Dear friends and family please continue to pray for us. Pray for Steve as he is away. Pray that he will be healthy and safe. Pray that he will find contentment with where he is. Pray for the boys and I. That we will be healthy, safe, and patient with one another. Pray that we will also be content as we spend this time away from Daddy. We have an amazing God who will provide for us, and we appreciate all of your prayers!

It's the weekend!

First, I'll update on Steve's news. Tomorrow they will leave Houston and head to Montgomery Alabama. Today they had training on Texas A&M's campus in College Station, TX. He said it was really HOT! He's enjoying Houston and the accomodations there but misses us, of course ;o)

We're doing well with him gone, getting by one day at a time. It'll be so wonderful to have him home soon, but in the meantime, we'll be fine. I miss him most at bedtime when I tuck the boys in. He's so wonderful with them and loves to tuck them in, and that is the time that they seem to notice his absence most. But, as I've said before, it's just a season...

Tomorrow is my 10 year high school reunion. I'm excited to go and see friends from high school. Mom and dad are watching the children and I can enjoy an evening with a break from caring for them. Don't get me wrong, it seems that most every evening I've had help of some kind since Steve left. I can't let you pity me. I'm blessed in so many ways!

A Change in Plans... :o(

Well... Ike has become a Category 4 hurricane and the Task Force has been re-mobilized and is STAYING in Houston for the time being. Steve says it may be next Friday or later. I'm bummed, I have to admit. But, we are doing fine and have been blessed to be surrounded by family and friends every day so far. The boys are doing ok right now, and I think we've fallen into a pretty good routine on our own.

Maybe this was what God has been preparing me for... the more I think about it and the longer Steve is gone, the more I realize that it probably is. I mean, I'm not good at change and I'm not usually content in situations like these. Surprisingly though, I've handled this time pretty well. I'm making the best of the time and enjoying the time that we have had to spend with our family and friends. I consider myself richly blessed over and over again... God continues to provide in so many ways, and I never doubt that He will continue to do so.

I'd appreciate greatly any prayers that you would offer up on Steve's behalf. I know that what he is doing is a very noble thing, and I could not support him more! I just want him to be healthy and safe while he is away. And, I'd like for him to be just as content away from home as we have been here at home (and I think he has been thus far!) This season is surely a short one, and we'll be through it in no time!

Demobilization!!!

Steve called this afternoon and they have been demobilized! They leave Houston in the morning, spend tomorrow night in Tennessee (their route will avoid weather and hurricane related traffic), and then get home Friday afternoon. He warned me that they would still be on the deployment list should Ike or Josephine hit that area again. At least he'll be home for the time being!

Now my prayers have turned to safe travel for the next couple of days. May the Lord watch over them and keep them safe while they are returning!

I have to admit, I'm tired... real tired! Nolan didn't sleep well last night, so I was up with him 4 times. And mentally I just need a break. So, tonight I'm going to relax on the couch, watch a show or two, and get to bed! And, as I told the boys, hopefully I'll wake up refreshed and no longer grumpy...to which they agreed!

He called!

Well, shortly after I posted, Steve called. They are turning around and headed to Houston to be stationed there for the night. They were on their way to a mission but then were told that they were not needed. So... more waiting. They are hearing rumors that they will stay stationed in Houston until Tropical Storm Ike makes it's appearance. But that is just hearsay at this point. He said that it is a possibility, but so is them coming home soon. Let's just keep praying for the team and when he gets home, we can all rejoice together! And once again, Praise God for their safety as they have weathered quite a storm!

Stay tuned...there will be more updates soon!

Sept. 2

I may be on later to update if Steve calls. But, I just checked the update line and Steve is now in Gonzales, LA awaiting a mission. By now they probably have received some sort of notification. I'm just awaiting another update. I'm hoping for his sake that they get to do something, but for our sake that it doesn't take too long :o) Selfish? Absolutely!

We are doing fine here at home. Avery is back in school after the long weekend and we are trying to resume a semblance of a routine. I must say the boys are somewhat emotional, but not bad. Just a little easy to cry.

Well, like I said, I may update tonight if I hear from Steve directly. His phone battery is barely hanging on, so we'll see. And...hopefully before long I can let everyone know when they are headed home!!!

Keep praying!!!

Labor Day update

I heard from Steve at about 8 p.m. They have been getting a lot of rain where he is. Thankfully they aren't in tents after all. They are in concrete buildings. Tonight, however, they are mobilizing between midnight and 4 a.m. to Shreveport or somewhere nearby. As of now, he isn't sure about the extent of the work they will be doing. It's too early to tell. But he's ready to do something. I guess they're pretty bored with the waiting. The good news is that all is well. I love to hear his voice. Oh, how I miss him. When I tuck the boys in bed at night it is everything I can do to not break down. How do military wives do it??? Lord please bless those who do this long term!!!



We had a fun Labor day. We went to a birthday party where the boys swam and played in a bounce house. Then we came home and had a cookout with Grandma Darlene, Papaw Bobby, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Hilary, Oriana and Camden. The children played and swam and really wore themselves out. It was a great distraction and by the time everyone left it was bedtime. That was good news for me! Here are a few pictures Grandma took this evening: