Pride...and Panic

All parents will agree that the day their children are born (or given to them, in the instances of those who so lovingly adopt) are the happiest and proudest moments of their lives.

Then come the times in each child's life that renew the happiness and pride in parents' lives. The first time they sleep through the night (oh, the PURE joy and happiness...), the first time they roll over, crawl, eat solid food, take a step, "go" on the potty (and continue to do so)...the first day of school, good grades and comments from teachers...driving a car (probably more panic, actually, than pride) graduating from high school (or, in some cases, obtaining the equivalent thereto), attending and completing college, finding the "right" person, getting married, giving grandkids...the list goes on and on. Of course, most, if not all, of these things can also cause a true feeling of panic in parents, too. Sleeping through the night, for example, will almost always cause the parents to NOT sleep through the night because they spend the night checking to make sure everything is okay. Rolling over...well, okay, you get the point. You can figure the rest of the panics out on your own.

Today was a supreme source of both PRIDE and PANIC for me. While I have known the day was coming for a while (he has talked about enlisting for a long time) and I thought I was "prepared" for it, the dawning of the day ushered in a whole new set of emotions.

My not-quite-19-year-old son enlisted in the United States Army today. I had the honor and privilege of being there to witness him being sworn in. While the "ceremony" itself was nice and low-key, the symbolic meaning made it completely amazing. I am bursting with PRIDE for him.






I truly believe that making the choice to serve our country's military is one of the most honorable things a person can do. These young men and women give their lives to serve and defend our country as well as to provide protection, liberty and freedom for those who are unable to provide for themselves. When I say "give their lives," I don't necessarily mean it in the sense that most people have come to think of (as in "the ultimate final sacrifice")...I mean it in the sense that they give up their ability to do as they please, when they please (move, change jobs, quit jobs, etc.). Their lives can change at the drop of a hat - or the blow of a whistle. One minute they're going about their business where ever they may be stationed, reporting to their stateside duty station, and the next minute they are finding out they will be heading out for a foreign and not-always-so-friendly destination where they may or may not be wanted at the time. And yes, sadly, tragically...many of our finest do give their lives...

Yes, I am PROUD. I can stand up and say my SON is defending me, my family, you, your family, my neighbors, strangers...And while he is one of many (thankfully), he is my one-of-a-kind, my first born, keeper of a very special place in my heart. I love him endlessly.

But the pride does not come without the price of panic. I am terrified. I am terrified of my baby being sent to a war zone. What momma isn't? That type of deployment seems inevitable, although I hope and pray that it doesn't happen. I can't define my sense of panic as well as I can my sense of pride, but I'm not sure it really needs definition. What I can say, without question, is that the depth of my panic is immense. I pray continually that our Lord and Savior will keep him safe and protected, where ever he may be.

I ask that you pray, too...the power of prayer is great, greater still in volume!!!

What's Been Up...

Well, football season has begun again. Yea. Woo hoo.

So, let me just say that I do actually like football. Really, I do....

However...(ha - for all those who thought I would say, "But...")

I live in a house divided. I am an OU fan. I am not maniacal, though. My husband is a Nebraska Cornhusker, through and through. He is maniacal. He hates OU. I do not hate Nebraska and actually like them. I pay attention to what they have going on and wish them well. I only wish them to lose when they play OU. Anyway, it gets a little tense in my house on game days. Tense enough that I do not care to watch football at all. That's pretty much what went on on Saturday. I will spare the details.


Sunday was great! We went to "JourneyKids" (as Evan calls it) and it was a great talk. The current series is "There is no "If" in Joy." I would highly recommend checking it out online. You can click the link on the right side of the page and then when you are re-directed, click the link on the Journey site that says, "Watch Current Series."

After church we went home and did some yard work. Evan is always so proud of helping Daddy "lawn mower, weed eater and spreader." This time, though, he spent a bit more time helping Mommy pull some weeds. After all that, Pat and Mikel headed off to softball and Evan and I did a few things around the house and then went out to the ball field to watch. It's always a bit of a challenge to take him out there because he is all over the place and really wants to get out on the field (that's the real trial). He was really good this time...and it was so obvious that is growing up so very quickly.

Mikel started a new job (again) yesterday at Norman Door & Plywood. He's delivering building materials all over (pretty much) the state. Pat has been working on a bathroom tile project that has turned into a bit more (like installing new sub-flooring because the old was rotted out) than he originally thought. Me...well, I'm up to my behind in alligators at work, trying to keep my act together at home and my sanity in tact. It's busy - but good!

RNC

Sarah Palin was AWESOME. She did a fantastic job. She was confident and appealing. I'm really glad McCain chose her!!!

Rudy Guiliani's speech content regarding facts was great, although I thought his delivery was a little too flippant and sarcastic. It was his tone that people will construe as "attacking." I think it's difficult to find fault or make accusations of "attack" when you are stating facts (such as voting record), but the tone and delivery can make it seem another way!

McCain/Palin

So...at this point, all they've managed to "dig up" on Sarah Palin is ...

1. She is under investigation for potentially using her position as Governor to have her brother-in-law fired from a position with the Alaska DPS (or whatever they call it). GASP! Has anyone EVER heard of a politician using authority to have something done??? SHOCKING, isn't it?!?!? I mean, really! (WHO CARES?????)

2. Her 17-year-old daughter is pregnant. I don't even know where to start with this one. It infuriates me that this is an issue that people deem as negative. Don't get me wrong here, it isn't as if I think kids should run around having sex and getting pregnant. Far from it. But because it happened, does that mean that Palin is a bad choice? Does that mean that her morals are questionable? Does that mean she doesn't take care of what's hers? Uh...NO. No one - and I mean NO ONE - outside of their family knows exactly what goes on in their home, and by that I mean that no ones knows the discussions that are had and what values are taught. Parents can teach until they are blue in the face. Kids are going to do what they want to do about 98% of the time. Because, as we all know, parents don't really know anything. And those who are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, freaking out over this, should really examine their own lives. Are you perfect? Are you without fault or sin? The answer is no. Let's take a look at the world in general...Our Father created us. He even had an instruction manual written for us. And every day, every one of us disobeys Him. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I cannot BELIEVE this is causing such a storm. And my word...how offensive to young, unwed mothers and fathers. And their parents. The list goes on and on. She's having a baby, and a baby is a gift from GOD under any circumstances. A baby certainly isn't something that should be looked down upon or called into question.

President Bill Clinton had a freaking affair while he was in office and people still listen to him. And what's wrong with Hillary that Billy went and had the affair? (Wait, was it plural? Affairs?) I suppose that had to be her fault. So, by all means, lets write her off...


(Okay, seriously...my blood is boiling.)

3. Her husband has a 20-year-old DUI conviction. Has anyone looked at the majority of our legislators lately???? COME ON!!!



I don't have the time or the inclination to research every single politician out there. Probably don't have the stomach for it either. None of these self-righteous idiots who are spouting this santemoneous crap are without problems.

Losing Touch

Yep, I've done it again. I go into this with all kinds of good intentions and then just...stop. Oh, I start blogs. I have all these ideas when I start one up. But then...it's almost like I lose the thoughts or the enthusiasm pretty much the minute I start to write.

Who knows...maybe I'll get on a kick - maybe I won't.

Glass Houses and Stones...

Seems to me I remember a saying that goes something like this: "People who live in glass houses should not throw stones."

Probably the same goes for bloggers who don't post that often, either. Especially when their fellow bloggers don't go taking pot-shots at them...

;)