You know your husband is in a wild line of work when . . .

You have a phone conversation that goes like this...
"Hey Christy, good to hear from you, but can I call you back I just got out of the gas chamber."

It Rained Today!

Yes, it did! The forecasters said it was supposed to be hot and dry this week and forecasts for rain have been few and far between, but suddenly this morning it started pouring. I don't mean a few drops trickled, I mean it was like a tropical storm out there. So what did we do? We celebrated! Watering this yard is a tough job in the scorching heat, and my poor garden has been desperate for water. That's why rain from heaven is such a blessing! So we got out our boogie board, put on our rain gear and celebrated right there in the middle of the pouring rain.

With glees of delight, we celebrated this unexpected rainstorm and as we laughed, I was reminded of how inaccurate forecasts can be. The dog days of summer are ahead of us both literally and figuratively. My dad is starting chemo, precious friends are moving, and Dan's job is going to be increasingly demanding in the coming months. There isn't much relief in sight, but I am gonna use this monsoon from out of nowhere as a reminder: God pours out his blessings whenever he chooses whether it's forecasted or not.

Happy Father's Day, Dan!

I remember when I met you thinking a lot of things, mostly how much I would love to make you mine, but I never quite thought past that to how exactly you'd pan out as a father. Turns out fatherhood suits you better than I could have imagined even if I'd tried. I can't tell you how many times I giggle to myself thinking "Don't tell that 27 year old guy, that you once were, that you'd know all about Dora the Explorer, how irregular a two year old can be and the components to a well packed diaper bag." You have mastered the art of moving fluidly from Jedi to dragon to a date for tea in a matter of minutes. More importantly you have mastered the art of shifting from pilot to daddy in seconds. They'd never know the stress on your plate, because the second you step in this door at the end of a very long day you are ready to play. To them you are the king of buttermilk pancakes, sword fighting, and sand castles. You play with them in the morning and pray with them at night, and to them that's all that matters, but to me it means so much more. Thanks for leading this family in faith, and love, and a good dose of laughter. We love you!!!

Blowing Bubbles

Okay, here we have a study in contrast. Here we have intensity and levity all wrapped into one family: same genetic package, completely contrasting personalities.

Check out your face, Tink! Blowing your guts out to get one bubble.
Look at you, Pete, enjoying the many bubbles blown from gentle breaths.

Love the socks, Pete! Love 'em! Keep up with expressing yourself in little ways... or maybe it was just the last pair of socks left in your drawer thanks to your mom's excellent ability at keeping up with the wash.

See how well you can play together. Keep up with that! Your siblings can be some of the best friends you can have. They hold a mirror to your soul. They see the patterns of who you have been since you were little. They're the ones who rub off the rough edges to prepare you for The One, Lord willing, that you will spend the rest of your life with. I thank God for the treasure I have in my brothers and all the moments we've shared. I pray that you someday will feel the same way about each other.

Best Friends

I have friends! Beautiful, wonderful, precious, thoughtful friends!
They've shaped me, taught me hobbies, cared for my kids, door bell ditched cakes and flowers, and made me a better person. I love them like crazy and now 5 of them are moving. I knew when I married into the military WE would have to move, but I didn't consider the heartbreak of watching moving van after moving van haul my closest friends away to different parts of the country and the world. I think I want to go throw up now!

Rewind . . . junior high, greasy haired plain jane desperate for one friend. I remember a day in my living room praying with some close family friends for God to give me one friend. The man who was praying finished his prayer with light in his eyes, and said. God is gonna give you so many precious friends. Ohhhh and how he has!!!!!!!!

So this post is dedicated to those girls moving or not, who have shaped my very soul and made me a better friend and person. I treasure each of you!!! You all are an answer to a prayer that I prayed so many years ago. God does immeasurably more than we could ever ask for or imagine. I have the best friends in the whole world. And a message to the rest of the world: If you live in Virginia, Florida, California, or Taiwan I have great news for you..... the best friend you ever had is moving to a town near you.... snatch her up while you still can.

And now I want to thank God for email, blogs, unlimited phone minutes, and my friends who aren't moving!