Well, Steve, the kids, and I all made it to PA safely. It was snowing when we got here. It was really pretty since it was the kind that falls, but doesn't stick. We had a very adventurous time on the road though.
We had a house full of people on Thanksgiving, and it was a blessing to be sure. I loved seeing my brother and mother and his family and having my family, it made for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We started loading up the truck on Friday and finished with it Saturday. We got a late start on Saturday, a lot later than we were planning, but we were still in high spirits. We were some where just outside of Pulaski, VA when something happened..... The van almost came completely off the tow dolly! Steve said that he felt like something was right, and I told him that I could see sparks flying off of the tow dolly, so we pulled off so he could check and sure enough, it was almost completely off of the dolly. Steve thanked God right then and there that it didn't come off of the dolly because I would have been hit by it and I had Stevie and Freddy in the car with me.
We had to stop in Pulaski, which was about 50 miles south of Roanoke. We called Budget and they said that they would have an auto transport out to us by 8:30 9:00 the next morning. They explained to Steve that he had been rented the wrong equipment and that he wouldn't have to pay the difference for the right equipment.
Well the next morning dawned cold and rainy, and then 9:00 came and went. We called them to find out what was going on, and they told us that the nearest Budget place that was open on a Sunday was in Roanoke and they didn't open until 10am. So we waited until then only to find out that they didn't have what we needed. There was a place there in Pulaski that had what we needed, but it was behind a locked fence.... Finally we decided to bite the gas mileage and I would drive the van, and we would tow the car. The tow dolly was designed to pull a little car like that anyway, so off we went around noon. We drove for a while, then stopped to get lunch for everyone.
We wound up having to stay the night in Breezewood, PA. It is only about 3 hours from home where we were, but it was about 11 at night when we stopped because the fog was getting really bad. We hit the road the next morning around 9 and made it in to Sigel around noon. It was a trip I won't forget nor will I rent from Budget again.
Steve went and had my van looked at and there is damage done to the front end from that incident, about $500 worth. I am just glad that it got me to where I needed to go and Budget will be paying to have it fixed.
I don't want to make that big of a move for a while! Goodness.....
To eveyone who prayed for our safe journey, thank you. Your prayers were heard and answered, for we are here and no worse for the wear.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What it really costs!
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."
PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Isn't it funny?
Don't you think that it is funny how some things work out? My entire family has been praying for my dad. He hasn't spoken to anyone really in many, many years. Friday night, Nanny called me to let me know that she had spoken with my dad, and that he asked about me and my brother. Then, last night, my brother told me that he had spoken to dad and that they had a very nice conversation. My dad didn't have the right telephone number for me, so Jerry gave me his number. I wondered whether or not to call him, and Jerry said to just give it a shot. So I did! I am so glad that I did. We had a great conversation, and we are looking forward to many more. Thank you Lord, for answering our family prayer. I am so glad to start the road to recovery, especially this time of year.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Freddy is 6 months old.
WOW, I can't believe that my little baby is 6 months old already. Freddy is doing well. He had an A+ check up on Thursday. He is smiling all the time, and he is trying to crawl. He has one tooth that has come through, and according to the doctor a few more that aren't far behind. Right now I have something to say for his sleeping schedule because he doesn't seem to like to sleep at night. Last night I was up with him until 12:45 when he finally played himself out. He does like to sleep in odd place though, like his jumper. I have some pictures on that. Kyle is doing well, he is the second highest Accelerated Reader out of all the second grade classes. GO KYLE! I am so proud of him. Now if he could just stay out of trouble he would be set. Stevie is still trying to do the potty training thing. I don't know what it is with this child, but he just seems to be taking his time about it. I was told to let him do it at his own pace and we will get there, but man I can't wait until he gets there. Here are some new pictures of the boys. Everyone take care and love you.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I know I have been really bad about posting updates to my first blog, but I have been busy with one thing or a million over the last several weeks. Life here is going well. Kyle got into some trouble on the bus ride home one day last month, the Monday after his birthday to be exact. He got mad at the boy sitting next to him and decided to retaliate by stabbing this kid in the leg with his pencil! I KNOW! I couldn't believe it. I was so angry with him. I sent him to his room for about 30 minutes so I could calm down enough to speak to him without yelling. Still didn't work. I raised my voice a little. I asked him why he did that, and he told me that it was because the kid got him into trouble with the bus driver. I asked him how and he said it was because he was STANDING while the bus was moving and the driver didn't notice him UNTIL the kid asked him to sit down. Sometimes I don't know what to do with him. I am praying that what I am telling him and teaching him isn't going in one ear and out the other, but when he does stuff like this, seems to me that the information is doing exactly that.
On a happier note. Freddy is going to be 6 months old on the 20th of this month. He is now eating baby food and he is sitting up with a little bit of help. He also rolls everywhere now and has started to TRY to crawl. It is funny to watch him because he mainly goes backwards right now. He will scoot himself backwards into the kitchen. He seems so amazed with himself when he accomplishes his goals. To tell you the truth, I am amazed by him as well. I couldn't be prouder of that little boy. He is trying to cut several teeth at once. He has about 4 bumps on the bottom gum and 3 bumps on the top gum.
Stevie is busy being 3 years old. He is trying to potty train but gets easily distracted. I was told that he will do it when he is good and ready to and not to rush him. He seems to have better days when I don't push so hard with the potty training and just let him do it on his own. He is looking forward to going trick or treating this year. He wants to be a cowboy for Halloween. We are going to one of the local churches for their version of trick or treating, called Trunk or Treat. It is set up in the parking area and grounds there of the church and there will be games and mazes and moon bounces, and all sorts of things, plus people with their car trunks full of candy! I am looking forward to it.
Other than the usual parenting things, nothing else is really going on around here. Just taking everything one day at a time and thanking the good Lord above for everything that is in my life. It took me a while to appreciate what I have and not pine for what I don't. I am a lot happier for it. Let me know if anyone has any ideas on potty training a stubborn 3 year old. I will gladly take any and all offered advice. Take care everyone, until next time!
On a happier note. Freddy is going to be 6 months old on the 20th of this month. He is now eating baby food and he is sitting up with a little bit of help. He also rolls everywhere now and has started to TRY to crawl. It is funny to watch him because he mainly goes backwards right now. He will scoot himself backwards into the kitchen. He seems so amazed with himself when he accomplishes his goals. To tell you the truth, I am amazed by him as well. I couldn't be prouder of that little boy. He is trying to cut several teeth at once. He has about 4 bumps on the bottom gum and 3 bumps on the top gum.
Stevie is busy being 3 years old. He is trying to potty train but gets easily distracted. I was told that he will do it when he is good and ready to and not to rush him. He seems to have better days when I don't push so hard with the potty training and just let him do it on his own. He is looking forward to going trick or treating this year. He wants to be a cowboy for Halloween. We are going to one of the local churches for their version of trick or treating, called Trunk or Treat. It is set up in the parking area and grounds there of the church and there will be games and mazes and moon bounces, and all sorts of things, plus people with their car trunks full of candy! I am looking forward to it.
Other than the usual parenting things, nothing else is really going on around here. Just taking everything one day at a time and thanking the good Lord above for everything that is in my life. It took me a while to appreciate what I have and not pine for what I don't. I am a lot happier for it. Let me know if anyone has any ideas on potty training a stubborn 3 year old. I will gladly take any and all offered advice. Take care everyone, until next time!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Hello everyone! I want to catch everyone up to date on my family since Steve and I got married back in May of 2007.
Well, after the excitement of the wedding, life went pretty much back to normal. I was working at Clearfield-Jefferson Mental Health Center in DuBois, PA and loving/hating it. I loved my job, but hated what was going on around me. Then in August I started not feeling well in the morning. I just chalked it up to being overly stressed with work because we were so short handed I always worked overtime, and was getting to the point where I didn't want to go. I thought that psychologically I was making myself nauseous so I wouldn't have to go to work. Steve thought otherwise. He was right of course! I wasn't psyching myself out, I was pregnant!
We learned on Kyle's 7th birthday of my due date of April 25, 2008. Remember this date because it comes in to play later. I was having a rough go with this pregnancy. Never before had I been flattened like this with morning sickness and aversions. My blood pressure was of concern because it was always elevated while I was at work and since I spent 10 to 12 hours a day there it was of great concern to my doctor. So in December I resigned from my position and concentrated on the kids and the house. I was loving every minute of it.
December 12, 2007 we went for the sonogram to determine how the baby was developing and to see if we could find out what we were having. Steve wouldn't tell me though. I asked not to know right then, I still wanted to decided whether or not I really wanted to know or not. On Christmas morning, Steve told me in the sweetest way possible. I got a present from the baby. I opened it and I had a little picture frame saying, "It's A Boy!" That was how I found out what we were having.
In March of 2008 Steve got an idea in his head that he needed to look for another job, something different that was going to provide better for the family. So he applied with Auto Zone online, but he applied for the Cartersville, GA area. He left me that same day to come down to GA and stay with Jonathan and Lyda for a few days so he would be available for interviews. Mind you, he just applied, he didn't have any calls yet. He told me that he had to go. He knew that this was what was right. Sure enough, when he called to let me know that he crossed into GA, he told me that he had 2 job interviews scheduled for Tues. and Wed. He told me that this was the door that God was opening for us and he just knew that we would be moving here.
Sure enough...2 weeks from the time of the interview to the date that we moved into our apartment was all that had passed. The path to move was cleared before us. Everything that we needed to make arrangements for and were worried wasn't going to be available due to the shortness of notice, was not a problem. It seemed that the people who were going to rent the size truck we needed called 10 minutes before hand to cancel the reservation. We had the money and the means, and thankfully half of our things were all ready packed.
I went to the doctor the day before we were set to leave just to make sure everything was all well and good. The doctor told me to just make sure that I stopped to rest every couple of hours and we would be just fine. So at 35 weeks along we moved from PA to GA.
It was good to be around friends, and I was much closer to my mother, but I missed all the family that I have in PA. I tried to do as much of the unpacking as I could. I just mainly said where I wanted things to go and watched. It was a little frustrating on my part because I wanted to just jump right in and help out. I couldn't of course, but I wanted to. I got the biggest kick the first week after we were here. I cleaned my apartment and just loved it.
March sped blissfully into April and now the fun begins. One April morning I was having fun decorating things, putting out knick knacks and hanging pictures, or rather having Steve hang them and me tell him where I wanted them to go. I was turning to exit the living room and go into the bedroom when I was stopped dead because of a contraction. It was only one and lasted maybe 30 seconds. Steve, being the excitable type immediately thought that it was time. He ran downstairs and not receiving an answer to his pounding on the door, he went to the window of Jonathan and Lyda's apartment. She was vacuuming so didn't hear the door, and when he banged on the window it scared her half out of her mind. She let him in the house and tried to calm him down as she knew as well as I, it was only one contraction.
After I convinced Steve that I was fine and didn't need to go to the hospital and promising I would take it easy the rest of the day, I was able to stay put and enjoy the rest of my day. April 16th was an important day because my mom came into town. She would be staying with us for a few weeks. We had a big dinner party for her when she got in. I was on cloud nine. I had my mother and Lyda, my best friend under one roof, and I was expecting! It was awesome.
April 19th dawned bright and early for me. I was up at 5 am that morning because I couldn't sleep. I was restless with tons of energy. So I made a big breakfast and made sure that Lyda's present was wrapped and the card was written. We would be going to her birthday party that afternoon. I thought of my little brother as the 19th is his birthday as well. My mom asked me if I was having contractions and I told her not that I could feel. I felt wonderful. I did my hair up nice and pretty and put make-up on which was something that I hadn't worn for about 6 months. I told my mother that I felt like I needed to enjoy the day to its fullest because I would be going to the hospital that night... She thought I was joking. We had a great time at Lyda's party, a few of the guests even joked about watching enough ER to be able to deliver a baby if needed. The boys blew bubbles and played outside. We had hot dogs and hamburgers and cake and ice cream. It was a great day. Around 5:45 after helping clean up as much as possible downstairs. I took my boys and my mom and hubby back upstairs to our apartment. I was going to run the boys a bath and double check the baby's room to make sure everything was set there. Around 6:30pm I was calling my mid-wife to let her know that the contractions were 10 minutes apart and lasting for 2 minutes. My mom cried when I told her I was in labor and Lyda laughed and Steve just looked at me and asked me, "How did you know?"
I got to talk to Jerry on the phone a few minutes after that and he was thrilled. He was hoping that Freddy would have his birthday as well. It didn't happen that way though. I had a tough time with the labor itself. I stalled out at 6 cm for like 5 hours. So Frederick Bryce Anthony wasn't born until 12:36pm on April 20. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I told Jerry and Lyda that Freddy's due date was the 25th of April. So they immediately started betting on whose birthday he would be born on. I guess Lyda won!
Now, Freddy is 4 months old and is just a cute as can be. I am so blessed to have 3 gorgeous boys. Kyle is going to be 8 on the 19th of this month. He is growing up so fast. He is doing really well in school and has been recommended for the gifted program at school. We had him tested to see if he qualified, we should know soon. Stevie is showing his own personality now, and that can be a little dangerous because you never know if it is the angle or the devil you will be dealing with that day. There are days he is so good and then there are those days that he just picks fights. I guess that is something that he will have to get over soon.
Steve is a Parts Service Sales Manager for Auto Zone. He loves his job and it pays well. We are able to have a lovely life here. It is simple for us, but hey we came from a place where the best thing to do was go outside for target practice. We are not used to having so much around here to do. We will eventually do it all, but it will take years.
So to all my family and friends, that is what has been going on in my life for the past year. I will be putting pictures on here and posting videos as soon as we get them..... Take care!
Well, after the excitement of the wedding, life went pretty much back to normal. I was working at Clearfield-Jefferson Mental Health Center in DuBois, PA and loving/hating it. I loved my job, but hated what was going on around me. Then in August I started not feeling well in the morning. I just chalked it up to being overly stressed with work because we were so short handed I always worked overtime, and was getting to the point where I didn't want to go. I thought that psychologically I was making myself nauseous so I wouldn't have to go to work. Steve thought otherwise. He was right of course! I wasn't psyching myself out, I was pregnant!
We learned on Kyle's 7th birthday of my due date of April 25, 2008. Remember this date because it comes in to play later. I was having a rough go with this pregnancy. Never before had I been flattened like this with morning sickness and aversions. My blood pressure was of concern because it was always elevated while I was at work and since I spent 10 to 12 hours a day there it was of great concern to my doctor. So in December I resigned from my position and concentrated on the kids and the house. I was loving every minute of it.
December 12, 2007 we went for the sonogram to determine how the baby was developing and to see if we could find out what we were having. Steve wouldn't tell me though. I asked not to know right then, I still wanted to decided whether or not I really wanted to know or not. On Christmas morning, Steve told me in the sweetest way possible. I got a present from the baby. I opened it and I had a little picture frame saying, "It's A Boy!" That was how I found out what we were having.
In March of 2008 Steve got an idea in his head that he needed to look for another job, something different that was going to provide better for the family. So he applied with Auto Zone online, but he applied for the Cartersville, GA area. He left me that same day to come down to GA and stay with Jonathan and Lyda for a few days so he would be available for interviews. Mind you, he just applied, he didn't have any calls yet. He told me that he had to go. He knew that this was what was right. Sure enough, when he called to let me know that he crossed into GA, he told me that he had 2 job interviews scheduled for Tues. and Wed. He told me that this was the door that God was opening for us and he just knew that we would be moving here.
Sure enough...2 weeks from the time of the interview to the date that we moved into our apartment was all that had passed. The path to move was cleared before us. Everything that we needed to make arrangements for and were worried wasn't going to be available due to the shortness of notice, was not a problem. It seemed that the people who were going to rent the size truck we needed called 10 minutes before hand to cancel the reservation. We had the money and the means, and thankfully half of our things were all ready packed.
I went to the doctor the day before we were set to leave just to make sure everything was all well and good. The doctor told me to just make sure that I stopped to rest every couple of hours and we would be just fine. So at 35 weeks along we moved from PA to GA.
It was good to be around friends, and I was much closer to my mother, but I missed all the family that I have in PA. I tried to do as much of the unpacking as I could. I just mainly said where I wanted things to go and watched. It was a little frustrating on my part because I wanted to just jump right in and help out. I couldn't of course, but I wanted to. I got the biggest kick the first week after we were here. I cleaned my apartment and just loved it.
March sped blissfully into April and now the fun begins. One April morning I was having fun decorating things, putting out knick knacks and hanging pictures, or rather having Steve hang them and me tell him where I wanted them to go. I was turning to exit the living room and go into the bedroom when I was stopped dead because of a contraction. It was only one and lasted maybe 30 seconds. Steve, being the excitable type immediately thought that it was time. He ran downstairs and not receiving an answer to his pounding on the door, he went to the window of Jonathan and Lyda's apartment. She was vacuuming so didn't hear the door, and when he banged on the window it scared her half out of her mind. She let him in the house and tried to calm him down as she knew as well as I, it was only one contraction.
After I convinced Steve that I was fine and didn't need to go to the hospital and promising I would take it easy the rest of the day, I was able to stay put and enjoy the rest of my day. April 16th was an important day because my mom came into town. She would be staying with us for a few weeks. We had a big dinner party for her when she got in. I was on cloud nine. I had my mother and Lyda, my best friend under one roof, and I was expecting! It was awesome.
April 19th dawned bright and early for me. I was up at 5 am that morning because I couldn't sleep. I was restless with tons of energy. So I made a big breakfast and made sure that Lyda's present was wrapped and the card was written. We would be going to her birthday party that afternoon. I thought of my little brother as the 19th is his birthday as well. My mom asked me if I was having contractions and I told her not that I could feel. I felt wonderful. I did my hair up nice and pretty and put make-up on which was something that I hadn't worn for about 6 months. I told my mother that I felt like I needed to enjoy the day to its fullest because I would be going to the hospital that night... She thought I was joking. We had a great time at Lyda's party, a few of the guests even joked about watching enough ER to be able to deliver a baby if needed. The boys blew bubbles and played outside. We had hot dogs and hamburgers and cake and ice cream. It was a great day. Around 5:45 after helping clean up as much as possible downstairs. I took my boys and my mom and hubby back upstairs to our apartment. I was going to run the boys a bath and double check the baby's room to make sure everything was set there. Around 6:30pm I was calling my mid-wife to let her know that the contractions were 10 minutes apart and lasting for 2 minutes. My mom cried when I told her I was in labor and Lyda laughed and Steve just looked at me and asked me, "How did you know?"
I got to talk to Jerry on the phone a few minutes after that and he was thrilled. He was hoping that Freddy would have his birthday as well. It didn't happen that way though. I had a tough time with the labor itself. I stalled out at 6 cm for like 5 hours. So Frederick Bryce Anthony wasn't born until 12:36pm on April 20. At the beginning of my pregnancy, I told Jerry and Lyda that Freddy's due date was the 25th of April. So they immediately started betting on whose birthday he would be born on. I guess Lyda won!
Now, Freddy is 4 months old and is just a cute as can be. I am so blessed to have 3 gorgeous boys. Kyle is going to be 8 on the 19th of this month. He is growing up so fast. He is doing really well in school and has been recommended for the gifted program at school. We had him tested to see if he qualified, we should know soon. Stevie is showing his own personality now, and that can be a little dangerous because you never know if it is the angle or the devil you will be dealing with that day. There are days he is so good and then there are those days that he just picks fights. I guess that is something that he will have to get over soon.
Steve is a Parts Service Sales Manager for Auto Zone. He loves his job and it pays well. We are able to have a lovely life here. It is simple for us, but hey we came from a place where the best thing to do was go outside for target practice. We are not used to having so much around here to do. We will eventually do it all, but it will take years.
So to all my family and friends, that is what has been going on in my life for the past year. I will be putting pictures on here and posting videos as soon as we get them..... Take care!
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