Reason To Celebrate!!!

Back in April, Josh took the E6 advancement exam. This means that he was hoping to basically be given a "promotion" from E5 to E6 by way of taking the test, passing and then be advanced. There are several stipulations to advancing, even after passing the test, but I don't know what all they are. Anyway, we got the results about two weeks ago, where we learned that he had not advanced. It was pretty disappointing, considering that this was now Josh's 3rd time taking the test, passing it but not having advanced. I received an email containing the following quote, which I then passed onto Josh...

"The Lord puts challenges in your path to mold your character. For your own personal growth He will often let you struggle with a matter for a while, even when you are pleading for help. But as you follow true principles, He will finally see you through. He intends that when you have reached your extremity, you will turn to Him for comfort, peace, and assistance. He will send these through the quiet prompting of the Spirit. He will give reassurance and guidance that are essential to correct decisions in your life. "You are learning powerful, eternal lessons. Be sure you understand them. The Lord does not abandon your urgent pleas, nor is He ever, for even a moment, unmindful of your anguish and heartache. He hears every supplication. He invariable answers according to spiritual law. Understanding that law will help you appreciate how the Lord answers your prayer. His silence and seeming absence at times are a powerful means of expanding your vision and understanding as you continue in faith to do your best."
~Richard G. Scott

Well, just as this quote identifies the promise that the Lord will see you through your challenge, even after you may think He is ignoring you...we were able to see that very promise take place! While Josh struggled to understand why after all of his efforts toward making E6 and it not happening...the promise was fulfilled. The initial results of the exam came out saying that he had not advanced. Turns out, he got a call today letting him know that there was a message sent to a chief in his command notifying everyone that there was a clerical error and that Josh had passed AND advanced. This is such good news, and an answer to our prayers. We are so excited!!! The only down side to this news is it's timing, since I won't be able to be present at the ceremony that takes place when he gets "pinned" with his new rank. I'm very bummed about that, but this is still so amazing and exciting. To see this new step finally taking place, and also seeing a prayer answered in our lives.

Congratulations Baby! You deserve it for all of your hard work and dedication!!! I love you!!!

Another Milestone

Ashlynn has now reached another milestone. I've been anxious for this one cause I think that she's a little behind the "average" kid when it comes to this, but she got there nonetheless. She finally rolled over, from her back to her tummy. The best part, Josh was able to watch her do it through the webcam!! I'm so excited! Now, the next step will be getting onto her hands and knees on her own and then....CRAWLING!!! Holy cow, I can't believe it!

When I Grow Up...

I picked Landin up from school today and he was in the best mood, it was so nice. On our way getting packed back into the car, Landin noticed a blimp in the sky (from the Byron Nelson being held near his school). He was curious what it was, how it worked and who got to drive it. I told him that it's kind of like a balloon cause it floats, but it's like an airplane cause it can fly too. That's when he asked who can drive it. I told him that a pilot "drives" it. I then had to explain to him what a pilot was, and that a pilot doesn't just fly blimps, but planes and helicopters too. To become a pilot, you have to go to lots of school and do really well at it and learn all that you can. He then proceeded to tell me, that he wants to be a pilot so that he can fly airplanes like what "nonny" (that's what he calls me sometimes) used to build. He then changed his mind and said that he wanted to fly helicopters instead. I reminded him that he would have to learn lots at school and do his very best to which he replied that he would.

I think we're on to something here!!!

A Bit of a Struggle

While there has been a bit of a struggle lately dealing with this deployment, I remembered a picture that was sent to me about two years ago that I felt strongly to hang on to. This is a powerful and most true message...

The Navy Wife

A Navy Wife is no ordinary woman. Operating for months at a time without the companionship or assistance of her husband, she routinely overcomes challenges that would give the average person a nervous breakdown.

Part Doctor, part Teacher and part Handyman, she can lavish loving care on a sick toddler, help a teenager with his Algebra homework, and track down a faulty circuit breaker -- all while holding down a full time job.

With thirty minutes notice, she can serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner to fourteen hungry sailors, and still somehow balance her family’s meager grocery budget.

She can press a set of dress whites to inspection standards, tie a perfect square knot in a military neckerchief, and pack a seabag in the cold hours before dawn.

For months at a time, she must settle for letters instead of kisses, emails in place of hugs, and long-distance phone calls in lieu of her husband’s touch.

She manages a smile when her sailor is at sea for the second Anniversary in a row, and accepts the fact that there’s a one-in-three chance that he will have to stand Duty on her Birthday. She has learned to stand on a pier and wave goodbye without tears, even when her heart is breaking.

To her children, she is Chauffeur, Umpire, Psychologist, Spiritual Advisor, Financial Consultant, part-time Father, Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, and the Easter Bunny. To her husband, she is Friend, Lover, Partner, Confidant, and Soul-Mate.

She is a patriot. She is the sort of citizen that all of us should be, but so few of us are. She lives with sacrifice, because she believes in the rights and ideals that her husband defends. Although she wears no uniform, she is a part of that defense -- a vital link in the chain of Freedom. Although she wears no medals and will reap no glory on the field of battle, she is a hero in the truest sense of the word. She is a Navy Wife.

STGC(SW) Jeffery S. Edwards
12/08/03

Just Plain Cute

So these pictures are just too cute not to share...

Flour Child

So the other day I was making cakes for an order that my sister received (cause she's affectionately known as "The Cake Lady" where ever she goes) and Landin decided that he wanted to help. Well, since the cakes were for an order, I didn't want a little helper leaving egg shells in the mix, so I decided to give him his own little plate of flour that he could scoop into a bowl and just mess around with. Well, the "mess" part I certainly got right! He had the flour from head to toe and EVERYWHERE on the counter and floor where he was working. It was so cute and so funny that the mess was the best part of my day!!!

Montessori, Here We Come

Landin just finished his first week of Montessori school and he did great. He's a little timid and fussy when I first drop him off in the morning, not wanting to detach from my leg, but once he's distracted he does well. His teacher is great with him and she says that he's doing very well. I'm excited to see what all he learns over the next few months that he attends...I'll keep you posted!