Adam and Krista

WRBNMMC

2012-02-07T17:07:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the military is out of control with acronyms. Who thinks this stuff up?!?

WRBNMMC - on everything, all over the place.

Walter Reed Bethesda National Military Medical Center.

For real.

Why can't we just drop some words?

Who knows?

Anyway, we were there all weekend. With my youngest.

She's fine. We're not completely out of the woods, there's a few more tests to do, but she's good.

But on Thursday we didn't know.

I think the first phone call from ENT Dr. B up at WRBNMMC went something close to this, "I'm not telling you to speed, but maybe just drive fast. Come now. Pack some clothes, bottles and whatever you need but just get here. Straight to the ER, I'll have ENT and PEDS waiting for you."

We sped. Through 4:00 rush hour in Northern VA, WDC and Eastern MD... a.k.a. Traffic Corridor of the World.

Once we got there they determined her life was actually not in immediate danger (thankyouverymuch for the heart attack), but they still needed to figure some stuff out.

So there we stayed. At WRBNMMC, for 3 days.

Hospitals suck. If you want some perspective on how bad you in fact DO NOT have it, go spend some time at Walter-Reed Bethesda. Take your fair share of fortitude. You'll need it.

But there we were. We drove her around in this car to pass the time. Which was a bit of deja vu.

We found the play room. She tried to eat the puzzles.

I don't do well in hospitals. I don't trust or really even like doctors. I start to feel a special kinship to the Mama in the picture frame above my baby girl's hospital crib. I start ripping people's heads off for messing with my kid. Which is bad news in a hospital. For everyone really. Me included. Sometimes it's people's job to mess.

One Dr. had me pegged the minute we walked in the door. After talking with me for maybe 30 minutes, he walked in our room and said to my rockstar of a husband, "Well, Mr. Weathers, you've picked a real sweet wife... not only has she disagreed with everything I've said or mentioned, but she managed to turn whatever was in that bag into something acceptable for us to feed your daughter."

Adam just laughed and nodded.

He tried to tell me to give her gatorade.

"What... that's like high fructose corn syrup concentrate. No way!"

"Ok, Mrs. Weathers, we've got apple juice back there. Can we give her some of that?"

"Is it organic apple juice?"

"No."

"Then no. Don't you watch the news. Ever heard of arsenic?"

"Well... then she can't have anything. Clear liquids only and that's all we have to offer you."

"Tell you what, Doc. How bout I give her this organic grape juice box (that I had in my bag for Brannen) mixed half with this water bottle... you can still see through it.... will that work?"

"Uhhh... sure.... I guess."

Then the Dr. said, "We may have to give her some Prednisolone (steroid)."

Then I said. "No, Sir."

He gave up. Poor guy. Docs don't really care for me much either I'm afraid.

Complete disclosure. I need doctors and my children need doctors, I'm grateful for them. With my whole heart. I thank God for some of the special doctors he's placed in mine and my kids lives. The good ones are worth more than gold. Even with the bad ones, I always try my hardest to stay respectful. I really do. I promise...

The other thing that stinks about hospitals is that there is no sleep to be had. At. All. I finally started sitting on the floor in front of our hospital room door to ward off any would be interrupters of my daughters desperately needed slumber. The vitals lady came by, "sorry, she's sleeping, please come again!" The nurse with her Motrin, "pretty sure whatever pain she was in isn't bothering her now... because she's asleep... I'll let you know when she wakes up." - "Well, Mrs. Weathers, she's due for it now.... " "No, no she isn't."

Me and sweet baby at about 8:00 on Friday morning. I'm going on literally 27 hours of no sleep in this picture. By the time I went to sleep I think I was on about hour 40.

Daddy came to the rescue. With his bright smile and coffee!

By the time I am done officially "mothering" my daughters I hope I will have instilled in them a gratefulness for health. It's something that, until it's gone, appreciativeness is often lacking. I am so grateful for the healthy girls and husband that I have. Others are less fortunate and my heart aches for them. I also realize that at any moment, that could just as easily be us.

We roomed down the hall from a 3 year old cancer patient who wouldn't take off his Captain America costume because it made him stronger for the chemo...

So grateful. Humbled.

Love, Krista

Tea Party

2012-01-24T18:52:00.000-08:00

I took Brannen to a Dolly, Me & Tea party yesterday evening. It was held by the Marine Corps Base Quantico LINKS ladies. My friend was taking her daughter and mentioned it to me, I LOVED the idea, so I signed us up! Brannen's not really a very "girly-girl" but she knows tea parties. She was excited ALL day. She knew she had to wait for Daddy to get home and as soon as he walked in the door, she ran up to me and said, "Mama!!! I'm so excited to go to the tea party now!!"

I originally had some sparkly pink shoes for her to wear, but her feet grew in the three days between when I got them and yesterday, because when it came time to get dressed the sparkly pink shoes hurt her feet. A girl can't go to a tea party with feet that hurt. So we improvised. What we wound up with was a Punky Brewster kind of look, but I actually think it looks cute on B. Bedazzled, painted converse sneakers, multi-colored leg warmers, a pouffy pink dress and pig tails. Ugggh, she breaks my heart she's so cute.

Brannen also doesn't really have a doll that she just babies and loves. What she does have is an ovajita (a little lamb). Aunt Laura sent it to Brannen on her first birthday and she has slept with it pretty much every night since. She wound up taking Ovajita. I asked her to pick out a baby doll to take to have tea with us and that's what she picked out. "Ok, sweet girl, that'll be perfect." Gotta let her be her, ya know.

Ovajita got to enjoy some tea as well.

When we got there they had set a special table aside for Brannen and her friend Kendall (and one other girl) since they were the only 3 year olds in attendance. It was sweet. And perfect. And they did a few crafts. Even more perfect.

They tried so hard to act proper. Why does having tea make someone want to act proper? I mean, these girls are three, THREE years old and totally had that notion. Maybe it's something in girls. It was to die for sweet.

This baby girl. She's my love. Can I hit pause?

Thankful for the Grace and the man that gave her to me.

Sending love,

Krista

My New Years Resolution

2012-01-19T18:48:00.000-08:00

Actually I have two of them.

1. I'm going to start blogging again. Woohooo!!! I know all 5 of you are so excited. It's been good, the time (the year and a half!) away from feeling the pressure to write on here. But over the Christmas vacation we were able to get back to Texas and see family. People wanted occasional updates. Folks asked for more photos of my daughters. What can I say, I have cute babies. A blog just happens to be the easiest way to deliver. The best way for our extended friends and family to keep up with us. A la, blogging hiatus over.

Trying to commit to two or three posts a month. So far so good!

2. My other new years resolution. I've decided to read one non-fiction book a month. It can't have anything to do with being a good wife, mom or even a good Christian.... just something I'm interested in. This month I read, "American Sniper" by Chris Kyle. The self written story of the deadliest sniper in American military history. Whoa. Good read. I wish it were on some sort of mandatory reading list for all Americans.

His wife, Taya, adds some commentary as well. I like her.

Disclaimer: The language is bad. But as it goes with most men in the military. It's written like he's talking to you. Don't judge. Just read it.

Speaking of guns and people who use them. We've been working really hard on teaching Brannen a simplified version of the four rules of firearm safety. 1. It's loaded 2. Finger off the trigger 3. Only point the gun at the bad guys or an animal. 4. Be sure of your backstop. Here, I was a robber. Robber = a bad guy. So therefore, she's within the guidelines.

Over Christmas, Adalene got to meet her Uncle Jarod.

My girls got to spend time with their great-grandmothers and their great-great grandmother.

Adam killed us a deer. We like venison. We're from Texas thankyouverymuch.

Ahhh! Gross......

Brannen became obsessed with taking photos with my camera. Coincidentally she took this kinda artsy pic of an air vent. I was impressed!

That's all for now.

All is grace, praise Jesus. Looking forward to sharing more of our life with y'all this year. Happy 2012!

Sending love,

Krista

5 Things I Love About the Marine Corps - I Married A Pilot Edition!

2010-08-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

5 things I love about the Marine Corps....

How I know I married a Pilot:

1. Because the other day my husband looked at me and said, "I'm just gonna go to work, write an ATF, then RTB ASAP via the SOP." Without batting an eye I looked up and said, "Sounds good, babe." And then I realized I had understood the entire sentence.

Translation: "I'm just gonna go to work, write an Aviation Training Form, then Return To Base (home) As Soon As Possible via the Standard Operational Procedure."

2. Because when we're both in the bathroom trying to get showers taken, and he hops in there first, then asks me if I want to "hot seat it" I say "yep." And then we execute the POA.

Translation: In helicopters when two pilots are switching out the "pilot seat" rather than shutting everything down to trade off, they frequently will "hot seat it" meaning they leave the engine running, the blades turning, etc... So when we "hot seat" the shower we leave the water running and execute the *ahem* Plan Of Attack. - That acronym was for free. :)

3. Because my daughter at 20 months old, could differentiate between a "choppa" or a "pwane" by sound only - and at almost 24 months old can differentiate between a Huey and an Osprey.

4. Because when my man was at WTI (yet another acronym, Weapons and Tactics Instructor) training in Yuma, AZ flying some pretty scary/rigorous missions at night I liked to know that he landed safely on the ground. So every night, he would text me, SODB. And I would look for that text first thing every morning.

Translation: "Safe On Deck, Babe."

5. Because when I was telling him that I was writing this blog post on, "how I know I married a pilot" this is the look he gave me, while asking "What?".... "Gee, Babe, if your flight suit or wings don't give it away, I bet your aviators will!" :)

All kidding aside - the main reason "I know I married a pilot" is because I have a husband who goes to work everyday and has a blast at what he does, which makes for a happy man, which makes for a happy wife. He's just "livin' the dream" as he says.

Love you all,

Krista

Five for Fridays! Five More Reasons Why I Love the USMC....

2010-08-06T14:11:00.001-07:00

May I present, 5 more reasons:

1. A man in uniform who just walked "in the door" from a 7 month long deployment....

2. A man in uniform that can show his non-military buddies how to work really expensive equipment (ie, the Huey simulator) when they come into town.

3. A man in uniform that'll walk right in from a hard days work and feed his baby girl her much needed bottle, so her mama can snap a quick pic, then go take a hot bubble bath.

4. A man in uniform who'll throw up a peace sign in the middle of a combat zone. :)

5. A man in uniform that'll show his daughter how to work really expensive equipment (ie, the actual Huey) when she comes to visit him at work.

I mean, seriously - you just gotta love a man in uniform.

I know I sure do!

Love you all,

Krista

Five for Fridays! Five Things I Love About the USMC.

2010-07-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

I decided to start a new series on the ol' blog. Maybe it'll keep me on here a little more regularly. Every Friday I'm going to write five things that I love about living life in the USMC. It shouldn't be hard, there's a lot to love!

Sometimes I feel like it's almost a "wife's right" to complain about the Marine Corps... and don't get me wrong, I certainly do my share of huffing and puffing when it comes to crazy hours, last minute plan changes, frequent extended separations, surprises around every corner, etc.... (I mean I really could go on). But I want to be clear about the fact that without THIS job, without my husband serving in the United States Marine Corps, we would not have the life we have. And I LOVE this life. It's good, it's a lot of fun, it's hard sometimes, it can turn on a dime, but we love it.

So for today:

1. Payday! Today is payday, and those gorgeous, wonderful, maternity clothes buying, paychecks just keep on comin'!

2. Job Security - He can't quit.... it's called AWOL.

3. Her health.

Because when she was born with a serious case of meconium aspiration and needed oxygen, then to be transported to a different hospital, then a 4 night stay in a NICU, and IV's, and X-rays, not for one single second did the question of money enter into our minds.

Because when she started having seizures and she needed EEG's, an MRI, meds, tests, and many MANY visits with Pediatric Neurologists, it didn't even occur to us to think about the costs associated with any of it.

Because there are moms and dads out there that really have to weigh the costs of a particular medical test, or medicine, or length of a hospital stay based on what they can afford and how great the need is.

Because we've never even had to give it a second thought.

Because if we ever did have to give it a second thought, I don't know what on earth I would do. We're talking about her. My daughter. Her health.

Because one time, we got a statement in the mail, with a dollar amount that reached into the multiple tens of thousands, and had a big fat red-inked stamp on it that marked it paid.

I saved that statement, and look at it sometimes when I become disgruntled.

Then I say, "Thank you, Lord. Amen." And I move on.

4. USAA. It's a great banking service available to military members. They have great customer service and wonderful auto-insurance rates.

And last but not least for today....

5. The official dog of the USMC many people believe to be a bulldog. But it's not. It's a......

Doberman Pinscher!

Cool, huh?!?

Hannah certainly thinks so. :)

Love you all,

Krista

Still Tired, But Our Dog is Awesome.

2010-07-26T10:39:00.001-07:00

I'm still tired.

And I'm eating Cheez-It's with green Tabasco like it's going outta style.

And I've already gained 2 lbs.

And my gorgeous baby girl keeps wanting to "ride the horsey" around the living room, which most of the time is Daddy's gig, but he hasn't been here the past couple of days (weekend on-duty officer), so it defaults to me.

And why, oh why, do I have to pee so much? at night? when I'm trying to get in my blessed beauty sleep?

I know it's all worth it. :)

New Subject: If you're in the market for a dog, may I suggest a Doberman Pinscher.

The other morning Brannen took Hannah on a walk.

We've been teaching her the basic chores associated with being a pet owner. Feeding, walking, picking up poo, petting, crating her at night, etc... Brannen actually does most of these things very well (although we had to work on teaching her NOT to pick up the poo, because that was just a recipe for disaster and yuckiness and lots of hand washing).

Hannah has adjusted to Brannen being her pint-sized care taker with all the grace and elegance that Dobermans are famous for. I would recommend a Doberman to any family, with any age range of kiddos in any number, anytime, any day. Hannah is the perfect dog, other than occasionally (and by occasionally I mean at every opportunity feasible) she steals food. We're working on that.

Last Subject: Does she think she's an ostrich? Does she like the way the world looks upside down? What is the deal with this? And why, oh why, is sand so hard to get out of one's hair?

Love you all,

Krista

Tired.

2010-07-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

The thing is....

I'm tired.

I just want to be here -

Or here -

Or even here -

I find myself incredibly jealous of this woman.

I might even harbor some anger toward her.

"Dear Fairy Godmother, I'll take this chaise lounge, the one on the right so I'm in the shade, and a tall glass of lemonade please."

"Oh, What's that? In my dreams???" - *sigh* If only!

The thing is, I'm just really, really tired.

And the cure.....

the gorgeous....

beautiful....

cure.

eludes me.

For 9 months.

A pleasant trade, I think.

Now if only I could just get to that chaise lounge.

Love you all,

Krista

Time-Out.

2010-06-27T12:24:00.000-07:00

So Adam and I have a daughter. Obviously. She's like... my love, my job, my world... but she's a little crazy.

She begs. BEGS and PLEADS to go "night night" for her nap. If we make it to noon thirty, we're doing good. She just loves it, we read a few books while we rock, she gets her paci and her lovie, then she crawls into her crib and gets to sleep for a couple hours every afternoon. I mean, as a 26 year old, I get it. Who doesn't want a daily afternoon siesta. But how many TWO year olds do you know that beg for their naps? Not that many.

But OK... we'll give her that one. That's not that strange.

But how do you explain this.....

She puts herself in time-out.

Really?

Really.

We started 'time-out' about a month or two ago. She hasn't had to go there very often, but when she pushes the limits we tell her we're going to count to three and if she's still doing "whatever it is" then she's going to time-out. Or if she hits mommy, she goes strait to time-out. Or if she hits Hannah after one warning, she goes to time-out. You get the idea. It's our default mode of discipline.

Today she was splashing the water in the bottom of the dishwasher with a book. I told her to stop twice, and she kept doing it. Adam looked at her and pretty sternly said, "Brannen, Mommy told you to stop, so you stop." That must have struck a cord with her because she looked up at us and said, "time out"

And she went here....

I mean seriously - why doesn't someone just pull my heart out and break it in two!?!

I wanted to run to her and sweep her up and tell her she never had to go in time-out again, she's a perfect angel and Daddy and I are sorry for being so strict!

But we went through with it.

"That's right sweetheart, time-out is for when you don't mind. Next time mind me the first time I ask and you won't have to stand here." (on a side note, Hannah always sits right there when Brannen is in time-out, you can't get her to move, unless you have cheese, it's like she's guarding her)

After her two minutes were over I made her come give me a hug and kiss.

Then she got a whole handful of freeze dried strawberries. Which to her, is like ice cream or cookies.

Which brings me to my next point entirely.

What two year old PREFERS freeze dried strawberries to candy, cookies, ice-cream, ANYTHING?

She would eat these all day, everyday if I let her.

But I don't, mainly because they're like eighteen bucks per container.

For real.

But if she keeps putting herself in time-out I might go broke buying strawberries.

Just look at that face....

She may be crazy... but she's so darn cute!

Love you all,

Ribbit Ribbit!

2010-06-22T06:56:00.000-07:00

Brannen is doing great and jumping on the couch like a frog right now!

We were up bright and early, at the surgery center by 6:30am and back home by 9:00am. The tube placement itself took literally about 5 minutes. Longest 5 minutes EVER, but a very easy process. Now we can hopefully look forward to never having to do anything like that again, and no more ear infections. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers this morning.

Anyhow, speaking of frogs - it rains alot here. Especially lately. The frogs that come out when it rains like to hide around the cover that we put over our grill.

Brannen found one yesterday morning.

She decided she should probably pick it up to say hello!

The poor little guy promptly jumped out of her hands,

She picked him up again to teach him a lesson! I just have to laugh at the stern look on her face.

The frog had the last laugh though, as he leaped out of her hands again, he quickly found his way underneath our deck. Never to return.

All day at the zoo yesterday, Brannen kept asking for the frog. :)

Love you all,

Krista

6 Weeks!

2010-06-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Is anyone still there?!?

Hello?

Sorry I've been gone for 6 whole weeks! Not that anyone out there really missed me... but I'll apologize none the less.... to all 5 of you. :)

When Adam gets home from anywhere I usually "shut the world off" for a while, but 6 weeks, even for me, is a bit excessive.

It's been nice, hanging out with my little family.

We've been frequenting the beach.

I'm a beach bum in the summer. I was 20 years old before I ever even set foot on a real beach (other than Galveston, TX) and now at the age of 26 I can't imagine not living close to one. Not only for my sake, but for Brannen's! She's a beach bum too. That is one of the many bonuses of being in the Marine Corps... most of the time you're stationed on a coast!

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One morning Adam flew to Atlanta, when he came home he brought me Chipotle for dinner (MAJOR bonus points)... and a new car! It's my G-ride. Seriously, rollin' on 20" rims. I go by K-Dub now. It's a Yukon Denali... we were looking for something bigger, mainly because we're from Texas and we feel like we should drive large automobiles. Sorry for the really bad iPhone pics, I'll try to get some better ones soon.

Brannen really likes it too.

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This morning we went to the Jacksonville zoo. Oh... you heard me... the zoo, in Jacksonville. It's a pretty far cry from the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, but for an almost 2 year old, it was a nice morning activity.

The zoo keeper was really nice, he brought some animals our so our kiddos could get up close! The big turtle (African Tortoise) was a little scary for me, but Brannen loved the whole experience.

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Tomorrow morning we all have to be at the Atlantic SurgiCenter in Wilmington at 6:45am so Brannen can have surgery to get tubes placed in her ears. Adam is completely relaxed, Brannen doesn't even know what's coming, and I'm scared out of my mind.

She's going to be under anesthesia. For about 10 minutes. But still, it's ridiculously scary. She's my baby girl, and for about 15 minutes, I won't be with her, with Dr.'s are "messing" with her, putting a mask on her face, and pricking her ear drums. And I can't even begin to tell anyone what that thought does to my heart.

About a week ago, after talking with Brannen's Pediatrician, the ENT Dr., and the anesthesiologist I was ready to pull the plug on the whole thing. There was too much I couldn't control. Then I read this blog post by Angie Smith, who gently reminded me that there is actually very little I can control in the first place. My job is to be a mindful and responsible parent, but after that "any sense of complete control is a sham." And more accurately demonstrates my lack of trust in the One who holds any control at all. The One who made her. The only One who loves her more than Adam and I do. So tomorrow morning, Brannen's getting tubes and I'm probably going to be an insane mess. Fortunately we'll both have our man around to help us, but we also covet your prayers. :)

So that's all I have for now.

I'll be back tomorrow to share how B's doing, and to also show you what she actually HELD this morning... (it wasn't at the zoo!)

Love you all,

Krista

Almost Home!

2010-05-12T06:03:00.000-07:00

Today my hubs graduates from WTI in Yuma, AZ. WTI stands for Weapons and Tactics Instructor. For lack of a better explanation, it's the "Top Gun" of the rotary wing world. That's the way it was explained to me, anyway. I'm not exactly sure what that even means, but I think we all get the idea.

It's sort of a big deal.

Only a handful of pilots per airframe are selected to go each year. Not everyone gets to sit in their rocking chairs when they're 80 years old and think back about the time they spent in Yuma flying with some of the best pilots in the world, doing things in the air you didn't know you could do. It's pretty cool.

It's also no cakewalk.

Some people get asked to go home.

Adam did really well. I think one of the instructors exact words were, "Solid f*ing performance, Weathers!" - pardon the french.

I can brag, because he's my husband and I'm really proud of him and that's what I do...

Here's a photo of him in action.

Anyway...

All that being said, he graduates today and that means in two days HE COMES HOME!!!!!

We've spent longer than this apart. We've spent half a year apart for goodness sake.... but for whatever reason these past two months have gone by so S L O W L Y.

Brannen and I have tried to stay busy.

We've gone to gymnastics....

....and picked strawberries....

....and visited an aquarium.

We visited the Outer Banks Brew House with two of the greatest grandparents on earth!

We also visited national memorials, where Brannen preferred to pick flowers...

....and play "ring around the rosie" with Nana.

Brannen got to go on her very first boat ride....

...on her way to the beach....

...which she loves more than anything else...

.... except maybe playing in the sprinkler with Papaw!

Good grief we tried to stay busy. But not even family and beaches and good food and historical monuments can easily distract us from the fact that our man has been gone.

So we (and by "we" I mean "I" because B doesn't know yet) are SO excited that he'll be home in two days. We're going to celebrate his birthday together for the first time in 3 years and in general enjoy our summer together. "We" can't wait to see him.

Congrats, Adam on your awesome achievement! You're #1 fans can't wait to celebrate with you at home! We love you.

We also love you all,

Krista

I'm Trying!

2010-04-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

So I received a nice tip (request) from a friendly reader to please include in my blog a little more about our military life-style, my husband's job, our daily ins and outs as it relates to the Marine Corps.

So I'm trying!

I guess I forget sometimes that not everyone out there knows what our life is all about. It becomes so old hat to me and Adam that we wonder why others outside of the military are so interested in what we are up to. Hopefully this blog will become a place where (sometimes) you can catch up on the latest in "military living" - that sounds like a magazine title... oh dear...like maybe something Martha Stewart would've come up with....yikes!

Anyway.

In an effort to appease I changed a few things around on the page and added a description. I might change some other things too, although I really don't know what...

Here's what I do know...

My husband absolutely loves his job,

we have made some of the best friends in the world,

and firearms are a must.

Semper Fi,

Krista

Ok...Ok... the Semper Fi was a little much.

Love you all,

Krista

That's better.

My Hearts Desire

2010-04-25T05:24:00.001-07:00

This wasn't staged. She just loves books. Any book, she'll pick it up and thumb through it like she's a twenty-something year old browsing the latest best seller. It is my hearts strongest desire that THIS book, or rather, this collection of books would be the one constant. That this photo would be repeated again, again and again. This life changing, life giving, book of life would be the one she loves the most.

I wonder if is also mine. I wonder if I demonstrate that to God, who is my parent, whose hearts desire is that this book would be that to me. My favorite, the one I love the most.

"As newborn babies, crave the pure milk of the Word, so that by it you may grown in respect to salvation." 1 Peter 2:2

Love you all,

Krista

His Glory Appears

2010-04-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Today was so good! Brannen and I went to church last night because we figured it would be so crowded today, so we took this morning really slow. She slept in until almost 8:00 and when she woke up I handed her the Easter basket I had prepared for her.

She really liked everything! I had never made anyone an Easter basket before - and I can't really remember them growing up. We always went camping... so no baskets. I wasn't really sure what to put in there - so she got bubbles, a watering can, crayons, hair clips and socks.

After we looked at all her goodies we got dressed to go to our friends house for brunch and an Easter egg hunt. She looks so stinkin cute! She also really liked the tulips that are blooming in our front flower bed.

This is the second Easter I've spent with this group of friends who have become so much more like family at this point. I love them all, and our kids are all fairly close in age so they love each other too. It's awesome.

This is the only way we can keep them together and still... put them down in front of food!

Bubbles!

Easter Egg Hunt!

We had fun today celebrating our risen Lord.

At one point my friend mentioned what she was doing last Easter weekend. It made me think about what I had been doing a year ago. On Easter Sunday, last year I was relaxing on a porch with some sweet friends, but the three days prior (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) I was doing this....

Brannen's first Ambulatory EEG. The beginning of what would be a heart tormenting quest for a diagnosis for Brannen's strange quirks. Last Easter is the one that wrecked me. But I found myself at the foot of the Cross begging the One who defeated it for my daughter's health. For strength. For peace. But I begged Him for Him, above all else. For His Glory.

Last Easter....

This Easter....

Last Easter...

This Easter...

Last Easter...

This Easter...

Somewhere in the middle of today as I watched my perfectly healthy daughter play with her friends and search for Easter eggs, I saw God's glory, in her - in the friends I was standing with - in the men we are married to - in the miracle of a sweet new life. :) In realizing that the defeated Cross was just that, defeated and my King, my Jesus is Alive. Nothing else matters but Him. In the end, it will all be about Jesus. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess He is Lord. There are so many days I worry that He will never be able to "use" me, because I am such a sinner. Daily I screw it up. But, I pray at the very least I am somehow showing to others this great Grace, this amazing Grace, this Love so undeserved that I have received. My Lord is alive and His Glory appears!

You gave me hope.

You made me whole,

at the cross.

You took my place.

You showed me grace,

at the cross where you died for me.

And His glory appears

Like the light from the sun.

Age to age He shines.

Oh, look to the skies

Hear the angels cry.

Singing Holy is the Lord.

--- Hillsong.

Amen.

Love you all,

Krista

This Man.

2010-03-30T19:43:00.001-07:00

This man loves his daughter.

His heart will never be the same.

Neither will mine.

I love this man.

And this girl.

They're my whole world.

And my baby girl and I, we're his.

We're missing our man tonight.

Sorry for the really awful photos, but the only working camera in our home is currently my iPhone. I thought these pics of Adam holding on to Brannen for dear life (because of the huge bonfire she really wanted to be right next to) were worth sharing. They make me smile.

Love you all,

Krista

Layla Grace

2010-03-09T12:58:00.001-08:00

Precious Layla Grace, as her parents so perfectly put it, "went Home to play with the angels" early this morning. I never met Layla, or her parents, and have absolutely no personal connection with the Marsh family at all. I don't know why this news is hitting me this hard, but it is. It's all over me. I am so sad. I look at my daughter, who is only about 6 months younger than Layla and I am overcome with thankfulness, gratefulness, love, love, love. I have never looked at my daughter with anything other than love, but today it feels stronger, more raw and crisp, like if I don't savor and soak in every second God gives me with her I'm missing out.

I hope I see Brannen graduate from Kindergarten (as silly as I think those graduations are)!

I hope I see Brannen learn how to play soccer on her team, coached by her daddy, while I'm holding that sign with arrow that tells all the little girls which way to run.

I hope I see Brannen baptized.

I hope I see Brannen get her heart broken by the boy who had no clue.

I hope I see Brannen on campus at Texas A&M University and stand by her at Kyle field.

I hope I see her try on her wedding gown.

I hope I see her holding her new baby.

I hope... but I'm not promised. I'm not guaranteed any of that.

So today I'll watch her play with the daffodils we just picked from our front yard.

And I'll try my best to soak in and savor every second.

Pray for the Marsh family. I can't even fathom the heart shattering emotions they are dealing with and will continue to deal with for a long time.

Love you all,

Krista

Time Together.

2010-03-08T11:07:00.000-08:00

It's literally 65 degrees outside, the sun is out, I'm sitting in my living room with all the windows in the house open, just updating my blog while my baby girl takes a nap. It's absolutely glorious!

So yeah, I'm updating the blog....for the first time since January 27th.... sorry about that.... to all 5 of you out there who read this thing. :)

I've been busy. Brannen and I, along with my mom, flew back to North Carolina February 4th, my mom helped us get settled in for a day then went back to Texas. Then B and I, along with my friend Sarah, drove to Duke Children's Hospital for Brannen's check-up with Dr. G. That went well, but as always, not very much fun. Then my in-laws came in two days later with my dog Hannah. Then the day after that Adam came home! I was overjoyed to see my Man! Brannen was so excited to see "da deeee!!!!"

So we've been busy hanging out with our little family of three, our extended family, and our USMC family.

Here's a pic of us from a couple weeks ago at a friends house. It was Brannen's first bonfire and she loved it. She laughed and giggled.

We only have a few more weeks with Adam before he leaves for Yuma for training so we're taking full advantage and squeezing in as much fun play time as possible.

Taking advantage of time together reminds me of a sweet little girl I learned about a few weeks ago. Her name is Layla Grace. She has been fighting Neuroblastoma for almost a year and is expected to give up her fight very, very soon. We're talking days. Or hours. Yesterday I stayed up late praying for her mom because the grief and sadness of this situation was weighing so heavy on my heart. Please visit Layla's website.

My brother had a pretty serious fight with cancer when I was a little girl, and while I don't know what it is like to have a child endure neuroblastoma, I know enough to know this.... one person never gets cancer, a whole family gets cancer, you endure it together, and whether the cancer wins or looses, it happens together. Please join me in prayer for this family. And on a side note, as a mother to an 18 month old little girl, I can't even imagine the level of pain and anguish in Mrs. Marsh's heart. I've been praying especially for her.

Ok. That's all for now. Love you all,

Krista

Julio's and a Beater!

2010-01-27T11:08:00.000-08:00

So I try to do things organically. Most everyone who knows me, knows this. It's not even about things being organic, per se, but about things being healthy, safe, good for people, good for the environment....yep....I'm one of those! I'm not a slave to the "USDA Organic" label - the more I can purchase at a farmer's market the better!

But all that talk is for a different post.

Today's post is about Brannen eating NON-organic foods. Foods that I would never, ever dare to deprive her of. Regardless of their nutritional value.

First of all being Julio's. Julio's corn chips. It's a West Texas thing. If you've never had 'em, I'm sorry but you're missing out.

She loves them. I love them. Any one who ever tastes one loves them. They're amazing. Notice the "Texas shaped" window on the front. That's just an added bonus. It's like mana from Heaven. And they are SO not organic.

I'm leaving Texas...a.k.a The Motherland in one week, I'm bringing back a couple bags with me - I'll share. Maybe.

Also, me and sweet baby girl had a milestone I've been waiting for just the other evening. Any time Brannen hears the mixer going she runs over to the baking center to be picked up by whomever is mixing something. She likes to watch the mixing blade go round and round. It's really cute. So we we're making whipped cream to go on top of a fabulous coffee drink we were about to have, and Brannen ran over and stuck her arms up in the air for me to pick her up - but instead of hoisting her into my arms I plopped one of these suckers into her hand!

Oh, she did not know what to do with herself! Except to do what any normal, wise, self-respecting girl would do....

.....Go back for more!!!

We have fun.

Me and my kiddo.

We're missin' our man, but we have fun.

Love you all,

The Best of 2009

2010-01-05T14:01:00.000-08:00

My Grandma (one of the few folks who actually looks at this blog) mentioned I needed more pics on here! So I thought I'd post pictures of my top ten favorite days of 2009. They're in no particular order... except the last one. The last one is by far my favorite day. You'll see when you get there....

But these first nine are all close runners up.

10. Easter Sunday. Spent with dear friends who I had not had time to sit and talk with for a while. It was such a gorgeous day outside and my girlfriends and I sat on Sarah's porch, sipped mimosas and chatted about nothing and everything. We had a small Easter egg hunt for the older kiddos, Brannen napped in my arms and Jesus is Alive!

9. The day we knew our daughter was alright. In Greenville, NC on our faces we prayed for her and we knew. By grace and His wounds we are healed. When the Dr. confirmed what the spirit had already made known we were broken as we had never been before. Soli Deo Gloria.

8. Cole's Celebration. What was a difficult, raw, deeply emotional time for my best friends turned into a celebration of life, grace and love. This little life is one I am truly thankful for. I will hold what he taught me always, in the deepest parts of my heart.

7. Family Reunion. This group of folks knew me before I was born, many of them knew my mother before she was born and a couple knew my grandmother before she was born. To spend an afternoon with them is to be with my roots. To see them hold my daughter is to know what it is to be a part of something bigger.

6. Mike's Farm. If you know me at all, you know I love fall. I like to make chili and carve pumpkins. I like to see the leaves change colors and I love the first few days of mid-60 degree weather. This day we went to Mike's Farm with sweet friends and introduced Brannen to the joys of fall as well. She investigated every pumpkin she could find - she was absolutely enthralled by them! We took a hayride and enjoyed the evening. Then of course, we ate the mac and cheese at the restaurant - and that's why this day made the list.....mmmmmm.

5. My Baby Girl's 1st Birthday party. It wasn't a big deal. We simply invited some friends to the beach. We played in the water and Brannen searched for seashells. The day was a little overcast but enjoyable - it was B's very first Birthday party! :)

4. Homecoming. Duh.

3. Our Armageddon Day. The day before Adam deployed for the second time in about 15 months. It should've been a really sucky day - but it wasn't! Adam and Brannen napped together - (that used to be the only way she'd nap, now I can't get her to cuddle with me to save my life!) We also went to get tattoos! It was so much fun, and we both love them.

2. Valentine's Day. Adam left 5 days before Valentine's - and so did some of my friends husbands so we had a big brunch together at Hannah's house. It ended up being such an uplifting day. I had my daughter, amazing friends and felt so loved!

AND my favorite day of 2009 was...

1. The "Life is Good Today" Day. This was one of those days that just happens. The stars align, the beer flows, music fills, the Mexican sunshine warms and life is good. Especially when Zac Brown sings it. Somehow we stayed in the pool from morning until the sun set, we made friends with French-Canadians and we spoke fluent Spanish. You can't create these days if you try. They just happen, every once in a while. Sometimes you don't even know it when they come, but all the sudden you just look around and realize you're in the middle of living life and life is good.

Happy 2010.

Love you all,

Drinking From the Carton!

2009-12-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

This is the way we usually let Brannen quench her thirst!

But Daddy gave Brannen an almost empty carton of eggnog!

She thought it was funny that mommy scolded her for drinking from the carton JUST like when Daddy does it!
But she didn't care, she continued to drink from the carton!
She really liked it... but then again, who doesn't?!?

Love, love, love the Christmas season.

Love you all,

Laura Ingalls Wilder and Augustus McCrae

2009-10-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

I recently turned the last page on Lonesome Dove. The epic adventurous romantic cowboy novel about two old Texas Rangers who decide to drive a heard of cattle to Montana "before all the doctors and lawyers git it." Almost 1,000 pages of cows, prairies, whores, and philosophy. A tale of a bond thicker than blood, honor and the old wild west. "What they dreamed we live, and what they lived we dream." Truly, a beautiful book.

I'm always sad after I finish a book like that. One that I can't put down. Where in the afternoon when I'm in the middle of washing bottles or sippy cups my mind wonders to thoughts of what Augustus or Call are up to? Like they're real people, living real lives that I somehow have a window into. One where even now, when I think back about what I've read the images return so vividly it's as if I've watched a movie. The characters become my friends and when the book is over I miss them.

Books have long been some of my best friends.

Even if I strain to think back to my earliest memory I cannot remember a time where my family didn't read together. Every night. "Little House on the Prairie," or "Hiedi," maybe a little "Chronicles of Narnia," were read out loud, by my mother, in the living room or on my mom's big bed. My brother, sister and I would have a family devotional, pray, then get to find out what our good friend Laura Ingalls was up to.

In fourth grade I can remember, in detail, some girls were mean to me. I wanted to play "house" with them on the playground and they told me that they were all "full". So I would sit on the playground and read, probably at that time "The Boxcar Children" or "Nancy Drew"

In sixth grade I missed my Dad. I wanted him around and I wanted him to love me. So I would read, probably around then "The Christy Miller Series."

In the hospital room with my brother often times I would read.

In some of the lowest points of my life. Quite literally with no true friends and on drugs I would read. Specifically I can remember reading, strung out, with my buddies smoking dope around me, "Left Behind" and getting made fun of for it.

When I read "Pride and Prejudice" in college it changed my life... and soon there after I met my Mr. Darcy.

And recently, at the urging of my man, I picked up "Lonesome Dove." I've loved the movie since I watched it with my Dad when we moved into a condo together when I was 14 years old. We didn't have cable for probably about a month so we watched Lonesome Dove (over and over) - and ate Hamburger Helper. I fell in love then with the Hat Creek Outfit, Lorenna, Clara, July and the whole bunch. Since reading the book I've realized Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call are two of the greatest literary characters ever written. Right up there with Laura Ingalls Wilder.

They're my friends and I can visit them whenever I want and I think that's pretty cool. :)

"Show me the books he loves, and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends." - Dawn Adams

Krista

Talitha Kum

2009-10-16T17:35:00.000-07:00

In the book of Mark, in chapter 5, right around verse 21, there is the sub-title "Miracles and Healing." This section of Mark introduces to us a man named Jairus. He was a man, a daddy, whose little girl was sick. Very sick, on her deathbed. Jairus, a Jewish synagogue official, saw that Jesus was coming across the water to his side of town. As Jesus was getting off the boat a large crowd was around him, tons of people pushing and shoving to get close to Him. Jairus shoved his way through the crowd, his daughter in the back of his mind. When Jairus got to Jesus he fell, fell down face first at Jesus feet. And here the Bible says Jairus, "implored Him earnestly" - Which to me says, "He begged, he begged with all his heart, without a care in the world who was watching or what they would think, he begged" Jesus to come and just touch his daughter.

"Just lay hands on her so that she will get well and live."

I get that. I completely understand those words. "Just heal her so that she can live..."

Mark tells us that Jesus started walking with Jairus, going to heal the little girl. But the crowd would not quit pushing and shoving to get near Jesus. They wouldn't leave Him alone! Jairus must have had some kind of composure, some kind of faith, because here is where I probably would have lost my bearing... forgotten that it is Christ I am walking with... and started shoving back. Yelling at folks, "move out the way... we've got to hurry... MOVE IT!"

But Jesus, Sweet Jesus, His timing is perfect, every time. Does Christ ever need to hurry? He was unshaken by the crowd. In fact, someone reached out, a.k.a. dove for, His robe. It was a woman, who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years, and not a doctor on the planet could figure out what was wrong with her. And she knew, "If I can just touch His robe, I'll get well." She knew it. She dove. She touched His robe, and was healed. Christ called her Daughter, as she was kneeling before Him, "Daughter, your faith has healed you." But the clock was ticking...

In the next moment the people who were with Jairus' daughter came out to meet them with horrible news. "Jairus, it's too late, your daughter is dead. Why trouble The Teacher anymore?"

I like this part because none of this came to a surprise to Christ. He didn't kick a rock, hang His head and wish he would've hurried up. Instead He walked right over to Jairus and said, "Don't be afraid anymore, only believe." Sort of like, "Chill, dude, I've got this..." :)

Then, oh then, Jesus stoops down into the home. Looks at sweet baby girl on her death bed, and in that voice that I can't wait to hear someday says, "Talitha kum!" Which translated says, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" And she did!!! Can you imagine how her parents felt?

Actually, yes.

I spoke with Brannen's newest doctor about a week ago. I've been digesting the discussion ever since. Pediatric Neuro Clinic at Duke Children's Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. One of the highest rated neurology clinics in the country. Dr. Gallentine is a Pediatric Epileptologist. Basically, he's as specialized as they come, in a place that's as good as it gets. He looked at Brannen's case. He observed her clinically, and he had everything we had, all the videos, EEG's, MRI's, write-ups, notes from other doctors, all of it. His words, "That was (insert worst fear here) if I've ever seen it. But, I agree that she seems to be fine now. I guess she's just one of those rare kids who beat the odds."

I dove. Talitha Kum.

Please continue to pray for Rose. Prayer works and Miracles Do Happen.

Love you all,

Krista

Rose

2009-09-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Every Monday morning I attend, and help facilitate, a Bible study for women who are associated with the Military. Most of us are stay-at-home Marine Wives, mother's of small children, who are far away from family and desperately seeking Jesus, seeking fellowship amongst Believers. I started attending this Bible study shortly after Adam left for his most recent deployment. Last February or so. During this time most of these women walked with me through Brannen's seizure season. Several of them stood out specifically - but I know many of them prayed hard, for me and for her. I was able to be vulnerable with them, tell them I was struggling and I know they loved me and prayed for me.

Last Monday I was taking prayer requests at the beginning of our time together.

"Please pray for my decision to have more children.... Please pray for what to do with my son when I go out of town.... Please pray for my health, I'm not feeling well today... "

All legitimate prayer requests, ones I could handle, ones I could pray about, out-loud in front of other women. Then one sweet woman said, "Please pray for my niece, Rose, she's having seizures and the doctors aren't sure why." I immediately felt my heart break, literally break. I started asking a couple of questions about the kinds of seizures, tests, etc... A picture flashed through my mind of my sister asking her friends and "Christian sisters" to pray for her niece. My daughter. Her seizures that the doctors weren't sure about. Please pray.

So to open my Bible study lesson last week, I prayed. I prayed for one woman's decision to have more babies or not, I prayed for one woman's need for a babysitter for her son (which was immediately answered, Praise Jesus!), I prayed for another woman's need to homeschool her son... then I prayed for Rose. As I prayed the wounds in my heart that are still all too fresh, re-opened. "God I pray for Rose, for her seizures, for the doctors, for her mother...." and then I couldn't speak anymore. The words got stuck in my throat which was completely closed. The tears silently fell down my face, and in my heart I prayed, "God every single prayer I prayed over my daughter I pray over Rose. Prayers that are so intimate, so naked I cannot breathe them out loud - but God you know them and I pray them for this sweet little girl - and for her mom."

I am just now finding the strength to post this prayer request here.

I would ask you, if you pray, to pray for Rose. I have prayed for her every day since Monday. It hurts every time, but I will continue to do so. I will, because I know this - her aunt is my sister. We share a Saviour. This is community, this is fellowship, it's getting involved - in the trenches with one another. No matter what wounds it opens.

Love you all,

Remembering September 11th

2009-09-11T15:19:00.001-07:00

In many ways this day has had the most profound effect on the life of our family. 8 years ago, as we are all aware, some terrorists ran two planes into two buildings in NYC, the Pentagon, and another into a field up in Pennsylvania. I remember walking to my Intermediate Microeconomics class at Baylor thinking I HAD to do something. 8 years later, here I am.

You need to understand something before you read the rest. I truly pray for the souls of the lost and those who don't know the awesome power of Christ. I also recognize that while people may not know the love of my God, all of them are sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, husbands, and wives. That being said, while I extend my prayers and love to all, once you attack my country and my people, I absolutely draw the line. I do so because I want to prevent something like that from ever happening again. Nations are going to war, but there is something totally different about taking an airliner and DELIBERATELY killing 3,000 innocent people. Yes, in the eyes of those terrorists, nobody who died that day was innocent. But that is the biggest difference between them and us. We recognize that while we may disagree on how health care should be provided for our fellow man, we're not going to murder those who stand in opposition to our view.

So that being said, I believe the way we combat that sort of hate and violence is with a much stronger, calculated violence. I don't think diplomacy is worth a hill of beans when it comes to that type of radical philosophy.

My wife and I just finished dinner with our daughter. Most children have a blanket or some other toy they absolutely HAVE to have. Ours evidently discovered hers tonight in the form of a wooden mixing spoon. She won't let it go! It is so funny to watch. During dinner, she kept trying to stick this spoon in my wife's mouth. Every time Krista would try and chomp down on the spoon, Brannen would give one of those laughs that only a 1 year old can give. That sweet, innocent, LOUD, completely unaware of your surroundings laugh. It's the type of laugh that makes every parents so thankful for that exact moment. I find my heart SO uplifted during that moment and hearing that laugh that is so unique to her. But today, it really causes me to pause and give thanks for the gift of life and freedom that I have. May the Lord help whomever tries to take that laugh and that life from my daughter.

8 years ago today there were fathers, mothers, and all others who were robbed of that gift. There are parents who don't know the sound of that incredible laugh that only your child provides in those special, yet usually random moments. It makes me resolved and steadfast in the career path we're on right now, that something I may do or the decision I make will prevent a father or mother from not having to miss that, or better yet allow those innocent people within the borders of this country to continue to live in freedom and ignorance (and lets be honest, MOST have forgotten how that day really felt).

I also recognize that those same decisions that are made on foreign shores may rob a father or mother from hearing that same laugh from their child. For that I truly hurt and my heart breaks. But I remember that the radicals who did what they did brought this on themselves. So I say a prayer for those who don't know our God or know our freedom, but I am unapologetic in my pursuit to prevent that from happening to others I know. So today and as long as you can, remember that as Americans, we had a 90 yard head start in a 100 yard race by just being born here to begin with. Remember those who died 8 years ago and remember those who died in protection of that freedom. Pray for those in our country and pray for those who we fight, because at the end of the day, while we may have vastly different cultures and lifestyles, there are certain blessings in life, like the laugh of our children that we all share in common and we all give thanks for. Until next time,

Adam

Why We Are at War

2009-09-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

Dr. Jim Denison wrote the article below. I thought it was fitting to include it here today. I was a senior in high school, Greenwood, TX - in my English class, Mr. Bimms... we watched the TVs all day. At the time, I had no idea how much that day would effect the rest of my life. But here I sit, as a Marine wife, mommy to a baby girl whose Daddy goes to fight in this war against terror. Adam joined the Marines after 9/11 - because of 9/11. I couldn't be more proud of him. I have the absolute privilege to support him, and to sacrifice with him for our country.

Why 9-11?

You'll never forget where you were on this day eight years ago. The morning seemed to begin like any other. I was writing a series on humility which I promised to continue tomorrow. Instead, I began the devotional on September 12, 2001: "'War at home,' shouts the Dallas Morning News headline. Shock. Grief. Disbelief. Outrage. 'Armageddon,' one eyewitness called it." And so it seemed.

We've now been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan longer than we were engaged in World War II. And yet most Americans don't seem to know why 9-11 happened. Nineteen hijackers used three planes to attack the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon; a fourth plane was intended to attack Washington, D.C., but passengers overcame the terrorists and the plane crashed in a Pennsylvania field. Nineteen terrorists died; 2,919 civilians were killed, along with 55 military personnel at the Pentagon; 24 more remain listed as missing. But why did it happen?

"Radical Islam" is the generic name usually associated with a variety of movements in the Muslim world, all of which want to destroy Israel, remove Western influence from the Middle East, and establish a base for global Islamic expansion. Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda (Arabic for "the base") are just one of the elements within this larger movement. Hamas and Hezbollah are considered to be part of the "radical Muslim" agenda, along with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan. There is a strong "radical Muslim" element in Iran and Iraq today as well.

All Muslims believe in five tenets (often called the "five pillars of Islam"): the witness ("There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet"); prayers five times a day while facing toward Mecca(Muhammad's hometown); a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in the Muslim's lifetime (or financial provision for another to go in one's place); fasting during the month of Ramadan (the first "revelation" which came to comprise the Quran was given to Muhammad on the 17th day of the month of Ramadan); and alms-giving to the poor (at least 2.5% of one's goods). We are in Ramadan now; the observance will continue to September 19 this year.

Radical Muslims adhere to two additional beliefs. First, they assert that the West has been attacking the Muslim world since the Crusades (1095-1291) and especially with our support for Israel. This is a crucial belief, since the Quran forbids a Muslim to initiate aggression but requires him to defend Islam. Second, radical Muslims argue that since the West is made of democracies in which the people elect their leaders and support their military, there are no innocent victims in the West. You and I are viewed in the same way we might see Germans who supported Hitler and the Nazi movement.

As a result, 9-11 was not an unprovoked attack on innocent Americans in the mind of Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. They saw it as a defense of Islam, striking at the symbols of Western imperialistic aggression—the Twin Towers represented the financial, the Pentagon the military, and Washington the political. (For my essay on our subject, including a history of Islam, the beliefs of Muslims, and the threat of Radical Islam, I invite you to go to our website, www.informedfaith.com.)

MaryAnn and My Stance on Vaccines

2009-08-11T06:51:00.001-07:00

This morning when I was picking out what Brannen would wear today, all I could see in my mind was MaryAnn from Gilligan's Island. Here's what we came up with!

It's the cutest little red gingham top (no, it's not tied up to show her mid-drift. That's because she's a MODEST MaryAnn). Also, the denim bloomers are from one of my best friends, Kimber. She gave them to us at our very first baby shower. I'm not sure, but I think she got them in Alaska....anyway, they're Wranglers...isn't that hilarious!? Now, IF ONLY I could get the girl's hair to grow so she could sport some pigtails!

I'm glad we had a baby girl. :) Playing dress up on a daily basis is just right up my alley!

On another note I recently made Brannen's *gulp* one-year well baby check-up. After making the appointment the nurse on the phone starting telling my about the vaccines she would be receiving at the appointment and .... I stopped her mid-sentence and said, "actually, my daughter won't be getting those vaccines."

"oh, I see...you're one of those....well, do you know....blah, blah, blah"

I politely thanked her for her time, and told her we'd see her for our appointment, good-bye.

The thing is, yes, I do know. I'm not saying I have a medical degree, I'm not saying I "know better" than a doctor. But what I DO know, is what I'm comfortable with. And at the end of the day, it's ME, not a doctor that is responsible for the health of my daughter. I do happen to know a thing or two about vaccines. I researched A LOT. I read books about why not to vaccinate. I read books about why your a horrible parent if you don't vaccinate. I read books that didn't have an agenda either way and just simply stated the facts. In the end, I've decided to do both. Who says you have to pick a side?

I wholeheartedly believe every mom has to do what makes her the most comfortable. We have to do what we believe is protecting our children in the best way we know how. For some moms that might be to vaccinate her child against everything out there. For me, that's giving Brannen some vaccines, and then, protecting her from others. I've got to believe that the CDC and the AAP are trying to protect America as a whole. Their official statement is something like, "the risks of the diseases and viruses that vaccines protect our children against are far greater than the risks vaccines themselves." Ok, I get that. That's why I think these agencies have well-meaning intentions. But what about the percentage of kids out there that the vaccines DO cause autism, epilepsy, intussusception, or gillian-burey syndrome? The way I see it, my job isn't to worry about America as a whole, my job is to be concerned with Brannen. My daughter, that's it.

So, therefore we are on an alternate schedule. I call it "Brannen's Schedule!" Really, I printed it out on a color coded excel spread sheet, correlated with "shot-only" visits and "well-baby" check-ups, at what ages and what shots would be given per visit. When I presented it to the Ped. at B's 2 month check-up the Dr. almost fell out of his chair. Then he read over it and said something like, "I'm actually kinda impressed."

Anyway...

Here's what I'm against. I'm against vaccines that I believe have SOME correlation with autism. I'm against vaccines that use an original strain of a virus from an aborted baby. I'm against vaccines that are for sexually transmitted diseases (because my 1 year old is SO promiscuous)! I'm against vaccines that contain thimerosal (mercury) or a certain amount of aluminum.

Here's the deal. DTaP, yeah, probably good to get. I'd rather not see my kiddo come down with whooping cough and struggle to breathe (been there, done that). However, MMR (cocktail for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) just isn't going in my kid. First of all, the Rubella virus in the vaccine comes from a baby who was aborted in the 1970's - enough said. Second of all, there are just too many, way too many, moms out there who will say, "after MMR, I don't know what happened, but I had a different kid." My half-sister's mom is one of those. My half-sister, Kati Jo, has autism. My former step-mother said that EXACT quote. So here's my quote (well, actually Jenny McCarthy's, but whatev) "If it's between the Measles and Autism, I'll stand in line 7 days a week for the f-ing measles." (Sorry, that was tacky, but like I said, Jenny McCarthy...)

There's more, I could go on, about how the series of shots often times isn't necessary because the baby has an immunity after just one, but the testing to find out is more expensive that just giving the other shots so Dr.'s don't wanna do that. How expecting a 1-year old's immune system to fight off 4 live viruses at once is kinda crazy. How much my heart breaks when I hear other mommies talk about watching their baby have seizure after a vaccine. I think the bottom line is, do what makes you feel comfortable, but be proactive enough to figure out what exactly that is . Don't just do what a government agency tells you to do. Do some research. Take responsibility. Pray for wisdom.

And when you do figure that out for yourself. Don't let anyone make you feel badly, guilty, or like you're somehow a bad parent for doing it YOUR way.

My next post will be on eating organically! hehe....kidding....well, maybe. :)

Love y'all,

Dad's turn

2009-07-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Well,

As most of y'all who read Krista's blog know, I've been gone for the last 6 months and she's been all over the southeastern part of the country with our daughter in tow. Obviously it has been a stressful time for our family as well as a rewarding time, but not necessarily because we received the great news and miracle that was Brannen's latest EEG.

From a deployment standpoint, this was a much better trip to Iraq than last time. Yes, 11 out of the last 17 months of my life have been spent overseas, but it could always be worse. I've been blessed with some wonderful friends within the squadron as well as an extended family that will look after my wife when I'm gone. Something that I've always loved about HML/A-167 and the Marine Corps in general are the relationships and bonds you form. Some folks will be life long friends, others will be friends you keep while you're stationed together, but they ALL impact your life and stick by your side like brothers and sisters. It's truly something I cherish and for those who don't serve in the military I can only hope you have these type of relationships at work. It makes it a joy to go to work every day, and those months spent away from home are that much easier and more enjoyable (VERY relative term there--"enjoyable").

From a spiritual growth standpoint, it has turned out to be a great deployment. The 'Western Walk with Christ' (yep, I just made that phrase up) is interesting. When we're comfortable we're very quick to thank God for the blessings and continue to live in comfort, but only when we're devastated or really 'want' something do we find out what it means for our souls cry out from the deepest part of our being for mercy and favor to fall upon us. I think everyone can relate to what I'm saying because so much of our focus and desire is for creature comforts for our families. Even when Brannen first started having seizures I still believed it wasn't that big of a deal. Funny thing though, about half way through the deployment my soul started longing for a deeper understanding of Christ, scripture, and the God I profess to serve. 2 days after I started to really study the scriptures again we were hit with the news of Brannen's continued seizures. At that point I did what I always do when I need Godly preaching, I dug into my Matt Chandler archives and put on a random sermon. I don't remember the title, but I do remember the opening being something like, "We're familiar with people coming up here talking about how they prayed for this and that, and God answered their prayers. But rarely in the church do we have that person who says, 'I prayed for this, and not only did it not happen but things got worse.' or 'Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, it became completely unbearable and hopeless.' I remember laughing out loud a little when I heard this thinking, 'Of course this is what I'm listening to' but also recognizing that God never promised me a perfectly healthy daughter. Sure enough, the more Krista learned about Brannen's seizures and the more they happened, the worse the diagnosis became. I can't imagine how my wife dealt with these issues while watching our daughter seize, because just the thought of her doing that while I was gone was and is the most painful thing I've ever endured. As Maj Bruggeman told me one day in Iraq, "Weathers, kids will absolutely bring you to your knees." He is absolutely correct about that.

In any case, during this time God's word was as alive to me as it has ever been. I didn't begin to pursue God once the train wreck hit, but thankfully I was already in His word once all these shenanigans started happening. I felt it was my duty and calling to be ever encouraging to Krista while still reminding my family (her and myself) that God is who He is REGARDLESS of our circumstances or what we're going through. The gravity of that reality is incredible. When Christ prayed in the garden he said if there was ANY way at all, to please let this cup pass from him. However, not his will, but God's will be done. So this is what I focused on during the Dr's appointments and all the phone calls not knowing whether my wife was going to pick-up crying at the other end or not. Through it all I prayed for God's will to be done and imposed on our family, even if that meant I might raise my daughter in a way that was completely different than what I had always imagined.

Obviously most of y'all know the rest of the story at this point. Since we've received the news, I've been compelled to blog for a couple of reasons. One of which is to tell everyone who will listen I believed Christ healed our daughter. I absolutely believe that with all my heart and soul. I want to avoid explaining these fortunate events away with some logical or scientific reason. I know the reason and it rests in the hands of an all powerful and all knowing creator. We've been blessed by grace and mercy. Stuff like that just doesn't go away. Secondly, just because we are overwhelmed with joy now doesn't mean God will spare us from the fire at another time. I pray if and when that time comes I will remember the same God who healed my daughter is no different than the God who would allow something else to happen to myself or others. This doesn't change His sovereignty or His ability to bring about His glory in ALL events, not just the good ones. I do know that beyond a shadow of a doubt God will be glorified in all things, not just the good. I will take the bad along with the good because I believe that His plans are made perfect in His timing, not my own. I don't understand the 'big picture' and there are so many questions I have about this life, but during the last 6 months I have come to understand the love of God in an entirely new light.

That's all I have for now. My wife is better about keeping this thing up to date, but whenever I feel led I like to post my thoughts on here. It's a good venue to tell y'all how the 'other half' of this family is doing and what he's thinking. Until next time.......

Adam

Victims of Grace

2009-07-30T05:15:00.000-07:00

WOW....it's been a grace-filled week for our family.

First of all, Adam came home! There is truly nothing better than homecomings. When your husband, your teammate, the man you've committed to walk through life with, has been gone, literally to a combat zone, there is no better feeling than that first hug and kiss. It feels like home. That's the best way I can think of to say it. It's just right, warm, and good. It hits you deep down, like soul food or gospel music. Something in the core of who you are was once anxious and on edge, is now settled and at ease. Even when I saw him at a distance, immediately I felt calmed. Like I said, nothing better. Homecomings almost make the deployment worth the while. ALMOST.

Our homecoming was supposed to be around 12-midnight on Friday. The busses didn't roll up until about 4:30am. Thankfully I found out ahead of time the guys were running late (there were those who didn't, yikes!) So I stayed up, pacing around the house, putting last minute touches on everything and Brannen slept. I woke her up around 3:15am - her Daddy is the only person on earth I would do THAT for - put her in the car and we drove up to the HML/A 167 squadron. We went in and started waiting...

Then the busses rolled in and we got to see our man! Adam grabbed us both and held us tight. Then he swept up his little girl and quickly exclaimed, "She got big!" Well - I'd say so, 6 months is a lot of "growin' time" for a baby!

Together. Whole. Complete. Amen!

Two days after Adam got home we had to head to Greenville, NC to a doctor appointment for Brannen. She sees a Pediatric Neurologist for seizures. She started having seizure-like activity about a week after Adam left for this deployment. It's been an absolute roller-coaster. It's been a weird, scary, nerve-racking, and prayer inducing time. I've found "fight" in me I didn't know was there. The ability to search under every rock, not accept answers that don't feel right, stay up until 3am researching articles on epilepsy, keep pushing, pressing others to do their jobs, keep pushing, pressing myself to endure test after test with my daughter - all so she could get well. It was hard and a period of time that has brought me to my knees....my face....more times than anything else in my life. Right before Adam came home her seizures were the worst they'd ever been. Her meds (Zonegran and Prednisolone) quit working. She was just seizing pretty much any time we put her in her high chair - or any time she got really excited. Every seizure crushed me. This is actually the reason Adam was sent home on Advanced Party - to be with us, help us figure this thing out, and I was ready to crumble. I needed my husband. His command sent him home, "go be with your family, it sounds like they could use your help." Thanks, Warriors.

This may sound a little nuts. Literally, the next few days after Adam was slated on stone to return early, her seizures quit. We did take some proactive measures on our part. We kept her out of her highchair, we kept her calm, we took away all medicines so her body could try to heal itself.

But I wasn't sure...had they REALLY quit? What would the tests say?

This is what we went to Greenville to find out. We went straight to East Carolina Neurology and had her Ambulatory EEG put on to monitor her brain activity. We went back to the Greenville Ronald McDonald House and started our observation period.

She played with trains.

We drove her around in her push car that she absolutely LOVES.

We even met the man of the hour, Mr. McDonald himself.

Isn't she so stinkin' cute - even with a enormous bandage on her head, she's gorgeous!

It was a hard night. It started with us laying hands on our daughter. Begging Jehovah Rapha (the God who heals) the Great Physician, to work miracles on our behalf. For the Doctor to walk in the room and say, "I don't know what happened, her EEG was normal." For her to be perfectly healthy. We went boldly, straight to the throne of Grace, and told our King we wanted above all for Him to be glorified, but if there is ANY WAY to "let this cup pass" we would be grateful.

Then we tried to put her to bed.

Ha.

Needless to say it was a LONG night. It ended with Adam putting her in the car around 4:30am and driving around for 2 hours while she slept in the car, and I finally got some precious sleep in our room.

The next day we completed her test and waited for the results.

The Doctor walked in the room. It's those few seconds in between the time she steps in, test results known to her but not to me, that my faith is tested. Will I chose to trust Him no matter what she says? "My heart is pounding, God, selfishly I know what I want for my daughter. But, God, we ask your will be imposed on us. We love you. We want YOU above all else. But, God, let the cup pass.... please let her be OK.... "

"Well, guys, the EEG was normal. I'm not sure what happened, I looked and looked for something. I was sure there would be something there. But there was nothing. She looks perfectly healthy."

"What? Come again?"

"I don't know how to explain it. I guess she just quit."

I cried. I told her I'd been on my face praying. She, the stumped Doctor, sort of just laughed. We told her we could explain it. He's called Jehovah Rapha, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Emmanuel-God With Us, Ancient of Days, King, Messiah, Lord.

Adam, Brannen and I have been victims of Grace. We don't deserve this. We want to be clear in what we believe. It's Mercy. It's Grace. It's a miracle.

Love you all,

Tony

2009-07-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

The other day Brannen and I went to dinner at my friend, Lexi's house. Her daughter, Laila, had a large stuffed bear. We're talking a huge, 5 foot, white, fuzzy stuffed bear. Brannen loved it. She jumped on it, rolled over it, picked at it's eyes, talked to it... it was fun. So I mention that to my husband. I told him we need to get Brannen some kind of big stuffed animal. But not a bear...Laila has a bear...let's get her something different. My man tells me he's got it covered. He's on it...he's going to get her something great. A few days later a box shows up on our doorstep.

"OH Brannen, look!" I say, "You've got a present from Daddy! This is so exciting!"

I open the box, and Brannen and I are staring at her new pal...Tony. Tony the Triceratops.

You can't make this stuff up...

They watch Baby Einstein together ever morning. She loves Tony. She giggles and squeals at him whenever she first sees him for the day. I think it's hilarious that my husband sent his 10 month old baby girl a TRICERATOPS!!!

Tony precedes my husband by just one short week. We pick him up on Friday!

I think Tony is perfect. Brannen does too.

Love,

A Sharpening, Not a Punishment

2009-07-14T06:41:00.001-07:00

So sometimes God MUST rub His temples, look down at me and say, "COME ON, you're giving me a headache!" He must wonder if I'll ever learn. Of course, He doesn't wonder, He knows already - but still.

I have a control problem. I need order, I need privacy, I need knowledge so I can make informed decisions - all of it boils down to my need for control. If a Dr. decides to try to put my daughter on a medicine, I first need to research it. I need to know if it has side effects, substitutes, generic or name brand, how does it work, is it really necessary.... THEN and only then, if I still think she needs it, I might give it to her...at a half dose. If something is going on with my husband, in Iraq, a dangerous environment...or new developments - I keep it to myself for a long time, because I've got to get a handle on it first. I need to feel I've some sort of control - if not over the situation, then at least my emotions. I could go on...and on. I'm not kidding.

Anyway - the point is there come some times in my life when I think God is rubbing His temples and just shouts at me..."Enough!" and then He proceeds to pry the control from my tightly clenched fists. He doesn't leave me to reduce myself into a nervous ball of anxiety trying to control every little thing, He gently, or sometimes not so gently, reminds me that the control was never mine anyway. The glorious part is, "He doesn't leave me."

Recently, when life started snowballing again. When everything started getting a little scary - and I started grasping for straws. When I finally got on my face and asked God why He's punishing me like this - why He feels like it's necessary for me to go through some of these things...for MY DAUGHTER to go through some of these things? I distinctly heard Him telling me, "First of all, Krista - she's mine - I love her more. Second of all, it's not a punishment, but a sharpening. What would you rather have? No trials and be left as you are - or to be sharpened and be made more like Christ?"

Not that I'm even close to being like Christ...good grief I don't think I'll ever be. But I press on. And with each step, each trial and each blessing I hope I am at least sharpened. I told God that - even if He has rub His temples and no so gently beat me over the head.

Adam's returning on the advanced party and will be home in about 10 days. :)

Love you all,

Krista

My Smokin' Hot Husband

2009-06-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

That's right - I'm a lucky woman!

Adam at TQ, Iraq standing in front of their squadron emblem. Only two more months to go!

What I love this morning.

2009-06-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Saturday morning coffee. Somehow it just tastes better. I mean, coffee is coffee, so it's always good. But on Saturday mornings it's REAL good.

Brannen's napping, a lawn mower is running outside, it's sun-shiney and I'm in Texas at my parent's house drinking Saturday morning coffee. The only thing that would make this morning better would be if I could hear the faint sound of my husband still snoring in the bedroom. As it is, he's in Iraq. But God is good and Adam will be home soon. That is another thing - I LOVE when Adam is home. I LOVE homecomings. No, not the high school kind - but the kind where my husband has been to war, and then comes home.

So in my last post I said how it was really driving me crazy that Brannen wouldn't crawl. Well, she's crawling now...all over the place. Through the kitchen, behind the TV in the den, even in the bathtub - the girl won't sit still! Everyone kept telling me, "you'll wish you weren't in such a hurry for her to crawl once she does..." Well, they were wrong - I LOVE that she crawls. She loves that she crawls, it's a new found sense of independence. It's like it clicked in her head, "Hey, I want to go over there and now I can!" And off she goes. :)

She's also to the point that she's eating finger foods. This morning I made her "Baby Pancakes." She loved them, so I LOVED them. She's not the biggest eater in the world, she's kinda picky. So any food that she'll readily scarf down, I'm a fan.

Here's the recipe - (everything is organic, because that's all that goes in my daughter's mouth.)

1/2 C. whole wheat flour

1/2 C. baby oatmeal

1/2 mashed banana

1/2 C. breast milk or formula

1/4. C. Apple juice

1 T. unsalted butter

2 egg yolks

So you just make little bity, bite-sized pancakes (I then tore hers even smaller) and throw them on the high chair tray. Perfect!

I also LOVE my dog. I've had Hannah for about 3 and 1/2 years. Adam and I got her our first Thanksgiving as a married couple. Sometimes I've wanted to give her away, sometimes I've wanted to give her a swift kick in the rear, but most of the time I really do love her. She's a good dog. She's very loyal. She's been with me through 4 moves, 2 deployments and many drives across country. She doesn't like it AT ALL when someone she doesn't know holds Brannen. She just paces back and forth, kinda whining, kinda barking. She doesn't settle down until I'm holding her again. And she always let's me know when someone is at the door, or even within 10 feet of it. People who don't know her typically react in one of two ways. It's either - "whoa...is she nice? I mean, will she bite me?" or "cool! A doberman, can I pet her?" I can tell alot about people by which reaction they have.

Lastly (for this morning anyway) - I LOVE grace. Like I said, I'm sitting here in Texas, at my parent's beautiful home, drinking good coffee, thinking about my AMAZING husband who is my absolute rock and soft place. We share a gorgeous, bubbly, healthy baby girl who crawls and eats pancakes. We share a dog who is loyal and protective but wouldn't ever really hurt anybody. I'm sitting in a leather chair, still in my pj's at 10:45 typing on my mac. What on earth? I should be dead, in jail, sick, cast out, alone. God's Amazing Grace.

Love you all, K

Adam's 29th and Brannen's 3-quarter Birthdays!

2009-05-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

So my baby girl is 75% done with her first year of life. Crazy. She's awesome. We're getting the hang of it. Of being a mom-daughter team. We love each other. She's still working on learning how to crawl. She rocks back and forth, inch worms her way along, and sits up all by herself - but she just won't crawl! It's probably more frustrating for her than it is me, because I can tell she really WANTS to crawl, it just hasn't clicked yet. Anyway, we're working on it. If anyone has any tips, I'll listen! She's been a bit crankier than normal the past couple of days, but her top two teeth are busy pushing their way through her sensitive little gums, so I guess I'll cut her some slack.

The husband is good. It's his birthday today. He's 29. In a year he'll be 30. I sent him a rum cake, orange zest cookies, coffee, and the "Ninja Handbook." I told him in a year he'd have to quit reading silly books like, "The Ninja Handbook" and switch to more serious adult-like books, so he'd better soak it in while he can. :)

This is the second birthday he'll have spent in Iraq. I told him next year he HAS to be home. If he needs me to call Mr. President Obama, I can do that - but he must be in America, with his wife and daughter. Turning 30 is way too much fun (so I hear, I've got a few years yet) for him to spend it in the sand pit.

Anyway - we're hanging out in Texas. LOVING it. But who wouldn't?!? I love this state, this town, my parents house. It's all much more relaxing than North Carolina, Jacksonville, at my house - alone... yuck.

More soon... sooner than you think - hopefully!

Love you all,

Mother's Day

2009-05-09T19:18:00.001-07:00

To the Man who made me a Mother,

My treasure, my husband - I wish I had the words. I respect, admire, need, love, adore, and want you more than words can say. Thanks for making me a mom. Thanks for giving me the confidence to be a good one. You're my rock, my calmer, my teammate and my sanity. I could absolutely not be the mom I am without you as a husband. No matter where you are, what country you're in, you've always had my back. From the hospital room where our daughter first entered the world - to the NICU in Greenville - to the rocking chair in our bedroom - and even from Iraq - you've been there. You've encouraged and cheered me on through things I wasn't sure I was going to get through. But you knew I could. You are amazing. You were right, by the way, I LOVE being a mom. As hard as it's been, as hard as it'll be, I'm loving every second of it. Couldn't have done it without you. ;) So today, on Mother's Day - my very first one - just wanted to say thank you. So thanks. I love you.

The Mother of your daughter. EL

Easter and being wrecked.

2009-04-11T06:56:00.000-07:00

Oh, blogging...that was a lofty goal. So I guess I'm averaging about every two weeks. Hang on to your britches because it'll probably get worse before it gets better. My husband's gotta get home so I have time to do such things!

So this past week has been one of uncertainty and anxiousness. Adam is in Iraq and I am at home. But together we've been dealing of with an issue that has the capacity to completely destroy us. To wreck us and maybe it already has. Satan is cunning, but we can praise because God is with us. What the Deceiver meant to wound and tear apart, our God used to heal and bind.

Our 7 1/2 month old daughter has been put through a series of tests, doctors have been throwing out different medical terms to explain her quirks, and we've been on pins and needles. Will she have this syndrome or that disease? Will she be normal? Will she even be alright? Will we? These were some of the questions ransacking our conversations over the past week.

There was a certain diagnosis that we were terrified of, it would have been catastrophic - it would have smashed every dream we had dreamed for our daughter. Last Tuesday the Dr. said, "Well, we're 99% sure it's not that." OH, the relief that poured over us. I know both Adam and I fell sobbing on our faces praising Jesus Christ that we would not have to walk that tormented road. She was spared! We were spared! God said, "Not today, you won't have to deal with this." It was grace and mercy felt again, like I felt it for the first time - the same grace and mercy I felt when I realized that Jesus had saved me from Hell. I was wrecked, all over again with gratitude. I've been crying ever since - not for fear or sadness but for JOY! The joy of my salvation has been renewed by this whole experience. As bad as Adam and I thought a certain medical diagnosis would have been, how MUCH WORSE would HELL be? Hell, people. I think sometimes we use that word kind of loosely. Like, "OH, I'm going through Hell these days.... or last night was Hell..." little sayings like that. But really, our little pea-brains can't even imagine what Hell is like - for forever. Isn't that awful, terrifying, the worst kind of scary.

I'm a wreck, saved by mercy and grace. My daughter is not mine. She's His. I'm His. Adam is His. When we claim the Cross nothing can touch us. It's Easter tomorrow. Or as Adam and I like to call it, "Resurrection Sunday." Jesus rose and the Cross was defeated, death, disease, Satan were all defeated; therefore NOTHING can touch us. Not even a medical diagnosis, even though that would be difficult and even catastrophic, it has NO POWER. How great is our God?!? Our risen Lord. My Salvation is all that I hold dear.

Pray for us as Brannen continues to endure more tests. Pray for health and that our focus would remain on the defeated Cross and the power that lay there.

Love, Krista

Muslim World

2009-03-17T17:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent photos from a mission Adam flew a couple of days ago. The parade deck is where the Iraqi army would "present arms" to Saddam Hussein. The large reviewing stand is where Saddam would sit to watch the men. Any Google or You Tube search you did on "parade deck and Saddam" would show this location.

Also, a pic of a Mosque. Any blue dome shaped roof is typically a mosque.

What a dark country. It's hard for me to feel a "love" for the people there - because it's those silly folks who my husband is having protect. Sometimes I wish they'd just get their "stuff" together and pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get on with life - instead of my husband and my friend's husbands are STILL patrolling their country... GEEZ! However, it's when I see photos like these that I remember that Iraq is full of PEOPLE - - - souls. Many lost souls. Suddenly I feel a love and a huge burden to pray for them, their souls.

Anyway - just a thought - what if everyone prayed for them, their country and their souls? I remember one time I was in the Sudanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. - Sudan is mostly a Muslim country. My friend and I were there at prayer time. We walked into the women's prayer area. We prayed, just like the others - but when we knelt and prayed we spoke to the one true God. Jehovah, Messiah, Jesus Christ. We prayed for muslims all over the world - for them to see the light, for their souls to be saved. It was moving, I'll remember it forever. I need to remember to pray that way for the souls in Iraq as well.

Krista

God, not God's favor

2009-03-06T07:21:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I think it's so easy to think that our life circumstances are a direct reflection of the way God "feels" about us. If things are going well we think, "God must be happy with me right now, I must be doing something right." If things are crappy, we lost all our retirement in the economic crisis, or we just found out that someone we love has cancer, "God is certainly angry with me right now, I must have messed up."

I'm guilty of this train of thought on almost a daily basis. If Brannen's napping well that day, God must be happy with me; if Adam is having a good day, I think that God must be pleased with something I've done. I can't believe how WRONG that is - and even downright silly. There are two major things that stand out to me as incorrect. First off, that train of thought implies that I can manipulate my life circumstances, through God by my actions. Just think about that for a minute. If I act a certain way, if I have my quiet time daily or bless every meal appropriately, God will be pleased so He will make my life easy....WOW...so wrong. God is not manipulated, thankfully. Secondly, God doesn't have changing feelings toward us in that capacity - He loves us, always - no matter what - that doesn't change! He is ALWAYS "for us", on our team. I know I have such a tendancey to think that God just barely tolerates me, because I'm always messing up. But guess what - God LOVES me, in fact, He's crazy about me - He LOVES being on "my team" even though I constantly am the worst player on the field. He doesn't look down and say, "Ugggghhhh - I've gotta deal with HER again?!?"

I love in Psalms 124 David describes what would have happened if God "had not been for us." He says that they would have been swallowed alive, teeth would have ripped them apart, raging waters would have engulfed their souls. I think about that in terms of my life - If God had not been "for me" what would have happened...? I'd probably be dead, and deservingly so. If not death, then jail or sick or just plain miserable - consumed with anger and bitterness. But I look at my life now and it has been redeemed! I begged Christ to redeem it, and He did! I have a life I am completely not worthy of. Thank goodness I can't manipulate Christ with my actions, because if that were the case - I'd be in the ground! Instead I have a merciful saviour who has given me the this most abundant, beautiful life.

HOWEVER, if someday I look around and I am emptied. If the things that make me devastated to even think about suddenly happen - does that mean I did something wrong or God is no longer on "my team?" No, no way. It's so hard to wrap my pea-brain around it - but God is still absolutely crazy about me. I still must believe that God IS who He says He is. And one thing He says He is, is "for me." I must trust in God, NOT God's favor. The way my Bible study put it this morning is, "If our trust is in manifestations of God's favor rather than God Himself, we will crumble like dry clay when He calls us to walk a distance of our journeys entirely by faith and not by sight." Or, when He calls us to deal with cancer, divorce, deployments, falling Roth IRA's, etc. Our life circumstances must not make us waiver in the way we trust our God.

Oh - if it were only that easy!

Love you all, K

Sweet Coffee

2009-03-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

Ode to Coffee...

Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks - I don't care who

makes my daily cup of brew.

It's the first thing I think of at morning light

it's the last thing to get ready at night.

Whether it's cloudy and cold or warm with sun

a hot mug of joe, and I can function.

At home in the states or deployed to the Middle East

we always both think, "I've got my coffee, at least."

- Krista :)

Happy Half Birthday!

2009-02-26T18:40:00.001-08:00

All is well on the home front!

Brannen is 6 months old today. WOW. My mom and I sang her "Happy half birthday to you...happy half birthday to you..." it was fun. She got to watch her brand new, for "6 month olds and up only" Baby Einstein video. She also got lots of "Half-Birthday" hugs and kisses from Mommy and Nana.

On the Middle Eastern front Adam is beginning to settle in. He has started to fly quite a bit and work himself into a manageable routine. We are able to talk with each other several times a day - Praise God! Also, usually once a day, or every other day - we sit down in front of the computer and Adam is able to see his daughter. Brannen always gets excited when Adam's face appears and she hears his voice - she starts to squeal, kicks her legs and flaps her arms. It's priceless - Praise God for technology.

Deployments are good in some ways (you always must find the silver lining!) For Adam and me, we both tend to draw nearer to each other (figuratively, duh...) Deployments make us acutely aware of what it is we have, in each other and in our marriage. They also draw us nearer to Christ - to focus on Him and to listen to His direction and calling.

Don't get me wrong - deployments suck....but we know God wastes nothing.

Adam's mailing address is:

Captain Michael A. Weathers

HML/A 167 DET. B S-3

Unit 77023

FPO AE 09509-7023

He would love some packages I'm sure. Some good things to think of would be calling cards, fun types of coffee creamer, cool looking whole-bean coffee (don't put that on your customs form though) any kind of Jack Links jerky, any fun snacks, protein powder would probably go pretty quickly amongst the guys, baked goods - chocolate is OK for now, but it is starting to warm up over there - keep in mind Adam will want to be able to share anything you send with his Marines. Try not to send him junky stuff - also, for now, don't send books or anything heavy. At some point in this deployment his unit may shift locations and at that time he doesn't want to have a bunch of stuff to pack up.

OK - I'll try not to go that long without posting again. Time is just very precious right now - I don't have much of it!

Love you all, K

Mom and Daughter

2009-02-16T06:30:00.001-08:00

Hey People - Loved this pic of me and Brannen. We're such a team! Just wanted to share, hope you all had a fabulous Valentine's day. We missed our man, but brunch with the girls made it fun!

Adam's email in Iraq is: michael.weathers@tq.mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

Please don't send junky stuff, like forwards and all - and don't send more than one photo at a time. The system gets bogged down and trying to download things takes a while. HOWEVER, notes of encouragement are encouraged! Please send him some.

K & BB

Al Asad

2009-02-11T09:37:00.000-08:00

HML/A 167 finally made it to Iraq. They got stuck in Germany for a while because there was a large sandstorm (Ha boob - nope, not kidding) that was brewing in Al Asad. I think it's still going because they haven't quite made it to Al Taquadem (TQ) yet. TQ is where Adam will be spending the majority of this deployment. I asked Adam if he got to enjoy a good German brew since they were stuck there, and he said no, no drinking allowed, but that he had been able to eat some good bratwursts with sauerkraut.

Anyway - He's in good spirits, I'm in good spirits. We're all, by God's Grace, doing very well. Brannen and I are actually having a blast. Of course, we terribly miss my husband and her dad, but, to keep our mind off things, we just play and play, cuddle up together at least once a day for a nap, take walks and laugh at each other! I thought it would be harder to be the only one around to tend to her, but really I'm having fun. I'm going to call it the Lord's provision for me on this deployment. Here in a week or two I may be singing a different tune...if I know one thing by now it's not to get to comfortable because right when I do everything will change!

I'm working through the Psalms of Ascent and today's Psalm was 121. Last deployment I prayed Psalm 91 over Adam almost daily. I think this deployment it's going to be 121.

This is what it says:

"I will lift my eyes up to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Maker of Heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, the Keeper of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and coming in from this time fourth and forever."

God is so good. I just want to praise Him for giving Adam and I the peace we begged Him for before this deployment even began. He is faithful.

Love you all, K

D-Day

2009-02-08T08:42:00.000-08:00

Today is what I am not-so-affectionately referring to as D-day. That is, Deployment day. Today sucks - no way around it. Staring down the business end of half a year away from my husband, it's just plain sucky.

We had our "Armageddon Movie" day together yesterday. I call it that because in the movie "Armageddon" Liv Tyler and Ben Afleck spend a day just hanging out together before Ben "leaves on a jet plane." They go for a ride through the countryside, they play with animal crackers and well - you know the rest. Adam and I had the best Armageddon day. We relaxed, drank good french pressed coffee. He made us eggs and bacon. He's the BEST egg cooker in the world. We had a fire going (it was cold outside!) I had to run to a babyshower for one of my most treasured friends (or else I would have skipped it under the circumstances), so Adam spent some very quality time with our daughter. He said they just laughed and played for about an hour together. Brannen LOVES her dad. When I got home we headed down to Wilmington. Then we had some very sweet and tender moments together in a tattoo parlor.

Yep - we both got tattoos. They're Hebrew letters for key words that are very important to our marriage and each other. Mine comes from 2nd Samuel and Adam's comes from Hosea. It was fun, and spontaneous! Some people go out to dinner, we went out for tattoos! After getting to know everyone at the tattoo shop (Hardwire) we headed out and grabbed some Chillis to go, then made the hour drive home. By that time it was late, time to get Brannen to bed and for us to start heading that direction as well. Before we climbed in, however we got on our knees, bowed our heads and begged our God for peace, mercy, love, and safety. We thanked God for giving us a fun and relaxing day together. We humbly requested we be spared heartache, but boldly asked that His will be imposed. We spent a good amount of time in prayer, praying for our daughter, praying for each other, with each other.

Yes, D-day sucks, absolutely. But we both know that God is faithful and our happiness and joy is not dependent upon each other. It's dependent upon our relationship with Christ. It is only through Christ that we can find the highest joy, the truest happiness, and if we have it IN CHRIST - then we can have it no matter what earthly situation we are facing.

I'm reminded of a TBarM ritual. At any point in time a Coach would shout, "GOD IS GOOD!" and the campers would reply, "ALL THE TIME!" Then the Coach would shout, "ALL THE TIME!" and the campers would reply, "GOD IS GOOD!" Sometimes it's easier to shout it than others - but even today - on D day - I can still praise, and shout that God is good, all the time.

Love you all, K

Deployment

2009-01-28T05:52:00.001-08:00

So I'll be blogging this deployment. Hopefully I'll be doing other things too - maybe walking in the mornings with some girls from Sunday School, maybe cooking A LOT of cookies, maybe doing a little on-line shopping - but I'll definitely be blogging. Probably not everyday, I don't have that much time - but every few days. This way I can avoid sending out those emails - if you want to know how we're doing just check the blog! Last deployment I sent out emails, I inevitably left someone off, or included someone who didn't care and I would get emails back saying, "Hey, what about me?" or "hey, could you please just let us know when he gets back..." hmmm...sure. I obviously won't be including sensitive information on the blog - but I wouldn't put that in emails either. So you won't miss anything - don't worry.

Anyway - so so far we're doing good. Of course, he hasn't left yet. We're both getting a little sad - always sad when you've gotta say bye to the people (person) you love most in the world. We've been doing the pre-deployment stuff - like getting my military ID renewed. Handling legal junk. Buying the biggest bag of dogfood ever. Setting up Skype. I hate this part - just go and come home already. At least this deployment should be short - they're shortening them here on the East Coast. Thankfully.

My mom's coming soon after he leaves. Thank goodness for that too.