The Birthday

A special little girl came into our lives in 2006 on her first birthday.  Eva celebrated her 7th birthday and her 6th anniversary with her family this week.  She was quite excited to have Seth home to enjoy her special day.

She only wanted zucchini for her birthday dinner, but Seth talked her into pizza, which she seemed to enjoy.

Jordan bought her the Navy camos!  Aren't they cute on her?

Seth bought her a sword and canteen.  She is so much like Seth in her imagination and adventuresome spirit.

Cooking With Joy

"Cooking With Joy" sounds like a wonderful title for a Food Network show, doesn't it?  But, the Joy I'm referring to is my daughter.

While the other children were at the soccer fields, Joy and I stayed home to fix dinner, Lettuce Wraps.  Today, she was my helper.  She dried the Boston Bib lettuce.  She had a great time!

After I cooked the onions, garlic, and water chestnuts, I poured in the Hoison Sauce.

Then Joy and I had this conversation:

Joy:  Is that barbecue sauce?
Me:  No, it is Hoison Sauce.
Joy:  Poison Sauce?
Me:  No, Hoison Sauce.
Joy:  Good thing it's not Poison Hoison.
Me:  Yes, it is.

So, we continued having a good time together this evening fixing dinner; one of the few times I am alone with just one of my children.

I let her play with my camera.  Not a bad shot, considering she could only hold the camera up with her tiny hands for all of ten seconds at a time.

She loved snapping pictures while I sipped my ginseng tea.  Then we ate dinner together before the gang with a big appetite came through the door.

Family Day and Graduation

We left for Parris Island, South Carolina, for Marine Boot Camp graduation on Wednesday.  The excitement made the trip seem much longer than the 6.5 hour drive.  It is hot at Parris Island.  Very hot.  We left our hotel for the Marine base before the sun camp up on Thursday morning.  We were greeted by a Beaufort police officer letting my husband know that he was exceeding the speed limit.  He gave Mike a nice warning, and we were on our merry way.  We had not seen our son since June.  We were ready to spend the day with him.  Our day started waiting to see Kilo Company and his platoon during the Motivational Run which started at 7:00 A.M.

This scene took my breath away, knowing my son was somewhere among these young men.  I spied him on the front row with a big grin on his face.  Next was the 2.5 mile run.  We lined the streets waiting to cheer on our Marines!

Did I mention how hot it was?  We were all sweating by 7:30 A.M. and we weren't even running!

After the run, the Marines headed back to barracks to get ready for the Liberty Ceremony at 9:00.  We headed to the MCX to do some shopping and sit somewhere very cool.  Then we headed to the facility to see our Marine!

 Patiently waiting...

 Seth's platoon.

Finally!  On base liberty!

He showed us all around the base.

Where he slept...

Who yelled at him...

The head...

Friends...

We were able to spend time with this young man and his family.  Seth and SS developed a God-ordained friendship during their three months together.  These guys were able to have prayer time and Bible study.  Seth said he always felt "refreshed" afterwards.

My guys and my father-in-law.

For some reason, Anica wanted to come with us?

Seth had to leave us at 2:45 P.M., but it was so great to see him.  We headed back to the hotel and rested up for graduation bright and early the next morning.

Instead of being greeted by a police officer the next morning, we were greeted by the Marines at the gate of the base for a random check.  We had to exit our vehicle while they inspected our van.  At least they let all eight of us sit in an air-conditioned trailer.  Then we were on our way to wait in line to have our bags searched before being seated.

There was a total of around 526 Marines graduating.  The above picture is of Seth's platoon 3065.  Platoon 3065 was the Honor Platoon.  They looked sharp.  Their march and stance in unison was mesmerizing.  Pride and patriotism soared from every parent observing their son.  My words cannot do this ceremony justice.  If you ever have the opportunity to attend a graduation, I highly recommend it.

I'm glad my son was in the front row.  Otherwise, I would have had a difficult time finding him.  I'm thankful for the zoom lens.

Finally, liberty.  He quickly grabbed his bags, and we were heading home.  We get a quick ten days with our son.  He is the same high-energy guy he has always been.  But, Seth is obviously a more mature, disciplined young man.  There is definitely a pride in wearing the Marine uniform.  I'm one proud mother.  If I think about it too long, I can easily become teary-eyed thinking about where Seth was emotionally and spiritually a year ago.

On our trip home, Seth was thanked a few times for his service during our stops for lunch and gas.  It took me by surprise seeing our son's humility and character shine through.

My Life Lately

With Seth's upcoming boot camp graduation, things have been a little hectic around here.  I've been doing school since the beginning of August in anticipation of being off while Seth is home.  School has been successful at least 3 days, sometimes more, a week.  Then I overheard Ivy giving Eva some trivia questions.  The answers are hilarious, and I am thankful that I haven't even taught geography to Eva.  So, her answers are in no way a reflection of my teaching skills.  At least she has heard of some of these places.

Ivy:  What is the capital of California?
Eva:  New Mexico!
Ivy:  No
Ivy:  What states border New Jersey?
Eva:  Egypt and India!
Ivy:  No.  Let's play something else.

So, for some reason Eva likes to play in the hall closet.  Sunday, they decided to bring their DVD player into the closet and watch The Christmas Story.

Crazy Kids (We only have one TV in the house, maybe that is why they have to go into the closet?)

So, in anticipation of Seth being home, and my father-in-law coming to visit, I decided to fix up Jordan's room.  It was really, really, dirty.  Lots of hair spray on the walls, dust on the dirty baseboards.  I had been putting it off.  Eva was originally in that room when she came home in 2006.  I had the cutest Asian bedding for her. 

So, I painted her room a very pale pink, and had a friend of mine paint a scripture and matching flowers around the top of the room.  It was so pretty.  When the girls moved out and Jordan moved in, we never painted over it.

This weekend, I painted over that beautiful scripture.  I hated doing it.  But, I moved on and made the room into a guest room.  There is still plenty to do, but at least now it is clean and freshly painted. 

It is a small room, but it looks so peaceful.  It is missing Jordan right now!  Speaking of Jordan...some of you have asked about her.  She is at school in Pensacola and seems to be enjoying herself.  She is learning a lot of crazy stuff that she is not allowed to tell me...NEVER EVER.  So, I can't even ask.  So, I can't tell you guys.  I could say, "Think James Bond" of "The Bourne Identity", but that wouldn't be right.  It's not as glamorous, she's not an agent, she's not as cool, and she's definitely not as calm.  So, thanks for all the prayers that went up for her.  She is adjusting and I get to talk to her often enough.  Yesterday, we face-timed, and I went through her clothes that she wants me to send her.  Amazing how far technology has come since Mike was in the Navy.  We had a $300 phone bill during the times he was in port in some other country!  Crazy!

Off to clean, pack, cook, soccer, and get ready to see my son!

Liberty Sunday

Since Seth finished the Crucible early Saturday morning, he had a few hours of free time on Sunday.  He stood in line waiting on the phones, went to the exchange and bought candy with his buddy.

So, who would Seth call?  His mom, who was on bedrest with him during the pregnancy?  The one who birthed him after 12 hours of labor?  The one who was his only source of nourishment for the first year of his life?  The one who proudly wears this T-shirt?

Or would it be Anica?  The one who has been his friend the last 2 years.  The one who also endured tough times as well as great times with him?  The one who faithfully wrote him letters every single day for the last 11 weeks?

To be honest, knowing that he had one phone call and 5 minutes, I would not expect him to choose me or his family.  He's not a mama's boy; he is a young man.  So, the unsaid plan was: Have Anica spend the day with us.  No one would miss out!  She came to church, we went out to lunch, she hung out with us as we were running errands.  He called.  His voice sounded so different.  He spoke briefly to me and Mike and Anica.  Then, he called back and talked to Anica another 5-7 minutes.  All was well.

Now, I am so excited to actually see his face once again, soon.  His visit home will go by way too quickly.  But, my boy is now a young man.  It seems so strange to see him moving on from boyhood to manhood.  But, it makes me proud seeing how far he has come.

FYI I've been wanting to comment on some blogs recently.  But, the word verification is still not allowing me.  I don't want you to think I'm ignoring you guys!  I love my bloggy friends!

My Son

My oldest son became a Marine this morning. 

 

He started the 54-hour Crucible in the wee hours of Wednesday morning and finished up with the 9-mile hike back to the barracks by 7:30 this morning.  He's had no shower, 3 meals ready to eat, and little sleep. 

I haven't slept a whole lot since Wednesday.  I've been up through the nights whispering prayers of strength to his Savior.  I cannot even put into words the pride I feel right now.  He is a Marine.  He proudly serves his country.  He is proudly living his dream.