Freedom is NOT Free...

A Soldier's Prayer

God our Father,
Help me to remain true to my ideals
during my service to my country.
Help me be what is in America,
the land of the free.
May I realize that I represent
what our country stands for.
My uniform is a symbol of duty and valor
both in peace and in war.
I take up arms to defend what all Americans hold dear:
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Grant me the strength to live according to these ideals,
the courage of my convictions, and the resolve to endure whatever dangers threaten.
With you at our side I fear no evil
and resist every enemy,
secure in the knowledge
that you hold me in the palm of your hand.
Amen.





The soldier stood and faced his God Which must always come to pass...
He hoped his shoes were shining Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you soldier, How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and Said,"No, Lord, I guess I ain't...
Because those of us who carry guns Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent, Because the streets are awfully tough.
But, I never took a penny That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help, Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place Among the people here...
They never wanted me around Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord, It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much, But if you don't, I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne Where the saints had often trod...
As the soldier waited quietly, For the judgment of his God,
"Step forward now you soldier,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

To all those fallen and those still standing...
THANK YOU for protecting my family!

Rocephin Was A Blessin'...

I took Riley back to the doctor Friday for her re-check with her ear infection after she had gotten her 3 Rocephin shots. The shots were not fun and hurt her so bad...I felt so bad knowing there was nothing I could do to ease her pain. Well, the re-check answered my prayers her ear infection was gone so the shots were worth it (for now) anyway. If Riley gets another infection or still has fluid then it's off to the ENT. She has had a slight fever the past few days and i'm praying it's just her teeth and not another infection coming on. I take Logan this week for his re-check for his infection so i'm going to have the Dr. check Riley's while i'm there. Hopefully Logan and Riley will be free and clear!

A Grandmother's Day...

Today was Mother's Day and like most I had a wonderful day. I wanted to make today more than just about me and about all the mother's in the family. So, me and Chris went to one of the hardest places for his family to go..to visit his Nanny at Edgewood Cemetery. I never got to meet his nanny as she passed away before we ever met but not a day goes by that I don't wish I would have gotten that opportunity and chance to even just tell her hello. Chris loved his nanny so much and apart form us and his mom and dad she was the one person that he loved most in his life. He misses her so much and mentions something about her at least once a day. She must have been such a wonderful and endearing woman for them to love her that way. I don't only wish that I could have met her but also that she would have gotten to meet Logan and Riley too...everyone says how much she would have loved them to pieces. It breaks my heart to see him when we visit as it's not an easy task for him and doesn't handle it well, but we pray and know that she's looking down and watching us every day. I had a stone personalized for her, so we took it out today and gave it to her. On days like this we are so thankful for those who take care of us and mean so much to us..so today was more than mother's day we made it "Nanny's Day" and celebrated her life she lived and how much she meant to those who knew her and like me even those who didn't. I do have something to look forward to and that is that day I finally get to meet her and see her face and tell her what a wonderful family she raised and how much they love her, especially her grandson! So, until that day i'll keep thinking of her and sharing her with her great-grandkids and looking forward to that first official meeting....

No Teethies...

Riley turned 7 months on the 3rd and she still doesn't have any teeth. I know they say the longer they take to come in the healthier they are. My girls teeth must be something spectacular then. Logan had his teeth starting at around 5 months, but no such luck with Riley. I feel bad because I want to give her so many different things but without teeth she can't bite them. So, we sit and wait patiently for those little pearly whites to start poking through...until then I guess we'll stick to the dissolving snacks! On a high note I do have to say that when she smiles her "gummy" smile and looks like a grandma without her dentures, it's the cutest things in the world:)

Aggravation...

So, after a re-check visit today Riley has another infection in her ear even worse than it was before and that's after the antibiotics! I a little sleep deprived and already at wits end with her ear infections. I know they have to have so many infections or so many weeks of fluid before they recommend tubes, Logan had to have them and they were a blessing it was one of the best things for him. Logan didn't have another ear infection and matter of fact still hasn't had one! I know tubes are in her future since it's always the left ear and the doctor already said her eustachian tube in that ear just isn't positioned right yet so long story short Riley will eventually get tubes. It seems like were just waiting for that magical number so they can send us. The aggravation part of my story comes next we dropped of Riley's RX at CVS to get it filled and then visited the in-laws while we waited. We got home and I went to give her her medicine and it was still powder..they FORGOT to mix it. Now, normally this wouldn't make me mad but having to drive back to Callahan to get it fixed and then back home after already not sleeping for 3 nights it not my idea of a good time. So, hopefully the medicine will clear up the infection this time and maybe soon we'll end out trips to the doctors office every 2 weeks to check her ears. Praying she feels better tomorrow...

Wordless Wednesday...