Memorial Box--Searching

Things have been extremely busy around here, and I didn't think I'd have time for a Memorial Box post. But, I'm glad I found the time AND I can't wait to share this story with my girls tonight during our prayer time. (For more about what a Memorial Box is, click the photo above.)

I've told you before...I married my high school sweetheart.

We married young, and our wedding set was quite modest. The sentimental value though was priceless.

When we had been married less than 10 years, I looked down one day to find that the setting on the engagement ring was gone.

GONE........

All that was on my finger was the gold band. This ring was made differently than most, and it appeared that the small 1/4 carat diamond cluster was simply "welded" on. How could I possibly NOT have felt the force that would have broken it off?

It was a Wednesday night. I had worked all day, been to the dentist, and then to prayer meeting. The setting could have been anywhere.

The next day, my teaching assistant helped me comb the classroom. I went through files in my filing cabinet, we slept the floor, and she even dug through the garbage can. I called the dentist office, and the staff there looked. I went to the church and traced every step. After days of searching, I'd like to say I found the setting, but I didn't.

Stan and I looked into replacing the setting. We also looked a new rings.

With Christmas approaching and our tenth anniversary just a few months away, I decided I would like an anniversary ring instead. We shopped and found a nice ring on sale, and my sweet honey made sure he placed it on a branch of the Christmas tree that Christmas Eve.


Fast forward a few years.

I got up one morning and couldn't find my anniversary ring. I looked in the jewerly box and on the night stand. (I sometimes took the ring off at night because my hands will swell.) Not finding it, I went on to work.

When I came home from work, I began to search for the ring again.

Once again, I looked in my bedroom where I really thought it was...and couldn't find it. I took the things off my nightstand, placed them on the bed, and then moved the nightstand. Still no ring. Then, I placed the things back on my nightstand.

I decided I would "dig" through my purse. Maybe it had slipped off my finger at some time. As I looked through my purse, I felt God speaking. I thought about all of the lost people I knew, and how little I was doing to "search" for them. There was much in my purse that was just in the way, including a golf ball. I felt God telling me, "There is nothing wrong with a golf ball, but even good things get in the way of the work I have for you." Without finding the ring, I felt God was trying to teach me to search for the lost the same way I had searched for the ring.

I decided I needed to stop looking for the ring and begin looking in God's word.

I went to the bedroom.

I reached for my Bible on the night stand....

The same night stand I had earlier removed everything from.

There, on my Bible, was my ring.

You can imagine my surprise. Perhaps it's the same surprise you feel now.

I don't know where the ring had been earlier. I had moved THAT Bible just minutes earlier, had placed it on the bed, AND had moved the Bible back to the night stand. There is NO way I could have missed that ring.

I told some friends that an angel had it in his pocket. He kept it there until I slowed down enough to listen to the Spirit.

Maybe....

But, I do know that my heart was fertile ground for God's voice that night.

So, in our Memorial Box, I am placing a ring.....not THE ring, but a simple ring, to remind us that God wants to talk to us!

I'll Call You Sister

The past few weeks have been challenging for our family. When you read this you may understand why I didn't post a Memorial Box story last week. And, I find it interesting that Linny, who began Memorial Box Monday, didn't post one last week either.

Stan and I both receive our salaries from state government. Furloughs and medical bills have done some serious harm to our finances. Sometimes, I'm not sure we'll be able to balance the family budget. More difficult financial news came just as we were leaving for Tampa with Ellie to see doctors at Shriners.

While in Tampa, we had disheartening news about Ellie's mobibility. One doctor further discouraged us concerning her future.

I've suffered pain in my neck. It was bothering me before we went to Tampa. The pain later moved to my shoulder, and down my arm until I finally lost feeling in my thumb. A subsequent MRI revealed a bone spur between vertebrae in my neck. I see a neurosurgeon tomorrow.

And, on Mother's Day, I received a call from Stan at work. "Can you come get me?" he asked. His shift at the prison was not over. I knew something was wrong. He had responded to a call for help from another officer. When he joined the "tussle" between three officers and one inmate, he later found himself at the bottom of a pile. His knee was injured. He's not been back to work yet. He sees an orthopedist this week.

Read all of that and wonder...How could this be a Memorial Box post?

Through our most recent trials, God has proven Himself faithful through the family of God.

After posting about our visit to Tampa, I received much encouragement from many of you. (Read that post "Passing Through Deep Waters" here if you missed it.) At the end of the week, one of my former students came to see me. She carried a gift from a "secret" friend.

I don't know who sent it, but I'm certain I can call her Sister.

Ellie doesn't know all of the details the doctors shared with us. She doesn't know the significance of the gift. But, she asked if she could put it on her bed. I couldn't think of a better place.

Within a few days, as I struggled with the pain in my neck, and knew I would soon have an MRI, with copays to add to our financial strain, I found an envelope in our mail box. There was no return address. Inside the envelope was a handmade card with no signature, only these words. "The LORD takes care of all who love him." (Psalm 145:20) Also in the card, was this....



Did any of you hear my gasp? Can you imagine the Holy Ghost bumps?

I don't know who sent that gift either. But, I am certain I can call her Sister, too.

Following Stan's injury last Sunday, our pastor and his wife left for a visit to family in Virginia. When I sat at the piano for Wednesday night's prayer service, though, I found a note from our pastor that read, " Sister Robbie, what a blessing you are. Keep playing and singing." (I don't think I'll call him Sister. I'll stick with Brother.)

And, you know what?

Stan and Ellie are still walking with crutches. (Ellie said, "Hey! I'm not the only one with crutches. But I'm faster than Daddy. He's not used to it yet.)

My neck still hurts.

The pain medication makes me itch.

Our budget remains super tight.

But, I read past verse 20 of Psalm 145.

I read verse 21.

"My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD."

Though we have trials here on earth, I serve a Savior who is worthy of my praise.

He is the Comforter. He comforts me when I am alone. He comforts me in my prayer time. He comforts me through the body of Christ, faithful servants of the LORD.

He is my provider. He can balance the family budget. I never know what I'll find in my mail box. And, he may choose to provide for us through the body of Christ.

He is the Friend Who Sticks Closer Than a Brother. I can trust Him. He is there. He is always there. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever more.

So, in our Memorial Box, I have placed the cards.

I think I'll leave the pillow on Ellie's bed.

A Gift Beyond Measure

I was leaving Wal-Mart late tonight, Friday, sometime after 10:00 PM. I heard someone calling, "Mrs. Robbie!"

When I turned around I saw her, now a young adult, and I knew instantly who she was, though it's been some time since I last saw her.

I was her third grade teacher, and I looped with her class to fourth grade, so I taught her for two years.

When she entered third grade, she couldn't read.

I was determined that she would NOT leave third grade being unable to read.

We worked.

HARD.

She found it difficult to stay focued on any task. Sometimes, we sat together, just to two of us. I would hold both of her hands, and have her look me in the eye. We would practice sounds together.

I remember the day she read her first library book. She smiled more brightly than any student I had seen before, beaming actually, and exclaimed, "I can read!" I took her to the telephone and had her call her Sunday School teacher. She shouted, "I can read!"

When, I was putting my groceries in my car tonight, I said a prayer, "Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the privilege of being a part of her life."

And, as I drove home, I thought....I never heard her say, "Thank you for teaching me to read." But tonight, when she left the store, left her boyfriend in Subway placing her order, and followed me outside to say, "Hello," my heart smiled. It was all the thanks I needed.

And, I don't know who has received the greater blessing.

How Could I Decide

I've had to make a lot of difficult decisions in life...my major in college; the decision to adopt; when, where, if to go on a mission trip. The Holy Spirit has prompted and guided.

For this, though, I decided NOT to decide. I couldn't decide which photo was my favorite.





Once again we drove to town to the lovely field of flowers that bloom each May.



The girls were more than willing models for Mom's photo shoot. We took far too many photos. Since I couldnt' decide, I'm posting lots.



You tell me. Which photo(s) is your favorite?


I really did choose a few of my favorite above.
But, here's a slide show of others before I did any editing.....

You Know What?

I want to go back to Africa.

I've listened the past few weeks to Brother Brad Palmer, and his life challenges us all to LIVE OUT LOUD for Jesus.

I was looking for another post from the past and caught myself reading how God miraculously provided for our trip last summer.

I want to go back to Africa.

We surely don't have the money now. I've just learned I may need surgery on my neck this summer. I don't think God is calling me to go this year. But next summer...

I want to go back to Africa.

Would you help me pray that God would make the crooked paths straight, that He would reveal His will, that He would manifest His glory...because....

I want to go back to Africa.

Another...I Get to be the Mama Moment

Yesterday when we came home from school, there had been lots of rain, and our red neck driveway was full of puddles. Ellie asked, "Mama can we play in the puddles?" When my teenagers were younger, I might would have said, "No," but I've learned how quickly they grow up, so my answer was instead, "Why not?" Josie-Tatum, however, did not want to dirty her feet.... She played photographer instead. But...Ellie jumped right in! And, may I remind all of you who've watched your big kids grow up, and miss the pitter patter, or run and splash, of little feet. There are 147 million orphans in the world. You could be the Mama, too! Check out the video and see what you are missing.

Faith Calling--Memorial Box

Many of you have read this post already, but after what I saw this morning, I had to make it a Memorial Box post. Read the update at the bottom!!!

My fingers can hardly type, as my heart flutters and my breathing is shallow. I hear faith calling, calling loudly. Please listen. Spend some time with Jesus and tell me what you hear. Will our spirits bear witness together of a mighty work of God?

When we committed to adopting Ellie, we knew very little of her condition. When I first saw her face, I only knew her medical condition as lumbar meningocele. I didn't even know at the time that it was form of spina bifida.


After much research and much prayer, the short part of this story is, as a family, Stan, Whitney, Caleb, Josie-Tatum, and I committed to adopting the little girl, Dang MinChun. We believed, regardless of the extent of her disabiltiy, she was meant for our family. We knew that paralysis and lack of continence were possibilities. We discussed how we would be willing to push her in a wheel chair for all the days of her life, if necessary. We would be willing to change diapers forever if necessary.

After sending our letter of committment, someone contacted me...not from an adoption agency, or from China. I was contacted by a lady who had considered adopting Dang Min Chun. She knew someone who had met and held our Ellie in China. Can you imagine my joy when I saw this first photo, when I saw that she was crawling?


The lady who had met our Ellie had visited her foster home earlier that year. She had taken lots of photos and had posted them on her blog. While awaiting our Ellie, I had access to an abundance of photos. I looked through everyone of them over and over, but the very last two photos she posted of her visit to the foster home were these:




Please click here to see the pictures full size. You don't want to miss this.

Go ahead. Click the link above first.

Did you look closely? Did you see the title of the book Ellie was "reading?" I don't even remember if I noticed it the first time. But, later I did, and I wondered if it was a sign.

Now, if you read Tuesday's post, "Passing Through Deep Waters," then you know our faith has been challenged. Is it a coincidence that our missionary friend from South Africa suggested just this past Sunday that what American Christians lack most is FAITH? Is it a coincidence that I had a conversation with another pastor on Friday about our lack of faith, and what faith can do.

Then, Friday, my sweet sister rented a movie, Faith Like Potatoes. (I highly recommend it.) As, I watched the movie tonight, my faith was challenged. I was asking God to help me step out in faith, to ask for the impossible. For, as the movie-based on a true story suggests-miracles occur when we are faced with challenges, but the potential for a great miracle is the impossible.

With all of these thoughts rolling around in my mind, I picked up my Sunday School book to prepare to teach tomorrow. (Yes, I should have begun studying earlier.) The lesson is from Acts 3 and 4. It began with a discussion of Acts 3:1-10.

Go get your Bible.


I dare you.


Read it.

Read it now.



I'll wait.



I don't want to spoil the surprise.




Did you see that?

The lame man leapt and stood up and he entered with Peter and John into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God!

Do you hear faith calling? Please share what you hear?

After posting this story on Saturday night, I continued to listen for God's voice. On Sunday, we were part of another moving service with our missionary friend Brad Palmer. Brad prayed for Ellie after the service....

Then, this morning, still asking God to send affirmation, I had already made sure the girls were in the car. I forgot something and ran back inside. As I reached for the door, I noticed something on the door frame. It was a sticker, with only one word....






When I came home from work, I took the sticker from the door frame. There was enough "sticky" left on it to stick it inside a card. The sticker's new home is in our Memorial Box, a reminder that our Heavenly Father wants us to hold out hope for Ellie.

The Great Adventure

I'm so glad God gave us the gift of music, the notes that work in perfect harmony with one another, rythym, and melody. How is it that the scale repeats every eight notes in an octave? It's all amazing to me.

And, it's amazing how a song can speak such comfort to me at just the right time. Like Tuesday, What Faith Can Do....

And, today, as I was getting Ellie ready for her Saddle Up Therapeutic Horseback Riding, I kept thinking of the song, The Great Adventure.

Ellie's got a trail to blaze.....


Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace...


She'll travel over mountains so high.



She'll go through valleys below

Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey
That the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far
Beyond our wildest dreams

Who could have imagined that there would be therapeutic horesback riding just 2 1/2 miles from our house? Who could have imagined all of the staff and volunteers who would love on Ellie with the love of Jesus?


Who could have imagined an entire community of love and support for a little girl who once had no family?

Thank you for your prayers and for joining us on this Great Adventure!!!!

Passing Through Deep Waters

Many of you have walked with us through troubling times, while others have just begun to follow our journey. Choosing to adopt a child with spina bifida was one of the biggest leaps of faith Stan and I have ever taken, and I must today rely on that faith.

Today, as we received news I did not want to hear, I kept thinking of this verse:

Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

There are so many unknowns when a person has a spinal defect, and I have learned that every case of spina bifida presents itself differently. I have learned that God has the answers that many medical professional do not. I have learned some tough lessons. I have learned that I never know what tomorrow holds, but I do know WHO holds tomorrow.

Today, as we met with professionals in the clinic at Shriners, I shared my concern that Ellie has seemed to stop making progress in her walking skills. She has gone from the inability to take steps to walking across the room, from crawling, to walking with a walker, to walking with 2 crutches, and then to one crutch. Praise the LORD! But, she continues to fall often, and hasn't made much more progress in the last several months.

So, we set up an evaluation with PT at Shriners', even discussed the possibility of intense physical therapy this summer when school is out, and we can spend more time in Tampa.

Then, the PT came to meet with us.

She did a thorough evalutation.

What she had to say was disheartening.

We learned, that, according to her findings, many of Ellie's muscles are not receiving messages from her brain. Her unusual gait is the result of other muscles taking over the walking, as the muscles that should do the walking are not functioning. Then we were told, "No amount of physical therpay is going to help that."

Not hope.....




HOPELESS.....



HELPLESS......



We discusses a change in her braces, to give her more support, but I felt we were being told, "Ellie's walking is not going to get any better." There were other implications that just break my heart...concerning her future ambulation.

As we left Shriners' and are now here in Jacksonville for an MRI of her spine tomorrow, I heard the song from Kutless, "What Faith Can Do."

I want to share with Ellie dreams that move mountains, hope that never ends, and miracles that just happen. Will you join me in prayer...that when she walks through the water, she will know Her Savior is with her.

As I've come to the business center of the Ronald McDonald House to post tonight, I looked up Isaiah 43, and was further encouraged. I challenge you to read it to, but, OH, what a great God I serve. He sent me there to read verse 2, and then I read....

verse 5---Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

My Jesus brought our Ellie from the east. He brought her to the west, to America, to our family, to our church, to a place where she could learn of hope, to a county where she could rise above the odds.....



and then I read......



Get ready for this:......



verse 7Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Ellie was created for HIS glory. Praise the LORD! It has been my prayer that her life will manifest His glory, and today I read, that was why she was created. (That was why we were all created, by the way.)

Please pray with us, for hope, for strength, and for us to see HIS glory!




Courtesy of Kutless...."What Faith Can Do"

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

Ready, Set, Go!!

This weekend has been lots of fun,
but we have so been on the run.

Went to school--then home again
Took Josie-Tatum to the gym.


Then for Ellie to ride a horse,
which was lots of fun, of course.

After horses and the gym,
we then met our mission friends.

From South Africa, they did fly,
to share with us the reason why,


They left their jobs and worldly fame
to serve the poor in Jesus name.

On Friday at school, we did test
and then back home with little rest

We went to see a saint gone on
No longer making earth her home.

We came back home to cook and wait
New friend to meet, Brandon's date.


Heather, well, was quite a hit,
She entertained the girls a bit.

On Saturday, we then did rise.
To cook for family who said good-bye.

We went to church to celebrate.
Ellie's bm made us late.

We left the church and headed home.
To wrap a gift, then we were gone.

To attend a birthday celebration,
For death to birth, was some rotation.



Games and cake and some ice cream.
First birthday with her family.


But, when we left, it did not end.
Another birthday to attend.

Then, that night, we went to bed.
After getting Sunday threads.

We went to church and praised the LORD.
Our mission friend shared the word.

Lunch was shared with our new friend,
Then, the packing would begin.

I packed for Ellie, Stan, and me
Tampa is the place to be.

On Monday, after school, we leave,
follow up from her surgery.

Then we go to Jacksonville.
An MRI is the doctor's will.

So, for us will you please pray.
Rest and peace and to be safe.

I'll post again on Tuesday night.
When in Jax, we arrive.

(Disclaimer: I don't know who wrote this silly song....;)

The Passport

While in Chicago last week, Brandon told me how often my stories began with, "When we were in China..."

Well, this story, too, begins....When we were in China....

It was Adoption Day!

The date was Feb. 6, 2004. We were in Guangzhou China, the day after we met Josie-Tatum for the first time. (I am not able to post photos right now, but you can see that moment captured in time in the side bar.)

Stan and I were parents of a baby again. Whitney was 15. Caleb was 12. (It had been a long time since I had prepared diapers, fed a baby, and packed a diaper bag.) Josie-Tatum had been with us just over 12 hours, spent her first night in the crib beside my bed, and we had to go to the Civil Affairs office early that morning to proceed with her adoption.

All of the other families went down for breakfast before the bus departed.



Not us!


I had forgotten how long it takes to do all of those "baby" things.



Stan and I rushed around the hotel room, getting Josie-Tatum ready, boling water for bottles, gathering baby things, gathering paper work, opening the safe, counting the bills for the orphanage donation, while sending Whitney and Caleb down for breakfast without us.

When it was time to go to the Civil Affairs office, we left Whitney and Caleb with other older children at the hotel, put Josie-Tatum in her carrier, stuffed two cereal bars and bottles of water in her diaper bag, and headed down the elevator with all of the paperwork and documentation we needed. At least, that's what we thought we did.

We hopped on the bus with sixteen other families--seventeen babies, thirty-four parents, a driver and our guide--and rode to the Civil Affairs office. Imagine the noise. Some babies were laughing. Some were crying. And, some, like Josie-Tatum, just stared blankly. A few parents were staring blankly, too.

When we arrived in the large conference room, our guide and adoption facilitator gave us further instructions about the paper work and process we were about to begin. I opened our folder to retrieve what was necessary and asked Stan to get our passports that he had taken from the safe.

Stan gave me the passports.

I opened them.

One belonged to him.

The other was....



Whitney's!

It was time to begin government proceedings, and I was holding Whitney's passport.

Stan went into alarm mode---his method for handling crisis.

I went into--okay there's a way out of this mode.

I began to tell Stan. You know, what, if we have to, Shiyan can bring us back tomorrow. No one is going to deny us an adoption because we picked up the wrong passport. Our agency doesn't want this to fail. The China Center of Adoption Affairs does not want this adoption to fail. We'll talk with Shiyan. She'll know what to do.

I don't remember praying.....

But, I do remember Shiyan's reaction.

She stared at me blankly----like Josie-Tatum had for the last 15 hours. All she had to say was, "You tell them what happened when you see the officer." Are you kidding? I was thinking that, but I didn't say it. I really wanted to scream..."Hello! You're the Chinese citizen. You're the facilitator. We help pay your salary. Is that all you have to say?" I didn't say any of that, but THAT was all SHE had to say.

So, Stan and I sat, waiting our turn. In alphabetical order with sixteen other families we had quite a wait. We sat anxiously, while holding Whitney's passport, ready to "tell the officer."

When our name is called, I feel my pulse in my neck. We walk with Josie-Tatum into another room where we sit across the desk from a man in a suit. He begins to ask for our paperwork, and I produce what he asks for. He asks for our passports. I give him Stan's. Then, I give him Whitney's. He looks at me strangely. I tell him what has happened. He doesn't say a word.

He simply begins processing our paperwork.

We visited two other government offices that day. I received the same reaction. The government officials we met with took my word that I had left my passport at the hotel and picked up my daughter's by mistake. Are you kidding? Communist China. No identification. Nothing happened. Try that in an American airport. (Wait, I did. It didn't work. When I accidentally picked up JT's passport on our way to South Africa, the security agent escorted me to our gate.)

We proceeded with all the court business, as if nothing...NOTHING...

Whitney's passport has expired now. So, I'm going to put it in our Memorial Box. I want us all to remember that God can make the crooked paths straight, even in a court room, even in Communist China. When we are in the LORD's will, he can give us favor in the sight of the Egyptians, in the sight of princes, in the sight of judges, in the sight of officials in China. He is THE Almighty, Mountain-Moving God!

Super Saturday Morning

Well, early, super Saturday morning---

I got up at 4:00 a.m., so we could go see Caleb at the airport. (A mother makes many sacrifices. I even let me hair be a little crazy.)

We were able to visit with him for about 3 hours before he boarded his plane. We met some of his new friends and chatted with Scott....I hope his wife enjoys the photos. :)

To save time, I posted this link below from Snap Fish....You can click below and see all of the photos.

Hope your weekend was as blessed as ours!
Robbie

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Details

What a blessed day we've had.

Of course, it really began just a little over 24 hours ago when we left home. Thank you for all of your prayers. None of our flights were delayed. With less than an hour to make our connecting flight, we had no problems getting from one concourse to another and finding the gate for our connection. We had enough time for a potty break and a few minutes to spare.

While it was all smooth, if you had heard Brandon, you might have thought differently. (He can try to get even later.) We get to security, and, since he's not flown since he was very young, and Casie has NEVER flown, I was leading the way. Since some in security are concerned with how quickly you move through the line, I thought someone could follow my example. Instead, he says, "Mrs. Robbie, you're feeding me to the wolves. Mrs Robbie, what do I do with this? Mrs. Robbie, what are you doing? Mrs. Robbie, Mrs. Robbie." Well, I thought I had him settled, and I go through the metal detectors. I look back, and who have those chosen to do a random screening on? You guessed it. There was Brandon being escorted into the little bubble......heheheh



Note for Future Travelers:
When you arrive at your destination after midnight, and you go to pick up your rental car, use this phrase, "No, thank you."

I had already paid for the car online, I had already chosen the car I thought fit our needs, and still....the young lady says, "May I suggest a Chevy Malibu for your party? It's only $10 more." I didn't use the afore mentions phrase. I was tired. I said, "Okay." The lady with the too-long nails clicked across the keyboard, smiling, and then said, "Oh, that car isn't ready, but I have an Infinity that is ready to drive out of here." She begins telling me all of its accessories, and Brandon, no longer intimidated by security says, "Get that one. Get that one." The smiling lady with the long nails tells me how much it would cost ordinarily and what deep discount she's giving me, and wanting so desperately to get to our hotel room, I again do not mention the afore mentioned phrase.

So, we're driving an Infinity.

Nice car.....

Don't know what to do with all of the buttons.



Found hotel, no issues.

Nicest hotel I've ever paid so little for...Hilton Garden Inn, Lake Forest, Illinois. Highly recommend it.

Slept, fitfully, three hours, time to get up.

Leave for the the base.

Guess whose car is chosen for the random search...YEAH!!!

No problem, we still made it to the graduation ceremony with over an hour to spare.
There was some awesome music and flag work at the beginning of the Pass In Review.





AND, then the divisions entered.

Caleb's division was first.

He was on the front line.

Yes, I cried at first sight!!!!



And cheered when his division was announced with a lump in my throat.

But, you know my favorite part was that photo in my previous post, that one of Caleb with just his mama. My family and his sweet girl friend let me have him first....I nearly ran to find him, and he gave his mama the very best BEAR hug I've ever had...(tears again)....and then we were able to spend eight hours together.

We came to the hotel for just a few minutes.

Then, we left for the Cheesecake Factory, less than 10 miles away...Can you believe it? How cool is that? When we left, I asked a very kind stranger to take our photo....look how lovely this shopping complex is.


And, all my sweet son wanted to do was come back to the hotel and chill with his family. We obliged....and, we all took a nap while Casie and Caleb sat up and spent a some time almost alone together, just two snoring parents in the room and Brandon napping on the floor.

Caleb just wanted to take off his shirt...any of you who have followed my blog the last couple of years know he and Brandon are too sexy for their shirts.



And, we talked and we talked. Caleb talked and talked, shared funny stories, and made his mama feel better about his time away from us. While letters sometimes made me worry, I could tell once he was with his support team, he could share the parts of basic he enjoyed.

For those who have commented on his weight loss.....

Tomorrow morning, we will be able to spend a few hours with him before he leaves for his next destination....and we'll have to be up around 4 a.m., so I'm going to bed...I'll post more tomorrow.....