Check In

So things are going well thus far with boot camp mentality...getting more rest, some good reading in, definately some more exercize and my nutrition has improved greatly.  I have lost about 15lbs thus far and am in general feeling better all around. We have had a few hiccups, Alexander came home from camp with a torn hamstring and is now currently in physcial therapy and may still have to have a possible surgery and I took a lovely little spill the other night on my daily walk with Angela and pretty badly sprained my ankle and left knee.  48 hrs out the ostrich size egg that balooned on my foot that first night is slowly dwindling but now I have a lovely combination of black, blue and purple to look at. I am hoping to be back in the YMCA pool by Monday morning with Sam and Sasha, we shall see what exactly I am able to accomplish but I will give it my best effort. Kevin has been writing relatively regularly, making some friends, suffered through bronchitis, dominating with pugil sticks and loves the high obstacle course which would make most of us pee our pants...lol :)

I have moved into the one and only bedroom here and Alex is temporarily in the living room until he leaves for Job Corp which might be held up a little with this injury but should be leaving by mid August, we will keep everyone informed.  I struggle with how quiet it is most days and especially at night with a door to shut out the world. Herathea mopes around missing Kevin and I try to face reality that pretty soon it will just be me, myself and I around here.  Not that I won't have God, my amazing friends and now my new family of other Marine Parents, fiance's and loved ones of those who have chosen to serve their country.  Honestly this last group has been the most amazing new addition. We email and face book each other daily, share and swap news and letters from all the boys @ MCRD San Diego, laugh and cry together and generally support each other in every way.  One of the Moms starts us off each morning with the most beautiful prayers and we are planning a meet and greet right before Marine Graduation on the 31st of August.  Although it's been difficult emotionally I am so excited to think that in 4 days we will be at exactly the half way point...44 days in with only 44 days left. I'm working on perfecting a play that I wrote back in my play writing class senior year at Gonzaga and we are hoping to do some fundraisers this summer for the donation account. Thanks to one of the sisters at church I now have a couple of face book pages for people who want to stay connected and informed about my journey, check out my profile and you will find them. With lots of time spent in the Word I am learning to feel safe in my shepherds arms..."LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:5-6. In case you don't know one of those pleasant places is going to be the realm of grandmotherhood.  Kevin will be a father and although I never thought I would live to see this day...August 28th little David James is due to make an appearance into this crazy world. Although the circumstances surrounding this were not planned and there has been some drama, for me it is a reason to believe in mixed blessings. God is miraculous and is taking care of Mother and Baby while Kevin is out trying to not only serve his country but provide for and make a decent living for his hopeful future family. I am so proud of my oldest son and his willingness to not only step up with maturity but to turn to God in his time of repentance and grace. We have such a loving Father and I am taking comfort in one of my favorite scriptures throughout this time..."For I know the plans I have for you declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer 29:11 Please be happy with me in this and know that we are getting excited as both graduation from Marine Boot Camp and the birth of David James are approaching quickly! Thank you for your love, support and encouragement every day and for caring about my journey. Remember to Carpe Spero (Seize Hope) every moment of every day!

Boot Camp

Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (NIV)
OK so we know that a healthy goal is a good one and therefore I am going to step forward in faith tomorrow knowing that God will be by my side in this adventure...So if Kevin can endure some hardship and have some new lofty goals than so can I his mother.  Begining 2moro and until I reach my goal (maybe longer we shall just have to see) my alarm clock will awake me at the ungodly hour of O'dark thirty other wise known as 6 AM (UGH!) and I will do wall push ups, leg raises and a 20 minute mile, I have also recently  moved into the one and only bedroom within my tiny little abode and Alex is gone to camp so I will have no excuses this week not to get motivated and eat, exercise and arise and lie down at regular times.  This is the first day of many to come which shall represent my own dedication to a healthy lifestyle.  I have also pulled out my Boundaries book and Women, Food and God and plan on reading and taking notes and trying to apply some of the good principles from those hallowed pages as well as time in the Word.  Please feel free to join me, pray for me or just offer encouragement either online or in person.  If you would like to go for a walk, I would love to do that with you. let's set some time aside. I'm not exactly sure how this is going to go but it has been brought to my attention that I don't focus on myself enough so here goes my attempt to do so iin a healthy way. Because if I don't than I will never make it onto that transplant list and that just is not an option I am willing to give up. I heard it said somewhere that we can never know what heights we could soar to until we spread our wings, so here's to soaring with the eagles!