I love this weather!

It finally feels like Fall in Tennessee! I walked outside tonight and there it was... the smell of a fireplace! I can't believe that someone beat me to it! I love this season. I love the crisp air. I love the cold grass. I love that Trevor and Anna Claire can spend more that two minutes at a time outside before complaining that it is "just too hot!" And most of all...I love that I have an excuse to drink coffee at all hours of the day... like I needed an excuse for that!

The Army Man

It has just been a couple of months since we left Ft. Jackson and returned to our hometown. The closest military installation is about and hour and a half away... a pretty close to deserted Naval base. The next closest is Ft. Campbell Ky... about 2 and a half hours away. Needless to say, aside from the handful of guys that are full time with our local Guard unit, it is a rare occasion to see a man in uniform walking around our town.
During the last two months when Scott was placed on ADSW, he had the opportunity to go to work every day in his ACU's. I will never forget the first day that he showed up at the door of my preschool classroom. I was busy working (basically crowd control) when I heard a loud "GASP" followed by "Ms. Heather, the Army is at our door!"
Scott came in and was instantly bombarded with kids... kids with comments... kids with questions...
-"I have one of you at home, only you come with a jeep."
-"How did you get out of the TV?"
-"How are you really married to Ms. Heather when you live in outer space?"
And my personal favorite, coming from the little boy that wears CARS t-shirts to school every day...
- "He must really like Army men!"
I was amazed that so many of these boys and girls didn't know that "Army Men" were real. On an Army post, people of all ages know the reality of men and women in uniform.
Then I began to think about many of the adults in our nation. The Military holds a very similar role to many of them... something another world away... something on TV.... somebody else's job. I sit back and think about the families of our troops that have loved ones overseas. My heart goes out the the spouses of our Guard and Reserve members. I especially think of some of my new friends I've made with deployed husbands... living in a community off of an Army post, where most of the people around don't have the same appreciation for the patriotic sacrifice that so many are giving.
One company in Scott's National Guard battalion left last month for Kosovo. Another received the news this week that they will be heading to Afghanistan. My thoughts and prayers are with these families. I ask you guys to pray with me today for all of the families of men and women in uniform- Active Duty, National Guard, or Reserve. War is war. Away from home is away from home, no matter the branch in which you serve.
Oh, and my preschoolers, I forgot to mention one little boy. He sheepishly came up to me and whispered in my ear, "He looks like my big brother! He is an Army man, too! I miss him!"

Happy Anniversary!

It is amazing to me that my husband seems more excited about this anniversary date than the day we were married. We were married fifteen years ago this past August, by the way! This anniversary, however, is one of a different sort. It will be one year ago tomorrow that he took his oath and was commissioned 2LT in the Chaplain Candidate Program. All I have heard about for the past few days has been about his upcoming anniversary. The kids think we need to bake him a cake or cookies. Personally, I don't think we need any help putting on extra pounds, especially since he will be returning to Ft. Jackson soon. All joking aside, I am so proud of him. First and foremost, I am proud of his relationship with God. I am proud of his commitment to serve our country. I am proud of his boldness to minister the Gospel to the brave men and women fighting for our freedom. I am proud of his determination to finish seminary, continue ministering to our local soldiers, and support our family...all at the same time. I am proud to have been able to share the first year of this journey with him. Happy Anniversary, Honey! I love you!

It's Been a While!

Wow! It seems like forever since I have been at this computer. I have really missed all of you guys. So many of my new friends and fellow Chaplain's wives have already made their journey to their new homes on their respective Army Posts. Other friends are still on the journey that I am... husbands (or themselves) in Seminary, raising kids, and ready for the opportunity to begin serving Active Duty.
Preschool is back in full swing. My time has been consumed by preparing lesson plans and getting to know seventeen new (energy filled) four and five year olds that are in my class this year. My days are never boring.
The family is doing great! Scott is in mourning because his "Active Duty Special Work" orders that he has been on for the last two months have come to an end. I thought I was going to have to pry those ACUs off of him. He is praying for more to come soon! He has also registered to return to Ft. Jackson to finish CH-BOLC in February.
My brother-in-law (husband to my only sibling) is in BASIC at Ft.Leonard Wood right now. After his November 2 graduation, he will be off to Ft. Huachuga on the Arizona/ New Mexico border for AIT training (military intelligence)... then Ft. Benning for "jump school". We are spending as much time as possible right now getting our niece and nephew "fix". By June, they will be a half the world away.
Please keep Jonathan, Holly, Emma, and Evan in your prayers.
Things are busy and life is crazy right now, but God is faithful!