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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Parting Gifts and a Good Man

You know the expression, behind every good man is a good woman.  Well, if you will kindly indulge me, I wanted to tell you about a good man behind a thankful woman. 
My husband retired from active duty after 23 years in the Army in April and while bittersweet, we felt thankful for all the many opportunities it had provided us.  We were also happy knowing that we could finally relax and not have to worry about deployments, excessive travel, etc.. 
Well, there is another expression...if you want to give the Lord a good laugh, tell him YOUR plans.  Greg's government contract job has sent him to Afghanistan for six months and he left yesterday.  We have been apart much longer than this...the longest deployment was for 15 months in Iraq.  Chin up, we've done it before, we can do it again, we are used to this, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger...all that, whatever, it still stinks! 
However, I am proud of him and what he does and I am fully confident that all of this fits into the Lord's plan for us.   There are so many military families who have been asked to be apart many more times than we have and for even longer so I am NOT complaining.  I did want to tell you, though, what he did before he left, if you'll let me brag for a moment because I know I am blessed.  

In the midst of shipping his trunks out, taking care of plans, paperwork, etc.  he took our daughters to see the midnight premiere of Harry Potter, celebrated my oldest daughter's 19 birthday, took care of the yard, checked all the cars and in general, tried to take care of six months of "Dad" jobs ahead of time.  He also took the time to put this together for me.  Not an easy task...

THIS is the way to my heart..forget jewelry!

And while in Walmart, he saw me looking at this and asked what it was.  When I told him and explained that Deanna Jump swears by it, he was putting it in the cart before I could turn around.  When I told him that I could wait for this (we were shopping for his last minute things), he said, "If Deanna Jump has it, you should have it!"  :)  He patiently listens to my blog talk, I must say, so he knew who Deanna Jump was!   So I now I am the proud owner of my own personal laminator.  Woohoo!


So here we are in all of our glory and I will think of him every time I write on my fancy new easel and will try not drown my sorrows in laminating film...

Thank you for allowing me this rather selfish post.  I am just feeling very thankful.

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20 comments:

  1. Deanna JumpJuly 17, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    AWWW! Your sweet post made me laugh and cry at the same time! I'm sure you can guess the part that made me laugh. :) I am so sorry that you will be away from your sweet husband for what seems like a terribly long time. My daughter is going through this right now so I know it isn't easy. Prayers for you that time will go by quickly and your sweet husband will be back home in no time at all! Thinking of you, Deanna

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  2. Mrs. Hicks@hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspotJuly 17, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Thank you, Deanna, you are very sweet to take the time to write. I know how busy you must be getting ready for the conference. My team and I will have to keep an eye out for your conferences next year and plan to attend. I know it will be an amazing experience for everyone, you are an inspiration!

    Julie

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  3. SuzanJuly 17, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    He is, and always has been, a sweetheart! It's refreshing to read about people who are put through hard times and not only see it through, but do it with a great attitude knowing the Lord is in control. He only asks of us what we are able to give. I love you guys and thank you for your sacrifice!
    Much, much love and prayers!
    Suzan

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  4. Mrs. Hicks@hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspotJuly 17, 2011 at 2:07 PM

    Thank you, Suzan! I think you know a little something about sacrifice yourself. YOU are a example of the miracle of faith living and breathing here on earth that God has given us!! I love you!

    Julie

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  5. Mrs. KimbrellJuly 17, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    HOW PRECIOUS!!!!! I was almost in tears! :) What an amazing husband and father you have! :) Many prayers coming your way! :)
    Meaghan

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  6. Mrs. Hicks@hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspotJuly 17, 2011 at 2:18 PM

    Thank you, Meaghan! That was sweet of you to write.

    Julie

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  7. KathleenJuly 17, 2011 at 2:37 PM

    Thank you for your sacrifices for our country and our freedom! Teaching on an Air Force Base, I see first hand what families go through! I know it's not easy!

    PS - I swear by that laminator too! I can't tell you how many laminating sheets I go through in a year!!!

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  8. ChrissyJuly 17, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Awww, he is a sweetheart! I will be praying for your family during this time apart. {{}}

    ReadWriteSing
    PS: I'm adding "laminator" to my wish list!

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  9. CamilleJuly 17, 2011 at 2:51 PM

    Your story touches my heart!!! Thank you for sharing! I think it is good for us to know the person behind the blog so thanks!
    Camille
    An Open Door

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  10. UnknownJuly 17, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Prayers for you and your family while you are all apart. Thanks for sharing such a nice story - this is the good stuff, truly!

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  11. LorenaJuly 17, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    May God Bless your family! What a sweet heart you have.

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  12. beachlieslJuly 17, 2011 at 4:50 PM

    Very sweet story--its always great to put a heart to a name, so to speak, in blogland. And, you will LOVE.LOVE.LOVE your laminator! Just expect to laminate at odd hours--I have the same one, and one sheet goes through in about 45 seconds. I often do it with my morning cup of coffee! :)

    Liesl in VA
    http://wildworldofkindergarten.blogspot.com/

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  13. Jen TJuly 17, 2011 at 5:04 PM

    Julie I was all teary-eyed and then started laughing. You are both peas in a pod and always have been just perfect for each other. I can only imagine how hard it is...if you want, I can send Brian over to leave dirty clothes on the floor, not load the dishwasher and smoke a cigar in the living room...you know, aggravate in general..just let me know; I don't mind at all. love to you all - jen

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  14. Kim HarringtonJuly 18, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    Okay you made me cry. Best post ever and best love note ever. :)

    Thank you for reminding me that real, true love does exist and I am so thankful you two found it twenty something years ago. Which reminds me, Happy Anniversary!

    And Jen, omg you cracked me up!

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  15. MomJuly 22, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Ok - if you don't have a tear in your eye after reading your tribute to Greg - I only wish the aunts were still here to brag on him some more! If you had know 22 years ago that you'd be spending anniversary long distance... Enjoy your laminator and happy thoughts every time you use it!
    Love,
    Mom

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  16. RainbowsWithinReachJuly 26, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    This is my first time to pop thru -- as a result of your award of Top50K Blogs. Congrats on that honor. I am spending the summer in an effort to get my author/illustrator blog connected to the wider world. So I've come to the best to learn.

    I love what I see. I honest-to-goodness don't mean to turn this to all about me, BUT I have a new picture book, based on a song I wrote right after 9-11. Earlier this spring I did a tour to four of our US Army bases across Europe to share it's simple patriotic message.

    When you have a moment I invite you to take a look. If you scroll to the segment on "Carrie's Kindergarten" you'll be especially inspired by a K teacher who herself served an active year in Iraq and then went on to have her K-kiddos create a quilt in reference to the art in my book.

    Well there you have it!!

    Thanks to your family for all the sacrifices already made on behalf of all. I pray that he will be kept safe & that you will invest your time alone into your blog and classroom, that others might benefit.

    http://rainbowswithinreach.blogspot.com/search/label/Carie%27s%20Kindergarten

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  17. Mrs. Hicks@hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspotJuly 26, 2011 at 6:51 PM

    Wow!! You are all amazing, thank you so much for writing! I'm off to visit your blogs!!

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  18. cindy helmsJuly 27, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Thank you for sharing your family with us. God bless and keep you and your family. Thanks for all the sacrifices you have made to keep us safe and free. Enjoy the laminator!

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  19. Mrs. JacksonJuly 28, 2011 at 10:51 AM

    Awww - this brought tears to my eyes! Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

    Melissa
    Love, Hugs, and Ladybugs

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  20. KerrenAugust 9, 2011 at 10:44 PM

    I'm not exactly sure how I stumbled onto your blog,but I'm glad I did! Thanks for all the tender and impressive things you have been sharing. I just have to say that after 34+ years of teaching, I find myself packing Harry's book around every August. It's out on my deck right now and I'll delve back into it again early tomorrow morning. I need the reminders of why it's important to take the time for procedures! The other thing that made me write a comment is that I also teach at "Providence Elementary School." It's in Providence, Utah. . . . a very beautiful place. Hope your new school year is splendid!

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