A New Normal

Well Saturday is the first day of a new normal for Jack and I - and Jon as well. For the next year Jon is going to be spending every waking hour with someone from the Army in a place that is not home. For the next year Jack and I are going to be spending that same time together in our home - without Jon. A new normal is in store for us all. For me, I am becoming a single parent for at least 365 days. I guess one of the hardest parts of this is that Jon is going to miss so much with Jack. When Jon gets home, Jack will almost be 3. By then he is going to be a completely different child. For Jack, he is going to be with his mommy all the time (with the occasional rescuing from grandma). For Jon, he is going to the desert to do Lord only knows what and will be missing out on things at home. I know that I can email him everyday and I can send him video messages but it is just not the same.

I am going to miss him more than words. For the past 2 days with every breath I take I ask the Lord to take care of him and to bring him home to me. In the past few months I have not tried to think about the dreaded elephant in the room. When it comes to a war, I guess everyone tries not to think about the unthinkable. We all want them to come home the exact way they left here. Now that thme is here for him to leave I seem to be thinking a lot more "what if". Every time those thoughts pop up I have to remind myself that Jon will take good care of himself and that he has the Great Protector with him at all times.

A new kind of normal - it is going to be hard to adjust but thankfully I have a lot of family and friends here. A new normal that is only temporary - if you can call 365 days temporary. A new normal....a new normal

Is anything really normal?

One week left

One week from tomorrow I will be taking Jon to Tallahassee with all of his stuff for his deployment. For the past few weeks I have been in denial about his leaving but now it is here. I will be spending the next week finishing packing up his stuff and making sure that he has everything he will need for a while. Jack knows that something is going on but he just can't figure out what it is.

The Tuesday after Memorial Day is the day that Jon leaves for Wisconsin. There is going to be a ceremony at the state capital. Once the ceremony is over Jon and his unit will get on a bus and they will take them to the airport. I will get to see him at the ceremony and then not again until the end of June. As of right now they are leaving Wisconsin at the first part of July to head to Kuwait. Jon told me that once they are in Kuwait they will possibly be there for a month before heading to Iraq. I have dedicded to go back to part time at the church while he is gone. For the most part I am doing this for my sanity and to be able to get things done instead of trying to do everything on the weekend. I will be able to spend the weekends with Jack.

Well that is about all for now. Bones is on and this is the episode to set up the season finale where Booth and Bones decide to make a baby. :o)

Disney, surprise party and an anniversary

I know, I know I have been slacking on the posting. With a vacation, birthday, surprise party, anniversary, Mother's Day and an impending deployment things have been how shall I put it crazy.

For a recap of the past couple of weeks:

DISNEY

We spent 5 days and 4 nights in Orlando. On Thursday, we spent the day at SeaWorld. This is the second time that Jack has been to SeaWorld. We had a really good time. We saw all of the animals and a show - we missed Shamu because Jack missed his nap and was getting really cranky. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to get back. Thursday afternoon we checked into our hotel at Downtown Disney - it was a great hotel and the best part was that we didn't have to drive to any of the Disney parks. On Friday, we got up early and got on the first bus for the Magic Kingdom. Jon had to get his ticket at the gate so that was the reason for leaving early. After tickets were in hand we made the ride over to the park on the monorail - Jack thought that was pretty cool. We made it to the gate of the Magic Kingdom right as it was opening and it was neat to see everything from the eyes of an almost 2 year old. He was so excited. We spent the whole day at the Magic Kingdom (about 3 pm we made a trip back to the hotel for a few hours and then back to the park). Jack did so good. He loved seeing all of the characters - never cried, unlike my sister when she was 3 on a trip to the park she was terrified of them (especially the big bear from the Country Bear Jamboree - yes I have proof). He rode some rides and just had a good time - he even took a nap in the park. On Saturday, we went to Animal Kingdom. Jon had never been to Animal Kingdom and to Jack it was like a big zoo. This was the day that Jack got to see Donald Duck - I have never seen a child more excited than he was on that morning. We took him on the safari ride and he thought that was so cool. He pointed to all of the animals and even made the sound of the elephant when we pointed it out to him. On Sunday, we went to Epcot. Sunday was the day of days. The first ride we went on was Finding Nemo. Jack absolutely loves Nemo. After Nemo we walked around all of the countries and Jack fell asleep. After he woke up we were walking from one part to the next and all of a sudden he starts crying. We thought it was because of the noise of the Test Track ride but Jon looked at him and saw that he threw up everywhere. Thus began the longest 3 hours of our lives - after 2 outfits, a few more times of throwing up, a trip to Disney first aid and then a trip to the Urgent Care Center and then back to Epcot. All in all a rough day. When we got back to Epcot, Jack kept saying Nemo mama Nemo. So back to Nemo we went. By this time Jon and I were pooped so the last ride we went on was Spaceship Earth (in the big Epcot ball) and 3/4 of the way through it Jack went quiet and I looked down and he was out cold. It was so cute and funny at the same time. Monday was our last day in town. We ended our vacation with a trip to IKEA! I was a happy, happy girl that day. It was the most fun that we have had. It was good to spend that time together as a family.

On May 1 was my 26th birthday. Jon cooked me a fantastic dinner. The next day I threw him a surprise going away party at the pool/clubhouse of our apartments. There were 50 people there. His 82 year old dad flew in from Kentucky and his sister and brother-in-law came in from North Carolina. All of my mom's family was there - even my aunt and a cousin from Pensacola. We had such a good time with friends and family. Jon was happy to see everyone before he left. This past Thursday was our 4th anniversary - we went on a date on Friday night. He got me 2 dozen multi-colored roses for my birthday, our anniversary, and Mother's Day - they are beautiful.

We have about a week and a half until Jon leaves. We are focusing on getting all of his stuff packed and any important documents that the Army needs. I am not ready for him to go but I know that I have to be strong for him and for Jack. I know that the Lord has him in His hands and that he will be fine. Yesterday they recognized him in church and had him stand up for everyone to see. He was mad at me for a little while for doing that but I think once it was all done he was happy about all of the support the people were giving him after the service.

Now for some pictures!

T-Minus 4 days

In 4 days we will be in Orlando on our first official family vacation. I am so excited. We got a nice hotel at a cheap price and I am the only one that had to buy a ticket to Disney World (thanks Disney). Jack seems to understand where we are going next week. I often ask him who we are going to see next week and instead of saying Dad he says Don Duck (just like that). It is so funny.

Jon comes home Monday!!!! I am so thankful that he is going to be back for a month and 3 days before leaving for a year. It will be especially nice to have an extra pair of hands around the house and helping with the crazy monster - I mean Jack.

I finally got back into the swing of things last week. The week before I was still really sick and really tired from the Passion Play and then there was Easter. It was so nice to be back on schedule last week and even this week coming up.

Today, Jack, my mom, my stepdad and my grandma went and spent the afternoon in St. Augustine. We walked on St. George Street and then went to the Lighthouse but the main reason we were there was for my best friend's little boy's FIRST birthday party. Jack had so much fun. Jack and Will are buddies. Will got so excited when he saw Jack and vice versa. It was a great day. I enjoying spending time with my family especially my grandma. Now Jack is sleeping because he did not get his full nap today so hopefully he will. Here is one from today.

Yes, I'm Alive

It definitely has been too long since I posted anything. Things are going well. We have less than 2 weeks before Jon comes home for a month. I am just going to post some pictures of Jack and the Passion Play. I have a longer post in the makings - I will try to get it up sometime today.



Getting his hair cut "A Cool Dude"



Our matching Chuck Taylors



What was really going on backstage during the invitation (before finale)



Luke and I after the last performance

2009 Jacksonville Passion Play

Well, this week marks the first full week of rehearsals for the Passion Play this year. For the next 2 weeks I am basically going to be living at First Baptist. I love this time of year but much like Pastors' Conference I will be very excted to get to April 6th. Dr. Whitmire's son Luke is once again playing Jesus and will be here next week. Last year was amazing - we saw quite a few number of people come to the Lord through this play. I am once again looking forward to seeing how many come to know he Lord as their Savior this year.

As of Friday, Jon had 1 month until he comes home. It is going to be a long month and we are looking forward to him coming home. We are also looking forward to the end of April because we are taking our last family vacation until Jon comes back from deployment. We are going to take Jack to Sea World and Disney World for 5 days.

Looking forward to warm weather.

A Shuttle Launch and Elmo Slippers

As many of you know there was a shuttle launch at 7:43 tonight. Night launches are always so awesome and this one was no different - although I wish it was a little darker out but oh well. My mom came over after Jack and I ate dinner and we all were playing. I realized what time it was but couldn't remember what time the shuttle launched. Luckily we caught it just in time. We saw it launch on Fox News and then ran outside (dog in tow) to see it come streaking across the Jacksonville sky. Man what a sight. My mom was holding Jack and she pointed out the smoke trail from the engines and he just thought it was so neat. We explained to him that it was going to space but he is only 20 months so I'm not sure how much he understood us but that's okay. I got some pictures of the shuttle in the sky. We stood there and watched the rocket boosters fall off and then watched the shuttle until you could no longer see it. Everything looked like tiny dots but we knew what they were.

Jon has been gone since Thursday so it has been just me and Jack. And wouldn't you know that on the very day that Jon leaves I get a call from the daycare saying that Jack has pink eye. I call to get a doctor's appointment for that day and his doctor was out sick so I got one for Friday. We went to the doctor to check for pink eye and left finding out that he has an ear infection and the beginning of pink eye. Needless to say he couldn't go to day care on Friday - my day off. The pink eye is now gone but he still has the ear infection. He has been running a fever off and on for the past 2 days. It never fails when dad leaves he gets sick and I have to handle it by myself.

I don't know how many of you know this but Jon is being deployed in May. He is gone right now until April 20 on pre-mobilization training. Passion Play is in 3 weeks and it is just me and Jack. Luckily my mom lives like 2 minutes down the street and has agreed to help me with him when I have to work until midnight or 1 am the week before the Passion Play. SIDE NOTE - everyone needs to come and see it.

Hmm....what else. Oh the Elmo slippers. So a few months ago my mom and stepdad came by with a pair of Elmo slippers for Jack. In case you haven't figured this out yet, my child is absolutely enthralled with Elmo. So before dinner I put Jack in the bath tub and got him ready for bed. He has on his police car PJ's (in honor of his godfather Kyle "Uncle Kyle"). So when we went running outside we had to put shoes on him because he loves to get down. We didn't have time for socks and shoes so Elmo slippers it was. He went running outside with them on and I got some pictures.

Hope everyone is well.

Here is the shuttle screaming off to space.




Here is Jack in his PJs and his Elmo slippers (looking for ducks - his favorite animal)







This is how I found Jon and Jack on Monday night.

Because I'm Sick

This is going to be a short post because I am sick and doped up on medicine. I'm glad that I got sick this weekend and not next. Jon is leaving Wednesday for a little over a month so it will just be Jack and I. This past Monday Jack started daycare. I have a few pictures from the week. So here are the pictures of Jack and his new "big boy" backpack.

Pastors' Conference Recap

Ok, I know that I said that I would be back for day 1 - well, I was insanely too tired to try and post something. So here goes a recap - IT WAS FANTASTIC! (pictures to follow in another post)

Friday Night - opening night...the music was great as usual but it was not from the usual cast of characters that one is accustomed to seeing on the opening night. This year, the combined children's choir was in the loft and Charles Billingsley sang with an ensemble. Dennis Swanberg got up and spoke for a while - he is hilarious. Last year Dr. Brunson started awarding a pastor with the Homer G. Lindsay Award. This year it was given to Dr. junior Hill. Dr. Hill is one of my absolute all time favorite preachers. Growing up I loved it when he and Dr. Adrian Rogers would come to the conference. After the award presentation Dr. Brunson got up and preached an amazing sermon.

Saturday - this was the first real day of seminars, premium sessions and daytime sessions. Dr. Hill spoke in the morning session and Charles led worship. Side note on Charles Billingsley - he is the sweetest guy and he allowed me to hang out with him for almost 3 days and help him get the things that he needed. Ok - back on track. Saturday was a really good day.

Sunday - BIG DAY#1 Ravi Zacharias preached in the morning service. He is an amazing preacher. Daniel Crews sang in the morning service and Tim Tebow and Rusty Smith made a surprise appearance. All in all it was a great service. In the evening sessions, JD Greear and Dr. Vines preached. Dr. Vines did an amazing job as always.

Monday - The day started off with Dr. David Allen preaching the first of a two part series on Hebrews. Monday was looking to be a real busy day. The eveing sessions were fantastic. Dr. Johnny Hunt finished the night out.

Tuesday - BIG DAY #2 Just like yesterday Dr. David Allen started the day off by finishing his two part sermon on Hebrews. Tuesday was the last day which it also meant that it was FINALE!!! We did the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Christ and it was great. Dr. Whitmire's son Luke came into town from New York to play the part of Jesus. He always does such a wonderful job.

I know from a personal standpoint I love having all of the pastors that come to the conference here. I am also happy when the conference is over. I was so tired by Wednesday morning that I could barely keep my eyes open.

That is all for now. I will post pictures later.

Pastors' Conference 2009

Well, it is finally upon us. This magical time of year where pastors from all over the country descend upon First Baptist. I know first hand that it will be wonderful as it always is. This week has been one of, how should I say it, pure organized chaos. For the first two nights of the week, I was at First Baptist until well after 10 pm for rehearsals for Tuesday night's finale )it's a must see!). Yesterday I was home by 7pm and today I was in the house by 6pm. And I have tomorrow off. But needless to say I am exhausted. Monday and Tuesday just drained me and then on top of it Tuesday morning I had to take Jon out to Camp Blanding for a week long drill (he will be back on Wednesday - the day after the conference ends). Let me just tell you that Jack knows that his daddy is not here. For the past 2 days I have been running completely off of 4 hours of sleep (and 2 red bulls today). I busted butt today at work. I am just so looking forward to Pastors' Conference but am also looking forward to the end (and I am allowed to say that b/c I am staff). Well, I will check back tomorrow - DAY 1.