Proud Moments

Today has been filled with such wonderful, proud moments. I'm bursting!  What a blessing it has been.

Our son, Cody joined the US Air Force 8 1/2 weeks ago.  There were some challenging times in his teenage years and we had some struggles and wondered if we were doing things right as parents.  This morning, we got up at 5:30 am and stood on the side of a road at Lackland AFB in the drizzly fog waiting to see a glimpse of our "man" as the squadrons and flights ran past us yelling cadence.  What a proud, proud moment when I first saw him running past.  He spotted us, smiled and gave us the Hawaiian hang loose, or what's up sign as he ran past us.  Ugh, the pride that filled us is unexplainable!  That was SO Cody to do that!!!  But we still were unable to hug him or talk to him.

Next was the coin ceremony.  This ceremony symbolizes these young men and women going from Airmen Basic (trainees) to Airmen.  Anybody who is, and was in the US Air Force are considered Airmen.  Including my handsome hubby!  This is a huge accomplishment for these Trainees.  The ceremony was very touching and wonderful to watch.  At the end, the spectators (mostly parents, grandparents, wives and girlfriends) were dismissed to Tap Out our Airmen.  This is where they stand at attention, and we get to walk up to them and tap them on the shoulder so they can relax.  Yea, there was NO tapping on the shoulder.  It was mostly mom's bawling and yelling and hugging and sobbing.  Another amazingly proud moment for us as parents.  To walk up to your son, while he is standing at attention and getting to hug him for the first time in 8 1/2 weeks is one of the most amazing feelings in the world. 

Since he left, I have been working really hard to lose as much weight as possible.  As we were walking to the car, I was walking ahead of him and he said, "dang Mom, what do you weigh now.  You are like anorexic."  It was an exaggeration, but I took it as a huge compliment.  :)

Another proud moment:  We were driving in the car, just talking and listening to him tell us stories of his time at Basic Military Training or BMT.  He said, "I haven't told you this before, but I have to tell you now.  THANK YOU for raising me the way you did and teaching me to have manners and have respect.  There are guys here that you can tell didn't have the parenting they needed.  Even teaching me and making me do laundry and stuff."  WOW!  What a proud moment that was.  All the struggles and questioning as parents these past years was just answered in those two words.  THANK YOU. 

That smile on his face.  Our son in a USAF uniform.  The respectful way he talks to those around him.  Hearing him say, "I love you Mom!"  I am just bursting with pride at this young man, this hero God has blessed us with, and allowed us to raise.  Thank you, GOD for these three amazing children you allowed us to have and raise.  ONE VERY PROUD MAMA!

AMEN!

2013~ Here's to a great year!

It is now 2013!  Wow!  I look back and reflect on 2012 and all that happened. 
Some highlights:
Our oldest son graduated from high school in the spring of 2012. 
Our daughter got her first job working at a day care.
She is also officially legal to drive by herself!
Our youngest son got to play baseball and football.  He is Mr. Sports so we all had a blast with this!
I got a job.
I finally got into a size 12 jeans.  Then they became too big....into a size 10, then they became too big.  Now, HELLO size 8!
We bought a new car.
Our oldest son left for Air Force basic training on Nov. 27th. 

Let's start with the last highlight. 
Our son is gone!  I think that was the hardest thing I've gone through in my life!  Throughout his middle school and high school years we had our struggles. To watch him swear in as an Airman of the United States Air Force, as a man, made both Jason and I SO proud of who he has become.  The caring, loving, sweet man that I have loved for over 19 years!  We have said that he is a turtle....Hard on on the outside, but soft and squishy on the inside.  :) 
Christmas was really tough this year with him gone.  I tried as hard as I could to be the happy person I usually am, but could not find my "happy place".  I was really depressed over the holidays and am happy they are over.  Now, only 17 days until Jason and I travel to San Antonio to hug our airman!
Oh, our sweet daughter is growing up also.  She got her license and is now driving herself to work and school.  As nerve racking as that was, I know (because the bible tells me so) that worrying does me no good so I am trusting God to keep her safe in her travels.  It's actually been really nice to not have to go get her from school and work! 
Our youngest son.  He is just full of spunk and personality.  He keeps us laughing all the time.  When did my baby get so big?  He'll be 12 in April! 
So, now it's 2013!  I have officially lost 77 pounds.  I'm feeling great and am only 10-15 pounds from my goal.  (I have a goal that I KNOW I can reach and a goal I WANT to reach, which explains the 5 pound difference)  :) 
Things to look forward to in 2013:
Seeing my son in 17 days in his Air Force uniform and giving him a hug after 8.5 weeks away from him!  Spending 4 whole days with him.
Our daughter will become a senior, and our youngest will enter middle school. 
Wow, when did this all happen?
To those young people out there, BELIEVE it and DO IT when OLD people tell you to enjoy life because it'll pass before your eyes!  It's the truth!
THANK YOU JESUS for the blessings of 2012 and the blessings You already have in store for us in 2013!