Apologies and Thanksgivings

I must first apologize for unintentionally taking a fifteen month hiatus from our family blog. We have indeed been busy traveling Europe while enjoying our overseas military tour here in Germany. In addition, I finished homeschooling our oldest daughter and our youngest son is now in kindergarten. All of the things that kept me consumed with schedules and routines has now been changed with the new school year. I do miss having the noise of children at home during the day. Yet, I am now thankful for a newfound freedom to go to Bible studies, get errands run quicker, update our blog and to run and exercise on my own time.

We've seen many changes in the kids. One in particular, our oldest is now taller than me! I have come to the realization that in a matter of a few short years, I will be the shortest in the family. There is no sense in denying it or even fighting it. I just have to accept that me being vertically challenged is a gift somehow.

Other news is that Mike helped the two Wings at our base pass a huge inspection that happens every five years. It was a challenge for him to take on this kind of responsibility. Now he is back with the squadron and loving his new flying schedule. He is busy going on short trips. We are still waiting to see what happens in the spring time for a possible deployment. Word has been getting around, but nothing official yet. And lastly, Mike was selected as an alternate for school come next summer. If he gets picked up, we will leave within a few weeks of notice causing us to cut our tour to Germany a year early. I keep praying that if he goes to school, that we'll be able to come back in the future before he retires.

Lastly, I have been trying to step out in faith to accomplish projects that God has laid on my heart. One is to continue composing piano music. A friend from church taught me how to use my iPod to record piano music as voice memos. I just hook up the little headset I bought with it and hit record. And now I can share my songs digitally! I am praying that somehow they will become worship songs for others to sing instead of melodies only playing in my head. Two, after much encouragement from a variety of people in my life, and with the help of Mike, I have decided to write a book explaining our creative discipline techniques. We continue to receive compliments on our children with others asking, "What did you do?" Those conversations end up with more questions seeking answers to various discipline scenarios. I don't know what will eventually come of writing my ideas down. But at least when someone asks what we did, I can say, "Here, read this." and send a copy to them.

In all things, I pray that God receives the glory for what happens in our family! We have much for which we are thankful.

Happy late Thanksgiving and early Merry Christmas!

Melissa