I got woke up at 1 a.m. by some drunk marines. That was just so much fun. I swear one of them was going to break our sliding glass door.
I went back to bed around 3 and got up around 8. Then it was off to have coffee with Lyn. I had to pick up a quilt top and some ground beef from Lyn. However George and I have gotten very fond of our Saturday morning chat and coffee with Lyn.
Then it was back home. I did manage to get one quilts done, and I still have one more to finish. Yes I will post pictures of them!
I also made shepherds pie for dinner. I made so much that I thought I would have left overs but there was nothing left! I did have to remind all of the boys to turn the cell phones off and to stop texting at the table. We did not even have any cheese cake left. I guess you could say dinner was a big hit.
Everyone pitched in and cleaned up the kitchen, so that is done. I finally had some spare time. So here I am.
Here I am loading pictures from our dinner. I had to take them with a cell phone so excuse the quality of them.
It was then that it hit me. For most of the people at the table it will be the last time they will get to have a family dinner before they leave for Iraq.
Here is what else I just realized.
Barry will miss the birth of his first child. Barry will also reenlist and extend to stay in Iraq.
Chris and Liz will have their relationship stressed to the limit.
Jake will act big and tuff but will call either his mom or me every chance he gets. Jake will also reenlist. If they do not let him extend to stay in Iraq then he wants to go to Afghanistan.
Miles will soon leave to go out on ship and then he will reenlist for EOD.
Leroy will go off to war, not for the first time, but for the first time he will be going without his twin brother.
George and Ben have a few months before they Deploy.
CJ is having a hard adjusting to the fact that all of his friends are packing up and heading back to Iraq. CJ is on medical hold and he so wants to be with friends. CJ actually feels guilty for staying behind.
This weekend I have noticed that the marines are starting to detach. They are putting everything on the shelf and now their minds are set on their deployment dates.
These young men and women are trained and ready to go.
I however am not ready. I still have one more quilt to finish tomorrow.
I still have to say good bye to them. Tomorrow afternoon I will hug each of them and tell them to keep their heads down and call when they can. Tomorrow I will not shed a tear in front of the marines, but I can guarantee you that Rusty will be there hugging me and I will soak his shirt with my tears.
As hard as it will be for me, I will have to wipe my tears and go on with my life.
This year while the marines are away, Ryan will turn 13, Nikki will turn 16 and Amber will turn 18.
This year while the marines are gone Amber will be touring Europe, and Nikki will be on another mission trip.
This year while the marines are gone I will be working to chase down my dream of going to Egypt.
This year while our life goes on the marines will be defending our right to do whatever we want to do.
Please listen to the following youtube video. Do not let this video get away.
16 comments:
That video was great! Glad you had a good time with the Marines.
Pam
(((Kelli))); the pictures came out great; I cried with this entry; I can only imagine your pain as you say goodbye to the guys tomorrow
the video was very impactful; I do hope the lady in the minivan hears that song one day
betty
How blessed you are to be able to serve in your own way... a hot meal and love from home have to make a difference for these folks... your kids are witnessing courage and strength on a level that it almost nonexistant any more... your home is filled with love and laughter and even when they are gone, the echoes live on in your heart and mind. What an awesome role you're playing in the history of this war! I'm so proud to know you and to share in your life...
*hugs*
heather
You are so "ALIVE". And with that aliveness comes tears as well as smiles.
(((Big hugs))) My thoughts and prayers will be with those Marines and with you too. I have my own Marine I'll be sending off soon -- he was my daughter's best friend through high school. I'll be attending his wedding in March and then off he goes ::sigh:: Martha :-(
(((((((((((((((((HUGSTOYOU))))))))))I admire you so much for what you do for thoes Marines.I am always praying fr them.Have a good day and a good week ahead.
I used to send my husband care packages while he was deployed during his 20 years of service in the U.S Navy.
Remember, you do not have to have a spouse or a child in the military to send care packages to members in the military. Anyone can do it.
Also remember, that there are Army, U.S Navy & Coast Guard military men & women that are gone for many months at a time too who leave behind family and friends, so you can send your care packages to them too. I know first hand that they all appreciate these little packages.
There are many links on the internet that will provide you with information on how you can do this.
~hugs~ to you and your family :)
~Dust Bunny~
http://journals.aol.com/dustbunnyonadiet/MyWeeklyWeightlossBlog/
Awwwwww Kelli you are such a good friend to the Marines, Bless you for being so caring and kind, Hugs Lisa
Love that song. Your entry made me cry. I'm praying for those brave young men and women.
Btw, we drive down West End a lot (she mentions it in the video opening). Good restaurants and there's a Borders books down there.
Traci
God bless the marines and all the other guys and gals who are serving our country. Thank you and Rusty for all you do too. Paula
great enty!!!
Becky
As soon as I saw the title and the first picture I knew what this entry was going to be about. You did good to give them a nice, sit-down meal before they leave, and I know that they will miss you guys as much as you miss them.
Lori
This entry is so special. And the video was perfect. You know you've made a difference. I hope and pray every single one of them come home alive and then you post homecoming pictures.
Nelishia
http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/PRAYINGANDBELIEVING/
Your awesome you know that (((Hugs))) You gave them a worthy send off dear friend. I had tears in my eyes reading this.....Thank you, for everything you do for these men and women. (Hugs) Indigo
wow! great entry!
I hope that you stay in touch wiht everyone adn that thye do great!
love,nat
The pictures of your family dinner for the marines was very touching to me. Shows what kind of person you are, because that is a crowd! I think that is funny how you were able to stop them from texting and cell phoning while they ate at least. You must be a very fast worker when you get going to do all you do. I am going to listen to the video now. Gerry
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