My Little Super Heros

I have potty trained my youngest child. It is a giddy feeling. No more diaper bags to tote hither and fro. Instead we have a drawer full of new, size 3, little boy underwear. I love them! ...decorated all over with super heros, or scooby doo or (his favorite) Thomas the Tank Engines. So now we have two boys running through the house after bathtime shaking their super hero briefs and showing off their latest karate moves.
Truly, my boys' imaginations know no bounds and neither do their energy levels.
I told Mark at the end of one particularly exhausting day: "Raising boys is HARD!"
They are so physical. All day long they are pulling me, crashing into me, running from me, climbing on me and asking me questions...
"Momma, can you come see...?"
"Momma, what is...?"
"Momma, why do...?"
"Momma, how does...?"
"Momma, can I...?
"Momma, watch this!"
The latter is usually uttered by Benjamin just before he displays a set of super-duper-never-seen-before-wild-arm and leg slinging-karate moves meant to dispatch bad guys. After he finishes the exhibition, Benjamin waits breathlessly for my applause. At the same time his little brother is trying to imitate him and ends up in a tangled heap on the floor. I stifle my giggles and give a very solemn nod of approval followed by profuse hand clapping. Then I scoop Isaac off the floor and smother him with kisses until we are both laughing. Ben is duly affirmed and bounces off to choreograph more super moves.

Yes, boys are exhausting...and exhilerating...and amazing! What would I do withouth them? It seems that the Lord has orchestrated this very interesting stage to coincide with a time in my life when my attention most needs to be diverted. Keeping my mind on my little boys keeps me from ruminating over the whereabouts of my BIG boy (Mark), which will all-too-soon be Iraq.
The very bad thing is that when Mark leaves I have to be all things to everyone. And while I feel pretty confident with the Mom thing, I am a very poor Daddy.
The girls and I miss Mark when he is gone. But the boys lose a little sparkle...During Mark's last deployment, Benjamin did not smile. And oh, how I missed his smile! Now Isaac is old enough to really feel it too. They will both miss the tickles, the wrestling, and the games of hide and seek where Mark will hide somewhere in the house then jump out and scare them til they are a mess of screams and giggles. They love it and beg for him to "Go hide, Daddy!".
But I am not so good at these things, and Ben will say with a sigh "Mom, you just aren't a good wrestler like Daddy". (Only he will pronounce it "westhler" because his front tooth is missing:>)
I know it is true. I am not wild and loud and strong and crazy with these boys like their Daddy is. Boys need that...just as much as they need their Momma's cuddles and kisses, hugs and handholding.
Sigh...
Well, Lord, YOU will have to fill the void when he leaves again. And give me the energy to keep up with these little guys!
Oh how I need them...

Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008!

Our family wrapped up the year 2007 by trying our hand at "geocaching". You can see the pics to the left. We probably chose too difficult of a cache for our first one. But the kids were troopers! We hiked about 3/4 the way up the "chumash elevator". It is a very steep trail right off the Pacific Coast Highway across from the SeaBee firing range. At the end of the day we decided that we really need a hand-held GPS (the portable auto-navigator we got for Christmas is good for helping Mark find road directions but doesn't do the trick with geocaching).

LOOKING BACK...
A lot to be thankful for in 2007. Topping my list is the absence of back pain!-YAY! Yes, when I overdo it I still pay the piper. But on a daily basis I feel great, which says alot when late in 2007 I was feeling pain every day and my doctor was recommending surgery. I now praise God often for the gift of health and mobility.
If you are reading this blog looking for a family update...
Mark is home until April when he deploys again, this time to Iraq until November. So we are treasuring every day. We are planning a vacation to Palm Desert with our missionary friends from Zambia -Wes and Laurie Wilcox this month. They have graciously invited us along on their R&R .\
Until then, Homeschool is back in session and the kids are right on track. Katie is actually enjoying reading now, and I am more convinced than ever that homeschooling her is the best thing we can do. All the kids are enrolled in a homeschool co-op that meets two to three times a month. This gives them a chance to be with other kids and learn from someone besides "Mrs Twinkles".
Isaac is now officially potty trained!!!YAYAYAY (you have to be a Mom to fully appreciate this piece of news).
Mark just sent in his request for our next duty station (he is required to do this about 12 months prior). So we are once again asking the Lord to send us where He wants us to be.
"...and pray for us too that God may open a door for our message..." (Col.4:3). It takes the fear out of the future when we remember that God always has us right where He wants us -even in Iraq, California, whereever...as long as we are asking for His will to be done and we are willing to obey Him when He calls.
Its hard for us to believe that we have been away from Zambia for almost two years now....sometimes we wonder if that ache will ever go away, if we will ever NOT be homesick for Africa.
But we thank God for the military ministry He has entrusted to us. We have really been stretched this past year and blessed. Now 2008 offers its own set of challenges. Will you pray for and with us regarding the following:

Protection for Mark while he is deployed.
A good adjustment for our family to another deployment.
Wisdom and guidance for the Detailer who places us in our next duty station.
Ministry materials for Mark's troops - he has no budget for bibles, care kits,etc so we pay for these ourselves.
A restful, refreshing vacation
Continued daily wisdom and guidance for Mark as he counsels troops and their families, that he will stay close in God's Word and prayer.
Thank you!
May your new year be truly blessed!