Category: Parenting

  • An Emotional Day, A Good Day

    Today, my daughters Laura, Mary and I, had the privelege of welcoming  home Laura’s fiance Brandon’s unit from the 101st Airborne from Ft Campbell from a 14 month deployment in Iraq. 

    We arose at 3:00 am to be at the parking lot at 5:00 am and then we were bussed to the welcome home hanger.  The unit was scheduled to arrive in Kentucky at 7:00 am, and I have to say the wind chill at that early hour feels much colder than our typical Colorado morning weather despite the layers of hoodies, jackets, gloves, hats etc I had put on.  IT WAS FREEZING.

     Finally, out of nowhere, a commercial jet landed in front of the hanger, taxied out of site down the runway and then back in front of the hanger.  Soon the soldiers began to deplane single file with rifles, helmets, back packs and  other gear  after days of waiting in Baghdad for departure to Kuwait and many rescheduled arrival times.  

    After they walked over to the hanger,  the soldiers  laid their gear on the tarmac in front of the hangar and prepared to get in formation to march into the hanger for the Welcome Home ceremonies.  The families were notified to return to the hanger bleachers for welcoming ceremonies.  After families returned to the bleachers, the unit marched into the hanger in formation for a welcome from the general, the Flying Eagles song, the Army song and AT LAST, were able to break ranks for 20 minutes to greet their loved ones.  Then back into formation, marched back out of the hanger to complete return of their weapons and other administrative functions, and at last had the rest of the day to enjoy their loved ones.

    After weeks of waiting, numerous arrival date changes, a 1300 plus mile car trip from Colorado to Ft Campbell just ahead of a snow storm, and so much anticipation for this special day, I arrived at the ceremonies very emotional.  I realized I had just had my baptism into Army Life and I wasn’t well prepared.  I will soon be saying Good-bye to Laura and Brandon, after their wedding on January 3.  Heavy on my heart is knowing my son Stephen, an army ROTC cadet will soon be following this difficult yet heroic path.

    Many army moms and wives will know a bit of the emotion I experienced.  But readers, I have to tell you, until you experience these welcome home ceremonies you can not imagine or begin to appreciate the sacrifices and stresses of the deployments and what a toll it takes on family life nor the pride you can feel in seeing just a small group of the armed forces.

    There were quite a few soldiers who had no family to welcome them home after all they have been through.  It broke my heart to see men in groups without family to greet them. God spoke very loudly to my heart saying, “You can get out on that floor and personally thank  and welcome home some soldiers who don’t have any families around to them.”  Obediently, I  to shook hands with many soldiers and thanked them.  I wish I could have done it without a few tears. 

    In rural Paonia, I have been well insulated from the real world! 

    I don’t think we in our everyday lives think about how much has been sacrificed for us.  I wish I knew
    more tangible ways to reach out.  If you have some ideas, please share them with me and others at this blog for a complimentary copy of my Holiday Open House ebook, a $6.97 value.

  • Dr Denmark Said It – Common sense advise for home health

    Who in the world knows what’s best for my baby?’ You do!” says Dr. Leila Denmark. Dr. Denmark is a well-known pediatrician, who is considered the longest practicing pediatrician, who cared for thousands of children for 75 years! That is right she retired in her 90’s, and just celebrated for 110 birthday last month.

    In our fast changing culture, moms can become thoroughly confused and frustrated by conflicting child care advise from doctors and the media. Some doctors recommend over-the-counter decongestants, others say, “NO! they cause more harm than good.” Some doctors say, “Give aspirin.” Others say, “Don’t give aspirin.” How do we sort out conflicting advise?

    Madia Bowman, mother of eleven, wrote Dr Denmark Said It endorsed by Dr, Denmark to accurately reflect Dr Denmark’s realistic, down-to-earth philosophy and medical recommendations.

    Her book attempts to condense the Doctor’s advice into a practical, well-organized book filled with time-tested, common sense treatments for infants and young children.

    I am a firm believer, that armed with enough basic knowledge, a mother can save countless dollars on unnecessary trips to the doctor.

    Moms need to know when it is time to go to a doctor and how to treat a self-limiting illness.

    Please join us Thursday night and find out what a mom of eleven has learned medically over 28 years of raising children. Come prepared to take notes and have an enjoyable time of learning. You can email questions for Madia ahead of time to marilyn@urbanhomemaker.com.

    Here is the contact information:

    Date: Thursday, March 20, 2008

    Scheduled Start Time: 9:00 PM EST, 8:00 CST, 7:00 PM MST, 6:00 PST (Adjust for your time zone, please.)

    Dial-in Number: 1-605-475-4150

    Participant Access Code: 209932

    If you have never participated in a phone seminar before, here is how it works:

    1. You dial in the phone number below to the seminar. (You pay only for the phone call.)
    2. Key in the seminar access code.
    3. Introduce yourself, it you wish.
    4. Bring a notebook to take notes, a cup of tea, and have your questions ready.
    5. Don’t worry about background noise, we will mute that out.

  • Do the Next Thing

    I learned years ago from Elisabeth Elliot, that when you are tired, discouraged, exhausted, confused, whatever, to do the next thing.  This simple advise has carried me through many a trial and many difficulties.

    I just learned this phrase is based on a poem by an author unknown.  I found the poem reprinted in Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.   Here it is:

    DO THE NEXT THING

    At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
    There came in the twilight a message to me.
    Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
    That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
    And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
    Like a low inspiration, do the next thing.

    Many a questioning, many a fear,
    Many a doubt hath its quieting here.
    Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
    Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
    Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
    Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

    Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
    Do it reliantly, casting all care.
    Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
    Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
    Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
    Leave all results, do the next thing.

    Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
    Working or suffering be thy demeanor;
    In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
    The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,
    Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
    Then, as He beckons, do the next thing.

    If you have not learned this wise counsel previously, I pray do the next thing is just what you need.  If you need encouragement or a vision of what God has for Christian Women, read Passionate Housewives Desperate for God.