Let us all stop and give thanks to God for sending us a Savior, Jesus Christ, and wish Him a happy birthday. Too often we get caught up in the shopping and decorating, the hustle and bustle of day to day life, that it can be easy to forget that it's not our birthday we are getting ready for, but the birthday of our Lord.
My husband drove to NC this morning to pick up our oldest son from Camp Geiger where he is completing infantry training. So I am just thrilled that all my boys will be home for Christmas. That means so much more to me than any present I could ever receive.
On Sunday night, Dec. 21st, we had our Christmas program at church with the Bible Christmas story narrated and acted out by the children and youth at church. We had several musicians singing and playing instruments--performing special songs. One of the teenagers, who will soon be leaving for Army bootcamp, read the following prayer at the close of our program. It is my wish for all of you who read this blog.
A Christmas Prayer
by Robert Louis Stevenson
Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.
Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Back from bootcamp graduation
We are back from SC!!!!
And I'm so pooped out I can hardly keep my eyes open (but I better because I'm at the office....lol). We arrived at our rental home late last Wednesday only to find out the rental agent forgot to notify the guard we were coming (the house is on Fripp Island which is a gated community); so I had to call the owner on the cell phone, then let the guard speak to her, and then he had to print out a car pass with the dates of our stay. Finally.....we were able to get into our house. It was 2 stories with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Nice.We got up early Thurs. morning and headed to Parris Island for family day. Waiting in the "all weather" facility for the troops to march in was the hardest part. We sat thru a short movie about what our Marine went through during his bootcamp training. After about 30 minutes, they opened up a big garage door and in marched all of the platoons! Jacob was in the first platoon...#2080. I told everyone to look for him...that he would have on glasses. We kept trying to guess which one was him. But I was wrong....He had in his contacts. After a short speech by some of the "higher ups", the platoons were dismissed to come find their families. Of course I was crying like a baby as we all hugged him. He was kind of in a daze and said he didn't know how to act since he hadn't been around "civilians" for 3 months. I thought that was funny....calling his family civilians.Then he took us on a walking tour around base. He took us into his squadbay where he slept for the last few weeks. He actually had 3 different squadbays during training. Lots of bunk beds all made up very neatly (my sister-in-law told me to tell Jacob to teach her how to make up a bed while he's home...lol). The beds are called "racks", and he slept on the top rack and his "rackmate" slept on the bottom. He showed us the "head" which is the bathroom, and the showers. He gave me his pictures he had made of himself in his dress blues uniform, and a big portrait of his platton. Then we walked around some more. He showed us the building where he arrived on his first day that have the famous "yellow footprints" painted on the street where he had to stand when he first arrived. He said that when they first arrived at Parris Island and came to the first guard shack at the entrance, the MP made them all put their heads down so they were not supposed to see exactly which way they were going. Then when the shuttle arrived at the check-in building, he was the first one off the shuttle and had to stand on the yellow footprints in front of everyone else. This is where training started and the yelling started.Then we walked around some more. He showed us where he ate "chow", where the clothing issue building was, where he got his hair cut, the obstacle courses and the firing range. I bet we walked at least 3 miles.Afterwards, we got a Subway boxed lunch at the visitors center, and sat in there and ate and talked. Then we drove to the new MCX store on base so Jacob could purchase a few things. Family Day ended at 3pm and Jacob had to go back to his platoon.Family Day Thursday, the temperature was in the high 60's and just a little chilly. Friday...Graduation Day....we all dressed warmly and headed back to Parris Island. There was an arctic wind blowing and it was so cold. Graduation took place outside, and there was not enough seating so we had to stand up. Took about an hour and a half. But the ceremony was really nice. The band played and marched and then finally the platoons all marched out in the dress green uniforms. Jacob said that the Crucible ended on Saturday Nov. 15 and afterwards they marched to the Parade Deck for the Globe & Anchor Ceremony. This is when a recruit is given the title of Marine. I wish we could have been there to see that. After graduation we went back to his squadbay so he could get all of his gear. We loaded up the van, went back to the MCX store so Jacob could buy some civilian clothes, then headed back to Fripp Island after stopping for lunch along the way. We stayed Friday night in the house, then got up Sat. morning, cleaned up the house and left around 10am. We didn't get back home until Saturday night around 8.I took 4 rolls of 35mm film (my digital camera is broke), so I will try to get some pictures posted here when I get them back.
And I'm so pooped out I can hardly keep my eyes open (but I better because I'm at the office....lol). We arrived at our rental home late last Wednesday only to find out the rental agent forgot to notify the guard we were coming (the house is on Fripp Island which is a gated community); so I had to call the owner on the cell phone, then let the guard speak to her, and then he had to print out a car pass with the dates of our stay. Finally.....we were able to get into our house. It was 2 stories with 3 bedrooms and 3 baths. Nice.We got up early Thurs. morning and headed to Parris Island for family day. Waiting in the "all weather" facility for the troops to march in was the hardest part. We sat thru a short movie about what our Marine went through during his bootcamp training. After about 30 minutes, they opened up a big garage door and in marched all of the platoons! Jacob was in the first platoon...#2080. I told everyone to look for him...that he would have on glasses. We kept trying to guess which one was him. But I was wrong....He had in his contacts. After a short speech by some of the "higher ups", the platoons were dismissed to come find their families. Of course I was crying like a baby as we all hugged him. He was kind of in a daze and said he didn't know how to act since he hadn't been around "civilians" for 3 months. I thought that was funny....calling his family civilians.Then he took us on a walking tour around base. He took us into his squadbay where he slept for the last few weeks. He actually had 3 different squadbays during training. Lots of bunk beds all made up very neatly (my sister-in-law told me to tell Jacob to teach her how to make up a bed while he's home...lol). The beds are called "racks", and he slept on the top rack and his "rackmate" slept on the bottom. He showed us the "head" which is the bathroom, and the showers. He gave me his pictures he had made of himself in his dress blues uniform, and a big portrait of his platton. Then we walked around some more. He showed us the building where he arrived on his first day that have the famous "yellow footprints" painted on the street where he had to stand when he first arrived. He said that when they first arrived at Parris Island and came to the first guard shack at the entrance, the MP made them all put their heads down so they were not supposed to see exactly which way they were going. Then when the shuttle arrived at the check-in building, he was the first one off the shuttle and had to stand on the yellow footprints in front of everyone else. This is where training started and the yelling started.Then we walked around some more. He showed us where he ate "chow", where the clothing issue building was, where he got his hair cut, the obstacle courses and the firing range. I bet we walked at least 3 miles.Afterwards, we got a Subway boxed lunch at the visitors center, and sat in there and ate and talked. Then we drove to the new MCX store on base so Jacob could purchase a few things. Family Day ended at 3pm and Jacob had to go back to his platoon.Family Day Thursday, the temperature was in the high 60's and just a little chilly. Friday...Graduation Day....we all dressed warmly and headed back to Parris Island. There was an arctic wind blowing and it was so cold. Graduation took place outside, and there was not enough seating so we had to stand up. Took about an hour and a half. But the ceremony was really nice. The band played and marched and then finally the platoons all marched out in the dress green uniforms. Jacob said that the Crucible ended on Saturday Nov. 15 and afterwards they marched to the Parade Deck for the Globe & Anchor Ceremony. This is when a recruit is given the title of Marine. I wish we could have been there to see that. After graduation we went back to his squadbay so he could get all of his gear. We loaded up the van, went back to the MCX store so Jacob could buy some civilian clothes, then headed back to Fripp Island after stopping for lunch along the way. We stayed Friday night in the house, then got up Sat. morning, cleaned up the house and left around 10am. We didn't get back home until Saturday night around 8.I took 4 rolls of 35mm film (my digital camera is broke), so I will try to get some pictures posted here when I get them back.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
OMG it has been more than a month...
since I've written anything at all. I'm just not very good at this blogging thing yet.
Lots has happened in the past several weeks. Maybe I'll number them to make it easier to follow:
(1) Jacob has been at USMC boot camp in Parris Island, SC since August 25th. He's adjusting well, and seems to like it (once he got passed a little homesickness.) He did have an upper respiratory and eye infection, but that's all better. His platoon had 3 days of light duty recently due to a pneumonia outbreak, but thankfully Jacob didn't get that. He also survived the gas chamber training, which he said felt like his skin was on fire.
(2) Jordan is my 7th grader and he's almost finished with football. He played on his school's b-team, and their last game is 10/30. So far they lost 3 games and won 5, which is pretty good for his first time playing.
(3) After many months of searching for a job, Justin finally found one (yippee!) He is working at a machine shop that makes parts for everything. He started on 10/20 and it's taking him some time getting used to the hours (7am-4:30pm) as he is still a teenager and likes to sleep late (not anymore - ha!) After 90 days he will start getting benefits, and I hope he continues to do well.
(4) Perry plays in a bluegrass band, and his schedule of "gigs" has increased a little bit, but he really enjoys being in the band.
(5) In addition to my part-time job as secretary at an attorney's office, I started a second part-time job working in a department store. This is waaayyyy outside the box for me (being a secretary for the last 26 years) working in retail, but aside from my tired feet I really like it. Plus I've lost 8 pounds.
So that's what has been happening with the Stinnette family for the last few weeks. We are planning a trip to SC in November for Jacob's graduation from boot camp. I can't wait to see him and I'm happy he'll get a couple weeks home before going off to more training.
Fall has arrived, and the trees have been beautiful--although this week the temperatures have been more like winter. While at work yesterday, it started sleeting, but I'm glad that didn't last long.
Lots has happened in the past several weeks. Maybe I'll number them to make it easier to follow:
(1) Jacob has been at USMC boot camp in Parris Island, SC since August 25th. He's adjusting well, and seems to like it (once he got passed a little homesickness.) He did have an upper respiratory and eye infection, but that's all better. His platoon had 3 days of light duty recently due to a pneumonia outbreak, but thankfully Jacob didn't get that. He also survived the gas chamber training, which he said felt like his skin was on fire.
(2) Jordan is my 7th grader and he's almost finished with football. He played on his school's b-team, and their last game is 10/30. So far they lost 3 games and won 5, which is pretty good for his first time playing.
(3) After many months of searching for a job, Justin finally found one (yippee!) He is working at a machine shop that makes parts for everything. He started on 10/20 and it's taking him some time getting used to the hours (7am-4:30pm) as he is still a teenager and likes to sleep late (not anymore - ha!) After 90 days he will start getting benefits, and I hope he continues to do well.
(4) Perry plays in a bluegrass band, and his schedule of "gigs" has increased a little bit, but he really enjoys being in the band.
(5) In addition to my part-time job as secretary at an attorney's office, I started a second part-time job working in a department store. This is waaayyyy outside the box for me (being a secretary for the last 26 years) working in retail, but aside from my tired feet I really like it. Plus I've lost 8 pounds.
So that's what has been happening with the Stinnette family for the last few weeks. We are planning a trip to SC in November for Jacob's graduation from boot camp. I can't wait to see him and I'm happy he'll get a couple weeks home before going off to more training.
Fall has arrived, and the trees have been beautiful--although this week the temperatures have been more like winter. While at work yesterday, it started sleeting, but I'm glad that didn't last long.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Our Labor Day Weekend Camping Trip
For the 4th year in a row, we headed to the Wytheville, VA KOA campground for some good old fashioned tent camping (complete with air mattress and bath house nearby.) Why go there you ask? So we could travel over to nearby Hillsville for their annual GI-NOR-MOUS flea market where over 500,000 visitors travel to every year. There are hundreds of vendors selling everything ... you name it you will find it there. I found a playbill from the Gone With The Wind movie -- a one-page folded in half program -- for $2.00. I've been searching the internet trying to find if it's worth anything. I also purchased two pieces (cup and saucer) of depression glass in the Amber Sharon Rose pattern. I have started collecting this -- getting a piece each time I visit the flea market. Also I found for my friend Kim 9 skeleton keys and 4 smaller old keys. She will use these in her fabulous artwork. All in all a great trip to the flea market I think, and I spent less than $30!!!
While we were gone, a letter came from our son who is at boot camp in Parris Island, SC. He gave us his permanent address, so I'm sure I'll be writing lots of letters (already mailed two.) Please keep Jacob in your prayers.
While we were gone, a letter came from our son who is at boot camp in Parris Island, SC. He gave us his permanent address, so I'm sure I'll be writing lots of letters (already mailed two.) Please keep Jacob in your prayers.
Friday, August 22, 2008
I can't believe it's been over a month....
since I've written anything on my blog! So much has happened too. We went to the beach on vacation July 19-26. The weekend of August 3rd, my Stamp-Shack pal, Margo~flyingflower and her family, came to stay with us for the weekend and help with the big going-away picnic for my son, Jacob, who leaves for USMC Bootcamp on August 24. (Here's a pic of Margo and me.)
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Jacob's graduation from community college
He received an Associate Degree in Science.
On February 1st he enlisted in the USMC.
On February 1st he enlisted in the USMC.
Justin's high school graduation
Here's a picture of all of us. Jordan in front, Perry behind, Justin in middle, Jacob behind me.
I can upload pictures......FINALLY!!
So now you can see where I live. Of course there would be NO flowers in my beds in this picture because hubby and I have been too busy and too lazy to plant any this summer. But I love my house and living up in the woods.
Laundry...the never ending chore
Trying to get a family of 5 ready for vacation is exhausting! I've been up to my ears in laundry for the past 3 days. I doubt that I'll be posting much on my blog for the next week though. So if you are reading this, you know why.
P.S. Still having trouble with my camera. I've emailed Kodak and they replied with a possible solution for me to try.
P.S. Still having trouble with my camera. I've emailed Kodak and they replied with a possible solution for me to try.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Good morning!
After a fitfull night's sleep and waking up with a backache, I'm ready to tackle the day. Here's what's on the agenda: 1/2 day at work, getting my hair cut and the gray hairs (yes I have some of those) colored, heading home to pick up my guys, taking all 3 of them for a haircut, then we're going to the big mall for some beach shopping. All three need shorts and some of those sleeveless shirts. I hope your day is blessed!!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Yes I really do live in a log cabin...
and as soon as I can get the bugs worked out with my digital camera, I'll be uploading some pictures. I got a new digital for Christmas this past year, and I'm STILL trying to figure it all out. Uploading pictures from the camera to my computer is the issue...it just isn't cooperating and I'm losing my patience. They say patience is a virtue.....hmmm. I looked up the definition of virtue and here's what it said: a commendable quality or trait; an order of angels as within a celestial hierarchy; chastity...esp. in a woman. Can I live up to all of that?? I'll do my best. I mean....who doesn't want to be compared to an Angel for goodness sakes?
Hello from my neck of the woods
I didn't realize how hard it is at first to get a blog going. After all, I'm a big gabber, so writing shouldn't be the problem....right? I guess it will just take me a little time to get used to the blogging thing.
Only 5 more days until we leave for vacation, and I can't wait! My hubby and 3 sons are heading to Pirateland Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC for a whole week! We are renting a house in the campground, and there is so much to do there including a short walk within the campground to the beach. We've been saving loose change for 6 months so that we can rent a golf cart. There is an indoor pool, outdoor pool, lazy river, small lakes for fishing and paddle boats, playground with basketball courts, arcade, snackbars, laundromat and a store. We love vacationing at campgrounds because there is so much to do. My youngest was only 7 months old the last time we went to Pirateland, and now he is 12 1/2. For the past several years we have rented a house at Ocean Lakes Campground (Myrtle Beach, SC), and we love it there too. We are going with friends who actually have a camper.
Only 5 more days until we leave for vacation, and I can't wait! My hubby and 3 sons are heading to Pirateland Campground in Myrtle Beach, SC for a whole week! We are renting a house in the campground, and there is so much to do there including a short walk within the campground to the beach. We've been saving loose change for 6 months so that we can rent a golf cart. There is an indoor pool, outdoor pool, lazy river, small lakes for fishing and paddle boats, playground with basketball courts, arcade, snackbars, laundromat and a store. We love vacationing at campgrounds because there is so much to do. My youngest was only 7 months old the last time we went to Pirateland, and now he is 12 1/2. For the past several years we have rented a house at Ocean Lakes Campground (Myrtle Beach, SC), and we love it there too. We are going with friends who actually have a camper.
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