Ice/Snow Day

Well, we missed another day of school today.  This is day #5 for Springdale.  We did have 5 emergency days built in our calendar, so it really hasn't changed the end of school.  I was beginning to wonder if we were going to get any snow because this is what is looked like outside when I got up this morning.  ICE!

This is the side of the building on our balcony.

Then, I looked out around 11:00 this morning and finally saw some snow.

As you can see, snow was coming down pretty good.

I decided to go get some pictures around noon or so.  This is what I saw.

Here are the latest pictures.  I went out and took them around 5:00.  This is after several more hours of snow.

I just heard the weatherman say that we still have several more hours of snow coming.  Who knows what it is going to look like.  I'll keep you posted.

Feel free to send me some of your winter weather pictures.

Praying for My Guy!

I finally got my first two letters from Mike in the mail today.  I was so relieved when I saw the envelopes in the mailbox today.  But when I opened them and read the little index cards inside, my heart sank.  He is miserable.  I can't imagine being treated like men in OCS are being treated.  True, they are supposed to be getting tough.  True, this is supposedly the hardest OCS in the county.  But, I really just want to say, "STOP TREATING MY HUSBAND LIKE THAT!  RIGHT NOW!!!"  Not that anyone will listen, but it feels better to just get it out.  You may be wondering about what is so bad.  They are getting smoked, a lot.  What does that mean?  That is military talk for doing lots and lots of push-ups, sit-ups, etc...  They have also had their barracks torn up and their lockers dumped out.  They are getting very little sleep and hearing a lot of yelling.  I think that is the worst part for Mike.  It brings back some not-so-happy memories from his childhood.  I am praying that God will give him the strength and courage to continue on and not be beat down.  I know Mike wants to do this so that he can provide for our family.  I also found out today that one of the guys from Arkansas was injured and sent home today.  I pray that God will protect my Mike from injury, as well.  But, I know in my heart that His Will will be done!  Thanks to everyone who is sending prayers and good thoughts Mike's way!

My Heroes

This is the group of candidates going to OCS from Arkansas. This picture was taken at the Houston airport during their layover. I am so proud of them all (especially Mike, he is on the far right in the back row).  These are all some really great people.  I got to meet them all (and their families) yesterday when we got to go have lunch together.  It was a great meal and time of fellowship.  I also sure P.F. Chang's loved all 18 people that invaded their restaurant.  We even ran into Mike's aunt and she was able to join us for lunch, which was nice because we haven't seen her in several months.  These next 8 weeks will really challenge all of these individuals.  I wish them the best of luck and will keep them in my prayers.

Heart Broken

Well, I did it.  Tonight, I told my wonderful husband good-bye.  That was a little overly dramatic, but it's how I feel inside.  I didn't tell him good-bye for good, just for the next 58 days.  My heart shattered when I realized I won't see him in the flesh or touch him again for 8 weeks.  I also realized that we will have very sporadic phone contact (i.e. I may get to talk to him 3 times).  In the four year we have known each other, we haven't gone more than 24 hours without talking to each other.  We will be communicating the old-fashioned way, by letter.  I have this vision in my head that it will be all romantic and heart-felt letters written to each other on a daily basis.  But then reality sets in.  This is the military, people.  Their goal is to toughen these soldiers up by making them work 20 hours a day and survive on minimal sleep.  They want to test the ability of the officer candidates to make decision in stressful situations.  That's all fine and good, but what about me and all the other family members left behind?  What about our mental state after being deprived of the one thing that gets us through the day?  Our loved one?  I will be lucky to get a couple notes a week telling me how things are going.  I know I will survive these next 58 days and be a stronger person for it.  Our loving God will help me get through this time by helping me remember Mike and all the great times we have already shared and all the great times that are yet to come.  I know Mike will survive, too.  He is a strong man on the inside and out.  He is a natural leader and will get through this training with flying colors, if that is what God has planned for him.  I am very proud of Mike and the sacrifice he is making to better himself and provide for our family!

Traveling with Sadie

Well, tomorrow after school Sadie and I will again load up the car and head to Central Arkansas.  It is Mike's last weekend in Arkansas and he has it off.  But, the adventure really always begins in the car on the trip down.  I tried to be a good cat mother and bought Sadie a bag to ride back and forth in.  It even has a strap to put the seatbelt through to hold it secure.  Well, Sadie doesn't really like riding in the bag.  She cries and cries and cries.  She will eventually fall asleep, but I don't usually make it that far.  It pains me to hear her so upset.  So, I started unzipping one end of her bag to let her poke her head out or I can slide my hand in and give her a pet.

 Then, I started letting her get further and further and further out of her bag.  She progressed to laying in the seat in front of her bag.

That didn't suit her very long, either.  Now, she just roams around the car and lays down where and on top of anything she wants.  I'm such a softy. ;)

P.S.  Sorry for the quality of the pictures.  They were taken on my phone as I was driving down the interstate.  Shh...don't tell!