Memorial day

If you haven't ever seen a Marine Corp graduation it is an incredible sight, and one that had this momma in tears!

I don't know why I like this picture, but it is just a reminder to me that as we were walking away, we made it through that difficult 13 weeks and all walked away as a stronger family.

Son, you've made us proud and I know you are going to be mad that I posted this picture, but I'm proud to show you off to the world(or at least my bloggy buddies.)

So today, on this day of remembrance, I have spent time reflecting over God's mighty hand upon our family. It has been almost four years since my oldest Justin joined the US Marine Corp. I don't think I ever truly appreciated what sacrifice means until I watched his graduation from boot camp. The blood, sweat, and tears he went through during those 13 long weeks transformed him into a person that I can be so proud of today. We've learned alot in the last four years, but I think the greatest lesson has been a new appreciation for the sacrifice of the men and women that willingly give of their lives to protect our freedom. As I've seen the images of Arlington cemetery and the Vietnam Wall and and the special remembrances today on television I realize that each memorial represents someone's son or daughter, and I know there are many moms and dads out there that have endured great heartache.

This is a poem I wrote as I proudly became a Marine Corp Mom almost four years ago.

Who Am I?
(Dedicated with love to my son and my new Marine family)

A U.S. Marine Corps Mom that’s who I am
Into this military life I’ve just now began.

I’m seeing life now in a whole new light
My son’s now learning and training to fight.

My vocabulary’s changin’; abbreviation’s galore
A cover on a jarhead, MRE for chow and so much more.

High-and-tights a far cry from the long hair scene
But he’s “good to go”- he’s a U.S. Marine.

Those young men and women far “over there”
They’re our little boys and girls of yesteryear.

And that flag up there flying all tattered and torn
Flies for my freedom and yours and babies unborn.

That neck of my boy I wanted to wring as a child
It’s the same one now that makes me go wild.

With three little boys a sandbox was always a welcome sight
But today’s new “Sandbox” brings heartache and fright.

How will I make it through today and tomorrow?
With my friends, family, faith (and that tissue I’ll borrow).

My day’s must go on I’ve other children to raise,
For now just a letter or phone call I’ll gladly sing praise.

Nothing is certain, who knows what tomorrow will hold
Thank God for those standing; they’re proud and they’re bold.

War’s not pretty, our families know the cost
Tears sting our eyes when any soldiers lost!

So freedom’s not free, it never has been
If we want it, we must fight & be willing to win.

While those in uniform with respect willingly serve
Families wait for news hanging on every last nerve.

America’s my home for which I stand proud
I serve my God in heaven & can shout it aloud.

So to my new family with Thanks I hold dear
Daily living on faith & struggling not to fear.

And with each farewell I refuse to say “goodbye”
I’d rather say “I Love You” and until next time…

“SEMPER FI!”

Suzette Jones
February 21, 2006

"Happiness is...

Doing the things we love with the people we love." If you knew where this quote came from you then you must have seen the new movie, Night at the Museum II. We had the wonderful privilege of having dinner, conversation and a movie with our dear friends that live in Mexico and were here for a few days. In case I haven't ever told you, my husband is incredibly awesome! While Rebecca and I sat and caught up on life, and Tia and Krista sang a silly song, David was in the kitchen cooking dinner. He served all of us a wonderful dinner and just gave us time to share what the Lord has been doing in our lives lately. After dinner we went to see the movie, and other than two words, it was perfect and taught a wonderful lesson about the fact that money certainly doesn't buy our happiness. Just as the movie said, our happiness is doing those things we love with the people we love. I am so thankful that today I had the opportunity to do just that!

Please leave me a comment on how you are experiencing that kind of happiness. Have a safe, relaxing Memorial Day weekend.

Junior/Senior Prom 09

After months of anticipation, the big night for Jr/Sr. prom is finally here. If I do say so myself, he was the best looking one of the bunch! I just had to get a close up of the hot pink rubber bands on those teeth we are spending lots of money on.

Brandon and Zach, buddies for many years

Brandon and Ishley, pretty in pink! Not his date, but they sure made a great looking photo.

How do you spell trouble?

I can't believe they are already going to prom. Where have the years gone? It seems like only yesterday I was sending him to first grade.

Mother's Day pictures

A few days late, but here are a few of our Mother's Day pictures. Thanks, Mom's,
you are a blessing to us!

Her children arise and call her blessed; Proverbs 31:28

...and here are four reasons I am thankful to be a mom!

Pray for these...

As I ponder the blessings of Mother's Day in my own family I can't help but think of all the little boys and girls without anyone to call Mommy. My own little girl whom I will someday wrap my arms around, may be sitting in an orphanage right now without the love of a family although I am confident that God's arms are wrapped aroud her even now. This video and song is such a reminder that there are no orphans in God's eyes. What a blessing that He loves us and has adopted us as His own.

Jackie Murphree

To see a beautiful story of hope in the tragedy of life take a look at the video in the following link. Make sure and turn off the music at the bottom of the page in order to hear the message properly. Have a blessed day and remember to thank HIM no matter the circumstances of life.http://http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/localnews/news8/stories/wfaa090514_mo_jackie.3fa09d4.html