Groupon loves Scientific Research

Why else would they send me an email announcing a one day sale on yet another massage therapist that is just a couple miles from my house??

So in the name of Science, I'll be adding a 3rd massage therapist to be sure I've got an adequate sampling in my quest for accuracy of speech in my declaration of having found the best massage therapist in town.

I can't wait to tell MWC.  He'll be so proud of my due diligence in this endeavor.

All in the name of research....REALLY!!

 Earlier this summer, upon reading some good reviews of a local spa, I bought a Groupon certificate for a massage.  It was half price for a 1 hour sports massage.  I couldn't pass up that deal.

I think it was the best massage I've ever had. In fact, I practically fell asleep on the table.  Alas, that Groupon offer is gone but another place I've heard positive things about is now offering a similar deal-- 40% off of one hour massage.  So I bought one and have an appointment.

MWC is an advocate for accurate speech.  So I have asked myself more than once, was it REALLY the best massage I've ever had?  Could I be mistaken?  Could the one at this different salon REALLY be the best one I've ever had?

MWC is also very scientific minded and puts great store in properly conducted research.  I am certain my observations and opinions based upon an appointment weeks ago, can no longer be trustworthy or valid for such an important comparison study.  So out of respect and love for my husband, I did what any self respecting researcher would do...I set up conditions to be more accurate.

So in the name of VALID research, I will be going to Spa B in two weeks for a one hour massage followed two weeks later by a return visit to Spa A so that I can do a proper comparison of the two.

I'm sure MWC will be so very proud of my sacrifice in the name of good science and my desire for accuracy in my speech.  I can't very well claim its the best massage I've ever had, if I've nothing to compare it to.  And this way,  after my research that is, I can at least ACCURATELY say, "Its the best massage I've ever had in this town."

A little catch up

How have I not been here since January?? Easy....life.

Today someone told me I should blog.  "Well," I blushingly responded, "I actually have a blog."  Maybe I should get back to it a bit. I enjoy it so I'm not sure why I neglect it.

It would take pages to play catch up for all of life's trials and blessings of the past six months, so I'll just share the highlights.

In March, during a routine colonoscopy, the doc discovered I had a hot dog sized appendix which needed be removed.  It was a time of testing ...and gratitude...as it was confirmed that I was spared not only cancer, but significant complications due to its early discovery.  I am thankful for the excellent medical care I received and for the Lord's mercy to me in sparing me a more formidable path.  (I'll share photos of the other highlights but I shall spare you the gory photos of my legendary appendix.  They are not for the faint of heart.)

MWC and I celebrated 30 years of marriage in May.  He surprised me with a romantic getaway (which we took in late June) to several CA places we enjoyed while he was in grad school in the early days of our marriage.

Selfie at Lovers Point, Pacific Grove, CA

Catalina Island

And in early June, Frog Prince graduated from USAFA.  Words can not express our gratitude to the Lord and our pride in Frog Prince for this accomplishment.  We, his entourage of 20 family members and friends, enjoyed celebrating with him in Colorado Springs.

The Parade Contingeny of his entourage.  

The long awaited moment...MWC commissioning our son.

Some day, I may look at this photo and not get teary....but not today.

Father/son salute

Graduation Day

Romance through the years

romance

rə(ʊ)ˈmans,ˈrəʊmans/

noun

1. 1.

   a feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love.

I love watching my newly married son and engaged daughter with their chosen loves.  The excitement of  new love and all their hopes for their futures brings me great joy.  The sweet things they do to woo and express their love for one another brings back many fond memories.

When you look up romance in the dictionary, you will not find MWC's picture there. By worldly standards, MWC is romance challenged.  He did a decent job of it wooing me and in our early days of marriage but time and familiarity took their toll and his true nature took over.

This is not a complaint.  I have always known he is not what one would consider a "romantic" guy. Just because he is not a romantic guy and the days of silk roses on monthly anniversaries and love letters are behind us, doesn't mean he doesn't show his love...very well.

Through the years I have appreciated his steady, unwavering love and its practical expressions.

The world may not see these as "romantic" but they make my heart swoon.

He was the one who got up with sick children in the night because he can get back to sleep quicker.

Homeschooling children for a week to give me a break...and so he better understood my day.

Building a step for my arthritic knees within hours of ortho suggesting it for me.

Bringing me warm cookies from oven and a cappuccino while I elevate my legs to rest them.

Just to name a few.

And his latest MWC style romantic gesture?  Going against his frugal nature and purchasing "premium" Les Mis tickets because that was all that was available.  When I asked why and said we could have gone another time, he replied, "you've already arranged childcare for that date.  You've already spent a lot of time looking for tickets.   I didn't want you to have to do any more work on this to change the date so I bought what they had."

Now I'm looking forward to spending the day in London strolling through art museums followed by an evening of Les Mis (in amazing seats no less!)

It would appear we do still enjoy romance after all.

This is what it should look like

Unfortunately, I did not take a photo of the "this is not what it should look like bag" before it got assimilated into this new batch.

MWC eats a lot of trail mix.  Not the store bought kind but the kind we mix at home ourselves.  Apparently, while I am, in his eyes, a stellar cook in all other areas, making trail mix is not my forte.  I apparently do not know how to ascertain the proper fruit to nut ratio.  And, even worse, silly me somehow thought banana chips would count as fruit.

So this week he kindly offered me instructions in making trail mix, complete with visuals.  I, being the mature, completely confident cook that I am, handled the lesson with grace...and laughed so hard I could not breathe for a full 10 minutes.  I obviously do not appreciate my husband's culinary talents.

MWC's a Tough Mudder

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Finally, the torture which went on for 4-1/2 hours, over half of which were in pouring rain, hail and gusty winds, and ended with an electrical shock that caused a face plant into a pool of mud, is over and MWC is a happy man!

I think he's nuts for doing it at all but I am proud that my "old man" is such a beast and still in such good shape he can do such things.

My knight in shining armor

has been replaced by a Damsel in a Dress!

Yesterday Sunshine took it upon herself to remove the 2 rats in the garden who had the misfortune of not making it "home" before their new special diet had its intended consequences upon their health.

We tease MWC that he is becoming obsolete in a household of independent women.  There's still the weekly forays into the attic to leave the mouse buffets...he can take some comfort in that...however the list of knightly duties grows ever shorter.

The perils a knight must face when he is blessed with a military wife and daughters.

Happy (Early) Anniversary to us

We recently had a long weekend and were able to sneak away to London for a romantic getaway.  We were blessed with amazing weather and had a great time.   Here are some photos.

The Royal Guard Cavalry Museum with the London Eye in the background

A pretty house in Notting Hill.  I loved shopping in that area and hope to go back again.

The highlight of the weekend.  An INCREDIBLE 

show!

Sweet talk

Some men are born sweet talkers and know just the right thing to say to woo their wives.  Others need coaching along the way.  MWC is of the latter.  Not being a mushy sort myself, I’m usually fine with it, but do like to hear sweet talk on occasion and have attempted to train him in this area.  (He tells me the fact that I usually laugh uproariously when he tries is definitely not positive reinforcement, but that’s another story.) 

I have learned over 27 years he needs little hints and prompts to muster up some sweet talk.  Sometimes he just tries on his own…today was such a day.  And he almost succeeded.

Today he’s been out and about with the girls.  I’ve been at home getting some long overdue housework done as well as relaxing some.  I haven’t left the house and haven’t bothered to put on any makeup…I did shower at least…so I’m not looking my finest.  (In fact, I look pretty pale and run down.)  So I jokingly say to MWC as I pass by the room he’s in, “I’m not sure how you’re not swooning over me today, I’m such a picture of loveliness!”

Hearing the heavy sarcasm in my voice and not seeing my face, he replied innocently “What?  Are you not wearing makeup today?

“Awww, you’re sweet to not have noticed.”

“So I did good huh?”

So yes, he almost succeeded.  If only he hadn’t wanted feedback on his attempt.

Maybe I don’t have a husband whose an accomplished sweet talker.  I do, however, have one who has spent a lovely day with our girls as I’ve enjoyed some solitude at home and who is fixing dinner as I type this.  I’ll take sweet actions over sweet words any day.But that doesn’t mean I won’t keep trying to teach the old dog new tricks and have BOTH.

Life as a Mrs. White Coat

Conversation at dinner last night:

MWC: I filled in the biggest rat hole so hopefully they won't get through that one anymore. I put both mousetraps next to the smaller hole that they use so if they come in that way, maybe we can catch them there.

Me:  Well I think that is more likely to just set the traps off as they run by and not catch them.  They only catch them if they are actually positioned to eat the peanut butter.

MWC:  Well that obviously hasn't been very effective since we've only caught one.  This way, the traps will snap at them when they try to come through and hopefully be a negative reinforcement to them for coming that way.

This is the same husband who years ago on an anniversary trip, as we sat beside a lovely, tranquil duck pond chatting, trained the ducks to tap his foot 3 times to get a morsel of bread.

So for those who have been concerned that  MWC's just want to analyze everyone they meet, rest assured that unless you're a wild animal needing some experimental behavioral training, you're safe to just relax and chat with my MWC and are not subject to his professional interests.

MWC is a failure

I don't usually like to air dirty laundry...or as my very good friend would say should I complain publicly about  MWC's faults, "your slip is showing!"  but I just can't help myself today.

You see we had a sermon this evening on what it means to be a godly husband.  It was a most excellent sermon and our pastor laid out 7 things a man must do to NOT be a godly husband.  MWC failed at all 7!  I mean really, what husband can fail at 7 things at once!  To be fair, while he failed MOST items BIG time, there are a few he only failed a little..but I won't tell which ones were epic fails and which are little. I do have my limits as to how much dirty laundry I'm willing to air.

So here's the list of items MWC fails at.  Bummer for me isn't it?

Item #1.  Do NOT love your wife with agape love...agape being a deep sacrificial love.

Item #2.  Hold grudges, deny all guilt and responsibility in conflicts and grumble about the unfinished piece of work your wife is now instead of seeing the piece of glory she is becoming.

Item #3.  Don't take the lead. Do not be a shepherd to your family, praying for them and setting a Christ-like example for them.

Item #4.  Neglect your wife. Do not nurture or cherish her and show her how important she is to you.

Item #5.  Be unfaithful to her.  Not just physically. Let other priorities such as work and family steal you away from her.

Item #6. Dominate and control her.

Item #7.  Do not follow Christ or realize the greatness you've been called to to be Christlike in your home so that your wife will see and know Christ by watching you.

I can only hope and pray that my sons grow up to be such failures and my daughters marry some.

True Love

You know you are loved when you announce to your man that you are pretty sure there's a dead mouse somewhere in a closet that you want him to take care of when he gets home and he replies, "that's not for 3 days, its gonna really stink"

And you reply, "I've got Febreze and I don't care. Its been a tough couple weeks and I'm tired of being the adult and I don't want to take care of anything messy anymore."

To which he replies, "I'm ready to be home and will be happy to take care of it for you when I get there."

I am indeed a blessed wife.

Gotta love the honesty of children

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...I found this letter on our coffee table this morning and had to smile. It gives a very accurate description of what goes on at our house almost every evening after dinner.

In case you can't read the letter it says, "Dear Dad this is you reading Adam of the Road.  I like when you fall asleep because we get more drawing done.  Love your daughter, (Sunshine)"

A Father and a son...and their faith in one another

It is no secret that raising Frog has been quite an adventure. (just ask the newly expectant first time parents who we traumatized with Froggie stories recently)  Raising such an intelligent, confident, promising, strong-willed young man took nerves of steel and calloused knees. His great potential was evident at an early age, but it took much prayer and hard work to guide it and help him realize it himself and to pursue it.  I would be lying if I said, we never despaired and we never feared for his future.  However, I can honestly say we never thought for a moment that he couldn't succeed at anything he pursued,  if he would only choose the right path and set his mind to it.  We are so thankful that he did just that and is on the path that he is on.  It was our desire to be obedient to the Lord in our parenting and that faith in Frog that gave us the stamina and courage we needed in raising this remarkable young man.

However, we have also learned that is not just parents that have faith in the success of their children, but children can have that faith right back.  Frog is such a child.  One year ago, when MWC's promotion board was to meet, Frog hung signs up all over the house (one which stayed up until the day we moved out of the house) congratulating his father on his promotion.  While the rest contemplated other options for a future at his current rank, Frog knew without a doubt, that his father would get that promotion.  Being "passed over" as they call it in military lingo, was not even an option in his mind.  MWC never voiced it, but I strongly suspect, it was Frog's faith in him that helped him keep hope alive during those long months as we awaited the results of his promotion board.

So it was extra precious to me recently that on the official date of MWC's promotion, we were with Frog observing him living his dream: father and son, both airman in the world's greatest Air Force, celebrating together.

Out of my league

I'm very proud of MWC and his sense of duty, hard work and integrity.  I also marvel at God's blessings poured upon us and the worldly honor he has bestowed on MWC.   MWC has been officially promoted and is now at the highest rank he can obtain in the USAF.  It was a promotion he was told he'd never make and he didn't actively pursue.  He didn't ask for the *right* jobs, he didn't make the right sacrifices.  He set his mind to serving the Lord, and balancing serving in the military while raising a large family.  Yet the Lord kept putting opportunities in his path, and that path lead to this promotion.

I confess I didn't want this promotion.  I wanted retirement. I wanted out.  I confess I selfishly prayed that he would not get it.  Yet, as I shared a while ago, the Lord was merciful to me in changing my heart when it came time for us to hear the news and I truly wanted this promotion because MWC wanted it, and I wanted him to be happy.

Well now he has officially "pinned on".  Its odd to see that rank on his shoulders.  Its odd to see the extra respect and level of responsibility that goes with it.  He had to explain to me how things are different now for him from a military point of view.  I didn't get it.

To me, MWC is still the man I love. The man who still takes too long in the bathroom, snores at night if he isn't wearing his Breathe-Right strips, and still forgets to pick things up for me on base if he doesn't write it down (or more likely call his office and leave himself a message on voicemail).

And I'm still me.  I'm still the slightly overweight, increasingly forgetful, happy to be home with my children mom, who doesn't really know how to behave as the wife of  "one of those guys."  I've got a new world opened up to me socially now and feel new expectations placed upon me.  I feel I should be classier, more sophisticated, more worthy of reflecting my husband's new rank.  But I'm not, I'm still me.

And I wonder, why do I put these expectations on myself? Why do I tell myself I'm out of my league?  Why do I listen to Satan's lies that I have to be a certain someone or be a certain way because my husband happens to have a certain rank on his shoulders.  It is the cross that dictates how I should live my life, not a set of wings perched on my husbands uniform.  It is the cross that gives me my worth and my importance and it is the One who died for me ON that cross that I should reflect, not the rank ON my husband.

It is that cross, not the wings, that MWC has kept his eyes on all these years as he's gone about his daily duties.  I am thankful for the godly example my dear husband has been to me, and I shall endeavor to follow that example.

An assignment is what you make it

There are two truths I try to live by, "there is no such thing as a bad assignment" and "an assignment is what you make it."  Sometimes that is harder than others.

Moving to England has been such an assignment for me.  I know its crazy, England is an AWESOME assignment. I know it but leaving my 3 adult children in the states has made it a huge challenge for me.

So each little perk of being in England has been an encouragment to me and a great reminder of God's blessings poured upon me amidst the challenges involved in this life as a military wife.  Sailing with a new good friend.  A lovely visit to a tearoom with Swan.  An evening at the theater with friends. Multiple lunch invites by loving people anxious to welcome us to this new place.  These are just a few highlights of the many perks we have already experienced in our short time here.

As if these were not enough, the Lord blessed me with the opportunity to see not one but two Olympic games.   First we went to the USA v. Korea game, and as I blogged about earlier, I missed the one and only goal.  Certainly a disappointment but the truth is, I was still at a USA Olympic game.  Never in a million years, would I think that could happen to me.

Last night's USA semi-final game more than made up for that one missed goal. Being in a roaring crowd cheering for your country in a match that literally goes down to the last 30 seconds of overtime is a definite high.  Even watching the recap in this video on BBC's Olympic site, brings back the adrenaline rush.
USA v. Canada Womens Olympic football recap

So while a winning football game can not fill the space in my heart and home that has been left empty by the absence of all my children being with me, it is a reminder to me of God's abundant mercy in blessing me fantastically with good things in spite of the sinful, thankless attitude that is way too often present in me.

And so this chapter begins

I knew it had been a while since I blogged but 6 weeks??  Had no idea.  I guess time flies when you are having fun...or living in limbo...or just when you are in denial about how out of control you are of your life and have nothing creative to say about it.

In any case, we are all now settled in our various new "homes".  After a month at my parents, the girls and I finally received our visas and were able to fly to England to join MWC.  Just two days after we arrived, a very jet lagged me got to meet MWCs coworkers and take a little bus trip to London for a reception for the US and UK Armed Forces association.

On the 4th of July, the 4 of us watched the Red Arrows. the RAF's version of The Thunderbirds, during a special 4th of July celebration on base.

photo taken by Webguy at USAFA

And Frog made it to the USAFA, got off the bus, and began his summer training for his appointment to the Academy.  I returned from our reception in London to find this photo posted on my FB wall. A friend had seen it on the Academy's page and shared it on my wall.

Unfortunately, I do not have photos of Clone and Swan in their new homes but I do know they are both happy and doing well.  In less than 3 short weeks, I will have photos of Swan as she is coming to visit!

Losing weight in lightning speed!

Its the house though and not me!

I think my favorite perk of moving this often is the purging and decluttering it demands of us.

It is hard work, physically and, sometimes, emotionally, but the end result is a sense of freedom and release from bondage to things.

And, I especially like it when MWC does the garage and the shed so I don't have to.  I do so love that man!!

Apparently, they were listening

My older children were raised on a steady diet of no xbox, no playstation, no cable TV, good books, frequent trips to the library, Playmobil toys and lots out outdoor play.  Gameboys were only allowed on long trips (like 8 hour plane rides back to the US from Europe.)

The first crack in our anti-electronics armor was Dance, Dance Revolution and an old used Playstation.  For a long time, we held strong and kept our electronics to a minimum.  Then we moved back to the US and our resolve started to crumble in the face of constant bombardment. (its easy to withstand bombardment when you live in a non-English speaking country and the only Americans around feel the same way you do.)

For the most part, our children only complained a little. Unless you call being called "Amish Rednecks" for our old fashioned backwards way by one child a major complaint.

Then came the little girls into a house with laptops, Internet, and video games.  We have an Xbox, a Wii, more computers than I'll publicly admit, an IPad and multiple IPods.  (we still are cable TV-less, but with Internet that's not that hard).  Add to that an older mom who is more tired and lazier, and their entertainment diet has been way more laden with junk than the older three.

Swan and Clone have let us know their disappointment in this development (respectfully of course and they have valid points I'm ashamed, or proud depending on how you look at it, to say.)

I am proud though that they haven't just voiced their opinions and done nothing.  During time home, Clone has frequently read the girls poetry and good literature.  And over the Christmas break, we broke out the Playmobil castle and set it up. 

The girls are pretty girlie girls though and the dollhouse would have been a better fit.  We never had that but Swan did have most of the sets that go with it.  So one evening, she and MWC got to work and the next morning Sunshine and Sweetness woke up to find this in Swan's room.  Sweetness stayed put for over 2 hours playing happily. (Sunshine lasted an hour before the call of the Wii got too loud.)

So now, Sunshine and Sweetness have decided to use their Christmas money from Grandma to buy Playmobil dollhouse sets....instead of Webkins.

Sweet!!

Cape May

MWC and I celebrated our 25th anniversary with a wonderful getaway to Cape May, NJ. We stayed at an awesome bed and breakfast, enjoyed relaxing days together and ate some of the best food ever...a little too good according to my scale. sigh. It was all worth it though!

Chip and Barbara are the awesome hosts at this bed and breakfast

Our attic hideaway room was sweet


The front porch where we enjoyed reading, chatting with the other guests and the yummy afternoon refreshments Barbara served each day.



our very first carriage ride