Happiness is a fleece, cold temperatures, lip balm and a walk in the woods. Pure joy is seeing your dog after six months and taking him on a walk in the woods while he runs as far and as long as he can, always coming back for love.
Archive for the ‘my family’ Category
Jan
8th
I refuse to turn into that weird cat lady who talks about her cat as if it were a child. But seriously, how could I not post this?
Location: Calle Santa Lucia. Granada, Nicaragua.
Taken: December 15, 2009
Dec
4th
We have a new potential member of our family. Meet El Tigre, the cat that Jesse hates. As in, the cat who is allowed on our desks while Jesse is shut out of the room. The introduction of a new pack member isn’t going well, but I’m confident they’ll both adapt. If so, El Tigre become permanant!
Nov
20th
I remember driving a block or two up to the top street in our neighborhood one snowy Idaho night. Josh and two of our friends were in the car. The air was so crisp and clear, it felt beautiful just to breathe it in. The snow hushed every sound in the neighborhood. We slowly crept up on a house with a beautifully built snowman in the front yard. Josh quietly got out of the car, ran over to the snowman, and pushed it’s head off. It made this delightful thump as it hit the ground and shattered into little snow clumps. The front door ripped open, the owner yelled “Hey! What are you doing?” and Josh took off.
We quickly slunk down in the car, shaking with laughter, hoping the owner wouldn’t see us as he ran after Josh*. It took us 15 minutes to find Josh-out of breath from running, jumping fences and hiding just to get away.
*Our family has long made fun of him for his Roadrunner run. His torso stays completely straight while his legs churn up speed.
May
17th
You’re so vain. You probably think this song is about you. (by vain i mean lame)
Comment left on Facebook by my 18 year old brother.
Apr
24th
The news of the bombings in Iraq were scary. My brother is in the 2nd Brigade, the 3rd Brigade was attacked. 9 casualties, 20 injured.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace. For You alone, Lord, make me live in safety. Psalm 4:8
Apr
17th
I have to tell you, being married is pretty cool. That’s an understatement. We’re the extremely obnoxious happy newlyweds right now. We smile a lot, making googly eyes and holding hands. I’m living with my best friend. We’re at peace with each other, seeking God, and loving life. Just thought you should know…..
Apr
12th
I don’t write about this. At least, not very often. But I’m frustrated, and I need to get this out.
My brother is in Iraq. Again. If you stay caught up on the news, which I do, you’ve probably read articles on Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ decision to extend the tours of duty for Army personnel to 15 months. My brother has been in Iraq, excluding a three weak “leave,” since last July. That ”leave” was supposed to be for several months. Because of that three week period, the Army may consider his tour of duty to have started in January, blatantly ignoring not only the 4 months he was in Afghanistan, but also ignoring the 6 months he was in Iraq last year. Before this decision, he had been told to expect to be home by early July.
He was the only member of our family not at my wedding. We had planned for him to be there. He managed to call at the very beginning of the reception. I was able to hear him say “Congratulations” and “I love you.” I can’t even focus on what he is doing or where he is right now because I can’t comprehend the thought of him being hurt. My heart hurts to see his wife upset. I know he signed up for this. I know he volunteered. But there is a limit to what can be asked of him, and those who serve with them. This is not a result of lack of funding. We can’t afford this war! We’ve spent enough for victory already. Money is not an issue. Idiotic and incomplete preparation is the cause.
There is a limit to how many people you can kill, even for a cause you believe in. There is a limit to what politicians, who have never been to war, can order based on a strategy developed far far away from reality. There is a limit to what a people can take when they are being occupied by another nation. There is a limit to what I can take because I am so opposed to everything this war stands for. There is a limit.
When will we reach our limit collectively? When will we stand up and say ENOUGH? When will we raise our voices to stop this? When will this stop? One voice will not change. But I cannot let my voice stay silent in this.
I argue with myself as I type this. I don’t know the whole story and all the politics and strategy that goes with war. I know that it is impossible to correctly judge an outcome when you are in the middle of the solution. It’s all theory at this point. Theoretically, Bush’s head might NOT be up his ass at this point and he MIGHT be creating a team that can “win” this battle and this war.
However, right now. I’m tired. I’m tired of worrying about my brother. I’m tired of trying to comprehend the thought of him being hurt or worse for a worthless cause. I’m tired of the lies and deception of our government. I’m tired.
So, let the letter writing commence:
http://www.house.gov/writerep/
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500