"What Can I Do?"

Heard this song at church on Sunday and it really spoke to me. This is what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving. Because in the end without my God I would not have anything that I have today. The wonderful husband, children, parents, siblings, family and friends. It is truly amazing to see the work God is doing. He has blessed me so much through so many ways this year and I am so very thankful for everything.

What Can I Do Lyrics
By: Paul Baloche

Verse 1:
When I see the beauty of a sunset's glory,
Amazing artistry across the evening sky
When I feel the mystery of a distant galaxy
It awes and humbles me to be loved
By a God so high

Chorus:
What can I do but thank You,
What can I do but give my life to You
Hallelujah, hallelujah
What can I do but praise You,
Everyday make everything I do a hallelujah,
A hallelujah, hallelujah

Verse 2:
When I hear the story of a God of mercy
Who shared humanity and suffered by our side
Of the cross they nailed You to,
that could not hold You
Now You're making all things new by the power
Of Your risen life

Next Assignment

It looks like we will be headed to Fort Drum, NY in May! I dont even know what else to day besides that! :) We are very excited, like Widmar said...at this moment in our lives its the perfect place for us. We will be close to family, we will be close to my sister who may every now and then need to see her big sister and nephews, and widmar will be working in a brigade where he thinks very highly of the commander. Funny how after we get this assignment we already talk about the next one. (partly because they tried to talk Widmar out of this one, bunch of army lingo/logistical things) heavy/heavy/light/light...whatever! We are hoping to one day make it west (which was at the top of our list). The nature of the beast...God is the ONLY one who knows where we are going from here on out. For now, I am full of joy!

Soldier Marathon

This weekend the boys and I had the pleasure of cheering on Widmar and some of my great friends at the Soldier Marathon and half marathon. We were joined by our dear friends Tara & Jon Jon. I am not going to lie I was grumpy when the morning started. We were watching a friend of ours daughter (which was not the problem she was GREAT) HOWEVER Joshua was being mean and grabbing her shoes off and then we got outside where it was much colder than we are used to. It really wasn't THAT cold, but colder than the typical temperatures lately. It caused for two very unhappy Roman boys. One of which cried for a good hour until we made it to the finish line to greet our friends and a couple hours later our daddy. :) And then we get to the finish line and there are soldiers lined for the finishers and we stood there cheering as the 1st runner came FLYING across. He was fast! We cheered on all of our friends as they crossed and then waited a little while longer for Widmar. The boys were playing having a great time which eased some of my frustration and caused me to think about just how greatful I am to be a part of such a wonderful community here at Fort Benning and in the Army Family in general. We knew A LOT of people running and there were hugs shared with all. I patiently waited for my #1 stud to cross the finish line, he did the full marathon. He finished in 3hr 50min!!! Thank you Dion & Matt and family and Robin & Joe & Addison for waiting for him to cross the finish line. I know it meant a lot to him and it meant a lot to me that he had all the support waiting for him. You could have easily left to shower and spend time with your families. Thank you thank you!!!

I must brag on him for just a minute.... He truly is amazing (at least to me anyway). He is currently training for a 40mile race that takes place the first weekend in December. I used to gripe at his 3hour long runs every saturday and sunday, but I've learned that is the man he is. He's a runner, a competitor and it truly makes him happy to accomplish these things. I am proud of him in everything he does including the races. He not only ran the marathon on Saturday, but turned around and did a 2 1/2 hour trail run on sunday after church. (Yes he is crazy) He is actually pretty amazing if you ask me!!!

Part of me wishes I had run or at least run walked this race, but as I got to thinking I am happy I didn't. A few people said how great it was and how motivating it was to see us along the route cheering them on. I was where God wanted me.

Back to how proud I am to be apart of such an awesome army family. The video posted above is from the race. All of the other runners had finished, the tents were packed up, most of the volunteers had gone home. But as this young lady finished her first marathon on the 10 year anniversary of being cancer-free, the soldiers from Ft. Benning, GA fullfilled their motto of "no man left behind". This is the community that I am so blessed to live among and serve beside. I am truly blessed!

attachment

new phase in the Roman house! Mommy is off limits to anyone and everyone including daddy and whichever boy is not in my lap. I realize this is a normal part of development but oh man it has caused some drama, especially today. For instance, we were sitting on the couch and Joshua (who is the main culprit in the tantrum like behavior if someone even touches me) was on my lap and Widmar held my hand. You would have thought his world was ending. He screamed, yelled no, told me to sit at the other side of the couch. It was CRAZY. He cried and cried and cried. So after an entire afternoon of this and trying to get him to understand that he has a brother and a daddy that needs loving too I took him and sat in the recliner just the two of us and he calmed down. Anyone have any advice on this subject matter? I know it's normal, but anything I can do to maybe divert the tantrums when Jacob wants to sit on my lap. Reminder they are 21 months old and don't really understand the whole it's not your turn thing just yet. Again, I know this is all normal especially for little boys attachment to their mommys. I was just wondering if anyone had some insight into making this a more smooth transition/phase. :) My heart was breaking because his feelings were really hurt by Widmar holding my hand and he was awfully territorial. Obviously Widmar gets it, but Jacob does not and needs attention too.

On a different note...Dad was here this weekend and we had a blast with him. We are so excited to get home to Texas to be with everyone!!!! I hope everyone has a great week and for those of you with long weekends ENJOY!!

New Beginnings

Widmar has finally started the career course after the long wait! Praise God! He has already been home more this week than he has in the last 2 years. We've managed two workouts together and even some lunch dates. How wonderful!

The boys and I got our flu shots today. It was better than expected by far. The boys were champs! Everyone was oooing and ahhhing over how great they did. not even a peep, flinch, nothing. We were in and out in less than 15 minutes! My arm is so sore though! I hope the boys legs are not as sore as my arm is. Otherwise it could be a long night.

I'm excited that my dad is coming in tomorrow. Well he has been in Atlanta all week. It's weird having him that close and I havent seen him yet. Can't wait to pick him up tomorrow afternoon. The boys will be very excited I think! I dont think dad "bumpa" is excited at all. I think last time mom talked to him he was at the mall looking for something for the boys. Silly bumpa!

I'm also very excited that Widmar and I get to go to Trace Adkins on Friday night. I think it will be very cold, but should be fun! We weren't going to go because dad's only here for a few short days, BUT he insisted we leave for a date night. Little did I know he had fantasy football stuff to take care of and we would probably be in his way or he'd feel obligated to chat. :) Thanks dad for lettin us go out and taking care of the boys.

I hope everyone takes some time this month to remember what they are thankful for. Enjoy November its finally getting cooler :)

Daddy's Home

This week daddy has been home with us all day everyday. He took leave before starting the career course to catch up on some family time. I will have to admit I think we were both nervous. it's an adjustment from doing it all on my own to having someone else around 24/7. We joked that he may need to do his 3 hr runs every day and maybe find a part time job or hobby for the afternoon. :) It wasn't needed. We have had a blast and had a lot of downtime. It was much needed as this previous job has been crazy for him and our lives have just been very busy. Although the career course is a much anticipated break I am hoping it goes by very slowly. For our lives are going to take a drastic change after we move here and I am not sure I'm ready for it. There will be more to come about our potential move and almost guaranteed deployment within a month or less of us getting there. Nothing is definite yet so I can't really say a whole lot about it. So for now we are just enjoying our family time for the next 6 months. I guess I should say family and friends. With the end of our time coming here at fort benning I am excited, but pretty sad. we moved here with some very dear friends and have made some new ones along the way. I am going to miss them dearly and it actually brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Motto for the next 6 months...LIVE IT UP!!!

Other than that there isn't a whole lot going on around here. Widmar is training for another long race. 40 or 50 miler who knows. I lose track and I think he is crazy so I just support what he does and I'll be at the finish line cheering him on like always. The boys are getting big and vocal. Their vocabulary is outrageous (at least I think so) and they are way too smart. I can't believe they are almost 21 months old. WOW!!! TIME FLIES!! We are very excited that BUMPA is coming to visit us in a week. I think he is going to be shocked at how big the boys are and everything they do. Sad my mom (mimi) isn't coming too, but we will see them all very soon. (december 17thish to be exact)

Well, that's all for now! I think we will call it an early night tonight. We for some reason think that because Widmar doesnt work we can go to bed at 11 or 12 at night. Which we very quickly regret when our little ones wake up between 6 and 630.

color color

The boys love to "color, color". I had to go to the PX today to get some new color wonder markers because we exhausted our last ones. So, I carry them through the whole store and didn't even know the boys knew I had them. I hand them to the lady at the counter to pay and you would have thought I stole life from those little boys. In unison and harmony haha they were crying and saying "color color". I had to reassure them that I was taking the colors home and we could "color color" there. They kept pointing at the lady at the register and crying and screaming "color color" THE ENTIRE WAY OUT OF THE PX. All the while I was showing them that I had their "color colors" in the bag. I think they honestly thought that she stole their colors. I dont know, but people were laughing hysterically as it sounded like a choir of not so angels singing (crying) in unison. It was beautiful harmony....NOT REALLY! I think I laughed the whole way out to the car. Yes, mom of the year, I know! Jacob cried all the way home until we got out of the car, in the house and I showed them that I still had the "color colors" I don't think I have ever seen him so excited about anything yet. He was jumping and waving his arms and we spent the last hour "color coloring".

On a sidenote: which in reality is a not so sidenote. I am completely amazed at the grace of God and what He has given me.