On a Journey...

APO packages

2011-06-15T15:07:00.001-05:00

I was told awhile back that USPS will come to your door to pick up mail including APO packages. I finally looked into it yesterday as I am babysitting this week and there is no way I can bring 3 littles and 3 APO packages into the post office.

It was super easy!! I will be doing this more often.

This is the link to ship the package....
https://sss-web.usps.com/cns/landing.do

I used the United States Domestic mail for the destination. After that you will be prompted to login. If you don't have an account with USPS online then you will need to set one up.

Then here is the tricky part. You will need to fill out your info as the sender...then his info for receiving. I put all the information besides the FOB and APO/AE with zip code in the two address lines. The FOB goes in the city line. The state line you chose AE. The zip code goes in the line for zip code :)

After that it is all pretty self explanatory. I also after printing out the labels then scheduled a pick up. Make sure that you fill out the custom forms as you would when you go to the post office. :)

I did this all yesterday and scheduled pick up for today and had no problems :)
I hope this is helpful to some. :)

pics of the bathroom decor

2011-06-15T13:51:00.000-05:00

Bathroom toilet paper rolls

Cut into even parts. Tip- make sure all the TP rolls are the same size.

Fold the rolls in half, glue them together to make a design. I used paper clips to hold them together until they dried.

the original look

After spray painting the design black.

This could be made bigger or smaller or however you like. :) There is no wrong design. Each one is unique :)

Bathroom decor

2011-05-25T08:13:00.004-05:00

So I have been trying to find a cheap decoration for my bathroom. Look at this great, cute idea. :) I will post pics when I am done :)

http://homeofstarsandstripes.blogspot.com/2011/04/toilet-paper-tube-craft-just-in-time-to.html#comment-form

2011-04-13T21:59:00.000-05:00

I have been a little busy packing and getting ready for our move. However, before that I am going to welcome my wonderful husband home again! I hate the separations but the reunions sure are sweet! I am excited to see how Emma will react as well. :)

I have so many things going on in my brain. :) I will be putting most of it to the "back burner" and just be enjoying my dear hubby...and our new home :)

God bless & HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!! :)

2011-04-08T11:12:00.000-05:00

Apparently my "thing" right now is cooking and trying new things. As much as possible I am trying to make things homemade instead of buying pre-made. For example today I made Cream of Celery. :) It came out so good. I love when that happens!! :) I like it so much better than the canned. The recipe called for carrots and celery and then tells you to take them out. I left them in mine. It is another way to get veggies in our diet. It was fairly simple to make and was ready before the noodles were done cooking :) I will definitely be making this one again!

I have been doing lots of research lately on raw diets for pets. I have decided in the very near future that I will be doing this. I am excited to see the health changes in my pets. I am sure that it will be a little more expensive for us at first until I am able to get used to the diet itself and how much food each pet needs.

Today has been a day of packing. I have gotten most of it done. At least I think so. With packing you always seem to find things you forgot to pack. :) I am so thankful for the energy God has given me today. I definitely should not feel this good. The children and pets are doing a wonderful job of waking me very often in the night. Maybe I am just getting used to less sleep. ;)

well off to packing I go...

one last thing.. please keep in prayer the Welch family. Today is the memorial service for the soldier that was killed on Sunday. He left behind a wife with young children. My heart goes out to that family and the soldiers that he served with. :(

Oatmeal Bars

2011-04-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

I tried making Oatmeal Bars today. It wasn't a failure but neither was it a huge success. According to the recipe they should come out sort of soft and chewy. Of course, I never really follow recipes. :) I didn't have walnuts so I used coconut and I don't have any dried fruit on hand so I used frozen black raspberries and lessened the amount of milk. I also did add 1/4 cup of brown sugar.
I will try making them again but I will put even less milk and I will use honey instead of brown sugar :)
If you try these, please let me know how they turn out for you :)

http://www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/baked-oatmeal-snack-bars

change of direction

2011-04-05T12:53:00.002-05:00

I have not written on the post in a very long time. So much has changed since I last wrote. I moved to Texas, my husband came home from Iraq (PRAISE GOD!!), we went on a couple of trips, I got pregnant, had my baby boy, Aaron, moved again - this time to KY, and now going through another separation and soon to be another deployment. That is the short of a very long story. :)

I have decided to change the direction of my blog. I had been using it as a way to show family pictures and post a few updates. I would now like to use it as a way for me to sort and vent thoughts, feelings and findings..and all that goes with that. I am exploring natural and organic eating and cooking, vaccinations, homeschooling, feeding my pets raw diets, two home based businesses, and always interested in natural pregnancy and birthing...I am sure I missed some things probably even important things. :)

I feel very strongly that we each have our own journey of discoveries to make. What may be right for you may not be right for me and vice versa. I am open to people making comments on my blog, however, please keep in mind that suggestions are welcomed but may not always be used. This is regardless who you are. I do not judge people for how they do things in their lives as I truly feel God leads us each differently. May God bless you on your journey and may I somehow be a blessing to you. :)

Family Pictures

2009-10-03T08:52:00.000-05:00

2009-09-25T21:41:00.003-05:00

Some more pics....

Emma discovering toys on her swing... :)

Emma's eye....hehe :)

The baby sling I made... :)

Just hanging out...

2009-09-18T00:10:00.000-05:00

2009-09-13T21:26:00.001-05:00

Emma hanging out and also checking out her new swing :)

2009-09-05T10:29:00.000-05:00

9-1-09

2009-09-03T16:15:00.002-05:00

A few more pics... they are all from the same day :)

8/21-8/26

2009-09-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

thoughts....

2009-08-29T19:09:00.002-05:00

Things are going well for me and the baby....I love being a mom. Emma is doing soo good...God has blessed me with a little angel. I swear she is...hehe. She is very rarely fussy. She is growing so much. She LOVES to eat. must take after me...lol.

Currently working on getting all the thank you cards done and getting our family pictures sent out. :) I love how the pictures turned out. Once they are finally sent out I will post some of them on here. :)

What is on my mind lots these days is Ben coming home and planning for it. I keep looking at houses to rent online even though it is wwaaayyyyy to soon to be looking. I am kinda concerned. I want to make sure that the house is in a safe area ...an area that I would consider safe. Then I am concerned about the interior...will it really be as clean as the pictures show?? ugh! Totally looking forward to moving back though. :)

Ben is doing well. We are both having a bit of a harder time with the separation this time. Yet at the same time we are both depending on God more so than we did before. I am so thankful for all that God is and has done for us. He has brought us through so many different trials...we have learned so much. Through it all our love for each other has grown so much. It is really amazing! I am so thankful that God gave me all that I dreamed for...both in my husband and my marriage and now a child. Unbelievable...I am soo often in awe of all the blessings that God has given to me...Who am I? that God should bless me so. I have failed Him in so many ways. Yet He still blesses me beyond my imagination.

Emma Jane :)

2009-08-25T09:38:00.000-05:00

Emma Jane

2009-08-19T13:50:00.000-05:00

I had the baby - finally! She was ten days late. We were all a little nervous that Ben would miss the birth because of her being so late. But God is good. He was here and so were his parents. His parents left the day after she was born.
Emma Jane was born on Sunday Aug 9 at 4:33am She weighed 8lbs 15oz and was 21 inches long. :)
The labor and delivery went well. However both Emma and I had complications after birth. She was born with an infection that they could neither name or tell me how she got. So she was on antibiotics for a week. She was also on oxygen for 3 days as she had more than normal fluid in her lungs. She was also jaundice. As for me...well. I tore in three places (cause her head was so big) and I also have a hematoma. That is basically a bruise but much much worse. I was extremely swollen. It is also very painful. I found that after the birth the hematoma was more painful than labor or delivery. I did go through with the birth with out pain medication. I did not receive pain meds until I got the hematoma. I was on morphine for 2 or 3 days (I can't remember anymore) However, on Wednesday I spotted a overly sized blood clot. I ended up Wednesday night in surgery. They drained all the blood from the hematoma and removed the blood clot. The blood clot turned out to be the size of a softball. We are praising God for the emergency surgery. That may not have ever healed on its own. Also Ben was supposed to leave for Iraq on Thursday morning. However, because of my surgery the surgeon was able to talk to Ben's commanding officer and get Ben five days of extension on his leave. We didn't know this was the case till about two minutes before Ben actually got on his plane on Thursday morning. We had already said goodbye to each other from my hospital bed. It was a hard morning. But God is good and the extension came in time. :) Ben surprised me when he came back to the hospital. :) It was a HUGE blessing. Ben was able to be with me for the rest of my stay at the hospital. Emma and I were both able to go home this past Sunday..and Daddy was able to be the one to take us home. It meant alot to both of us. Yesterday we brought him to the airport. He is back on his way to Iraq. It was a hard day...and so much harder to say goodbye this time. We have been through so much and he has been such a wonderful husband to me and a great daddy for Emma. We are counting the days till he comes home again. :) 163-ish.....He should be home end of January.
I am hoping to be moving back to Cove the beginning of January. :)
Looking forward to it. In the mean time...Emma will fill my days. as I learn to be a mom. :) I thank God for how much he has shown Ben and I in the last few weeks. God is good ALL the time.
PS...Pics to be posted later. :)

36 weeks - July 4th weekend

2009-07-06T00:37:00.002-05:00

34.5 weeks - Ultrasound

2009-06-25T23:01:00.003-05:00

My doctors appointment went really well. :) The ultrasound shows that everything is as it should be. Emma weighs 5lb 12oz right now and is projected to weigh 8.5lbs if I go to my due date. :)

My dad horseback riding :)

2009-06-20T21:31:00.001-05:00

Ben with some Iraqi children

2009-06-19T13:13:00.000-05:00

busy, busy .....

2009-06-14T21:43:00.006-05:00

wow...busy, busy the last few weeks. :) My dad's church had alot going on all at once and lots of work was done in preparation. Last Sunday began the week of the annual tent meeting..however that wasn't all...also on Sunday morning there was a special service to dedicate the building to the Lord followed by a Pastors fellowship meeting on Monday and Tuesday. The tent meeting went until Thursday night. It was very very busy but also a wonderful blessing. On that Sunday morning for the dedication service we had eight visitors. Four of the visitors were the family that previously owned the house. It was a blessing to see them go through the house and see all that was accomplished. They were so happy to see their childhood home being put to good use. (It was about to be turned over to the fire department to be burned down). The Pastors fellowship was also a success as pastors and their wives from all over the state came to see all that God has done. It was an encouragement to my parents to see so many of them come. It was also an encouragement to the pastors to see all that God can do with even such a small church. Many blessings to count. The tent meeting went to Thursday..and although there were not any new visitors several people that used to come to the church came back for the tent meeting. I am praying for one woman in particular. Her name is Kelly. She is a single mom about my age and claims to be saved. God seemed to be working on her heart and I pray that we will see her more often. I was able to talk with her several times in hopes to build a relationship with her. She "knows" she needs to be in church especially for her son. Praying that she will follow what she knows to be right. The whole week was a blessing. I pray that God will continue to bless this church and that it will grow.
Also a couple of weeks ago my aunt Mary came with my Memere (grandmother). My Aunt only stayed with us for a week but my Memere will be here till sometime in September. They both also helped us prepare for all the activities of last week. My Aunt was a huge blessing to me..she did so much work in helping with the clean up. Memere is doing good..she is still adjusting to being in a different place. It is wonderful to have her here with us.
My hubby is doing great. God has kept him from harms way and I am ever so thankful for that. We had a couple of weeks with almost no communication which was hard but we are past that now. He is back to having internet again. :) Thanking God for that. He will be coming home soon for his R&R. We are both very much looking forward to that. :) I will post some of the pictures that he has sent to me. Please feel free to send him an email or message him on FB...he ALWAYS loves to hear from home. :)
My pregnancy is good well. I am now at 33 weeks. :) Can't believe yet that I am actually going to be a mom...wondering when that will sink in. :) I have not had complications..yet another reason to be thankful. I started have problems with my feet within the last couple of weeks. Part of that is from being so busy and overdoing it. I am being more careful now and and elevating my feet as much as I can. Emma is a very busy little girl and likes to make her presence known..hehe. I am starting to believe that she likes music..especially the banjo. For the tent meeting we had two missionary families come to help with all the work (they both come every year). When the families get together alot of the children play instruments...every time they had the banjo, guitars, violin and piano all playing together Emma would kick the entire time. :) It was fun to figure that out. One night I went to see if I was just imagining it...and sat with them while they practiced...and sure enough she was all over the place until they stopped. :) I love it! We are getting very excited to meet out little girl. :)
I think that is it for now. :) I am posting some pics...enjoy. :)
The first picture is of my dad singing "Jesus Loves Me" with two of the missionary girls - for those of you who may know them it is the youngest Hinson girls. My dad claims he wanted me to have a boy...but I am thinking he will LOVE having another girl around. :)

YAY!!! for great deals :)

2009-05-19T11:02:00.004-05:00

Through Craigs List, I found some awesome deals this week. I am so thankful and excited about them. I am not planning on getting ALL the furniture that you would normally get when you shop for a new baby as in January I will be moving back to Texas. I previously got the pack n play that I wanted. I got it really early as it was on sale and I wanted a specific one. I wanted one that has a bassinet in it that rocks. The pack n play will be the baby's bassinet and temporary crib until we go to Texas. We have a crib that was given to us in storage there. :) So the only other two large items I really wanted to get was a travel system (stroller is a must - need to go on LOTS of walks after this baby is born) :) and I also wanted a rocker/glider. I was able to find both on Craig's list. The glider cost me $25 and the travel system was $75! Both are in excellent condition, very clean and look like they were hardly used. :) I also was able to find more baby clothes and a boppy (a nursing pillow)for very cheap. Praising God!

The glider/rocker is the chair to the right in the pic
The boppy is the one I got. However, I am using this one as a pattern so I can learn to make my own. I also am going to learn to make covers for them. :) The one that I want to make for me is going to be off white with red and pink hearts on it :)
The travel system is grey with lots of pink :)

May 2009

2009-05-13T17:24:00.007-05:00

Last week my parents and I went to Superior, WI. It is in northern Wisconsin, near Lake Superior. It is beautiful there. We went up there so that my parents could have a couple of days off before the busyness of this coming summer. We went to a bunch of little shops, a maritime museum, and toured a cargo ship that is no longer in use. Lots and lots of walking which was good for me. We had beautiful weather. While we were there we also met up with the Pastor and his family from Twin Ports Baptist Church. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with them. :)
I am posting the pictures as a slide show so that I can post more. The beginning pictures are of the lighthouse and the maritime museum. The ports are all maintained by the US Army Engineer Corp and the US Coast Guard. Then there are the pictures of the William Irvin Cargo Ship. The last three pictures are of what the ships carry.

As for other updates. I am doing well. I went to the doctor yesterday for my blood work, shot, and diabetes test. An appointment that I was pretty nervous about. I do not do well with needles. (too many bad experiences) However, God was merciful. :) Both the nurses did an awesome job. It probably helped that they believed me when I told them how nervous I was. They both worked quickly and only had to do it once unlike every other time I have had to have blood work. I won't know any of the results till Saturday. I also got to hear the baby's heartbeat. That is always an amazing thing to hear. :) After all that my mom and I were given a tour of the hospital..the birthing room and postpartum room. I found that to be a little overwhelming. It made it all seem so much more real. It also made Ben's coming home more real. Therefore, I was feeling emotional and missing Ben lots. Praying that God works out all the details for his home coming and that he will be able to be with me for the birth.

Ben is doing well. He is busier than ever which is good in some ways as it makes his days go by quicker. He no longer has his own internet. There have been so many problems with the internet that it does not make it worth paying for it. He is able to use the internet in the MWR (basically a community center). It is free there but he is only able to use it for a certain amount of time. Ben and his platoon have been blessed in that there have not been any injuries. I praise God for that as we hear of so many guys that have been injured for one reason or another.

Mother's Day

2009-05-12T12:20:00.002-05:00

Some beautiful Mothers Day roses from my wonderful hubby!!! :)

28 weeks - taken on Mothers Day 5/10/09

diaper bag/large tote

2009-05-03T08:03:00.001-05:00

Finally finished m diaper bag/large tote :) YAY!

A picture of Daddy at work :)

2009-04-25T08:35:00.000-05:00

This Too Shall Pass

2009-04-24T11:59:00.000-05:00

If I can endure for this minute
Whatever is happening to me,
No matter how heavy my heart is
Or how dark the moment may be-

If I can remain calm and quiet
With all the world crashing about me,
Secure in the knowledge God loves me
When everyone else seems to doubt me-

If I can but keep on believing
What I know in my heart to be true,
That darkness will fade with the morning
And that this will pass away, too-

Then nothing in life can defeat me
For as long as this knowledge remains
I can suffer whatever is happening
For I know God will break all of the chains

That are binding me tight in the darkness
And trying to fill me with fear-
For there is no night without dawning
And I know that my morning is near.

...Helen Steiner Rice

Ben in Iraq

2009-04-23T11:05:00.000-05:00

25 weeks

2009-04-22T09:22:00.001-05:00

Dear Military wife

2009-04-20T13:32:00.000-05:00

I read this letter on one of my support group pages....I thought it was so sweet...and it was an encouragement to me. I thought that I would share it. Especially for all my friends that are military wives. Hang in there ladies!! Then end is closer every day. ;)

"Dear Military Wife,

I am an American woman that has no idea what is going on in the
military other than what I hear on the news.
I have never had to let go of someone so that they could go fight for people that they didn't know, people that sometimes do not appreciate or understand what they are fighting for.
I have never had a sleepless night of worry because of a report that another bomb has exploded and I still haven't heard from my husband.

I have never had to wait for months on end to hold the one that I
loved so.

I have never had to tell my children that daddy wasn't coming home
tonight because he was so far away fighting for something that they
aren't yet old enough to understand.
I have never had to hold my head high and suppress the tears as I
hear that it will be at least another six months of separation before
my loved one gets to come home.

I have never had to deal with a holiday away from the one that I
thought I would share every day of my life with.

And I have never had to feel the panic rising in my heart at the
sound of a ringing phone or knock at the door for fear that it is the
news that everyone is terrified of getting.

For the reasons listed above, I can not tell you that I understand
how you feel. I can not tell you that you must be strong. I can not
say that you shouldn't be angry, because you "knew what you were
getting into when you married a military man". I can not say these
things because I have never had to walk in your shoes.

What I can say for certain is that because of your unselfish acts of
bravery and your husbands willingness to stand up for those who see
him as "just another soldier" - - I will never have to walk in your
shoes.

I do understand that as a military wife you are expected to uphold a
certain amount of control, but I never understood how you could do
it, until now. I have figured out that you are not like other women.
You are of a special breed. You have a strength within you that holds
life together in the darkest of hours, a strength of which I will
never possess. The faith you have is what makes you stand out in a
crowd; it makes you glow with emotion and swell with pride at the
mention of The United States of America.

You are a special lady, a wonderful partner and a glorious American.

I have more respect for your husband than I could ever tell you, but
until recently I never thought much about those that the soldier
leaves at home during deployment.

Until this moment I could never put into words exactly what America
meant to me.

Until this moment, I had no real reason to.... Until I heard of you.

Your husband and his military family hold this nation close, safe
from those who wish to hurt us...but you and those like you are the
backbone of the American family. You keep the wheels in motion and
the hearts alive while most would just break completely down.
Military families make this nation what it is today.

You give us all hope and you emit a warming light at the end of a
long dark tunnel.

Because of you and your family...I am able to be me. I am able to
have my family. I am able to walk free in this great land. Because of
you and your family, I can look ahead to the future with the
knowledge that life is going to be okay. Because of you and your
family, I can awake to a new day, everyday.

I realize that you are a stronger person than I will ever be because
of these things and I just wanted to take the time today to say thank
you to you and your family for allowing me that freedom.

I will never be able to repay this debt to you, as it is unmatchable.
However, I hope that you know that no matter where you are...what you are doing...what has happened today...or what will happen
tomorrow...Your husband will NEVER be "just another soldier" to
me.... And you, dear sweet lady, will never be forgotten.

You are all in my prayer's everyday and I pray that God will bring
you back together with your loved one safely.
May God Bless You!"

The Meaning of the Folds of our Flag

2009-04-16T17:35:00.002-05:00

I received this in an email - not sure where it's from or all of the accuracy - but it was VERY interesting.

All Americans should be given this lesson. Here is how to understand the flag that laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and widowers.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.

The 5th fold is a tribute to the country.

The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that They pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America, and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.

The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.

The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.

The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.

April 16th - Update :)

2009-04-16T16:48:00.003-05:00

Ben and I are both doing well. For the last couple of weeks we have not had good internet connection. We both have had our own issues with internet. I am hoping that we will both be up and running a little better in the next week or so. If you have written to Ben on Facebook or an email, please be patient with him as he hasn't checked either in awhile.
I have been trying to keep busy. I started on a new project of making a diaper bag. I am using Army uniform tops for the outside of the bag and using fabric for the inside. It seems to be coming out well. I am very excited about that. I am not doing a "nursery" as the baby and I will be sharing a room till I move back to Texas. So I guess the bag is something that I am able to do for the baby. However, I am making the bag so that it will work for both my little girl now and any other babies later on :) or for just my own personal use. :) I am also hoping to finish a quilt that I started about nine years ago. But we shall see. :)
My piano lessons are going well. They would be going better if I was more self disciplined to sit at the piano and practice longer. :) I am getting a little better at that. I tend to play for awhile and then opt to go take a nap :) But overall I am happy with both the lessons and my progress.
I went to a doctor's appointment for a check up this week. The baby is still healthy and growing as she should be. I got to hear the baby's heart beat again which is always wonderful. She was very active at the time so we could also hear her moving around. The midwife seemed to think that she was moving away from the ultrasound machine as she had a hard time getting the heart beat. :) I won't have appointment now for another month. That appointment is one that I don't look forward too. It will be lab work and shots. YUCK! I am a nervous wreck for both of those. So we shall see how that goes. :)
That is it for now. :) I will update again soon. I will be posting pictures again soon as well. God Bless!!!

Cooking....

2009-04-12T13:56:00.005-05:00

So I guess I am getting back into cooking :)

It started a couple of nights ago.. I made these individual chocolate cakes with chocolate syrup on the inside and chocolate frosting on the top. Have it with ice cream and it was AMAZING!!

Then I made White Cheese Chicken & Spinach Lasagna -- It was very yummy. :) I think next time I will try adding mushrooms or bacon pieces. I would probably added salt to the recipe and a little more garlic.

Next thing to try - Breakfast Quiche To Go :)

Week 23 4/6/09

2009-04-06T23:08:00.002-05:00

Sending Packages ....

2009-04-01T21:24:00.002-05:00

Ok - so I found out some info and thought that I would pass it on. :)

If you are going to mail a package to ANY military installation overseas there is a cheaper way to send. I enclosed a link to the post office website that will guide you to ordering free boxes. These boxes you can fill and it will cost $11.95. It is regardless of weight. If you want more details look at the website. I already ordered 25 boxes. :)

P.S. I compared prices - I sent a package today. If I would have sent it the way I do normally would have paid $7.00 more!

Happy Sending!!! I know I will :)

https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&productId=36604&categoryId=13354&langId=-1&catalogId=10152

2009-03-31T10:22:00.001-05:00

Ben and some of his buddies....

Tri-County Baptist Church

2009-03-26T16:38:00.002-05:00

Here are just a few pictures of my parent's church. It is not complete yet...so this is just the pictures of the foyer, downstairs bathroom and auditorium. It looks really nice. They also now have an upright piano which is not shown in the pictures. Praise God for all He is doing!! Please keep them in prayer as the work on the building continues. They need to have it completely finished by June of this year.

2009-03-23T11:07:00.002-05:00

So...last week I started to feel the baby move! At first I was not very sure that it was the baby that I felt. However, as the week progressed I started to feel the movement more often and in different areas of my belly. :) Very strange feeling but I love it. She moves quite a bit now. I don't think she will be a quiet little girl after all.. looks like she will take after me. That is if her movement now is any indication of how much she will move when she comes into this world :) I will be busy! :) Ben and I are so very excited! We are anxious for the day that he comes home and then to see our little girl! So many things to wonder - who will she look like? will she be quiet and shy like Ben or loud and talkative like me? will she be a skinny baby or plump baby? :) and of course a million more. :)

Ben is doing well over there in Iraq. He can always use more prayer - Can there ever be too much? I ask for prayer for not only his physical safety but his mental and spiritual health. He will see things that we could never understand...I pray that God protects his heart and mind as he goes through these things. I pray for his spiritual well being as he is not able to go to church as you and I can. He doesn't get the preaching or the christian fellowship. I pray that God will help him to grow spiritually in spite of his circumstances. I thank you for any and all your prayers and I am sure that Ben would feel the same way.

I am doing well. Not much new going on for me. I have started to take piano lessons yet again. It is a challenge for me. I am doing my best and praying that God will help me to understand and learn so that I can use this talent for His glory. My dads church does not have a pianist at all so I will be able to use whatever I learn right away. They do have a very nice piano that was donated to them from another church. That is a blessing. We have decided that I will not be going to work after all. I would only be able to work for a short time and I know to others that this may seem unreasonable but I do not want to work and miss being able to talk to Ben. He isn't able to talk to me at a set time everyday. I want to be available when he can talk. Right now we are only able to talk via the internet. Hopefully soon he will have wireless internet and we will be able to talk verbally through the internet via web cam. It will be soo good to see him on the computer. We are looking forward to that.

That is all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read what I write and as always Thank you so much for your love and prayers.
Jen

my belly....

2009-03-14T08:12:00.003-05:00

at 20 weeks....

2009-03-14T07:16:00.003-05:00

I had my ultrasound yesterday.....and its a girl!!!

Saying good bye.....

2009-03-12T01:25:00.004-05:00

Here is a few pictures of the day Ben left.... (I forgot to post them) :)

Ben's address

2009-02-25T10:36:00.003-06:00

I talked to Ben this morning. :) Always makes my day! I now have an address for him...YAY! If you want his address please call me or email me and I will pass it along to you. :)

2009-02-10T21:20:00.002-06:00

sooo...Ben has been gone for over a week now. I am doing ok. Doing my best to keep busy and be positive. Most of all trusting God in the days to come. Ben is doing well. He is going through the adjustment of the time change and starting to do field training and heat training. We both are very thankful for everyone who is praying. Please trust me when I say ..your prayers are felt. I know that neither of us could do this without God.

Interview

2009-02-07T10:17:00.002-06:00

Ben and I were chosen for an interview on Thursday while we were at the gym to say goodbye. I was very nervous and also very pleasantly suprised that they used what I had said in response to the question, "How will you get through the next year?" I thank God for all that he has done for Ben and I. I posted the link to the interview that was aired on FOX on Thursday night. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDYaryoDdMo

Arrived

2009-02-06T15:25:00.002-06:00

So I am here at my parents. My mom and I arrived this afternoon with a very smooth and pleasant drive from Texas. Thank the Lord.

I will do my best to keep everyone updated on the pregnancy and how Ben is doing. Ben may post from time to time if he has the time and the ability to do so.

FYI : A little Army info....

Please do not bother asking me where Ben is. All I can tell you is that his final destination is Iraq and that wherever he goes I know that God is with him. I will not give information of where he is and what he is doing. If it is something that you feel you must know to survive...then you can email him. If it is something that can be shared he will tell you. Otherwise, please just trust he is in God's hands and pray for God's continued protection, not only for him but all the other soldiers who are sacrificing to protect and serve this country that we call home.

Ben's words....

2009-02-05T10:31:00.001-06:00

I just want to say thank you to all those friends and family who are praying for me and my wife. This next year will be a long one for the both of us, but I look forward to the day when I get to return home and hold my child. I thank the Lord for this “little” blessing that he has sent to me and Jen. I will miss all my friends and family most of all I will miss my wife. Just remember babe I love you and it will just be a matter of time before you are back in my arms. I LOVE YOU BABE FOREVER AND ALWAYS

Ultrasound and Moving

2009-01-31T10:55:00.002-06:00

Last week I had a doctor's appointment. It was really my first appointment. Ben was thankfully able to go with me as we were going to be able to hear the heartbeat. When we got there and the mid-wife went over our history she agreed that we are high risk for twins. So that combinded with the fact that my uterus was a little bigger than it should be we were able to not only hear the heartbeat but also have an ultrasound! We were both very exctied. It is the only ultrasound Ben will see before deploying. We thank God for that blessing! Oh and by the way - no twins :)
This weekend we are putting everything into storage as next week Ben will be deploying and I will be moving to Wisconsin. On to the next adventure in our lives....

Wedding slideshow...

2009-01-18T09:59:00.004-06:00

This is a slide show of our wedding, the small dinner afterwards, and the time we had with family the week following our wedding. Today makes six months since Ben and I were married. The time has gone by quickly. I am still amazed at ALL that God has done for us both by bringing us back together and what He has done for us since our special day. :)I hope you enjoy the pictures even though they miss so much of what actually happened. Our wedding was very comical. Nothing was really "planned" for the ceremony....we just went with the flow. I couldn't ask for better memories. The only thing that was missing were some friends and family that we could not ask to come. We missed them greatly. Enjoy our wedding pictures :)

Christmas and New Year's Vacation

2009-01-16T22:06:00.002-06:00

Here is a bunch of pictures from our trip......

Finally an update…. :)

2009-01-16T20:14:00.001-06:00

Of course many things have changed since I last wrote anything. I am sure by now that most people know our biggest change, which is that we are going to have a baby in August. :) We are very excited. It was not something that we planned. We left it in God’s hands. I am aware that some people will scoff at that. However, I was unsure if I could even have children due to some health problems as a teenager. Ben and I both agreed that God would allow us to have children in his timing. I am very thankful that God did choose it to happen now. I believe this pregnancy and the birth of this child will help time to pass faster with Ben’s upcoming deployment. Again, I realize some people will disagree with our thinking, but I also realize that those people don’t have to live our lives and they do not understand the military life (even if you think you do- you can’t understand it till you are living it and even then it is different for everyone). We are praying that God will continue to guide us in all our decisions both while we are together and as we are apart.

We just had an awesome 16 day holiday vacation. We drove from Texas to New Hampshire and spent a week with his parents. It was a wonderful time spent with both of our families. My sister was able to come up from New Jersey to spend a few days with us, which meant a lot to both Ben and I. The Saturday night before we had to leave, Ben’s parents threw us an open house reception for our wedding. My sister gave us a very special gift. She sang the song “Broken Road”. It was beautiful and she did a fabulous job. I was very impressed. It was a great time seeing family and friends that we have not seen in some time. I also got to meet some of Ben’s family that I had never met. The week went by quickly but was very enjoyable. From New Hampshire we took my cats and drove to Ohio to visit with my parents for the New Year. We spent about three days with them. My sister also flew in using this opportunity to surprise my dad. It was great – he had no clue. :) Again the time went quickly but it meant so much to Ben and I. From Ohio we drove onto to Texas. We did stop in Little Rock, Arkansas for the night. We took the opportunity to make it into a “date” night. We went out to dinner and to a movie. It was fun and very relaxing. We made two more stops on the way home in Texas. One stop was to visit an army wife friend of ours and the other was to spend the night at Ben’s aunts before the final three hour drive home. It was very nice. All in all it was an awesome vacation with lots of great memories.

So what are the plans now? Ben and I are doing as much as we can together in this last month before he deploys. Every moment is precious to us. My mom will be flying in to Texas to be with me as my husband leaves. My mom and I will leave for Wisconsin the same day that Ben leaves. I will be staying with my parents for the duration of Ben’s deployment. If all goes according to plan, Ben will be coming home for the baby’s birth. I am so very thankful for that. I pray that God will work out all those details. When Ben does return from deployment we will be heading back to Texas once again. We shall see what God does with our future. As always I am sure that it will be an adventure while ever learning more how to trust God in all things. I think that it is a lesson that is never fully learned.

Hopefully, I do a little better keeping everyone posted. :) ta-ta for now. :)
Lots of love from Ben and me. :)

Lots of upcoming changes

2008-09-27T13:20:00.004-05:00

Ben and I will be having a lot of changes this next month or two. We are still hoping and praying that our housing pay will be in our next check on Tuesday. We are told it should be there...but we shall see.

Ben leaves for NTC(National Training Center) in California on Wednesday. He leaves for a month. We have also been told that for two weeks of that time he will not be allowed to call anyone or recieve any calls. It will be a very busy month for him as he trains to deploy in February.

I am hoping to start two different jobs at the end of October. One is a office assistant position working for a lady that sells Mary Kay. It is part time -4 days a week. The other is basically a before and after school babysitting job for a military couple. They have seven children. I will be helping with the three youngest, 10, 8 & 7 yrs old. Praying that both of those will continue to work out if that is what God wants.

Ben and I are still involved in our church and loving it there. It is a place that we both believe God has brought us to. We have yet to see what it is specifically that God wants us to do while we are there.

God has very much been testing our faith. We do not understand some of the trials that we are going through. But we know that we have a faithful God and that He promises us that he will provide what we need...that is ALL our needs. Philipians 4:19 "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." We are clinging to that promise. He has blessed us in so many ways and we are counting those blessings. I often sing to myself that wonderful hymn "Count Your Blessings" God is so good!

Count Your Blessings
Verse 1

When upon life's billows You are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged Thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings Name them one by one,
And it will surprise you What the Lord hath done.

Chorus:

Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your blessings See what God hath done.
Count your blessings Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings See what God hath done.

Verse 2

Are you ever burdened With a load of care,
Does the cross seem heavy You are called to bear.
Count your many blessings Every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing As the days go by.

Verse 3

When you look at others With their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised You His wealth untold.
Count your many blessings Money cannot buy,
Your reward in heaven Nor your home on high.

Verse 4

So amid the conflict Whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged God is over all.
Count your many blessings Angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you To your journey's end.

Ben & Jen

2008-09-18T09:42:00.004-05:00

Pictures of Ben and I just hanging out :)Most of them were taken the week after we got married.

Liz

2008-09-15T17:24:00.005-05:00

This picture is of my sister, Liz. She tried on Ben's beret. Doesn't she look cute? :)

Liz- I miss you tons! So thankful that you are my sister and for the relationship that we now have. I love you!!! Keep on keeping on for our Saviour!

New Apartment

2008-09-11T11:43:00.002-05:00

I did it!!! Took forever. :) Here are the picture of our new place. It is before we moved in - obviously. More pictures coming...except for the wedding ones. Those will take longer :)

Congratulations!

2008-09-06T11:42:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to my cousin Kim Acevedo and her husband Angel on their new baby girl, Audrie! Also congratulations to Jordan and Cash Hughes on their new baby girl, Aurora! Both babies were born on September 4th. I am so excited! I wish I could see them and hold them :)

Ben and I are still doing well. Ben is currently on the field. He has been there a week and will not be coming home until the 17th. Unless for some reason they come home early. I am still looking for a job. I have no idea what kind of job I am looking for. I know, I know...everyone is going to say - dental assisting. But there are not many jobs available here. The ones that I have found so far are in offices that have questionable practices and for me personally I would rather work fast food than work in that kind of office. I am praying that God will show me what to do.

Back in Texas

2008-09-02T09:53:00.002-05:00

Ben and I are back in Texas. We had a wonderful time, in spite of the circumstances, in NH. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lavigne family and friends. May God grant everyone of them comfort and peace during this time. The memorial was beautiful and it was very evident that many loved Jason. For Ben and I it was nice to see his family again and be able to spend time with them.

Ben is back on the field for the next two weeks coming home on the weekends. As for me, I will be looking for a job. Not really sure what I will be doing. Praying that God will guide me as to where He wants me.

Jason Lavigne

2008-08-28T08:00:00.006-05:00

In this picture is Jason, Jamie, and Ben - The three grandsons.

My cousin Jason Lavigne was killed in a motor vehicle accident on Monday August 25, 2008 and went to be with the Lord. My cousin and I were close. I really looked up to him. I miss him so much already it doesn't seem real. Seems like just yesterday he was beating me up, throwing a football around with me, or taking me out somewhere. My cousin was such a loving person with a big heart. Its not the same without him, I miss hearing his voice and his laugh. Jason was one to always make me laugh. Although he is gone I will miss him so much.

You will always be in my heart, Ja, I LOVE YOU!

http://www.lambertfuneralhome.com/Obituaries.html

Another wedding shower and I passed the Exam!

2008-08-21T16:04:00.003-05:00

Last night God blessed us yet again. He is so good to us. Our church here in Texas threw us a wedding shower. These are people who do not know us and what they did for us was just amazing! A lady in the church made us a wedding cake because she knew we did not have one - It was absolutely beautiful. Our wedding vows were written all along the sides of the three cakes. We had to feed each other the cake and YES! Ben was a brat. I got cake everywhere including up my nose! (Pictures will be posted - I promise!) The gifts - well, all i can say is God has blessed us yet again.

Yeah!! I passed with flying colors -100%- the exam for dental assisting in the state of Texas. I am so excited. Now I have to register with the state and then - then maybe I can get a job. Glad that the testing part is done now though. I hate tests! Thank you Lord for helping me with all that. :)

Email us or leave a note - Keep in touch.
:)

Arrived, Settled and Adjusting :)

2008-08-18T10:20:00.003-05:00

April and I arrived on Saturday the 10th. It was a long trip but God blessed us greatly as we had only one detour in Memphis, Tennessee. April and I had fun. However, I am not up for a road trip again any time soon. :)

After having many "issues" we finally (that is April and I - Ben was on the field for almost the whole first week I was here. ) were able to move into the apartment on Monday night. God was doing everything in His timing as always as I continually am reminded that His timing is not always my timing.

God had blessed Ben and I before I left for Texas as my family and friends in NH threw me a surprise bridal shower. It was a HUGE blessing. The monies we received were used to help pay for some of the gas and then what was left was used to pay our first months rent. What a blessing! Gift cards were used to buy two air mattresses, sheets, blankets, and a variety of things needed for the bathroom. :) We thank God for all that He has and is doing for us.

I had a great week last week with my cousin April being here with me. We were able to go to the Austin Zoo - which was absolutely one of the best zoo's I have been to. The animals were huge (I think mostly because the zoo is a rescue zoo for injured animals.) Unlike most zoo's the walkways were not paved and you felt like you were in the woods with the animals. :) We also went horseback riding on Thursday. Ben was able to come for that and I am glad he did. Ben and April loved it. I, on the other hand, was not a big fan. I was completely scared at first. Not to thrilled with the idea of falling off or having no control of this animal. But by the end..it wasn't so bad. I may consider going again. Probably the next time that we have visitors. :)

So now...Today is Monday and I am going to start looking for a job. I am hoping to get any job that will keep me busy until I can become registered as a dental assistant in Texas. Staying home alone all day is not for me. I hate it. God knows my heart and I pray that he will provide. In the mean time I am trying my best to adjust to this new life of not only being married but the military and all that comes with that. I am very thankful that for the next two weeks Ben will not be gone to the field. I am most definitely enjoying being Ben's wife! He is awesome to me and such a blessing.

I thank all of our family and friends for your thoughts and prayers! God Bless!

PS---sorry no pictures yet! I am trying to get them posted, I promise!

Mixed Emotions...

2008-08-05T17:37:00.000-05:00

I finally have finished packing and have completely loaded Ben's truck with all my junk. Very exciting! However, I am sad to leave NH. I will miss my family, friends, and my office. My church will also be greatly missed as I very much consider so many people there as my family. I am so thankful for all God has given to me and done for me these past eight years in NH. He gave me a wonderful church family that I know will be here when I return. He also gave me a wonderful job during that time. He blessed me with a career that was life changing for me. I would have never chosen on my own to work in the dental field. Jim has done so much for me and taught me so much. I could never repay him for all he has taught me. He has also been the big brother I never had. :) I hope that our friendship will continue. His family, Daphnie, Raquel and now their new little girl Claudia, have also been a wonderful blessing to my life. I will miss them all. My office co-workers who always listened to my all my drama. Then there is my ever faithful friends...especially Kerrie. She has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. She is a friend in every way through every up and down in my life for the past eight years. I will miss my friend immensely. I thank God for the friendship we have and pray that God will continue to strengthen the friendship even more. There are many other friends/family in my life that I have not mentioned. My parents..always supportive of me and encouraging me to follow our Lord,my sister Liz, Pastor and Mrs Clow, The Ansteys "my NH parents", Flerida..my dominican sister, and so many others - I LOVE ALL OF YOU! I thank God upon my remembrance of you! I most definitely count my blessings!
I am excited to go ---to go and be with the man of my dreams and the love of my life! I can not wait to be with him once again and pray that God will continue to bless us and give us the strength as we adjust to all the new changes and of course the constant changing with the Army. I am so proud to be called Ben Biron's wife and thank God every day for the man that he is and that he has become.
ALL HONOR, GLORY AND PRAISE GOES TO CHRIST MY SAVIOR!!!!

God bless you all, my friends as we, Ben and I, start a new chapter in our lives.

Thanking God!

2008-07-29T11:40:00.001-05:00

Ben and I were married on July 18, 2008! God is so good to us. I am overwhelmed with all that God has given to me. God has worked both in my life and in Ben's giving us a relationship that is hundreds times better than what it was. I thank God for that. We both give God all the honor and the glory for what He has done for us. :)

I also would love to thank every person that has been there for me over the past year. Life had its trials but I pray that God will use the things I went through for His use. Many people were such a blessing to me. The support, the friendship and especially the prayers. I pray that God will bless those that were there for me.

I hope to keep this blog up-to-date as much as possible for all of our family and friends across this country. We would love it if you kept in touch with us.

-Jen