Life lessons with Dad

The days are getting shorter..... We are feeling the countdown is here, and Daddy's last days with us are going to be over before we know it. While we are dreading the very moment, we are trying to not think about it, and enjoy our time with each other before he goes. But that is SO hard. When you imagine being gone for 18 months, and all the things you might miss about the children.. you start to make that "to do list" of things to share, show, and do with your kids a reality. So, last week Daddy went out with JT to teach him to ride his bike. This was a moment Daddy didn't want to miss... it was the BEST day and little JT learned to ride his bike from his daddy! Being the Mama, I will have lots of moments with my kinders over the next year.. Holidays, field trips, funny moments, silly sayings.. some of it I can send in pictures, and we can always share it over the phone... But nothing compares to being there ..for that Moment.

Being away from the family his hard. Hard for everyone. But God has been blessing us with many "moments" before Daddy heads out. I was even praying that something as simple as my son's loosing his first tooth ( very exciting) would be while Daddy is here... and yesturday morning.... the lord answered my heart's little prayer!
We even moved our daughters birthday up a month, so we can celebrate together.

I just wanted to say.... Cherish your moments together, pause during the hussle and bussel to be thankful, treasure the moments of storytime snuggled on the couch, the "firsts", the life lessons with dad....... you never know what will come tommorow.

I thank the Lord for giving us a Daddy that WANTS to be here for each tiny moment, that WANTS to be home in time for dinner, that WANTS to take care of us, and fix things around the house before he goes. I thank the Lord, that he spends time with our kinders becuase he WANTS to, that he reads to them every night before bed.. I thank the Lord that Daddy chooses US over everything... always, not just becuase he is leaving.

I am thankful the God is in Control. And that great things will come of this deployment.. both in Daddy's life.. and in our lives.

Joshua 1:9
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

I am also reminded and encouraged by this passage in James;

James 1:2-12

2.Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever
you face trials of many kinds, 3.because you know that the testing of your
faith
develops perseverance. 4.Perseverance must finish its work so that you
may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Thank you for your prayers,
Go hug your family! =)