Christmas Poem

I received this poem from a friend who is currently serving our country. He is away from his family during these holidays. Although I never went through hoildays without my husband, we were apart while he fought this war. I know the situation all to well. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with my friend and his wife and children, as well as all the other soldiers who are serving our country while we get to be with our loved ones this holiday season!

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight...

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest.

My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white.

Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe.

Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep.

Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem.

So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near.

But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know.

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble. I struggled to hear.

And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night.

A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old.

Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled.

Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child."What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,

You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light.

Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice.I'm here every night.

It's my duty to stand at the front of the line.

That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"Then he sighed,

"That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,

But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sisters and brothers..

Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,

"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son.

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,To stand your own watch, no matter how long.For when we come home, either standing or dead,

To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,

That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to asmany people as you can?

Christmas will be coming soon andsome credit is due to our service men and women for ourbeing able to celebrate these festivities.Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th> Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al> Taqqadum, Iraq

Little white lie

Natalie has been having a hard time going to bed the past few weeks. It seems as though there is always a reason for her to stay up a little longer or get out of her bed. Last night was no different. We brushed our teeth, went potty, read 2 books, talked for a few mintues about the day, said prayers and gave hugs and kisses. As I began to walk out of her room, she tells me she has to go poop. I said "Natalie, do you really have to go? If you don't really have to go then you are telling mama a lie. Do you understand? " She said "I really have to go". So we go to the potty and she says " oh! I think I already went poopy at aunt Ne Ne's" Then I responded "Natalie, you just told me a lie. That makes me upset that I trusted you and you lied to mama. It does not make Jesus happy either." Sitting on the potty she looked at me and said "HEY Jesus! sorry for telling mama a lie." I just gave her a big hug and told her how proud I was of her.

A lady to remember

Today is the day my grandmother passed away, two years ago. She was so classy and just had a natural beauty. She was so sweet, caring and giving to anyone who crossed her path. She touched so many lives during her 64 years. I think of her every single day and often try to make choices the way she would. I always remember how excited she was that my sister and I were having her great grand children within weeks of each other. She was thrilled when these little gals arrived. She always said she couldn't wait for them to walk around with little dresses on. When Natalie or Gracie or Shiloh do funny things, I can always picture her with that sweet smile on her face, or getting so tickled and laughing real hard. Those who knew her can picture that right now as you read this! That makes me smile. I wish that Natalie could have known her and been as blessed by her as I have been. I always tell her about "nanny" and show her pictures of her. I miss her so much! As I remember her this day and every day, a tear does fill eye, but I have to smile because of her legacy and how she touched my life! I love you Nanny!

Something cute to share

This morning when Nat woke up we changed Hoppy's diaper (hoppy is a plush family member) and redressed him for the day. We chatted and picked out her clothes for the day and went downstairs to finish getting ready. When she walked into our bedroom, she asked "where is my daddy?" I told her, he went to cast his vote. I thought I would try to explain to her what this meant. I told her, we had to choose who we wanted to be the next president of our country. She asked the typical 3 year old question...WHY? I said well we want the right person to be leading our country....She began talking about hoppy and what she had planned for the day, obviously not at all interested in what I was telling her. Josh returned home from doing his duty and she jumps up and says "Hi daddy! Did you cast your BOAT?"

Halloween costume dilemma solved!

In a previous blog, I wrote of the dilemma of finding a costume for Natalie. With much searching and decision making on us both, we agreed that she would be a monkey! Yes a monkey, just like Boots. Well as you can see in the picture she is not dressed as a monkey. We went to our favorite store to pick up the monkey costume we had seen a week before, to find that it was no longer there! As I am standing trying to figure out another costume, my sister calls. As I say hello, she is screaming in excitement, "guess what I found? guess what is in my cart right now!" My thrifty sister, was at the thrift store and had found a cute dalmation costume in the perfect size for my little Nat! We dropped everything and met her to pick it up!! No pne knows how excited I was to finally have this costume and not have to fret any longer!

Nat had a great time going out for her first trick or treat experience. It took her seeing her friends go to about 6 houses before she began, but after that she was a pro. I have to say, she surprised me. I didn't think she would do it. She is really coming out of this shy, timid stage...maybe it's the new haircut, mom?!?