I just wanted to take a minute to remember a really neat experience I had with Monica tonight.
She woke up after being in bed for 10 minutes complaining of having a bad dream. Ryan was a little skeptical, so I asked her what the dream was about and she said that it was about the whole house being filled with bugs. So I let her come to my lap for a cuddle because I know those kind of dreams don't take long to wake up from.
We talked about good bugs and then about good things she could think about to get her mind off the bugs- garden and animal fairies, unicorns, kitties who hunt bugs- after a few minutes she said she still couldn't stop thinking about the bugs and was still scared.
So I told her the story of Jesus, who was asleep in the boat when the storms hit and His apostles were really scared. So they woke Him up and asked for His help and how He calmed the seas. Then I told her anytime she was scared, she could call on Jesus for help. She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said, "But Jesus isn't in town!" I just hugged her tight and told her we call out to Him by saying a prayer to Heavenly Father and He sends His Spirit to help us.
She wanted me to say the prayer, but I told her she had to say it because it was her fear, but that I would help her. So we prayed. We asked Heavenly Father for His help. We told Him she was scared and needed help being able to sleep, and asked Him to calm her heart like Jesus calmed the sea. We closed the prayer and within seconds, Monica was asleep in my arms, breathing peacefully.
I don't know if she will remember the experience. But I will. Her faith and trust allowed her prayer to be answered so quickly. And it was amazing for me to be able to witness it. It also strengthened my testimony of the power of Jesus Christ, and when we speak of Him. There really is nothing in the world that could bring peace to a troubled heart more quickly than He can. And to share that experience with my daughter, who is really His daughter, was more beautiful than I could ever describe.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
We Moved: How, Where, and Why
Moving day came and went so quickly, I feel like I am still trying to catch my breath! It was such a quick decision and things fell into place so effortlessly, it seems, that we really just have to say a huge prayer of gratitude that things have worked out so well. It's interesting to me how life works out, sometimes, and a testament to me of God's hand in our lives.
3 years ago we made the decision to get out of the Army so that Ryan could pursue a degree so that he could turn around and commission back in the Army, or Air Force if we could get in. But as it always does, life happened and as he finished his associates degree with CNM, I started to get really selfish. It was the first time in our marriage he hadn't left for a month at a time or longer for training or deployment. And I really enjoyed it. The thought of going back in the military became less and less appealing the longer we stayed out of it. And really, who could blame me, right? I paid my dues. I was graceful enough during the deployments. Understanding enough of all the endless training exercises. I earned the right to have my husband come home every night. Right?
Except, it wasn't just about me. Every other month (seriously!) Ryan would spend time talking to a recruiter. Just a few months into being in school, Ryan was considering being a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) instructor with the Air Force. But we agreed school was the priority so he didn't finish the application. Then he joined the Army Reserves. I hoped the once a month drills would be enough to satiate his passion for the military. But every few months for the last three years, I had to do my best to talk Ryan out of the military. And I succeeded, over and over. And I was happy.
Ryan, however, was not. It took me a while to see it. It took him finishing his associates degree and then taking a job with ProClean, where he was servicing and repairing industrial dishwashers for restaurants, hotels, and senior homes. Now, don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with ProClean. It was a good job. But it wasn't what made Ryan happy. He came home more and more miserable every week. I finally had to evaluate my priorities. Was his misery worth my satisfaction of him simply being able to come home every night? Was I willing to ask him to throw away the best years of his life, when he really could be doing what he loved AND coming home, just because of the possibility of another deployment? I finally faced the music and realized that Ryan doesn't just love the military. It's in his blood, and it always will be. And I realized that I was focusing on the wrong part of our experience in the Army. As hard as the deployments were, the blessings outweighed them tenfold. I made lasting friendships with wonderful women. I grew spiritually in ways I hadn't ever expected. Maritally, we were working towards the same goal and had a beautiful harmony because I supported Ryan 100% and he loved what he was doing, even if there were some knuckleheads that had to be dealt with. And travel? Let's not forget that I had the most amazing opportunities the first four years of our marriage.
I realized Ryan was sacrificing his happiness for mine, but I wasn't reciprocating the gesture. I realized that I married a soldier, through and through. A man who would always put others first. Who loved his country and loved the military. And what would make him happy, would ultimately make me happy.
So Ryan came home one night in mid-July throwing the Army back out on the table like he always did, and this time I didn't object. I think it shocked him a little. It didn't take long before we figured out he needed to finish his degree first. So I looked at UNM's degree programs and tuition and almost choked. After paying such a minimal amount at CNM, UNM's $5000 a semester was hard to swallow. And whatever degree Ryan chose to pursue, he wouldn't be able to use about 24 credits.Then, as if led by the Spirit, I thought about my time at NMSU ten years ago. So I checked out their website and found a degree program called a Bachelor of Individualized Studies. I called Ryan while he was at work to tell him about what I'd found and he was on board for filling out an application to NMSU.
I got in contact with a Veteran's Education liaison and told him all about Ryan and the credits he had and come to find out, nearly all his credits would transfer, allowing him to graduate two semesters earlier than if he went to UNM! He said the BIS sounded like the perfect degree program for Ryan because it was geared towards individuals pursuing a particular career goal. So the first week of August, Ryan was admitted to NMSU. Three weeks later, after applying to the program and designing a personal degree plan, he was accepted into the BIS program. The last remaining piece of the puzzle was when to move- before or after the baby came. Since our lease required a 30-day notice, we had to decide quickly if it was going to be before. After recalling the first few weeks of sleep deprivation from Monica and Leah's births, I decided I would rather move while I had energy and be settled before the pending weeks of sleep deprivation with a new baby. I also thought it might come in handy to establish and rekindle some friendships before the baby came. So September 1st, we submitted our 30-day notice. Labor Day week, we traveled to Las Cruces and were able to find a house in a nice area, only 2 miles from NMSU. Two weeks later we were all moved out of our house and on October 1, we made the journey down to Las Cruces.
The last week in Albuquerque, we received SO much help from friends and family. I will never be able to properly thank everyone, but I want to remember. Mom and Aunty Sarah for helping me pack and who were ten times faster than I was. Emily and Steph for taking the girls so they weren't so bored. The Cash's for letting us stay with them while our water lines were down. Our neighbor, Alberto, for letting us hook up our hose to their house so we could fill our tubs with water so we could still use the toilets and wash dishes. Dad, our wonderful home teachers, young men, Kyle, and Ryan's buddies from his reserve unit who helped load up the moving truck. Grandma and Grandpa for providing lunch, Matt and Emily helping us get our trash to the dump, Mom, Emily G. and Elisha helping me clean. We really couldn't have done it without the love and support of our family and friends!
I'm sad to not be able to see everyone at church and co-op, or Sunday family dinners but it makes it easier knowing we have good friends here too, and we don't have to start from Square 1. It's more like Square 3 or 4. And it is especially easier knowing that our goals are aligned again. And the purpose of our decision is realigned with a goal we made with our Heavenly Father's guidance and approval 3 years ago. Maybe we'd be here anyways if we hadn't lost our focus. Who really knows? We just know that we feel like this is the time and place, and the purpose which will facilitate the most happiness for our family. And nothing can beat the peace of feeling that way!
3 years ago we made the decision to get out of the Army so that Ryan could pursue a degree so that he could turn around and commission back in the Army, or Air Force if we could get in. But as it always does, life happened and as he finished his associates degree with CNM, I started to get really selfish. It was the first time in our marriage he hadn't left for a month at a time or longer for training or deployment. And I really enjoyed it. The thought of going back in the military became less and less appealing the longer we stayed out of it. And really, who could blame me, right? I paid my dues. I was graceful enough during the deployments. Understanding enough of all the endless training exercises. I earned the right to have my husband come home every night. Right?
Except, it wasn't just about me. Every other month (seriously!) Ryan would spend time talking to a recruiter. Just a few months into being in school, Ryan was considering being a SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) instructor with the Air Force. But we agreed school was the priority so he didn't finish the application. Then he joined the Army Reserves. I hoped the once a month drills would be enough to satiate his passion for the military. But every few months for the last three years, I had to do my best to talk Ryan out of the military. And I succeeded, over and over. And I was happy.
Ryan, however, was not. It took me a while to see it. It took him finishing his associates degree and then taking a job with ProClean, where he was servicing and repairing industrial dishwashers for restaurants, hotels, and senior homes. Now, don't get me wrong, there was nothing wrong with ProClean. It was a good job. But it wasn't what made Ryan happy. He came home more and more miserable every week. I finally had to evaluate my priorities. Was his misery worth my satisfaction of him simply being able to come home every night? Was I willing to ask him to throw away the best years of his life, when he really could be doing what he loved AND coming home, just because of the possibility of another deployment? I finally faced the music and realized that Ryan doesn't just love the military. It's in his blood, and it always will be. And I realized that I was focusing on the wrong part of our experience in the Army. As hard as the deployments were, the blessings outweighed them tenfold. I made lasting friendships with wonderful women. I grew spiritually in ways I hadn't ever expected. Maritally, we were working towards the same goal and had a beautiful harmony because I supported Ryan 100% and he loved what he was doing, even if there were some knuckleheads that had to be dealt with. And travel? Let's not forget that I had the most amazing opportunities the first four years of our marriage.
I realized Ryan was sacrificing his happiness for mine, but I wasn't reciprocating the gesture. I realized that I married a soldier, through and through. A man who would always put others first. Who loved his country and loved the military. And what would make him happy, would ultimately make me happy.
So Ryan came home one night in mid-July throwing the Army back out on the table like he always did, and this time I didn't object. I think it shocked him a little. It didn't take long before we figured out he needed to finish his degree first. So I looked at UNM's degree programs and tuition and almost choked. After paying such a minimal amount at CNM, UNM's $5000 a semester was hard to swallow. And whatever degree Ryan chose to pursue, he wouldn't be able to use about 24 credits.Then, as if led by the Spirit, I thought about my time at NMSU ten years ago. So I checked out their website and found a degree program called a Bachelor of Individualized Studies. I called Ryan while he was at work to tell him about what I'd found and he was on board for filling out an application to NMSU.
I got in contact with a Veteran's Education liaison and told him all about Ryan and the credits he had and come to find out, nearly all his credits would transfer, allowing him to graduate two semesters earlier than if he went to UNM! He said the BIS sounded like the perfect degree program for Ryan because it was geared towards individuals pursuing a particular career goal. So the first week of August, Ryan was admitted to NMSU. Three weeks later, after applying to the program and designing a personal degree plan, he was accepted into the BIS program. The last remaining piece of the puzzle was when to move- before or after the baby came. Since our lease required a 30-day notice, we had to decide quickly if it was going to be before. After recalling the first few weeks of sleep deprivation from Monica and Leah's births, I decided I would rather move while I had energy and be settled before the pending weeks of sleep deprivation with a new baby. I also thought it might come in handy to establish and rekindle some friendships before the baby came. So September 1st, we submitted our 30-day notice. Labor Day week, we traveled to Las Cruces and were able to find a house in a nice area, only 2 miles from NMSU. Two weeks later we were all moved out of our house and on October 1, we made the journey down to Las Cruces.
The last week in Albuquerque, we received SO much help from friends and family. I will never be able to properly thank everyone, but I want to remember. Mom and Aunty Sarah for helping me pack and who were ten times faster than I was. Emily and Steph for taking the girls so they weren't so bored. The Cash's for letting us stay with them while our water lines were down. Our neighbor, Alberto, for letting us hook up our hose to their house so we could fill our tubs with water so we could still use the toilets and wash dishes. Dad, our wonderful home teachers, young men, Kyle, and Ryan's buddies from his reserve unit who helped load up the moving truck. Grandma and Grandpa for providing lunch, Matt and Emily helping us get our trash to the dump, Mom, Emily G. and Elisha helping me clean. We really couldn't have done it without the love and support of our family and friends!
I'm sad to not be able to see everyone at church and co-op, or Sunday family dinners but it makes it easier knowing we have good friends here too, and we don't have to start from Square 1. It's more like Square 3 or 4. And it is especially easier knowing that our goals are aligned again. And the purpose of our decision is realigned with a goal we made with our Heavenly Father's guidance and approval 3 years ago. Maybe we'd be here anyways if we hadn't lost our focus. Who really knows? We just know that we feel like this is the time and place, and the purpose which will facilitate the most happiness for our family. And nothing can beat the peace of feeling that way!
Monica and Leah's First Ballet Recital
Monica and Leah had their first ballet recital at the end of September. Since it was our last weekend in Albuquerque, it's taken me this long to finally get the pictures up. It was a hectic weekend, to say the least!
The day before the recital, Ryan was awakened by Monica at about 3:30am. He walked her back to bed and then stopped to use their bathroom on the way back to bed. Why is this TMI important to include? Because 20 minutes later he was awakened yet again, but this time by the chirping baby chick toy that was on the floor in the bathroom he had just used and was alerted to the bathroom flooding taking place on the south side of our house! So at 4:00am we called our property manager and he called the plumbers and carpet repair guy. The carpet guy showed up first, and he was able to suck most of the water up out of the carpets. When the plumbers came at 8, they discovered the busted pipe was under the bathtub. In order to get down there, they would have to tear up the floor, which would be a considerable undertaking and require the permission of the property owners. Well, our property owners were out of the country and only available by email. At 4pm, we finally got word that the plumbers were given the ok, but then found out that they weren't going to be able to come until the following Monday.
So we were without running water for roughly 86 hours. It was brutal! Luckily, Aunty Sarah offered to take the girls Saturday morning while we trimmed the yards and weeded, so they were able to get their baths before the recital. So here are my favorite pictures. Monica stared at the ground for most of her solo-duet, and Leah followed her cue. It was also very sunny, so these were the best I could get of my sensitive eyed girls!
The day before the recital, Ryan was awakened by Monica at about 3:30am. He walked her back to bed and then stopped to use their bathroom on the way back to bed. Why is this TMI important to include? Because 20 minutes later he was awakened yet again, but this time by the chirping baby chick toy that was on the floor in the bathroom he had just used and was alerted to the bathroom flooding taking place on the south side of our house! So at 4:00am we called our property manager and he called the plumbers and carpet repair guy. The carpet guy showed up first, and he was able to suck most of the water up out of the carpets. When the plumbers came at 8, they discovered the busted pipe was under the bathtub. In order to get down there, they would have to tear up the floor, which would be a considerable undertaking and require the permission of the property owners. Well, our property owners were out of the country and only available by email. At 4pm, we finally got word that the plumbers were given the ok, but then found out that they weren't going to be able to come until the following Monday.
So we were without running water for roughly 86 hours. It was brutal! Luckily, Aunty Sarah offered to take the girls Saturday morning while we trimmed the yards and weeded, so they were able to get their baths before the recital. So here are my favorite pictures. Monica stared at the ground for most of her solo-duet, and Leah followed her cue. It was also very sunny, so these were the best I could get of my sensitive eyed girls!
Rowan, Leah, Monica, Kenzi, Aly, and Katie with Miss Sarah
These cupcakes at the end were not only beautiful, but delicious, too!
The recital was really cute and the girls had fun dancing! I think their favorite part was the butterflies. They start out tucked into a cocoon, and then they slowly wiggle out and then spread their wings and flutter like butterflies with ribbons. And they both continue to dance with all they learned from Miss Sarah. :)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Hello. My name is Anna, and I'm addicted to Facebook.
Just kidding! (Not really.)
It dawned on me that I post a lot of the day to day stuff that makes me laugh on Facebook, and sometimes that means some of my family who do not have a FB account don't get to be a part of some of the brilliantly hilarious things my children do and say. So, I'm going back through the last few months to post here, some of my favorites.
And, since I just found out that there is an affordable site to turn my blog into a book for a family scrapbook album, I want to include the fun things that do happen in the day to day. So here's from right about the time we found out we were pregnant again. Enjoy!
Just kidding! (Not really.)
It dawned on me that I post a lot of the day to day stuff that makes me laugh on Facebook, and sometimes that means some of my family who do not have a FB account don't get to be a part of some of the brilliantly hilarious things my children do and say. So, I'm going back through the last few months to post here, some of my favorites.
And, since I just found out that there is an affordable site to turn my blog into a book for a family scrapbook album, I want to include the fun things that do happen in the day to day. So here's from right about the time we found out we were pregnant again. Enjoy!
Anna Allred is going to have a fun guessing game in a month or so. I planted 7 herbs and Monica and Leah thought it would be a great idea to pull my identifying flags out. : P
"Mom, it's broken! We have to get a different one." Monica, after opening a birthday card we'd picked out that didn't make any noise.
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