ChristianMilitaryWives

I wrote this a couple of years ago and came across it. I must have been in quite a mood and in deep need of a break when I wrote it. I hope it encourages you! 

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06:30 and all is quiet on the home front.

Too quiet for a seasoned veteran like me.

I am not a veteran of foreign wars, mind you, but I am a veteran of the home front. I am in many occupation specialties, and I hold many ranks.

I am the acting Commander in Chief, General, and every rank known down to Private.

I am an Infantry soldier while I run after a busy and precocious toddler.

I am Cavalry and my transportation is my noble Windstar (complete with emptysippy cups and toddler music galore -- it could scare the toughest enemy!).

I am in Artillery and I can launch a dirty diaper and hit the destination target faster than the speed of light.

I am in Special Forces and my handle is "Stealth Mom." I am able to walk down hallways past a sleeping child's room more quietly than a feather on the wind. I put Spider Man to shame - he has no moves on me. I can go undetected by toddler radar for up to 20 minutes in the morning. I have also been known to know much more about a teenager's friends than they thought I should know as well as their exact global location.

Legal services, medical, psychological and special equipment? Been there doing that. Oh, and let's not forget about the Physical Fitness requirements. I can sprint faster than a toddler running through the toy isle at Toys R Us. I can jump baby gates like an Olympic runner jumping hurdles, and my life consists of a constant squat thrust as I walk through my house picking up toys, socks, shoes, and cheerios off of the floor. "Two steps, squat, grab, back up we go..." and the reps continue. All day long. Sit ups? Well I will have to actually have time to lay on the floor before I can tell you how many of those I can actually do.

Recruiting and retention have been successful. We have had 50% of our recruits stay until retirement, and we fully expect the other 50% to do the same. So far it looks as if this home base is being run quite well. I think we have earned a little R& R!

The curly headed pirate is gone for the day. She is at a sister base and will receive some additional training from another unit. So, today this veteran mom is actually off duty. My house is spotless, laundry done, and the baby is away. I think this calls for a pedicure, a nap and maybe a hair cut. A Stealth Mom can dream!

My DH and I have been talking a lot about Christmas lately.  It will be our 1st Christmas together as a family!  We talk about our traditions we had growing up and what Christmas really stands for.  My parents lavished gifts on my sister and I.  We loved it that's for sure but now that I am married with a child of my own I want her to have a gift of giving.  I find myself being very selfish as is human nature, but I want her and myself to share the joy we have because of our Lord and Savior and how He gave the ultimate gift for us.  So as a new tradition in our household...we will all give a gift to someone in need this Christmas and every month of the year.  When we give of ourselves, we receive joy.  I don't know if any one else's church has an angel tree or something similar at Christmas but my daughter, even though she won't be 1, will choose a child to give to.  Also, there are always organizations that need help.  Our church also has a Women's ministry which gives to the local women in prison.  Anybody else have any suggestions?

Beatitudes for Parents

Blessed are those parents who make their peace with spilled milk and with mud, for of such is the kingdom of childhood.

Blessed is the parent who engages not in the comparison of his child with others, for precious unto each is the rhythm of his own growth.

Blessed are the fathers and mothers who have learned laughter, for it is the music of the child’s world.

Blessed and wise are those parents who understand the goodness of time, for they make it not a sword that kills growth but a shield to protect.

Blessed and mature are they who without anger can say "no", for comforting to the child is the security of firm decisions.

Blessed is the gift of consistency, for it is heart’s-ease in childhood.

Blessed are they who accept the awkwardness of growth, for they are aware of the choice between marred furnishings and damaged personalities.

Blessed are the teachable, for knowledge brings understanding, and understanding brings love.

Blessed are the men and women who in the midst of the unpromising mundane, give love, for they bestow the greatest of all gifts to each other, to their children, and—in an ever-widening circle—to their fellow men.

Marion E. Kinneman
(1895-1985)