California, here we are

We made the big move to California. We are living in Temecula and loving it. The weather is so warm and the area is so nice. We live in this great subdivision that is very family oriented. There are walking paths everywhere, pools, tennis courts, basketball courts and lots of parks and fields. The boys school is right in the subdivision. The move was very hard and very stressful. Things did not go as we had hoped but the main thing is that we made it here and are getting on with our lives. I miss my family terrible and miss all the fun times I had with them. I miss my nieces and nephews and going to all the fun things they participted in, but I know there will be new friends. I am closer to my friends in Boulder City. Ladonna has already been down and spent a weekend with us and I'm excited that I can

visit up there more often.

I am a Marine's Mom

I proudly display my son's picture for all to see. It is on the counter where I work, it is the most conspicuous on the wall at home.

I am the woman you see in line at the store who has an American Flag pin, a "My Son is a Marine pin", and a red, white & blue ribbon with the blue service star in the middle.

I am the person driving the car that is in front of you with the magnets that say "Support Our Troops", Proud Parent of a Marine, and a blue service star, a yellow ribbon attached to the top of my antenna.

I am the one with the grocery cart full of cereal bars, beef jerky, flavorings and additives for water, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, and Skittles so my son and his fellow Marine brothers can have a little piece of home while in a strange and far away country.

I am the person you see carrying boxes to the Post Office so my son and his fellow Marine brothers know there are people in the states that support them.

I am the one you see with tears in my eyes whenever "The Star Spangled Banner" is played or sung before a ball game.

I am the one that has tears in my eyes when the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag is said.

When you see my son's picture when you come into my place of business and ask me who it is and where he is, please understand, this is MY SON. Please do not tell me we shouldn't be there. We are. Please do not tell me the latest injury reports, the casualties, bombings and shootings. I know this, it is always in the back of my mind.

Please do not tell me the war is because of the President. This is my son's boss. I will not speak ill of him for whatever reason.

Please do not say that's no place to be, my son is there, he's serving our country, he would rather be home safe with his family, but he has a duty.

Please do not say "I'm sorry", I'M NOT, my son volunteered to protect his country. You should say, "You must be very proud of him."

Please do not tell me you know how I feel, unless you are a military parent, spouse, child, or fiancée, you have NO clue what I feel. Please just tell me "Your son is in my prayers." There can never be enough prayers going up for our military or my son or me.

I am the Mother of a Marine, this is my daily routine

Mentally calculating the time difference half way around the world. Accepting that my son is now MY protector. Reaching across the ocean with my love, hoping my son feels the extra boost.

In the dead of night, waking up and saying a prayer for his safety and peace of mind

Never letting my son see the tears in my eyes or hear the catch in my voice whenever he leaves home or ends a phone call.

Enduring those moments when I am not as strong as I think I should be.

Making it through each day by the grace of God.

Opting to work extra hours or volunteer more than I used to trying to keep my mind occupied.

Trying to smile even when I haven't heard from my son for days or weeks on end.

Holding onto the Marine Corps motto of "Semper Fi", hoping I can keep the faith.

Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, praying God is with my son and will bring him home to me safely.

Rejoicing and shouting so all my coworkers know it is my son who is on the telephone.

written by Rhonda Elliott - 05/09/08
PROUD Marine Mom

Poem

I know this poem is a classic, but sometimes at certain times in your life it just helps to reread it. I'm not big into posting religious things, but reading this has helped me through some rough times in my life.

Footprints

One night a man had a dream, and in his dream he reviewed the footsteps he had taken in his life. He looked and noticed that all over the mountains and difficult places that he had traveled there was one set of footprints....but over the plains and down the hills, there were two sets of footprints, as if someone had walked by his side. He turned to Christ and said, "There is something I don't understand. Why is it that down the hills and over the smooth and easy places you have walked by my side; but, here over the tough and difficult places I have walked alone, for I see in those areas there is just one set of footprints." Christ turned to the man and said, "It is that while your life was easy I walked along your side; but here, where the walking was hard and paths were difficult, was the time you needed Me most, and that is why I carried you."

The last couple months have been very hard for Joe and I. Big decisions have been made and some decisions that were made for members of our family were out of our hands. Reading this poem has helped me realize that I'm not alone in dealing with these. I'm not a preachy person, but I just wanted to share this.

I haven't blogged for awhile because things in our lives have been pretty crazy lately. We took a fast trip to California for Thanksgiving and to find a house. Yes, we are moving to the sunshine state. This is a little scary for me because it is a fast decision, but I am excited to get out of Utah. While we were on our trip I was able to go through Boulder City and see some old friends. I saw Becky and the girls, Ladonna, Dr Meeks, Debra and her daughter Jordan. It was great to see everyone and spend time catching up. California was fun. We stayed in Palm Springs while Joe worked. The boys and I just goofed around there and we had Thanksgiving dinner with some of Joe's family. We had a great dinner and a really fun time. This year I was thankful Wyatt didn't crack his head open while he was smashing walnuts with his forehead.....only Wyatt. We drove over to the area we want to move and looked at a couple of houses. I really like the area we are going and it made me more excited to get down there. I have heard from Casey and he is ok. He didn't really say what he was doing. Just asked me to send him somethings and let me know he was there and ok.

Casey

Casey spent six days with us before leaving for Afganistan. It was so nice to be with him. We didn't do much, mostly because there is not much to do in Brigham, but he said it was just nice to relax.

Wyatt's Baptism

Wyatt was baptized today by Joe. Joe has worked really hard this year so he could receive the priesthood and baptize him. He was confirmed by our neighbor and home teacher, Aaron Collett. We had a spaghetti dinner (Wyatt's favorite) with friends and family. I would really like to thank my niece Jacey. She gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost and the bag that Wyatt is holding has things in it to remind him how to listen for help that the Holy Ghost can give. Cami Packer, also a neighbor and member of the Primary Presidency gave the talk on baptism. She did a great job and it is so nice that people like her are willing to do this for Wyatt.

Happy Hallowwen

Happy Halloween! The boys had a fun Halloween season. We went to a corn maze, had a party at Ben and Ang's house, carved pumpkins for the first time and got candy!


The top picture is at the corn maze. Those are our great neighbors Sadie and Kenzie.