Dixie's - Heart and Soul: June 2008

The Candles Are Lit
For Matt - Be Safe
Matt & Mom Together Always
Best viewed in 1280 x 1024 resolution using Firefox
Click to get yours!





My blog is worth $253,066.76.
How much is your blog worth?



































Locations of visitors to this page








Credits

Template By Caz
Powered by: Blogger

Modified: 2007VEM


Military Airfare Reduction
Give Our Military A Break
Click The Plane
Sign The Petition

With All My Love and Pride
My Photo
Name:
Location: Tennessee, United States

I'm a 40 something single mother of 2 - Matt, a United States Marine, who is married to the most beautiful girl in the world, Ashley and Kaitlin 14 going on 21, need I say more... two grandchildren, Tyler and Jordyn who is the applie of Mimi's eye... I have the most wonderful man in my life right now. Tony is my true soulmate. I am so happy with my life.... it can't get any better than this!

Get your own free Blogoversary button!
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.


Soul Patrol Gang
Daily Reads
Recent Thoughts
Past Memories


Monday, June 30, 2008

Manic Monday - PRIDE





Mo says that the word for Manic Monday is "PRIDE". Thanks Mo for "PRIDE".
Anyone who reads my blog knows exactly what my "PRIDE" is.


My "PRIDE" is my son, my Marine, my hero.

I go back to my post of October 2007 when my "PRIDE" graduated from boot camp.

Thirteen weeks ago I sent my only son off to boot camp. I wasn't sure who was more afraid, me or him. I've cried many days, from loneliness, worry, fear, pride, anticipation, heartache and love. They say a recruit goes through a transformation, from young child, to young adult. They are stripped to the core and rebuilt, with confidence, courage, dedication, strength, commitment and honor. All the things a parent spent their lives teaching, the DIs just fine tune them.

As a mother, the strings are pulled taunt and stretched to the limit by forces of life. Do we really ever let go of our children? I think not. The bonds of love are strong!

During these 13 weeks, I also have gone through a transformation, even if it was involuntary. I have learned I do not have control over all my son chooses in life. I have learned that I will have to step back and let him soar. I have learned I can hide my fear well, and that there is no end to the pride I can feel. I have learned that the future is God's, and though I may not always understand it, I accept it.

I can’t imagine what Matt has gone through in his head in the past 13 weeks; how he felt, what he thought. The loneliness, despair, deprivation that he must have felt in the beginning.

Matt could have chosen many paths; keg parties, football games, technical school or just working with no future plans or worries about tomorrow. He chose the most difficult route of all and this says volumes about his character. It is a testament to the positive factors that have affected his life and his ability to shun the negative and accentuate the positive. He is an extraordinary young man. I am so proud of him.

Matt, like all of the other men of Echo Co., is of a generation that has been privileged, given a great deal, exposed to so many secular influences, not known for their study of American history or their appreciation of what this country represents, how it has survived and the sacrifices men and women have made to make it the greatest country on earth. I use to be afraid that Matt would never understand his heritage. I now know that something clicked in him and he did understand that some must wear the uniform, face whatever they must in order to insure our way of life. The Marine Corps will leave an indelible mark on him that will last until the day he dies. He will pass that along to the next generation. Matt will someday look at his son and wonder the same thing I did; does he understand the meaning of this country, its’ history, how special the USA is in the history of western civilization. I believe his children will. He will pass it along.

Matt will be different when he returns. The changes may be subtle, quiet, and hard to define. He will be even more introspective than he was before he left. He will think about what he went through and wonder about his fellow Marines that shared his time in Hell and believe me that is exactly what he went thorough. It will be hard in the beginning for him to adjust to his old life while he is home. He now has a second family that means a great deal to him; that can share what he went through and with whom he can identify.

My son is now a United States Marine. My cup is overflowing with joy and pride. Matt has taught me a very valuable lesson in patriotism. When he first told me of his plans to be a Marine, I questioned him; “Why would you want to do that. We are in a terrible conflict right now, plus the military is for people that can't afford an education on their own." I now understand why Drill Instructors refer to some civilians as "ignorant" civilians. I prayed a prayer of ignorance and ask God to forgive me for being so blind to the calling of a warrior. I am so proud of Matt. His commitment and follow through with this plan is incredible to me. He was born to be a Marine.

OOH RAH


Yes, Matt is my PRIDE but I also have another great PRIDE, Kaitlin.


This child is crazy... ;-) How could a mother not have PRIDE with a daughter like this one. I will pay for my raising with this one.Yes, Kaitlin is still young and has many paths that she must chose in her life, but whatever the path is that she decides to take, I know that she will make me equally as PROUD of her as I am of Matt.

This will be the only post until I return from Virginia. I have soooo much to do before I leave on Wednesday. I have to cook, pack and cook some more. Matt asked me again last night what I was bringing. He asked if he could bring another buddy over... of course he can. This is the least that I can do for these young men.

I want to wish everyone a very happy 4th of July.


Proudly Brought to You by Dixie 7:42 AM 15 comments


Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Adopt Our Troops


Click the picture to Adopt a Troop


I have adopted two. They all need our prayers.


So Matt called tonight. Conversation goes a little like this...

"Mom, exactly what are you bringing to eat?"

"Well son, I'm cooking what you asked for."

"Mom, will you please cook enough for about 5 of my buddies?"


You've heard the old saying... "cooking enough for an army" welll I guess I'll be cooking enough for the Marines... LOL

I've decided that I will cook the dishes, put them in the Glad disposable containers and then put them on ice. That's the best way I can think of to get it there so it won't spoil.

Oh, and I may cook a few more of his favorite dishes that he hasn't asked for ... just to surprise this goofy butt... I MISS MY SON!!!!

SMOOCHES~
Proudly Brought to You by Dixie 8:37 PM 10 comments


Tuesday, June 24, 2008

No title for today's post... just ramblings

So what have I been doing. Let's see... well I am preparing for not one but two weddings. Yes, I said two.

Tony's daughter is getting married August 2. I must buy a dress. Instead of buying the dress first, I bought the shoes first. Not just one pair of shoes but two... here see...

These are my favorites..

These are... well... just in case
Now to find a dress....

Ok, so you have been asking about my Marine... well let's see... he met this beautiful girl, Ashley. She has an adorable little boy, Tyler. Matt and Ashley met one weekend when he was on weekend liberty. She was working the front desk of the hotel he and a bunch of his buddies were staying at. They struck up a conversation and well ... the rest is history.

Here she is my future daughter-in-law and grandson

So, she goes to visit my goofy Marine Memorial Day weekend...

here is why I call him goofy... Look at that goofy smile of his... typical Matt.. ;-) You can't help but love that face of his. I have a picture of him and Kaitlin... EXACT same goofy smile...

I'm still trying to get around to everyone's blog and catch up. There is just not enough hours in the evening. If it's not one thing to do when I get home it's ten... oh well... one day.

Starting to get things ready for my trip next week. Matt has put his order in for food that he wants me to prepare and bring. My homemade chicken enchalidas, lasagna, butter nut cake, rotel and sweet tea. I know that I will need to prepare large portions because I'm sure he will invite his roommates to the hotel for dinner... I can just hear it now...

"Hey, my mom's brought home cooked food."

Poor guys, I know they are all wanting home cooked food. I've already sent homemade chocolate chip cookies... 3 dozen to be exact, and Matt said they lasted about 15 minutes...

Enough ramblings for today. I need to start making blog rounds while I still have peace and quiet here at home... sometimes I just love being home alone.

SMOOCHES~

Labels: ,

Proudly Brought to You by Dixie 4:52 PM 10 comments


Sunday, June 22, 2008

Manic Monday - Night


Mo says that the word for Manic Monday is "Night". Thanks Mo for "Night"... and now for my first Manic Monday post since my break....

One of my favorite movies of all times "Saturday Night Fever" with John Travolta. John plays 19 year old Tony Manero who works a dead end job by day in a hardware store. By night he burns up the 2001 Odyssey disco floor with this unbelievable moves.







Disco was great.......I absolutely loved the Bee Gees. They brought the place alive I remember roller skating my butt off, mirror ball twirling, to the Bee Gees, KC and the Sunshine Band, the Commodores' Brick House....I really miss those days. But disco will never die. Us old farts (ha) will keep it going.


Proudly Brought to You by Dixie 6:32 PM 10 comments


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

You love me.... You really, really love me!!!




Thank you for the very warm welcome back. I love y'all too... ok now on to more important business.
Well, I'm counting down the days till I see my son. I can hardly wait. By the time I arrive in Virginia on July 2, it will have been 7 months since I hugged my son. I can hardly wait to see him.

He sent me a picture the other day. Here see for yourself...What ya think??? ;-)

It's going to take me a while to get back to this blogging business. Here it is almost 9:00 pm, I'm just getting home from work, errands, dentist appointment and taking mother to get her hair cut. I'm pooped!

One other thing before I go. Dear sweet Anndi sent me this link yesterday. Please go over and check it out. www.presidentialprayerteam.net
SMOOCHES~

P.S. I'm working my way through the blogsphere... I'll get to your blog soon.. I PROMISE YOU THAT!!!!

Oh and I may change the look of my blog again... Ohhhhhh Booooonnnnndddd!!!!!! ;-)

Dang, I sure missed y'all!!!!
Proudly Brought to You by Dixie 7:46 PM 14 comments


Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Hello - how has everyone in blog land doing?

Yes, I'm back. You just would NOT believe everything that has been going on in my world. I actually don't know where to start. So for now, I'll just say that I'm back.

Planning a trip to see MY MARINE week of July 4th. It will be 7 months since I have seen him. I MISS MY SON!!!!!

Granddaughter is growing beautifully.

Home life is... WONDERFUL!!!!!

Kaitlin is growing by leaps and bounds. Keeping her very busy this summer.

*kicks self* I missed the Peace Globes *kicks self again, but still may make one*

let's see, what else.... ummmmmm.....

oh yeah, Matt is getting married.... oh yes he is....will post pics of them later. Have a new computer and don't have any pics loaded here yet.

So, what's been going on in your world?

SMOOCHES~
Proudly Brought to You by Dixie 5:35 PM 15 comments