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Grace and I are enjoying time in the warm South Carolina (while our friends in NJ finally got some snow!).  We’ve played in the sandbox, swang, rode bikes, rode in the wagon, and much more!! We were able to be here for my grandma’s surgery for stomach cancer.  She got through the surgery without complications and is recovering well, praise the Lord!! They weren’t able to remove the tumor, but were able to attach her small intestines to a different part of her stomach so the pain when she eat should decrease.  There were also some spots on her liver.  Please pray for complete healing, complete peace, and complete success for the doctors. 

My daddy turned 54 on Sunday and we were able to celebrate with his side of the family!  It was so wonderful to see everyone   Happy Birthday daddy!! Your help, humility, and kind heart do not go unnoticed! We are so very grateful for you! You’re one great Papa

Our little lady Grace has caught yet another germ   However with the help of one amazing doctor (at Lakeside Pediatrics) we are kicking it…slowly but surely   She is absolutley in love with her cousins…sometimes the lovin’ and touchin’ overwhelm her, but all in all, she is ready to jump up and run with them!  It is wonderful to see! (A big Thank you to Aunt Erin for making the trip down here to spend some special time with us! We appreciate you!)

Justin is doing well.  It’s a whole ‘nother world over there, but we are SO grateful for skype and emails A few tips for those getting ready to take on their first deployment: try not to get your feelings hurt when people say it’s easy or compair it to something else or forget to even ask about your man…honestly they truly do not understand and most of the time they are just trying to find something to say.  As Justin always says, all you can do is learn from it to help you make the right choices in the future. Another tip, keep it FUN!! Send him a picture a day, or a story a day, or “one thing I love about you is…” a day.  It keeps it fresh for you and him!  I found other great ideas at www.thedatingdivas.com

I am beyond grateful for every single bit of help that has come from family and friends.  It is truly a blessing to my life right now. One thing I try to remember is that I’m not alone.  There are thousands of families that are missing their husband or wife, son or daughter, sister or brother.  Please keep the families, and especially those brave men and women in your daily prayers.  They need prayer warriors who believe in the power of prayer.

We can’t wait to see what fun the next 2 weeks have in store for us in South Carolina!

Love, Rebekah

Miss America 2012 was crowned last night!  Miss Wisconsin had a beautiful voice and her evening wear was stunning; however most of the comments I’ve heard about her have been about the “mascara mishap”.  So this week I’ll be indorsing the use of Waterproof Mascara!   Mary Kay Waterproof Mascara (in brown and black) will be on sale this week for only $8!  Send me your orders and we’ll get it to you soon!

-Rebekah

Have you ever heard the saying…. “That’s like comparing apples to oranges!”  Well I’ve heard it a lot, but am just now understanding the WHOLE meaning of it.  I always felt awkward when I stumbled into a conversation comparing one teacher to another, or even more awkward  comparing one Christian to another; but I have officially entered into the domain of comparison when I became a momma.  I was so innocent…never thinking that this would be an issue.  However, I find myself more often than not, trying to navigate around the topic of comparing one momma to another.  To me, this is the ULTIMATE “apples to oranges”….both fruits are perfect in their own right, but oh so very different.  So many times I just want to stop the conversation and say:  “Wait!  Don’t get sucked into this trap of comparing yourself.  You are a good momma.  God chose you for your baby.  And God chose her for her baby.  And God chose me for my baby.  It’s a beautiful thing.  Don’t hurt it or make it into drama.  Just enjoy the differences.”  I see so many friendships ruined by this continuing desire to prove ourselves as the A+  Momma.  Which truthfully, I understand the desire for wanting others to see you as a good momma.  (I will detour quickly to the topic of comparing one military wife to another….oh my, this is just as awkward and distructive….please beware!).  I remember someone once said, “everything that comes out of your mouth is either helpful or hurtful” and I am just beginning to sadly see what they meant.

This being said, I think we should accept the challenge to step up and be the encouraging friends we are called to be.  God tells us in Matthew 5, “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons (and daughters) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.“  In other words, let’s do MORE than just the status-quo.  Lets love on those Mommas that need that encouragement.  Many times, people who compare just need someone to tell them that they are doing a good job. 

So embrace your orangeness or your appleness   And be the best Momma you can be!  Search the word, be a prayer warrior for your children, love yourself, give God your strengths AND your weaknesses because He can use them both to raise your children!  And the next time you feel the awkward compairson conversation starting, just focus on loving that Momma threw it and keep on turning that cheek.  “The Lord WILL fight for you.  You need only to be still.” -Exodus 14:14

Thanks for letting me use my silly sayings…..I can be such a fruitcake sometimes   hehehe….last one, I promise!

Lots of love to all you Mommas (teachers, military wives, Christians, and ect…) out there! -Rebekah

Whenever I get a chance to throw in a little Dr. Suess, I do   He’s one of my favorites (and always a favorite of kids I’ve taught….and our little Gracie!). 

We are so happy that Justin was able to finally take his paternity leave that the AF gives to new daddies   It was so much fun going to the aquarium!  The first time we went, looked like this….

And now, just 5 months later, it looked like this…

We had a great time!  Gracie had a tight grip on daddy’s arms the first half of our trip…the fish were a lot bigger than the ones we go see at PetSmart   It was such a special memory made for us before daddy gets deployed for a while.  We are very grateful for this special and fun time!! Here’s a few pictures of our special trip!  Click to view slideshow.

1. Completely pay off the rest of Rebekah College Loans!
2. Try new meals….at least one a week!
3. Have quiet time every day for reading, praying, and just being still.

Our goal is to keep them all; and since we’re doing it together, it will make it a little easier  

I’ve enjoyed trying some new yummy meals like beef stew, chili, fried onion chicken and cornish hens (2 out of 4 are my momma’s recipes, so I can call with any random questions!)  They all have been successes so far! 

Out of the three resolutions that I have made, I have to say my favorite is the quiet time everyday.  I cannot tell you how much I have gotten from taking some time during Gracie’s morning nap to just be still with a book or prayer.  Right now I am reading my FAVORITE parenting book ever!! It’s called “Raising a Daughter After God’s Own Heart” By: Elizabeth George.  I would recommend it to any momma at any age!  It’s really taught me that in order to teach anything, you must plan and be prepared; so as a Momma part of my job is to plan and be prepared to take advantage of every opportunity to show Gracie Jesus’ love and truth.  Even now, there are countless opportunities everyday to bring Him into our daily goings and comings.  I’ve also learned that just like in teaching, you don’t want to depend on a substitute to do your job.  Church, school, babysitters, and grandparents are all wonderful amazing helpers, but no one can replace your roll in teaching your daughter or son about God.  Ah….I could go on and on, but you get the picture: I really recommend this great book!

I will leave you with some pictures of what Gracie’s been up to around the New Year  

HAPPY NEW YEAR again!! Hope you each are enjoying the first week of 2012! Love, The Bs

P.S. Please pray for Baby Conner (a friend of ours) to have the desire to eat.  Please pray for my Grandma as she battles stomach cancer and is approaching her surgery day on Jan 20th.  Please pray for our country as the elections begin…

• We moved into our sixth home since being married!
• Celebrated our 3rd year of marriage, 3rd anniversary with the Air Force, and 25 years of living
• Had our first BIG snow of our lives (20 inches)!
• Had our first baby girl (who taught us early on that your plans must be flexible as a parent…for example: breach, blood clotting issues, early contractions, scheduled c-section that got moved up because baby girl thought she could do it “all by herself”)
• Momma flew with a baby for the first time!
• Gracie saw the ocean for the first time! (Momma and Daddy saw the Jersey shore for the first time!)
• New Car
• New Church
• New Job
• Many TDY’s (Temp Deployments)
• …..and much much more!

All of these things have come in waves…like many families we have had our ups and downs.  We have enjoyed the one-of-a-kind blessing of being a parent; along with the highest responsibilities that come with this blessing.  As we look to the New Year, we see other new experiences on the horizon!  We enter into this year with trust in God that “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Eph 4:16).  We have resolutions, like many, and are hoping to be one of the 15% of people who keep them longer than January 30th   So from our families to yours, Happy New Year!! Here’s to the men and women who were unable to ring in the New Year with their families; we appreciate and honor your sacrifice and service.  God bless! Love, The B’s

“Why this turmoil within me? Put your hope in God!” -Psalm 42:5

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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND God Bless you!! -The B’s