Military Life

Kris is getting orders this week here on base to PMO!!!!!!!!  He is NOT deploying now to Afghan.  This unit he is going to is a non-deployable unit.  I am very happy about this!  He has been gone so much over the past 4 years and it has really worn me and the kids down.  God answered my prayers and I am so thankful! I know some people might say, “God did not answer your prayers, its the shoulder surgery that saved him”.  Yep that may be true but, God ordered him to be in the right place at the right time for him to see the correct doctor that told him he CANT deffer the surgery any more.  Yes MP CO is not happy because they are loosing a fabulous Marine.  Its life!  It happens!  I’m just glad it happened to us this time!!!!  We are staying in NC till 2012.

Sorry I have not blogged in a while family…….  I’m back we are here!  LOL I have news!

So the month of January was a bit difficult.  Of course our trip to New York was a major blast and we enjoyed it so much.  I am talking spiritual attacks.  Kris and I always do a first fruits fast and tithe.  I should know that when I do this things get harry.  I’m an not bragging about fasting.  I just know from personal experience that fasting works and its required of us from time to time to get Gods attention.  We did the 21 day Daniel fast. 

So during this fast Emily starts having issues with girls on the bus and it has really been bothersome to her and she was coming home crying every afternoon.  To me as a mother, it just ripped my heart out.  It is so easy for girls self esteem to get broken by hateful people and made me so angry.  What could I do?  I told her I would talk to the parents, go to the principle, have her bus driver change her assigned seats….  she said no to them all.  I was like, “God what do I do”?  Kris and I stated telling her everyday how beautiful she is and that those girls who are treating you so bad obviously are not secure with who they are and have to pick and be mean to make themselves feel better.  We told her to ignore them and listen to her MP3 player, smile and be happy inside your self because there is no one else like you, and they are just jealous because your beautiful.  I mean how can you call a 12 year old a slut especially when she didnt even know what that word is???  Even though she wears glasses she IS NOT a 4 eyed freak!  She is Gods child and my gift from him.  UGGGG!  It gets me ramped up just thinking about it.  I’ll move on now…

Zack came home from school one day in January to announce to me thru tears that his ROTC instructor pulled him aside from class in his office, closed the door, and cussed him out.  Here is the reason:  He had red hair gel in his hair!  Yeah!  Close your mouth, can you believe it!  First of all he is NOT an US Marine he is a 15 yo KID in a ROTC program.  He was not in iniform and his hair was cut within the regulation guidlines.  Needless to say I about went crazy!!!!  Kris said I will take care of it and you are not allowed to go down to the school.  The momma bear in me was out in a way that it has never been before.  I dont cuss at my kids and what gave that man the right to speak to my child that way.  Well Kris pulled him from the program and he is now in Drama class which is sad because he loved ROTC.  Its not fair to him to have to be subjected to such a man that does not deserve to be teaching children at all.  But enough of this I’m getting angry again……..

So during this fast I guess God saw fit to weed someone out of my life that really didnt need to be there any longer.  A (un-named person) called me and made lunch plans and was like I’ll call you on Friday to tell you when I am picking you up since I have to come that way anyways. I was like okay.  I didnt hold my breath cause this person has done this to me before.  So that Friday night rolled in and she called and said, ” why did you stand me up today”?  I reminded her of our conversation and she was like, “oh we must have got our wires crossed.”  The conversation was short and we hung up because my best friend had flown in from Florida and I was spening time with her.  So Saturday I was at the basketball game with my cheerleaders and she shows up with hot chocolate all sorry for the day before and all was forgiven.  I was not mad.  So Monday I go to cheerleading practice with my squad, a person approaches me  and says I cant believe you are treating (the un-named person) like this and you should not have stood her up…….  I was like WHAT!  Who are you and I dont have to justify myself to you or anyone else especially when you have none of the facts straight.  I sent her an email later in the week and told her what happened and I also let her know that I dont gossip about my friends, stab them in the back, nor do I treat the ones that I love the way you have done me.  Maybe its wrong of me but I have not taken any of her calls since then.  I dont have time for drama and I have had one too many so called friends burn me because of my kind nature and I wont put up with it any more.  

One of Kris’s marines was charged for domestic abuse, child neglect, and rape.  This was one of my wives that I helped while the guys were deployed.  We became friends.  This woman come to find out attacked him with a knife and he held up a kitchen chair to protect himself from her and she some how fell and broke teeth; he got arrested…….  this was a big ole mess.  She is crazy and trying to ruin this poor guys career.  All I know is he is the victim and needs so much prayer.  Kris has put so much energy and time into this family in January and only a judge will determine his fate.  Its really sad. 

January was a bad month for me…….  I was emotionally spent.  I was freaking out because I did not want Kris deplolying to Afghanastan…..  But thru it all God was faithful and gave me a song to that was my hearts cry.  I have listened to it over and over.  Click on the link to listen to it.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYjMhF4FipM

So we took the kids to New York (this was a big portion of their Christmas gift).  They had no clue until we woke them up at 2:15am rolling across the bridge and there sat the Statue of Liberty to the Right and New York directly in front of us!  They were asleep and when they realized I was saying, “wake up, wake up”, they freaked out!  It was  a priceless moment.  

Day 1 Adventure - Ground Zero:  It was a very confusing trying to figure out the subway system.  Thank God the Lord sent us angels when we needed help and looked lost!  LOL.  We got into Ground Zero and spent most of the day looking thru 2 museums.  There was a church that sat in front of the Twin Towers that did not get harmed by the buildings collapse.  It was amazing and beautiful and was used as a volunteer center.  Volunteers slept there and rested while clean up and rescue was still on going for the pile of rubble that had to be searched.  We also did a tour of the Museum of Sept 11.  This was full of stories from families looking for their loved ones.  We could hear 911 calls from cell phones, voice messages from loved ones calling home reasurring them that they loved them and not to mourn for them and so much more.  There were walls covered with those lost on that day.  The kids walked thru the exhibit with tears in their eyes just as much as Kris and I did.  It was a very emotional day for us all.  Sept 11 is a day that I wish never would have happened.  Its a piece of history my kids will always live and know exactly where they were in their lives and remember when it happened.  After that we ate at a really great pizzaria!  It was authentic pizza!  The best ever!  We schooted on over to Wall Street, The NY Stock Exchange, and the place where George Washington was sworn in as the US President.  The day was VERY cold and the high was 7 degrees with the wind chill factor in the negative numbers.  So we called it an early day around 6 and went to the 4 story mall next to our hotel and ate dinner in the food court and then saw the Movie Mall Cop http://www.paulblartmallcop.com/   The movie is hilarious and I highly recommend it!!!!!!

Day 2 Adventure:  When we got up that day it snowed all night and the ground was covered with fresh powder white snow.  The kids were thrilled!  We got an early start and spent the entire day (6 hours) sight seeing Ellis Island and the Stature of Liberty.  We took the Ferry from Jersey City to see the sights.  It was still a very cold day.  High was 17 degrees and the wind chill factors were in the negative degrees still.  We reserved the audio tours on both Islands so we could really hear what everything was at both places.  They were awesome history lessons for the kids!  Kris and I as well.  I have a new respect for how immagrants came into our country years ago.  http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island.asp  The Statue of Lady Liberty is breathataking up close and personal. She is so amazing standing there welcoming ships into the harbor.  We looked thru the museum and learned how she was built, who built her, and Emma Lazarus the woman who wrote the poem “The New Collosus” Which is on a plaque in honor of lady Liberty.  The poem is here for you to read http://www.libertystatepark.com/emma.htm  When we got back to the port we decided to find the nearest Olive Garden and eat since we blew thu lunch and were all starving to death! 

Day 3 Adventure:  We got up and called Nathan Kris’s cousin who lives in New York and met him in front of Trump International and the Park Entrance to Central Park.  We had an amazing day!  It was snowing  and in the 30’s (Finally!!!! A few degrees make a huge difference).  We saw FAO Scwartz Toy Store, Time Square, Rockafella Center, Grand Central Station, Radio City Music Hall, The museum that was in the movie Night At The Museum, we played in Central Park making snow men and having snow ball fights, we saw some really cool churches that the architecture was amazing, Nathan took us to a snazzy Italian Family Rest called Tony’s (YUMMY), and we went to China town and went shopping (which is now my new favorite spot to shop LOL). 

Here are a few of the best photos I think I took the entire trip! 

This by far was our best family vacation yet with the kids!  Zack hugged me the night we got home and told me thank you for taking me and showing me that there is more to life than just living in Florida and you are the best mom ever.  Those are the moments I live for as a mom!!!!!!!  Until next time! 

IF I DECORATE MY HOUSE PERFECTLY WITH PLAID BOWS, STRANDS OF TWINKLING LIGHTS AND SHINY BALLS, BUT DO NOT SHOW LOVE TO MY FAMILY, I’M JUST ANOTHER DECORATOR. IF I SLAVE AWAY IN THE KITCHEN, BAKING DOZENS OF CHRISTMAS COOKIES, PREPARING GOURMET MEALS, ARRANGING A BEAUTIFULLY ADORNED TABLE , BUT DO NOT SHOW LOVE TO MY FAMILY, I’M JUST ANOTHER COOK. IF I WORK AT THE SOUP KITCHEN, CAROL IN THE NURSING HOME AND GIVE ALL THAT I HAVE TO CHARITY, BUT DO NOT SHOW LOVE TO MY FAMILY, IT PROFITS ME NOTHING. IF I TRIM THE SPRUCE WITH SHIMMERING ANGELS AND CROCHETED SNOWFLAKES, ATTEND MYRIAD HOLIDAY PARTIES AND SING IN THE CHOIR’S CANTATA BUT DO NOT FOCUS ON CHRIST, I HAVE MISSED THE POINT. LOVE STOPS COOKING TO HUG THE CHILD. LOVE SETS ASIDE DECORATING TO KISS THE HUSBAND. LOVE IS KIND, THOUGH HARRIED AND TIRED. LOVE DOESN’T ENVY ANOTHER’S HOME THAT HAS COORDINATED CHRISTMAS CHINA AND TABLE LINENS. LOVE DOESN’T YELL AT THE KIDS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY, BUT IS THANKFUL THEY ARE THERE TO BE IN THE WAY. LOVE DOESN’T GIVE ONLY TO THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO GIVE IN RETURN BUT REJOICES IN GIVING TO THOSE WHO CAN’T. LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS. LOVE NEVER FAILS. VIDEO GAMES WILL BREAK, PEARL NECKLACES WILL BE LOST, GOLF CLUBS WILL RUST. BUT THE GIFT OF LOVE WILL ENDURE.

God bless you with all the love you can possibly feel, need, and experience this Christmas and everyday of the upcoming year of 2009 !

Kris and I went on a very relaxing cruise during the Thanksgiving break.  We went with our pals Atressa and Jason from up here.  He works with Kris and Atressa is a very dear friend to me (like a sister).  We all go to church with one another and just have great fun with our families.  Our ports were Grand Caymon, Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan Island Honduras.  Honduras I will say was my favorit.  Its not so “Americanized” and its in its true habitat still.  The street vendors were very pleasant and the children were so very curious of the visitors.  I know all they want is money from the tourist…  but man when they live in a third world county can you blame them?  I cried when we left and told Kris our children have no idea how blessed they are.  This is the reason why I want to be a medical missionary.  I love kids and people and want to help and give to those who are less fortunate then we are.  We are going in this same cruise in 2010 with the kids and boy do we have our excursions all planned out for when we go next!  Grand Caymon we are going to swim with the sting rays and do the paradise beach day, Cozumel we are going to swim with the dolphins one on one, Belize we are going to visit the ruins, and in Honduras we are going to snorkle with the kids.  We cant wait to take them!

 Captains Dinner (and our 6 year anniversary)

Take the tenor boats to Grand Caymon

Cozumel Mexico playing at Senor Frogs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Captains Cocktail Hour for past cruisers!

Roatan Island Beach Honduras

The last night on our balcaoy some where in the Carabbean!!!!!!!

What a great trip alone with my BIG SEXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So this week Kris told me that his Captain and 1st Sgt. wanted to meet up with me, which I was thinking it had something to do with wrapping up the volunteer program while the guys were deployed.  BOY WAS I SHOCKED when I walked into this meeting and I see the Col. Thomas, Lt.Col. McDaniel and several other Commanding Officers that I didnt really know.  I was awarded a very high  award in the Artillery community (Kris is Military Police).  George Washington gave the very first one out to Molly in the 1700’s.     I am so shocked that I was brought before a committee and was chosen for this.  This is a resume worthy award that I am so proud to be nominated into this Sisterhood!  To think all I said was, “Yes to volunteer with the wives while the Marines were deployed”.  The story of Molly Picher is below:

An Artillery wife, Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher) shared the rigors of Valley Forge with her husband, William Hays. Her actions during the battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778 became legendary. That day at Monmouth was as hot as Valley Forge was cold. Someone had to cool the hot guns and bathe parched throats with water.

   Across that bullet-swept ground, a striped skirt fluttered. Mary Hays McCauly was earning her nickname “Molly Pitcher” by bringing pitcher after pitcher of cool spring water to the exhausted and thirsty men. She also tended to the wounded and once, heaving a crippled Continental soldier up on her strong young back, carried him out of reach of hard-charging Britishers. On her next trip with water, she found her artilleryman husband back with the guns again, replacing a casualty. While she watched, Hays fell wounded. The piece, its crew too depleted to serve it, was about to be withdrawn. Without hesitation, Molly stepped forward and took the rammer staff from her fallen husband’s hands. For the second time on an American battlefield, a woman manned a gun. (The first was Margaret Corbin during the defense of Fort Washington in 1776.) Resolutely, she stayed at her post in the face of heavy enemy fire, ably acting as a matross (gunner).

   For her heroic role, General Washington himself issued her a warrant as a    noncommissioned officer. Thereafter, she was widely hailed as “Sergeant Molly.” A flagstaff and cannon stand at her gravesite at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. A sculpture on the battle monument commemorates her courageous deed.

TO ALL FIELD ARTILLERYMEN WHEREVER YE MAY BE

Greetings!  Know ye that  there appeared before a most arduous and selective committee composed of highly esteemed and proven Field Artillerymen a likely candidate for:  “THE ARTILLERY ORDER OF MOLLY PITCHER”

BE IT KNOWN:  By all ye Field Artillerymen who may be honored by her presence that TRACY MOCK has been faithful to the Artillery.  Offering courage and patience and help in the best traditions of the military service, she has been found worthy to be numbered as a deserving member of this traditional sisterhood and has been duly initiated into the fold.

BE IT FURTHER UNDERSTOOD:  That we hereby confer upon her the shield of Molly Pitcher emblazoned above and enjoin all Field Artillerymen henceforth to show due honor and respect whenever she enters their midst.

Given under our hand this 12th day of December 2008.

D.P. Thomas

Col, FA USMC Commanding

Here are a few photos from Kris promotion to Staff Sergeant!  I was honored that he wanted me to pin his new chevrons on him.  I tapped them in place nice and hard for him!  Hee-Hee!  Its tradition….  I am so very proud of my BIG SEXY!!!!!!!!!

So  many of you have been e-mailing me about the election and what does this mean regarding the miliary life we live????

First of all I feel we all have our own personal convictions (right or wrong).  No one persons vote is right or wrong.  We all have opinions and ideas and that is what makes us unique and amazing human beings.  

My husband picked up rank (promotion) and we are still scheduled to be in the USMC till 2012. 

President Elect Obama is my husbands boss in the coming months ahead.  America needs to lift him and his beautiful family up in prayer as the weight and responsability of America rests upon his shoulders.  We need to remember to pray for our countries leaders at all times.  We need to remain in prayer for our troops.  They protect this country and your freedom, and they will continue to do so no matter who has been elected into office.  This is all part of Gods master plan or Obama would not have won the election.  There is always a purpose, season, and place for everthing. 

We are not scared.  Fear is not from God so we dont entertain it (which ever form it appears in, ie. the election or the economy being in the crapper) God runs the show in our home and in our lives he remains first and always will. 

America is a beautiful place!  I am proud to have witnessed history in the making this week.  Lets just pray that America does not forget about God and put him on a back-burner………..  WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!  WAKE UP!

While Kris was on his last deployment; his brother Drew went to the tattoo shop and got this AWESOME tattoo as a tribute to his hero!  He did it while the kids and I were in town over the summer.  When he showed it to me; we all got choked up and cried.  Kris will be getting one next to match what Drew did.  This will be something that the two of them as brothers will always share with each other forever!!!!