A Sailors Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas, the ship was out steaming, Sailors
stood watch while others were dreaming.
They lived in a crowd with racks tight and small, in a 80-man berthing,
cramped one and all.

... I had come down the stack with presents to give, And to see inside
just who might perhaps live.
I looked all about, a strange sight did I see, No tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

No stockings were hung, shined boots close at hand, on the bulkhead hung
pictures of a far distant land.
They had medals and badges and awards of all kind, and a sober thought
came into my mind.

For this place was different, so dark and so dreary, I had found the
house of a Sailor, once I saw clearly.
A Sailor lay sleeping, silent and alone, Curled up in a rack and
dreaming of home.

The face was so gentle, the room squared away, this was the United
States Sailor today.
This was the hero I saw on TV,
Defending our country so we could be free.

I realized the families that I would visit this night, owed their lives
to these Sailors lay willing to fight.
Soon round the world, the children would play, and grownups would
celebrate on Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom each day of the year, Because of the Sailor,
like the one lying here.
I couldn't help wonder how many lay alone, on a cold Christmas Eve on a
sea, far from home.

The very thought brought a tear to my eye, I dropped to my knees and
started to cry.
The Sailor awakened and I heard a calm voice, "Santa, don't cry, this
life is my choice."

"Defending the seas all days of the year, so others may live and be free
with no fear."
I thought for a moment, what a difficult road, to live a life guided by
honor and code.

After all it's Christmas Eve and the ship's underway!
But freedom isn't free and it's sailors who pay.
The Sailor say's to our country "be free and sleep tight, No harm will
come, not on my watch and not on this night."

The Sailor rolled over and drifted to sleep, I couldn't control it, I
continued to weep.
I kept watch for hours, so silent, so still, I watched as the Sailor
shivered from the night's cold chill.

I didn't want to leave on that cold dark night, this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.
The Sailor rolled over and with a voice strong and sure, commanded,
"Carry on Santa, It's Christmas, and all is Secure!"

HONOR - COURAGE - COMMITMENT

Merry Christmas

December 20, 2008

Three years ago today, Kevin proposed to me, and I said,"Yes!"

Just moments after he proposed


At Faith Pres. College & Career Christmas Party

Mom's Visit

Having lunch after she got off the airplane

In Fernandina Beach, we're standing with a shrimp

 Grandmeow & the kitties

Seashells I found

Buddy wanted to help Grandmeow with the cross-stitch

Cat Videos
Mei-Ling's favorite toy

4 Months Done

with this deployment!!!!!!!!!!!!! MORE than half way over (Lord willing)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another reason why I'm not putting up a Christmas Tree this year.....

British Navy lip syncs to Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You

The Heart of Christmas

    I just watched "The Heart of Christmas" on GMC. Its based on a true story and if you plan to watch it, have the tissues handy. Definitely cherish every moment! After watching the movie I couldn't help but to pray and thank God for everything he has blessed me with. Then I began to pray for all the missionaries all over the world and for the people they're ministering to.
    I also began to feel a little selfish/convicted for sometimes feeling homesick or lonely. I'm so thankful for my family back home, but I'm also very thankful for the friends I have here, who I consider family, especially during this deployment. Thank you all for your prayers and support!! It means the world to Kevin & I. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You!!


"I thank my God every time I remember you." -Philippians 1:3

I saw this as I was driving near the beach (1 block away).

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Buddy

Yup, he's a moocher! And no I did not give him my pasta!
Confession: I was eating dinner on the couch, in front of the t.v. 

Dear December,

I'm so glad you're here!!!! 30 more days until 2012 arrives!!!!!

Sincerely,
A Navy Wife who is counting the days til her Sailor returns

Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, I watched some of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Later I went to John & Katie's house. We had salad (put together by yours truly), smoked turkey, sweet potatoes, green beans with pieces of bacon, sweet carrots, and stuffing. We watched some football and later had some pumpkin & apple pie and played Appletters.

I had to work 9-5 on Black Friday. However since it was slow, I got off at 3:30. So I decided that on my way home I'd stop by Kohl's to see the deals they had going on. They had some good deals, but I surprisingly did not buy anything.

Yesterday morning I got to skype with Kevin!!! First time seeing his face live, since he left. It was great talking to him!! I can't wait for him to come home!!! Thankfully this deployment is half way over!!!!

Last night I had Elaine & Will over for dinner, a couple from my church.  Elaine & Will are my adopted parents. Even our last names are similar. Elaine is in the Women's Bible Study I go to on Tuesdays.

Random thoughts

*I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week!

*I now understand the saying "Being a Military Wife is one of the hardest jobs in the world." I definitely agree.

*I've been having trouble falling asleep at night. My mind runs a mile a minute with all sorts of things.

*At Bible Study this week, after class we filled two boxes with things for Operation Christmas Child. 1 box for a boy and the other for a girl. We pray God's blessings on the children who receive these boxes, that they will come to know about the love of Jesus.

*I've listened to the radio station that's playing Christmas music already, just in the car though.

*One reason I'm not putting up a Christmas tree this year:

Tomorrow

I'm so happy for my friend Wendy. Tomorrow her husband comes home from a 6 month deployment. They have 2 daughters.

I use to work with Wendy in Delaware. Her husband recruited Kevin to join the Navy. They got stationed in FL before we did. So we at least knew 1 couple before we moved here. After I got my license transferred, I started working with Wendy again. So I'm very happy that she'll be reunited with her husband TOMORROW!!!! :)  
This means that Kevin's deployment is almost half way over!!!! Hurray!!!! :)

Phone call

I got a phone call from Kevin today!!! It was the best hour 8 minutes & 16 seconds, saying "What?" "Huh?" and "You're gonna have to repeat that."  It was great hearing his voice again!!! :)  Yeah, I'm gonna be on cloud 9 the rest of the day!! :)  :)  :) 

The best family picture we can get for now.

Happy Veterans Day!!

Thank you to all the service men and women who have, who are currently and who will in the future serve our country for our freedom!!! Thank you to all the Veterans!! I'm so thankful and proud of MY Veteran!!

Another month

DONE!!! 3 MONTHS DONE WITH THIS DEPLOYMENT!!!!!!!!!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Tuesday the USS Roosevelt came home from a 7 month deployment. A family on my street has their Daddy back!! I can't help to think about Kevin returning home too!! :)



"May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." - Genesis 31:49

If you're interested....

In seeing some of Jeff (my brother) & Holly's engagement pictures check out this link:

http://blog.katieriversphoto.com/2011/10/engaged-holly-jeff/

1 year ago

It's hard to believe that 1 year ago Buddy was only a 4 week old kitten.

Don't mind the boxes, we had just moved.

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin

&

Cowboy

Mei-Ling trying to get her costume off.

Blessed

I'm so thankful to God for my family and friends, especially my friends in FL. They haven't known me for quite a year yet, but they're so hospitable and gracious enough to invite me to tag along on their outings. It's been wonderful, it keeps me busy and it's nice to not be at home all the time. I even have plans for Thanksgiving!! I'll be going to John & Katie's house. John teaches my Sunday School class. I'm so thankful for my FL friends!! :) 

Have you heard

"This Is The Stuff" by Francesca Battistelli?

I love this song!! It always puts me in a good mood. :)

I also received the "Chicken Soup for the Military Wife's Soul" book. I'm looking forward to reading it. Mom, did you hear that? I said,"I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO READING A BOOK!!!!" 

Our pumpkins

Cats

Today Buddy & Mei-Ling got an early Christmas gift.......

And I put it together all by myself!!! :)


Just hanging out

Daydreaming

Ever heard the song "Far Away" by Carole King???

Tonight I made the mistake to watch re-runs of "Surprise Homecomings" - when those who are serving our country come home from deployment, don't tell their families and SURPRISE!!!!  Yeah, my eyes filled up with tears, and some ran down my cheeks. I long for the day Kevin comes home from deployment. I tend to daydream about it often. It always brings a smile to my face, thinking about waiting on the pier as the sailors get off the ship, then eventually being reunited with him!!! Giving him a big hug & kiss, and (most likely) happy tears!!! Everyday that passes is one day closer to being reunited with Kevin!!!! If you're reading this, you probably think I'm nuts for thinking about this already, but if it's what gets me through the days, then why not? Please continue to pray for ALL of our military men and women serving our country and for them to return safely to their families. Here is one of my favorite mixes of surprise homecomings (you can find many more on youtube),  warning: *keep the tissues handy*

“May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other" - Genesis 31:49

One year ago

Kevin and I were moving to FL!!!! I can't believe it has been 1 year already!! So I will leave you with,

The Story of Our Big Move

On Tuesday 10/19/10  - Kevin & I left Norfolk and drove all the way to St. Georges South Carolina. We were really trying to make it to the Georgia state line, when a peg from the dolly that Kevin's car was hooked up to, came out, and the ramp was scraping the ground causing sparks. So we pulled over. Kevin found a stick and shoved it in the spot where the peg should've been, and it worked well. That night at our hotel, Kevin called the U-Haul company. They told us they would be out between 7 & 8am.

9am came the next morning, and never heard from U-Haul. So we got on the phone and they said that their closest U-Haul place was 90 miles away. Well we waited 4 hours and they finally came with a new dolly. So we got back on the road at 11am. We finally arrived to Mayport by a little after 3pm. Once we arrived we went to the housing office to get the keys to our military housing. Who knew we'd have to go through so much paper work. The fun part I get to look forward to are hurricanes, and evacuating by myself if Kevin is out at sea. Hopefully that won't happen.  *fingers crossed*

So we get to our apartment, and right across the street is the community center. So the housing representative takes us over there and shows us around. There's a pool table, ping pong table, computers to use the internet etc. Kevin saw a guy playing pool, goes up to him and says,"Want to make $25?" The guy responds,"Heck yeah!!" Kevin replies,"We just arrived, and need help moving our stuff in." The guy replies,"I use to do this for a living before I joined the Navy."

So after 2 and a half hours of the 3 of us moving our stuff, we went and bought him dinner too.

Kevin reported for his 1st day of work on Monday. He went in for about 2 hours then came home. After a little while, he got a phone call from his sponsor, and turns out that his ship pulled in early and Kevin has to be on the ship as soon as possible. So Kevin grabbed his sea bag and raced around opening boxes to find his clothes. After that, he says,"I need a haircut." So I gave him a haircut, and off he went. He'll be out to sea for a week. I can expect this until he goes out to sea for deployment.

So I've been busy unpacking and getting us settled in. As hard as it was to get a certain someone to pack, he isn't exactly unpacking either....so I put all of his boxes in the second bedroom.

Since Kevin's been gone, I really noticed how much the apartment creeks....especially at night.

p.s. We don't have Wawa's...but we do have Dunkin' Donuts!!!

If you're interested in reading about our "firsts" in FL, check out my old blog -  www.christine-lifeasanavywife.blogspot.com

I saw this on my way to work yesterday

And it wasn't even raining!
It was a great way to start the day! I love God's artwork!

New York Post

US, British special forces storm Italian ship seized by Somali pirates

NEWSCORE

Last Updated: 11:43 AM, October 11, 2011

Posted: 9:26 AM, October 11, 2011

More Print

ROME -- US and British naval forces Tuesday freed an Italian cargo ship seized by pirates off the Somali coast, releasing the crew and taking the attackers into custody.
The Italian vessel, the Montecristo, had 23 crew on board when it was attacked by pirates Monday. It was freed in a joint operation carried out by Royal Marines from Britain's RFA Fort Victoria and the USS De Wert, part of NATO's operation Ocean Shield which protects the waters off the Horn of Africa.
The US vessel first approached the ship, while British forces prepared a mission to board it.

The Italian ship Montecristo docked in a harbor in Italy.

The USS De Wert "was the first ship to close in and assess the situation while the boarding team on Fort Victoria got ready," Lieutenant Gwenn Laine, a spokesman for Ocean Shield, told NewsCore. "The crew of the ship confined themselves in the engine room of the ship and they managed to send the information to NATO forces that they were safe and well."
He added, "NATO forces got on board and the pirates surrendered immediately. No one on board from the team, the crew or the pirates were injured."
The operation was launched following discussions between British defense secretary Liam Fox and his Italian counterpart Ignazio La Russa, Italy's ANSA news agency reported. The Montecristo crew included seven Italians, 10 Ukrainians and six Indian nationals.


Kevin is on the USS DEWERT

2 Months Down

I've survived the first two months of this deployment. Most days it seems to be going by quickly, but there are those other days when I just wish there was a fast forward button to get this deployment over with, so Kevin can come home! Otherwise, I'm hanging in there. Doing my best to stay busy so my thoughts don't linger over the fact that Kevin is away. I try to have monthly goals to look forward to each month. Luckily there's one holiday each month coming up.

2 months down - Whoooooooooooo Hoooooooooooo!!!!!!


"May the Lord keep watch between us whenever we are apart." - Genesis 31:49

Adrienne's visit

On Saturday I took Adrienne to St. Augustine

Later we went to the beach (on base)

Buddy wanted some of our pumpkin pancakes

Before our girls night out

I also cut and colored Adrienne's hair on Saturday. We had a lot of fun!! Hopefully we can get together again a few more times before she graduates in the spring. While Adrienne and I were on the beach, we took a video. However since it was so windy you really can't hear anything we're saying.

Halloween fun

Hope you don't get too spooked!! Enjoy!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/Qv3PxAON1CnbYIOu

Just a little something

Last week when we had evening showers, I washed both my car & Kevin's car in the rain. How fast can I wash this car before I get drenched? It was pretty fun, haha!  It kinda made me feel like a kid again. :)

Today, on my way home from Bible Study, as I was about to pull into the drive way, I got a glimpse of Kevin's car, and thought "Oh Kevin's home from work!!" Then quickly remembered he's not.  However almost 2 months have gone by!!! YAY!!!!!  I think it has gone by, somewhat quickly so far. I keep trying to have monthly goals to look forward to. There's a holiday each month, so it's something to look forward to!! Although I do try to have other things throughout each month to look forward to as well. For example not only is the 2 months done for the deployment mark approaching, but Halloween marks the "gotcha day" (when we celebrate his birthday) for Buddy!!!! Hard to believe he's 1 year old!!!! The middle of October will mark our 1 year of living in Florida!  That year went by real fast! Also this weekend my friend Adrienne, who goes to SCAD in Savannah, GA, is coming to visit me!!!! YAY!!!! I'm so looking forward to that!!!! And it works out perfectly because I have off Friday & Saturday. Can't wait!!!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” - Romans 12:12

Morning workout

Today I participated in a hot yoga class. One of my friends from Church is the instructor. I've never participated in any type of yoga class before. And why do they call it hot yoga, you may ask. Well, it's hot & you sweat. I'm not talking about a little sweat, I'm talking your body is drenched in sweat, but it's a great workout!!! It was a great way to start off my day!!

Bittersweet Day

Today while I was at work, I saw a flower delivery van pull up in front of the store. I said to the other girls (Maggie & Roxanne),"Someone's getting flowers!" We all looked at each other and we didn't think he was coming inside to our store. Sure enough the delivery man came inside. Next thing I knew he asked for me!!!! So I quick signed my name on his clipboard, and opened the note, to find out they were from Kevin!!! It was surely a surprise and made me cry a little bit, happy tears!! :)   They totally made my day.

I also found out today that the internet on Kevin's ship is down, and may be down for 1 month. Please pray that it gets fixed soon!

In his bunk

His journey so far.....

On the ship.

 sound powered phones = gotta talk LOUD

Fire drill

Picture Update

Maggie & I

Later it turned into a "masquerade" but no one wore their masks,
except us.

Lazy

I know I've been slacking on updates. There's not too much here to update on. I work, go to Bible Study on Tuesdays, go to Church when I have Sundays off, clean, workout, hang out with my cats (that makes me sound like an old cat lady, haha!). It's hard to believe that 1 year ago we were still in Virginia and I was packing up all of our stuff for our move.  Crazy how time flies.....although now it feels like its going by slow since my other half isn't here with me. Anyway, enough of the sappy stuff....... At the moment Buddy is sleeping on the floor next to my chair. Here are some cat pictures for ya:

 Buddy wearing my sunglasses

Buddy being greedy, hoping I'd drop some of my sandwich on the floor for him to eat.

Mei-Ling

Stretch.