I don't know which is scarier, spiders or the housing market.

So, as we sink back into a "normal" life, things are, as always, hectic.  We are starting to feel a little panic about selling the house.  The market is still in trouble and no one has come through in nearly a month.  It's pretty scary.  On top of that, I came across this story this morning.   Just what you need to worry about after redeployment.  Luckily, I don't think we really have to worry about that.  But, the housing market on the other hand...well, just please pray we sell without any major problems. 

Welcome Home

He's BACK!!!!  Matthew flew into BWI and got a grand welcome from Operation Welcome Home.  (Make sure you check out the slide show, the pictures are great. And the best part?  The validated every one's parking!!!)  Matthew has had an exhausting couple of days back.  He got back to Sea-Tac at 11:01 on Wednesday, 20 August.  We finally got back to the house just after one am.  Jameson was asleep on the couch and was so happy to be woken up by daddy.  We were on the road by 0830 for an appointment for Jameson.  He had a speech evaluation where we were told that though his speech is at the level of a three  year, six month old child, he would not qualify for any services.  Then off for some in-processing for Matthew.  Then off to the overseas clearance office to find out what the "bad news" was with the paperwork.  Evidently, my dentist thinks I am going to have a dental emergency in the next 12 months and Ramstein denied our package.  So, we had to schedule a second opinion dental evaluation with the military dentist.  (Guess what, there is nothing wrong with my oral health; my dentist evidently is a money hungry jerk).  So there was a lot of running around to do.  But, at least it kept him up so he can try to adjust to the time a little quicker.  At the end of the day, Matthew changes his first diaper in a long while.  I heard shrieking and commotion coming from the other room as I made dinner, followed by, "What the...?"  Matthew found a penny in the diaper.   I guess that is his tip.  Even Ian has adjusted to having daddy home.  He initiates play with his daddy and is doing so well.  Everything is looking up.  Now we just need this house to sell....    

The Mountain that was God

I have read many descriptions of heaven, or a place of total utopia. One of my favorites was done by Anne Rice. But, as I was hiking around Mt. Rainier on Thursday, one particular aspect struck me. Mt. Rainier, or Mt Tahoma (The Mountain that was God) has an uncanny way of making your eyes travel heavenward. No matter how beautiful the scenery, the flowers, the emerald greens, the animals, the breath taking beauty, your eyes always travel back to the mountain itself. My guess, if I had to take one, is that is what heaven would be like, emense beauty, but with one central focus: God. The hikers were like pilgrams, marching around, looking at all the scenery, but eyes always returning to the mountain with complete awe on their faces.

Buddha the Truck Driver

Yesterday, I noticed that my small statue of Buddha had a Play Mobile cap on him. So, I called Jameson over and asked if he had put the cap there. He nodded and said, "He looks like a truck driver!" Today, he was giggling to himself and finally I said, "You need to quit laughing, finish eating, and get ready to go." He simply replied, "I can't stop, my laugh is too strong." I hope you all have a day in which your laugh is too strong to stop.

I was able to sit under a perfectly gorgeous canopy of stars and milky way
tonight and saw seven shooting stars. (It must be August). I am
blessed with a second pair of hands to help me and that makes things a lot
easier. Unfortunately, it looks like Matthew might be delayed,
again. He was supposed to be here by now.

I am still having issues with the fact that our move is depending
on a government agency that will determine what is best for my child. I know there are safe guards in place to protect children, however, it just leaves me feeling undervalued and drained with frustration.