Gratituesday: 40 years and counting

My parents celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary May 29th.  

 

40 years! Wow,  I just have to absorb that, because God has been so good to us.  Being from such a large family we have learned to adjust to the ebb and flow of life as God molds our choices into blessing after blessing. As a military family, my Mom was the lone ranger many a stretch of time over the years.   I think of the years Randy worked nights and I have to gain a little perspective on how many nights stretched into days, into weeks, into months for my Mom...caring for eight not two children.  How my Dad as the sole provider wasn't away from every morsel of comfort from his wife, family, and home worrying how to feed not four mouths, but ten.  I remember our house in Greenville, Texas.   The four older boys shared one room..spanning Junior High to preschool with a set of bunk beds.  Jackie and I lucky enough to have our own room, even if it also housed the hallway leading from the kitchen to the only full bathroom.  And Mom and Dad trying their best to get some privacy with a crib at the foot of their bed for the twins. I remember our TWO matching brown station wagons that Mom and Dad carted us to school, church, soccer, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts...you get the picture.  We have traveled the United States stopping at one Air Force Base after another, never growing tired of the stares that accompanied our brood going out in public. We have experienced success and failure, each time having at least nine other sets of hands to pray with, wipe tears,  and hold.  I guess I say all that, because although the Anniversary is my parents to celebrate, it's the birth of my family that really makes my heart swell. I am so proud to be a part of this group of misfits I call my family...no other family would do!  

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!  I love you both dearly!

The Original Cates Clan

Ken & Yolanda

Sean, Jason, Jeremie, Jennifer, Jackie, Jacob, Joseph & Jordan

  

Cates Grandbabies

Ken & Yolanda

Leslie, Caleb, Isabella, Andrew, Keegan, William, Carter, Olivia

& one on the way!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is special to me, not only as an American, but also as a daughter.  My Daddy, started his service by joining the Air Force in 1966 and while he retired after more than 20 years of service he continued to work with military minded companies until he retired earlier this year.  From the moment my Father could serve his country he did.  He is patriotism in the flesh. The flag is more than freedom to me, it was a way of life.  I along with several of my eight siblings were born on military bases, in military hospitals, with the help of military doctors.  Some of our first and oldest friendships began as our Mother took the reins as my Dad 'traveled for work', and befriended other military families.  I have yet to be able to sing the National Anthem without tearing up and even sometimes bawling.  

Retired SMSgT Kenneth Cates

"All the great things are simple and many can be expressed in a single word: 

freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope."

Winston Churchill

My Soldier, My Daddy

You chose a road less followed by others; 

sacrificed yourself to protect your brothers.

Gave all you had and trusted the Father, 

Traveled, moved, and fought...to you it didn't matter.

To you it was your path, your destiny, your call;

To insure freedom was secure and liberty would not fall.

My Daddy, My Hero

Jenni Carlisle, Memorial Day 2007

Memorial Day is also a special day as a sister-in-law to an active military serviceman.  My brother-in-law, Corey Carlisle is currently at home, but has served his country in three tours for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Corey Carlisle

Corey and his wife Laryn gave us a priceless gift this Christmas, a flag flown in Iraq while he was on one of his tours with a thank you plaque for supporting the troops.

  

It reads:

To Randall and Jennifer Carlisle

This American flag was flown over the Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq 

during Operation Iraqi Freedom on July 4, 2009.  On behalf of the 

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines we thank you for your continued support.

Please, please, please pray for our active military men and women, as well as, their families.  Thank a soldier when you see them in public. And please remember Freedom isn't free.

CSN Review

So one of the things I have been trying to do in the last several years is save money.  I know, I know so is everybody and their dog.  But really intentionally trying to save money.  It is not, let me repeat NOT easy for me.  I am not what I would consider a high maintenance gal, but I love to shop.  I especially love to bargain shop.  In these last two years of being home I have to practically put into practice the art of saving a buck.  I have nearly mastered the art of grocery shopping, but I'm starting to branch out.  Online shopping has become a bit of a treasure hunt.  Whether I'm on the hunt for TV stands or a Salad Spinner, CSN seems to be the spot for great deals and variety.  I, like most Mommas are busy.  I love the opportunity to shop in the comfort of my own home in jammies.  Why not, be able to do it all in one place too? CSN is one such opportunity to shop from 200 online stores in ONE website.  Definitely is a time saver too.

So, I'm off to shop in the comfort of my jammies and find something I really want, umm need for the Carlisle Casa!  Ciao!

*Full Disclosure: CSN Stores contacted me with this promotional opportunity. I am being compensated for my review concerning my personal experience with CSN Stores.