Happy 4th

Also:

USS Arizona

I knew, as soon as took the photo, that this would be the one for today's Project 365. We visited the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. What a wonderful and somber experience.

I, of course, know about the tragedy that happened at Pearl Harbor that infamous Sunday in December...but Friday gave me such a detailed history lesson. We started off our day with a drive around Hickam AFB...looking at planes and old buildings. Bullet holes from Japenese attack planes are still visible on the sides of buildings, left there to remember...  

The Air Force Missing Man Formation at the water in the Navy Channel was a place for reflection and remembrance of the fallen and the brave. And we got a surprise viewing of one of our Navy's Aircraft Carriers launching out to sea.  My dad was like a kid in a candy store...he loves the history stuff. 

Then we drove through to Pearl Harbor and checked out the dry docks...I've got to say, those  are some of my favorite things on the Military Bases here... watching 4th of July fireworks pop off above those ships is breath-taking...makes me proud. At the Arizona Memorial Station...We were able to view an educational film about the December 7th attacks and then catch a U.S. Navy boat over to the Memorial. At Ford Island, we got to stand and watch the waves crash around the capsized USS Utah, where its sailors rest, entombed forever. I learned so much about the attacks on our Military in Hawaii....about the war... it was emotional, it was heartbreaking. 

I have such great respect and gratitude for the men and women that have served our country in (and out) of times of battle and war...and for those that serve today. I thank them. I support them. I am proud to stand with them...Proud to be an American. 

Today's photo is of the flag that flies proud on USS Arizona Memorial. It represents freedom and sacrifice. It represents unity and strength. And it represents a nation that came together in the face of tragedy and, despite its loss, stood up strong to face its aggressors. 

"No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory."

"With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph -- so help us God."

-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt 

Home in HI

These past couple of months seem like such whirlwind to me now, as I knew they would. Since that last moment, we've been re-united, had 6 Christmases, a New Year, a wedding, a funeral, 2 engagements, a major surgery, a move overseas...

Now as I type, very sleepily I might add, from within my new home at our new base-I am again grateful and blessed. God does come through for us, every time, regardless of form. This time we get to live in a breath-takingly beautiful place and we have a nice ((new)) roof over our heads. I'm so happy with the house that we ended up in. It feels right. It feels comfortable. We've only been living in this place for a week now, but I can already sit here in the living room and look over at the kitchen and feel like I've done that a thousand times before.

I guess that's part of being a nomadic family. The instant "home" you feel through your new front door. Granted, that has not always been the case. At our last base, we felt comfortable enough but that house was not really and truly home. Time will tell if this new one will be. I feel as though it maybe already is.

The girls have already made a ton of friends, as they always do. Luckies. It's so much easier for kids...kids all over the place at school and in the neighborhood. They have the ability to just walk up to a kid and say, "hey, want to play/be friends?" And then viola! BFF's.

Can you imagine the crazy lady that knocks on people's doors saying, "hi, I'm new here. Want to be my friend?"

No. It's tougher for us. Military Wives as a whole have a ton in common, and it's natural for us find each other and eventually become friends... but the waiting for those moments to come stinks.

We got lucky this time, and the 2 bases before this-come to think of it...that we had some friends already stationed here ahead of us.
See, another testament as to how God is taking care of us. ((THANK YOU LORD!))

OH! So get this. Hawaiian guys that were delivering our HHG's were telling us all sorts of goodies about Hawaii. A few hours into our Stuff-Delivery-Day, a big fat giant moth lands on our screen door. I commented on it's giantness and Hawaiian dude tells me that those moths are special. Hawaiian people believe they represent ohana,family, spirits and are good signs. They never kill them.
Hours later, after Hawaiian dude is gone, My Love and I are in the garage and see another giant moth just chillin' on a box.
I guess that must mean we are home... and welcome. E Komo Mai!

Trust in Him & the House will come

I find myself becoming anxious to get our moving process just OVER with. I worry about where our home will be...what kind of house it will be... will we get the nice, big, newish home that was soooo long to live in, after many years of very old and falling to pieces military housing? I can't stop thinking about how I'll arrange my furniture in the house that I don't have and what sort of decor I'm going to have to buy/make/create to complete the rooms that I can't yet see.
I'm nesting in a big way right now. I love home stores and decorating & remodeling shows. I've bought a few big items recently while on my long stay with family before we move.

I HAVE TO STOP!!

The Worry. The Stress. The Purchasing.

I have to let God take care of it. Because he always does. He always puts us in adequate housing. He always pushes things to work out, regardless of the obstacles that float into our paths. If I let him, he will take the reins.

I'll just fill out my paperwork. God can do the rest.

Time to go again.

One of the best things about being a military family is the moving. You get to see and do things in different states and countries and exotic places that you'd have never dreamed possible. In my world now, it's pretty common, but for the regular "civilian"...who really gets to live in Germany! Or Hawaii! Or South America! Mr. Military makes that possible.
Having found out a couple of weeks ago where our next assignment is, I'm super pumped to make this next move. While it's not anywhere exotic, it's somewhere I've never been. Curiosity has got me.
We have to start over with friends and jobs and schools and LIFE...but you get used to that. And you learn the value of people. Friendships come quicker. And go the same. But there are bonds formed.

I really can't wait.

Happy 4th!!

Just thought I'd post up some great pics I found around the net to keep with the spirit of the day. Military Bases all over the world celebrate big each 4th of July. We've been to so many flight line festivals and carnivals. There's always food and beer and music and people who bleed the same red, white and blue that you do. There's always a sense of pride at these military 4th of July celebrations that you don't witness anywhere else. It makes me proud to be part of this family.


And of course... the Patriotic Pink House. I can't believe I found this!