What I Don't Do Often Enough

I think anybody who has read my blog knows how much this Granny loves to brag and show-off her grandchildren!  Lucy & Tag are just simply awesome ... and as with most grandparents, I tend to go on & on about them.  And that's a good thing --- 

these generations of grandkids have earned their "grand" in our eyes!

Yet ... 

before Lucy & Tag ... 

before "grands" ... 

before our 2nd anniversary ... 

there's our daughter 

Jacqueline 

Her "Boot Shoot" while 'Joe was in Iraq

I don't often say anything about her, 
but this Mommy is going to brag on her daughter ... 

she became a "war-bride" at the age of 19 

(when she married her best friend on Christmas Eve 2005) ... 

she spent the first year of their marriage without him 

(he deployed to Iraq within a couple of weeks of their wedding) ... 

8 1/2 years from their wedding day

 she gave birth to Lucy while 'Joe was on the road from his duty station about 9 hours away from home 

(he pretty much was gone throughout the pregnancy too) ...

she gave birth to Tag when 'Joe was deployed to Afghanistan 

(just 11 short days before he was wounded in action) ...

Long distance call from Afghanistan just hours after Tag was born

 she lived 5 months at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with a wounded husband, newborn son & 
3 1/2 year old Lucy 

(Lucy stayed with us part-time as well) ...

she founded the non-profit organization The General's Kids as a means to give back to our nation's little warriors as they live at military hospitals with their heroes 

(her own children are the inspiration of TGK) ...

TGK at AUSA in Washington, DC

she advocated for the 2 years following 'Joe's release from WR for his medical treatments that she knew was necessary in his recovery & rehabilitation 

(many times to have doors shut closed on her but she never gave up) ... 
she keeps track of 'Joe's medical appointments, medicine schedules and therapies 

(so she is basically his non-medical assistant) ...

Walter Reed family reunion just a week after 'Joe was WIA.

 she will begin homeschooling Lucy in just a few days for Kindergarten 

(she coordinates Lucy's log-ins, instructional videos & assignments through the online program) ...

she is Tag's best friend and comforter 
(he is very attached to his Mommy) ...

Tag is his Mommy's protector.

 she finds time to call her Grandma & Grandpa no matter how busy her day 

(she shares a special relationship with my parents since she was born) ...

she taught herself to crochet within a few days time

(as much as I wanted to teach her when she was younger, she had actually taught herself to knit during that time) ...

Just a few of her projects as she was "learning" to crochet.

  she quilts 

(has projects lined up for Lucy & Tag's "keepsake" clothing) ...

she paints, she writes 
(unpublished books are waiting in the wings) ...

Both our girls benefit from art therapy.

she cooks, she creates, she sews

she's a photographer, she's a designer

she is the glue that holds her family together

Making a snow day as normal as possible for Lucy just after she received word of the explosion.

But ...

it's not because of all she does that makes me proud of her ...

it's because of who she is ...

she is a God-chaser ...

she lives her life in the center of His will ... 

she allows Him to be her guide throughout anything life brings ...

She is mine & Dan's one and only child ... 

We are so proud of her and thankful that God chose us to be her parents.

We've walked alongside our daughter & her family through many circumstances.  Although we may not know exactly what she goes through in their journey, please say special prayers for her & her family -- as well as all of our military families & our wounded warrior families.  Each member brings a unique sacrifice as they serve our country as a family.  Spouses waiting on phone calls yet dreading "that" call -- but holding their breath to make it to the end of the day without "that" visit to inform them ... 

Children not completely understanding "why" their parent (or both) are away from home -- but these kids teach us about true patriotism to our country.

Little did this young bride know the journey that was ahead.

Our daughter is our hero ...

when God gave her to us --

our family was complete.

So, this Mommy may not brag about her daughter as often as I should but ... 

my daughter is an awesome young lady!

Easter 2014 -- our daughter & her family.