Disappointed doesn't even come close...

Before you read this please understand that I haven't been ready to talk about this till now...

I spoke to Jacob for the first time on June 11th. I was thrilled to hear the enthusiasim in his voice as he told me about being chosen as one of the Element Leaders for his flight. He has approximetly 20 airmen under his leadership. Jacob's leadership skills are being tested and so far, his unit is succeeding bybreaking KP (kitchen patrol) records all while being pushed to their absolute limit! On top of this, he has 2 women TI's (training instructors) and has been told that they are the hardest TI's at Lackland AFB. He is scheduled to graduate on July 16th and 17th however being the Element Leader could have it's drawbacks, if an airman in Jacob's unit does not graduate, he will not graduate!

Now here is the big news...Jacob and Crystal went to the courthouse on April 3rd and got married! And no, I didn't know anything about this until that long awaited for phone call from my son on June 11th, 2.5 months after this blessed event.
Upset? No! Disappointed? YES Very much so!

I went online and discovered that her mother was the witness to the blessed event...
Disappointed?Doesn't even come close! Upset? Oh no...madder than H_ll...

So I offer this advice to you...

give your children all the love they deserve,

respect their desicions/wishes,

teach them respect for others,

teach them respect for self,

give them faith in tomorrow,

and love them unconditionally!

most importantly...

know that even when you have given them all of this,

they will still break your heart!

For 2.5 months I have been decieved and it is the most awful feeling to know that as a parent there are some things that you can't fix for your children... I hope this isn't one of those "I told you so" times!

The hardest part of this is knowing that I missed out on my first borns marriage...even if it was a courthouse, with no family members present to witness and bless their future. All that is gone, in the blink of an eye...no memories captured, no fabulous story to share with your children.

They are planning on a ceremony in October...and I guess that is still the case but who knows, maybe that is a lie too!

And to answer the question on everybody's mind....I don't know if she is pregnant...I haven't asked!

Thoughts

When I was a child... I looked for faces, animals and freedom in the clouds

I can't imagine my life without... my boys, all 4 of them (Russ, Jacob, Wesley and Pickles)

If I could be anywhere, I'd be... right here where I am...life is good, even on those days when it's not so good!

My least favorite chore is... raking leaves or cutting vegetables.

If I could be on any TV game or reality show, it would be...any one of the dancing shows

If a mystery package arrived on my doorstep, I'd hope it would be... scrapbook supplies.

My guilty pleasure is... macaroni and cheese

I thought I would never...own a scrapbook store

If a genie granted me three wishes, I’d wish for... painfree days for all, wisdom and inspiration

You would never guess it, but I...have a strong faith that God will guide SHE Scrapbooks.

My thoughts for the day...

I am excited about the opportunity to bring She Scrapbooks to The Villages but I am more excited about the opportunities that SHE will bring to those that work and play here. I am fortunate to have many talented girl friends and I see SHE as a way to allow them to inspire me while inspiring others.

My week has been a roller coaster...the details aren't important but how they have affected me and how I have dealt with them has been enlighting. In some cases...I didn't think I had it in me to remain calm, keep a level head and not burn any bridges! And then I have to stop and wonder, if you don't let another person know how their descisions affect you, are you really serving yourself and others,for the good??? Will this person continue to treat people as you were treated? Or is this where having faith comes in?

I'm turning this one over...Faith don't fail me now!

To you girls that continue to inspire me...thank you and keep it coming!

Love ya, Steph

This is what I needed to begin my week!