Indy's Air Force Retirment

We had an amazing turn out for Indy's Retirement...family came from Washington, Indiana, and Arkansas...we had friends fly in from DC, Florida, and come down from Denver... and of course, the amazing turn out of neighbors, co-workers, and cadets.  We truly felt loved and supported during the entire time!

We had been so busy up until the week before the event, with moving out of the house, that quite literally, as the movers were packing up our stuff, I sat down and started making my list of 'things to do'.  The first thing I wanted was a 'big surprise' for Indy.  He loves surprises...me, not so much...now, don't get me wrong, I do love to be surprised; but, not if I know it's coming, then the curiosity just eats me up and I ask questions incessantly to figure out what is going on...Christmas and Birthday can be so difficult!

Anyway, a surprise...hmmm, he is the romantic of the two of us, he is rather mushy at times...what would be good, he didn't need 'anything' per se.  SO, something that is momentous, romantic, and he wouldn't expect....well, since we're going through so much change and transition, why not reaffirm that we're together in all this...that like many friends, and Indy, have reminded me, we are not each other's 'enemy' (at times, people can get so frustrated that they take out their frustration on those that should be the closest to you...we know they'll forgive us...but we shouldn't do it, yet we do...human nature I suppose...or maybe you've never experienced this phenomenon that I'm speaking of  ;)???)

I called our Associate Pastor, that was handling the Invocation for the ceremony, and ran the idea of a "Renewal of Wedding Vows" past him.  He said it was a go and so we proceeded to search the internet for sample wedding vows....I found a few I liked, made some changes and personalized things a bit...and there you go, a Vow Renewal Ceremony!  I got involved in the script changes and made sure I knew where it should go.  Such fun to have a surprise up your sleeve!

From the kids, I knew he would want something that had meaning; but, would also be humorous.  We took a trip to the Harley Davidson Store.  He got a coffee mug, a Harley history book (autographed), a ball cap, AND a miniature model of the Springer Soft Tail that he has always wanted...ahhh, I think he really enjoyed that part!

The ceremony went so well!  Lots of involvement from his office and the cadets.  He was certainly surprised by mine and the kids' gifts.  He gave me two bunches of flowers (in honor of the fact that he had forgotten to get me flowers at his Major promotion ceremony.)  We had a neat poem about "Passing the Watch" read by Yvette and involving Cadet Jack, a student of Indy's.  What a neat time!

That afternoon we met about 60 people at the "Elephant Bar" to enjoy some dinner and socialization ;)....it was so much fun to walk around and mingle with people that we'd known for years, neighbors, family, and even some newer friends.  Finally, we finished off the celebration with a time of playing pool and enjoying some good drinks at "The Phantom Canyon Brewery" downtown.  We had some great talks, and yet felt like it was a kin to a wedding in so many ways.  Lots of people showed up, we made a huge effort to give everyone time and yet at the end you feel like you must have missed some of them and you wish you had another day to sit and chat with them!  Just know that we love you all, thanks for the tears, the old stories, the cards, the gifts, the hugs, the well wishes as we are on our way, etc., etc.  You really made that time a wonderful memory for us.  What an amazing way to celebrate 20 years of service to our country and the move into service to our Lord!  We love you and thanks again!!!

Oh, and if you by any chance have pictures from the event...please, do pass them along.  I don't have any of the gift presentations because I was up front ;)....would love to have a few of those to scrapbook in the future!!!

One of the cakes I had ordered for Indy's ceremony

The second cake!

Old friends, Col John Plating and Indy - accepting his Meritorious Service Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster

Picture taken by Sissi, of Jon and Miriam (Indy's brother and Mom)

So glad that Jon could make it from Indiana

My Dad at the ceremony

Bernadette, or Mrs. J, as she has been so affectionately known for years!

Indy talking to the crowd

Yvette reading the poem

Indy "passing the watch" to Cadet Jack

What a week!

Hard to believe that this time, a week ago, we were still on the road, having just left Arkansas!  There have been so many adventures, reunions, new friends to meet.  Whew!  What a week!!!!

We went over last Saturday AM to Becky's house to we could spend some more time with her, her family, and our little nephew, Roman.  What a sweet boy, we will miss him so much while we're gone.

Roman and I at Becky's house

Roman and the kiddos had so much fun playing.  You forget how much they like baby toys, those haven't been out for awhile in our house ;)!

A bit blurry; but, I LOVE Roman's face!

Sissi, playing with baby toys

Grandma, Roman, and Krypto all cuddling and watching the tv

Well, we got to Winston Salem, NC last Sunday night.  We were EXHAUSTED.  I quickly got overwhelmed on Monday and Tuesday with all the phone calls and things we needed to take care of.  I was especially frustrated that JPSO couldn't deliver our household goods this week like they had said they would.  Well, it took me just a few hours (and a grumpiness meltdown...yes, I do use the made up word "grumpiness" on a regular basis) to realize it was a gift from the Lord, I needed some down time. 

I got through a bunch of banking, housing, roofing, storage facility, etc. phone calls.  Ran a bunch of errands and got things lined up for next week.  I also was more open to the idea of meeting up with some local Tapestry of Grace (TOG) Loose Threads (TLT Yahoo Group) ladies and going to my first ever homeschool convention.  I had NO IDEA what I had been missing all these years.  I'm telling you now, if you haven't been to one (and are a homeschooler of course ;)), GO!  They are amazing...at least NCHE's is!!!  Next time, I'm doing full conference, instead of just the Book/Vendor Fair and the free sessions.

We also made it over to Oak Ridge and met up with the President of Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA.)  Indy has been in email/phone contact with him for over a year about the possibility (long term) of him teaching there long term.  He was so kind, wanted to meet all of us (I had waited outside with the kids before he called us all in to his office and gave the kids jelly beans), walked us around campus, and told us all the history of the school.  That place has been around longer than several states that we have lived in have been around...super neat!!!  You never know, one day, maybe....  We're trying to be open to how long the Lord wants us in Tanzania.  I am really torn somedays and just don't know how long His will, will keep us there...please pray with us about that.  We want to make the right decision in about a year in a half when we have to tell HOPAC if we're returning after the 2 years are up!

While in Oak Ridge, I made a call to Siobhan (she's Irish, and THANK YOU to Marsha and Sharon that helped me to pronounce her name correctly...it's phonetically pronounced "Shi-von".)  She was most gracious, gave us even more history of the local area and the economy.  Told us about the local, very active homeschool community, 4-H, homeschool camps, churches...so MANY opportunities here!

A picture that Sissi took of "her boys" while we had an amazing lunch at "Elizabeth's", courtesy of Siobhan...Thank you Lady!

Another shot by Sissi.  What a wonderful day we had!

We went home that night, and on Friday...I just couldn't resist...I had to go back and get some pictures with the ladies and walk around the amazing Book Fair again.  Oh, and this time, the whole family came.  Did I tell you that I LOVED the NCHE (North Carolinians for Home Education) Conference???

 Picture of me, Sharon R., and Jennifer McQ.

This is when I misplaced my camera.  It got left "by" my purse, not in it...and when I walked away from these pictures, it didn't walk away with me...but stayed, all lonely and abandoned on the floor, in the hallway, of the Benton Convention Center.

Sissi is always the life of the party.  She has never met a stranger.

She told them all to make funny faces ;)!  Indy said this is good for some black mail money down the road.

Later on, Siobhan showed up.  Another great shot of my ladies...

Finally, today was the big family BBQ.  Indy and I started off the day by going BACK to the Convention to get my camera...it was the 3rd place we checked.  Thank the Lord!  I was literally giddy with my joy over the recovery!

The girls, watching a movie in Nana and Papa Chuck's room.

Aunt Vana, Chana, and Maggie working on the food

Ahhh, sweet Cowboy!

Downstairs, dinner out of the sun and heat.  Gotta love the AC ;)!!!

L-R, Aunt Lisa, Sissi with Elisabeth (E.B.), and Carla

What a dinner party, did we really have 25 people here!??

 So glad we could see Mama Dot again too, it's been a few years!

Aunt Lisa got Uncle Chuck a new grill for his birthday, Father's Day, Christmas...don't say I don't love you, gift!  He was wiped out though after cooking.  Funny, I thought that thing did "everything but wash the car...."

Big man Krypto and his Daddy, Indy on the screened in porch.  Love that addition to the house!  Reminds me of my Grandma and Grandpa's house in Marcus, IA...ahhh, the flashbacks to childhood.  

Our favorite summer hangout!

A few Sissi shots to share...Aunt Lisa is Sissi's new best friend...or was that E.B., or Uncle .... oh yeah, everyone is Sissi's best friend ;)!

Chuck and Carolina

Sweet Carolina, she's Sissi's new sister...hmmm, does she really want our family to grow?

This face is classic...love it!

More shoe shots!

Self portrait

Oh man, really...too funny!

Charlie and Bannon, if you can see in his hand

 his origami flowers that he made for Mama Dot...what a sweet boy with a big heart!

Uncle Chuck, you are so big!

Why is Mommy crooked?

Like my feet?

View from the deck of all the kids (and E.B.) playing in the yard.  

Cowboy is just sitting in the center, taking it all in.

Mama Dot and Maggie

Maggie and Aunt Vana

The ladies looking at pictures of Brian's furlough from his deployment.

What an amazing week it's been!

What does the next week hold?

-Saying goodbye to Chuck, Maggie, and the girls...

-Saying goodbye to Chana and the kids

-Saying goodbye (for now) to Aunt Vana and Uncle Chuck

-Accepting our household goods on Tuesday and PRAYING they all fit in storage

-Going to meet the Classics Dept. Head at UNC Chapel Hill on Wednesday about Indy joining their PhD program in the future...who knows when???
-Lunch with Sharon

-An overnight with Chana and the kids at Seymour Johnson

-All the base activities on Thursday...legal, MPF, Tricare, new IDs....ahhhh

-Praying we get a contract on the house soon!

-Etc, etc, etc....

A few "going aways"

This post (and Indy's Retirement) are hard posts to write.  It is bringing back a flood of memories, feelings, and thoughts that I didn't want to resurface...like, "what in the world are we doing" (insert sheepish grin here.)  I'll be honest with you, I'm not a good liar anyway, I think we all have doubts after we make a big, life-changing, decision...did we do the right thing, can God still bless us if we made the wrong decision.  I've had these thoughts over and over as I've dealt with my children's melt downs about leaving our home and their friends, my own melt downs (not proud of these, to be sure), my endless list of things to take care of, selling vs. renting our house...I honestly feel like I'm in a vacuum in time and it will never end.

BUT, enter the warm kitchen, with a lovingly cooked meal, good friends, comfy couches, lots of laughter, a few tears, children racing through the house with shrieks of joy, and I get all sentimental.  I know we are loved, beyond measure, by so many friends and family.  I feel like I'm cherished and held tight in a big hug.  I know we have an enormous group of people praying for us...I know that the Lord is on our side!  Every time I even venture to THINK about us not going to Africa, about just quietly backing out and staying here, where it's warm and comfortable, I just know that it isn't right.  I will miss all of this SO much, more than I can verbalize, more than I can write, or explain or blog about.  I love so many of you with all my heart.

So, before I begin to cry...  A few photos from over the past two weeks.  Honestly, there are a ton more; but, I don't have many of the pictures, others took them (hint, hint, you all need to send me a few pictures ;))

A Girls' Movie Night with some of the greatest ladies ever (a few were away and couldn't make it)...

Kate, Alison, me, Katie, Miranda, Rachel and Hosanna

Our last story time at the East Branch library with Jennifer Rodman as the story teller.  She is so great with the kids (all the story tellers are); but, she was also the wife of one of my husband's co-workers.

Our last Tapestry of Grace Co-op meeting...a bittersweet time.  We'll miss you all and yet I'm looking forward to our new group growing in Tanzania.  Laura, I'm on my way ;)!

Dinner with some of our best church friends.  Renee, you always put out an amazing meal, we love you and Dan so much for ALL that you've done for us over the years.  There is never enough time to hang out though...  Hope to learn that lesson this time.....Spend the time that you have with friends and family, don't get so caught up in being busy that you don't forge those relationships.  Thanks Lisa K. for that reminder.

Some great ladies here; Kate, Loni, me, Pat and Renee

The gentlemen; Dan, Indy, Robert, and Norm

The kids; Samuel, Adam, Gwangi, Krypto, Sissi, and Zachery

A final breakfast with our dear friend Bernadette at the "Egg and I"...we'll miss you and expect you to visit us, start working on that passport and the travel plans, you hear?