Good Morning!

Leggo lollipops, dress~up, tea parties and building towers...

I LOVE MY JOB!!

It happens every Friday!

A friend sent this to me and I had to share, very neat!

Friday mornings at the Pentagon

Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.

This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year long tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.

Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.

"It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here.

This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.

Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area.

The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.

"A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.

"Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden ... yet.

"Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.

"Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.

"11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.

They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.

"There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.

These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.

"Did you know that?

By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers

She's coming home!

I can't believe it...she's coming home!!

She'll be here in 6 days!!

WHHOO HHHOOO!

She's been in Iraq for almost 6 months now and it seems like it's been forever!

Our family can't wait, the kids are counting down the days till they can tackle their sister with big bear hugs. It's been a rough road for them, we are a close family and it's tough to have one away from home. I never did great when my kiddos left for scout camp or girls camp. I just love them home. (of course, until they start calling each other names and want to pummel each other)

6 days

6 days

CAN'T WAIT!!

Thankful Thursday

Ok, I know I missed Thursday by a few hours...but oh well.

I am so very thankful for the sweet children Heavenly Father has given us to raise.

They bring such joy and teach us so much.

Wordless Wednesday

Funny

Today I posted something that I thought was funny on my Facebook...

Tabatha Webb McLellan needs to go to SHA (Scrapbooking Hoarders Anonymous) anyone wanna go with me? I finally came to that realization when I almost hyperventilated when I saw my daughter wanting to punch a small punch outta a 12 x 12 piece of my Rusty Pickle Paper. Remember admittance is the FIRST step!

OK, I got some cute comments, but then I got a phone call from a concerned friend (who will remain anonymous to protect her cute innocence) she was worried that there really was such a group called SHA!!

Sweet girl...it's a joke, I don't have piles of paper or ribbon high enough to touch the ceiling.

YET!

It's 2010 already!!??!!??

Saying "Happy New Year" is deffinantly in order.

And it was brought in in a wonderful way in the Mclellan household! As you know our oldest daughter is currently deployed in Iraq. She brought the New Year in trudging through a swamp. No fun in that!!

When she got back from her mission, she looked at the clock and had a little time to call us before it was the new year here in Arizona. She quickly did the push ups that were required of her to leave right away and called us at 11:54 pm our time. We put her on speaker and let her wake up Robbie, Savannah, Krissy and Nanners (Jamie was on the computer) and we went outside and made as much noise as we could.

She heard it all!

She brought in the new year with us!! We deffinantly wish she was here physically, but this was the VERY BEST next way! You gave me - us all - a precious gift Yvonne, yourself.

Thank you my Army Princess!

Shooting Star

I saw a shooting star last night!!

How cool is that! I havent seen one in like forever.

Can you guess what my wish was?

I wonder if Yvonne gets to see lots of stars, if where she is, is it dark at night or if they keep the FOB'S pretty lite up.

At least we can see the same stars, maybe she saw a shooting star too!

I love you Yvonne and wish for your safe return home!

Always Remember

Never forget, never stop teaching our children either.
For when we stop remembering and teaching then their memory dies with us. Let us continue to remind our next generations of why our
soldiers are fighting and who we need to thank for letting
us sleep in a free land.
And let us keep each and every soldier and their families in our prayers.
Thank you to each and every single soldier
who has and currently is serving our country!

A Book

One of my Blue Star Mom Friends, Christina, stopped by today
and gave me a small, sweet little book.
It's a small book with some BIG quotes,
quotes that tell it like it is,
both sweet and sour.
One touched me, the core of me,
of a Mom waiting for her child to come home safely
and I wanted to share it.

Thank you Christina, for being so sweet and my friend.
I added my daughters name in it to personalize it.

it's all about the JOURNEY.
we are CREATED by it.
we are made STRONGER by it.
we are DESTROYED by it.
and we are REBORN from it.
for as far as your road goes YVONNE...

I'LL BE HERE WHEN YOU RETURN.

First day of school

Monday was the first day of school, and guess what?
I took NO pictures, not a single one!!!
How sad is that? I'm such a bad Mom!! UUGGHH

Jamie is having fun in his Japanese class! He also wants to join 2 different clubs! Yeah!! My shy baby is coming outta his shell!!
Robbie is enjoying his Honors Science class, he has Jamie's old teacher. not having such a great time being called a "sevie" but it'll pass and then it'll his turn to
call the seventh graders "sevies"
Savannah is having a blast hanging out with her friends. (it can get so boring during summer)
She likes her teacher so far so that's good.
I can't believe how FAST they are growing. First the oldest moves out straight into the ARMY then the next is wanting his permit, then the next is in Jr. high.

Where does the time go?

Blue Star Mom's

I have to say that I absolutely LOVE my Blue Star Mom sisters.
I talked to Yvonne and was a bit distraught about the living conditions
and even though I got lots of comfort from my hubby, I also got lots of kind words and reassurance from my BSM Sisters. (If you know of any Mom's with kids serving during war times, send them my way so I can get them in touch with the BSM's in their area. )Some of their kids are deployed, have been deployed or are on their numerous deployments. So they are are FULL of information. It's was great to know these conditions shouldn't last long.
She is now where she'll be for her tour
(unless plans change)
She is in need of all hygiene products. They have NON, NADA, ZILCH at that FOB (Foreign Operating Base) So if anyone wants to help me send to her and her Battle Buddies, just stop on by. I will be sending boxes out every other week.
We have ALWAYS taught our kids to express some gratitude when they see a Veteran or service member, but from what I've learned since she has been in, is that there are many soldiers that are alone with no family to support them. Some just don't have family and some have been disowned for joining up.
HOW SAD IS THAT?!?!?!?!
We will adopt as many as we can. If you would like to help, letters, cards, food, snacks, hygiene products, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, baked goods etc. If special needs come up, I'll share that too.
Thanks to ALL my friends who love Yvonne and listen to my whining and bragging!
I LOVE YOU ALL!

Thankful Thursday

I got to talk to Yvonne!!

So here's the update...
It was so awesome to hear her sweet voice! All the military Mom's out there can tell you that it is such a high to be able to hear them while they are deployed!
She can't say too much to us, but she's in Kuwait for a couple more days.
They spend about 2 weeks in Kuwait getting acclimated to the climate change, the time change and camel spiders!
(HOLY COW...Google camel spider, you'll say the same!)
And training for the things to come.
She sounds good, bit tired and missing her family.
She is HOT, way hot with all her gear on, sand is in everything!
What I'd do to be able to give her a huge hug and tell her she can do it! To give her that positive encouragement (in person of course) that each and every soldier needs.
When she gets to where she is going and can call or write, I'll post more.

Until then, no...until she comes home,
please, please, please keep my baby in your prayers.

Wordless Wednesday

Thoughtful Tuesday

I couldn't help but pass along this wonderful post from an Army Ranger's Blog, from Folsom, Ca

" How does one say “Thank You” for such an incredible debt owed?

This is a post that I’ve struggled to write many times during my deployment and each time it seems that I’ve failed. At the end I’m always left with the feeling that I didn’t quite describe their hardship, give them their true credit or convey our true gratitude. I’ll try; but am afraid I shall fail them.

I’m talking about the women that stand guard at home, support us, encourage us and reinforce that fighting spirit that sustains us. Our wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, volunteers and so many other wonderful and strong women that I can’t even begin to name.

Not just our team but each and every soldier, marine, sailor or airman that deploys to Afghanistan or Iraq, for that matter any conflict. A huge burden is being carried by those that fight but do not go to combat.

Thank you, for being the ones that deal with the mess once we leave. We’re trained well to fight. But there is no Field Manual that describes how to explain to a young child that their father isn’t going to be home for a long time or in the worst case may never come home. You do it with such grace and poise.

Thank you, for being patient and waiting. Enduring the pain of waiting to hear from us, wondering if the worst has occurred when we’re late calling or emailing, and enduring our complete lack of understanding at your frustration and fear when we are late. “We came back late from patrol," just doesn’t validate that fear. Your patience is epic.

Thank you, for being the ones that hold us fast to reality and help put us back together when we return. You hold us tight and tell us things will be okay when the rockets and gunfire have gone but the war has not left us. Your strength is what protects the warrior.

Thank you, for accomplishing all the things that we fail to acknowledge. Fixing broken sprinklers, taking kids to school, paying bills and the myriad of other things that are required to sustain life at home. You do so much and get so little from us many times.

Thank you for being the volunteer that says “Welcome Home” in the middle of the night, ensuring that no one comes home to silence, and being there when we leave to say “Come Home Safe." You inspire us with your selfless service.

Finally, thank you for being you. For serving in a war you did not volunteer for and keeping us strong, sane and secure. We and the rest of the country owe you a huge debt that can never be repaid. The best we can hope for is to understand your journey, listen and learn from you.

From the bottom of our hearts, Team Vampire and every other serving member says “THANK YOU!"

And to my wife and mother; I could not have done all of this without you. You are the truest warriors I know, pure of heart, strong in determination and unwavering in faith. I have a lot to learn from your examples!

Once again I reach the end of this post and I think I’ve come so very short of expressing our gratitude. This is the 12th time I written this post.



That was worded perfectly!

Family Pictures 09'

Our friend Chalice was so sweet and took our family pictures while Yvonne was home. I just love this next picture of Yvonne and Daddy! Their happiness just shines in their eyes!

This is one of the kids' favorite! She does a really good job of mixing up
casual and fun and posed pictures. You should check out her blog here and see the different
packages and photo's she does.

I will post more pictures here and there, I need to post one's from her send off party.
I do have to say thank you to those who follow and one's who read my blog. It warms my heart to know you care about my family! I Love each and everyone of you!

Wooo-Hoooo!!!

Todays the day I getta hug my Army Princess!!

She comes in in 2 hours and 4 minutes!!!

Count down, what countdown?

OH MY GAAAWWWWSSSSHHHH!!!!

I got a surprise phone call

last night!!!

She's in LA already!!

She got a few more days leave...

and she's not telling me when she's coming here,

she wants to surprise us!

OH MY GAAAWWWWSSSSHHHH!!!!

Count Down

11 more days...

and

counting!!

Remember when

Savannah 3, Robbie 4, Jamie 7 and Yvonne 10
Cousins: Mickie almost 2, Devin 5 and Buck 6

Pure innocence!