This post today is a catch-up post, but an entry once again into my online journal just to look back on and remember what all happened via words and pics....
Most people know the motto Semper Fi from the Marines. "Always Faithful" in Latin. Well some creative person somewhere along the way came up with the term Semper Gumby for the consistent daily walk of a Marine lifestyle.
I think it is one of the best named descriptions of the attitude or mindset a Marine/Military family must have. Be READY to change, bend, flex, turn around, you name it.... It will either drive you CRAZY and INSANE, or it will make you stronger.
You will learn to respond with another Marine term....ADAPT AND OVERCOME.
I have done more flexing and adapting and overcoming in the last couple of months than I can share in one post. But I can say today as I sit here...(((tired))))...that I do feel stronger. And I KNOW that it is because God is my strength and my anchor when the winds start to blow. Hands Down. When I am at my weakest, I have the power source just inside of me to be at my STRONGEST! I can Bank On It. This is motivation. This gives courage. This is really what LIFE is all about. Not the circumstances...but the attitude I face them with.
My husband has this little quote inside his wallet. It is a little piece of wisdom to reach in and pull out and read whenever he needs a "Refresh". I love it. It's a "Life Is What You Make Of It" statement. What Justin said when he entered Boot Camp, and I named my blog, and started this online journalling. One of my favorite speakers/authors, Chuck Swindoll said this:
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
Love It! Embrace This and Live It.
After Four changes of arrival times and days...my Marine finally landed back in the US and on North Carolina soil....Wednesday September 29, 2010.
We survived the tropical storm that hit the coast the exact time that we got there.
20 inches of continuous, flooded roads on Topsail Island, sinkholes, van floating through puddles frighteningly deep. Kudos to my hubby...
We got my Marine home for the weekend.
The van alternator was "injured" and now has to be replaced.
I drove my soulmate to the airport on Sunday morning Oct. 3rd to begin a new job in Iowa City, Iowa. yes...Iowa. ~~(This is what rocked our family in August and September. Kurt has moved out. We are now the trailing family. ***NOW you know why we were so stressed about Justin's arrival times continuing to change and be pushed forward not only for travel accomodations, but also because of Kurt's set start-date at his new job.
I returned home Sun. am to get a rental car to take Justin back to Jacksonville. Had to report for duty at 9am Monday.
I arrived back home at 12:30 am Monday morning with a dead cell phone, no house key and locked out....sigh....
The van sits in the driveway waiting to be repaired. The kids' Toyota corolla sits at an automotive shop awaiting repairs that made themselves known in the last month.
Because Kurt flew to Iowa (15 hours away) he has a rental car and has to find a decent reliable vehicle in the next 2 weeks up there. CAN'T take 30 hours round-trip time off to come home via a car. Any visits either way will have to be air travel.
He has to find a place to live in the next 30 days....when relocation arrangements terminate.
WE have to get our house in "For Sale" condition...
Justin wants us to look for a truck for him here in Charlotte....
And this post is too long, but you see why I said...ATTITUDE...it will make or break you. PRAYER...Don't start the day without it.... COURAGE....it helps you do HARD things....
Will close my little online journal for now...
I will come back here one day to read and realize why I am a strong woman....lol.
Photos to be posted next.
9 comments:
WOW! I don't know where to start! I guess if I am gonna meet you, I best get my hiney in gear:) I know the flexibility expected of Marine families! The Marines like to keep you on your toes and you have to be ready when they are. I knew that the rain was bad up there and I am just happy that you are safe. I don't know what to think about this Iowa deal. I know that they have to work where the work is but I hate to see you move away from where you are!
That being said, I am happy Kurt has a job, I am happy Justin is home safe and I am happy if you are happy:) I left my yellow ribbons up after our Justin came home waiting on your Justin to come home! I thought as I walked up the driveway today that those yellow ribbons are beginning to look a little worn... they did their job!
I am sorry about all of the auto trouble, hopefully you can get stuff fixed without getting ripped off. My husband worked down in Gulfport after Katrina and I know it is difficult to live in two different places. Fortunately God sees you both at the same time!
Blessings and hugs! Prayers for all of you and give me an update on your Mom when you get a chance! Love you my friend!
Dear Julie, though we have never actually
met,I am so sad to hear you are moving away
from N.C. to Iowa. But I do hope you all will
be very happy there and find a good church family.
I am also thrilled that Justin came home,
even though briefly, and that you survived
the storm and all the car troubles. WHEW!
I hope you will continue with your blog as
time allows.
Love & Hugs,
Sandy
I'm praying for you dear one. I empathize with you...we may be doing the very same thing in a few weeks. Next week will tell.
You are a strong woman...and provide us with great encouragement.
((hugs))
Julie, my sweet Marine Sister!!! You have had so much to deal with, Semper Gumby OOHRAH!
Well, I wish I was closer to you so that I could lend a hand or a hug! Good luck to Kurt, he'll do great!
Now as for that Marine, I hope you got lots of love & hugs in...will he be home for his post D leave?
Keep us posted, stay strong & stay Semper Gumby!
Love Ya!!
Thank you, Julie, for sharing so much of your life with us. Your example of living through the struggles with your focus on Him is what encourages our hearts.
Love you and am praying for the many needs of your family at this time...Justin, Kurt, those vehicles, your parents, and all of those things that you are left to deal with in Kurt's absence.
Semper Gumby...I have dealt with that way to many times!!! The Marine Corps is like a roller coaster ride for me! It gets my hopes up and then lets me down real quick!! And it goes like that for the entire time... :(
I am so happy that you got your son home safe and sound! I know that you were so happy to get your hands on him and hug him!!
But know for this moving to Iowa...Wait a minute..I now HAVE to make a quick trip up to meet you before you can just up and leave!! I can't believe you will be having to move 15 hours away...BUT Thank God for Kurt having a job!! And whatever he must do to have the job is just what he has to do!!
My Daddy always told me "What don't kill you will make you stronger!" and I have to agree with him and say that through the past 2 years I have thought I was gonna die but...I am a stronger person today from everything that I have gone through!!!
Enjoy your day and I hope you get the vehicles fixed and lets plan a visit before you move!! Love you and Semper Fi MOM!!! OOH RAH!!
oh Julie I cannot believe all that you have been going through. I know the icing on the cake is that Justin is home safe and sound and now everything else can fall into place. You are a rock. As Marine Moms we get through what we have to then look back and say how did we do that? Somehow it all comes through one way or another. Lots of changes in your life but I know you can deal with this after the last 7 months this will be a snap of the finger. Carry on Sister Marine Mom our thoughts and prayers are with you. nancy
Sister, you DO have
so much on your shoulders....
BUT you also have such
an inspirational attitude.
I always leave your blog
with a smile, a nod of the
head, a prayer on my heart.
Big hugs to you, today and
HOORAY for all of the wonderful
things that are happening
in your life that surely
supersede the pain in the
neck ones...like car repairs,
etc!
xx Suzanne
Oh my, what news! What big changes! Glad to hear that your husband found a new job! I hope that you can quickly make the arrangements for selling the house, and making the move, and that you will all be able to be together again soon. Iowa City is a nice little town (college town) and I hope you will enjoy many happy years there.
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