Today I am grateful for...

Last evening I got to spend almost an hour on the phone with my Navy Man~ It was wonderul. So I am grateful for my son, telephones, and the fact that his new fiance' was on a plane headed home.

I love my kids, its just that simple. I respect their rights as people and I think this makes for wonderful relationships with each of them.

Martail, who is 18 and just graduated Navy boot camp on Friday got engaged to be married Sunday night. He and Heather have been together for a little over 3 years! I have never had a problem respecting my kids 'sweetie' because ultimately I am the Mom and their 'sweetie' is a potential life partner. It had usually been a trait of mine that is well appreciated.

I must admit, that while I respect the couple, it has been tough to share my child's time on occasion. It's been especially hard with Martail at boot camp. I miss the hell-outta-him! He has been the one constant giggle I can count on everyday and he is also my buddy.

This weekend, I am sure, was hard for Heather cos she had to share him with me, his dad, his sister, and his best friend(who just so happens to be dating his sister...how convenient is that?). He has been gone since December 4 and all of us missed him.

All was well, and we had a great time. Martail has grown into a wonderful person. He is strong and determined yet gentle and loving. He now also has a deep respect for himself and his country. It is amazing~ He is what parents want their kids to be. I told him that I no longer have to be concerned that he will be okay and that I truly apppriciate that gift. He said thats good but that I couldn't stop praying for him! LOL...that'll never happen. He even has a new appreciation for God, Mo, you are gonna love this: He is making a list of the blessings in his life that he is grateful for~~

Any way...he called last night after his fiance' got on her home-bound plane and we talked about everything!

This kid actually made arrangements with a jeweler here in town(where it just so happens that Heather is currently employed and they love my son) to purchase the diamond ring that he knew Heather loved, paid for it, and had her mother pick it up. The exclusive resturant he wanted to take her to was booked, so he took her to the upscale(his word) resturant in the hotel her parents stayed at for the weekend. During dinner he stood up, got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with him. He said the place was packed to the max, and when he got down on his knee, Heather burst into tears, and the table next to them made sure everyone noticed. When she said yes, everyone stood up and clapped! The people at the table next to them also sent them a celebratory dessert:). Martail was amazed that most people came over to the table...the men to shake his hand and the women to 'ooh and aww' at the ring. They also thanked him for joining the military.

The ceremony for his graduation was beautiful. All in all, it was wonderful weekend and the long phone call made it even better.

I am grateful to God for the children He gave me and that He was and is always there. It's been a rocky road, but I have and will continue to cling to this:
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Thank you God for being faithful!