88 Days and a Wakeup

So the adventure begins....

Yesterday at precisely 1:45 p.m., David left for an overnight stay at the Holiday Inn near the Des Moines airport. I'm not sure why they insist on having all recruits stay overnight; I guess it's to prevent any going away parties that would impair the young men from getting up at the ungodly hour of 4 a.m. We were allowed to take David out for dinner, so we enjoyed a leisurely dinner at Bennigan's and actually took him back home for a couple of hours of visiting before he had to be back, lights out by 10 p.m.

This morning an unexpected snowfall made for a slow drive to the MEPS at Camp Dodge, where I spent most of the morning waiting, and waiting some more. I was able to see David for brief moments between the various tasks he was required to do in order to finalize his enlistment process.


















For the second time, David took the U.S. Military Oath of Enlistment. As the officer stated in this video, "This is the big one!"

Families were allowed a very brief time with their newly enlisted recruits, after which the boys had lunch together. David made small talk with five other marine recruits who would travel together to San Diego. The boys were then taken into a room where they were briefed about their travel, and given papers that they needed to carry along.

Finally, they filed out, grabbed their coats and the few belongs they were allowed, and loaded the van to the airport. But before he got on the van he turned, hugged me, and said, "I love you, Mom." Then then next thing I knew, they were driving away.

88 days until I see him again.

Semper Fi!

Yesterday David took a huge first step on his journey into adulthood. He took the enlistment oath to join the United States Marine Corps. As he has done a half dozen times before, he left from home around 3 p.m. Sunday, spent the night at a local hotel, woke up at 4 a.m., and arrived at the Camp Dodge MEPS (Military Enlistment Processing Station) before 7 a.m. During previous visits, he had completed aptitude exams, physical exams, or simply spent time with other recruits. This time, however, he spent several hours talking about his goals with enlistment officers in order to make sure this was really what he wanted to do. Then, at around 1 p.m., seven young men were led in reciting the following:

I, David Miedema, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegience to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

I felt a bit like I do whenever I see a young couple recite their wedding vows...hopeful, emotional, and just a bit sorry for the poor young folks who have no clue what they are getting into. These seven boys were so young; kids really.  But their eyes revealed their excitement about becoming soldiers.

David is in a delayed enlistment program, which means he won't actually enter until next March. Meanwhile, he will participate in local exercises with his recruiter and other recruits in order to prepare for the rigors of boot camp. Until March, life won't change much. He will continue to work part time, play X-Box, and hang out with friends. But come next March this young man will get on a fast track to manhood! Let's pray that we bring our guys home from Afganistan before then.

Cacophony

ca·coph·o·ny   /kəˈkäfənē/ 
Noun: A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds; dissonance: a cacophony of hoots, cackles, and wails.

This word makes me smile just to say it. It's not a word I use every day, but it's a word that employs just the right mixture of fricatives (consonants that use F or S sounds) and plosives (consonants that produce explosive sounds, such as T, P, and in this case, K) to make it an accurate emotive description of the past 5 days. Fricatives and plosives comprise most words we label as "cuss words" because they release emotional energy. That's why words like marshmallow and watermelon just don't cut it as swear words. But I digress...

Labor Day weekend is one of two times each year that Al gathers with a motley gang of family and friends for fun, fellowship and, of course, poker. In a matter of minutes the decibel level at the Miedema house rises to near deafening levels as stories are told, retold, and embellished. From what I can observe, listening skills are suspended for the weekend. The goal is to be heard...to tell the story. Fish Stories abound, along with plenty of laughter and the occasional chastizement over an inaccuracy in story-telling ("that's not the way it went down!), a misunderstood word or a misplayed card hand. Normal schedules are tossed aside as the poker game goes on through the entire night. Anyone who quits before 4 a.m. is labeled a pansy-assed weakling.

This year was noteworthy as we celebrated the 80th birthday of Al's aunt, Marilyn. 80 years old, and this lady is as tough as ever. She can play cards with the best of them. And even though her hearing isn't what it once was, that didn't stop her from chiming in on all of the story-telling! Marilyn is very special to us, and we were thrilled she was able to celebrate in such grand style!

A birthday cake that celebrates Marilyn's love for poker and casino games!

The whole family: Kathy, Mary, Marilyn, Bobby and Danny

What a beautiful smile at any age!

Let's be clear...Marilyn is NOT a Vickings fan!

And here are the guys...Bill, Bob, Al, Dan, and Steve.

No gathering of men is complete without a substantial helping of COW! These steaks were obscene!

'Round the poker table, somewhere around midnight. Three generations enjoying an age-old game with lots of modern twists! How about a game of Up and Down the River, Viroqua, or Oh, S**t? Whatever happened to good 'ole 5 Card Stud?

Darrin and McKenna's Wedding Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Here is a compilation of photos of Darrin and McKenna's engagement and wedding. If anyone is interested in having one of your own, you can order it through Shutterfly.com. Mine was right at $100 with a 20% off sale and free shipping. You can watch for sales. Shutterfly has them throughout the year - sometimes as much as 30% off. Enjoy.

1+1= This!

I've spent the past week recovering, and still have a way to go. There is no single word to describe the feelings associated with seeing your offspring get married, so here is the list of those emotions that have dominated my psyche for the past month:

Exhilirating

Overwhelming

Frustrating

Panic

Joy

Tearful

Protective

Jealous

Hopeful

Comtemplative

Frenzied

Humble

Proud

and most of all...

Exhausting.

It's been a roller coaster ride. Throughout the month prior to the wedding, it seemed that there was never enough time or energy or manpower or money. I found myself wanting to do everything just a little better; a bit more lavish; a touch more personal or intimate. I was not quite satisfied. But at the end of the day everything was nearly perfect. Oh, the weather could have cooperated a bit more, and Brent could have squeezed out a smile or two, and the circuit breaker could have handled the load of three roasters, and I could have lost 10 more pounds. But the deed is done and the newlyweds got off on their honeymoon. Now all that's left is the Happily Ever After...and we all know how that goes.

Here are a few highlights:

An email that made my day...

I receive hundreds of emails every day. No exaggeration. Email is a wonderful way to make communication more efficient, and at the same time email can be a curse beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Most emails I receive require me to respond in some way. Some I can immediately delete. Some I need to save for future reference. But almost none of the emails I receive cheer me up, make me laugh, or improve the quality of my day. This one was an exception.

A little background: Tuesday was Darrin's 26th birthday, and he had been sick for several days. He still wasn't feeling great, but being the good sport he is he agreed to go with McKenna to a belated birthday celebration for her father. I think the email will explain the rest.

From: Miedema, Darrin [mailto:Miedema.Darrin@principal.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 9:30 AM
To: 'McKennaSprague@wellsfargo.com'; Altmaier, Greg; 'Justin Meyer'; 'Allison Meyer'; Miedema, Felicia A; 'ALLEN L FELICIA MIEDEMA'
Subject: Best Birthday Ever...

Okay, so I just need to tell you guys how awesome and special yesterday was to
me. I still can't believe it. I've never really been super into birthdays...so I wasn't really expecting anything. But you guys absolutely blew me away!

Thanks Mom and Dad for working with McKenna to surprise me with dinner...and for the sweet clothes from Von Maur!

Thanks Justin and Allison for letting us have a million people at your house, and for TOTALLY selling me on thinking we were just stopping by for coffee, and for the SWEET camera! Incredible present, and very timely. (Way to pay attention Justin! I didn't even know I wanted a camera...but then you got me one, and I'm like, "whoa, yeah I totally want a camera!") And thanks Allison for suggesting the restaraunt...very classy. :)

Thanks G-Unit for basically straight up punking me...HARD. You were the key element in making me believe that there were no further surprise shenanigans after dinner...so what I'm saying is, thanks for lying to my face multiple times throughout the day. Also, thanks for the two best birthday cakes I've ever had...I don't even know which one I liked more....the fighting jungle animals were awesome...but I also love the Pack...can't even decide. And thanks for taking that beautiful portrait of Schreiner, I will forever treasure that. (probably gonna tag you on facebook in it)

McKenna....where to start... Thanks for putting all of this craziness together. Thanks for creating an elaborate enough scheme to actually surprise me! Wow...complex. Thanks for gathering so many people that I love and care about...that was so exciting and encouraging. Thanks for the amazing gifts. Most of all...thank you for loving me! Thank you for being patient and kind and thoughtful and considerate...thank you for being in my life! I love you! :)

I love all you guys so much!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!! :)

Darrin Miedema
Defined Benefit Specialist - DRS08

Some days actually make you feel good about being a mom - this was definitely one of them. Thank you, Darrin, for loving us.

Family Reunion

I've been a bit delinquent at the whole blog thing of late. Summer seems to be flying by like a ridiculously aerodynamic rocket. The annual Schmitt Family Reunion took place back on July 18. Everyone was able to attend, and the weather cooperated beautifully. One thing I noticed is that everyone seems to be taking health just a bit more seriously, as evidenced by the menu: grilled chicken, grilled corn-on-the-cob, watermelon, and grilled summer squash/pepper medly. That's a good thing, because every one of us (except perhaps Sheila) could stand to lose a pound or two. Of course, it wouldn't have been a picnic without Mom's potato salad, which Dad and I collaborated on.

The after dinner wiffle ball game was another story. Sheila couldn't make it to first base without pulling her hamstring, and Dan couldn't make it to first base without tripping over his feet and cracking his head open. Sharon simply couldn't hit the ball. The kids were disgusted with us old folks, and eventually everyone lost interest. Oh well, we ministered to our wounds poolside over a few cold beverages later that evening while the kids had fun in the pool.

Here are a few photos. Enjoy.

Emma is quite possibly the cutest little niece on earth. Oh, wait...I think I said that about each of my nieces when they were between birth and about 18 months old. Then they turn into toddlers, and we parents know that they lose a bit of their cuteness around their second birthday. Unfortunately, it never returns. But for now, I'll pinch cheeks every chance I get.

The guys did all the cooking. Actually one guy. You can see him holding the grill tongs. Behind his back, I think. Oh, well, someone did some cooking.

My family, minus the parents. It took 57 photos to get one this good, and then I had to photoshop Darrin's head in anyway. Which reinforces the point I made above in my comments about Emma's cuteness.

The Clouds - before Dan's head injury.

More bars? Is this a cell phone add? Nope. I'm not sure where Abby was for this one, but otherwise this is all of the girl cousins, stacked in order of shoe size.

The Blancos.

Jason, Jo and girls.

My siblings and Dad. I pulled out the last photo of us taken in 2006 as a comparison. The aging process seems to be accelerating, but of course I'm speaking only for myself!

Wyatt and Luke with Papa.

Another Wedding!

This is Al's nephew, Kyle Miedema, and his new bride, Abby. They were married last Saturday in West Salem, Wisconsin. I was working at St. Francis Hospital in LaCrosse, Wisconsin the night Kyle was born. I remember his father, Ray, hunting me down to tell me his little boy had been born. He was so proud he was about to burst! I was privileged to be one of the first to see Kyle's wild head of blond hair.

I think it is the 5th wedding we've attended this year. Children of friends and friends of our children are getting married right and left. It's making me feel monstrously old. And yet not even a remote hint of marriage for either of our older boys. I worry I'll be senile before I hold my first grandchild.

It was also a good opportunity to capture a rare photo of all three of the Miedema siblings, Linda, Ray and Allen. My Al has been grey since he was about 30, but Linda and Ray have not a grey hair on their heads...what's with that?!

30 is a very BIG number

A dozen roses is an incredibly touching gift. Two dozen roses is absolutely indulgent. But a bouquet of 30 roses? Extravagent.

This is what greeted me upon return to my office after morning rounds in the critical care units.

In case you have forgotten where you were 30 years ago today, here is a clue.



Thirty years have passed since Al and I tied the knot on June 2, 1979. We were 20 years old, and utterly clueless. Styles have changed a lot since this wedding took place. Quite a few hairlines and waistlines have changed as well. But several things have not changed:
- Family remains the most important relationship on this earth
- Love is not demonstrated through flowers and diamonds (as nice as they are) but through common, and often inconvenient acts that meet the needs of others. Changing flat tires; wiping snotty noses; getting up in the middle of the night with a crying child; bailing a wayward son out of jail; learning to make hamburger helper and spagetti; and countless hours spent in parking lots waiting for the end of baseball and football and softball and wrestling practice and piano lessons.
- Commitment is hard. It's a choice every day to stay when you'd rather not; to serve when you'd rather be served; to deny oneself and carry a cross. Al and I had some role models for this in our parents. Their marriages weren't perfect, but they were committed to sticking it out. We are grateful for their example.
- And at the end of the day, another warm body in the bed is usually a nice thing.

Happy Anniversary, Honey! You are still a hunk and I'm looking forward to 30 more years.

Eleven

What happens when you get six, 11 year old girls together for a birthday slumber party? Chaos! Hannah celebrated her birthday on Friday (her actual birthday was Feb. 19.) Here are some of the highlights:

Lots of junk food
Pink Panther 2 (funny, if you like slapstick)
Two birthday cakes (one chocolate, one white)
Several new Webkinz
Dancing to the Jonas Brothers' CD
Watching High School Musical 3 at midnight
Sleeping on air mattresses in the basement

I would say that pretty much sums up every pre-teen girl's idea of the perfect night. For this mom, it was just a little more fun than I can tolerate in one dose. But it is fun to finally do some girl stuff!

The Birthdays (plural) celebration

We had a nice family dinner at Red Lobster to celebrate David, Al, and Dad's birthdays. Here are some photos: