18 Years Ago Today, An Answer To A Prayer

Jay left for the Gulf War when I was 8 months pregnant.  It was not an easy time for me, I had three small children at home, and, at the time, they were predicting a very bad war with many casualties.  Jay was the commander of a field artillery battery, so I needed to watch over all the wives of the soldiers in our battery while the men were deployed.  I did pretty well, I just did what I knew what to do, which was making them all visiting teachers to each other (they never knew what hit them).  We all took care of each other and watched the news and waited.

During the beginning it was mostly air strikes.  I did pretty well during those days.  But then the day came with an announcement on the news that the ground war had begun.  My due date was still a week away and I was very worried about how I would keep it all together for my kids and the other wives. I remember thinking that I didn't want to watch the news, but I couldn't NOT watch the news.  I just didn't know how I was going to get through it.

I knelt in prayer that morning and asked my Heavenly Father to please help me get through this, and to be able to not worry, so that it could stay somewhat calm around the house.  Now, I have received many answers to prayers throughout my life, but I know my Heavenly Father was aware of me that day, that He heard my prayer, and blessed me.

I went into labor that afternoon and Jacob was born that evening, February 26, 1991, the day the ground war began.  I spent the next four days in the hospital, focused on my baby, and by the time I went home, the war was pretty much over.  

Every year, when Jacob's birthday rolls around, I am reminded that his birth was an answer to my prayers, that he came at the exact time that I needed him to, and that our Heavenly Father knows us individually and will always watch over us.

Fast forward a couple of months, Jay came home safely and saw his son for the first time.

I am grateful every day for Jake.  He has brought happiness and fun to our home for 18 years.  I am so proud of the wonderful young man that he is.

        HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE

We were tagged...

Thanks Paul and Alison (I do read your blog).  They sent this to both Jay and I, so I'll try to answer about both of us.  Try to stay awake, we are really exciting people!

8 T.V. shows or movies that we watch regularly:

1. American Idol

2. The Big Bang Theory

3. Top Chef (Jane only)

4. Project Runway (again, Jane only)

5. The Office (Jay only, Jane can't get the humor, if there really is any)

6. How I Met Your Mother

7. Friends reruns

8. Pride and Prejudice (Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy) (oh, of course, Jane only)

8 things that happened yesterday:

1. Larry H. Miller died (a sad day for all Utahns)

2. Taught 6th grade reading class (Jane)

3. Went to meetings all day at the Pentagon (Jay)

4. Unpacked my suitcase (yes, 2 days after I got home)

5. Watched two episodes of American Idol that I had missed while I was gone

6. Scratched Molly's belly

7. Took an evening nap on the couch (Jay)

8. Did not make dinner (Jane)

8 of our favorite places to eat:

1. At home (we don't eat out much)

2. Spaghetti Factory (sadly, only in Utah, none here)

3. Winger's (again, sadly none here)

4. Fina (my favorite restaurant in Georgetown)

5. Carrabba's

6. Cracker Barrel (for the Friday fish fry and Coca Cola cake)

7. Famous Dave's

8. McDonald's (sad but true)

4 people we tag:

1. Leslie

2. Carol (write something on your blog!!!)

3. Heather

4. Alanya

Jessica, you were tagged by both Megan and Alison and you never answered! Is this good blogging etiquette???  And you're the best blogger I know!  What's up with that???

Jordan, you were tagged also, but I'll cut you some slack because this is what your life is like right now:

Idol Update #3

Well, I have been a little frustrated with American Idol for the past couple of episodes.  Too choppy, too much of the same people, not enough singing!  Don't get me wrong, still LOVE IT, but I am not seeing the people I want to see.  Anyway, SO HAPPY the BIKINI GIRL is gone.  Still waiting to see my fav, SCOTT MACINTYRE, sing again. So happy another fav, Danny Gokey, is still around.  I haven't seen Stevie Wright sing since her audition, but from what I could see she is still there also.  Looking forward to this week, the contestants get to use their instruments if they want, I think.  So don't call me Tuesday or Wednesday night!  (OK, you can call if you really need to, I have a DVR and can hit Pause, LOVE IT).