January 2012

January was filled with packing and moving and fitting in everything else we had going on.  To say our move has gone great is an understatement, but it is true.  We are blessed and so happy.  It's funny how when something first starts out as a bad thing turns into a very good thing.  That has happened a lot to us and I'm happy to report this move has been another great change for us. 

January was filled with a lot of activity for J and he was able to keep up with everything despite the move.  The weekend after returning from Sea Bee Camp we headed out to Tampa for J to participate as an Honor Guard for the Annual Frogman Swim.  This event was an incredible Honor to participate in.  Each Cadet was given the name of a SEAL that was killed last August.  Before the swim took place the Cadets marched out onto Gandy Beach holding a Flag.  As each SEALs name was called the cadet came forward, held their flag high and then lowered it at half mast.  Each Cadet wore a white bracelet with their SEALS name on it.  Joseph was assigned to CPO Nicholas H. Null.  The night before the swim he researched his SEAL and even found a facebook memorial page.  We posted a pic on the page and the mom of the SEAL has contacted us and is sending J Team Nick Tshirts.  He will also be receiving a dog tag with his name on it from his Lieutenant Commander.  There was not a dry eye on the beach that day as we remembered all that gave everything for our freedom.  May these young men never, ever be forgotten.
 

The annual school Talent Show was this month and he performed Orchestral Suit III on violin and did a great job.  The school band had their first concert and we were impressed with the way the band performed.

J also joined his school Track and Field team and is really liking it. Their first meet is this week. 

January was also the Sea Cadet annual Inspection which is a big deal.  It was combined with an award ceremony/luncheon and then the inspection where the Commanding Lieutenant inspects the unit and then each cadet personally.  It was a really nice day and again we were so proud to watch J in his element with Sea Cadets.

After only being moved in one week we hosted a Superbowl party and another party this past weekend.  Nothing motivates unpacking and getting organized like inviting people over.  We have some great friends and are happy to share our new home with them.  My mom will be coming in March for a long visit and I know she's going to love it just as much as we do... especially the kitchen.. 

J @home with the ducks he

was blessed to care for even if only

for a short time.

We are once again home, sweet home...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Christmas, New Year and SeaBee Camp

We spent Christmas 2011 at our current home for the last time.  We will be moved in our new home for sure by next Christmas!  Aunt Nancy and Aunt Joanne came to visit and it was a really nice, quiet holiday weekend enjoying our last days with J before he headed out on the 26th.  We started a new tradition of pizza for Christmas Eve and continued our usual prime rib dinner for Christmas Day and this year J ate it and loved it! I knew the day would come....

December 26th I took J and 2 of his fellow Cadets to Tampa for their Sea Bee Camp.  He had a very hard time leaving - more so then when he had to fly alone to go to boot camp.  I think it had to do with it being over a holiday and just typical nerves about going away alone and not knowing what to expect.  I give him so much credit because he is still very young and one of the youngest in his Unit and at this particular camp he was one of the 4 youngest. 

We spent the week getting our new home ready - there wasn't much to do but a lot of little projects such as changing light fixtures, painting, flooring the attic and other changes we wanted to make.  I'm thankful my sister-in-laws were willing to give up a week to help us.  They are super handy and as I am not, I'm very grateful and Joe really appreciated the extra hands.  We didn't make them work the whole time but most of it... We did take time out on New Years Eve to enjoy a really great dinner on the beach.  It was made even better when we got a call from J.  They let the cadets call home for New Years and it was so great to hear his voice and know that all was well (other than a cold).

On Monday I drove back to Tampa to pick him up from camp and it was just like after boot camp.... he grew up some more!  He was dirty and stinky and the hug he gave me was the best!  I got the opportunity to take a personal walk around the grounds with the Commanding Officer/Lieutenant.  I was in awe at the work these 51 cadets accomplished.  They were at a Christian Help Center where autistic kids go to school and they were able to build three stages of an obstacle course that they will use.  They also took the kids existing garden and expanded it three times its size.  In addition to the building work they did, they also did typical Sea bee training such as CPR, Land Navigation, Combat simulation, night patrols, marksmanship and more.  Each cadet was assigned a fake M16, a Kevlar helmet and flak jacket.  The M16 had to go everywhere with them... shower, etc.  If someone dropped theirs everyone had to do 20 push ups.  Apparently everyone dropped theirs at least once. On Sunday they were given the choice of attending Mass, bible study or to rest.  J chose the bible study and he said he really loved it and it was very deep.  I'm proud that he chose wisely what to do with his free time.  J kept a journal that he wrote in each day and I'm so happy because he was to excited to go over each day with us. I can't say enough about how great the US Navy Sea Cadet Program is and how proud we are that our son is a member.  J's experience this week was a great one and I'm looking forward to what he will choose for summer!   

Christmas Morning 2011

NYE 2011

Nancy, Me & Joanne NYE 2011



Charlie Company - J 4th from left kneeling

Receiving Seabee Certificate with his CO



December 2011

Here we are a week away from 2011 ending and I didn't quite keep my goal of keeping the blog up to date monthly but I didn't do too bad.  So this will be my end of year, catch up the blog, try to cover what I can remember, wrap up post.

My last post was October and we were moving and making big changes in our lives.  Well all that is still happening, we are moving and are all really excited about it.  It will all fall into place and we have a new home that we are anxiously awaiting to move into.

Speaking of changes, recently a good friend said to me that she was envious that I was so good with change and she didn't have the ability to make changes so quickly.  At first, I wasn't sure what to make of that and gave it way too much thought but it was good that I did because I came to some very real understandings about myself and my family.  I don't know if I'm "good" at changes but I do know I recognize them and am able to make them even when it's a situation with unknowns and are some times scary.  Let's face it, the first thing many people say when asked about change is usually something like I don't like change or change scares me (except the people who voted for Obama but that's a whole different post for a different day) I'm talking personal changes.  Most people don't like change.  I've learned from a very young age that change can be good and in my opinion absolutely necessary.  I have some very big change moments that come to mind, such as a job situation wherein I was offered a job that was very different than what I was doing and my immediate response was no way... too much change, not sure, scared, blah blah. I declined the position for that fear and something shortly thereafter nagged at me that it was a mistake and I should go for it.  Long story even longer.... I called back the hiring person weeks after and talked my way into her meeting me and I got a fantastic job that ended up being my career until we moved here and the best job ever in terms of satisafaction, salary and all around awesomeness.  I often say what if I hadn't taken that chance and made that change.  Who knows. Another huge change moment was picking up and leaving NY which I've blogged that story many times.  It was scary and we were told we were crazy but again change that made sense for our situation and although scary, another great decision.  Without any more stories or the word change we again are faced with another situation where a change was in order and again scary, we did what we do best... we jump in with all our hearts and all our faith.

Speaking of faith.... Joseph and I finished reading the Bible on Christmas Day.  We ended earlier than our planned day of 1/1/12 because we didn't know at the time we started that he would be away at a Sea Cadet Camp.  We decided we would finish on Jesus' birthday and doubled up our reading.  I can't explain the feeling we both had when we finished.  It was amazing and no words could do it justice.  I didn't realize how much Joe thought of our project until Christmas Day when he presented Joseph and I with a Willow statute of a Mother and Son and card that was so fitting and a letter telling us how proud he was.  We do not exchange elaborate gifts but the gifts I receive fill my heart and this lettter I will cherish, as will Joseph. 

That brings me to today, 12/26/11.... Joseph left for a 9 day Sea Cadet Camp specializing in Seabee training.  We again packed the seabag and prepared for him to be gone for the first time ever over New Years.  The selfish me would have loved to just keep him home and do what we always do which is boating but, oh no, here it is again... more change.  It was a little difficult this morning for him and us and this time Joseph gave me his Cross to wear while he's gone and I'll cherish it until I see him next week.  He is going to do so much great stuff this week and I can't wait to pick him up next week and hear his non-stop talk about every single minute.  When I dropped him off today and watched him have his seabag inspection and then get checked in I didn't expect what happened next.  He was preparing to go to his barracks and quickly came over and hugged me.  The very nice lady checking them in said.... "Cadet Kowalski, that was a very fine thing you just did by hugging your mamma.  No matter how old or what rank you are, you always hug your mamma".  I did all I could to hold it together until I got to my car and burst out in tears.  He makes me proud every single day.  So here I am tonight missing him like crazy but even more so excited for all he will do and learn this next week.

To wrap up my 2011 post I will not focus on the negative or the challenges we face but rather that this year has been filled with many blessings... My mom survived Cancer and for that there is no greater joy, my husband sustained his illness and a major surgery and for that there is no greater joy, my son is a healthy boy who fills my heart beyond measure and for that there is no greater joy, I am loved by many and I love many and for that there is no greater joy. To my family and friends, may 2012 be filled with good health, so much love, much happiness and strength to get you through the challenging times and hey if there are some changes thrown in... check them out, they may be just what you need.

JSK seabee camp 12/11

Twelve

October 1 Joseph turned twelve. That time is flying phrase is so true.  I look at him now and see a young man, not a little boy.  He had an excellent birthday and the celebrations are not over yet.  This weekend he'll host two friends for a sleepover.  My mom, as she has done since we moved here, flew in for her annual two week trip to celebrate and my two sister-in-laws came also.  All Joseph wanted to do for his actual birthday was to go to the Zoo to see the Honey badgers.  To say he's a little obsessed with them would be putting it mildly.  His chosen gifts were a Honey badger IPhone Case, a honey badger tshirt and the complete series of Seinfeld (he has good taste in TV shows).  Added to those gifts he received a fancy toothbrush since his last check up showed 2 cavities. He was actually excited about that gift!  He also asked to go to his favorite restaurant Trulucks which as he describes, is a place with a lot of pizazz and he's right.  We enjoyed our time with my mom as usual and this trip left us with even more meals in our freezer.  She added some new recipes and I may not cook for a long while ~ thanks Mom!

Things I want to remember for J's 12th birthday...

This past year you have changed and grown so much.  You have made your Dad and I so very proud!  Your serious side melts my heart and your sense of humor makes me literally laugh out loud. 

 As you navigate the pre-teen years you have relied on your morals and values to make decisions. Your not a follower and will stand up for your principles. 

You have continued to participate on your airsoft team and recently shot 28 out of 30 with Trap shooting ~ very impressive. You became a U.S. Navy League Cadet this year and have already scheduled your winter training for See Bee camp.  Your running for class President at the moment and win or loose just the fact that your running makes us proud! You joined band and are playing the Alto Sax and after so many years of a string instrument your quite the horn player as well!  Your musical talent is a gift and to see you and Dad playing together so beautifully is pure joy for me. 

You've kept your commitment to read the bible within one year and we are right on track!  You've grown spiritually so much this year.  Your love for the Lord is strong as well as your faith.  You never leave home without your Cross around your neck.

You've had to deal with some changes this year that were difficult and it broke my heart to see you sad because it's against a mother's nature to see her child hurting but I also know that protecting you from any pain will not help you either.  You are going to learn from every single experience, good or bad.  I sometimes think you are so much older than you are because of how you handle things and I'm trying to be careful to still remember your a kid! This parenting thing is a never ending process and I know I mess up some times but I love you with all my heart and even when you and I get on each others nerves and hey some times we do, my love is never ending.

Happy Birthday ~ xo ~ Mom

one of Josephs favorite quotes:

  Always stand on principle... even if you stand alone.

"John Adams"

9/11....

I am writing this post on 9/12 because I wanted to spend this weekend doing what most did... we honored, observed, remembered and along with that watched our son serve as an Honor Guard.  This weekend was very emotional, as is every 9/11, and everyone to come will be.  We don't only remember on this day, but the actual day always seems so unreal and the horror of it all being replayed makes it so raw. 

On 9/11/01, I was on my second day of a new job as Director of Human Resources for a company called Park Avenue in White Plains, NY.  It was not a job I wanted, but took out of necessity as my former company was going out of business.  The day prior, Joe had faxed my resume to a colleague at Verizon at the World Trade Center, Tower I.  I had decided that commuting was something I was open to again and was anxiously awaiting a call for an interview.  That morning our babysitter was sick so my mother was en route to our house to babysit and Joe was taking care of Joseph (who was almost two).  Joe called me to say he thought something very bad was happening to our Country and that he was cancelling his meeting in CT.  He told me I should leave work immediately.  I did not think that was a good idea since it was only day two and my boss who lived in NY wasn't even in yet.  I did finally leave around 10:00.  Driving home was eerie and the roads were quiet. I remember going by the Kensico Dam and saying a prayer that there wouldn't be any further attacks. The rest of the day all of my family gathered at our house and we watched the horror of it all.  I remember putting Joseph in our bedroom to watch Elmo so he wouldn't see the news we had playing on TV.  We vowed that day to make sure our son would know and understand what happened to America that September day.  We personally knew many who where in the towers that day, some made it out, some did not. 

I have been shocked and somewhat saddened to read about and meet children who don't have an understanding of what happened on September 11, 2001.  Anyone who thinks our schools should be the one to teach that is sadly doing a disservice to their children, in my opinion.  We will always teach at home the history of this great Country we are blessed to live in.  That is our job.  

Yesterday Joseph was asked to serve aboard the SS American Victory Ship in Tampa, FL.  He was honored to be part of this beautiful Memorial Service and we were proud to watch him do his job. 

I recently ordered a Gratitude Journal for my family.  It arrived this weekend and just in time.  With all we have going on at the moment between selling our home, focusing on finding a new home, arranging for another Mayo Clinic visit for Joe and all the stress that comes with these situations, we cannot forget to be grateful.  Especially when we remember all who were lost ten years ago.  All the people who no longer have a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a friend.  Life is short is a cliche... but it's a reality when you put it in the terms that all these people did was go to work that day...

our gratitude journal

Joseph (far left) with his fellow Cadets

  SS American Victory

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live". ~ Jacqueline Winspear

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”  ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy