Mom on the Lane: Katelyn

Showing posts with label Katelyn. Show all posts

Monday, October 31, 2016

Fastest 8 hours...

We all anxiously awaited a call from Ryan on Thursday night. It was to be a 15 second call to say "GO," or "NO" which means he would have to recycle the first phase of his training. The call came in around 11:15 Georgia time and Kate called us to say he was a "GO!"

He passed his first phase, and was to be picked up on Friday for an 8 hour pass. SO thankful Kate is in Georgia to pick him up, take him to get supplies, food, laundry done and some sleep. We listened to him for about 30 minutes during the day. I've never been so encouraged about something so hard!

Ryan is EXACTLY where he wants to be. He told us that when he was in school in Fayetteville he would wake up and wonder what it would be like to wake up at Ranger School. All the physical training he has been doing for the last years has been leading up to this extreme challenge. He has made friends, he has kept his cool during the lack of sleep and food times and has a laminated card with verses in his front pocket.

He now moves to the "mountain phase" and may get to contact Kate at the end of the month. We are SO THANKFUL for his wonderful wife who is so supportive and loving and strong for him! If all goes as we expect, graduation is December 9th.

Still praying...

9am EST

9:01am EST

3:30pm CST

4:45pm EST

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Ryan

Two weeks ago I was deep in sale-mode and everyone around me was pulled into that. However, Ryan and Katelyn were doing their own thing in Georgia.

1. They celebrated Thanksgiving early.
2. My cousin's daughter came and stayed with them a few days when she was evacuated from her home in Florida due to a hurricane. I would've expected nothing less than for Kate and Ryan to welcome family...even though Ryan hasn't seen Ashley since they were around 5!

On Sunday, October 2nd, Kate took Ryan to the drop off point and although it was a hard day for Kate, it was what Ryan has been prepping for. He looked at possibly hardest time of his life as a great challenge. He saw the hardships as opportunities and he was mentally, physically and spiritually ready to go.

We are praying for him everyday. Every time I think of him, I just ask God, who I know can see him in the mountains of Georgia, to watch over him and keep him safe. And sometimes I feel a little guilty because Ryan is in training and there are SO MANY active military on the front lines of all kinds of battles around the world. Ryan is being trained to do that very thing and his confidence, leadership and sound mind will be an asset to our country.

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth

to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."

2 Chronicles 16:9

Monday, May 23, 2016

Sheridan turns 13

May has been one of our busiest months for the last few years. I didn't want to leave Sheridan's birthday to the last minute so we've planned 13 surprises to liven up the month. SO FAR, the big kids and a few friends have helped us pull off 1-6.

SURPRISE #1: Lauren tagged her room with 800 sticky notes. This was a big surprise and the introduction of the surprises!

SURPRISE: #2: Sheridan's friend Caitlin came over and I took the girls out for CFA and a sno cone! She had no idea!

SURPRISE #3: Katelyn and Ryan took Sheridan bowling and to get ice cream!

SURPRISE #4: Sheridan was whisked away to her room on a Wednesday afternoon and Lauren and Erin helped her fix her hair, put on a little make up, and get dressed for a date! She had no idea Ryan was going to take her out to Chilis! This was Ryan and Kate's last week to visit us here in Russellville before they move to Georgia. I'm so very thankful they made these special memories with Sheridan.

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Fast Forwarded

I very specifically remember the day we took Ryan to school in Fayetteville for the first time. It's been a very fast (for us) four years and I can't believe we just witnessed his commissioning and graduation! What has he done in 4 years?

1. Bull pen catcher for one year with the Razorbacks
2. ROTC military science classes and physical training all 4 years
3. Played baseball in the Dominican Republic for one summer with Athletes in Action
4. Shoulder surgery and recovery
5. Lived in an apartment with 3 great friends for 2 years
6. Met, dated, and married Katelyn
7. Was discipled and led a life group with his church in Fayetteville
8. Went to Burundi, Africa, on a ROTC mission during one summer
9. Went to over 5 other SEC stadiums for football games with the university and 2 bowl games
10. Stayed in touch with his family and was intentional to build a relationship with his younger siblings
11. Received a degree with 3 majors: Spanish, Sociology, and Criminal Justice

Of course, there's more, but the boy has turned into a man and now has a job until he's 30 with the US Army! Katelyn is a super-smart gal who got her bachelors degree in 1 year and her masters this year. They both celebrated graduations this weekend and I'm SO VERY PROUD AND THANKFUL to have been a part of it all!

Friday, March 18, 2016

Pack Shack!

It's always fun when Ryan and Katelyn surprise us! They dropped in on Saturday and went to the Pack Shack with the family! This is one of our new favorite things to do with the Arkansas Dream Center. This is the second time for us to help pack 12,000 meals in just under an hour. The food is distributed to families in need during spring break! Lots of fun music, fun people and doing something GOOD!

Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 HIGHLIGHTS

Every year on the 31st we share a TOP TEN list of the previous year. This year was SO FULL! God is so good, and we have MUCH to be thankful for! Just a few of our highlights:

CAMERON'S TOP TEN: