I can't go there in a Remos

Well I've been highlighting things to do in your Remos, but I've come across one trip that I can't make in the Remos.

Our youngest child, Justin, called today to let us know he made it safely to Iraq. Justin is an air traffic controller for the Missouri Air National Guard, and as cruel as this sounds, he left for his first overseas deployment on Mother's day. You can no doubt imagine how this past week went. Luckily for me, I've been putting a lot of hours in the air, keeping me pretty occupied, but Cheryl has been home constantly reminded that Justin is not here. Little things like too many groceries in the refrigerator, and not enough noise from the basement, make the house seem strangely large again.

Justin is tall, good looking, and well mannered, obviously getting all of these fine traits from his mother. He has also been undeterred in the pursuit of his objectives. Way back when, Justin decided he wanted to take up martial arts. We talked a lot about it, and agreed, but on the condition that he set a goal, and not quit till he achieved it. Lo and behold, several year later (and thousands of classes and tournaments) Justin was awarded his black belt. He has approached everything he does since then, the same way. His pilot's license, basic training, radar school, checkout at Rosecrans approach control, and now Iraq, he is single minded until he's successful. You probably don't know Justin, but he can be an example to each one of us. We don't have to go to Iraq, but when it seems you'll never solo, think of Justin. If it looks like you won't ever get your own Remos, think of Justin. Whatever challenges you face, you can make it through.

To just say we are proud of him, and are thankful for his service to his country, doesn't begin to tell the whole story. To say we'll miss him and worry about him while he's half a world away would be a gross understatement. To say that he's the right man for the job, right where he needs to be, and trust God to protect him, is how Cheryl and I are coping. Please keep Justin, as well as all our troops in your prayers.

Happy Mother's Day

I know some of you think I'm really stretching these "Ten things to do with your Remos" articles. (You ain't seen nothing yet) But sometimes it's just too easy. I received some email this week, that has been around the web several times. It makes me giggle every time I see it, probably because it rings so true to what my mother had to put up with raising Dave and me.

Why boys need Mothers:

And you also find out interesting things when you have sons, like...

1.) A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

2.) If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

3.) A 3-year old Boy's voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.

4.) If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound Boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20x20 ft. room.

5.) You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

6.) The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn't stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

7.) When you hear the toilet flush and the words 'uh oh', it's already too late.

8.) Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

9.) A six-year old Boy can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36- year old Man says they can only do it in the movies.

10.) Certain Lego's will pass through the digestive tract of a 4-year old Boy.

11.) Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

12.) Super glue is forever.

13.) No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool you still can't walk on water.

14.) Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

15.) VCR's do not eject 'PB & J' sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do .

16.) Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

17.) Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

18.) You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.

19.) Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

20.) The fire department in Austin ! , TX has a 5-minute response time.

21.) The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

22.) It will, however, make cats dizzy.

23.) Cats throw up twice their body weight when dizzy.

24.) 80% of Women will pass this on to almost all of their friends, with or without kids.

25.) 80% of Men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid

Any way, my mother was there when I threw mud on the neighbor's laundry. She was there through sickness, and hundreds of baseball practices and Boy Scout meetings. She was there when the school principal and I had somewhat of a misunderstanding about what acceptable behavior was, and she's still there for me today. My Mom gets to show you the 4th thing to do with your Remos, and that's take your Mom flying on Mother's Day.

This is how my Mom is spending Mother's Day this year, with her Daughter-in-law Margaret, and Granddaughter Caren. To my Mom, my children's Mom, (Cheryl) and all of the other Moms out there, have a very
Happy Mother's Day.