Be It Ever So Humble

In the last two and a half months the children and I have traveled over 6000 miles, been in three major cities, visited historic sites, modern attractions, and natures beauteous offerings. Our many vehicles started with trains and ended with planes. In between we rode in taxis, on buses, and let's not forget the tow truck segment of our journey. We have been on Army forts, Naval stations, and seen Air Force bases.

I have dealt with all kinds of tedious adult tasks: paying TWO rents, buying and selling a van, insuring and licensing said van, having the van in and out of the mechanics shop, phone/medical/electric bills, GPS systems, etc. I baked bread, made oatmeal, and cooked a Thanksgiving dinner in crockpots. I spent a holiday season away from my parents and my in-laws.

Someone asked me if I feel like an experienced traveler now.

I don't.

I do feel less naïve, more confident, and have a greater faith in God.

At so many points on this adventure (in particular with the van) I was internally begging God to get me through some unforeseen crisis. Completely unfamiliar with my surroundings, I was praying for His grace to see me to the end. I can say that He always gave me the tools I needed: the GPS lady on my phone guiding me through frenzied roads and traffic, Roman's uncle working for a mechanic and helping with all my car distresses, sympathetic strangers carrying bags up/down escalators for the crazy lady with three kids in tow, sunshine and rain.

The past two months have been the most insane and courageous adventure of my life.
For this moment I am glad to be home.

To all of you who prayed for me, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Merry Christmas!

 

I will praise you O Lord, with all of my heart; I will tell of your wonders. Psalm 9:1

 

2014 has been a year of wonders for the Roman Mallery family. Those who know us well keep saying we are brave. Those who know us better say we are crazy, and they love us still. To all our parents and siblings, we thank you for your patience, love, and support. Without that we would be utterly overwhelmed.

At the beginning of the year, we knew it would be one of major change for our family. The process was set in motion for Roman to join the National Guard. We were expecting our third child. We were talking about a temporary move across the USA.

In March Roman was sworn into the United States Army, thus fulfilling a lifelong dream, as well as a deep sense of responsibility. Being a soldier is not for everyone. I firmly believe that he is called to this task, that the Lord gave him the special gift of helping others as a firefighter, EMT, and now soldier.

In May Ethan and Saoirse were joined by baby brother Carsten Raymond, and though the birth went well, he had trouble breathing, and so he needed to spend a day and a half with breathing assistance. He seems to have suffered not long term affects from his difficult start and daily I listen to his breath with thanksgiving in my heart.

In August Roman left for boot camp in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. The kids and I then settled into life without Daddy.

In November the children and I traveled by train and car across the country to attend Roman's graduation from boot camp, before settling down in Maryland for a few months.

Now it is the middle of December. Roman is in Virginia working on his Quartermasters training. I am have a little house in Maryland, where I am preparing for a quiet, but happy Christmas for our little family.

Everyday I reasons to be discouraged; whiny children, cars that don't always work, missing my husband, bank accounts and bills, and of course always being tired. When those moments threaten to overwhelm me, I am learning to look at how the Lord has led so far. He has given us gracious landlords in two states, and the rent has always been paid. I was able to settle near family in Maryland who have been super helpful with everything, especially the car problems. My children are growing strong and healthy; they are polite and even helpful at times. They do bring me joy each day. I just need to remember to see it. I am able to be close to my husband and see him from time to time, which makes all of us very happy. All the ways that the Lord has brought each detail together is truly something to wonder at.

This has been a year to wonder at, and one to look at whenever we are discouraged. Because the Lord has done wondrous things for us, and will continue to show Himself faithful everyday for the rest of our lives.

During the Christmas season we reflect on the wonder of God becoming man in the form of a baby. We hope that you all have seen the wonderful work of the Lord in your lives during 2014.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The Mallerys

Roman and Caitlin

Ethan, Saoirse, & Carsten

 

 

A Tale of Boats and Ships

Since our car finally seems to fixed (although I still drive it with much fear and trembling). We have managed to have a few outings. Much needed they were too. We were all getting a case of cabin fever. So when Mandy told us there was a boat parade not too far away we were all eager to go. So we went to Solomons Island where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay.

 

There were so many cute places to see there on the bay.

We stopped at the Locus café for coffee and some amazing key lime pie.

Uncle Roger and the girls.

The kids enjoyed dancing to Christmas songs by a live group of musicians.

A local church had a rummage/antique sale.

These are old oyster cans.

Ethan enjoyed examining the antique tools and other items.

More Christmas music in the church, a beautiful old Methodist building.

These two could be twins!

As it was St. Nicholas Day, it seem appropriate to meet the local Santa Claus. Although none of the kids have any idea how the whole Santa thing works. When asked what they wanted for Christmas they said to be home with Daddy.

 

The first glimpse of the boats.

It had been raining all day long, so there were lots of puddles, and there was a steady drizzle during the parade. But none of that could dampen the excitement of the children.

None of my pictures do it justice. There were about 10 boats all lit up. One had a dolphin with a red nose and seahorses pulling Santa. There was a dragon, as well as ones just lit from bow to stern.

They look faraway, but came quite close to where we were.

 

 On Sunday we had a chance to visit some historic ships at the Baltimore Harbor.

This Coast Guard vessel survived the Pearl Harbor bombing.

At one point there was a Bauer on board. I don't know when. The ship was active through the 1960's. It is hard to read all the information when you have toddlers to watch.

We also went on a lightship from the 1930's. They used lightships in places they could not put lighthouses.

 

In the officers quarters.

 

They keep the brass instruments shiny still.

Standing on the lightship deck, looking down at the WW2 submarine.

This submarine was commission 6 months before the end of WW2. It did destroy some Japanese ships, and was used as a training vessel for many years after the war.

Things would have been very cramped on the submarine, but the kids didn't mind.

A look around the harbor.

 

 

I like naval details, like compasses and flags.

Carsten patiently sat in the stroller most of the afternoon. Ethan was fascinated by all the knobs and levers, especially on the submarine. Saoirse loved chasing seagulls, but disliked all the ladders. It was fun to see some of these vessels and I certainly hope that Ethan at least will remember it.

Driving through the South

Another leg of our journey to see Roman was to drive through Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.

After a great deal of prayer and search I bought a van off Craigslist. It was amazing the way the Lord led through all of ups and downs of trying to rent or buy a car. That van took us safely down to Ft. Jackson and most of the way back to Maryland before breaking down on us. It is being repaired right now, and they are having some difficulty finding the problem, so pray that the car issues will be resolved quickly.

Crossing from Maryland to Virginia over the Potomac River. I know it was a large river, but I was completely shocked by just how big it was. I cross it regularly to see Roman in Ft. Lee so I will have to take a better picture at some point. It is huge!

A late night drive took us to Raleigh, NC where we stayed with in-laws of in-laws of in-laws.

They were so gracious to take us in at kind of the last minute too. And they served us the best homemade yogurt ever! My kids ate several bowls.

This smily man was very patient through most the drive, but he did have rough moments.

The next day took us through cotton fields and small towns.

Seeing bales of cotton and thinking that it becomes clothes we wear is kind of mind-boggling.

We had our first experience at Chick-fil-a. The best part was the indoor play area, a welcome break for the kids.

 

We drove with Roman from Ft. Jackson to Ft. Lee, and made an overnight stop in Charleston, SC. It is a gorgeous old town, with amazing old buildings, a market where they used to sell slaves. And of course the Atlantic Ocean.

 The only building I got a good picture of before dark was the fire department. But there were some beautiful churches, and old houses.

We bought chocolates instead of slaves.

Ethan picked a pumpkin truffle and boy was he proud of it!

The boardwalk out to the ocean. To me the most noticeable difference between the Atlantic and the Pacific is the sound. The Pacific is much louder, since waves crash onto the rocks. The sandy beach of the Atlantic is much quieter.

All together for a couple of days.

 

We dropped Roman off at Ft. Lee late in the day, so the kids, my mother-in-law, and I stayed in a nearby hotel. The next day we headed back to Maryland and that is when the car broke down, so the final leg of our journey was made in a tow truck. Hopefully we will soon have the car issues resolved, but in the mean time, we just enjoy quiet days at home.

Probably one of the oddest things to me about The South is their boiled peanuts. They advertise them everywhere! Instead of coffee shacks they have boiled peanut shacks. I have yet to try them, but I think I must try to figure out what the fuss is all about. And when you say boiled peanuts in the south it sounds like bald peanuts. And they say I have an accent!