A Lifetime of Love

Or so the saying goes. Lately, though, I'm not so sure. I just haven't been feeling myself lately. Very overwhelmed by my kids, especially the boys. I think part of it is TJ's working longer hours, which means I'm home longer with them. But, on top of that, I feel very alone and isolated. TJ and I don't get many opportunities to really "talk", and if it's important, I usually email him. I feel very disconnected, and that's not good. Plus, I hate to bother him with the details of my day at home, especially because his work environment is stressful on him. I know I add to his stress, and I'm trying to stop. In the past, when I've felt bummed out, I would call my mom. But lately, I feel very disconnected from her, too. I'm not sure what's going on with everyone. Maybe it's just me, but I just don't feel like I have anyone who is willing to just sit and listen. I have several close friends, and I know they can relate to how I am...

I did it! I survived a trip to the beach with the in-laws. It was nice, just the usual frustrations of everyone wanting to do different things at different times. Along with going to the beach, we went to the NASCAR Cafe and Speedpark, and all of the boys enjoyed that (TJ included!) Th drove his first real car, and it was hilarious. I so wish my video camera wasn't full or else I would have recorded that momentous event. He drove like an old man, gunning the gas then slowly releasing it to drive really slow! It was quite humorous. Another kid crashed into him and ended up pushing him with his car to go faster. It was a fun time for the kids despite the heat and humidity. We had a family picnic with the in-laws yesterday. It was okay- extremely humid. Poor TJ had to chase the boys around because where the shelter is, there really isn't much for the kids to do. We had an egg toss, and TJ and I came nowhere close to winning. However, I think we tossed it the longest because we tos...

I am moving to Blogspot because I can more easily control who reads my blog. I am not too sure how to transfer my old posts over to here, so for now, bear with me. If you'd like to read my old blog, visit www.southcarolinamom.spaces.live.com . Permission is restricted, so please click the link to request access. Thanks!

It’s been a week since Mark passed away. Since his death, I have been reflecting on his life and the example for living he left behind. Mark’s funeral was more difficult than I thought it would be. I cried from the moment I saw the crowded parking lot. The funeral was a celebration of his life, but what made it sad was just knowing that this wonderful, godly man was no longer going to be sharing in any of our lives. The church was packed with military members, family, friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, all of whom came out to honor this dear man. I knew he was an officer in the Army, but truthfully, I had no idea he was a Colonel until after his death. When Mark and his family first began visiting our church, our pastor asked if he should address him as Colonel or Dr. Mark Stiling. Mark’s response, “Just call me Mark.” That is a testimony of how humble he lived his life. He wasn’t caught up in titles. I could give example after example of what an awesome human being Mark was, ...

Mark, a dear husband, father, son, brother, uncle and true man of God went home to be with the Lord on July 17, 2007. Mark was born in Buffalo, N.Y., to Major Stewart and Miriam Stiling as the fourth of five children in a military family, living in several places until high school graduation. A decision he made for Christ at a young age set the direction and plan for his life. He earned a BS in Pharmacy at MUSC and after a few years working in pharmacy, he followed his father and grandfather as a career military officer. He served on active duty for 12 years with the U.S. Army as a pharmacy officer, Ass't Director and Director of Pharmacy Services. During this time he met his wife, Valarie and together they returned to MUSC, where Mark earned his Doctorate in Pharmacy. His total service, active and reserve duty, was 29 years. His last assignment, after achieving the rank of Colonel, was the 3297th U.S. Army Hospital Detachment Commander in the U.S. Army Reserves. His current employ...

A friend of ours from church went to be with the Lord yesterday afternoon. We got the news last evening, and found out all the details this evening at church. It’s just crazy because we just saw him Sunday at church. He has been battling cancer for a while, but his prognosis was stable. He and his daughter were running some errands on Monday and he started acting funny. He was rushed to the ER and it was determined that he was in the early stages of a stroke. Apparently his cancer spread to his brain, and the tumor in his head ruptured. No one knew the cancer was in his head, so he was literally a walking time-bomb. Mark was such an inspiration. Even though he was fighting for his life, he always put on a good face and had an upbeat attitude. Despite the pain he endured during his treatments, he always took the time to find out about others. He inquired about my dad on Sunday, and encouragingly patted me on the back. Like most people, I just wish we could have said good-bye. He left be...

We picked up Ta’s glasses today. He fought me about wearing them as soon as we got them! He didn’t even wear them long enough to get the nose piece adjusted. We met TJ at the park and had a picnic, and on the way home I stopped for a large bag of M&M’s. For each minute Ta wears his glasses, he gets an M&M. I started it after he woke from his nap. It has worked well, and he’s been keeping them on for longer periods of time. He looks adorable, if I do say so myself!