Confidence

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him." Jeremiah 17:7

On a whim, Dylan raced in his second race yesterday. We had to return some items to the local moto store and a salesman told us about a local race being held. It didn't take Dylan long to let us know he wanted to race, but he was a bit torn about what bike to ride. A couple of weeks ago, we purchased Dylan a race motorcycle. He likes it, but is a bit leery of it because he can't touch his feet on the ground when he is on it. Long story short, Garth made an executive decision to let him ride the new bike.

We got to the track and all checked in for the race. Dylan has only been on this track a couple of times. The track was wet and kind of slick. On Dylan's practice lap, he didn't even make it around once. He kept falling and just not sure of himself at all. (He had just rode the day before and was looking really good on the bike.) He came off the track crying and Garth was frustrated. So, the serious parenting began. We knew he just needed some confidence and he could ride that track. We told him to ride with the confidence he had the day before and he would do great. Garth took him to a little track and let him ride while the other races were going. The confidence was building.

His race time began and believe it or not, he did all three laps without falling. He was a totally different rider. He came in last out of four, but he finished the race. He was so proud of himself. On the second moto, he was in third place up until the very end and a little guy passed him. But once again, all the way around three times without one fall. He came off the track with a big smile and was greeted by a big bear hug from his dad. He just got a participation trophy and was quite disappointed in it. However, the day turned out to be a big confidence booster for Dylan.

Confidence appeared to be the word of the day, and as I was replaying the day in my mind I began to realize that I am not too much unlike Dylan. There are many times that I don't have the confidence to get through some of the things I face. However, as the verse above states, we are to have our confidence in Jesus - that will be enough to get us through. If the waves are crashing in too hard and high or the waters ahead look murky and muddy or the mountain just looks way too treacherous - we are called to trust in Him and find our confidence to come through in Christ.

Be encouraged!!

Many blessings!

First Race

I just wanted to quickly tell you about Dylan's first motocross race. As you know, Dylan has ridden a little dirtbike for about a year. Lately, he has expressed interest in racing, so he rode in his first race yesterday. To make the day more special, my grandparents came down to enjoy the day with us.

We arrived at the track around 9 am and got Dylan checked in for the race. He was ready to ride as soon as we got there. We tried to get him to conserve enery for the race, but he informed us that he was here to ride not rest. Before the races began, a Christian motocycle club held a devotional for anyone who wanted to join, so we did and were greatly blessed. Dylan got a sticker from them and they prayed for him and his bike. (Very neat.) Then the waiting began. They run the little guys last, so he was race number 9. We are still learning about the motocross sport, so here is what we know. There is a class for PeeWee's and a class for race 50's. Dylan is in the PeeWee class because of the bike he rides. There were no other PeeWee's and only 2 race 50's. They ran these boys together and of course, Dylan came in last in both races. However, because he is considered PeeWee, he received the 1st place trophy for the class. Well, he thinks he is big stuff now. He has shown his trophy off and told big tales about the race and this morning he took a picture of the trophy to school. He had a great time and so did we, so I guess there will be more racing in our future and possibly a race bike.

It was a fast weekend, but very special. We are so glad that Mamaw and Papaw were able to jump in their car and come for a quick visit. The boys really enjoyed having them around, and it was good for them to spend some special time with Jaydon. We ended their visit with prayer and off to the big city of Hillsboro they went. I thank them for the Christian legacy they are passing on to their kids, grandkids, and now great-grandkids.










Well, now it is time to get things back in order from the weekend. Gotta go!! Laundry is beckoning.

Many blessings!!

BBBBBBBRRRRRROOOOOOMMMMMMM....

or something like that. (Jaydon's version of anything with a motor). I have had two very nice posts ready to go and my silly computer has eaten both, so this is effort #3. I just wanted to tell you about our great weekend. We were blessed to have a three day weekend, and my parents came down for a visit. The weather wasn't just great on Saturday so we just hung out and enjoyed everyone's company. Mom got some good Grammy time in with the boys. Dad watched the Barrett-Jackson (he can't help it, it is in his genes). He also shared some snacks and played some sort of "pounce the granddad game" with Jaydon. Garth did some maintenance on the motorcyles and I just enjoyed having a few extra hands around the house. Thank you Grammy!!

Sunday we went out with three other families from the base who have dirt bikes and had a great day. Dylan of course had a blast. He loves to ride. Garth gave Jaydon a ride and he loves it too. I think we have another dirt bike rider in the waiting. Dad even got back on one after many years and you could see the pleasure in his face to know he still had it. I got in on the action by riding a friend's 70 and putting around for awhile. Grammy did what she does best - behind the cameras catching all the action. We ended the day with a yummy meal at La Playa.

Monday was time to say Bye. That is never fun, but it allows us to look forward to next time. It is so great to have family visit when they can. It was great having you Mom and Dad. We love you.

This morning we were back to the grind. Dylan off to school and Garth off to work leaving Jaydon and I here to make up for the weekend. Dylan is already looking forward to the next one hoping some motorcycle riding is in the plans.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend too.

Many blessing!!

Happy 2008!!!

We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year. We had a great holiday season. We were able to see my half of the family and visit with some friends. We all managed to stay well until after Christmas. Dylan got a stomach bug and Jaydon is now fighting chest congestion and ear infections. (Hope he doens't have to live on bubble gum medicine like me.)

Anyways now we trying to get things back in order here and focus on the upcoming year. We have some big changes in the year ahead. Dylan started his last half of kinder today. The first half was a blur and I'm sure this half will be no different. He starts gymnastics tonight. That should be fun. He still loves riding his motorcycle and gets better all the time.

Jaydon is growing so fast. He is slimming down a bit (28 1/2 lbs.) but still has those "Lloyd" legs. He likes being with the guys and playing outside and his vocabulary is increasing by the week now. I can't believe '08 will bring me a 7 year old and a 2 year old. It just doesn't seem possible.

Garth is just steadily working. He received his orders and we are headed out to California in June. (He will have more on that later.) So, he is consumed with figuring out housing and the logistics of all that right now. When he is not working he is riding or skateboarding with Dylan or just enjoying time with his family. Not much new with me. I am just enjoying this ride they call LIFE. I just stay busy with the boys, all three. It is a good thing I am a tom-boy at heart. My health appears to be managed pretty well right now.

Well that is a quick look into our lives. We will bring more details about the move as we have them. Please keep us in your prayers as the days roll by, I know we will need them. We know that God has good things for us and we will continue to look to Him to lead and guide us in His ways (whever that may take us). We wish you a very blessed 2008. Please stay in touch.

Many blessings!

Orders in, hello California

B.L.U.F.(Bottom line up front): I (Garth) received my orders to 1st Medical Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California. I will detach from Naval Hospital Corpus Christi in May 2008 and I will report to 1st Medical Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA in June 2008.

Expanded Notes: Okay, welcome to your first military acronym: B.L.U.F. Believe me, there are thousands of acronyms and I will attempt to stay away from them as much as possible in my explanation of my new set of orders and what the orders mean to me and my family.

• What is the 1st Medical Battalion? Think of the TV series MASH. The 1st MDBTLN is kind of like that--A clinic--only now days, much more sophisticated.


• How long will you be at the 1st MDBTLN? 3 years, starting June 2008 and will complete my commitment in June 2011.


• Is the 1st MDBTLN with the Marines? Absolutely. I will be considered "Green side" (Marines) as opposed to "Blue side" (Navy) or "Grey side" (Navy Ships). I will be working alongside and for the Marines.


• What will you do at 1st MDBTLN? I will serve as either a Company Commander of 80 people, an admin officer or a staff officer.


• Will you have to deploy? Yes. Unfortunately, we are a Nation at War and our Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airman who are fighting this War deserve the best medical care during battle. The 1st MDBTLN will provide that care. I will be inside the Wire as opposed to outside the Wire (US Military territory).


• How Long will you have to go? Well, that is undetermined. Currently, they are 6-7 month deployments.


• How many times will you have to go? I don't know. I know people who have gone once and others that have gone twice.


• Can you deploy to other places? Yes. In fact, I could be assigned to a MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit). With the MEU, I will be attached to a ship and I will oversee patient movement from the ground to the ships and vice-versa.


• Why are you going with the Marines and not another hospital? Ah, yes. This is the million dollar question, isn't it? Okay, in order for you to understand why I have chosen this operational billet (job), you need to have some background information:

First, Not all Officers will have the luxury of reaching the 20 years needed to retire. Congress mandates the number of Officers the Military can have; Therefore, Officers during promotion periods will have to go through a selection board. This selection board will select the Officers that deserve to be promoted and stay in the Navy. As for the rest that did not get selected, Goodbye...here is your severance check, no healthcare coverage and thank you for serving. In order for me to be competitive, I need to do an operational tour. Although it doesn't guarantee that I will be selected, it definitely will help.

Secondly, a chance for unlimited Healthcare coverage for the future. For those who know us, you know we can not go without this very important benefit. If I can reach the 20yr mark, we will have healthcare coverage and a retirement check for the rest of our lives(how huge is that!) If I have to deploy to have an opportunity for this benefit, I am going to do it.

Thirdly, I truly believe I would regret not serving. So many fellow Officers have served and I need to also.

• What about your family? Are you going to miss them? To say that I would miss them would be an understatement. I am consistently somber and think about it all the time, it keeps me up at night sometimes. I am about to make the biggest sacrifice of my life: leaving my family (not forever!). There is nothing better in life than having my family by me. In fact, my son Dylan is sleeping at my feet as I am typing. I will be able to stay in touch, often daily and will be able to do video conferences. On the topic of my family, I could write forever. Bottom line: My family needs come before mine; I will do whatever it takes for them to be taken care of, for now and for the future.

Garth

Winter Tea

Christmas break has officially begun for the Aldrich's. Today Dylan's school put on a little Christmas program for their friends and family and then we went to their classrooms to be served some treats prepared by the kids. It was so cute!! This is really the first time Dylan has ever been in a program and it was so much fun to watch. The kids wore their "Sunday best" and sang Christmas carols. They did such a good job. Dylan even sang!!

The room was decorated with a peice of artwork by each child. Dylan attends a charter school so as a way to earn money the artwork was auctioned off in a Silent Auction. My $10 went to a beautiful Christmas tree made by Dylan. (I personally think grandparents would have definately been in their element today.) There was a live auction to sell some paper-mache animals. Dylan's class made a sea turtle. It was the cutest thing. It went for about $300, so someone else will get the luxury of enjoying it. Two of the pieces went for $1000 a piece. There were some parents and grandparents with some deep pockets!! It all went to a good cause though. The school has been great for Dylan.

Well, after getting my prized artwork, it was off the the classroom for treats. Mrs. Fernandez had a beautiful spread of snacks. Dylan served me, and then gave me a present he had made in his class. We wished everyone a Merry Christmas and headed home. Dylan and Jaydon both crashed fast asleep and are napping as I type.

Thank you God for giving me my boys so I can experience special times like these.

Many Blessings and Merry Christmas!!

Baby Jesus Update

We found Baby Jesus!!! He was hiding under the couch. I'm sure I will have to search for Him again, but I will just use that as a simple reminder to search for Christ Jesus more this season.