In my arms

Your baby blues
So full of wonder
Your Curly Que’s
Your contagious smile
And as I watch
You start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight
Knowing

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Story books
Are full of fairy-tales
Of kings and queens
And the bluest skies
My heart is torn just in knowing
You’ll someday see
The truth for lies

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

Castles they might crumble
Dreams may not come true
Cause you are never all alone
Cause I will always
Always love you

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash all around
But you will be safe in my arms

In my arms
In my arms

So today was much better regarding my attitude. I definitely felt better this afternoon at least. Caedmon and I went to Leapin' Lizards, a place where they have bounce houses up and you pay to get in and play for two hours. Caedmon insisted it was cold outside because it was raining so he wore his "Christmas Hat" as he called it. It is a handknit beanie my aunt made him. He was so sweaty by the time I was able to get it off his noggin. But the activity did wonders for the both of us. It was a good distraction and then we came home- to a phone call from Rick. Yea!! I was able to just chat with him and actually hear about Japan and about what he has seen so far. We basically said our goodbyes but I hope to get one more call tonight. I will miss my husband's voice for a good long while and it has been great being able to just talk to him.
I am still very down about some other things, though. I need everyone to be praying for my friend's son, Joshua. He was born yesterday and was doing fine but is now having troubles. His breathing and his heartbeat are irregular. I got a call today saying there is a possibility they may come and stay with me while he is getting care at Tripler Hospital. We are waiting because the hope is that Joshua improves and there will be no need of his being transfered from Guam to Oahu. I am just needing prayer for my heart that I would continue to be a source of comfort for this family and that my home would accommodate everyone. We will see. Just lots and lots of prayer is needed in this situation. My heart just hurts for all of them.

So here are a few pictures from Sunday. We went to Hickham Beach and played for about 2 hours. The three other boys are sons of some of the other wives whose hubbies are also gone. Caedmon is talking to Rick on the phone. As you can see, he was very happy to have his Daddy to talk to for a few minutes. We have since been able to chat with Rick a few more times. And each time Caedmon is either very silly or really has something to share. Either way I know it makes Rick happy to hear his little voice.
I am feeling my patience leaving me. What ever work the Lord has done in me feels so lost right now. I am forever frustrated and always scowling or at least it feels that way to me. And yet my son loves me. I have no idea what I am doing half the time ( or at least that is how I feel). I want so much just to reach through the phone and bring my husband home. Its like talking to him just makes me miss him more but I would never ever trade the sound of his voice for any other sound.
I am feeling a tad overwhelmed at the prospect of another (approx.) 5 months doing the single parent thing. I am stretched and I just need some time alone- just me and the Lord. No one else.
The nice thing is I have another phone call to look forward to tomorrow. I love talking to my husband. Even if what I say is silly and inconsequential. I want so desperately to sound intelligent and I want to talk about other stuff but my brain just flits away when he is on the phone. I hope he knows I am not being inane on purpose.

So I got a phone call. YEA!! I am so happy now. I have been waiting and waiting. My patience was tested and so I am glad that I had set up a day to go to the beach for Caedmon and I. We needed the distraction. And then he called. I am very excited to have talked with him even if it was but a few minutes. I know that we will talk again. And about different topics than those we did discuss such as credit cards and taxes. The life of a wife is never done and so I had to just remember we will have more time and he needs money to do things while he is in port. In case you have not heard, my hubby's card was compromised while he was gone and so I had to cancel it. So he is depending on a credit card and an ATM card that he does not have a pin for. SO we are figuring out the logistics of his spending and stuff. IT is so much fun.
But back to the call, Caedmon was very excited and talked for a minute and was all silly on the phone. Calling Rick Silly Daddy and making funny noises. He then told him we were at the beach and he had his friends there. and then he was done.
But we are very excited and happy now. We will get to hear from him again.

Family is pervading my every thought. I miss our family being together. In the mornings, we had our cuddle time. Now that Caedmon is four years old, he is too big to sleep in our bed all the time. Plainly put, he is a bed hog. So this morning, Caedmon came in at his usual hour and cuddled with me for a bit. As he was dozing back off to sleep, he reached across me, patted the pillows on the side Daddy sleeps on and sighed "Oh Daddy..." and went back to sleep like he was content Daddy was there. I almost burst into tears at the thought of him not being there when he awoke. But he knew as soon as his eyes re-opened that Rick was on the sub still and he asked all the usual questions. "When will he be back?" "Is he okay?"
I am feeling much better after having fought the flu all weekend. I will say to be sick and a "single parent" is not fun at all. Caedmon was also sick. It was a sicky house for sure. But we are recovering and on the way to going back out at our usual breakneck speed.
One new development is that God brought my way a babysitter. Her name is Hope and she is 13 years old. She is certified and all that. She is coming over for the first time tonight to go over our bedtime routine. I will be attending a MOPS night out with some other moms. It should be fun. I am actually excited. And now I do not have to impose too much on my awesome new friends Stephanie and her husband Shawn to watch Caedmon.
That is all for now.

This was from last year about this time and I thought how funny that we would be sitting somewhere warm and sunburnt a year later. Granted San Diego is pretty much the same as here in Ohau but still...it will be awhile before we see snow again!
I am excited to be starting my new business venture- Creative Memories. I have been kinda on the fence about joining as a consultant. I decided to jump in feet first. There is alot I need to learn but I think this will keep me very busy!
My website for ordering some of the product is http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/amberwristen.
This is way outside my comfort zone but I think God has some plan in it for me.
I am looking forward to what that is!

Caedmon and I had a good day kinda. It started out poorly and I was having trouble getting out of bed due to queasiness. I did not want to wear any of my clothes because they bothered me. It was one of those days. I threw on Rick's Conduct Happiness shirt (see the p is for penguin)- the one that says Broccoli gives me gas and has a little broccoli dressed up as a gas station attendant-and took Caedmon to the park at about noon. We were there for an hour and I was feeling yucky. as we were headed home, I realized it was Super Bowl Sunday. I was missing my friends and bean dip and taco salad and chips. Ahh, glorious chips! Then I saw I had a message on my answering machine. It was my friend Stephanie inviting me to Super Bowl Sunday at her house. I was able to go and hang out and Caedmon got to play with his friend T. Which was great because I did not really play with him at all today. I am frustrated with myself for this lately. I am sick but still I need to make sure he knows I care about his interests and that I love to play with him. I have had a lackluster attitude the past few days. Grrr! Tomorrow will be better.
Super Bowl was fun to watch but some of the commercials were stupid and inappropriate for kids. Thank goodness Caedmon didn't really watch the game. I think my favorite has to be the Mr. Potato one. Here is a link so you can watch it:
http://www.mahalo.com/Bridgestone_Potato_Head_Super_Bowl_Ad
The day ended well. Caedmon came home and had a sandwich and watched his favorite movie The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything. The only thing that could have made this day end even better would have been an email from Rick. But alas none for 3 days. Boo!