Followup Post

Thanks to Brandon for posting the story in from the Daily Oklahoman with my Grandpa on the front page!  If you were interested, check out his blog.  

My Grandpa, An American Hero

I know I need to update this blog with some pictures and other stuff, but here is what I really want to share with you right now.

I am so proud of my Grandpa! He is a gentle and wonderful man and I am so priviledged to share in this honor with him next week...The following is (an edited version of) the local press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MAY 14, 2008 TULSA, OK - Oklahoma native and Tulsa resident Ted Anderson is an American hero. He will be recognized and honored for that title during a rare and unique presentation by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry during ceremonies at the Oklahoma capital at 1:00 p.m., May 20th. Only two Oklahomans have earned the right to be honored at this ceremony. The other is fellow Oklahoman and Iwo Jima Survivor former Governor Henry Bellmon.

Ted is not just a hero that put his life on the line to help all Americans preserve and realize an unprecedented freedom and way of life, but he has lived an exemplary life that reflects a humble and proud American.

Yes, he was wounded during actions above and beyond the call of duty and ignored his own safety and welfare for the sake of others. But, just as important he quietly overcame life-threatening and debilitating physical obstacles to take his place as a proud family patriarch and impacting business professional in a developing world of technology.

His reflective and thoughtful demeanor, guided by a strong faith and his marriage partner of 60 years, Cindy, has entitled him to raise five successful children who have blessed him with 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

His impact as a behind-the-scenes leader and motivator has earned him the respect of untold numbers of friends and success among professional peers. And, all of this has been accomplished while silently concealing a remarkable American who proudly helped shoulder the fate of a nation and won. This experience and modest attitude has allowed him to become a model by example of who he believes Americans should be.

Ted will proudly stand beside his combat comrade Monday and modestly accept a reward that has been long in arriving. But, he will be most proud of his family and friends who share that honor with him.

Ted Anderson and Henry Bellmon will be honored with serial numbered American Flags that have flown over the Iwo Jima Memorial. This is an honor specifically for the soldiers who courageously fought in that deadly battle.

Ted Anderson's story in brief:

Ted was a Navy Corpsman attached to the 5th Marine division which attacked Iwo Jima. Ted was in the wave that hit at H-hour plus 2 hours. He witnessed the first American flag flying on Mt. Suribachi during the intense battle on February 23, 1945.Approximately two weeks later he and a comrade were bringing injured Marines from the intense battle fields to the Field Hospital. Along the way they were attacked. At the conclusion of the skirmish, he continued with his injured wards of responsibility. When he arrived, the doctor looked at him and said, "Sit down."Ted explained that he was the Corpsman and those he had brought in were the injured.

The doc repeated, "Sit down." Ted obeyed, went instantly unconscious and awoke on a hospital ship, blind in one eye and a head full of shrapnel, some of which he still carries.

The story doesn't end there. Ted's uncomplaining courage and determination to overcome blindness, other wounds and a future that doctors painted as being painful and limiting, tells an ongoing hero's story of strength and resiliency that all Americans can point to with pride.

WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA!

Thank you for everything you've done for all of us!

First Steps

Elisa is finally walking at 15 months! If I was a good mother, more organized and with more time on my hands, I would have a video or something to share, but I don't. We've been very busy lately and she's keeping up as best she can. It is so cute how excited she gets about walking when we praise her and then next time she's cool as a cucumber. She still can't get to standing without some assistance, so if she falls in the middle of the floor its on her knees until she does.

She is also starting to demonstrate imaginative play and nurturing behavior. I am fascinated by how she does these things without having them shown to her! Last week she found a pacifier in her toybox (she never took it but we've never put it away). She immediately got excited, took it to her doll and put it 'in' her doll's mouth. So cute! Now this is a favorite game for her. Another time I found her in her room making a 'bed' out of blankets for her stuffed animal. The best, however, is when Brandon caught her 'bathing' her doll in the dog bowl. Hmm...don't think we'll encourage that one.

All of this is very exciting to me as I anxiously await her transition from 'baby' to 'big sister'. So glad we finally got to walking before I am too pregnant to carry her everywhere! Hopefully she'll be as loving to a new baby as she is to her doll babies.

On the downside, thanks to everyone at ETBC who suffers through our distracting display of discipline on Sunday mornings! This girl has an independent spirit and sitting through the worship service is not her idea of a good time just yet.

something to talk about...

I'm still thinking about Valentine's Day. Although I'm a few days late, I wanted to share my thoughts on some comments on marriage I enjoyed from my Real Simple magazine this month. While we all know this magazine doesn't have a Christian perspective, I felt the tips from their readership in the 'your words' section really reflect sound moral committment and some ideas I could relate to...

• Choose to stay in love! It doesn't always come easy, but marriage is a committment best complimented by love. And love is often something you choose by your words and actions as you support and encourage your husband from day to day regardless of how you may be feeling. We try to follow John Heller's advice of saying "I love you" every night before we fall asleep.
• Have something to talk about! My husband and I are two very different people. For a long time, I thought we shared few interests in common. However, we've found one common ground that's good for us both. We both listen to NPR when we are out and about. At the end of the day, we'll often say, "did you hear the piece about...?". It's nice to have something stimulating to discuss and share that doesn't have any bearing on the stresses of our real life and it keeps us up to date. (see my NPR feed on the right for randon headlines of the day)
• Playfulness! One of my favorite things about Brandon is his playfull personality. It makes him a fun husband and great dad. I am not very silly and I am thankful for his little made up songs and dances to remind me to find joy in the little moments.
• Sex and money! The question here is "what is the secret to a good marriage?" While love, trust and communication are all good answers - these two are deffinately key things to get right. So try to get 'date night' in the budget!

It's so easy to be busy being mommies. Let's not forget our first love. I know my husband, like my Lord, deserves my best efforts, not the leftovers.

in case you were wondering...

My goodness it's been a long time since I've posted. I keep meaning to, but I'm so busy right now. However, this particular one has been *FORCED* by my beloved sister who indicated that someone she is related to might be having a baby. There seems to be some speculation that it is me.

Well, if you speculated as such (or heard some vicious rumour) it is true. I never really intended to keep it a secret, I just haven't had time to announce it from the blog-tops. Christina has been threatening to do it for me and I guess I've learned my lesson. That girl means business!

Apparently so do Brandon and I. We are expecting our new little edition sometime between July and August. Not really sure yet as I haven't had an ultrasound and wasn't really 'keeping track'. I actually found out the day little Sophie was born, so apparently that is four weeks ago (sorry for the delay). We are sufficiently excited and glad to get such a good value out of all that expensive baby stuff we invested in last year!

Seriously, we are feeling very blessed and excited. I will have my first ultrasound early in February so we'll try and update you all then. That is, if Christina doesn't beat me to it....

Kissing and Cousins

Well, I guess you all know my blog is falling behind horribly. Elisa is getting so active, it is hard to find time to sit down at the computer that isn't work related! So here's the quickie update on the last month.

We had a great Thanksgiving. Christina and her family were able to come for the first time since she had a family! Elisa is crawling, cruising, chattering and basically wearing me out! Here are a few photos from the last week and the holiday visit...

Going in for a kiss...my favorite new skill (thanks Grandma)
Hates sitting still!

Playing with Grandma and the cousins!

I can't believe how big she is getting. Next week she'll be turning 1! Hopefully I will get birthday pictures posted before Christmas. No promises though.

Daddy's Little Girl

It's high time our cutie got some more recognition on this blog.

So, here are some recent snapshots. Hope you enjoy!

Looks like we'll be putting up a gate before long.

Her father is already teaching her about the importance of good eye care. Looks like she's on board as Oakley's youngest model.

There are many unexpected ways to entertain yourself with an Exersaucer. She was particularly proud of this one.

Welcome Christina

Yea! Christina finally has internet access and has straightaway taken the excellent advice of me and my mom and started a blog. Some of you have already found it, but for those that haven't, go see some cute pictures and welcome her to our world!

I miss my bed

I hate being TIRED. More to the point, I LOVE sleeping.

I have turned down good jobs because they required me to be there before 8 am. I structured my entire college career and my current employment(s) around not being obligated before 9, meaning I did not have to get out of bed before 8. Brandon has the same cushy schedule. If there is one thing that binds us together, it is that we both love the bed (possibly more than each other).

Sleeping is the most luxurious thing in the world because it means you have time on your hands. My favorite thing is to get back in bed after I wake up. Just because I can.

Only I can't. Elisa wakes up between 5:30 and 6. I am surely not the only one to know that having children makes you TIRED. I knew this would be the case and though I was emotionally prepared for it, physically I was not. Fatigue is making me grumpy, forgetful and overwhelmed. It is making me slightly resentful of my husband, whose schedule is much less drastically altered.

I miss my bed. I miss cuddling with my husband before the alarm clock goes off. I miss sleeping in 'till eleven on the weekend. I miss taking the occasional (ok, daily) nap before I fix dinner.

As tired as I am, I love my daughter. She brings me incredible joy and I wouldn't give her up for anything. She is the most precious, most important thing to me in the world.

That does not, however, change the fact that I miss my bed.

Baby Dougie

Welcome to our family

Douglas Edward Ruhlig Jr!

See mom's post for all the details of the day.

Here are some cute pictures of my new nephew!

Baby Elisa will be going to Florida on Tuesday to visit for a week.
We are excited (well, I am anyway, Elisa is pretty clueless).

Amazing Grace

I can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted. My whole life has changed since then! At first I was too busy with closing, remodeling, moving unpacking. Then it was work, then spending all my free time at the hospital. I have a mental list of several blogs I'd like to write and I am going to start catching up-I promise. I have lots of pictures of the house. We will probably put an album up on Brandon's Blog.

However, first and most importantly I want to say Thanks to all for the prayers, phone calls, visits and general outpouring of love and suport for my family since Joel's accident. It isn't over, but his physical recovery continues to progress at an amazing speed. He may have farther to come with his cognitive recovery, only time will tell. You can continue to read updates on Brandon's Blog.

Joel's life was spared several times over and we are so thankful to the Lord for His bountiful grace. This accident has really impressed upon me my responsibility to pray for his spiritual salvation. Continue to pray with us that it will cause him to think about it too as he wakes up and faces his situation.