Army Girls

Emma, Jolee, Carrigan and Abby

Last weekend we had one of our 3 day meetings, we heard some wonderful sermons well I heard bits and pieces of the wonderful sermon's (you know in between going in and out with little man) and we met some wonderful people and got to catch up with some old ones. When I was younger at our 3 day meetings, my cousins (Shanna and Kelly) my Aunt Michele (who is more like a sister, than Aunt) would all go over to my Grandparents house for a sleep over. During many of those sleep overs, we would gather round and talk to the preachers (they stayed at my grandparents as well), we would help make the unleavened bread for communion, we would sit around and sing and we would play. Those are special times that stick out in my head, when I think of a 3 day meeting.

So I wanted Jolee and the girls at our church, to experience some of that togetherness at a special time (like during our meeting). They are all wonderful girls that we would claim as our own. They all have such a sweet spirit and have a wonderful time when they are together.They all look forward to church so they can see each other, which I think is special friendship bond that they will always have.

So Saturday night after church they came home with us and I wish I had a video of them jumping up and down and squealing together. On the way home, Silas said I got this "T"...(which scared me a bit at first) but he really did have it. He talked to them about the flag and it's importance, about our army men and women he had questions for them and they had questions for him and it was amazing the knowledge this little group of 4,5 and 7 year olds have.

He then asked them, did they want to be "Army Girls"? Oh my goodness at the excitement in the van! We had Sargent Silas, Lieutenant Abby, Private Emma, Private Carrigan and Private Jolee! The marched around, they played, they built a fort in the living room (and everyone slept there all night long).  Silas I mean Sargent Silas (and they would correct each other and us if we did not say Private Lieutenant or Sargent in front of there names. They replied with "Sir Yes Sir" all night and the next day.I can not say enough how much fun we all had that night.

Silas made up a song and they marched around and sang it. For this night alone, Silas gets... THE DADDY OF THE YEAR AWARD  he was great! He had a wonderful time with the girls and I'm pretty sure the girls had a wonderful time with him too!

Enjoy the video.......

1st verse:

Sargent Silas: I don't know what you been told

Army Girls: I don't know what you been told

Sargent Silas: I won't date till I'm very old 

Army Girls: I won't date till I'm very old

2nd verse:

Sargent Silas:  I don't like to play with boys

Army Girls: I don't like to play with boys

Sargent Silas: Because when I do I get annoyed

Army Girls: Because when I do I get annoyed

After all the fun was over at 12:30am they got ready for bed and we all...Jolee, Emma,Carrigan, Abby, Silas and I piled up in the fort and read a book and some bible stories and had prayer.  Silas prayed first and each one of the girls prayed after. As the girls prayed, my eyes filled up with tears and I realized even though these girls are young they know and have such a love for God and that's what it's all about. Some prayed for their food, some prayed to sleep good, some thanked Him for their friends and for the soldiers in the Army etc.  But the prayer that made me realize how much a young person can  have a burden and carry it inside was a sweet little prayer from Emma, she said....Please God help my brother Nathan, to not be sick anymore so he will feel good.  After some hugs and kisses they all went to sleep.

But once the "Army Girls" were in bed, I went to clean the kithchen from our little popcorn party we had and I started thinking about Emma's prayer and the comments that Jolee has been making lately. Some examples: she has made up songs that say....I couldn't see my Mommy while she was in the hospital, I was so sad because I missed my Mommy and Daddy, when my brother was born I couldn't hold him,  I had to see him from a window. Ofcourse I 'am in another room crying at this point, because I didn't realize that she still thinks about that very stressful and hard time in our lives and carries it with her. She will also, just come up to me out of the blue and say...Mommy remember when you were in the hospital and I couldnt see you for a long time? or Granna took care of me and we had fun, but I missed you Mommy! All that being said, I just didn't really know that 10 months later it is still fresh in her head (I knew it was in mine) but not my 4 year olds. So all in all this sleep over was fun, exciting, eye opening, the list could go on an on about the memories we made that night. And hopefully when they get older and we keep doing this, they will have sweet memories (just like I do) of not only the church meeting itself, but the friendships they have made, because they will be sweeter than any other.

We had a GREAT time and love all these girlies so much! Thanks Jay & Amber and Tony & Amanda for letting your sweet, sweet girls come over!