Operation Pink Cement

Thank you all for your supportive comments as well as all of the stories and discussion shared on my post last week.

I am on one hand so encouraged to know that I am not alone – and at the same time saddened, that there are so many military families facing challenges right now. I hope that as time goes by we can help each other move forward and find a way to pave a path for others to follow. As always, we are stronger together!

Now – Operation Pink Cement?  Let me explain.
Over the weekend, I finally convinced my husband to help me start ripping up our front yard.

When we bought our house last summer, we decided to concentrate our energy on digging up tree stumps, planting grass, and creating a lovely back yard where we could spend time together as a family. Now that we’ve had a nice warm spell here in El Paso, I find myself with a serious case of “spring fever” in January.

And this – is in my crosshairs.

Yes my friends. Your eyes do not deceive you. That is gray flagstone and pink cement.

Once upon a time, our yellow brick house was a red brick house.
And I assume someone thought it would be a good idea to color coordinate.
So they who shall remain nameless, covered the front yard with flagstone and red dyed cement.

Which has since faded to a lovely shade of pink/ mauve.  Lovely.

One of the things I’ve learned about about my husband is that he is a “do-er”. Which means he is often most happy when he is actively involved in a project. And although we don’t talk very much while working together in the yard, sometimes it is the best kind of conversation. Quality over quantity. Often I find that when we’re faced with big challenges, it’s good to find an easy venue (like a yard project) to encourage each other and praise each other’s hard work.

Not to mention good problem solving techniques too.
For example – what are we going to do with all of this flagstone?

And then – we came up with an idea.

So after spending a few hours ripping up cement and stacking the pieces of flagstone into piles,
we started carrying them to the backyard.

And just like the pieces of our life that we are sorting through and piecing back together,
one at a time, slow and steady,
each of the pieces of flagstone were pieced together.

And after three days of hard work and encouragement,
a shared idea of ours is slowly becoming reality.

What dreams are you dreaming together as a family?

How do you find simple solutions to work through big challenges in your life?

…

***PSSST!  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for a BIG announcement! ***

I have recruited some of my favorite Military Spouses to start a brand new project you won’t want to miss!