What If?

I'd like to start this with a disclaimer: I LOVE MY LIFE. No matter what you read in this blog, that needs to be very clearly stated.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot of "what if's". It started last Friday when my family and I took a trip into Boston on one of the first perfect days of spring. We parked by the public garden, walked down Newbury Street to Copley Plaza and the Pru then down Boylston. We happened to be in the city during rush hour when everyone was getting out of work and since the weather was fabulous, everyone seemed to be walking home. It made me wonder if that would have been me had I taken a different route in life. What if I HAD stayed here and finished college before getting married? What if I had applied to Northeastern as a transfer? Would I be like these young professionals with their iPods in their ears walking down one the streets of one of the best cities in the country?

It's probably not good for me to think like this because I don't live with regrets. I don't regret any of the choices I have made, it's just crazy to think how different my life would be if Matt hadn't joined the military or we hadn't gotten married when we did. Everyone has a path in life and I am 100% sure I was made to be with him and live this life. It's not for everyone. "God made the strongest women military wives".

Maybe it was just the gorgeous weather in the city that made me wonder. I should take a walk in the rain see if that changes my mind :).

Anyway, I want to stress that I am so happy in my choices. I am happy I married the man I love with all my heart and can't wait to grow old and gray with. I am happy I had my son young so I will be able to see him grow and see his children and maybe even my great-grandchildren. I am happy I am a military wife because it has taught me so many lessons in life already.

"This life doesn't get easier, you just get stronger"

The Military Wife

Lots of moving...

Moving...

Moving...

Moving far from home...

Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...all riding with HER of course.

Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house;

Moving curtains that won't fit;

Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.

Moving away from friends;

Moving toward new friends;

Moving her most important luggage: her trunk full of memories.



Often waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting...

Waiting for housing.

Waiting for orders.

Waiting for deployments.

Waiting for phone calls.

Waiting for reunions.

Waiting for the new curtains to arrive.

Waiting for him to come home,

For dinner...AGAIN!



They call her 'Military Dependent', but she knows better:

She is fiercely In-Dependent.



She can balance a check book;

Handle the yard work;

Fix a noisy toilet;

Bury the family pet...



She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts.

She can file the taxes;

Sell a house;

Buy a car;

Or set up a move...

.....all with ONE Power of Attorney.



She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.

She reinvents her career with every PCS;

Locates a house in the desert, The Arctic, Or the deep south.

And learns to call them all 'home'.

She MAKES them all home.



Military Wives are somewhat hasty...

They leap into:

Decorating,

Leadership,

Volunteering,

Career alternatives,

Churches,

And friendships.

They don't have 15 years to get to know people.

Their roots are short but flexible.

They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.



Military Wives quickly learn to value each other:

They connect over coffee,

Rely on the spouse network,

Accept offers of friendship and favors.

Record addresses in pencil...



Military Wives have a common bond:

The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands; his commitment is unique.

He doesn't have a 'JOB'

He has a ' MISSION ' that he can't just decide to quit...

He's on-call for his country 24/7.

But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town!

His language is foreign

TDY

PCS

OPR

SOS

ACC

BDU

ACU

BAR

CIB

TAD

And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.

She is the long- distance link to keep them informed;

the glue that holds them together.



A Military Wife has her moments:

She wants to wring his neck;

Dye his uniform pink;

Refuse to move to Siberia ;

But she pulls herself together.

Give her a few days,

A travel brochure,

A long hot bath,

A pledge to the flag,

A wedding picture,

And she goes.

She packs.

She moves.

She follows.



Why?

What for?

How come?

You may think it is because she has lost her mind.

But actually it is because she has lost her heart.

It was stolen from her by a man,

Who puts duty first,

Who longs to deploy,

Who salutes the flag,

And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military Husband,

She will remain his military wife.

And would have it no other way.

Scrapbook for Matt

This free digital scrapbook personalized with Smilebox

One Month Down!

Last Friday marked one month since Matt had left for Afghanistan. I am so amazed at how quickly these days have been flying and I am so thankful. Shane is keeping me so busy and entertained. He is quite the performer and always full of smiles. I thank God everyday for this amazing gift and the true blessing have a child is. I could not imagine my life without him.

As for Matt, he is still doing well. Working 18 hours days though so he has little time for much else besides sleep. He has "adopted" a dog named Hercules and soon we will be trying to raise money to bring him back to the States. It costs quite a bit to get him shipped back but he will have such a better life as our dog than he will in the Afghani mountains. Matt says he is more interested in being pet than dog treats! So if we raise enough money before Matt has to leave that particular FOB he should be on his way back to the States. We need to find a place for him to stay until I get back to Clarksville though since my parents have 4 cats and my mom isn't a huge fan of dogs. We will see how things go though. I'm trying not to think too far ahead though.

So far he has gotten some mail. I have sent him out a few packages and lots of cards but it takes about 2 weeks to get there. I can't wait for him to get his birthday package! For those of you who don't know, I sent him a cake-in-a-jar! We haven't been able to celebrate his birthday together since his 20th so I want him to have some comforts of home. He doesn't know about it though so I can't wait to hear his reaction!

I am going to be sending him a new USB cable for his camera so hopefully we'll be getting some pictures of Afghanistan soon! I'll be keeping you updated! Thanks for reading!!