Another Birthday missed .....

Ok so I did not forget but give me a break... I am doing pretty good with all that I am up to without my dear husband.... another recap I did not mention.
He turned 41 on September 10.... he called early in the morning and we all sang him Happy Birthday. He mentioned he would eta whatever he wanted on his big day. Upon our evening call... he indeed ate everything. I did not think it was possible, but the man ate every dessert around. I am sure the Chaplain had to lock his storage chest of goodies he has to hand out. :)

On September 11, 2011... many people were praying and having remembrances of where they were 10 years ago. It was on this day in 2001 that our country went to war. It is why my husband is not home with his family today. WOW... can you believe ten years and we still have service members fighting a war. The same war, sometimes it makes me wonder where the woman leaders of the world are... I kinda think we would not be so nice nor would  we be patient. I know I have had enough of this battle. I am sure others feel the same. I am ready to bring our troops home so they can celebrate what they did accomplish over the last 10 years. I do not think this is a war where one side wins and the other loses. It is a war where we measure how safe we have made our home.... so far.... I have yet to see another attack as brutal as September 11, 2001. Good Job Troops!!! I think it is time to come home now!!!!

I mentioned that many were praying and sharing stories.... me,  I was celebrating. I was celebrating my oldest turning 15 years old. He is so grown up and so handsome... yes I am biased. He had friends over the night before to hang out and on Sunday we chilled and had cake. We celebrated and laughed... and once again.... DAD MISSED IT!!!!  Sorry but he so owes us big time.... even though I get it.. I get the cause he is fighting.... nope still gonna give him crap about missing another event. I live for the ability to hold this over his head when he is home and we want to do something that he may not want to. I pull this card out that says... you owe us!!!!! :) I am happy to say... he laughs as we joke about the missed events. He knows he has no say in what we do as his make up event.


Bill---- be ready to make up a lot of missed events when you come home. I seriously doubt you will have time to sleep.... better get it in while fighting a war. :)
Keep your helmet and flak on.... if not for yourself, for us so we can have the privilege of torturing you for all the missed events.

Love ya!!!!

wow time is going going gone

So I originally thought I could blog about the things I went through over the last couple months and keep you all entertained and informed.... yep I had some very high expectations of myself. Needless to say, that won't be happening. So here is the cliff note version of what has happened over the last couple of months.... SUMMER!!!
Summer came and went. I anticipated the kick off of the summer with a visit from Bill during his R&R. It was a great kickoff. I blogged a bit on how R&R went, so lets zip right along.

A traumatic event did occur after Bill left from R&R... my old man Mister... our 20 year old cat died. He died early in the morning with me stroking his fur and praying for him to not suffer any longer. We buried him next to the other cat and placed our dogs ashes alongside him. My oldest was such the man and offered to dig the burial hole for me. He does not realize... ok now he will..... just how huge that offer was. I needed help that day in the form of someone having my back. Bill was not here and as much as I try to not lean on my oldest... I leaned on him that day. He dug a great hole.... Mister is at peace and surrounded by his animal family. He held on to say good - bye to Bill.  Now I wonder what animal will be welcomed in my home next...hmmmm...

 I  took the kids to Florida where I spent two wonderful weeks. Part of the time I was on the beach with my parents and the rest I was at Disney. The beach and time with my parents was wonderful. It always is and I can only hope and pray that in our next chapter of life I get to live near them.
I met my dear friend Shelley and her daughter at Disney.  I had the best time at Disney...I only had my younger two kids, Tony and Cami. We had a ball and during all of it.. I did feel a bit guilty. Guilty for having such a good time without Bill. He loves Disney... ok so he will not admit it.. but he does :) The kids get along so well and after a year apart they did not skip a beat. Giggles happened daily and they were exhausted by nights end. I will go back and do that again. I  needed this visit with my friend. I needed my non military friend with me... the one who laughs with me, makes me laugh and who just understands me. This is not to say that I do not have other friends who do this for me, but Shelley is well Shelley. Everyone should be so lucky to have her. I love ya girl!!!
Upon returning home high school sports practice had started for my oldest and classic soccer had begun for the other two boys in the family. I was up and running as a soccer mom!!! Whew!! August flew by and school started.
I am sure there is so much more that occurred in there but due to my inability to remember much... it must be lost or currently out to lunch.

Gotta love this second stage of deployment.. I have been coasting and truly it really is flying by!!!!!


Bill-

Life is going fast and I know from your perspective it may not be.. forgive me if I have little time to talk or email... I will try to do better I promise....
 I will... but only if I get more pics of you in personal protective gear. I also think I should up the ante to you staying behind a desk.... be very concerned about what I may choose as the next animal member! Go ahead friends and family... give me some ideas of what we should get.

Happy Birthday to my love

Today is my loves birthday. Happy Birthday Bill.. I know that even with you miles and miles away you still know that we are with you today and everyday. I love you!
You are an amazing man and a wonderful husband. I have been the luckiest girl alive with you by my side. You are my rock, m love and my soul mate.
I can only hope that today as you celebrate your birthday with your comrades in arms that you know I am at home cherishing every memory we have.   I love you and wish you the best birthday ever...ok so not the best..that will happen next year when you are home.. but a good one. :)

Stay safe and wear all your gear.. Come home to us!!!