7.31.2008

So True

What is a MILITARY Wife?
~~~
They may look different, and each is wonderfully unique. But this they have in common...
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 trunkful of memories. Often waiting---Waiting Waiting Waiting---for housing; waiting for orders; waiting for deployment; waiting for reunion; waiting for phones calls; 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 can balance a checkbook, handle the yard work, fix a noisy toilet. She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move, and all with ONE Power of Attorney. 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. She is fiercely IN-dependent.
~~~
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 and accept offers of friendship and favors and 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'. He can't just decide to quit, he's on-call for his country 24/7, but for you, he's the most unreliable guy in town! His language is foreign...TDY, PCS, OPR, ACC, BDU. 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.
~~~
Military Wife has her moments----she wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, and 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, and 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.
~~~
**This was sent to me in an email by one of my bestest friends, who is also a military wife, author unknown**

7.20.2008

A Special Anniversary

Established July 21, 1979
Celebrating 29 years July 21, 2008
Happy 29th Anniversary Daddy and Momma! We are so proud to call you our parents. You have shown us girls what we want our marriages to be, and provided us a sense of security our whole lives in the love that you have shown each other as husband and wife. Enjoy your special day, and know that we are so happy that this year you are celebrating TWENTY NINE years of marriage.

7.18.2008

Yippee!!!

My long time friend, Laura, and her family are finally moving to NC! They currently live in Ohio and have been trying to get down south for about 2 years now, and it's finally happening! They will be here for good within 3 weeks. I'm so excited. She has 2 little girls who fondly call me Aunt Crispy;o) The news made my day!

7.12.2008

These Summer Evenins

This one taken at the beach, looking back at the sand dunes. I'm loving these summer nights.

7.11.2008

A Just Because Kind of Day

♥ That was today. Just because he loves me. What a sweet husband I have. ♥

7.09.2008

Yay For Learning To Sew

This weekend when we celebrated the 4th, and mine and Daddy's birthdays, I got my birthday presents from my family. My parents got me a new sewing machine! I was planning on getting one next year when Jason is deployed, but my Momma knows me well, and went ahead and decided that I needed to learn now:) I plan on trying my hand at some easier projects first, like a basic handbag and aprons. We'll see how well they go! What a super birthday present!
My new sewing machine set up and ready to go:

I'm so ready to take on this new hobby! Wish me luck!

7.08.2008

A Beautiful Coastal Summer Sky

This view is from our backyard last Wednesday. Stunning.

7.03.2008

Summer Holiday

I'm sitting here waiting on Jason to get home, and then we are packing up and heading to our little corner of the world that we will always consider home. This weekend is a celebration of our freedom as a nation, but also we will be celebrating my late birthday as well as my Daddy's, whose is on the 5th. Since I will be there this long weekend, I figured I would go ahead and send out my wishes to everyone!

AND

Daddy, you are the best father that I could have ever hoped or prayed for. I hope this is one of the best birthdays ever! I love you and will see you this evening!

I hope everyone enjoys their long holiday weekend, and remember that we are celebrating the freedom we so enjoy and are blessed to have in America. Have fun at all your cookouts, firework shows, and picnics! Be back next week, when I will have my youngest sister, Alaina in tow for a few weeks!