Starting Over

My intent after the first long break in my blogging was to catch everyone up on what has gone on in our lives, such as the end of the school year, starting of summer lessons, and other such activities. Well, I've pretty much given up on that, what with school starting in less than a month. Or, FOREVER, as Dade says. He just can't wait until the school year starts (school clothes are purchased, as well as school supplies, with his bag packed and ready to go). July is never ending for him, and I must say, I really do agree.

For some reason this month has seemed to drag on in our house. Now, I know this is not the case for most. As is typical, most everyone I speak to has said that the summer has flown by. I guess when I look back, I do tend to agree. But, the days seem to drag on for me. I would love to be the bubbly, upbeat military spouse who puts on a good front for her husband, but that's just not me. Brent & I are too close for that. Not only would I feel incredibly guilty for lying to him, but he would see right through me. That's not to say things are terrible for me. Just really hard at times.

I work, sleep, spend as much time as I can with the kids, and consider it a victory to keep laundry clean and the kids and myself fed somewhat healthily. And, I guess, for a minimum, that's not too bad. Stress has gotten to me physically and I haven't been able to keep myself healthy, which is why the gloomy tone today, LOL. I really am happy and cheerful most of the time, I just miss Brent more than words can convey. It's hard to explain how the little things, like sitting on the couch, with his arm around my shoulders on a bad day, make me ache so. On the plus side, I don't think that I will ever take for granted the special relationship that we have. I look forward to the rest of our life together and I do realize that this is just a small bump in the road.

Another week and a half and we are headed to Six Flags and a Cubs game. Go Cubbies!!!! My family's enthusiasm for the Cubs has officially rubbed off on the kids and they seem to be as excited as I am to get to see them play.

Well, that's enough for today. I can't promise I'll get any better about the regular posts, only that I will try.

Home of the Free, Because of the Brave

Happy Independance Day!!!

Steve and Jean have the title of this post on a sign in their sun room. Every time I read those words I swell with pride for my husband and all the men and women who have made those words come to life.

I thought this poem was very fitting for today. I made sure that I sat down with Drake, Ashtyn, and Dade and talked about what the true meaning of the Fourth of July is, not just the carnivals, parades, and fireworks. We talked about how 232 years ago our brave soldiers fought to give us our freedoms, just as Brent and all his comrades are doing today. Thank you, everyone, for your support of him and of our family. It means to very much!

And Brent...You know how incredibly proud I am of you! Thank you and make sure you tell everyone there how much what you guys do truly means to us here at home. I love you more every day!

Servicemen

I watched the flag pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Man saluted it,

And then he stood at ease...

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square and eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him

Had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign soil

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?

No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,

When everything was still,

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant "Amen,"

When a flag had draped a coffin.

Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom & God Bless Our Troops