Most people go through life living in the same town they grew up in with their family, friends and support system close by. Never realizing what they have right near them and often taking it all for granted. Goodbye isn't in their vocabulary and if it is it's only for short business trips or vacations. Goodbye doesn't mean months or years. Goodbye is only something you say as you head out the door to go home after enjoying a nice meal with your loved ones.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Goodbyes . . .
Posted by Ashley at 2:14 PM 0 comments
The Military Wife . . .
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 a '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
EPR
SOS
ACC
BDU
ACU
BAR
CIB
TAD
ABU
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.
--Author Unknown
Posted by Ashley at 2:12 PM 0 comments
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Phoebe Turns 2 . . .
My little girl turned two and I took her in for her check up and she is healthy as can be. She has finally passed 20 pounds!! She weighs 21 lbs and is 31.5 inches. That's about the size of the average 1 year old. She isn't on the growth charts at all but she never has been so the doctor isn't concerned. The doctor was impressed with her vocabulary and her agility. She can climb like a monkey and can get her message across!!! This little girl just melts my heart!
Posted by Ashley at 8:05 PM 0 comments
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Cinderella . . .
Posted by Ashley at 5:46 PM 1 comments
The Birthday Festivities . . .
We had an awesome day for Phoebe's birthday. We didn't plan a party but I bought a special outfit and we planned a special day.
Posted by Ashley at 4:43 PM 0 comments