government issued

What is a Military Wife?

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique,
But this they have in common:
Lots of moving---MovingMoving 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 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
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 uniqueHe 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 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, 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.

I didn't write this, but I love it nonetheless.

two months

My little man is growing, despite my heart's deepest desires to keep him this little and dependent forever. I know it sounds messed up that I'd like him to stay so tiny and fragile, but I love him so much and want (need?) him to stay like this. His brother's a lost cause...he's a toddler. I don't know how it happened, but he's so independent already. I know it's healthy and all that jazz, but seriously, who knew they grew up so fast? The older I get, the more I find that all those cliches are around for a reason and that my mother really did know it all...One day I hope that I'm that lady who knows it all. In the meantime, enjoy the twelve-pounds of delicious baby chub:

the Windy City

Last weekend we took an extended weekend trip to Chicago, my favorite north American city. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this city, if only it was warmer in the winter I think I'd settle there.

Anyway, it was a fun time. Friday we drove up there. Both boys were so well-behaved it was like they weren't even in the car at all. We checked into our hotel (DOWNTOWN!) that was a couple miles from everything. It had an outdoor pool and an amazing view of the lake.



That night we went to the Harry Potter exhibit . It was really awesome. We had a sneak peak at some of the props that they used for this film that was just released. Did I mention it was great? I know...I'm a Potter nerd. Oh well..there's worse things to be.

Then Saturday we headed to the Shedd Aquarium. It was a ton of fun. Drake didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I thought he would, but he had fun anyway. Then afterwards we decided we wanted to hit Navy Pier. We thought about walking to save some $$$, so we asked a hot dog vendor how far of a walk it was. She nonchalantly replied, "oh, about ten minutes." So we thought, "hey, we're all young. We can do it!"

Forty minutes and four sweat-soaked shirts later, we were there. James insists that the hot dog lady was all, "Hey Bob, guess what I just told those stupid tourists!" after we left. I'm inclined to believe it. Rather than brave the walk back (yes, we're all lazy Americans), James took a water taxi back and picked us up in the car. He apparently had some really great views of downtown and the area.


Once we got back to the hotel, everyone took a nap (and I mean EVERYONE!) and then we went to the beach. We asked the locals (with a healthy dose of skepticism) how far of a walk it was, but they replied "about five minutes." After ten minutes, we were at the beach on Lake Michigan. I'm beginning to wonder if Chicagoans have no concept of time? Anyway, the water was frigid, but James and Em braved it. Drake and I both dipped our toes and that was enough for us, but we both like our showers/baths so hot that we're scorched afterwards. Atleast D enjoyed the sand (and smashing sand castles) and chasing the seagulls.

I know I'm biased, but seriously, look at how gorgeous my kids are!