To the tune of God Bless America..........

I dropped Stuart off at Camp Williams on Friday for his 2 week leadership training course. I have been super busy every day since running around, working, trying to sew christmas stockings, cleaning and probably not being the most attentive mother( my poor kids). I got to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated trying to do everything myself when I remembered that not too long ago, 2 years about, I was doing everything on my own while Stu was serving in Iraq. I remember the feelings that came with his absence like it was yesterday. And I am reminded of them every time he leaves. It was a long 15 months. I found out I was pregnant with Ava about a week after he left for his deployment. So I'm sure you can imagine the emotional state I was in. I was thankful to be able to talk to him almost everyday, I was grateful to have family close, I was lucky to have chosen a husband that could still make me feel like the luckiest girl in the world even from thousands of miles away. It was hard, and frustrating, and the best thing that could have happened to us. We grew so much. We accomplished so much and we acquired more love for each other and our baby than we would have otherwise. I'm thankful for that time in our life and the lessons it taught us. I'm thankful for my husband and the sacrifices he makes for our family and country. I'm thankful for men and women that selflessly choose to serve and protect our country, and I'm thankful for the families and citizens that support them in their efforts. My brother in law is leaving for Afghanistan in a couple months, Stu also will be starting his active duty training soldiers that are being deployed, and I am truly thankful and proud of both them for the choices they have made. U.S.A! U.S.A!(thats me cheering..I know you love it Stu:})