Rain by Shel Silverstein

I opened my eyes

And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Rain..Rain...

It's seriously raining here. I don't mind the rain so much as long as I don't have to be out in it. Today is pretty bad, all night it was thundering and raining, made it hard to sleep.

I hate driving the kids to school in it because it just seems like no matter what they get all wet and I hate to think of them sitting at school wet. But this morning, when I dropped them off, all three of our principals were outside with umbrella's escorting the kids into the schools. I thought that was so nice. I honestly have never seen that in the 4 and a half years that we have been here. I was so touched by it.

Porch Sitters

So I'm sitting here on my front porch (ok, the slab of concrete in front of my door, I don't know that I could call it a porch) watching my kids mow the lawn. I knew having 3 boys would pay off!

But anyway, the purpose of this entry is to talk about porch sitters. I do not make it a habit to sit on my front porch and hang out. I prefer to sit on my back patio (okay, another slab of concrete) in the early mornings to enjoy some peace and quiet (well I did until all the dogs moved in) or whenever my kids want to play games in the backyard. Basically, I don't hang out on my front porch.

Many of my neighbors do. Which is fine, one of my neighbors has a nice tall table that he sits at in the dark sipping his beer a few nights a week. He's kind of inconspicuous because he has a tree in front of his house so you can't really see him.

We have some neighbors who just moved in recently who have a longer slab in front of their house and they are what I would refer to as serious porch sitters. I had noticed them before when I drove by their house. You can't really miss a group of people sitting there watching you as you drive by. While Kev was home on leave, the lady of the house came to ask if we wanted some plants to put in our front yard (hello, we had just pulled up all the "plants" from our yard, why would we want more?). But anyway, after she had talked to Kevin, he went in and she was talking to me. She is one of those people who think they are helpful but they really aren't, though I admire her enthusiasm. She mentioned that she noticed I leave my house a lot. I simply said yes. She went on to tell me that she notices I cut it close when I take my kids to school. Seriously? That is kind of creepy. I simply replied, wow, that is pretty stalkerish of you! She kind of just looked at me and then said she had to get back to her yard.

Now as I drive by and they are sitting on the porch, I wave whether it's 8:25 a.m. or some other time of the day.

The R&R Goodbye

It's amazing how quickly 18 days flies by. Today we said goodbye to our Soldier for a few more weeks. It won't be long now until we have him home for good (about 7 trash days) but each goodbye is hard anyway. I didn't expect to be so emotional but my kids get me every single time. Daniel was already upset a couple days ago but he held it together until this morning.

I never discourage my kids from showing their emotion. I am touched by their tears (although it's hard to watch because I don't want my kids to hurt), they are expressing their love for their daddy. When they don't show emotion, I will worry. We are a close family and when we are separated we are unhappy.

I was good until I saw other Soldiers bidding their farewells to their families. Young kids and emotional wives. What really got me was a little girl about 2 who started screaming for her daddy to come back when he went through security. It tore my heart to pieces to hear her and to watch her mom to try to console her.

Watching Kevin walk away was painful. He'll be home soon but it's never soon enough. It's not like I'm sending him on a business trip. And granted he's in a relatively safe place, he's still in a "combat zone". I worry.

This is our life and we take whatever is handed to us, but we miss our Soldier and I have an ache in my heart. We were complete for 18 days, there was no worry. The anxiety comes back and the loneliness starts. I dread going to my bed and laying alone.

I miss him already...I love you Kevin, 7 trash days...we can do that easy...but it doesn't mean I miss you less.

A Night at Nami's

Last night we decided to take Kevin to Nami's for dinner. He had never been and we thought it would be a fun way to end our leave. We had a lot of fun. We had a great "chef" and a lot of laughs. We had some good people sharing our table with us (sometimes you don't get so lucky and have stiffs but we had good people). When they heard Kevin was heading back to Iraq, everyone was so nice to him. Two of the ladies share stories about what life was like for them as kids during Vietnam. I think it's refreshing to see people grown up and well adjusted (well they seemed okay in the hour or so we shared a table with them, lol). The kids were great as they were telling Kevin what to expect. Daniel kept asking Kevin if he was ready for a show! We had a great meal and created some fun memories. You all know me, nothing goes without pics.

After dinner we headed to the little Chinese/Korean store next door. We found these yummy melon ice cream bars like we used to have in Korea. I think we bought them more for the nostaligic purposes. Made us miss our Lela.

A Day in Dallas

Last Friday, we packed the kids up and headed to Dallas for the day. We spent most of Kevin's leave just relaxing and spending time together but we wanted to do one "big" fun thing. We decided we would hit the Scouting Museum and the Science Museum in Dallas. We enjoyed both so much. We also had the opportunity to meet up with some of Kevin's high school friends. I'm usually the one who meets up with friends from all over the world that it was nice to give Kevin that opportunity. We had so much fun. The Scouting Museum was so much fun, with hands on activities and so much history. The volunteers there were fantastic with their knowledge and their patience.

I have two slideshows of pics, one is from the Scouting Museum and the other is from the Science Museum.

We hit the Science museum because the boys LOVE science. We had so much fun and had a lot of good laughs. The boys had a little to much fun with the huge nose. They were all up in it, literally, I was cracking up so hard.

Between the two museums we met up with the friends I mentioned earlier. We tried the Spaghetti Warehouse, it was yummy and the company was great!

It was a rainy, gloomy day but it didn't deter us from having lots of fun, enjoy the pics!

Silly Sapper

PKevin gave Sapper a bath today and apparently it energized her, she was so crazy. Ignore how cheesy we sound on the videos.

"Every girl deserves flowers...."

The day before Easter I sent Kevin to the store to get some stuff for Easter dinner. When he came home he handed me these. I'm not really a flower person, don't care much for them. So when he hand them to me he says "I know you don't like flowers and you aren't that girly, but every girl deserves flowers every now and again".

Thanks my love, they are beautiful!

11:06, maybe 11:07, but usually 11:06

Since Kevin has been home on leave, Daniel (and he says his teacher) has wanted Kevin to go in and have lunch with him. He asks him all the time when is he going to come in. Since we are running out time on Kev's leave, he has decided to go in today. This morning when Kevin told Daniel he would be coming to have lunch with him, he was very excited. Kevin asked him what time he went to lunch.

Daniel says very seriously "11:06 dad, but sometimes it's 11:07 and sometimes 11:08 but usually it's 11:06, maybe you should come early". That kid is so darn cute.

Daniel loves his daddy. When he's around I get ignored (any other mom experience that?)This is a pic of Daniel from when we went camping, he looks up at me and says...is there something on my lip?? Crazy baby!

Chopping Demonstration

The other night we were making Cool Veggie Pizza to go with our awesome wings I made and Kevin and Daniel decided to demonstrate how to use the food chopper. I found the videos on my camera later on. I love my men!

Kevin's Random Cell Phone Pics

Kevin and Daniel have had a little bit of fun with the camera on Kevin's phone.
Not sure what Kevin is doing here, but Kevin had been home about 2 hours in this pic.Driving to dinner on Kev's first night home.

Michael
Neil
Daniel

Daniel playing the WiiI think we were on the way back from family pics...
Sulky teen Michael?
Neil! (must have been on the way to pics since we didn't have the flags when we came back)
Cool guy DanielDaniel took this pic of Kevin on our way back from a field trip.
This is a great pic of Kevin at the Texas State Capitol
I love his smile!

Flat Stanley Slideshow

Here is our Flat Stanley slideshow we presented at our Welcome Home Banquet our Deployment Club did for our Heroes at Fort Hood.

We wanted to provide our kids an inside view of everyday life in Iraq. Our kids love it. Daniel and Neil narrated it.

It's over 8 minutes but worth it, I promise! Enjoy and leave us some feedback.

4th Grade Field Trip

On Tuesday, Kevin, Daniel and I went on a Field Trip with the 4th graders from our school. We don't even have a 4th grader, lol. I've done this field trip with both Michael and Neil and when I was asked if I could help chaperone, I said sure. Kevin tagged along with me and we decided to take Daniel since he won't be here to go when he is in 4th grade.

It was a fun but tiring day.

We started off at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. Usually when I go with a school group it's with one of my own boys so I end up with all boys. This time I ended up with all girls. It was very different. Did you know that 4th grade girls have little attitudes? They do. They weren't too out of control. Kevin is the best when it comes to kids so they were fascinated with him and would hang on every word he said. He told them all these random tidbits. Yeah, when Kevin is around, I don't stand a chance, lol.

The best part is the IMAX movie we get to see. I loved waiting for the kids reactions to the different effects. The best is when the pocket of air makes you feel like a snake is jumping out at you. Even Kevin jumped, it was great!

After the museum, we headed over for a tour of the capitol. We headed over and had lunch on the lawn. We were a bit rushed trying to stay on the time schedule but it was still fun.

Honestly, the tour of the capitol was kind of boring, the lady wasn't that exciting so it was hard to stay focused plus we were all hot. And the capitol was so busy, and people were loud so it was hard to hear. The building itself was very pretty and interesting. We walked up and down a lot of stairs, we got our workout for sure!

After that we went to the visitor's center and that was pretty fun. We got to claim our land and do an interactive quiz. When we came out of the visitor's center, we ran into Mrs. Texas, the kids LOVED that. She was nice enough to sign autographs for all the kids (but wouldn't you know I forgot to give her my card, lol). We did get a picture however.

Overall it was a great day, we were all so tired, Kevin was the only person who fell asleep on the way back, lol.

Two pics Kevin took before one of the security guards approached him and told him not to take anymore in the museum. Kevin said he was kind of scared, lolDaniel and Kevin enjoying their lunch on the lawn of the capitol.The capitol buildingInside the capitol, the things that look like stars spell TexasKevin and Daniel being silly in the basement of the capitolThey had all these cool dress up clothes that Daniel would not humor me withUs with Mrs. Texas

In honor of our Disabled American Vets

Shhhhhh, Kevin is tired...it's hard work hanging out with 4th graders!

NASCAR Weekend 2009

This past weekend we headed to the Race Track for some racing fun! Friday, I headed up with Nita and we enjoyed some shopping, the exhibits and watching qualifying. We also got to watch Trackside Live. It was a long day of walking but we had so much fun.

Sunday we headed back up with Kevin and Neil. We took Neil because he appreciates NASCAR more then the other two boys and had so much fun. Taking Kevin to a NASCAR race is like watching a kid on Christmas morning.

Neither of our drivers won but it was a good race. Kevin got to meet Rick from Orange County Choppers.

We had a great weekend together, had our traditional foot-long corn dog and yummy lemonade and enjoyed one last race in Texas together.

We took a lot of pics so I threw them in a slideshow, enjoy!

An inside view of R&R

Having Kevin home is a great and wonderful thing. I find myself staring at him and welling up with emotions. After being apart so long sometimes it's hard to accept that he is really here. It really is about the small things. Seeing him across from me at the dinner table. Rolling over and brushing his leg with mine in bed.

Having him home for a short time though after a long time apart can be stressful. The only reason I'm writing this is so that those who don't live this lifestyle can get a glimpse of all the aspects of what we go through.

I'm not complaining and that is not what it's about. Soldiers get a briefing before they come home about acting like a "guest". They are told to remember that after a long time apart that things may be different and there will be an adjustment phase. I certainly don't treat Kevin like a guest in his own home but there can be friction when one is used to doing things a certain way and someone disrupts the flow. Sometimes it's hard to remember that he hasn't been around for a while and so he doesn't know that this is how things are. It doesn't matter if you talk daily on IM or the phone, you can't learn all the things that have been put into place. Change happens daily in all our lives and when you are gone for an extended period of time you have to expect it.

So that is where friction comes into play. For me, who has been here every day, I lose patience when he asks me questions about things I feel he should know. I have to stop and remember that 10 months is a long time to be away and while he "knows", he doesn't always know how things are done or whether I've changed how we do things.

I also know that I don't "need" Kevin as much as he would like to be needed. Being as independent as we have to learn how to be with our spouses gone as much as they are, it's hard to give up control of the things. Sometimes the Soldiers have a hard time accepting this new sense of independence. Poor Kevin has had to deal with an independent wife since we got married but I did let him get the oil changed and the truck inspected last week..woohoo!!

I'm not saying we are fighting or even that we are spending all our time frustrated but this is an aspect that a lot of people don't talk about.

It's also hard trying to get back into a routine of sorts knowing that after 18 days, he will be gone again and we will have to try to go back to our pre-R&R routine. Sometimes that's hard, a lot of spouses have a hard time after the leave. It's one of the reasons we chose to wait so long.

There are many who would love for these 18 days, I know that and trust me, I think about that often so please know I'm not complaining. I am grateful for the time and every real emotion that comes with it, the good and the bad.

My favorite aspect of R&R is the 18 worry free days we get. No worries of doorbells ringing or dreaded phone calls. I love that I can relax and just enjoy the time with my husband.

There are emotions that many in the civilian sector never get to experience. A true sense of pride that cannot be described in mere words.

Haters

I will never understand people who feel the need to go out and spread lies about other people. I suppose they are so dissatisfied with their own lives that they have to meddle in other people's to make themselves feel better.

We're not worried about the trifling people, we know the truth and so do those who know and care about us.

Sapper Welcomes Daddy Home

Our puppy was very happy to have her daddy home too. I had to video tape her excitement.

Month of the Military Child

Month of the Military Child


Did you know that April is the Month of the Military Child? Well it is. It's a pretty awesome thing. I think of my own three boys and think of all they have had to endure in there short lives. I've watched them shed tears as they have had to bid their daddy goodbye and I have watched them try so hard to contain their excitement that I thought they might burst.

I have held my children in my arms as they have cried because they miss their daddy and there are no words that can console their bruised souls. I have also nearly cried myself as I have watched them express their sense of pride when they tell people that their daddy is a Soldier. I often say that they are our Silent Warriors because so many of them carry on and endure much better then us as adults do. At least that is true of my own kids. They carry this sense of pride that no dictionary can define. You have to see it and feel the spirit behind it to understand. I walk through the halls of the schools my kids attend and I amazed at the things these kids accomplish while their Soldiers are thousands of miles away in harms way.

The things so many of our children have to deal with in their younger years is amazing. The strength they carry while carrying on amazes me. I am in total agreement that they deserve a month dedicated to them, but I also think that they should be honored each and every day.

To our boys, we are so very proud of the strength you show and the example you set for us. We love you.
I made the graphic below because I think it shows the pride somewhat. These pics were taken when Kevin was home on leave last time and the love and pride our boys have for their Daddy can been seen in these pictures.

Reunited...

And it feels so good!

Okay that is cheesy but sooooooooo true! Kevin made it home yesterday (a day earlier then I expected but with a lot of delays). I wasn't as emotional I thought I would be but still emotional enough. Earlier in the day I was so anxious I thought my heart would pound out of my chest. As the day progressed and his flight was delayed hour after hour I was becoming impatient.

I have to thank Dana for being so patient and waiting it out with us to take pics.

I thought we might be get arrested since she had the kids jumping off of benches and walls to help pass the time. I even got on a pillar and jumped though jumping in a skirt and slippery shoes is not smart since I landed on my feet but then slipped, lol. I admit it and Dana has the proof.





Of course our R&R couldn't go off without a little drama. Some may remember out adventures last time of locked vehicles with the engine running and being accused of being car thieves. We were hoping for a little less drama this go round.

Kevin was starving so we stopped by Jack in the Box to grab him a bite. When we came out and were at the stop sign a lady was turning left and then I guess decided at the last minute to not go but instead backed up...grrr and backed right into us. Luckily it wasn't major, in fact it did more damage to her car then to ours but still it's so annoying!

Overall it was a GREAT day because we are a family again! We are going to enjoy our next 18 days. The boys were so clingy it was cute. Expect lots of pics but not so many from yesterday because we just enjoyed being together as a family.