Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Reintegration
Since my life has been a little more slow paced than it normally is, I've had a lot of time to think. This can be a dangerous thing for me. I'm a pretty rational person...most of the time. My irrational thinking however is very must curbed now that my love is home out of harm's way.
Some of the things that I've been thinking about...
Reintegration...
That may be a term that not many have to apply into their lives. It's a big part of our life as a military family. We spend all the time apart, preparing to be reunited, talking about the things that we'll do together and how life will be GREAT! And it is. But it can be hard too. I'm only speaking for myself here but our reintegration usually takes a bit of time. I have spent a good majority of the past decade alone with our boys. That's not a complain, that's a fact. When Kevin is home, he is very hands on, I do not ever have to complain that he doesn't do enough because to be honest, he does way too much, lol.
Being apart so often, makes it hard when we are actually together as a family because I have to make a conscious effort to include Kevin. Trust me, I am so happy to have him home, I would be content to have him sit on the couch always and not do anything. I am serious when I say that because I'm used to doing it all on my own anyway, that having him in the kitchen or laundry room makes me nuts (okay not so much laundry room since I hate laundry). On the flip side, sometimes I get to feeling left out because he takes over in areas I've grown accustomed to filling in. Both of us have to work hard to not take things so personal as we readjust to being a family living under one roof again.
I don't write this for any reason but to let people know that it can be hard after the exhilaration of homecoming.
I am very happy to have my Soldier home and we can get through anything. This is just part of the process. The Army continues to get better with their reintegration training to try and keep families safe and together. Despite what the media shows, military divorces are not a common occurrence, in fact the divorce rate is at just over 3%. That means over 96% of military families stay together. That is success.
Kevin went to Boy Scout camp with the older boys just a few days after returning home. I miss him so much and can't wait to see him and my other two boys. It wasn't as bad as a year, but as I've said before...one day apart is just too long when it's somebody you love.
Some of the things that I've been thinking about...
Reintegration...
That may be a term that not many have to apply into their lives. It's a big part of our life as a military family. We spend all the time apart, preparing to be reunited, talking about the things that we'll do together and how life will be GREAT! And it is. But it can be hard too. I'm only speaking for myself here but our reintegration usually takes a bit of time. I have spent a good majority of the past decade alone with our boys. That's not a complain, that's a fact. When Kevin is home, he is very hands on, I do not ever have to complain that he doesn't do enough because to be honest, he does way too much, lol.
Being apart so often, makes it hard when we are actually together as a family because I have to make a conscious effort to include Kevin. Trust me, I am so happy to have him home, I would be content to have him sit on the couch always and not do anything. I am serious when I say that because I'm used to doing it all on my own anyway, that having him in the kitchen or laundry room makes me nuts (okay not so much laundry room since I hate laundry). On the flip side, sometimes I get to feeling left out because he takes over in areas I've grown accustomed to filling in. Both of us have to work hard to not take things so personal as we readjust to being a family living under one roof again.
I don't write this for any reason but to let people know that it can be hard after the exhilaration of homecoming.
I am very happy to have my Soldier home and we can get through anything. This is just part of the process. The Army continues to get better with their reintegration training to try and keep families safe and together. Despite what the media shows, military divorces are not a common occurrence, in fact the divorce rate is at just over 3%. That means over 96% of military families stay together. That is success.
Kevin went to Boy Scout camp with the older boys just a few days after returning home. I miss him so much and can't wait to see him and my other two boys. It wasn't as bad as a year, but as I've said before...one day apart is just too long when it's somebody you love.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Homebound
I can't even remember the last time I stayed home without leaving my house for two consecutive days. I have not left my house for the past two days. I am fighting a sinus infection I think. It's been over 100 degrees here, so yucky congestion and boiling hot with no AC in the car does not sound like a combination I want to deal with.
It's just me and Daniel hanging out since Neil and Michael are at Boy Scout Camp with Kevin. Daniel isn't complaining since he's taken over daddy's laptop.
I'm not sure I like my life this slow...
It's just me and Daniel hanging out since Neil and Michael are at Boy Scout Camp with Kevin. Daniel isn't complaining since he's taken over daddy's laptop.
I'm not sure I like my life this slow...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Meet Sydney
I don't do this often, but Sydney is one of the sweetest little girls and was diagnosed last year with Type I diabetes. Take a few minutes to watch the video and learn about her journey. If you want to help Team Sydney, click here.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Support for Our Troops Shout Out!
We have been so blessed to have received support from some great organizations during both this and Kevin's previous deployment.
First, Bake Me a Wish is a gourmet cake company that has DELICIOUS cakes. They send cakes to our Soldiers serving overseas for their birthdays. They teamed up with Soldiers Angels to be able to provide these cakes at no cost for the Soldiers. Kevin received one of these wonderful cakes for his birthday in Iraq.
They also supported our family by sending us cakes to celebrate my birthday, Kevin's homecoming and Father's Day. I can't say enough how awesome these cakes are. For Daniel's birthday he got a Freedom Cake, for every Freedom cake that is purchased a Soldier receives a cake on the purchaser's behalf. It's a great program. Someone will be receiving a cake on Daniel's behalf and he wrote a great little note to go with that cake.
Thank you Shelle and Joe for working so hard for our troops and helping them and military families feel so special!! We love our cakes, we used them at Daniel's birthday party and they were a big hit!!!
First, Bake Me a Wish is a gourmet cake company that has DELICIOUS cakes. They send cakes to our Soldiers serving overseas for their birthdays. They teamed up with Soldiers Angels to be able to provide these cakes at no cost for the Soldiers. Kevin received one of these wonderful cakes for his birthday in Iraq.
They also supported our family by sending us cakes to celebrate my birthday, Kevin's homecoming and Father's Day. I can't say enough how awesome these cakes are. For Daniel's birthday he got a Freedom Cake, for every Freedom cake that is purchased a Soldier receives a cake on the purchaser's behalf. It's a great program. Someone will be receiving a cake on Daniel's behalf and he wrote a great little note to go with that cake.
Thank you Shelle and Joe for working so hard for our troops and helping them and military families feel so special!! We love our cakes, we used them at Daniel's birthday party and they were a big hit!!!
The second organization we'd like to give a shout out to is Fairytale Brownies. These are some of the best brownies I have ever eaten (except my Neil's of course!). Kevin received brownies sometime during the last deployment and wrote a comment card back to the company. As a result they adopted him and his Soldiers and kept them happy with lots of these gourmet brownies. When Kevin headed back they stepped right back in to support him and his Soldiers. They were also kind enough to send the boys and I some brownies both last time and this time. The boys LOVE them! Brandie at Fairytale Brownies has been so awesome, she even wrote a story on their blog about us.
This is a Fairytale box Kevin hung up in his office in Iraq, he said it emptied pretty quickly...
Our complete family with the yummy brownies Brandie sent!
This is a Fairytale box Kevin hung up in his office in Iraq, he said it emptied pretty quickly...
Our complete family with the yummy brownies Brandie sent!When I Am Baptized
Yesterday was a special day for us as Daniel was baptized. It was a great Father's Day for Kevin and Allen who also baptized his son. I am so proud of Daniel and his decision to follow in the Savior's example.
I love the hymn, "When I Am Baptized", I've included the lyrics below plus some pictures from our special event.
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I love the hymn, "When I Am Baptized", I've included the lyrics below plus some pictures from our special event.
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
Daniel and Tyler, Daniel just LOVES Tyler...special friends they are!Fun Days with the Family
It's so great being complete...to be able to celebrate special events as a whole family. We were able to celebrate Daniel's birthday ON his birthday for the first time in his entire 8 years of life. It was a special day indeed. We've just hung out as a family, haven't really planned anything just hung out while working around Kevin's inprocessing. Here are a just a few pics from the things we got to do as a family.
Kevin seeing one of his good friends for the first time since getting home.
Daniel and Daddy hanging out at the church.
Daniel and Luke...I love these cheesy boys...you can see the "Millhouses" as Daniel refers to them in the background (this is pre-fountain, haha)
Our small group of friends at Daniel's birthday party!
Daddy and Daniel on the go-carts!
After watching "All Shook Up!"
Daddy loves Elvis!
Hanging out at the lake!
I love this man!
He's getting so grown!
Yes, my boys can eat! I send them to other people's houses with that disclaimer and usually a bag or two of groceries!
The boys ran into their good friends while we were at the lake!
Kevin seeing one of his good friends for the first time since getting home.
Daniel and Daddy hanging out at the church.
Daniel and Luke...I love these cheesy boys...you can see the "Millhouses" as Daniel refers to them in the background (this is pre-fountain, haha)
Our small group of friends at Daniel's birthday party!
Daddy and Daniel on the go-carts!
After watching "All Shook Up!"
Daddy loves Elvis!
Hanging out at the lake!
I love this man!
He's getting so grown!
Yes, my boys can eat! I send them to other people's houses with that disclaimer and usually a bag or two of groceries!
The boys ran into their good friends while we were at the lake!Thursday, June 18, 2009
Trash Day Countdown Complete!
In honor of the completion of our Trash Day Countdown, Kevin ceremoniously took the trash to the curb!!! Thanks honey, so glad to have you back home!
Eight is Great!
Dear Daniel,
Today you turn eight and what a wonderful blessing you have been in our lives. You have so much personality in that little body of yours. Thinking of you makes me smile. Your love for your family is so evident. You are such a thinker and so curious about the ways of the world, I hope that never changes. This year, I hope your birthday is the best EVER. I know that all you wanted was to have your daddy home ON your birthday for a change. Today we are having your birthday party ON your birthday and your daddy is home. What a special blessing for sure!
We love you Daniel and wish you many, many blessings today and always!
Happy Birthday Dan the Man!!!
Today you turn eight and what a wonderful blessing you have been in our lives. You have so much personality in that little body of yours. Thinking of you makes me smile. Your love for your family is so evident. You are such a thinker and so curious about the ways of the world, I hope that never changes. This year, I hope your birthday is the best EVER. I know that all you wanted was to have your daddy home ON your birthday for a change. Today we are having your birthday party ON your birthday and your daddy is home. What a special blessing for sure!
We love you Daniel and wish you many, many blessings today and always!
Happy Birthday Dan the Man!!!
"Thank you U.S. Army for bringing me the best birthday present ever...my daddy!"
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Welcome Home My Love!
We are a family together again and we are so happy. We are so blessed with many great people in our life who have made this past year just a bit easier. We had a few of those great people at our homecoming last night and I couldn't have asked for better people to share such an event with. After attending 10 homecomings it was finally our turn! I was a bit anxious and giddy and nervous! Even though I was waiting for him, I could not comprehend in my head that it really was happening, my Soldier was home. It wasn't until I made eye contact with him that it truly hit me. I completely anticipated the command of Charge and took off before anyone else, LOL. But what do I care...I had to get to my Soldier!!! We are so blessed to have our Soldier home, we know that. There is not a day that I don't think about the many who never got to have this kind of homecoming. I promise to keep their legacy in my heart and do what I can to not let them ever be forgotten. God Bless Our Fallen Heroes and their families!
Our great friends!
Our great friends!
Charging to our Soldier!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Day Camp 2009
Daniel and I attended Cub Scout Day Camp this past week. It made for a long week but we had so much fun! Daniel was so excited to go this year since his birthday is next week. I've been a Walking Den Leader for both Michael and Neil and Daniel was just not going to let me off the hook and not go with him. I love spending this time with my boys. I do not love chasing after other people's rude kids but this year wasn't too bad. I had some very cute happy kids. Overall, Daniel had so much fun and learned new things (not too many new things since he has been going to Scouts with us since he was 2) but he had fun nonetheless. Here a few pics of the things he got to do.
Working on his Map & Compass Belt Loop...shooting an azimuth
Doing some leatherwork
Shooting off an air rocket
BB Gun shooting, earning his Junior Rifle Patch
Earning his swimming belt loop
Getting it in the yellow...dang dragon caught his arrow with his mouth, cheating him out of his Dragon Slayer status!
Ahhh but Daniel got his sweet revenge..right in the dragon's butt!!
Me and Daniel...this is our last day of Day Camp and yes, we were tired if you can't tell!
A quick shout out to my older boys who came one day to the pool to do their BSA Swimmer's test...both passed it..woohoo!!! They are ready for Scout Camp!!
Working on his Map & Compass Belt Loop...shooting an azimuth
Doing some leatherwork
Shooting off an air rocket
BB Gun shooting, earning his Junior Rifle Patch
Earning his swimming belt loop
Getting it in the yellow...dang dragon caught his arrow with his mouth, cheating him out of his Dragon Slayer status!
Ahhh but Daniel got his sweet revenge..right in the dragon's butt!!
Me and Daniel...this is our last day of Day Camp and yes, we were tired if you can't tell!A quick shout out to my older boys who came one day to the pool to do their BSA Swimmer's test...both passed it..woohoo!!! They are ready for Scout Camp!!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Standards
Today was Day 3 of Cub Scout Day Camp. This is my 5th year that I've volunteered as a Walking Den Leader. I have had the pleasure of going with my pack and with all of my boys now. One thing that always astounds me is the rudeness of both the kids and the parents. Kids are kids, I get that, but kids with bad manners annoy me! I have kids who do not listen, who live in their own world, who tell their own parents to shut up!
I overhear other leaders cursing around their dens and then I hear them copping attitude when another leader corrects their kid's behavior. Today I was telling boys the proper way to wear their hats, explaining that our Day Camp t-shirts is an official uniform and so are our hats. Another den leader was so rude. I simply told her that when we don't enforce a standard, we set a new one.
It saddens me that these are other leaders and we push so much about the example Cub Scouts and future Boy Scouts should be. Most of the Walking Den Leaders are leaders in their own packs. We have some parents who are just out there with their own kids and they are about worthless. We need two deep leadership at all times and some will choose to walk through a building instead of around it because it's too "hot". Thanks for the help folks!
I try to not only remember but also remind others that everybody out there is a volunteer and they are doing the best they can. I just cannot stand the disrespect of each other and the standards.
I keep telling myself I won't go back and I believe after this year, I will stick to that.
I am enjoying spending this time with my baby Daniel. Above all we are having a great time together and that is what truly matters.
Parents, if you send your kids to an event where other adults are in charge, teach them respect, it can go a long way !
I overhear other leaders cursing around their dens and then I hear them copping attitude when another leader corrects their kid's behavior. Today I was telling boys the proper way to wear their hats, explaining that our Day Camp t-shirts is an official uniform and so are our hats. Another den leader was so rude. I simply told her that when we don't enforce a standard, we set a new one.
It saddens me that these are other leaders and we push so much about the example Cub Scouts and future Boy Scouts should be. Most of the Walking Den Leaders are leaders in their own packs. We have some parents who are just out there with their own kids and they are about worthless. We need two deep leadership at all times and some will choose to walk through a building instead of around it because it's too "hot". Thanks for the help folks!
I try to not only remember but also remind others that everybody out there is a volunteer and they are doing the best they can. I just cannot stand the disrespect of each other and the standards.
I keep telling myself I won't go back and I believe after this year, I will stick to that.
I am enjoying spending this time with my baby Daniel. Above all we are having a great time together and that is what truly matters.
Parents, if you send your kids to an event where other adults are in charge, teach them respect, it can go a long way !
Friday, June 05, 2009
Schools Out!
Let summer begin. It's a bittersweet time in our home. My kids enjoy school and love being around their friends. They were blessed to have good teachers this year. Neil has grown so much. He has come out of his shell so much. Today he danced....DANCED! At the beginning of the year he wouldn't have done that and today he participated in a dance off! I really need to show him some moves but it was so amazing to watch him.
He made me emotional when he came out after school. He was crying. He loves his teacher. And that is an understatement. I know he is sad to leave Mr. T's class but he will be so successful because of his experience in there.
Daniel had a good day because we took in treats for his class. He never gets to celebrate his birthday since it falls in the summer so I took cupcakes and drinks for his class. I made some cupcakes but they melted in the car, lol.
Michael had a good year too, I let him take the camera and he got some good pics of him and his friends (who are ALL girls). Craziness, lol.
I love summer, I'm excited to do Cub Scout Day Camp with Daniel and the older two will be getting ready for Boy Scout Camp.
Daniel said June is a good month because Daddy is coming home!!!
School's out and now it's time for some summer fun!
He made me emotional when he came out after school. He was crying. He loves his teacher. And that is an understatement. I know he is sad to leave Mr. T's class but he will be so successful because of his experience in there.
Daniel had a good day because we took in treats for his class. He never gets to celebrate his birthday since it falls in the summer so I took cupcakes and drinks for his class. I made some cupcakes but they melted in the car, lol.
Michael had a good year too, I let him take the camera and he got some good pics of him and his friends (who are ALL girls). Craziness, lol.
I love summer, I'm excited to do Cub Scout Day Camp with Daniel and the older two will be getting ready for Boy Scout Camp.
Daniel said June is a good month because Daddy is coming home!!!
School's out and now it's time for some summer fun!
Thursday, June 04, 2009
I Love Homecomings
I think I've been to six homecomings now this go round....people keep asking me how I can keep going knowing that my husband still has a couple weeks before it's "our" homecoming. I love homecomings, I love supporting my friends and overall I love supporting our Soldiers. Yes, sometimes it's hard walking back to my truck without my Soldier but he is coming home and our time will come. I enjoy meeting the different families. I love watching the emotions from everyone. No one cries alone at homecomings as long as I'm there, lol.
Even though the routine is the same, I snap pictures and I love it. I love the anticipation of what is going to happen next. I have the whole process down pat and love watching the families get excited. I always say that I won't go back for another one until it is my time, yet I still go back. Why? Why not? Every Soldier deserves to be welcomed home properly. I have a lot of friends coming home and I love watching them reunite with their families. I just love it...take a look at the pics below...a small glimpse of homecoming and tell me...wouldn't you want to be a part of the emotion? It just doesn't get much better!!!
Even though the routine is the same, I snap pictures and I love it. I love the anticipation of what is going to happen next. I have the whole process down pat and love watching the families get excited. I always say that I won't go back for another one until it is my time, yet I still go back. Why? Why not? Every Soldier deserves to be welcomed home properly. I have a lot of friends coming home and I love watching them reunite with their families. I just love it...take a look at the pics below...a small glimpse of homecoming and tell me...wouldn't you want to be a part of the emotion? It just doesn't get much better!!!
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