The Move Begins

I'm sitting here waiting for the knock on the door. I should probably be doing a little more organizing but oh well. Today is the start of the moving insanity. Strangers packing up our belongings. I'm still trying to figure out why they are starting on a Friday, leaving us to stare at boxes all weekend but I suppose after living the military life as long as we have, I should stop trying, lol.

Last night as I was going through our extra bedroom (aka the junk room), I started to feel a bit sentimental. I was looking around the room at the different piles and realized that this room could tell the story of our time here. I had binders with information about both FRG's that I served in. I still had my folder with my training for the first AFAP I did here. There are bags with different class props for the different modules for AFTB. I have PTA binders. Boxes of pics of the boys in different stages and ages of their life.

I have copies of memorial service bulletins and newspaper articles about our fallen friends. I came across a couple CD's I compiled that I dubbed an Army Wife Mix, that as I listened to, brought different memories, some causing tears and others laughter.

I look back at our time here, about the people who have come into our lives. It's bittersweet to leave here. But we are ready.

Angeling at the VA Hospital

We had the opportunity to volunteer at the Patient Carnival at the VA Hospital in Waco. I have wanted to get more involved with Soldiers' Angels and I have been receiving emails about different events and just have not been able to get to one. Well yesterday, Kevin, myself and the Millhouses drove up to help at the Patient Carnival. It was a fabulous day.

The events kicked off with the 1st Cavalry Horse Detachment doing some drill and ceremony for us. I don't care how many ceremonies I have been to, I never tire of watching them. I loved how they came over to all the patients so they could pet the horses. I stood there, taking in the scene, military veterans from many generations, in different stages of life, different injuries and illnesses. I was truly humbled.

After the demonstration we went inside and got ready for our game. We were in charge of the Bean Bag toss. I think we were the most popular booth (we had the best prizes, haha). It was really fun getting to interact with these amazing people.

One of the most touching moments for me was when a group of blind veterans came to our booth. Kevin helped each one play. He was so tender and patient. Really my heart was overwhelmed. One in particular really touched Kevin. They began to talk and realized both had served in the 25th Infantry Division. Granted, it was during two different decades but the bond of brotherhood was sealed. Later the man's therapist came back and told me that Kevin should really consider getting a degree in recreation therapy so he could work with veterans. What a compliment!

As the day continued, I got to meet so many amazing people, with wonderful stories. I met a young Iraq war vet. He couldn't have been more then 25. He had served in Iraq twice, was injured by an IED and now had a titanium rod running through his arm. He was currently in a program helping him cope with is PTSD. He touched my heart when he told me he was working so hard to get better so his 14 month old daughter would be proud of him. Oh my, the tears want to come. I could have spent all day hugging these wonderful men and women.

I was so humbled yesterday. I am so proud of my husband and his tenderness. I am proud to serve so many wonderful men and women who served our nation.

I have a few pics, I do not have a lot of the Veterans, out of respect I only took a few and asked their permission before doing so.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. ~Cynthia Ozick

Our blind Veterans meeting Pegasus

Kevin telling someone about the horses's head

Kevin helping out a fellow 25th ID Soldier (he was also Special Forces)I thought this pic was fitting that it was kind of blurry as that was my view through tear filled eyes.

A man of so many talentsThe Soldiers' Angel team (minus D who was on diaper duty, lol)Me and Dorshan after a wonderful day of serving our Veterans.

9-11-2009, I Remember

In honor of those who died that tragic day 8 years ago and in honor of those who continue to sacrifice.I am honored to be married to the hero who wears this bracelet in honor of his fallen brothers

This is the first year that my husband has been with us on 9-11, every other year he has been with trainees, deployed or prepping for deployment.

I will never forget, everyday that my husband slips on that uniform is a reminder to me about what we have lost and what we continue to lose as a result of that day.

His Drill Sergeant Badge that says "This We'll Defend"

These Colors don't run....4th Infantry Division patch, his "combat" patch, a Division with rich history

His current patch, 1st Cavalry Division, "First Team" , another division with rich history

U.S. Army, HOOAH!

I will never forget the victims or the heroes and I will never forget those who serve and continue to sacrifice today.My Soldier honoring his fallen brothers...an intimate photo, it barely captures the moment....

Disappointment

“Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy -- the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation.” Eric Hoffer

Freedom Friday, 4 September 2009

I am grateful that my love returned home to me. I know many who did not and I carry them in my heart every day. Please remember, for a moment...that someone paid a price for our freedom and our luxuries. Help their legacies live on.

God Bless Our Fallen Heroes

An Awesome Moment for a Female Veteran

Today I had the opportunity to meet someone I really admire. I met General Ann Dunwoody. She is the first female to ever achieve the rank of General (that's four stars folks). She's had an amazing career and she just keeps on going. I was crazy emotional when I met her today...I kept my emotions in check but I could have cried on the spot.

I admit I was totally tacky because I was at a meeting with senior spouses and when she walked in I asked the Commanding General if I could get a pic with General Dunwoody. I even handed him the camera to take the pic, lol.

It was a very neat experience for me, one I'll remember forever.

Duck, Duck, Goose

One of our favorite things to do here in Texas has been visiting the Duck Pond at the college not far from our house. We go out there and the kids have a good time chasing down ducks to feed and then the ducks chase the boys as they get greedy for more bread. It's always a fun time. As our time is winding down here in Texas we wanted to head out and do this activity one more time. We had a lot of fun feeding the ducks and also seeing fish and turtles for the first ever in that pond. I was a little worried the boys would lean too far over and fall in, lol.

After we were out of bread, we sat on the bridge and talked about our time here. I asked each of the boys what they enjoyed most about our time here in Texas.

Daniel - Enjoyed having a great chess coach and getting to be on a chess team.

Neil - Getting to stay in one place for longer then 2 years.

Michael - Getting to make new friends and having Adrienne as a best friend all the time we have lived here.

Kevin - Being able to spend time as a family when he was home.

Nadine - The experiences the Lord gave us, even the hard ones. The growth we have had as a family and as individuals.

In the coming weeks, our blog will be plagued with reflection of our time here. It's bittersweet as we prepare for the next chapter in our Army book.

Ready, Set, Launch!

Last Friday, Daniel had a Cub Scout Pack Meeting. They shot off air rockets. Daniel had so much FUN! They made their own paper rockets and then launched them. He loves Scouts so much!!

The first pic is him doing the Elvis cheer, he's so silly!

Row, Row, Row Your....

Canoe...haha

A couple weeks ago the boys went out to work on their Canoe Merit Badge for Boy Scouts. Kevin and all three boys headed out for a fun day on the lake. They got to row the canoes and then learn how to recover from it tipping over. From what I heard, it was a BLAST for them. Afterwards they all enjoyed some good food as they did some dutch oven cooking. Neil and his patrol did chili cheese dogs, they were a big hit!

Meet Zoe

We added on to our family. The Lord has blessed us with three handsome little boys (which I am totally fine with, love being a boys mama!) so we introduced another girl in our family by way of puppy! Some friends of ours were PCSing to Germany and were worried about how their puppy would handle the unknown of moving overseas. She asked if I knew anyone who would might want a puppy. Kevin and I had talked some about getting Sapper a playmate and this seemed like a good opportunity for that. We brought Zoe home to test things out and she fit right in. We have had her about 3 weeks now and although Sapper was a bit cautious at first, the two are getting along great. Zoe loves sleeping with the boys and loves Kevin. The boys love cuddling with her as she's a bit bigger then Sapper. She fits right in with our family....

Isn't she beautiful??

She loves to snuggle on my lap too..if you look closely you can see Sapper peeking out on the other side.Both love their treats and will do almost anything to get one, lolSapper is still the Diva, lol

R&R Pics from April 2009

Yes, I'm only a few months behind (considering Kev is now home for good, lol). Wanted to share our pics from when Kevin came home on R&R. Dana from Photos of the Heart took the pics to capture the moment. It had been a very long 10 months so this homecoming was very emotional for us.

Family Pics 2009

We got our family pics taken when Kevin came home on R&R in April. We finally got around to uploading them and sharing them.