Month of the Military Child April 2011

This picture always makes me want to cry. This was just 2 years ago when Kevin was headed back to Iraq after his R&R. It had been a difficult deployment to this point and as you could see the boys were not happy about having to send him back. I know that this picture would appear to say that our kids "suffer" but I don't agree. These are tears of love. The boys have only known Army life. They haven't known anything else. It has certainly been a roller coaster of emotions.
The boys are proud of the time that both Kevin and I have served in the Military. I have NEVER heard my children express hate for this lifestyle. My boys are such an example to me of strength and endurance.
I would be lying if I said I never thought about what damage we might be causing our kids with this unique lifestyle. When we moved here to Fort Leonard Wood, we all had a hard transition and we felt extreme guilt about what our kids might have had to leave behind. Great teachers, good friends, awesome school programs. But then our kids did what they always do, they bounced back and they ended up with great teachers, good friends and awesome school programs.
Our kids are so lucky because in their 9, 13 and 15 years of life they have collected a large group people that love them. I could call any number of people from around the world if we ever had a need. Every child should feel so loved.
This life surely isn't easy and I know our kids face different types of challenges than other kids but they are proud of Soldier, and if you don't believe me, just look at this picture.