Military Wives **Warning: You will cry!**

A friend on facebook tagged me in a note. I almost didn't look at it, think it was one of those silly "What dressing do you put on your salad" things... but instead this beautiful message:

"Military Wives

I would like to recognize these often underestimated, unseen, and unheard heroes.

This is for the sad Military wives, the angry Military wives,and the strong Military wives.

This is for the young women that are waking up at 6 a.m. every morning, laying out clothes and packing three lunches for those small precious children that they have been left alone to care for.

This is for the pregnant Military wife wondering if her husband will make it home in time to watch their miracle happen.

This is for the childless Military wife, living in a town or on a base alone where she is a complete stranger to her surroundings.

This is for the women that feel like a third leg when they go out with their friends and their husbands.

This is for the Military wife that cancelled all her plans to wait by the phone, and even though the phone broke up and cut off every time you spoke to him you waited anyway.

This is a pledge to the women that cry themselves to sleep in an empty bed.

This is to recognize the woman that felt like she was dying inside when he said he had to go, but smiled for him anyway.

This is for those of you that are faithfully in that long line at the post office once a month, handling 2 large boxes and 2 small children like a pro.

This is for that woman that decided to remodel the house to pass time, and then realized that she had no idea what she was doing and sighed and wished she had a little help.

This is for all the lonely nights, all the one-person dinners, and all of the wondering thoughts because you haven't heard from him in days.

A toast to you for falling apart, and putting yourselves back together. Because a pay check isn't enough, a body pillow in your bed is no consolation, and a web cam can never compare.

This is for all of you no matter how easy or hard this was for you. Our soldiers/sailors/airmen are brave, they are heroes, but so are we.

So the next time someone tells you that they would never marry a Military guy, don't bother explaining to them that you can't control who you fall in love with. Just think of this and nod your head, know that you are the stronger woman.

Hold your heads up high, hang that flag in your front yard, stick 100 magnets on your car, and then give yourself a pat on the back.

Be proud to be the woman that you are, be proud to be a Military wife"

-Author Unknown

You know you're an Army Wife when....

We've all heard of these little sayings... Here are a few I've made up in my own day-to-day life:

You know you're an Army Wife when...

... You have a conversation with another Army wife that consists of only acronyms and you understand each other perfectly.

... You can put toys together faster than your husband.

... Your language could make a Sailor blush.

... You can push a stalled car out of a busy intersection while carrying your child in a sling in front of you.

... You would rather move 36 weeks pregnant than to have your Soldier deploy again.

... When you can, without hesitation, tell another the time differences between not only east and west coasts (because you have friends on both) but also what time it is in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.

... You can read a Reg better than most Civilians can read a Map.

... You can read a Map in German/Japanese/Italian.

... You've driven on both sides of the road, legally.

... Though you can change that tire without problem, you know it's easier to call USAA and their fabulous Road Side Assistance.

... You know what grade of oil both your vehicles take off the top of your head, where as your husband does not.

... You get care packages from "home" full of grits, Vidalia Onions, and seeds from the other part of the country where your family lives.

... You're excited to live a place where you can fly home for only $300 round trip.

... You like to PCS because it gives you a chance to clear out all your junk

The Army is a small world!

As those of you who have been in the Army for longer than a month, you know the Army is a small world. Growing up stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, there were two other families with girls close to my age. We all became best friends. We would walk to school together, play in the snow, play in the sun... our Moms would hang out and chit chat while we played or took turns babysitting so they could run errands kid-free.

A few months ago, through facebook, I reconnected with the other girls. Sarah and Lauren, who are sisters, and Jenny. Jenny married a Military fellow and is now living overseas. Sarah is teaching Kindergarten. And Lauren moved to Chicago!!!!! SO excited to have a great old friend so close. Tuesday night Lauren and her father stayed the night before moving her into her new apartment in the city. It was wonderful to catch up and reminisce about the past.

They also gave Luke the most beautiful set of baby dishes from Germany. Luke will never use them but we will pass them along to his children.

This is why I love the Army life.

Homewood BullDAWGS!

Dennis with his Company. 

Today was Safety Standdown day for BN. While they were in briefings, I and my friend Kristena were outside selling candy bars, sodas, and chips for our FRG. Dennis and I are hitting the ground running. We hope all our dreams for the Bulldawgs come into fruition.