I Can't Wait Any Longer...

Over the last few weeks, I have been telling you about how my family's life is about to change.  I have given a few hints here and there but the time has come.  I can't wait any longer.  I want you to share in the joy and excitement that awaits us.

On May 6th, my husband deployed to Afghanistan for 6 1/2 months.  I chose not to say anything on this blog for safety/security reasons but I can assure you that I have been DYING to tell you about tomorrow.  Because tomorrow...

HE COMES HOME!!!

Right now, 10:01PM on Wednesday night, he is sitting on a very long flight coming back to me and our children. 

The other day, my sister-in-law asked me if she could hijack my blog for a day.  She had something to say and she didn't want me to read it.  I haven't read it yet but for some reason, I have a gut feeling that I should share it with you tonight.  So, we'll read together.  All I have to say is, "Kristi, if you start my tears, there might be problems!"

Without further ado, my awesome sister-in-law, Kristi!

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So Proud of My Common Sense Mama

At my humble request, your common sense mama allowed me to hack into her blog and honor her:

"The truth is we all breath differently when they are around." This is what my friend Lauri had told me in a conversation we had months ago about how much us stay at home moms look forward to the moment our husbands arrive home from work each evening. At the end of a long day of feeding, changing, and meeting every tedious need of our small children, it is such a huge relief the moment those men of ours walk in the door. We breath easier, we know we can go potty without someone being nose to nose with us, we can get dinner on the table in the kitchen alone, and baths are taken care of. It's quite a moment.

Over the past 6 1/2 months my sister-in-law did not have this grand moment we all look so forward to each day. For the past 6 1/2 months, she did everything normal moms do and when she got to her breaking point at the end of each day, just like we all do, she kept plugging away... she did dinner, dishes, baths, night time routine and wrapped up the house for the next day to only start hours later all over again. She did what so many of us would dread... she proudly sent her man off to Afghanistan to defend freedom. She held her head high and sent him, as much as it hurt and as much as she knew it would hurt.

Without women like my sister-in-law (your common sense mama), we would be one more man short of what it means to be an American, to have freedom and to defend it. He did not go alone by any means... she fought back here for him on the home front, each day... and each night while she crawled into bed with no one next to her. It is a feat I have to say I am not sure I could rise to.  I must say I have gained a love and respect for her and my brother-in-law in more ways that I ever expected during this time. It was not an easy road. I watched as a woman needed to do something she did not want to do, but surrendered to love, pushed through, and did it... and did it well.

I am so pleased to know that as I write this, he will be arriving home tomorrow morning. I am so thrilled to know that tomorrow night she will breath easier, she will get a well deserved break from baths, and will be able to peacefully place dinner on the table while her courageous husband entertains the kids in the other room and they eat together as a family for the first time in so long.

Thank you to your husband, for his service. And good work, mama. I am so proud to call you my friend. You did it. Well done, good and faithful servant, wife and mother.