2010 Update

So I've given up on trying to update New Hampshire, start of school, friends visiting, fall soccer, girls birthdays/party, a visit from Uncle Stephen and Aunt Libby and anything else that has happened that I haven't written about. Most likely, you've either talked to me or seen pictures on Facebook or Picasa. If you haven't, well I won't say get with technology, but check it out or call me. Because unfortunately with life being busy, I've started lacking in the communication department. (I'll blame my hubby who has been home more the past 6 months than in the past 6 years:)). Listing all those things above just makes me tired. But they have been all super fun events that have kept us busy making memories and going through life.

Which brings us all to now, two weeks before Christmas 2010. Unfortunately I'm having a harder time getting into the Christmas spirit this year. Last year we were celebrating the blessing of my dad getting to be home for Christmas and spending the holidays with family. This year, it's my brother and I and the girls. Partially by choice, but certainly the minus Daddy bit was not by choice. We've lucked out until now to never hit the holidays on a deployment rotation, but it was our turn. So we'll stick around here in Kansas, spend some time with friends and hope the girls (read Mommy) survive Christmas break. As I've tried to sit and get to updating the blog in the midst of getting work done for my job, creating spin rides, taking care of my house and children, I keep hearing the songs playing on the playlist. I think the Dave Barnes songs is one of my all time favorite songs that I could hear over and over and never get tired of. It brings me back to reality and how blessed I am with a husband who loves me for me, appreciates my quirks (and cold feet) and even though he can't be with us this Christmas, I know he's busy doing a job he signed up to do and I couldn't be more proud of him. It makes me realize that even though he can't be here, I HAVE someone to miss and love and that in 5 1/2 months will be reunited with again. Not all of my friends have that for one reason or another. As I was in my rut over Eric leaving a few weeks ago and missing him, my dad quickly reminded me of my friend Leigh. I thought of her many times as I spent my last few moments with my husband and realized none of us ever know when a moment with someone we love may be our last. It's tough to grasp that concept living day to day and you end up falling into taking the time for granted. But when you don't have it, it turns into another story. Going through long TDY's and deployments always brings me to a very real appreciation and sympathy for single moms as well. I don't have the struggles that many single moms have outside of trying to be two parents in one. I simply have to constantly convey to my children who are missing their dad that he loves them and misses them too, but that we'll all be together again soon. Single moms don't have that luxury. So my goal for this season of life is to learn appreciation and strength. Sure, part of me is "missing" and I don't feel as complete as I normally do when I have my other half around, but we keep going. We keep the faith that one day this next summer, God will bring him home safely to us and we'll be complete again. Because after all, God gave me you for the ups and downs and God gave me you for the days of doubt.

See my next post for more of the latest family pictures.

*Note to author: Could you be a little more complete, more organized and less A.D.D. with your thoughts? I guess Emily gets it honest. ;)