Silly Kids

I was thinking about something on my way home from Fort Bragg this afternoon that struck me as funny, and I thought I'd share it. Ever since we've been back in the States, I've talked about going to Food Lion to do my grocery shopping. I know, the commissary's probably much cheaper, but Food Lion is right down the road. Keep in mind, though, that I have a Southern accent that has only become more pronounced since our arrival in North Carolina 6 months ago. Wow...I can't believe it's been that long!

Anyway, one day I took the kids to the store with me. When we pulled into the parking lot, J. says, "Mommy, that sign says Food LION" (imagine an exaggerated enunciation of LION). I reminded him that I had told him that we were going to Food Lion (less emphasis on the enunciation from me). He said, "I thought you said we were going to Food LINE!" Even now he asks me why when I say Food Lion it sounds like Food Line. LOL. I just tell him it's because I'm Southern. I know he doesn't really understand that yet, but he usually stops asking questions after that. Funny thing is...he was born in Kentucky and A. was born in Texas. Goes to show how long we've been gone.

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My brother asked me a couple of weeks ago how to subscribe to my blog. I told him that I had no clue but that I'd look into it. I finally took the time to give it a shot this weekend. So Rob, and anybody else who may be interested in subscribing to my feed, there's an icon in my profile area. Hope it works correctly!

Relaxing Sunday

We had a great day today. The kids spent Saturday night with P.'s parents. He dropped them off with them yesterday when he went up to help his dad with a couple of things. We enjoyed a nice dinner out last night and then had a relaxing evening here at home.

This morning we had the chance to sleep late. It's rare for both of us to be able to sleep in. Usually at least one of us has to get up with the kids. So we really appreciated the opportunity today. Then we got up, took our time having our coffee and getting ready, and then went out on the bikes. We rode up to Smithfield, which is where the dealership where we bought my bike is located, and did a little window shopping there. I got irritated because there's a limited edition leather jacket that I really would like to have for Christmas, and they didn't have it in my size. The owner was really nice, though, and found a couple of dealers that do. Maybe I'll be able to get it after all. I got to try on a couple of other things, though, so was able to give P. some ideas of what to get me. Plus we visited the salesman who sold me the bike. He apparently saw us ride up and met us outside. He's a really nice guy.

We had a nice ride back, and decided to ride through the town where we went to college. As we rode into town and then rode around campus, we were both shocked at how much things have changed. There are new apartment complexes there, and new buildings all over campus. The roads have changed, because I thought I had turned down a road that went between my old dorms and the Fine Arts building, but didn't see either. Some things looked the same, though, as we saw the old infirmary on one of the corners. I told him that we'll have to go back sometime when we can take the time to walk around and really see the campus. I know we've been gone a long time, but that was just ridiculous!

We got home and had a new friend come and spend time with us. His wife is away on business, so we didn't get the chance to spend time with her. Then P.'s mom and sister brought the kids home, so we got to spend a bit of time with them before they had to go to bed. I'm so glad we're close to family for a while, because we enjoy letting the kids spend time with them about as much as they enjoy having the opportunity to spend the time with them. It gives us a chance to do things as a couple more than we've been able to for a while. We were actually discussing the possibility of extending an additional year earlier today. We'll see what happens. Definitely not going to make any decisions on that right now. But the fact that we're considering it says a lot about how far we've come in adjusting to being here.

What I Love about the South

The weather! Although we will all miss the snow we had in Germany for the past few years, I am absolutely going to love the mild winters of North Carolina for the next couple of years! We're having temperatures in the high 60s and low 70s this weekend. P. and I took the motorcycles out this afternoon. The only bad thing about today is that it took him longer than he expected to get some other things done, so it was later by the time we took the bikes out than we had hoped. Oh well, at least we were able to ride a little bit. The kids are with his folks this weekend, so tomorrow we plan to spend the day riding.

We would absolutely not be able to do this in Germany. I remember one year we already had quite a bit of snow on the ground by Thanksgiving. The cold weather doesn't bother me so much, until the wind starts blowing. I could definitely do without the wind in the wintertime. That and the ice on the roads. I have no desire to be out on two wheels if there's ice on the roads. So we definitely plan to take advantage of the warmer weather here while we can.

This afternoon we planned to ride up to Smithfield, which is a little over an hour away, especially by motorcycle since we avoid the interstate. We got about halfway there, came to a Stop sign, and P. told me he didn't know whether he wanted to go all the way to Smithfield or not. It was getting pretty chilly. We were both thinking about how cold it would be after the sun went down. We got an idea on the way back. It was pretty chilly. Plus I neglected to layer, so I was colder than I would have been otherwise. Oh well...nobody to blame there but myself.

Since the kids are with the grandparents, hopefully we'll be able to sleep in a bit tomorrow morning, but not too late since we want to get up and ride while the weather's nice.

Sometimes I love the South!

Happy Turkey Day!

I have quite a bit of catching up to do. I'll do that later though. Right now I want to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all ate way too much turkey just like me.

I have to say that today was one of those days that I was thankful to be back in the States. It was such a blessing to be able to spend this holiday with my family. My mom and her boyfriend, as well as my sister and her husband and baby came over to spend the afternoon with us. We ate lots of food, then rested for a while, had dessert, and just enjoyed each other. It's been a long time since we've been able to do that without somebody having to travel at least halfway across the country to do so.

I'm Thankful For:

- My husband and children who love me in spite of my shortcomings (or maybe even because of them).

- My mom, sister, and brother (although he wasn't with us today), as well as all my extended family members.

- My Dad. His time on this earth was much too short. I miss you, Daddy, but am very thankful for the time we did have.

- My fellow military wives, who have been like sisters to me over the years. I love and miss you all.

- Having my husband with me...I know how fortunate I am.

There is so much more that I won't name right now. What are you thankful for?

In Memory

Two years ago today, CPT Sean Sims was killed in Fallujah, Iraq. Not only was he a soldier, a leader well-respected by those he commanded; he was also a loving husband and father, brother, son and friend.

I did not have the pleasure of knowing Sean personally, but he was a friend of my husband's. They were in the same Brigade when we were in Germany, and served together in Fallujah. I also did not have the pleasure of knowing his wife, Heidi, but feel like I have come to know her through her blog.

Although I didn't get the chance to meet Heidi, I remember seeing her when she came back to Germany for the 1ID Welcome Home Ceremony in Wuerzburg. My husband was one of several soldiers presented with a Silver Star that day. Heidi was there to accept Sean's. I remember admiring Heidi that day for her grace. I told my husband later that I didn't know whether I could be that strong in her shoes. My opinion has certainly not changed over the past several months of reading her blog. If anything, my admiration has only grown.

Heidi, if you visit my page, know that you and Colin are always in my thoughts and prayers. I know that you miss Sean terribly each and every day. I know that he watches you and Colin with great pride. I hope I get the chance to meet you one day.

This Weekend

First of all, although I know I'm a day late, I'd like to say Happy Veterans Day. And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank those of you who read my blog that have served this country. You are the reason this country is what it is, why we have the freedoms we have.

My husband and I had a nice weekend. His mom came Thursday afternoon and picked up the kids. She and his dad were going to the mountains, to Boone, and wanted to take the kids with them. P. and I decided to take the opportunity to ride our bikes up there. So his parents left with the kids Thursday evening. Friday morning we got up and took off on our motorcycles. We got up there by midafternoon on Friday, so we had some time to ride the Blue Ridge parkway. I've driven it before, but it was awesome to have the opportunity to ride the parkway on a motorcycle.

Saturday we got up and left before his parents and the kids. We wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to get home and still have some time to stop along the way and take our time. Thanks to an unexpected delay, it took us longer to get home than planned. It was after 8 p.m. by the time we got home. The ride was wonderful though. It was really warm Saturday, and even after the sun went down it didn't get very cold. We really enjoyed the ride.

Today we went to his parents' house again. P.'s brother's in-laws are visiting for a little over a week, and they came down today. We haven't gotten the opportunity before today to meet them. P. was in the middle of his deployment to Iraq when his brother got married, so we weren't able to make it home for the wedding. His in-laws are from Upstate New York, and we really enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet them and spend some time with them. I just love my newest sister-in-law...she's just as sweet as she can be, so I didn't really expect her parents to be any different. Anyway, we rode up there today as well, and P.'s parents were kind enough to bring the kids home this evening. I'm so glad we're able to let the kids spend time with their grandparents for a while. Whenever his parents or my mom are able to spend a day or a weekend with them I let them take the kids. We're only here for a couple of years, so any time they have is a blessing.

I just have to say...my husband has wanted a Harley as long as I've known him. I'm so thankful that he's had the opportunity to fulfill that dream. I never thought I'd care anything about riding myself. I used to be afraid of motorcycles, but I am so glad that I took the safety course and learned to ride. As thankful as I am that my husband has finally been able to have his dream of having a Harley fulfilled, I'm even more thankful that I'm able to share this dream with him. And I think he really loves that I have learned to love riding as much as he does.

Rough Week

My husband lost a soldier a week ago today. So needless to say, we've had a tough week here.

The loss of a soldier is never easy. Those of you who know my husband know how close he tends to get to his soldiers. He had a Battalion Commander actually tell him that maybe he gets too close. But his soldiers trust him, and he trusts them. They're like family to both of us. After all the years we've spent living so far away from our own families, it's no wonder our soldiers and their families become like extended family to us. There are some things about this loss, though, that have made it really difficult for him in a different way.

When he was in combat, he had a better idea of how to handle these things. I won't say he accepted it, but he knew how to deal with it. When they were in Iraq, they had to keep pressing on. They had no choice. Their very lives depended on it. Here, though, it's different. You don't expect soldiers to die here. They're supposed to be safe at home. We were quickly reminded last Wednesday, though, how mistaken we were.

It's so easy to get complacent at home. I had just met this young soldier, 23 years old, last Monday night. We had a Company Halloween party. It was our first company function since P. took over, and the first company function (other than Christmas parties) in a long time for this unit. We went skating. She was so cute in her costume. Then Wednesday morning, she was killed in a car accident on her way to work. It just goes to show that you never know, and was a shocking reminder not to take anything for granted. And his question was, "How do I tell them to keep working toward the mission in this environment?" He knows they need to be able to mourn.

Monday was the Memorial Service on post, and today was her funeral. Both services were beautiful, but the Memorial Service brought back so many memories of that very difficult year when I was in Germany and he was in Iraq. I attended way too many of those that year, and I honestly didn't expect to have to attend any while we were here. This has really kind of thrown me into a tailspin. I hurt so badly for her mother and the rest of her family, as well as her fellow recruiters. The recruiters who worked in her station were quite close to her. Apparently she was the type of person who was easy to love. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to meet her.

For those of you who read my blog, just be reminded that you just never know when your time will come. Hug your spouse and/or kids, and remember to let those you love know how you feel about them. Be safe.

My New Niece

Isn't she beautiful?
She was a little jaundiced the day she left the hospital, so my sister and her husband have been taking her for daily blood tests since Wednesday. I had a baby shower for her yesterday, which had been planned for a couple of months, and everybody just loved getting to see the baby. It was a nice surprise for several.

...And Justice for All

Even you, Saddam.