Best day of my life?

Four years ago, I was in labor. I had absolutely no idea how much my life was getting ready to change...or how much I could love another person.

I can't believe four years have come and gone. Through deployments, dogs, new jobs, school, and all that came in between, I have made it through with my partner in crime--my daughter. :) She helped me finish my thesis and my master's degree. She gave me a reason to get up in the morning (even if it was earlier than I would have liked) when Buzz was on the other side of the world in a war zone. She made me laugh and gave me a hug when I needed it most.

I am working to resist the urge to tell her every little detail of what happened on this day (this minute) four years ago. (I DO remember every detail.) But I will be up at 9:08 in the morning--recalling what some would call the best moment of their lives. Everyone says that..."The day my baby was born was the best day of my life." But I beg to differ--That WAS the best day of my life at that moment. In all reality, that was when my life started. Every day since has been better, because it has been another day to grow with her. Every day marks the new best day of my life. I look forward to opening presents and talking about THE birthday, but in my heart it is so much more. Mommies know what I am talking about. And my baby girl will too...one day. But for now I will crown myself the proudest woman on earth on THIS day--and I will celebrate with gifts, too much sugar, and Hannah Montana decor--because that's what SHE wants. And SHE is what makes my world go 'round.

She's all mine!

I can't believe my little girl--my baby--is getting ready to turn 4. In some ways the time has flown yet I can't remember what life was like without her. She's my whole world. But back to her birthday...I have been shopping for gifts for weeks. I have a bit of a problem over-shopping for her. My wardrobe is outdated and I don't get new "gadgets" and such. But my daughter is dressed to impress and has more "stuff" than we know what to do with. It's an addiction.

I remember her first holiday--Easter. I was so new to motherhood and lost in a cloud of exhaustion and love. But when I realized I got to shop for this little part of me, well, the rest is history. That was my first shopping spree for someone other than myself. It was amazing--and it continues to be. I'm a frugal (cheap) shopper so I don't go over the top in cost, just over the top in stuff. Shopping for her has been therapeutic for me during all of the deployments in addition to the fun and escape it provides during "normal times." I think this is a disorder. :) But it's fun! I am able to get lost in her world--which is much better than the world out here that we all live in.

Anyway, I still feel like I am living a dream. My amazing little girl is growing up--which means her clothes and toys get bigger (and cost more even when you do shop cheap). Sometimes I question whether or not I am spoiling her. I don't think so--I hope not. She's got the biggest heart of anyone I know. I like to think I played a big part in that. So I will keep on shoppin'. Why? Because I want to. Because it's fun. Because she's all mine...since she's a part of me, I figure I can continue to sport last years' threads as long as she keeps lookin' fine. :)

Author unknown

Sometimes those who are unknown say things the best. I got this in an email from a friend today--it was PERFECT timing. I have been feeling on the outside of everything here lately and this reminded me of my inner strength, all that I have been through and accomplished, and all that I CAN do. I also shared it with my military wife friends (who didn't get the email the first go-round) to remind them of their awesomeness and have gotten some great responses as a reminder that I am among the most AMAZING group of women on earth. :) Here is OUR story...

Military Wife

Lots of moving...
Moving...
Moving...
Moving far from home...
Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...all riding with HER of course.
Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house;
Moving curtains that won't fit;
Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.
Moving away from friends;
Moving toward new friends;
Moving her most important luggage: her trunk full of memories.

Often waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting...
Waiting for housing.
Waiting for orders.
Waiting for deployments.
Waiting for phone calls.
Waiting for reunions.
Waiting for the new curtains to arrive.
Waiting for him to come home,
For dinner...AGAIN!

They call her 'Military Dependent', but she knows better:
She is fiercely In-Dependent.

She can balance a check book;
Handle the yard work;
Fix a noisy toilet;
Bury the family pet...

She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts.
She can file the taxes;
Sell a house;
Buy a car;
Or set up a move...
.....all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.
She reinvents her career with every PCS;
Locates a house in the desert, The Arctic, Or the deep south.
And learns to call them all 'home'.
She MAKES them all home.

Military Wives are somewhat hasty...
They leap into:
Decorating,
Leadership,
Volunteering,
Career alternatives,
Churches,
And friendships.
They don't have 15 years to get to know people.
Their roots are short but flexible.
They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other:
They connect over coffee,
Rely on the spouse network,
Accept offers of friendship and favors.
Record addresses in pencil...

Military Wives have a common bond:
The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands; his commitment is unique.
He doesn't have a 'JOB'
He has a ' MISSION ' that he can't just decide to quit...
He's on-call for his country 24/7.
But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town!
His language is foreign
TDY
PCS
OPR
SOS
ACC
BDU
ACU
BAR
CIB
TAD
And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.
She is the long- distance link to keep them informed;
the glue that holds them together.

A Military Wife has her moments:
She wants to wring his neck;
Dye his uniform pink;
Refuse to move to Siberia ;
But she pulls herself together.
Give her a few days,
A travel brochure,
A long hot bath,
A pledge to the flag,
A wedding picture,
And she goes.
She packs.
She moves.
She follows.

Why?
What for?
How come?
You may think it is because she has lost her mind.
But actually it is because she has lost her heart.
It was stolen from her by a man,
Who puts duty first,
Who longs to deploy,
Who salutes the flag,
And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military Husband,
She will remain his military wife.
And would have it no other way.

--Author Unknown

Sam Doggy Dogg

If ever there was a dog with issues, that dog is Sampson. The last time I wrote, Sampson was going in for an ultrasound. They found enlarged lymph nodes and something else that was indicative of IBD. But nothing more than that in the belly region. An x-ray revealed that his spine has pretty much fused together--all of his vertebrae are calcified (I think I am using the right terms). So after our last round of difficulties, our regular vet sent us to a vet who does acupuncture. I was REALLY skeptical but figured I would try anything. I decided to embrace the idea and prepared myself for the laughter of those who found out. It paid off! Sampson is a new man. He can kidney bean dance with more flexibility, he runs around the yard, and plays like he hasn't done for months--maybe years!

So it's all good news, right? Uh, I'm not so sure about that. As I speak, he is having a "lump" removed from his shoulder. It's really small so hopefully if it is "the c-word" we caught it early. They are just removing it with local anesthetic (because he is the MAN and can handle that) today and sending it off for a biopsy. I am worried, of course. I mostly feel guilty because he was feeling SO good today and I spring this on him. Poor guy. His doctor was impressed at how great he is doing otherwise. Since we just moved here last year, she has not seen him in his full Sam Doggy Dogg element. I do believe she was impressed, amused, and entertained with his energy, kidney bean dancing, and "talking."

He'll be home in an hour or two. Luckily, Daisy is handling their time apart better so I am not having to tend to her every single second. (Our little Daisy Duke just MIGHT be growing up...maybe.) Anyway, I am going to hope for the best. I suppose that's all I can do at this point. Well, that and enjoy every amazing day we have of Sam Doggy Dogg in full effect!