Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Wow it is hard to believe the end of the year is already here. So many changes in just a short period of time. First off, I want to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Yes I still say Merry Christmas, sorry not so PC with me...

As we sit here we are getting ready to face the biggest thing in our lives since we began this chapter of our lives. We have discussed it in detail and in great length. Kyla is dealing with it in her own way right now and that is normal and fine. Kyla and I were shopping yesterday looking for a gift from her to her daddy and all she would say is I want to get him something nice because I know what could happen after this year. We are told to let our children work thru their feelings and eventually they will come out and they do but it is so hard at times.

We were at her school last week for a Christmas concert in which all the choirs from the high school and the 8th grades performed. Kyla had told me there was one song that would get to me, and boy was she right. But, not only did it get to me, it got to a lot of others. The one thing people tend to forget are the children during deployments. As they sang this song I was crying and my best friend sitting next to me was too, her husband is deployed right now. After they were done you seen so many young women, teenagers, crying their eyes out. So deployments don't just effect adults. My best friend's daughter came up to us and all I could do is hug her and tell her it was OK to cry. I realize most who read this isn't near a military facility but try to remember, yes deployments effect everyone not just us grown ups. I wanted to just grab all those hurting and hug them all. I seen that night what it means to be a child in the military, they consoled one another and help each one thru it. Not all teenagers are bad kids.

Since we won't be coming home for the holidays we will be starting our own little traditions I guess but know that we miss each and everyone of you so much and wish the best for all of you. We hope Santa is good to all of you especially the children. As we wind up another year I have taken time to look back and realize what I am so thankful for. I have a husband who I love with all my heart and will stand beside him no matter what and support him, I have a son who now is an adult and living his own life and I am so proud of him I don't think he realizes that, I have a daughter who I love dearly even though at times I'm about ready to ring her neck but we have become so close and she makes us so proud each day. I have the best family support back home that I know if I need them all I have to do is call and rather it is just to talk or cry they are there for me. I have met some of the most amazing women down here who are going thru so much that makes me believe yes it does take a special person to be a military spouse or significant other.

As our time draws closer we will be busy getting Mike ready and us too. Please keep us and his team in your thoughts and prayers. There isn't a lot I can say on here but as the time draws near I promise ya'll will know. I had sent out a mass e-mail asking if our families could write a note or letter addressed to Mike for when he is gone so that he can look back and know how proud we are of him, well thanks to the Army I am needing those sooner than later.

Please know we miss each and everyone and you are in our thoughts and prayers daily.