Another day in our lives

Well we are almost at the 4 month mark. While it has been so hot and dry here it is nothing like what Mike is dealing with. The other day it was 130 degrees over there. I don't think I will ever complain about cold weather again. Rain would be nice to have too. Mike has not seen rain since he left the states. We have finally been give R&R, rest and relaxation, dates!!! We are so happy and counting down. I've told Mike that from the minute I pick him up at the airport he isn't doing anything. I just want to be able to look over at his chair and see him sitting or sleeping there with Peanut snuggled up to him. We are not going anywhere or doing anything. Mike decided before he left that when R&R time came he just wanted to come home and that is what we are doing, staying at our home.

While it has not been a good past few weeks here, I have the best husband in the world who reminds me that he is proud of me for handling everything here. What some don't realize is that those of us left back here deal with more than just normal day to day things, we have loved ones who are in a war zone, we have to deal with children, car repairs and people who just don't understand and all the while keeping a "happy face" on. While things have happened that really make me question the mom and wife I am, I know in my heart that I am doing the best I can do and that without God's help and guidance it would be a lot worse. In my prayers every day and night are for our families and friends, for God to watch over our loved ones who are away from us. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

I know that getting to chat on line has helped what some need to realize that we don't get to chat, talk or see or loved ones everyday. We can't see their faces to see how they are doing, we can't hear their voices to hear how they are. What some need to know also is that chatting does help it does not take away the lonliness, the pain or the worry. There are days that I don't think my shoulders can get any larger and carry anymore but knowing what Mike is doing and that all of them are doing it for our protection and freedoms makes my shoulders grow more and a little easier to carry on. A friend of mine whose husband just left and like all of us her heart is broken. The best piece of advice I could give her was that the shower makes a perfect place to have your breakdowns. We have a saying that we have to wear our "big girl panties" well let me tell you sometimes we get tired of those dang things.

Thank goodness school finally starts down here tomorrow, the 24th. I swear I will be doing cartwheels in the street when I get back from taking her to school!!! It has been a very long summer.. Kyla will be starting her sophmore year. That is hard to believe!! She is looking forward to it.

While I have mentioned this before I am going to mention it again. Please take the time and visit: www.bubbasbellyrun.com This is a site and fundraiser a dear friend of mine has started. Her husband had been home on R&R earlier this year and had just been back in Afghan for 2 weeks and lost his life. Capt. Brian "Bubba" Bunting left behind his wife and a beautiful little boy. His wife found out several days after notification of his death that she is pregnant. It was her and her husbands dream to add to their family and that dream will continue. She is having a walk/run in September in the DC area. They are selling flags for $5.00 each. She is hoping to have a flag for each American Hero that has lost their life, right now that count is a little over 5,000. While I can't be there this year for the walk/run I have purchased my flags to help out. The money raised will be going to flat daddies, American Widow's Project and an education fund for their children.

Since I have had Mike's address to send him care packages I think we have sent almost 20 boxes so far!! It helps Kyla and I to feel like we are still able to take care of him even if we can't be with him daily. He loves the microwavable meals, microwavable soups and snack foods. We can't send chocolate over yet but when we can we will stock him up. Once school starts I will be sending him Kyla's grades and work so he can feel in contact with us. I have already started planning on the "special" boxes, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday's his and Kyla's. It normally takes about a week for them to reach the guys over there. If anyone is planning on sending boxes at Christmas time please remember it can and will take extra time.

Please continue to keep Mike and all our troops in your thoughts and prayers. Just knowing that we back home are supporting them means the world to them.