This Crazy Thing Called Life

I started this blog not only because I thought It would be a fun place to keep up with my busy life, but because I thought I might be an encouragement to others.  However, after I put my husband on a bus and said goodbye, knowing that I would not see him for the next ten months, I was afraid my thought I would put down here would sound like I was simply venting to cyber space.  This is the main reason why I have been so very idle on this blog.  Tonight while doing research online I stumbled across a former army wife's blog.  I was so encouraged to read her stories through deployment ups and downs that I have a renewed inspiration to take on this task. 

I am so blessed to be the wife of such an amazing man who will give up so much to not only provide for me, but serve our country.  During Michael's first deployment he was active in helping the Iraqi people gain many of the freedoms that we Americans dwell in every day.  This deployment is very different in that Operation New Dawn is simply the US troops training and assisting the Iraqi military.  Michael tends to be a ping pong ball going where ever he is directed whether it is analyzing intelligence, leading missions, or working with the Iraqis.  The key to working in the military is to be very, very flexable.

Though deployments are hard I cannot stop from seeing all the ways we are blessed this tour.  We are blessed that Iraq is much more stable of a country than it was two years ago.  Though there are still instances of violence, I do not live in the worry I did last deployment.  I am so thankful that we are able to communicate often.  Though most of the time it is a simple, short phone call, I occasionally get to see my love via skype.  I am thankful for these small blessings because I know many other military families do not have this right now.  I also know that it is something many of use take for granted each day.  Deployments teach us to value each moment together, each conversation, each touch.

We have just past the 4 month mark in this 12-15 month deployment and I have my eyes set on June when I can simply hug my best friend!