I have been absent from blogging for quite some time now, 3 years to be exact.  I've often thought about getting back to blogging, but just never took the time to sit down and start writing.  I enjoyed writing and sharing my blog while I did it during Brian's deployment, so I decided to try it again.  It's been nice to go back the last three years and read my previous posts and also the words of encouragement and support from all of our viewers.

U S A

U S A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that was the text Brian sent me on Monday afternoon at 3:00.  Three little letters that mean so much to our country, but held even more meaning to me on Monday afternoon.  My husband was closer to home.  He was in the safety of our "land of the free."

Brian is currently going through the demobilization process in Camp Atterbury, Indiana.  He will return to Kansas this weekend.  Ainsley, Brogan and I, along with our extended family and friends are excited to welcome him home on Sunday!!!  Look for some awesome pictures coming to a blog near you next week!!

Almost Here

Well, Brian is almost here, which means, WE are almost there . . . . to the end.  As I look back on the last year, I can't help but smile through tears.  It has been a busy, crazy, scary and exciting ride.  We've had a lot of great experiences through this along with many sleepless nights and long days that felt never ending.  We've been reacquainted with old friends and met some new ones during this second deployment. There have been days that I've looked back on the year and thought, "Wow, its actually went pretty fast" and then there have been times it has felt like this deployment was 10 years long with no end in sight.

It has been a challenging year for me.  Not just from the deployed wife with two small children standpoint, but also dealing with illness after illness and not one, but THREE broken arms!!  I've put more miles on my van between Quinter and Oakley than I ever thought possible.  It was a challenging year for me at school too last year.  I was definitely ready for summer break and for an R&R visit from my hubby!

As I sit here on this quiet Sunday morning, drinking my warm cup of coffee and listening to the kids play in the garage, I have to smile . . . . . . next week . . . at this time . . . I'll be back in the passenger's seat!  Brian will be home!!

9/11: Ten Years Later

Today, I spent my day remembering the lives that were lost on September 11, 2001.  I felt myself drawn to the memorial services this morning and news footage of the attacks this afternoon.  Tonight, I was drawn once again to watch an update to the stories behind the photos we all have seared into our memory.  We were celebrating my nephew, Jatin's 4th birthday today, so I was surrounded by my family all day.  Throughout the day we shared our own memories about where we were when the towers were hit. I can remember my husband, sitting by the tv all night long, watching . . . just, watching.

Today, as I watched the stories of lives that were changed from that day forward, I thought about all of our lives and how we, as a nation, have changed since September 11.  I knew that on that day, my life would be changed.  Brian and I had been married just one week shy of a year.  Brian had been in the KSARNG for almost 8 years and he was a soldier that took his job with pride and seriousness.  Something that I admired then and still do now.

Ten years after the initial attacks against the United States of America, the death toll is still rising.  Tens of thousands of soldiers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan to continue defending the freedom that each of us deserve, yet don't always appreciate.  Many of those soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice and have  come home with flags draped and medals polished.  Let us take this September 11 to remember those soldiers who have fought and given their lives because of the threat of terrorism.

Brogan's First Day of Preschool!!

Brogan woke up so excited this morning, he finally got to go to school like Sissy.  He was excited to have Papa take him to school, meet Mrs. Weiser, and ride the bus home to Nana's.  He had his book bag ready and put on his new Buzz Lightyear shoes.  I took the morning off so I could take him to school.  We took pictures at outside the house and then went over to Nana and Papa's so Nana could see him before he came home a big boy!!

As we pulled up to the school, Brogan came barreling out of the van and was very excited to go inside.  As he walked the long sidewalk to the front door, it was almost as if he was growing up with every step.  Once inside the front doors and Brogan stayed right beside me as we walked the long hallway to the preschool room.  I think the quiet, long hallway was bigger than he expected.  It was kind of fun to walk him down the same hallway that I had walked when I was in grade school.  So much seemed the same, yet so much had changed since I had walked that long hallway in my childhood.  I hoped that Brogan would make wonderful memories just as I had so many years ago.

We reached Mrs. Weiser's classroom at the end of the hallway.  Brogan was pretty excited once we went through the door and he was greeted by Mrs. Weiser's smiling face.  He seen a couple friends and was ready to stay.  I had to go find him in the classroom to give him good-bye kisses.   - - --  -Wow!!  It seems as though I just blinked and my little Brogan went from a baby cradled in my arms to an energetic preschooler.