Our Family is Complete Again

Well as you can see Nathan made it home. He got here Friday at around 9:05am. Getting ready for his return has been like being on a roller coaster, but the second he arrived I felt like the ride was over. The rush of emotion I felt was indescribable. I was so excited when I saw the buses pull up that I lost all my courage and started crying. After a couple of deep breaths I regained my courage and had a big smile when I welcomed Nathan back. Garrett was of course excited to see him, but wasn't sure how to react once his Daddy was standing in front of him. He was quiet at first, but after about 5 minutes he warmed up. Abbey did well too though I had my doubts about her. She was so mesmerized by his shiny bars I don't think she realized who was holding her. The homecoming went very smooth with no long waits or big holdups. After he got off the bus and got his hugs he went to the armory to turn in his weapon and within 15 minutes he was back and ours to keep. We loaded up the car and headed home. The last 48 hours have been amazing. Nathan and I just kind of picked up where we left off. Saturday we went to Toys R Us and got Garrett his new bike. He had been waiting patiently for his Daddy to get home so he could share the memories. Of course all this is getting captured on my new camera because two days before Nathan got home my camera broke. It is just a little spring and is fixable, but it would take two to three weeks and I couldn't go that long without a camera. Especially since Nathan was coming home. Talk about bad timing huh? I guess with all the things that could have gone wrong this deployment I will take a broken camera any day. I am glad it is over.

To all my family and friends that supported me through this deployment I want to send out a big THANK YOU. I could not have made it through the last seven months without all of you. And a special thank you to all my fellow military wives. You know exactly how it feels and that is very comforting at times. Thanks for all the good times and good memories. You guys are the next best thing to having a husband lol. This poem is for you:

Imagine a Woman

Imagine a woman who believes it is right and good she is a woman. A woman who honors her experiences and tells her stories. Who refuses to carry the sins of others within her body and life.

Imagine a woman who trusts and respects herself. A woman who listens to her needs and desires. Who meets them with tenderness and grace.

Imagine a woman who has acknowledged the past's influence on her present. A woman who has walked through her past. Who has healed into the present.

Imagine a woman who authors her whole life. A woman who exerts, initiates, and moves on her own behalf. Who refuses to surrender except to her truest self and wisest voice.

Imagine a woman who names her own gods. A woman who imagines the divine in her image and likeness. Who designs a personal spirituality to inform her daily life.

Imagine a woman in love with her own body. A woman who believes her body is enough, just as it is. Who celebrates her body's rhythms and cycles as an exquisite resource.

Imagine a woman who honors the body of the Goddess in hr changing body. A woman who celebrates the accumulation of her years and her wisdom. Who refuses to use her precious life energy disguising the changes in her body and life.

Imagine a woman who values the women in her life. A woman who sits in a circle of women. Who is reminded of the truth about herself when she forgets.

Imagine yourself as this woman.

I love you girls.

Finally, I almost forgot the most important person. Mom, thanks for always picking up the phone and listening when I needed someone to talk to or even when I had nothing to say, but needed to hear somebody. You have no idea how uplifting it was to be able to talk to you about my everyday nothings. I promise I won't call you everyday anymore. I love you Mom.