Proud to be an American

I am proud to be an American. I am sure that we have all said this, but have you really given thought to what it means to make this statement?
While Nathan was preparing to deploy we talked a lot about the support that we were feeling from our family and friends. We could not ask for a better support system of our family and friends, we know we can make it through this time of him being gone with all of our family and friends behind us. However, when we were in the states before we left last summer, and even some here, when we would talk about Afghanistan we would hear people talking about it like there were no Americans there, like they had forgotten that it is still a war zone. We would also hear from people who are so against our President or against war that they did not support our soldiers wherever they may be deployed to. It was one of these remarks that made me start writing this post today. I wish I could show every one of those people the sacrifices that our men and women are making, not because they want to but because it is what was asked of them. And to remind those people that the reason that they have the freedom to make such remarks was because of the ultimate sacrifice that soldiers made for our country. I really do not care about what people think about the war or the President or any politics for that matter I just ask that people remember that there are still soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, remember Afghanistan is still considered a war zone, that soldiers are still dying in Iraq although its no longer deemed a war zone, and remember who protects your freedoms. 
I am proud of my soldier. I am proud of the Army. I am proud of all the American military forces. I am proud to fly the flag. I am proud to put my hand over my heart for the National Anthem. I am proud to be an American.

Not wanting to blog

I have to admit that the last couple of weeks I have not wanted to blog, I have not wanted to journal, I have not wanted to do anything except spend the little precious time I had left with him and then this week trying to keep myself busy so my mind wouldn't turn to him. Somehow whenever I tried to sit down to blog or to journal I immediately felt that I was either wasting time that I could have had with him or this week my mind immediately went to him. I have done well this week to stay busy, so busy as a matter of fact that I have not unpacked a single box this week, which I really need to do. I have surrounded myself with amazing women who are going through the same experience I am. On Monday, Valentine's Day, we gathered and had a potluck. We all understand that we have entered this time in our lives where we take the phone to the bathroom, because heaven forbid he should call while nature calls, and we leave our dinner conversation when our phone leaves. We do not mind that conversations are just stopped short if the phone rings, we all understand that we want that minute phone call saying that they are all doing ok.
If you are looking for more travel pictures I will be going to Sardinia soon and London not too long afterwards. I am sure that I will return with some awesome pictures for everyone to see. I promise I will get back to blogging on a regular basis and promise more amazing travel photos and stories.

Wish I had a time machine

With deployment quickly approaching (I cannot say when but I can tell you it is very soon) we have been busy trying to make sure we are ready for a year apart. We are most of the way through our list, thank goodness. To add to the stress of preparing for the deployment we were able to start moving out of our dreaded apartment last week into the house, hooray! After I find my camera amongst all of the boxes I will take some pictures and post. We are both very excited to finally be moving in, we love the new place. To add even more chaos to our lives the girl scout cookies were delayed, apparently a barge was over turned in the river that our cookies needed to come down delaying them for almost a week.. So I am sad to say that we are still selling cookies, I am hoping to be done within the next week. So as I sit here and wonder where all of our time has gone this week I wish I had a time machine to go back, slow down and spend more time with Nathan before his departure. It kills me every time I have to leave for a cookie booth sale or to go meet someone for the house, I wish I could pull out my machine slow down the time we have together. I have come to cherish each minute we have together, I hope he knows how much I am going to truly miss him.
P.S.- If anybody has any care package ideas please forward me your ideas. I have some ideas but feel I have been lacking creativity lately. Also, it is free for me to ship to Nathan from here, so if anyone would like me to send him something let me know.