Why I love being a military wife...

I did not set out to be a military wife.  I simply fell in love with a boy who happened to be in the Army.

At first it was scary.  I was sixteen when we started dating, he was eighteen and newly enlisted.  I could list all the fears and doubts I had but that seems like an eternity ago.
Thankfully I didn't let those fears interfere with the development of our relationship.

Now that we've been together almost six years and married about three and a half years, I can't imagine my life any other way.  I love being an Army wife but why?
I love knowing that I make a difference, even if it is only to my soldier.  My husband has someone at home waiting on him.  I can be his driving force to make it home (along with our children of course).  Not every soldier has that and it is so sad to think about.  Every soldier needs their own personal support.  'Support our Troops' magnets just don't cut it during those trying times.
I am proud of my husband and I stand behind him and his desire to serve our country.  No it isn't glamorous, nor does it really pay all that well for the average soldier.  But there isn't a moment I love our country more than when I see my husband in his uniform.  And seeing others in their uniforms reminds me that my husband isn't alone

To read why others love being military wives visit Wives of Faith.

Picture It

My sweet little girl oblivious to what her daddy does for our country.

I hope when she does understand she will be as proud of him as we are of her.

To check out other photos visit Wives of Faith.

My Best Military Wife Moment

You know that moment when the resounding HOOAH (for the Army folks) goes off in your head even though it's not something you ever say.  Yea, that's the moment I'm supposed to talk about.  Problem is I have to figure out what it is first...

I guess my best military wife moment would be the day my husband was medically cleared to deploy.

I realize that sounds odd so here is the backstory...
In April of 2008 we learned that his unit would be transferring troops to two other units (both based in Florida) for deployment.  My husband (then boyfriend) was assured that since he was in school full time and also still a freshman he was nondeployable and would not have to go.  He asked every drill and was told the same thing, "No you won't go."  July drill rolled around and he was told that orders had been cut and yes he would be deploying.  Turns out his unit decided not to tell the other unit he was nondeployable when his name was selected at random.
Training began in October 2008.  We got married at the end of October when he was home on a three day break.  Hubby mobilized at the end of November.  He got to come home for Christmas and was then supposed to leave the country sometime in January.
Shortly after reporting back from Christmas Exodus, my husband started to experience a sharp radiating pain in his lower abdomen.  He was seen by multiple doctors and multiple tests were run.  Nothing could be found.  He was told he could not deploy (or come home) until the issue was resolved.  After three months of thinking we were safe from deployment and then five months emotionally preparing for the deployment...the thought of it being all for nothing was devastating.  Don't get me wrong, I didn't want my husband to be gone.  I just wanted the issue resolved, I wanted my husband to be okay, and I wanted us to be able to move forward with whatever needed to be done.
Finally the last doctor he way gave him an anti-inflammatory to take.  The doctor said that if the med fixed the problem then great, if it didn't then it would narrow down the possible causes.  A follow up appointment was scheduled and my husband was sent on his way.  Meanwhile the unit left the country the day before my husband's follow up appointment so of course my husband was left behind.

I anxiously awaited the phone call for what the doctor had to say.  I was in college at the time and was sitting outside my first class of the day when my phone rang.  Hearing the words, "He cleared me.  I can go." brought tears to my eyes.  It was a relief I never expected.  I could never have imagined that I would cry happy tears at the thought of my husband deploying.  It was a very weird, surreal feeling.  But those words meant that my husband was okay and that the emotional energy used to prepare for a deployment that shouldn't be happening wasn't a waste.
It is a moment I will never forget.

Don't forget to check out Wives of Faith to read about other favorite military wife moments.

The Dream Sheet

As a reservist wife I honestly don't think about it.  I'm not even sure my husband has considered where he would like to be stationed.  We just don't talk about it.
Honestly, my goal is to never move out of the Middle Tennessee area.  I have lived in other states (all before I knew my husband) and I am happiest here.  I definitely have a great amount of respect for the active duty families that move on a regular basis.  I'm sure I would do it if I had to but I'm glad that so far we haven't.  Although I'd love to experience base life, it's just now how the Reserves tend to work and I'm okay with that.
But since the point of this post is to pick an ideal post, I guess I would pick our closest post which is Ft. Campbell.  I realize that's not very exciting but I like the comfort of home.  Don't get me wrong, I'd love to travel and experience our nation and the world.  I'm just not sure I'd want to have to live in lots of different places.  That just sounds a little scary to me.

If you liked my post please check out Wives of Faith to see other blogs that are participating.

You know you're a military spouse when...

the conception and/or birth of your children seem to revolve around deployments.

Yea you read that right.
I married my husband right before our first deployment and only saw him forty-five days in that first year of marriage.  I conceived our daughter within two months of him being home and we were not trying.
Now I am pregnant with our second child and due just a month or two after our second deployment is set to begin.
By the time we reach our fourth wedding anniversary we will be in our second deployment and have two children (unless I carry this pregnancy past 43wks).  It is absolutely crazy to think about.
It's been a whirlwind three and a half years but I wouldn't change a thing.  Sure it's hard to have your spouse gone, especially knowing that this time there is a good chance that he will miss the birth of our child, but I believe deployments serve a purpose.  Everything is in God's hands.  It wasn't in our plan to have children this soon or this fast but I can't imagine life without my daughter and I'm sure I will feel the same way when this second little one makes his/her appearance.

If you enjoyed my post you should visit Wives of Faith to find other blogs to check out.