{The Military Life}

"There's a fine line between love and hate. Love frees a soul and in the same breath can sometimes suffocate it."~Cecilia Ahern

Our life took a sudden, unexpected turn {from my plan} in April 2009 when we decided to join the National Guard. It's been a hard road.

While at a family dinner at a local steakhouse, the waitress began to talk to my sister and me about our husbands and military lives. Then came the zinger: "How do you like it?" I kept quiet and allowed my sister to field that question as she is much more positive than I am.

"I LOVE it! I wouldn't trade it for the world!" she answered. I admire her passion for the military.

So, how DO I like it?

I WOULD trade it for the world. For HALF the world, even.

Since my husband was sworn in, I've gone through an entire pregnancy--with complications, including an emergency cerclage and lots of extra doctor's appointments, the birth of our first child, and his first week; all without my husband. Once he began his deployment, we've celebrated birthdays and holidays, endured hospital stays, emergency room visits, the death of appliances, random home and car repairs, and hormonal imbalances; without my husband. I've had to modify my plan for our lives over and over. I've learned what sacrifice really means. My faith has been tested and as Iago {the parrot from Aladdin} said, "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."

Also since my husband was sworn in, I've grown closer to our families and closer to God. I've witnessed firsthand our families and a local church group work together to make our home a better place. I get to answer people who ask where my husband is, "He's in Kuwait!" and hear their grateful reply, "Thank him for his service!" I get to learn what sacrifice means. I keep thinking about my purpose in life; maybe one purpose is to give that others might get. I get to live God's plan for our lives.

On further contemplation, maybe I wouldn't trade it for the world. I wouldn't be who I am today without going on this adventure. AND my husband wouldn't be who he is today without going on this adventure.

An adventure it surely is. I'm just along for the ride!