Getting Inspired

My girlfriend Brittany recently posted something on her facebook that read- '14 Things You Never Say to a Military Wife'  the following are my favorite from the list....

2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."

-This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.

8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
-This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a Ford Taurus with a Mercedes convertible. 

There were others (12 others, that all rang true in some way)- you can find the link HERE. One of my favorite points made was... We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night.


Ain't that the truth?!  This morning I was talking to Andy about how excited I am to just be able to decorate our home...to dust my lamps, and vacuum my floor, to cook my family dinner, to sleep next to my husband, to watch TV late at night with Andy, or go out to dinner.  I am excited to buy new furniture and hang curtains.  I can't wait to have a BBQ and go play tennis.  Does that sound silly?  I have realized that what I appreciate the most are the little things that we can do as a family.  Living with my parents has been WONDERFUL, and life saving.  They have given me support that I could not have found anywhere else, but I am SO excited for this phase in our lives to be over.  I am ready for the end of this deployment. 


We will hit our year mark next week, and then it will still be at least another 3 weeks until we get to see Andy...but the end is in sight...and in the mean time I have become inspired by these...

... And those are just a few of the pictures I have saved.  I mean really, doesn't this just make you want to go paint your bedroom?  I've already warned Andy that he may have to lot me a portion of our savings to turn our home into the place I hope it will be...unfortunately military housing won't allow me to paint...so I will have to make up for it in other ways!  Here's to finding way's to be inspired...what inspires you?