Military Brats

My children are....resilient. This whole deployment has them a mess but they carry it and own it. Instead of letting it get them down they show pride in their daddy.

Kadence tells everyone she meets that her daddy is deployed and she does it not with a tear in her eye but a smile on her face. It's her strength that has made me realize I can get through it. When she wraps her little arms around my neck and says she misses him it makes my heart cry, but when she tells people how proud she is and that her daddy is a hero that same heart swells with pride. I am amazed by her.

Colton misses him, but it's different. He is still ignorant about the entire situation. He is unaware of time, really he is unaware that Ty is even gone. He knows that he misses him and that daddy has been gone for way to long- but it doesn't bother him as much as it bothers me. He can't comprehend the gravity of the situation and I am very thankful for that.

I am awestruck because of them both. They exhibit the strength that only a military brat could. Life is hard in this world as it is- but to have a parent deployed makes it that much worse. It takes a special type of child to live and thrive in this life. It takes a special type of person period to be in this life. My kids are proving that they can handle it. They can handle almost everything. I am so proud of them both! They amaze me and are an inspiration.

I just wanted to take the time to say that because it needs to be recognized. Military brats have a life like no other child. They have to grow up faster, they have to be more patient, they have to learn to let go of friends, homes and the occasional pet. These are things that would have an eternal effect on a normal persons childhood. But military brats are strong!

I am proud that I have "brats" they give me strength through the rough patches and smiles through the easy times. I will forever be grateful for the effect that my "brats" have on me.

Mommy loves you Kadence and Colton!

I'm Every Women!

It is simply amazing to me what all I have learned in the very short month. Yes- that's right...I have made it through a month-well Monday will be a month. Going into this deployment I was terrified of all the things I would have to do. There were little stupid things that I took for granted with Ty. Things like going to the grocery store by myself, or driving places- the worse was going to public places on my own.

What's crazy is that my kids are not misbehaved crazy neanderthals that act crazy and embarrass me. They actually are very well behaved and have manners and for the most part listen to me very well. But it's always been me and Ty so we each had a kid and it was nice. I never had to worry about being overpowered. I know that sounds crazy, but all I could imagine was Kadence having a meltdown and Colton running rampant all over the place.

Needless to say this has not been the case. I think that they understand that mommy needs them on their best behavior and they have been amazing. What's more is that I'm learning to juggle it. Now it's not that things haven't gone wrong. My bedroom flooded and the carpet molded, I am infested with ants- which cannot be taken care of for like 2 weeks. And the guys that came to fix my carpet stole from me. But I'm learning to manage my life without Ty.
Now please don't take that to mean that I'm just wonderful without Ty. I still feel an emptiness like never before, but I'm learning how to live, while waiting for him to return.

I was able to drive from TX to CO with TWO kids by MYSELF! That amazed me! We had Beiber fever all 9 hours, but it was great. I went grocery shopping with TWO kids and walked out within my budget. And I went to the zoo and spent the night with TWO kids. I am in aww of myself. I know I know- it's only 2 kids, but when that's all you have ever had- it seems like a lot! I honestly was terrified to leave Ty's moms house. I didn't think I was able to do it, and after my first 24 hours of being by myself I was convinced it would all be awful from that point on. But it's not and I won't let it be! I'm to strong and to determined to stay in good mental health..lol.

One story I always tell people about when I knew I would be a good mom...which now seems so ridiculous considering what all I have done and will have to do in the future... When Colton was born the army didn't give the 2 weeks paternity leave and Ty was denied any leave. So the day after we got home from the hospital I woke up at 7:00am, got Kadence (a little under 2) dressed and fed, I then got Colton up, changed and fed. I was so proud of myself. I couldn't believe at 20 years old I was doing it and I was good at it.

This deployment is making me realize that same thing about myself. I'm learning how great of a mom, a person, a women I am. I love and miss my husband dearly- but I now know I am capable of functioning without him, I can't wait until he comes back so I don't have to- but I know that I can endure it while he's gone.

I will make it through this deployment and come out on the other side with a smile! Because that's who I am and who I will always be!