Thursday, November 3, 2011

Deployments

As a military wife deployments are very much a part of my life.  Having said that I haven't had to experience one in almost 4 years now and the fact that one is looming around the corner has me a little bit nervous.  I heard myself once say to a group of women, "I don't mind deployments, I almost enjoy them" and as it often does, the conversation moved on before I could explain myself.  Obviously no woman in her right mind would "enjoy" being left behind by her best friend and partner in life.  I often say these weird statements because I hate being the naysayer.  I don't like negativity.  I want to think everything's always coming up roses so to speak.  What I meant by that crazy statement is simply this:

Deployments are a very large part of our lifestyle and I do not spend my days or weeks or months worrying about the next one that is coming up.  I don't look forward to them but, on the other hand, I've accepted them as normal life and deal with them accordingly.  What good would it do me or my family to stress and complain about something that has to be done? When I said "I almost enjoy them" the ALMOST is a huge factor in that statement.  When I have my big girl panties (Sorry mom, I know I shouldn't use "panties" in a blog that could be read by "mixed company" haha, had to throw that in there) on and my rose colored glasses are perched perfectly on my nose, I see the positive aspects of a deployment.  I know that some of you fellow military wives are probably thinking, WHAT?! IS SHE NUTS?!  but this is honestly how my mind works.  Let's look at the positive aspects of my husband going to a foreign country where people want to kill him, those are as follows: We write letters, the handwritten kind,  when he deploys and it reminds me of when we were dating and first got married.  We learned a lot about each other in those letters and there is something magical about waiting everyday for the mail lady to bring you a small envelope with the love of your life's handwriting on it.  Also, the few days before he comes home I am a ball of nerves and expectancy...I can NOT WAIT to see him...it is truly an amazing experience to see your husband step off of a plane after 4 months of seperation and the PRIDE that comes along with the fact that he is awesome at his job and does it with character and integrity, without complaint, and because he feels passionately about serving this great Nation.  Also, there is a plethora of wives, some who I call friends who have said goodbye to their loved ones for a lot longer than 4 months, I can not complain about 4 months without my husband when friends of mine are surviving everyday knowing that that special someone will not come home.  And while I do worry sometimes about those things I try not to, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 and Matthew 10:28-31,  28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.


I don't look forward to deployments and am nervous about the kids wanting their daddy and not understanding how awesome it is that he is the kind of guy that is willing to walk away from everything he holds dearest and do a job that not many want to do. I am nervous that I will cry in front them when he leaves, I DO NOT CRY IN PUBLIC!  It is ugly, I am no pretty crier, I can assure you.  The only place I can feel the least bit comfortable crying around strangers is in a dark movie theater.  Church services have caused me to spring a leak from the eyeballs a few times and I do not like it.  However, I look forward to the letters, the longing that often goes away in a day to day routine of marriage and have faith that God is in control of our lives and we will be ok, whatever the circumstances.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Andrew Carter

Dear baby Drew,


     You were just born yesterday.  I can't believe that I haven't gotten to see your beautiful face yet or hold you in my arms.  I live pretty far from you now, 21 hours away.  To you that is about 10 meals and 8 naps.  I wanted to write you this note to tell you how precious and special you are to me and all of us, the crazy people laughing and poking at you, they love you too!  You see, your mommy is one of my very best friends in the entire world.  She is also my sister and when I was as big as you are, she held me, just like your big sister Olivia holds you.  It is so hard for me to see pictures of you and watch videos of your perfect face and not get to hold you, just like your mommy held me, and my two boys when they were born.  


     I don't know if anybody has let you in on this secret but you were a great big surprise for all of us.  We knew that God must be creating a pretty special somebody and he wanted us to be surprised because God knows how awesome surprises are.  You are the best surprise anybody could ever receive.  We are all so happy to have you and in just 6 weeks I will tell you all of this again when I finally get to see you.  Don't forget though, that Bebbi loves you and even though I haven't officially met you, I miss you so much!


     Your cousins Parker and Elijah, and your Uncle Stephen send you lots of love and hugs too!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

It's Fall Ya'll!

Oh, how I adore this time of year. In Wyoming it is no surprise that Fall comes a lot earlier than in Mississippi. I can't say that I hate it. We wake up to crisp 60 degree mornings and bright sunshine. I love every minute of it. I've already made one too many trips to hobby lobby looking at all the pumpkins and fall decorations. I made chili for dinner last night and threw in some veggies I got from the Farmer's Market yesterday, yep it is a good time of year!

I find myself dreaming of pumpkin pie and searching for apple orchards. I've even looked up fall festivals for our area. Needless to say, I'm excited! Pretty soon I will be dragging my kids to every pumpkin patch within a 60 mile radius! They love it but of course, it's all for me. The pictures you capture, the great outdoor fun without the sweat; what is not to like? This is one of those things that just get sweeter when you have children. I never sought out pumpkin patches and apple orchards when I was single. The kids have opened up a whole new world of wonder for me in the world of Fall festivities and I love every moment of it.

My family takes a vacation to the Smoky Mountains every year and it is the highlight of our lives at this point. We talk about it all year long, we dream about it, my mom sends us pictures of the house we are staying in; let's just say it is a big deal in our family and we look forward to it all summer. I have to say that this year, I feel like i'm cheating a little bit. We live very close to some pretty awesome mountains, although I still prefer the Smokies and the weather right now in Wyoming is very much like the weather we enjoy while on vacation! So, to all my Mississippi family and friends, eat your heart out! Just kidding! Come visit, is what I meant to say!

Until next time,
Debbi/Leigh

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Westerners!


Well, we have been living in Wyoming for 6 weeks now. The time has literally flown by! It has been so awesome to see what our surrounding areas have to offer. We have had a blast! Parker is enrolled in preschool with Eli on the waiting list. They start next Monday. I am enrolled in college taking just two classes but hoping it will be fun! Our life has officially begun in the west.

We haven't totally conformed to the western way of life. The boys did get some cowboy hats (the real kind not the walmart kind that they've had in the past). We have ridden some horses so I guess we are well on our way to becoming cowboys/cowgirl! HA!

It is absolutely beautiful here with nice weather and beautiful scenery. There are tiny little bunnies and antelope in my yard almost daily and kiddos from next door also who play with my kiddos allowing for dinner to get done in record time!
There are places that look like this only a short drive away:


We can't complain, well until winter!





Thursday, July 7, 2011

Moving Day!

Well the day has finally arrived. The packers are here as I type. They will be moving our stuff on Monday but my dear friend is coming to oversee that part of the move and we will be heading west in the morning!

We have had LOTS of set backs and hard times over the last few months and STILL haven't rented or sold our house nor do we have a place to live in Wyoming. We are heading off in the faith that God is in control and He will take care of our every need. I am excited, scared, nervous, anxious, and overwhelmed right now.

I have to tell my family goodbye tonight and I am NOT looking forward to that even though I know I will see them in 3 short months. My mom and nephew are making the long trek out with us and I am so excited about our adventures with them but this Daddy's girl is NOT looking forward to telling her Daddy goodbye. Also, my sweet niece and nephews (the ones who are staying behind) are going to change so rapidly and I miss getting to be a part of all of their milestones. My boys' best friends are their cousins so this is going to be a huge adjustment for all of us.

I am very excited about what God has planned for our little family though and thank you all so much for all the prayers and support. I can't wait to update you on what it is like in the Wild West and educate all my southern friends and family on life in the arctic! :-)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

My Baby is 3!

Well it happened a few weeks ago but we are busy getting ready to move and trying to offload this house to anyone who is willing to buy/rent/lease basically just pay the mortgage! But yes, in the middle of the chaos, Elijah turned 3 years old. I cry just thinking that my baby is 3 years old. He is such a joy and always adds entertainment to anything he is a part of. He lights up my life and fills my heart every single day with pride and laughter.

Elijah in pictures


All of that dark hair! I just couldn't believe it!

Then 1 year later, he's as blonde as can be!

His second birthday begins his love of Cowboy stuff.

And blossoms into ANYTHING pretend including "SCUBA GEAR"

Now he is 3 and Iron Man, goodness they grow up too fast.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

End of this Chapter

So, my husband's "Fini Flight" is tomorrow. To the non-flying/non-military people, this means he will be flying his Final Flight with the squadron he is in. It means ultimately that we are really leaving. The kids and I are hanging around for a few more months while he does some training in Arkansas so I keep telling myself that this isn't goodbye for me yet. However, tomorrow will just be a glaring reminder that we are really done with this chapter in our lives. We have met some incredible people here and being close to my family has been such a tremendous blessing. My baby was born here and all of the big steps for a toddler happened here for Parker. I have tears in my eyes right now just thinking of all the memories made with all of the wonderful people we have come to know in MS. Ugh! I can't believe it has been 3 1/2 years already!

My heart is heavy because I know that this is going to be hard for our family. We are a close knit bunch. I once told my husband that "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" reminded me of my family if only you replace the Greek part with Southern. We are just as close with his family but maybe a little more used to not seeing them as often. Being so close to my family has spoiled us for sure. I pray that the distance won't be too great for the heart. That skype and facebook will help to make the 20 hrs seem not so far. And that my children will realize how very blessed they are to have the family that God has placed them in.

I am excited for the adventures that are ahead of us, but very anxious/sad for the distance we are putting between us and the people we love the most.

These are my thoughts today, I hope it wasn't too much of a bummer for everyone to read.

Debbi aka Leigh

Friday, February 25, 2011

4 Years Already

If I tried to blog about how wonderful Parker has made these last 4 years for me, I think i'd just sit at this computer and cry for a good hour. I don't have time for that today as I am furiously cleaning and cooking for his birthday party tomorrow so I decided to give you Parker's 4 years in pictures.



2 Weeks old in Sanford, NC




4 Months Old San Antonio, TX




13 months old Richland, MS




2 years old, Columbus, MS




3 years old at Dee's House, Richland, MS



4 years old, Columbus, MS

Friday, February 4, 2011

6 years!

I was raised by two terrific parents who always tried to teach my two sisters and I what it meant to have a healthy marriage. My mom always praised my dad to us. I'm sure there were days when she was sick of him, because I am married and I know these days exist. I never knew this about them though. He is my hero in life because he was hers as well. On that same token, my dad was always the number one defender of my mom. "Don't raise your voice to my wife", I heard that phrase more times than I'd like to admit. They made it work. They went through terrible times together. Times of incredible stress and heartache came to their doorstep and they walked through them together.

When you live with parent's like this it is easy to want to be in love and have that kind of relationship with someone. Just ask my big sister!! She's been "in love" more times than I can count!!! (Terri, I love you don't yell at me) We all wanted that something special that my parents had. All three of us tried to make that fit with people who weren't right for us. The power of a praying parent is demonstrated in our lives with our spouses. We ended up with "the one". All three of us did. If you knew the "Brown Girls" you would know how much of a miracle this really is.

When I met Stephen, I saw so much of my dad in him and I knew that if I let myself, I would fall head over heels for this guy. I tried not too. I tried to "play the game" and act uninterested. I felt like a was a master at this. Yea, right, I was a complete failure. I did fall head over heels for him and quickly too. Of course, I couldn't let him know that because I am a demented female and we never say what we mean or feel. Stephen, always the logical one, laid it out for me. "I like you a lot, but this is my life". Sounds romantic doesn't it? Well, it was to me. He wanted me to know that he wanted me to be a part of his life but that it wasn't going to be easy. He was going to deploy and his job has to come first. That sounds like such a negative thing but aren't we all glad that there are people out there willing to let their job come first so we can live safely in our country? What Stephen didn't know was that this made me love him all the more. My father's job came first alot too. I mean his 9-5 job he was diligent with and did well with but I'm talking about as a pastor of a church. He took his calling to be a Shepherd of men very seriously and still does. He did this all the while never making the girls in his life feel left out or taken for granted.

My dad let me know that I was worth it! Having someone who cherished me wasn't just a bonus, it was a must. That is something I think is so important for a father to teach his daughter. He told me this of course but more than anything he cherished my mom. I knew what it looked like for a woman to be cherished by her husband. I saw it everyday.

Six years ago I married the perfect person for me. I love our life and our little family. I love his passion, integrity, and diligence, all those things I love and admire about my dad. I love that we move every 3 years as I am a "free-spirit" at heart and this fulfills my needs to explore things and learn about different kinds of people. I am so blessed to be a part of two outstanding families. Stephen's family are a group of extraordinary people. They are all very individual and different from my family but very loving and welcoming all the same. I am forever grateful to our parents for teaching us how to grind our heels in and have long marriages and raise happy, healthy children. I hope our children look back on their families with the same pride as we do. I pray that they find a spouse who adores them the way I do their daddy.

~Leigh, aka Debbi~
"You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; MY CUP OVERFLOWS"
Psalm 23:5