Strawberry Shortcake

May 26th...

The 26th? Really? Where did May go? As early as the kids get me up every morning, you'd think I would be acutely aware of how long each and every day is...but surprisingly they are just zipping by. I can only hope they are zipping by for Derrick too. I know it has to be hard to watch your daughter grow up in pictures, especially because she is going to change so much in this first year of her life. She was a peanut when he had to go, and she will be a little girl when he returns. I am just trying my very best to make sure he doesn't miss anything. She is getting so big, 4 front teeth are breaking through as we speak, and I think she will be able to chomp down on a steak as soon as tomorrow. I can't believe she is even remotely content with those monsters coming in, I swear they look like adult teeth. Poor thing isn't going to be able to close her mouth I am afraid. It's always a strange feeling when teeth come in because it's impossible to picture them any different than they look at the moment. I can't see her with a whole mouthful of teeth, which is what she is going to have in just a day or two.

As of today it has been about 4 days since I have talked to my husband. I know he is OK, because of friends who have been able to talk to their own, but it's still a scary feeling. Yesterday we heard the news of PFC Chris Barton who lost his life fighting in Afghanistan. My heart goes out to him and his family as they absorb this news and I hope they always know what he died for. He was fighting for us, as are the rest of our husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. The reality of what's happening is something that I should be aware of by now. I joined the army myself, and have been a devoted soldier for the past 6.5 years. I should know how serious this all is, and it pains me to say this, but it took having someone I care about and love with all of my heart and soul to realize how scary a situation we are in. I have yet to be deployed, and with my kids at home...I hope I never go. I know I joined in a time of war, and I know what I signed up to do. If I get called I will suck it up and do it, of course, but if I don't...if I spend my last year and half here at home, I will never regret my duty as a soldier in this Army. I have every respect for the men and women over there and it breaks my heart to hear that some of them have fallen. I hope no other lives get lost in Afghanistan. Send them all home.