Halloween 2009

Potty Training

You know you're a mom when you begin to use the word " underwear" in your prayers. I did that for my first time the other night - the night before I started to potty train Ryan. I used the boot camp method which consists of staying home for THREE days straight. He ran around in underwear all day and I siad " Tell mommy if you need to go" and "are you Dry?" about 100 million times! After three long days Ryan is potty trained and will sleep through the night and stay dry!

Veteran's Day

When I flew to Denver last month, I saw an army guy ( for lack of what else to call him) staring in my direction. I noticed that he was actually staring at Ryan - staring at him like he was thinking about his little boy at home. Then I saw the army guys' friend - other army guy - sit next to him. He was young and wore a wedding ring. Then third army guy joined them an they all smiled at Ryan.

I started thinking about how much they were missing at home. How much their wives and children must miss them. How much I couldn't bear to have Brett be gone from Ryan and I for a year or more. And how much their hearts must miss their families. I thought that I should tell them thanks for their sacrifice, but I felt dumb.

I saw them again as we passed through security. I thought about their sacrifice again and couldn't hold back my feelings any more. So, I walked right up to them and said " I don't know how to say this... but thanks... for all you do." And then I started balling. Right in front of them.

The big army guy said" Hey, why you crying... stop crying... you are making me all sensitive..."

They others guys just said you are welcome and looked at me like I was a freak.

I just couldn't help it. The reality of what they give up to protect our country hit me like a ton of bricks. So I cried, and I felt stupid, but I am really grateful for those army guys who leave their families to help keep my family safe.

Thanks army guys past and present!

( that includes navy, air force, and all other forces!)