Goodbye Army???

We are fast approaching a stay in or get out deadline with our dear friend, Army. We waffle back and forth about what we want in life and what we want from life and what we want for our children's lives pretty regularly. When you add Army to that equation, it basically removes most options and sends you in a complete different direction that you never envisioned. Not always a bad direction and not always a good direction, but ALWAYS a different direction. So now we have to decide if we're going to keep that randomness going, or if we're going to enter the real world.

The World's Longest Cul-de-Sac

Several years ago, Army Guy had to go to this place called NTC (Fort Irwin-National Training Center) for some training before deployment. Army Guy was on Advon, so of course he got there early and had time to explore the place and report his findings back to me. His descriptions included words like "hell hole, just past no where, complete desolation, the most depressing place on the planet, horrid" and on and on.

Fast forward 5 years and we're living the dream at NTC.

The Subtle Way 9/11 Changed Me

Today we are marking the 10th anniversary of September 11th. It was a horrific day, but out of the horror grew heroes, faith, and hope. It affected everyone in a different way--no two people reacted the exact same way. No two people have had the same experiences since that fateful day. For some, their entire world ended that day with the loss of someone near to their heart. For some, they lost a sense of security that we, as Americans, had been enjoying a bit much since Pearl Harbor. For some, it inspired them to join in the fight--whether that be through Armed Forces, Firefighters or Police department. For some, it was a moment of patriotism that has since passed. For me, it inspired an intolerance of the media that I still have not gotten over.

Sometimes I wish I was a bit more like him

Army Guy has this ability to compartmentalize events like no one's business. Some days, I wish he would do it a bit less, but more often, I wish I could be more like him.

When Army Guy deployed the first time, we had a rough deployment. The first months, several Soldiers were lost. After blackout was lifted, Army Guy would touch base with me. Sometimes he talked at length about the event. Sometimes he just made random comments about the event. But he would always take one phone call/IM session to address the event and then he'd move on. It was like I was the closure for him. As soon as he finished talking to me about it, he packed it up and put it away. Not forgetting, but continuing on with the mission.

Tales From The Toilet

**WARNING: This post may contain content that is unsuitable for non-potty training experienced people, 

please proceed with caution**

So I have this toddler. This toddler that decided she needs to pee on the potty. This toddler that has no concept of when she needs to pee, just that she wants to pee. on the potty. At 24 months. And I know there are those of you who potty trained at well before 2 years of age and kudos to you. I am not one of those though. I'm a potty train at almost 3 years of age (or have daycare do it for you) kind of moms. Trying to convince a toddler to NOT potty train is a delicate thing. Having a toddler that doesn't seem to mind/notice when she accidently slips and puts a leg in the toilet, and then comes over, naked and plops that wet leg up on your couch is just disgusting. And makes the not potty training imperative.