I think I made some progress on the computer over the weekend, but this evening will be the test of Sarah's skills. Hopefully my work will pay off.

I'm still subbing, and it's funny how I view things through the eyes of a teacher now. The husband and I have been watching the series Freaks and Geeks, and I can't help but see pieces of my own 7th graders in the show's characters. I am very sensitive about the geeks and very hateful towards the freaks, simply because I now see those interactions in front of my eyes every day.

I haven't given up on blogging. My mom says she misses me, but it's really because of our computer. I haven't even read a single blog in over a week. I hope to be back in the saddle soon.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:18 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Many have reminded me of my love of wifeing. Of course I want to wife my husband; that's why I'm upset. He's doing all the husbanding! I am the one working all day and he has to take care of the house and cheer me up when I get home. That's not what I wanted at all! I wanted to take care of him...

We're doing OK. We've been talking a lot about how we felt during the deployment, all the stuff that went unsaid when we only had the instant messenger to convey our thoughts. Puzzle pieces are falling into place, and we're working through the usch.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:30 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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The husband has also been feeling a little usch, so we've been trying to joke about it and keep things light. We both are dealing with new feelings: he feels completely without purpose, since he's stopped cold after running himself ragged for a year. Now he has no platoon and no duties, and he's entirely unsure what to do with himself. He has no professional goals for the next 90 days, and it's driving him nuts. I, on the other hand, am trying to keep from constantly talking about how I want to choke some middle schoolers, and I'm having a hard time being cheerful at the end of a long day. So he's super bored, I'm super irritated, and we have a computer virus. We've got a lot of crap on our plates, and we're just trying hard to stay positive. We've been talking a lot lately about the puppies that are gestating now.

Last night I had a dream that my husband made the move to Finance and they deployed him to Spain for six weeks. Nevermind that this makes no sense; I was still devastated. In my dream I kept arguing that we were still under stop-move and he couldn't leave again. I guess even though it's rough reintegrating, I'd rather have him home than in Spain.

Posted by: Sarah at 06:20 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 I've been reading your blog for about four months. Durinjg that time, your comments became more and more centered on your husband and how much you missed him and how you were looking forward to his return. I am only writing because I and my wife are former military. I retired after 213 year of service in the Army and must say taht although there were lows, most of the time was high. I think wives have a harder time adjusting to the return of a husband from an overseas assignmsnt. ( had three during my career). I can read the love and understanding you express through your blog, and although you sound down now, go back and read some of your blogs just before your husband returned, then let him read them again, and be thankful that you have each other and a long and joyful and rewarding life together ahead. Best Wishes, Rosie. P.S We have been married 53 year and it wouldn't have been possible if each of us hadn't been willing to give more than we got.

Posted by: Rosie at March 23, 2005 05:28 PM (kaTPV)

2 Hang in there!!! A little time to find your new 'normal' and you'll be fine. Just the fact that you can both admit and even try to joke about the feelings you are having bodes well for you! Maybe not much help, but I wanted to cheer you on a little Rah!! Rah!! Rah!!

Posted by: Renee at March 23, 2005 06:11 PM (gDEwS)

3 Hi Sarah, I, too, wanted to add my encouragement. Since I've been back, I've reluctantly assumed the house-husband role. But I will admit that it feels good to be doing mundane things instead of hazardous actions. When I read your previous entry, I had just finished vacuuming out our heater ducts. I was going to type a reply but decided to do another load of laundry first. Then I got overcome by events. I guess I've been married long enough because the first thing my wife said when she got home from work was, "Dishes?" Can you feel the love? But my leave ends very soon and I report back to duty on Monday. Say, have you tried comparing notes? I'm sure he has some troops that act like middle schoolers that he would love to choke too. :-) Randy

Posted by: R1 at March 23, 2005 06:25 PM (6QRyU)

4 Sara, I have been reading your weblog for a long time also. Since your husband has time off, maybe he could volunteer at your school, or the post library or see if any of those that lost family members could use someone to do some errands for them... Thanks for your Service (Both of you) Sine Nomine

Posted by: Sine Nomine at March 23, 2005 07:20 PM (slLfp)

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I am having a little trouble reintegrating. I debated whether I would even blog about it or not, but I thought that others whose soldiers have just returned (or just left) might be interested to hear how we're handling all of this. I think I'm having issues with sharing. For a whole year, I've had the entire house to myself. I did whatever I wanted and cleaned up only after myself, and so I feel myself getting irritated at stupid little things that I know are only bothering me because I haven't had to deal with them for a year, like my husband's ridiculously loud alarm clock. I actually think it's harder on me right now than it was when we first got married, because at least then I had two roommates in school. I've been completely selfish for a year, and it's making me grumpy that my lifestyle has changed. It also doesn't help that I'm working full time while my husband is not, so he's at home doing nothing and I'm wrestling with seventh graders all day long. Though I must say he's not really doing nothing, because he's being a great house-husband. He's vacuuming and taking care of our car insurance and being helpful. However, it feels weird to me to have him in charge of the household, since that's been my lane for our entire marriage. It's been my job for so long that it feels weird to let go of the responsibility, and I feel a little useless and not in control. My usch level is way up, and I find myself getting irritated with trivial things. I hope the feeling doesn't last for long.

Posted by: Sarah at 08:02 AM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 You are not alone! I am having the same difficulties....I can only hope that it gets better soon...

Posted by: Kelly at March 22, 2005 08:52 AM (S77hB)

2 Woo boy, I can assure you that this is totally normal. In fact, these exact sort of feelings were discussed repeatedly at the Family Readiness return briefing (I'm not sure what the Army calls it). It feels bad because you want to be deliriously happy that he's home (and most of the time, you are), so when you get those little nagging annoyances, you are more affected than usual: "How dare these things intrude on my happy time?!" It will settle down, though. Alex was away one night this weekend for drilling. I was happy to have the bed all to myself, but I missed him as much as I did any night while he was deployed. You'll soon get back to the feeling that you're two parts of one unit--the feeling that you always want him near you. It just takes a little time.

Posted by: Carla at March 22, 2005 10:05 AM (6tYwr)

3 Never forget the alternative! Kelly's Mom

Posted by: Darcy at March 22, 2005 11:38 AM (E4pwU)

4 This is gonna sound really cutesy, especially coming from a guy, but trust me: every time it happens, and I mean *every time*, sit him down, give him a hug, and tell him how glad you are that he's back. By the time the words come out of your mouth, you'll forget why you were grumpy in the first place.

Posted by: James at March 22, 2005 12:07 PM (QvU5o)

5 Yeah, Sarah, I concur with James. Same situation occurred with us long ago in a galaxy far away; while she didn't "work" outside the rental house (which we were blessed to get for a steal--and didn't go up every time BAS went up!), she DID give birth to our first, and in six months' time had all that child rearing stuff down pat when our ship came in. She hasn't killed me (and collected the insurance) yet in the nearly 28 yrs, so just hang in there, recognize where all this usch is coming from, and attack it for what it is: transient, if you'll make it so. GBY and your reintegratee (new word?), and thank you both for serving at your respective posts--his in the sandbox, yours at home. Grace and peace, Jim Shawley

Posted by: Jim Shawley at March 22, 2005 01:15 PM (CnYsu)

6 Sarah(and husband), I just read this, and i could feel this "little grin" spread across my face!..and i could hear 2 little voices, the first saying..."Go, ahead!Be the MOM", and the second voice saying"OH! MY GOD!There she goes,being the mom(again)"...so my comment is...WASN"T IT JUST ABOUT A MONTH AGO, when you were writing about wifeing???Thanks, Sarah,for continuing your blog!!It won't be real long, before you're trading dishes for cooking, and vacumming for dusting.,..ENJOY the honeymoon!!!!

Posted by: debey at March 22, 2005 01:21 PM (IPf6i)

7 I agree with Darcy, you could always send him back to Iraq if he gets too annoying It is perfectly normal to have these feelings, it will pass.

Posted by: Mustang 23 at March 22, 2005 01:23 PM (POTh6)

8 Normal, Normal, Normal, Normal... This too shall pass. Hubs "real world" job puts him on the road quite often. So him coming home and "trashing" the living room has become our joke. I'd walk into the living room, see the soda cans on the coffee table, the newspaper on the couch, and every remote would be out of the basket and scattered between his chair and the couch..all I would say is "Hubs is home" and walk back out. Six months into this deployment he was already writing and saying "I can't wait to come home and trash the living room" Even when he was home on leave, and handling things that I usually handle but HATE (ie, mowing the 5 freaking acres of lawn) It rubbed me the wrong way, but he wanted to do things that were normal, things that reconnected him with being home. I remember carrying him a glass of ice water and saying "baby, you don't have to do this" his response, "but I kinda want to, if that makes sense" You are both adjusting, it will take a little time, but you'll both get there. You may go back to the way things were, or you may find a new "normal", but you will work it through. Keep writing about it, keep talking about it. It will help you, and it will help us. There are a lot of us out here who aren't in your shoes yet, and it will help to remind us all that we aren't alone when it's our turn. I like the idea of hugging him when the irritation factor is up, I may have to try it in (theoretically) 63 days Take care..you can do this.

Posted by: Tink at March 22, 2005 02:42 PM (S6VXg)

9 I am sure this is normal-can you imagine the adjustment I would have after all of these years. Perhaps the real problem is those seventh graders you are facing everyday. You had to live without him for 388 days so give yourself a break-this too will pass. Jane

Posted by: Jane at March 22, 2005 10:44 PM (xSEi5)

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I can't believe spring break is over. Yuck.

Oh, and long live the UN. Snort.

Posted by: Sarah at 01:38 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Army vice chief of staff Cody worried about future of all-volunteer military

“We’re seeing right now mothers and fathers and school teachers and other influencers that maybe are not talking about service to this nation,” [Gen. Richard] Cody said. “So, when you say, ‘Army, you have a recruiting problem,’ I say, ‘America, you have a recruiting problem.’”

I keep hearing that recruiting and retention are a problem, but of the 60 eligible soldiers in my husband's company, at least 40 reenlisted. In Iraq. But I do agree with General Cody that perhaps not so many of our role models are pushing for military service. They should be, now more than ever.

Posted by: Sarah at 05:52 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Today the husband and I took a day trip to Nuernberg. We visited two very polar things: the oldest bratwurst restaurant in the world (dating back to 1419) and the Neues Museum, a museum of modern art. The bratwursts were awesome, and we intend to visit that restaurant again. The museum...well, I often think modern art should be called "weirdo art".

Back in the day, artists were praised for how closely their art could ressemble reality. Art was good if the shading was correct, the proportion was in perspective, and the figures actually looked like human beings. I'm no art connoisseur, but I figure that's the gist. Art was supposed to be beautiful. The Coronation of Napoleon is beautiful. George Washington Crossing the Delaware, though wrong, is beautiful. And I can even get a bit more modern. Some van Gogh is nice. I like La Grande Jatte. One time in college there was a student exhibit and one person had put together this sculpture with all different clear glass cubes filled with things: buttons, cotton, twigs, fireants, flower petals, string, etc. I was fascinated with that piece, and I even went and got my husband from his dorm room and dragged him back to see it. I loved that thing, even if it was weird. But what I saw today took weird to eleven.

If you zip-tie a bunch of old blankets together, is it art? If you spraypaint the body of a VW Bug silver, is it art? If you paint a giant canvas only green, is it art? Is a display of cell phones? When you enter a museum, you're supposed to be able to tell if something is a bench to sit on or a piece of art. But the straw that broke Andy Warhol's back for me was art by Gabrijel Stupica. I just don't understand.

Old timey classic art was art because it took extreme talent and skill. I can't draw a Rembrandt. But this? Who decided that this was art? How did Stupica become famous? I don't understand modern art because I don't understand who decides that it's good. There were perhaps three things that I liked in the Neues Museum, and the rest was just weird or lame. The ones I liked, I wanted to stare at. But I still don't understand why they're art.

And then we went to a restaurant that people have been eating at since they thought the earth was flat...

Posted by: Sarah at 02:09 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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You mean other countries' flags are flammable? I thought only the American and Israeli flags would burn...

This Was Not Looting

Posted by: Sarah at 02:51 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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In case you missed it on Powerline, check out the photos of Cuba's free health care.

Posted by: Sarah at 03:28 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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My husband is on his last day of reintegration. He's adjusting quite well, considering the tempo of his mission for the last year, and he's come away with minor woes, namely his back and feet. He's having trouble sleeping on our bed -- perhaps since he's used to sleeping on a cot or tank -- and he's waking up with a sore back. He also used to have the smoothest, nicest feet I'd seen, but this year in Iraq has just destroyed them. They're cracked and peeling and really awful. I just keep slathering him with Ben Gay and foot lotion, poor guy.

Also last night he and I were talking about all the myths that people throw around: all soldiers are poor, all Republicans are racists, etc. Today, thanks to RWN, I find a good article debunking the men-make-more-than-women myth.

Posted by: Sarah at 04:52 AM | Comments (11) | Add Comment
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1 Sarah - try this for cracked and rough feet - take some sugar and put either water or lemon juice in it until it is wet and able to be scooped with your fingers. Then lightly scrub his feet with it and the dead skin will come off and his feet with be smoother. I hope he can sleep better soon. His back probably adjusted to the weird sleeping places he had to endure and now regular sleeping is impossible. Glad he's home and tell him THANKS again for protecting our freedom. We appreciate both of you and your service to America.

Posted by: Kathleen A at March 15, 2005 07:56 AM (vnAYT)

2 Sarah, I wish I knew you and your husband. Because, if I did, I could send you a care package, thanking you both for your service and sharing your lives with us. In the care package would be this http://www.barielle.com/barielle/control/product/~category_id=32/~product_id=1012;jsessionid=576157B0108CF5EF628B723137168FB7.jvm1 Best foot creme on the market -- and no smell (guys usually like that part). Incredible stuff -- it works on horses!

Posted by: Sherry at March 15, 2005 06:57 PM (z1fb4)

3 Agree..Barielle is GREAT. Small amendment to Kathleen's recipe...I use olive oil and sugar mixed in the hand to make the scrub..WORKS so well. Tell your DH thanks again for his service to our country. Come to think of it,THANK YOU SARAH...you did just as much in my book. All military spouses do.

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The husband and I watched FahrenHype 9/11 yesterday. I thought it was a very good rebuttal to the Michael Moore movie, and I'm sad that nearly no one in the US will see it. Why can't FahrenHype 9/11 get the theater time that the original did? I personally thought it was better made anyway. The whole time I was watching, I kept wishing that my Swedish friend could see it, since she got treated to Fahrenheit 9/11 on German prime time TV the night before the American election.

I felt the worst for the soldier who lost both of his arms; he had no idea he was in Fahrenheit 9/11. His footage was from an interview conducted with Brian Williams in which he explained what it feels like to lose a limb. His statements had nothing to do with the war or politics, and he certainly wasn't talking to Michael Moore. Moore used the footage without consulting this soldier, which is completely despicable in my eyes. Many of the people in Fahrenheit 9/11 had no idea they were going to be in a Michael Moore movie.

Moore is sneaky and corrupt. I wish more people could see FahrenHype 9/11 so they can get a more balanced view of the truth.

Posted by: Sarah at 06:17 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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My husband packed my lunch for me today before school, and he put one of those little "I love you" notes in like moms do for their kids. He also packed way too much food for me. He's the best.

Posted by: Sarah at 06:00 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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When they finally released the soldiers -- and I swear Red 6's ceremony was far shorter than my husband's -- I skipped over to my husband, grabbed his hands, and said, "Hi." And we were back to normal. We stood and talked for a while before I said, "Can I have a kiss?"

Yesterday I wrote how proud I am of my husband, but last night he made me even prouder. He hadn't slept in two days, he hadn't eaten dinner or gotten any lovin', but the first thing he wanted to do was check on his soldiers. We spent our first hour together in the barracks, passing out bottles of beer and introducing me to his guys. I am so proud that he put them first.

And though you told me to stay away, you know I won't resist the blogging temptation for long...

Posted by: Sarah at 05:15 AM | Comments (34) | Add Comment
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1 Yay! You brought tears to my eyes this morning. I'm so happy that the two of you are finally reunited. I've enjoyed following your blog this past year. Happy reunion!

Posted by: Dawn at March 09, 2005 05:25 AM (iZFDa)

2 Congrats on his safe return!!!

Posted by: Sean at March 09, 2005 06:36 AM (ru0sP)

3 Congrats Sarah! I'm so glad he's home safe and in your arms at last. Welcome back soldier. Thanks for protecting our freedom and for sharing Sarah for a little while. Take time together - we can wait.

Posted by: Kathleen A at March 09, 2005 07:23 AM (vnAYT)

4 Good stuff, that first kiss!

Posted by: Mike at March 09, 2005 07:47 AM (yPbYG)

5 YAY for you!!!! Many thanks for both of your sacrifices from this grateful American. Now go have FUN!

Posted by: MargeinMI at March 09, 2005 08:34 AM (u0NOA)

6 Hooray! I'm so glad for both of you. Here's hoping you'll get a little vacation time to get away and find each other again!

Posted by: caltechgirl at March 09, 2005 08:49 AM (5VQpT)

7 Yep, first tears of the morning, but they were tears of joy and pride. I'm so happy for both of you, so proud of both of you! I think it speaks volumes that you BOTH spent time checking on his soldiers. Plus - I think he was pretty damned proud of you too!

Posted by: Tammi at March 09, 2005 09:24 AM (HaRi0)

8 I knew you couldn't stay away long! Thanks for the photo . . . you will be glad to have that for years to come. Now that we are updated go enjoy him . . . remember the brats are probably awaiting your return too. Look forward to more updates later. Hope to meet your husband some day. I am always looking for excuses to come back. Take care!

Posted by: Heidi at March 09, 2005 09:50 AM (6krEN)

9 Um...I know this is so totally a non-sequiteur with your post, but you have gorgeous hair...lol...really shiny! Thanks so much for sharing the pic and story so everyone can live the experience vicariously.

Posted by: CaliValleyGirl at March 09, 2005 09:50 AM (VN5B1)

10 I am sooooo happy for you I've been reading you for a long time, and I am proud of your hubby too. Thanks for sharing him with us and thanks for sharing your experience. Good luck to you both. Enjoy each other!

Posted by: Renee at March 09, 2005 10:02 AM (gDEwS)

11 Happy tears for both of you! And yeah, I'm pretty sure we can say he's just as proud of you as you are of him.

Posted by: Teresa at March 09, 2005 11:18 AM (nAfYo)

12 Sarah, You might have erred when you say your husband was putting his men first. I think he was also using that time to have you become part of him again, enjoying the little things about you and just having you next to him. He was probably trying not to explode. There might also be a little guilt on his part since he will be home with you and his men will not be able to see their families until they go home on leave. Expect company until then.

Posted by: NYNY at March 09, 2005 12:18 PM (8i7w+)

13 While our troops go out to defend our country, it is incumbent upon us to make the country worth defending. --Deskmerc-- You know, that sums up so well the founding motivation for ROTC advocacy at Columbia (that, and the simple, strong belief in soldiers by student-veterans and military kids at Columbia). Anyway Sarah, my point is that I hope you mention to your husband how you've helped us at Columbia (don't worry - I'm not asking for a testimonial from him), just so he knows that he and his soldiers ARE motivating socio-cultural changes state-side, and his wife is an active part of it. Civilians, while not in uniform, aren't just talking about supporting the troops, but trying to change society at home to close civil-military gaps. So that not all the positive changes are 'over there', but over here, too. Because of the honorable work of soldiers, and their wives. You're part of what's happening here, and he should know that. Well, it can wait. Do what you gotta do with your husband first. Eric

Posted by: Eric at March 09, 2005 12:44 PM (eyiWI)

14 Bra. Vo. Buy that man a double Whopper with cheese, bacon, jalepenos and hypersize the fries. Bill me. Tell him thanks for everything, thanks for serving, thanks for putting the hurt downrange, thanks for bringing his soldiers back. All his guys are honorary grunts, as far as I'm concerned. Now, who's gonna wash all his TA-50?

Posted by: Deskmerc at March 09, 2005 01:33 PM (565iX)

15 Love the kiss!

Posted by: Janie at March 09, 2005 02:50 PM (bpwmq)

16 So now you know.... Waiting is fullness. Grok it.

Posted by: MajMike at March 09, 2005 03:22 PM (zXWkt)

17 ditto on the tears, babe. i'm so happy for you guys! That picture says it all, i luv it.

Posted by: annika at March 09, 2005 03:58 PM (x2PHC)

18 I am crying while I write this. Thank you for sending the picture that I have been praying to see for a very long time. Jane

Posted by: Jane at March 09, 2005 04:00 PM (wYkda)

19 Congrats to the both of you!!!!! Thank-you for being there with me through this deployment. It has finally come to an end and now it is time to start wifeing, what a wonderful job!!! Enjoy your husband as I will mine...As far as the TA-50 is concerned you know just bring it on over to my office I will be waiting........

Posted by: Kelly at March 09, 2005 04:58 PM (oxgS1)

20 Congrats!! I'm so happy your hubbby returned safely. Have fun you guys

Posted by: Tom at March 09, 2005 05:09 PM (3aIPU)

21 beutiful. simply. beutiful.

Posted by: liz at March 09, 2005 06:16 PM (C8Vdy)

22 Good News, Sarah. Enjoy the time you have together. You've earned it. And you did very well, both of you. Your husband should be very proud of the way you handled the deployment. Press on. With the fun. Subsunk

Posted by: Subsunk at March 09, 2005 09:19 PM (adHXR)

23 Love the photo....can see his smile clearly......I too recently reunited with my husband.....it is something isn't it. I am proud of you both. Can't wait till I figure out how to LINK.....darn ArmyWifeTOddlerMom

Posted by: Rachelle at March 10, 2005 01:08 AM (IZN5S)

24 I'm glad for you both - enjoy having him home with you! I knew he had to be a good guy, as your husband - but to see how he cares for his soldiers is a great tip to what a good officer he is as well.

Posted by: Barb at March 10, 2005 02:13 AM (g9qHI)

25 Welcome Home Red 6 !!!!! I'm so happy for you both The pic is beautiful

Posted by: MorningSun at March 10, 2005 07:24 AM (aTdfO)

26 I am so glad he is home and the two of you are together again. Now.. the lovin' hehe Bryan

Posted by: Bryan Strawser at March 10, 2005 02:15 PM (Lb3cZ)

27 Congrats. And thanks.

Posted by: Bill Faith at March 10, 2005 03:13 PM (qKQwG)

28 Hoooraay!!! Have fun!!

Posted by: Pamela at March 10, 2005 04:25 PM (PlwSw)

29 Wonderful! Celebrate!

Posted by: Elmo at March 11, 2005 07:22 AM (KYjGW)

30 Sooooo happy for you two. Congrats and sincerest thanks to you both for all that you do and have endured. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Posted by: Princess Jami at March 11, 2005 04:20 PM (0gPLe)

31 WOOO HOOOO. Glad to have you back! Sarah, only blog if you want to!!

Posted by: MAR at March 11, 2005 08:06 PM (YwdKL)

32 Nice....just nice. Please thank him from me for all that he has been doing for me, a guy he doesn't even know. And that's what makes him a hero.

Posted by: Jim - PRS at March 11, 2005 09:05 PM (BjDAE)

33 Worth the wait wasn't it? Lots of thanks to both of you.

Posted by: dhammie at March 12, 2005 05:36 PM (7YIQy)

34 Congrats! And thanks to you and your husband.

Posted by: Blackfive at March 12, 2005 11:21 PM (T/oyu)

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Shaved legs? Check. Perfume? Check. Fancy underpants? Check. Husband's wedding ring? Check. Ready to go.

I also want to thank all of you who have been "deployed" along with me for an entire year. I appreciate all your support and good wishes. It means a lot to me to hear from all of you.

And now, I'm off!!!!

Posted by: Sarah at 12:03 PM | Comments (18) | Add Comment
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1 WooHoo!! And we don't want to hear a WORD from you for At Least 24 hours! Ya hear! ;p

Posted by: Tammi at March 08, 2005 12:11 PM (HaRi0)

2 God Bless you Sarah & Russ. And thank you for your sacrifice.

Posted by: Tim & Patti at March 08, 2005 01:11 PM (UPI1q)

3 Make that 72 hours, not a word! GBY, Jim

Posted by: Jim Shawley at March 08, 2005 01:30 PM (CnYsu)

4 Happy, happy day!!!!! Enjoy every moment and... "72 hours?" Take a week! We'll miss you tons, but we'll survivie somehow...

Posted by: Beth at March 08, 2005 02:34 PM (DEwIg)

5 God bless you both.. Thank you for what both of you have accomplished over the last year.

Posted by: Tink at March 08, 2005 03:57 PM (S6VXg)

6 Thank you for letting us wait with you. Now go be happy together.

Posted by: homebru at March 08, 2005 04:11 PM (Vwt92)

7 Congrats! I've been where you're husband is and I know he'll be just as happy and relieved as you are.

Posted by: Chuck at March 08, 2005 08:16 PM (en453)

8 This is the day the Lord has made, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. I'm so happy for both of you.

Posted by: 1AD Army Mom at March 08, 2005 08:33 PM (lZ8lX)

9 Woohoo!! I have been waiting to read this post! I am so happy for the both of you

Posted by: Cynthia at March 08, 2005 08:36 PM (PqmP+)

10 Wooooooooooo-hoooooooo!!! Celebrate and give your husband an extra hug for me, too. Thanks for sharing your wonderful news tonight and enjoy your reunion. Robin in Ohio

Posted by: Robin in Ohio at March 08, 2005 08:51 PM (FQRd6)

11 Do what you gotta do, Sarah. Best wishes.

Posted by: Eric at March 08, 2005 09:27 PM (wO78u)

12 you go get your man-tell him {and you}thanks from an old usmc grunt{vietnam} thanks from dallas texas

Posted by: j at March 08, 2005 09:34 PM (aXXYw)

13 in true munuvian form: YAY!

Posted by: annika at March 08, 2005 10:45 PM (/J5gD)

14 I am so thankful that Russ is home safe and sound. I am thankful that you have survived such a long time with out each other. Most of all I am thankful for all of the sacrifices that you both have made for us. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! Love, Jane

Posted by: Jane at March 08, 2005 11:10 PM (kGaUP)

15 Welcome home and a big hug and kiss from your mother-in-law. I'm so thankful you are home safe and sound. Enjoy each other, enjoy Sarah's cooking, and enjoy South Park, Family Guy, The Simpson's, etc., etc. I love you both. Mama

Posted by: Nancy at March 09, 2005 01:22 AM (YuW6k)

16 Best wishes to you both---please give your husband a crisp salute from me for his noble service.

Posted by: david at March 09, 2005 08:07 AM (ZVhuO)

17 A heartfelt thanks to your family. I hope you commit at least one bedroom felony in the course of your happy reunion.

Posted by: Setzer at March 09, 2005 11:00 PM (2Zaiw)

18 Congratulations to you both. I am jealous however. I don't think my Bride has shaved her legs for me since Chaos was born. V/R Ed

Posted by: Ed & D at March 11, 2005 09:07 PM (nXsGx)

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Back in July, Tim wrote me an email in between the time when he learned his wife was back in Germany and the time he would be able to see her. Why me?

If I wondered for a moment "why Sarah?", I knew as quickly it is because you would understand. You are on your own journey. Here is a peek at the end.

At that time, I was five months into my own journey. I know of someone who could use the peek even more, for she is only two weeks into hers.

Dear CaliValleyGirl,

As I sit and know that my husband is in Germany and that I will see him in three and a half hours, I can't get the silly grin off my face. He's back. He's safe. And he's almost here.

But other than goofy, what am I feeling?

I feel excited. I can't wait to have a conversation with him that doesn't include typing or static or time limits. We can talk. All night if we want. And there won't be any soldiers from the Republic of Georgia shouting in the background. He won't have to stand in line to get to me, and I won't have to worry about stepping outside to take out the trash and missing him online. We can talk.

We can also hug. In a way I envy the mothers because at least they have children to hug. I've been quite snuggle-less for a year, and I am looking forward to one of our little rituals: my husband sits on the recliner and I sit knitting on the sofa, and during commercials he leans over and we give each other this little high-five hand squeeze thing. It's just a little moment of touch, but I miss it.

I also feel pride. I am proud of us for making it through this year. I am proud of him for working so hard to help Iraq. Platoon leader is the hardest job a lieutenant can have in Iraq, and he did it the entire deployment. I am proud of the fact that I met one of his soldiers today who said, "Thank god I moved into 3rd platoon." I'm proud that my husband's commander keeps raving about him; his wife says he even does it when they're home just the two of them! My husband says it's funny that I have this grandmotherly thing with him, where I think everything he does is perfect, but it's not just me. He's done well this year, and I couldn't be prouder.

I also feel proud to have been a part of such a moment in history. I found a comment on my blog yesterday, the "if you think the war's so great, then why don't you join", and I am proud that my family has. We put our money where our proverbial mouth is and took part in the spread of democracy. He moreso than I, but we did it together, and I'm proud to say that we've helped make history.

So above anything else, I feel excitement and pride. I can't wait to walk into the gym and see the cheering masses of families and soldiers. And this time I won't wake up from the dream before I can grab him in my arms.

So what does this mean for you, CaliValleyGirl? You're probably ready to sock me for being so happy when you're just starting. You wanted to know how long a year is...it's not that long when you have love and pride to keep you company. This year has gone fast for me, and in many ways I can't believe it's already over. You may feel overwhelmed right now, but time will pass and hopefully you'll carry on this tradition next year by writing to another wife who's just starting her journey. We all need a peek at the end, and I promise you it will be here before you know it.

May your journey be joyful...
Sarah

Posted by: Sarah at 09:33 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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A few days ago, the Boy and Girl called with a funny story. They were in the food court and saw someone they thought for sure had to be my husband. They'd only ever seen one photo of him, so they weren't positive, but they stared for a while until they caught sight of the name tape (Keller) and quickly looked away. They were embarrassed that they had been staring at some stranger.

Today I walked into the food court and caught sight of a soldier. My first thought was, "That has to be LT Keller!" The resemblance is really uncanny. I ran into Red 6 a minute later and dragged him over to take a look; he agreed.

But it wasn't my soldier. Mine should be landing in Germany any minute now...

Posted by: Sarah at 08:17 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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This article on Iraqi checkpoints is very informative. I urge anyone in Iraq to read it.

I'm not a crusader for or against abortion, but this article made me a little spooked. I had to read it many times, and I'm still not sure what it's saying. The UN considers abortion a human right? UN delegates oppose teaching adolescents both abstinence and proper condom use? I'm really weirded out.

(thanks to RWN for both articles)

Posted by: Sarah at 02:11 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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If everything goes according to plan, this should be my 387th and last night of sleeping in an empty bed...

Posted by: Sarah at 04:17 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Wanna know how naive I am? I had to attend a faculty meeting today, and one of the counselors was talking about how it's not uncommon for kids this age to participate in "cutting". I thought she meant hopping into the lunch line; she meant self-mutilation. What is up with kids these days?

Posted by: Sarah at 11:57 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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So, at what point do we get to stop hearing the myth that it's all our nation's black kids getting sent to die?

Posted by: Sarah at 04:53 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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