Today I find myself sitting in the dinning room of our new house looking at the progress that has been made from all of the unpacking. You see we just moved in alittle over a week ago. For the past...almost 4 years we were living in Alaska. That was Jareds first duty station. I had never lived out side of Texas so I was in for a huge awakening. Keegan was just over a year old and I had to fly all by myself with him to Alaska in the begining of October. Since I was a native to Texas, I had never really seen snow before. Ok well I have seen snow, but Texas snow isnt really snow. It comes down white and the is gone. So going to Alaska was just unthought of. I had no clue what to expect. Everything was white and dark. The sun cant seem to find its way to Alaska in the wintertime.
The first year in Alaska was tough. I learned alot that year. I learned how to be a mom on my own with no help what so ever. I had to learn how to drive in the snow. We lived in a sm
all apartment off post. At the time we only had one car so life for me was talking to a 1 year old and looking at the same 4 walls during the week. I didnt know anyone so I felt so alone. I learned that being a military wife ment that you were really your husbands mistress and the Army was his wife. Jared found a playgroup for Kdeegan and I to attend. That was my life saver. I met some of the most amazing girls there. We went every Thues and Thurs, and sometimes we would get together inbetween then. I learned alot from my friends and what I thought were friends in Alaska. It was fun to watch Keegan play with other children.
all apartment off post. At the time we only had one car so life for me was talking to a 1 year old and looking at the same 4 walls during the week. I didnt know anyone so I felt so alone. I learned that being a military wife ment that you were really your husbands mistress and the Army was his wife. Jared found a playgroup for Kdeegan and I to attend. That was my life saver. I met some of the most amazing girls there. We went every Thues and Thurs, and sometimes we would get together inbetween then. I learned alot from my friends and what I thought were friends in Alaska. It was fun to watch Keegan play with other children.As monthes turned into a year we found our self talking about haveing another baby. As soon as we
were both ok with it I stoped taking my birthcontrol. I was told that after you stop taking it, it would take about 2-3 months to get pregnant. You see we were trying to plan it to have Blair right before summer. That way we could get her out and enjoy the beautiful summers that Alaska has to offer, instead of being stuck in the house. Boy was I wrong. This little girl had a mind of her own before she was born. We got pregnant right away. I was extreamly sick during the whole pregnancy. So not fun when you have to keep up with a toddler. We welcomed baby Blair Abigale on Feb 8 2008. She was perfect in every way. Soon after we had her I satred to have major pain on my right side. 2 weeks went by and I was still having it so I took myself to the ER. Come to find out I had gallstones. 2 weeks after my ER visite I went into sugery. Once sugery was over we started to prepare ourselves for our very first deployment.
were both ok with it I stoped taking my birthcontrol. I was told that after you stop taking it, it would take about 2-3 months to get pregnant. You see we were trying to plan it to have Blair right before summer. That way we could get her out and enjoy the beautiful summers that Alaska has to offer, instead of being stuck in the house. Boy was I wrong. This little girl had a mind of her own before she was born. We got pregnant right away. I was extreamly sick during the whole pregnancy. So not fun when you have to keep up with a toddler. We welcomed baby Blair Abigale on Feb 8 2008. She was perfect in every way. Soon after we had her I satred to have major pain on my right side. 2 weeks went by and I was still having it so I took myself to the ER. Come to find out I had gallstones. 2 weeks after my ER visite I went into sugery. Once sugery was over we started to prepare ourselves for our very first deployment.We took our very first family trip to Anchorage Alaska. I think we had one of the best weeks ever. Jared got to go to Shipscreek and try to Salmon fish. I finally got to go to a mall. We went to Portage Alaska and saw the glacier, Keegan and Jared got to do some fishing, and we went to Alaaskas Wildlife Conservation Park. It was so beautiful and it was the perfect trip for our family to take before this deployment.
Jared left to go to NTC. Thats the 2 1/2 month traning they do before deployment. So the kids 
and I packed up and met my parents in Cali for a mini vaca with my moms family.It had been years since I had last seen my Grandpa and Grandma Ress and all of my Uncles and Aunts. The kids were perfect on the airplane. In Cali we got to go to Seaworld, the SanDiego Zoo, the beach and even to my cousins wedding. It was nice to have my moms side of the family meet my little 
family.Keegan loved his PaPa Joe and Uncle E The only part that was missing was Jared. Sea World was so fun to go to. Blair was only 5 months old and had no clue about anything, But Keegan was almost 3. When we went to the Shamu show, or what he called the Shampoo show it was like seeing magic in his eyes. He was so amazed and still talked about it to this day. I enjoyed being on the beach with the kids the most. Theres nothing like playing in the sand and hearing the sounds of the ocean waves.
and I packed up and met my parents in Cali for a mini vaca with my moms family.It had been years since I had last seen my Grandpa and Grandma Ress and all of my Uncles and Aunts. The kids were perfect on the airplane. In Cali we got to go to Seaworld, the SanDiego Zoo, the beach and even to my cousins wedding. It was nice to have my moms side of the family meet my little 
family.Keegan loved his PaPa Joe and Uncle E The only part that was missing was Jared. Sea World was so fun to go to. Blair was only 5 months old and had no clue about anything, But Keegan was almost 3. When we went to the Shamu show, or what he called the Shampoo show it was like seeing magic in his eyes. He was so amazed and still talked about it to this day. I enjoyed being on the beach with the kids the most. Theres nothing like playing in the sand and hearing the sounds of the ocean waves.Soon after our trip to Cali we meet Jared in Texas to enjoy some time before he deployed. It was nice to sit and relax with him. We enjoyed some dinners together and also enjoyed swimming with the kids in his parents pool.
Shortly after that we geared up for our deployment. We spent the last few weeks just getting everything ready. It was hard to try and explain to my now 3 year old that his Daddy wasnt g
oing to be around for a whole year. He didnt even know what a year was. I remember they day I shipped Jared. I can replay it back in my head as if it were yesterday. Jared and I met at Hill College in Aug of 03. He was 17 I was 18. I watched him turn into a man and then a father. He was my very best friend from the day we met. . As we said good bye tears would not stop falling from my eyes. Blair was asleep in my arms and Keegan was at home with a friend. Jared asked me to go but I couldnt. I had to spend everysecond I could with him.It was harder than words to describe to have to watch my husband, my best friend, the father of my children board a blue bus and not know wht the future holds for my family. I watched as the blue buss
es pulled away. I sat there in tears, in shock, in the cold and didnt know what to do. I wanted to hop in my car and make him come home. I didnt want the Army to take my husband away from me. As I stood there I had another wife come and hug be and she told me something that I will forever remember. She said "We are in this together. Us Army wives stick together. You will never be alone no matter what. if your having a bad day and need to vet I will be here for you. I will understand what you are going through and I will cry with you I will listen to you and I will eat icecream with you. You may hate those bluse busses now but remember those are what bring your husband back to you."
oing to be around for a whole year. He didnt even know what a year was. I remember they day I shipped Jared. I can replay it back in my head as if it were yesterday. Jared and I met at Hill College in Aug of 03. He was 17 I was 18. I watched him turn into a man and then a father. He was my very best friend from the day we met. . As we said good bye tears would not stop falling from my eyes. Blair was asleep in my arms and Keegan was at home with a friend. Jared asked me to go but I couldnt. I had to spend everysecond I could with him.It was harder than words to describe to have to watch my husband, my best friend, the father of my children board a blue bus and not know wht the future holds for my family. I watched as the blue buss
es pulled away. I sat there in tears, in shock, in the cold and didnt know what to do. I wanted to hop in my car and make him come home. I didnt want the Army to take my husband away from me. As I stood there I had another wife come and hug be and she told me something that I will forever remember. She said "We are in this together. Us Army wives stick together. You will never be alone no matter what. if your having a bad day and need to vet I will be here for you. I will understand what you are going through and I will cry with you I will listen to you and I will eat icecream with you. You may hate those bluse busses now but remember those are what bring your husband back to you."The first night without Jared was the first snowfall in Fairbanks. I had started the depl
oyment. I clung close to the Amry family I made in Alaska. As the snow started falling and the holidays were comming closer I planned on taking a trip to Texas with the kids. I didnt want to be without family during the holidays. I grew up haveing huge family gatherings during holidays, and thats what I wanted my kids to have while their Daddy was gone. So we packed up and headed out for a few months.
oyment. I clung close to the Amry family I made in Alaska. As the snow started falling and the holidays were comming closer I planned on taking a trip to Texas with the kids. I didnt want to be without family during the holidays. I grew up haveing huge family gatherings during holidays, and thats what I wanted my kids to have while their Daddy was gone. So we packed up and headed out for a few months.A few moths later Jared was scheduled to come home for R&R. That was 2 weeks that I would get to have him for. He choose to stay in Texas so he could see his parents and we could go out a few nights without the kids. As I was getting ready for his short return, the date chenged a few times. Of course that happeneds in the Army. We are always told the Army is a hurry up and waite type of thing. But when I found out th
at the reason my husbands date got pushed back because someone else had to go home due to a cheating wife. I was pissed. How dare you take my husbands time away from us because your wife cheated on you. My husband has kids you dont. What gives you the right to take his place. In the end it was Jareds choice because that guy was his friend who he was at war with and wanted him to beable to go home and try to fix his family. Jared knew his family would be waiting there for him.
at the reason my husbands date got pushed back because someone else had to go home due to a cheating wife. I was pissed. How dare you take my husbands time away from us because your wife cheated on you. My husband has kids you dont. What gives you the right to take his place. In the end it was Jareds choice because that guy was his friend who he was at war with and wanted him to beable to go home and try to fix his family. Jared knew his family would be waiting there for him.The day I got the call saying he was almost home for R&R was one of the best feelings in the world. I hopped in the car with the kids and my N-Laws to go pick him up. We got to the parkinglot and had no clue where to go. I asked a guy and he said go down the hallway and you will see where to go from there. Walking down the halway, Keegan and Pa had to stop to go to the bathroom. As they were comming out I hear the crowd cheering. I take off running. Keegan 
gets freaked out and starts running the other way. I couldnt even thing about running after him. i knew his grandparents would. I just knew I wasnt going to miss my husband. As I come running in with Blair on my hip, I get asked if Im a spouse. The greeters then send me down the isle of people there to welcome home everyone. I stand there trying my best to hold back tears as other soldiers are greete
d back, knowing I will be in the arms of my husband again. There he is looking skinny and wore out but hes standing and alive. One of the best feelings ever as I feel his arms around me once again. We are finally reunited as husband and wife and father and child. He gets to meet Blair again. Shes not so much a baby anymore. Well not the baby he first left. Keegan is kinda stand offish and shy at first but then realizes that his Daddy hasnt changes and from that moment on hes his shadow. We spend the next 2 weeks in pure bliss. before we have to say goodbye again. I was ok with seeing him off this time because I knew he only had 4 months left. And that seemed short.
gets freaked out and starts running the other way. I couldnt even thing about running after him. i knew his grandparents would. I just knew I wasnt going to miss my husband. As I come running in with Blair on my hip, I get asked if Im a spouse. The greeters then send me down the isle of people there to welcome home everyone. I stand there trying my best to hold back tears as other soldiers are greete
d back, knowing I will be in the arms of my husband again. There he is looking skinny and wore out but hes standing and alive. One of the best feelings ever as I feel his arms around me once again. We are finally reunited as husband and wife and father and child. He gets to meet Blair again. Shes not so much a baby anymore. Well not the baby he first left. Keegan is kinda stand offish and shy at first but then realizes that his Daddy hasnt changes and from that moment on hes his shadow. We spend the next 2 weeks in pure bliss. before we have to say goodbye again. I was ok with seeing him off this time because I knew he only had 4 months left. And that seemed short.4 months have come and gone by now and I got to watch my friends husbands return home one by one. But not mine. Jared got put on a detail to make sure all of the strykers got on the boat safe. By now the majority of soldiers were home. It was hard for me. I think that was the hardest during the whole deployment. To watch the base going from basically only women to everyone with their husbands. I felt alone all over agin. I tried to findout when my husband was comming home and no one knew. I got to talk to Jared maybe once a week by this point. And he was told he nothing about his return. Just that when they were on the plane was when they were going home. It seemed like since everyone else was home no one cared. they did their job and they came home. My husband was still out there. I wanted to know when he was comming home. I started to dig and find numbers and I called everyone and anyone who could get me some kinda information about my husband. Well my work paied off. I finally got an answer. Of course the day changes like 3 times but he was on his way home.
When I finally got to call I had been waiting
for I was over whelemed with joy. I got the kids ready and we were out the door. I called a few of my close friends so they could be there with me. It was nice having some one to sit and waite with me.The kids were so good while we waited. We sat and waited and waited and finally those blue busses showed up again. I held my sign up high so he could see and I tried to hold back those tears. The 
soldiers marched passed us in their final formation and waited to be released. We looked and looked and then finally our ey
es met. I finally got the kiss I had been waiting for. The kiss that met he was home and the deployment was over. I had my husband back and the kids had their daddy back.
The deployment was over and now we were trying to get everything back to normal. We hit a few rough patches along the way but made it though them. It was hard going from a single parent mode into sharing the responsibilities. And hard from him going from full time soldier back to husband and father. but we made it. Once things settled back to normal Jared was offered job in the company that would be great for him. It was what he wanted to do in the Army. We were promised things and told things and we would also be staying in Alaska for another 3 years. I wasnt too happy about that part but I was ok with it cause it ment Jared would be on to great things. Needless to say things didnt work out so we decided it was time for a change. Charlie company wasnt the same since Captain Hando wasnt in charge anymore.
When the time came Jared got to choose when we were going next. It was between Colorado or El Paso Texas. Me I wanted Colorado. But he picked Texas. In the end it all worked out cause Colorado will deploy soon and Texas isnt going anywhere any time soon.3 months later we packed up our home and the kids and I headed out and down to Fort Worth. Aweek later Jared would be driving the truck and his trailor from Alaska to Texas.
The k
ids and I got to enjoy a nice summer in Texas. I was the maid of honor in my co
usin Amandas wedding. I had a blast and the wedding was beautiful. I got to enjoy some time with my cousin Kellie who has become my bestfriend. Shes a Navy wife, so not only are we family but we have this bond between us, like an understanding when we have things going on in our life and need someone close to talk to. Our chilrden got to play together and we took a trip to the zoo. I enjoyed all the time we spent together and wish we had more.
ids and I got to enjoy a nice summer in Texas. I was the maid of honor in my co
usin Amandas wedding. I had a blast and the wedding was beautiful. I got to enjoy some time with my cousin Kellie who has become my bestfriend. Shes a Navy wife, so not only are we family but we have this bond between us, like an understanding when we have things going on in our life and need someone close to talk to. Our chilrden got to play together and we took a trip to the zoo. I enjoyed all the time we spent together and wish we had more.
Jared finally made his way to texas and had a pretty neat trip. We enjoyed a week at his parents house and went fishing and swimming alot. Then jared and I headed out to El Paso for a few days to find a house. I went with a list of 10 houses to look at and when I turned them in to the realtor she said they were all rented out. So now I go into stress mode. there was no way we were getting on Military housing because the waite lis
t was 1 year waite. And there was no way I was going to live in a bad house near Mexico. But our realtor pulled through and got use the perfect house. its in a very nice neighborhood and near great schools. We have plenty of room for when friends and family want to visit. we headed back to Fort Worth to get ready for the move. Jared left a week before the kids and I to get a head start on everything. Then we left. And here we are now. Almost 2weeks later, the house is almost completely unpacked and settled. Jared is done processing in and today is his first day at his new company. I am looking at new colleges to attend, Keegan will start pre-k this year and Blair is enjoying being the Princess. My hopes are to meet some new life long military friends, continue to be in contact with the ones I have made, get my degree and enjoy every second I have with my family. Cause who knows when the Army will decide to uproot us or take my husband away for another year.
