Did you hear about...?!?!

As a military wife with my husband deployed I can promise you that I don't listen or watch the news... I almost go out of my way to not hear about things... and honestly, it's tough. It's not like I'm naive to things- I know what's going on- I'm not THAT naive and "out of the loop"... I just choose not to really focus on what's going on. I've heard is said that "there is a lot I don't know that I wish I did; but there is a lot I do know that I wish I didn't"- this is so true, more so now in my life than ever. Everyday I hear about something that happens "over there" that I wish I didn't know... I can't even tell you how my heart sinks whenever I hear about someone who has given the ultimate sacrifice... the person who was killed had a family- they were someone's son, possibly a husband, possibly a father... but either way they knew someone who cared about them more than they will ever know. Someone back here got the worst news possible, and it tears me apart like any other military wife because even if we don't know them, we do "know them"- we can relate to them in many ways most people will never know. Even if I hear about something that happens, such as Taliban escaping, it terrifies me... just like anyone else back home waiting for their loved one. So, whenever I have someone (who truly means well, I know) ask me if I've heard about "this" happening... "this" meaning something crazy/terrible/nuts that has happened over there it irritates me... then, when I say "no" they reply with, "oh, well then in that case, don't worry"... oh ok, thanks for the tip- I won't worry... I'll just pretend I didn't hear what you just asked/told me... I know people mean well and are just asking, but I've had a lot of people ask me what they can do to help military spouses in the "civilian world"- one piece of advice- NEVER ask if someone has heard about something that has happened "over there"- our answer will either be A. NO, we haven't- thanks for telling us, now I have THAT to think about, or B. Yes, I have heard about that- thanks for the REMINDER. Really guys, come on, help us out- please, please, please just don't bring up the news with us- we DO know more than you think regardless of how much/little news we watch/hear. We are doing whatever we can to get through a year without our loved ones right next to us... ALL you have to do is tell us that you're praying for our soldier and we're completely content with life. Really... it's that easy, just tell us "we're praying for them"... no news, no details, no questions... thanks :)

No- he won't be here for that...

You all know by now that we're expecting a little girl (Mackenzie Elizabeth)- due June 19. Before I go about my rant, let me tell you that Caleb is unable to come home for the birth... we are OK with this... seriously. When I tell people that no, Caleb won't be here in the delivery room they freak out and start apologizing- for what exactly I have no idea... do not pity us that he's not going to be right next to me- again, we are FINE with it... it honestly bugs the crud out of me that people get so upset that he's not going to be riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight there... we really don't have much of a choice folks. So he's going to miss the birth- it's not like he's going to miss much else... my husband is going to be the most devout father I know, and will do anything and everything to witness everything he can. I don't know what people want me to say when they start apologizing- some have even cried... seriously, get over it. Again, we are not in control of the situation, and are again, FINE WITH IT. If we're completely ok with the situation we're in then why should anyone else care? Don't feel bad for us- just thank my husband for doing everything he is over there to keep us safe... you think we have it bad? Talk to the wife who found out she has a serious illness- do you think her husband can just come home? NOPE. What about the young wife who was expecting their first child, and miscarried after her husband left? Again, no. Well, what about weddings, birthdays, Christmas, Thanksgiving, and every other holiday? No. Sorry to tell you guys, but they don't get to just "come home" for those things... they miss a year filled with that stuff... and of course they want to be here, but it's not an option for them... so if we're all trying to deal with it how about everyone else just stop questioning everything else and not have pity on us... we can't do a thing about it.