The life we live...

Today Lincoln brought me a picture he had colored.

 

Yup. That's blood. 

The "good guy" is shooting the "bad guys," and the other soldier is launching missiles at a fighter pilot. (Those poor guys getting shot look sad.) Honestly, my kids don't watch violent movies. They are kind of weak sauce when it comes to scary things. Seriously. The most blood and gore they have seen was probably while watching the Chronicles of Narnia or Star Wars. My first instinct was to give him a long talking to about the sanctity of life, violence, and just everything that makes me uncomfortable with something like this.

Especially when I found out he drew it in  Sunday School.

I was a little embarrassed. I don't want people to think that my son is traumatized or desensitized by trash we watch or experience. And...it really seemed odd to see the words, "I will obey God," next to some guy shooting a gun on the other side of the paper. We are not fundamentalist crazies! (Okay. We are TOTALLY crazy. But not that kinda' crazy!)

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But then, I remembered who my son was. I realized where this was coming from.

I was filled with pride.

Not in the violence.

Not that we are part of a war.

But just that this is my kid. And,  he's trying to process something that is VERY real to him.

Why should I tell him this is inappropriate, when in all  honesty... it's reality? 

War sucks. Evil sucks. Death and violence...are part of life.

So is honor. Bravery. The need for good men and women to protect the lives of the innocent. 

These things are reality, too.

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I know that not everyone agrees with American men and women being sent overseas. I know that a lot of people even think that the men and women who do go, do so out of faulty logic. With ill-intent. With racist, or bigoted motivation. I get it. I know that it's complicated. I know that there is no easy answer. But what I've found in the men and women who I've met is... a deep, deep calling. There is a sense that, number one: there is something wrong in the world and they want to help fix it. You may disagree with how they go about that. But, a true motive to do good; despite the risk, despite the cost, is there. And number two: they are part of a nation that protects the individual more than most any other on the planet; and they want to help preserve that. 

 

 I respect that.

And, I respect the families who learn to live in dysfunction. Because it's an infinitesimal minority that ever wanted to spend their lives apart. I respect the men and women who learn to compartmentalize; who stay in contact with their families and hear about Christmas plays and report cards one minute, and navigate the convolution and details of being at war the next. And of course, I respect the children who stay behind and try to wrap their brains around something as broad and confusing as all this. Who trust that their parents love them despite their absence. Who trust in "good vs. evil." Who even want to be part of helping take care of the forgotten people of the world. The ones who need protection.

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When I finally got brave enough to ask him what obeying God had to do with soldiers and war, he looked at me timidly and said:

Well mom. They just asked us to write, "I will obey God." I colored the rest on my own.

  I just want to be ready. I mean, if I had to...I would obey God. You know, if He ever called me into the Army like dad. I don't really want to. But, you know...if I had to, I would.

FRAWESOME Flag Football

Football's never made sense to me. I never went to a game in my life. Never watched it on t.v.. I'm totally clueless.

This year my two oldest played flag football.

I still don't really know what the heck they were doing. What positions they played. I just know...that I like it.

When kids are young and they first start playing soccer...it's mind numbing to watch them run around the ball like a swarm of bees. Exceedingly cute. But boring. I'm sure once they gain some talent--it's a lot more fun to watch.

But football, football starts with a plan. Or a play? It involves tricking the other players. Passes. "Interceptions." ( I learned that word from my friend Annie.) It progresses in short little burst of effort and planning. 

I obviously have no idea what I'm talking about here. But whatever it is that has made men willing to have knee replacement surgery for decades. I think I get it.

Football is fun.  

Flag football, is fantastic, fabulous, freaky, fascinating, facundus, floriferous, forcible, fragrant, frisky, fortuitous, fastidious, and FRAWESOME!

(Okay. Maybe it's not all those things. Maybe I just looked up random "f" words...)

Cougar Bait II

Okay. So, as I said in my earlier post, my special guy has recently confessed to a fear of cougars. And, while there are no big tawny felines roaming around his FOB...there are some cute, older women cuddling up inside his computer.

THIS is the kind of cougar who makes her way via email to Afghanistan:

Okay, okay. Demi hasn't actually contacted my husband. But, he's just as cute as Ashton...and I thought it'd be a good illustration.

Apparently Mr. Deem has had quite a few letters from older women from the Adopt a Soldier program. Now, in the information that's given to them, I'm guessing it states that Mr. Deem is married with FIVE  (FIVE!)  children. All of the women have mentioned his children.  Apparently it does not say, "happily married," and this is where the gray area is discovered.  I always knew that a cute guy with kids was actually a turn-on to a lot of women. The proof is in the pudding. Or, in the long-vaguely- seeking-emails, so to speak.

On several occasions this man of mine has been out and about with the kids, say shopping on a Saturday morning. And, has come home SHOCKED because he thought a clerk or fellow shopper was flirting with him. "But, I'm sure I misread it...because, I had the kids with me!" Nope. Sorry buddy.

So back to the Adopt a Soldier program. Mostly, these letters of course, are completely well-meaning, and VERY appreciated. I just can't shake the feeling that a few are using it as some kind of matchy-match.com scheme. Which is probably great for single soldiers. 

Humorous, and not so great for the guys separated from their families and...wives.

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I've lost 20 lbs so far and looking to do more. But more than anything I love the feeling of being more fit. I'm definitely a girly-girl underneath all that and would like to eventually meet a guy who appreciates me :) I'm on the lookout. It's tough though being older and recently sort of back in the game.

If you'd like to know anything about me please feel free to ask. Also if you need/want anything just let me know and I'll do my best to get it out to you. 

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My name is (OMITTED) and I have just adopted you. Aren't you lucky?  *Winking*  

If you have access to email, feel free to let me know what kinds of things you would like to receive in a goody box. Since I have never been deployed and it is way too long ago that my ex was(also, I'm old) I've totally forgotten what things are best.  Anything that you want and/or need and I will do my very best.

P.S. I'm attaching a picture because I feel it's always nice to put a face to a name.  Yes, that's actually me. I know I look much younger than 43. :) 

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These are excerpts from (long) letters he's gotten from two of his pen pals. And...DANG if the last one did really look 30! I know that these aren't a big deal. And, I really am thankful that there are people willing to support and appreciate what our soldiers go through. 

But still...I mean. Come on! How can I not laugh? I think I need to write about boundaries next. Hedges people!

Mr. Deem told me he would not like to write back any (crazy) single ladies at this time, and since he knows I would get mad at him for asking for a big screen t.v., there's really nothing he would like to get from them in a goody box. 


His words, not mine.

Ah. Sometimes I'm really happy I married such a cold-hearted guy...