Reasons Why Being Married To The Army Is Fun...1st Edition

I have decided that every Friday I will list a reason why being married to the Army is fun. Honestly, deployments, and work schedules aside, it truly is fun! If you're not part of it, you have no idea. So, this is my way of shedding a little light on the matter. So let me begin with last evening...

As I gussied myself up for the evening...totally ignorant of what would unfold later on, I decided to wear my black leather boots...the ones with stiletto heels. (The hubby likes them, so I figured, I'd be nice.)When we arrived at Famous Dave's BBQ, the waiter came to take our drink order. Given the week that I have had, I felt that I was entitled to a "Smokin' Tea" last night at 1-14 CAV's Hail and Fairwell. I didn't realize how large the glass was going to be, and before I knew it, I had polished off one, and had ordered another. So, you can only imagine my angst when I found out that I had to stand up on a chair!

Imagine me...tired from lack of sleep, slightly buzzed, in 3 1/2 inch heels with skinny jeans that I could hardly breath in. I get up on the chair, which by the way had a padded seat (All I could imagine was my sharp heel puncturing the pleather upholstery), whilst Dave's friend exclaimed "Holy Heels Batman!" which about made me pee my pants! Yes, I was now standing on a chair...waiting for my hubby to place a garter on my leg, without using his hands...and I was still worried that my heel would punch a hold in the chair...

Last night, I was inducted into the "Order of the Garter" an Army tradition specific to the Cavalry (the Army is HUGE on tradition).

According to legend...and the card that I received last night, "when Calvary Troopers went off for several days and weeks scouting, their wives, and girlfriends would wear yellow ribbons in their hair while their Troopers were away." Over the years, the idea has morphed into many different things, like yellow ribbons on the trees, etc. The Cavalry tradition has become that when a new wife comes to her first Hail and Farewell, she will be welcomed into the "Order of the Garter." The Trooper will bestow a yellow garter upon his lady's leg, and kiss her on the cheek for good luck.

I was unable to attend the previous Hail and Farewell, and therefore did not receive my garter...so they got me at this one. So, I'm standing on the chair...now on one foot while Dave shimmies the yellow garter adorned with the small, gold, crossed sabers up my leg. Thankfully, this task was uneventful, and my heel did not go through the pleather seat, and I did not fall while trying to balance myself on one foot.

For ever more, I am part of a special group of women...the wife of a Cavalry Trooper. As long as we are in a CAV unit, I will wear my garter to every unit social function (hail & farewells, balls, stable calls, etc.)

So, this will conclude my first installment of reasons why being married to the Army is fun.  Many, especially those in the non-CAV sector of the Army may find my above mentioned accounts a little hokey, but then again there is a saying: If you aint't CAV, you ain't...well, you get the gist I'm sure...

Happy Valentine's Day...A couple of days late.

Okay, so I realize that I have been slacking on the posts. Things have been very busy as of late, and I can't lie, the stupid "Zuma" game on Facebook has been WAY to entertaining for me! I cannot believe that I just admitted that. With that said, let me take a moment to reflect on this year's Valentine's Day, and the special relationship that I have with my sons. I have the most thoughtful boys, and all three of them will make wonderful husbands one day (this thought truly saddens me because that means I will have to share them!)

Anthony and Hunter both approached me a few days prior to Valentine's Day to let me know that they wanted to get me a necklace for the big day. I thought that was so sweet that they had thought of this all on their own. This past weekend, Jayson, Alyssa, and I had dental appointments, so David kept Anthony and Hunter with him. He took them to his work to help transfer his belongings from his old office into his new one. When he offered to treat them to lunch afterward, they both were very specific in their choices for lunch...both places where they wanted to eat were located in the food court at the PX here on Lewis, lol. Unknown to Dave, they had motives alterior to just eating lunch. When they arrived at the PX, both boys led my husband right to the jewelry counter. These two were on a mission, and somehow, they knew exactly what they wanted to buy, and where it was located (the idea that they had done such good reconnaissance scares me, lol). They left the PX that afternoon with bellies full of Taco Johns, and Anthony's Pizza...and a 14KT gold pendant that says #1 Mom.

They were so excited that they could not wait until the 14th, so they gave it to me that afternoon. They were so happy to give me that gift, you could tell that it actually made them happy to do so. While it's a little gaudy, and totally unlike anything that I would normally wear, it has earned a spot as my favorite piece of jewelry. I will definitely be sure to display it proudly around my neck!

Jayson was more subtle in his Valentine's gifting. Jayson has had some struggles in school, and he has been working extremely hard...especially this last quarter. Instead of buying me a gift, he got me a card. Upon reading his card, I was reduced to tears...

Dear Mom,


Happy Valentine's Day to you. I wish that your Valentine's Day is special, and I hope that my grades are good because those are your Valentine's present. I've been working my butt off to earn those grades. You are special to me because you helped me earn those grades. If it weren't for you and Dad helping me, I would have failed. That's why you are special to me and you mean a lot to me. So I will give you all of my love on Valentine's Day!

I Love You Mom,
Jayson

I cannot express how special, and how loved his card makes me feel. The fact that he took the time to actually write a personal message in addition to what the card said was so thoughtful. Heck, he could have written this down on a sheet of paper, and I would have loved it just the same. In reading his words, I see how much my son has grown, especially in this past year, and I could not be more proud of him. I will keep this card always, and cherish it forever.

My boys are wonderfully thoughtful. In their own ways, they made my Valentine's Day feel more like Mother's Day! While the gifts and cards are nice, I hope they realize that they make me happy just by being themselves...although...the gifts and cards are definitely a nice bonus for being a mom to such great guys! I know one day the time will come when they are giving gifts and cards to someone else. While the thought truly saddens me now, I know that I will be able to pull out my cards, artworks from school, and gifts from years gone by, and relive these memories for the rest of my life...or until my memory fails...