The house that built me

I am VERY aware every day that I am forming a person into what she will become one day. It is such a huge responsibility and at the same time...the most amazing joy that I have ever had. Someone asked me, "Do you every feel like you've created a monster because you love Charlie so much?" I honestly don't. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with her, teaching her and loving her. I don't want to make her into the person I think she should be, I want to give her the tools, knowledge and drive to realize that she can be whatever she wants to be. I want to teach her to rely on God and to believe in her dreams. I DO hold her a lot, play with her a lot, talk to her a lot...so naturally she expects me to do those things constantly. But why would I have a kid unless I plan on spending time with her? hm? I wonder about parents who have children and then just feel like they are some sort of trophy to dress up and show off on special occasions. Anywho!! I love being a mommy. It's what I was born to do :) James has finally started classes at Fort Sam Houston! 16 weeks from now, he will be a medic in the Army National Guard. I couldn't be a more proud wife! I look back on my life at some of the guys I dated and thank God that I didn't make a mistake and marry the wrong man. I made many mistakes, but not that one :) He is our hero and we miss him VERY much.

Lately...

Well I have LOT to update! November, 2009, James and I agreed that he would join the Army National Guard! On February 1st, I dropped James off in Lexington, Oklahoma, where he would ship out for Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Charlie and I headed up to Kansas, where we are now, to stay with my folks while James is gone. James graduated from Basic on April 16th, 2010, and we couldn't be more proud!!! He is now at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas for his training to be a combat medic and we miss him soooooo so much. We are staying connected through pictures, videos and phone calls. He will finish his training at the end of August and then we can all be together again in Oklahoma. We are counting down the days!! Charlie is growing so fast I can hardly believe my eyes when I look at old pictures. She had her first birthday while James was away, so we took a LOT of pictures for him. I will try to keep this more updated from now on!