Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day! So I asked my husband’s family if they wanted to share some special words for my FAVORITE Mother-in-Love & military spouse, Karen đ
 
From my FIL, Ron:  “The Urban dictionary defines the military spouse as âA hard working spouse of a military member, who keeps things safe at the home front where civilian wives would normally Fail.â  The key word in this statement is a military spouse is no longer a civilian; they are not the ones who voluntarily took the oath to serve their country; they are the ones who took the oath of âI doâ accepting whatever challenges come their way, they truly are devoted to God, country and family. They hold it together when the service member leaves on deployment in dangerous places for months; bear the responsibility to celebrate special events such as birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc. without their loved one; put their career on hold relocating every 2-4 years; and leaving close friends and family behind every time you relocate; parenting alone and feeling lonely, spending as much of their marriage apart as together, (Karen and I spent over 10 years apart while I was deployed) and then when the military member returns, they are the ones who are celebrated. I desperately missed my wife and my children while being deployed and if there was any one regret of serving it was missing those years with them. As I reflect back, I realize more today the sacrifices and the burden Karen had to endure being the military spouse, and it is her dedication and strength that our children and our marriage are successful today. On this military spouse appreciation day, I want to recognize Karen, my love for her and my indebtedness to her for the sacrifices she had to continually make.”
 
From my husband, Ronald:Â When I was a kid I thought it was super cool that Dad was in the Air Force. Cool uniform, working on cool firetrucks right by the runway where there’s cool planes, going to crazy places. When he would come home from being stationed overseas or TDY (Temporary Duty Yonder), it was about how Dad was coming back, and gratitude towards his service. All of that is really truly deserved, as he was making sacrifices in his life for his family.
But, people hardly ever said anything about mom.
I do remember my Dad, standing in his uniform in the living room hugging us all goodbye before leaving to go overseas that I had better listen to mom, and that she’s got it tough being on her own so don’t mess up! You’re the man of the house now! (To which I remember thinking something along the lines of “oh god… I don’t know how to fix the sink?”). The reality is that it was on mom fix things when they broke. It was on mom to to take us to all of our activities after school, make dinner, make sure we got our homework done, deal with two kids who were always nagging at each other. It was on mom to deal with us when we were sick and she was probably sick too and so badly just needed to relax for once. It was on mom to deal with her spouse being in a dangerous country where the people don’t like him being there. Yeah, he’ll almost certainly come home, but I’m sure you can’t help but think the worst.. what if something happens? It was on mom to deal with that. It was on mom to do everything. It was on Mom to be mom, AND to be Dad. Every day, day in and day out, sometimes for a few weeks, but sometimes for over 2 years at a time. She literally put her life on hold for us.
But I was excited for Dad to come home, despite having the most awesome mom there the whole time. I think I knew at the time that I had a good mom and I certainly loved her very much. But it wasn’t until later in life that I think I got it. How insanely lucky my sister and I were that we had a mom who never once made me doubt anything about my well being growing up. Who raised us the hard way, the right way. Many people didn’t have that, and we’re so fortunate we did. Many people had military parents who divorced, struggled with their vices, took the easy way out with their kids (letting their kids slack with grades, inappropriate video games, junk food, whatever). But not me, I had the most kick-ass mom you could ask for. I am BY FAR a better person because of it. I never heard of Military spouse appreciation day until my wife (who isn’t even from a military family) told me about it. Needless to say its long over due, because I am SO appreciative of my mother.
From me: Karen, you’ve been a big role model for me in the kind of woman, wife, and mother I strive to be. You had a huge part in raising the best man I know, my husband, and I will be forever grateful for that! Many thanks to you for all that you’ve done and continue to do for us, for our family. I appreciate you today and every day <3
 
Project 52, Week 18
Project 52, Week 18
Yesterday was our engagement anniversary, 5 years ago I said YES! Read about our proposal and see our engagement pictures here.
 
Lastly, this week was teacher appreciation week so of course I’d like to shout out our FAVORITE math teacher, my SIL Ashley!!! As engineers my husband & I understand just how difficult math can be and commend Ashley for teaching the subject to the youth, something that is so incredibly important. We’re especially proud of her recently for participating in a week long walk out/strike for teachers in Arizona. The state has continuously ranked in the bottom of the nation for education & funding.
 
SO when we found out this week that General Motors, where my husband works, was doubling donations to STEM projects at schools with low income students we quickly jumped at the chance to help our donation go a little further! You can click here to choose a project that GM will match your donation or here to see all projects that you can support <3
This is an amazing post- thank you for sharing and thank you to your family members- grateful!
Thank you Holly! I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share đ
A beautiful post honoring your family đ Thank you to your FIL for his service.
Happy belated engagement anniversary! Our 5th year engagement anniversary is this year as well!
Thanks Shannon!
Aww thank you so much! When my husband was gone I tried to do the best I could. Sometimes it was really hard, especially when kids were sick, sometimes easier because I could cook easy kid food, have lots of loud sing alongs to kids songs etc. I would sometimes be jealous of divorced moms as they would get a break every other weekend, where I never got a break, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Love you all.
And you know once again, happy tears. âĽď¸
Awe đ I told Ronald when I asked him about writing this post that it would probably bring the happy tears. Your men are really sweet and their words brought me to tears as well, we sure do love you!!!
Happy Friday! A great post to recognize the military spouses… your MIL Is a wonderful woman. Please tell your in laws âthank youâfor their service, both of them. It isnât easy being military. Have a great weekend!
Yes, thank you Laurie – I will certainly share with them. Enjoy your weekend as well!