Civilians

Its amazing how much can change in a few short weeks.  Its been a little over a month since I last posted, and part of me doesn't even feel like the same person.  So where do I begin?

Matthew has a job.  An amazing job, with awesome men.  He comes home from work in a good mood, he's not stressed or angry or bitter anymore.  He's with men that understand what the military has done to us and to him.  They are Christians, and they have really embraced and encouraged him.

We have a house.  It is wonderful and perfect.  It is the size we need, in a great location, and it has an awesome backyard that the dogs (and Abby) love!  Its right across from the college, so I see my little sister quite a bit.  Plus, all the good places to eat are within walking distance (including frozen yogurt!)

I'm still pregnant.  I had a doctors appointment last week, and everything looks good so far.  We find out next month whether this little one is a boy or a girl.  I still am convinced its a girl, and Matthew is dead set that it's a boy.  We'll have a gender-reveal party with family and some close friends, just to celebrate.  We don't need or want anything from them, except to rejoice in another little miracle.

All in all, I would say that we are great.  I laugh at myself a lot, because we fought God against coming home and against leaving the military.  And here we are, happier than we've ever been!  Being a civilian is like getting your freedom back.  Its like we're able to finally live our lives without some moron breathing down our necks.  I don't have to worry about getting leave for a weekend to go to Denver, even though he already has those days off.  I don't have to worry about his "bad news" that he comes home with (because he doesn't come home with any!), I don't have to stress about money for another three years until his next stripe, I don't have to worry about deployments or IEDs or PTSD or stupid paperwork.  Its freedom.  And as any good American knows, with freedom comes happiness.

So we're happy.  We're healthy.  We're doing better than we ever have before, and its all thanks to our Lord, who didn't listen when we begged to stay in the Air Force.