Things this deployment has taught me...

I was just thinking about this earlier, so I decided to put it here...

1. I can survive a year without my husband, but I never EVER want to do it again.

2. I learned how to fall in love with my husband over and over, even more than I ever thought I could, even with him being about 7000 miles away.

3. Raising a child "alone" is hard.

4. There are always people I can count on... even if those people are not the ones I expected to count on. If I call, they show up within a matter of minutes.

5. It's good to have really supportive, helpful, funny, friendly neighbors.

6. Putting together children's toys is not easy. I will no longer laugh at Matthew while he grumbles at another, seemingly simple, toy. Okay... I probably will, but I'll totally understand the grumbles.

7. Skype saves sanity.

8. Never forget even ONE thing at the grocery store, because you will have to unload a happy, sleeping infant. Again.

9. Dogs are really good to cuddle with when you're sad.

10. It's okay for the house to be messy. Spending time with your children is so much more special (and fun).

11. I can ask for help from friends.

12. Sometimes writing down how I'm feeling really helps.

13. I am stronger than I thought.

14. Toilet seats stay down and dry when there is no man in the house. Curious, really.

15. Finding really good friends from an online forum is possible and special. Especially when they let you vent whenever you want, no matter what it's about.

(I'll keep adding to this as I think of more...)