Happy 1st Birthday Reagan!!!

Well, I'm late on getting this out (as usual), but I still wanted to post it!  It's so hard to believe that my little niece, Reagan, is already one!  Though she did come out roughly the size of a 2 month old, she has grown so much this past year, as has her wonderful mother Jen.  I hate that we are stationed so far away, as I know we are missing a lot of your new "tricks"!  Luckily, Jen keeps us in the loop with her handy videos and the wonderful blog.

Though not to take anything away from Reagan's special day (which was yesterday), I've been even more excited to watch Jen grow into an amazing mother.

Jen,
    When I used to watch you with your Marines, I would think to myself, "She's found her niche.  This is what she is meant to do, and she's damn good at it.  I hope that I can be as good of a Marine as she is."  And over this past year, I've seen you become a mother and it has been a joy.  I know that mom would have be so proud of you.
    You are able to take everything in stride, laugh through it all.  You have an amazing network of friends and family who provide support to you and whose day you brighten with entertaining stories about Reagan.  Not to mention that you look absolutely amazing!  Your dedication to staying in shape and being so active with Reagan is awesome.
     I wish mom and dad could see you in action with your little girl - it is something to behold.  And now that I've seen it, I can say that motherhood is what you were meant to do - you are an incredible mother.  The Marine Corps definitely lost out when you decided to do something else, but the world has gained a new mother and a beautiful little girl who make this place brighter!

We love you,
Jess and Sean

The Amazing Women in my Life

Some houses try to hide the fact

That children shelter there;

Ours boast of it quite openly.

The signs are everywhere.

For smears are on the windows,

Little smudges on the doors;

I should apologize, I guess.

For toys strewn on the floor.

But I sat down with the children

And we played and laughed and read;

And if the doorbell doesn't shine,

Their eyes will shine instead.

For when at times I'm forced to choose

The one job or the other;

I'd like to cook and clean and scrub,

But first I'll be a mother.

In the past eleven months, the three most important women in my life - Jennifer, Lynsey, and Colleen - all became new mothers! They have embraced the toughest job in the world with eyes wide open and smiles on their faces. These three women continue to amaze me on a daily basis and I am so blessed to have them in my life.

Ladies - on your first Mother's Day, where you are the ones being honored, know how amazing you are! Know that you have taken on a job with more challenges than any other. Know that you have each other, and me (even if I may not be able to help with answering questions or being close by), when you struggle. We have all been through so many things in life and together we make one hell of a team! For the past 31 years (ok, 30 in your case Lyns), we've honored the women in our lives whom we call "mom"...but this year, you all three have entered into that beautiful category of the women who shape lives. And from where I sit, even if it's far away by mileage, you are doing an incredible job. I love you all!