Our Family of Flowers

Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado

Oh the joy that comes from the end of a Summer day

25 days and counting.  My husband has received his official orders to Virginia and the count down begins.  So many things to do, so many things to do… Though I should be use to it we have only moved a dozen times since he joined the Navy- the planning and follow through has become second nature.  It seems by now I would have created a master sheet of things that need to get accomplished before the big day.  Like get the kids school records, pick up the dental records, give away all unwanted items, etc… etc… Though over the years the list changes slightly the core remains the same- there is A LOT to do.  Don’t get me wrong- I am soooo glad to be moving to Virginia Beach it is just we moved 5 months ago from Highlands Ranch to Aurora and now after we are settled we are doing it again.  There have been a lot of ups and downs since moving to Colorado in June of 2006.  First shortly before moving to Colorado from Virginia my husband returned home from a cruise in the Persian Gulf then 4 months after arriving and enjoying my husband being home we were notified he would be serving with the Army in “Operation Enduring Freedom” in Iraq.  We were happy and enjoying life.  My husband had volunteered for my daughter’s soccer team as coach, I had volunteered as a girl scout leader- life was good.  We were getting involved in the community, meeting friends- there was a sense of normality in our life, which is not normal in the life of a military family and WHAM! my husband was being pulled away from us.  Though we adjusted- I stayed very busy volunteering my time as his new commands Ombudsman for JCCS-1.  You could have essentially called me the go to for families who were left behind while their soldiers served in a distant country- call me a crisis manager serving over 300 families across the United States.  I had little time to think of poor me between my volunteer duties, my children, my pursuit of full-time college, my culinary business, and whatever life threw at me during this time- nonetheless the thought crossed my mind- this was suppose to be our time with daddy.  My husband was honored to be serving his country and I was glad to let him do it but I was not mentally prepared for him to be called away from shore duty so it hit me hard in the beginning but again I adjusted to the call of duty.  That Winter we had a blizzard- fun times.  Being from a warmer climate that scarcely saw snow I was dumbfounded on what to do.  I remember laughing at my next door neighbor from the warmth of my home- why is he shoveling his driveway every 15 minutes- why doesn’t he just wait until the snow stops and then do it once? Well the next morning I found out why- it gets very heavy and there is A LOT of it! I will never laugh at that at which I do not understand again.  Thank Goodness for 4 wheel drive or the kids and I would have been snowed in.  My husband returned home in late October 2007 and even though he was back things never quite got back to the way they were when we first arrived in Colorado.  It was as if the state of Colorado had been tainted by the upsetment we endured while my husband was away.  All that we wanted to experience while in Colorado had been shattered beyond repair.  Do not get me wrong- I am a strong individual person but being one parent of four young children with two parental roles can get pretty overwhelming- nevertheless I stood strong for my children and myself.  There is a difference between going through a deployment where military and family is there for support- quite another when you live in a town where there is very little if any military presence.  People go about their lives around me with little thought about the soldiers and sailors serving for us in another country.  I remember being at a school function and a mother complaining to me that her husband was going to be gone for the whole weekend- my goodness did she not know who she was talking to? My husband has been gone for nearly a year and without one word from me about it.  Sure I talked to my mother and sister about it but I was proud he was over there protecting my freedom (as well as everyone elses).  My husband came home safe and with many recognitions which included the Bronze Star (Prestigious award) for his work in Iraq.  

But that is behind us now- we are going back home to Virginia Beach- away from the coldness of Colorado and back to the sun and feel goodness of Virginia.  I am looking forward to baking the way I use to before the whole altitude thing- OH and boiling water that actually boils in time for dinner.

Oh and did I mention- 2 weeks after we touch ground in Virginia my husband is set to deploy? It is okay this time around though- it is expected that since he will be back on sea duty- he will be out to sea.  This I am mentally prepared for.  It is when he is suppose to be home and untouched by the call of duty that I was not prepared for and hence why it hit me so hard.  He will get to visit such places as Italy, Greece, Israel, and Spain and all in time to be back by Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Counting down- 25 days to a fresh start.

Jennifer Hyatt

Emma getting ready to plant her veggies and fruits garden.  I “think” the threat of frost has passed in Colorado??  Though as anyone who lives in Colorado can tell you- it could snow tomorrow : )

We went the next day and purchased herbs, peppers, strawberries, and tomatoes.  My husband and I feel it is important to get the kids involved in the planting season.  Everyone assisted with planting- even Steven who is mortified by bugs (though we did not see one) got involved.   

Strawberries- Steven is happy : ) We made his day by planting his favorite : ) STRAWBERRIES!

This is the day after the planting- Emma and Kailey could not wait to get outside and check on their produce.