Episode Two is my favorite so far. The Cast Party was fun!  I loved having all of us together. All of our husbands got to know each other and we had a  REALLY good time! The Memorial Ceremony was powerful. Lindsey expressing her feelings about Phil's R&R, and Phil getting emotional when he was having to head back to Afghanistan....very moving.


Blair and I had a great time in this episode. Bethany's birthday party was the first time I had really visited with Blair. As we talked, she asked if I was available for lunch the next day. For some reason I decided to tell her why I wasn't available. That was hard to do.....I was struggling with depression....why would I want to tell a new friend about THAT? I never dreamed Blair would share a similar story with me. I instantly felt a bond. Over the next few weeks, Blair and I spent a lot of time together and got to know each other better. We are very different, almost opposite in a lot of ways, but we sure have a connection. It has been a comforting and rewarding relationship during this deployment.

Getting Brian's growlers was educational. Moose's Tooth is a popular and delicious restaurant in Anchorage. Their gourmet pizza is amazing! I had never been up to the bar at Moose's Tooth before. I am Mormon and I don't drink alcohol....but I don't judge friends that do. I was spending the day with Blair to get ready for Brian to come home. It was fun seeing her so excited about R&R. She is hilarious....and I was thrilled she asked me to come. Wouldn't you want to hang out with her? She's pretty brave, too! Wish I looked like that! I think I said, "Blair, your figure is precious". Who says that? It was hard to see her get that call. It's such a let down...but there's absolutely nothing you can do to change it.

Our family dinner was crazy, but very special to me! The kids prepared most of the dinner that Sunday! Koy really did drop the Lasagna. Eli accidentally added HOT water to the Kool-aid, so steam comes off the ice as he's pouring it in the glasses. The ice melts in a matter of seconds. It was good for me to hear the kids acknowledge that they see a difference in the way they act with Dad and with me. I am a people pleaser like a lot of women I know, and it is tough to teach my children life lessons when I want to fix everything for them.  

Kade is a great kid and didn't do anything wrong...I can just sense that he isn't feeling heard or understood. I've got to do more to show him that I am listening and that I am trying to understand him. I love Kade, MacKenzie, Koy, and Eli so deeply. I will do whatever it takes to make them happy and that's not always what they need....I've got to figure this out!

The Trek is an important event in my kid's lives and I want them to go. I want them to learn about those that came before them, and learn more about themselves. Getting Kade to try on Knicker's from The Salvation Army was fun! He refused to wear them.... I know he doesn't really want to go on the Trek, but I'm glad he went. We'll see how he feels about it when he gets back!

Thanks to all of you who are watching the show. I hope we don't disappoint you!

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