Field Training Exercise

Today is Memorial Day, May 28, 2012. At 2:30 this morning I had to say goodbye to my beautiful wife and amazing son. My unit is going to the National Training Center at Ft Irwin, CA for a month long field training exercise. I am about 35,000 feet in the air right now, and figured this time is as good as any to write a new blog post. Of course FAA regulations prohibit me from actually posting it until we are on the ground, but thanks to Airplane Mode, I can at least write while I think.
It was at our last FTX that I decided to start putting my thoughts on paper, so to speak, and for some reason felt inspired to write again.
It is sad to have to leave them so often. My job keeps me from being home much anyway, so the few hours a day that I get to spend with them, I cherish. This is necessary training for out upcoming deployment, and I've always been told that the easiest way to stay safe downrange is to be well trained. I just wish that I could spend all the time in the world with them before the Fall comes and I have to leave them for 9 months. If I needed anymore proof on how special my wife is, I got all I needed this morning. At 1 AM I had to wake her up so that she could take me to work. That's no easy task when considering the 11 month old little boy who likes his sleep more than Rip Van Winkle. She did it though, without complaining and was tough the whole time. She knows me, and she knows that if she cries, I cry. She knows that I need her to be strong so that I can be strong. She is the perfect wife for me. I couldn't imagine anyone who is a better fit. God knew what He was doing when He brought us together.
I am so proud of that little boy too. He was a trooper this morning. Once we loaded him in the car, he was bright eyed and stayed awake so that I could give him hugs and kisses when it was time to say goodbye. I'm sure he wasn't great once he got back to the house, but he sure did make me feel loved and special this morning.
This month will be difficult, both physically and emotionally. However, I have a loving wife and son at home that will keep me motivated, and give me a wonderful reason to look forward to going back home.