It's already 2014?!

The new year's arrived and the days quickly pass

I stop for a moment to reflect on the last

2013 was one for the books

And one that I often "let myself off the hook"

It was a year full of growth, glory and tears

One of my favorite and least favorite years

Deployment ruled our lives; that is a fact

It tempered our schedules and chose how we act

Strengthened our love and flourished our hearts

While spending this year miles apart

On the home front our daily routines were the same

Work and school and athletic games

Across the ocean and into the sand

My Soldier spent 2013 on foreign land

The distance was painful and often defeating

For life without my love beside me was often depleting

Some days dragged on while others flew by

Some were spent laughing and others we'd cry

There were birthdays, an anniversary and holidays apart

I wasn't sure I'd survive from the start

But through each passing day the closer we got

To the unknown date we all most certainly sought

In the Spring there was baseball for both of the boys

And summer brought family, a wedding and joy

The start of a school year another grade older

And new friends all willing to lend you a shoulder

Before I knew it half the year had past

I thought to myself I might make it through this at last

Both my Soldier and I hit the Big 30

My boys lost teeth and got all growth spurty

Holidays came and my heart was a bit hollow

I had to constantly remind myself of the years that would follow

My faith gave me courage and strength to go on

To wake up and embrace each morning's dawn

"Another day closer" was a much common phrase

As we welcomed the quickly passing of days

Now with the new year upon us and only weeks remain

Until my family will be complete once again

My little slice of Paradise

It's funny growing up in this little town I live in. Everyone I know, myself included, just cannot wait to escape this place when they graduate. It doesn't matter where you're going either, just as long as it is FAR away from here! Yet, here I find myself, settled in to the very place I couldn't wait to leave. I've got a little plot of land and Simplicity Farm has become my own little slice of Paradise. There are so many things I love about this place now, but I have to say that one of my very favorite things about this place is the sky. Its beauty is simply indescribable. Whether I'm waking up at the crack of dawn and watching the sun spill over the mountain peaks, casting its warm gaze upon the fields, or watching the thunder boomers roll in on a hot summer day, the sky holds me captive. I could watch the sun rise and set everyday and never grow tired of it. I can get home from late from town and be exhausted, but one look in the sky and I am awed by the blanket of stars that cover me. It is just so peaceful! The wind is howling outside right now, otherwise I'd be out there, wrapped in a blanket and having a cup of coffee in my chair, staring at the stars instead of writing about them. I haven't quite figured out how to capture the stars on camera, perhaps I need a telescope fitting for my camera which I'm sure would still do it no justice.  I am truly blessed to have such beautiful surroundings!!