The Cullinan Family

Military Wife

I never wore the uniform, no medals on my chest.
The band, it doesn't play for me, I am not among “the Best.”
I do not march in cadence; I do not rate salute,
I stand among the silent ranks, our devotion absolute.
If you've not worn my shoes, you do not know my story.
I live a life of sacrifice, my reward a private glory.
I've wept many silent nights away,
and I've kept the home fires burning.
I've worried and I've waited, as world events were churning. I've moved more times than you could fathom,
left more people than you've known.
I've planted gardens 'round the world,
very few that I've seen grown.
I've grieved with new-made widows,
and had my share of scares -- when a ship or plane or man was down, and all I had were prayers.
I'm not asking for your sympathy, (although appreciation can be nice) I did it quite on purpose --I chose to sacrifice.
I'll tell you a secret now, one you'd never guess.
About the one glory that is mine,
it's just enough -- no more, no less.
When you and I stand together as our national anthem plays, I'll fill with reminiscences of how I spent those days.
I'll know the pain and joys again,
I'll know that freedom isn't free,
I'll know I've helped to pay the price –
and that the anthem plays for me.

Elizabeth Soutter Schwarzer
Marine Wife

http://damomma.com

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Hot Memorial Day Weekend

It was so hot today. I guess we've got to get used to it but it was the first really hot day so far. We got out the slide and the slip and slide and everyone had a great time cooling off. Aoife also got a bike finally! She had fun being a big kid and trying to ride it but eventually decided the slip and slide was easier!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Emmy's Last Day of Pre K

Emmy's last day of PreK was on Friday. It's amazing how much she has grown since her first day way back in August! Brendan, Aoife and I went to school with her, ate breakfast with her and her class and went to their performance. Then we got Aidan out of school and went with Emmy's friends and their families to Chick-Fil-A for lunch. There's a big play area so the kids could be occupied while the adults socialized!
Emmy before school:

Emmy and Emily:

Brendan is very popular with 5 year olds!

Emmy singing in her performance:

the "B"

A bear went over a mountain...

Aoife, Emmy, Aubrey and Kate:

Emmy with all of her BFFs:

Emmy and Ms. Nancy

Me with Emmy's friends' moms

Lunch at Chick-Fil-A

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Aidan's Field Day

Today was Aidan's field day and it was HOT!!! The kids seemed to have fun but I had a hard time with the heat. They had inflatables to jump on, sack races, a parachute, volleyball, football tossing and relay races. Only a few more days of school and we'll be on summer vacation!!!

Aidan and his friend, Cale:

snowcones!!

tug of war:

football toss:

parachute:

beach volleyball

sack races

More Baseball

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Emmy's Field Day

Emmy had her field day on Tuesday and it was FUN! The weather was sunny and warm but not too hot and all the kids had a great time. They played with sand, blew bubbles, painted with water, drew with chalk, fingerpainted with cool whip, played with gak and got wet with big sponges. Her last day of school is Friday and it's a little sad that PreK is almost over. I can't believe she'll be in full day Kindergarten in a few months!!

Monday, May 21, 2012

7-17 Change of Command

On Monday I went to Brendan's unit's change of command. LTC Reilly gave up command of 7-17 CAV and LTC Coyle became the new commander. It was a nice ceremony and it wasn't even too hot which was great!

Brendan in the center marching in: