OUTNUMBERED AND LOVING IT

Welcome to the Sanchez Family. We are a God loving, church going, unconditional loving, Army family of three wild and crazy boys and one 100 pound english bulldog, taking it one day at a time. I'm the mom, the only girl in the house, and the Queen. Hang on tight, it's sure to be a wild ride!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Going on the field at the Angel's game!!!!

Let em start this post by saying here in the Sanchez house we bleed Dodger Blue!!!  However we were thrilled to be chosen to attend the Angels game as part of the Army.


September 9th the Angel's honored the military and their families before the game.  We were able to walk out on the field to a standing ovation, it was awesome to say the least!  Zachary won't forget this night for a long time!  He was the only one old enough to understand what it was all about.  The little kids were too busy waving and clapping they thought the whole thing was for them, it was cute.


Daddy and his boys before the game!


the tunnel to go onto the field, and the other 499 families that were to be honored



On the field!


Angles were out shaking hands with us, so very nice


Go Army!


showing respect for the National Anthem


we got to see a former Dodger!



Thursday, September 8, 2011

September 11th


I am not sure how to put into words what this day means to me now.  10 years ago I was not an Army wife, I was a teacher, pregnant with my first baby and ignorant to how much this day would effect my life.  I remember being in circle time with my students and it was my day to be observed, of course.  The tv was not on in my classroom but my phone kept ringing and my co teacher came in and said to turn the tv on.  We sat and watched and my heart was breaking for all those people.  I got through the day and went home and could not turn off the tv.  Yes I was sad, yes I cried, yes I prayed but I still didn't have a deep connection to it. I think what I should say is that the way I felt about it then does not compare to how I feel about it now. 





My biggest worry at the time was bringing a child into this world now after this. How much his life would be different than mine, how he wouldn't know the same things that I knew. He would have a new normal and that made me sad.




My son was born in March of 2002 and by then things had calmed down a bit.  Yes we were at war and security measures were high.  We now had a terror alert system and it took a lot longer to board a plane.  Zachary's dad and I had grown apart and I was a single mom teaching and living life.  I never forgot but it wasn't always on my mind. 
 
Fast forward to July of 2004 and a girls weekend in Nashville, you know that little town only 30 mins from Ft. Campbell, home of a million soldiers.  One night I met this soldier while at Tootsies, a bar tourist attraction in downtown.  I can not tell you how this night would change my life.  I was in NO WAY looking for a relationship, especially not with a silly soldier.  God had other plans, let me tell you. 
 
1 year and a couple of months after I met the love of my life he left me to go to Iraq.  Wow, what an eye opener that was.  September 11th took on a whole new meaning to me.  War took on a whole new meaning to me.  Prayer took on a whole new meaning to me.
 


I got into my car right after this and had to watch him walk away from me for a year.  Hardest thing I have ever done!






Today, 10 years later, I am a mom to 3 boys who do not know what life was like before 9-11.  They were born into a country that was at war and still is.  They know no different.  My oldest one understands that daddy might have to go back to Iraq and that what he does in important.  As long as my husband serves his country his boys will have to deal with him being gone.
10 years later I am an Army wife.  I welcomed my husband back from a war that changed him forever.  I have a deeper connection to the events that took place on 9-11 now then I did then.  I live with the fact that my soldier might have to return to Iraq and he might not return to us.  10 years ago that was not a thought I had.  I always stood at the National Anthem at ballgames, now not only do I stand but I am usually teary eyed singing along.  The words "home of the brave" now take on a different meaning.  Sights like I saw Thursday night before the Packers/Saints game of the people in the stands forming a flag touch my heart.  They make me smile and remember what this country is about. 

10 years later, I wear the Army wife label proudly as do many others.  I am proud, not only of him, but of all who serve and I count them all as family.  I now have many close friends who stand in harms way for our freedom.  My family grew so much when I married my husband.  I have given birth to 3 boys but I have taken care of a few more than that.  So today I will stop as I do every day and thank God for allowing me to live in a free country.  I will thank God for our military and I will pray that he will protect them.  I will pray for all those that lost loved ones on 9-11 and those who continue to lose loved ones in war, but most importantly I will never forget.

Saturday, September 3, 2011

It's a God thing weekend.... **added new picture from my husband**

Linking up with Minivan Diva this weekend for it's a God thing weekend and you should too!


"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."~ John 15:13

This weekend my husband, on the left, and his friend, the one in the middle, are in St. Louis celebrating the life of a fallen soldier and more importantly the life a a friend.  SSG Michael Deason was killed August 31st, 2006.  It has been 5 years since he gave his life for our freedom and I thank him daily for it.  Please take a minute to say a prayer for his family today.  They are dedicating a highway in his name in MO today.  I know they are proud but hurting at the same time.

What's the God thing in your life?

My husband had the opportunity to visit his friends grave after 5 years.  I am sure it was hard for him, but I know he needed to do this.  I am so proud to be his wife, he is an amazing man, soldier and friend.




Gone but never forgotten, SSG Deason.