A Few Words from Matt...

      It's weird sitting here, on my uncomfortable bed in some barracks at Ft. Knox, sharing a room with two other dudes in their early 20's, away from my wife and kids wishing there was more I could do to help them get situated in our new home and wishing I could be more of a part of their daily lives. 

      Each day, or as often as I can, I log on to our blog hoping to see a new post about our little family and their happenings.  I log on to facebook to see if Shannon has posted anything about her daily life.  And I try to call/text daily to to try and paint a picture as to what they're going through.  I do this to keep me as informed as possible as what we, as a family, are going through collectively.  Yes we are in two totally different locations, but that doesn't alter the fact that we are a family and will get through everything together.

      The life we have entered is a difficult, rewarding, different, exciting, unexpecting adventure.  We knew what we were getting into before we started.  We knew we'd be away from each other with intermittent short visits for this intial hoo-rah.  We knew we wouldn't really back together until early December.  We knew I may be deployed and actually kind of expect it to happen at some point - if it doesn't happen well then that is fantastic news.  Knowing everything we knew and now know I still miss my love Shannon and our sweet crazy boys: Isaac, Eli, and Titus; nothing will change that.

      I wish I could be around to help build the bunk bed that was completely taken apart for the move by the movers.  I wish I could take cold showers with them because water won't be turned on till Tuesday.  I wish I could help unpack boxes and find all the little things that were packed away in 'some box' that are now needed and wanted but can't be found.  I wish I could miss out on having internet access for a day or two more.  I wish I could have killed that roach that scared Shannon the first day in our new home.  I wish I could take care of the boys - read them a story, wrestle with them, play a game, or build some legos so Shannon can rest her eyes because of the exahustion and stress that comes along from moving a family without their daddy.  I wish I could be there when Isaac leaves for his first day of Kindergarden to wish him luck and tell him how proud I am of him.  I wish I could hold Shannon, Isaac, Eli, and Titus right now and tell them all, in person, that I love and appreciate each one of them and all they do to make me a better person.  I miss and love them so much.  I am indeed a lucky man to have them in my life - even if we are temporarily separated.

      I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my country, to lead the finest soldiers on earth as an Officer, and to have a stable job that provides for my family.  With everything we've been through I know we will get through this just fine.  But yup - it kinda sucks a little.  :-)

Thank you everyone for all your love and support.

      Shannon - you are the love of my life and an amazing wife, mother, and my best friend.  I miss you.  I look forward to the many years ahead we will have together.  Years that will prepare us for the eternities.  Know that you are continuously in my thoughts and prayers and I can't wait to see you again!  Give the boys love and stay positive. 

Everything will be just fine.

Thanks all!

-Matt


Before and After the 10k Ruck March.

D Co LTC, 2nd PLT, 1st SQD (CDTs: Miller, Martinez, Heater, Oh, Smith, Cornfield, Me.  Missing Wilson.  Graduation Day - July 29th, 2012