My Wife

Here's what my wife has done -- or has suffered through -- the year I've been gone, besides the normal daily responsibilities. Obviously, just saying she's been home alone with our four kids says a lot, but wait, there's more.My oldest boy broke the bed by jumping on it from the top of his dresser.

My youngest boy followed him the next week, breaking the repaired bed.

The toilet flooded, seeping through the ceiling and flooded the basement four times. (Thanks kids.)

The hot water heater broke.The fridge broke and had to be replaced.

She bought the kids a new puppy that is still not potty trained and uses our kids for chew toys.

She potty trained our youngest daughter, who then decided she didn't want to be potty trained.

After ten accidents a day for too long, she finally succeeded.

My oldest boy spray painted the garage, my car, the fence, the neighbors fence and yard. (If this is the way boys act out without fathers being around, what about a Fatherless America?)

Fortunately, I think I turned out okay, so there's still hope for you single mothers. "Thanks mom.")

My wife found out her wedding ring was broke and had to be replaced. She had to put up with me getting upset about it.

She helped lay tile in a friends bathroom and consoled someone else who was beaten up by her husband.

Besides helping with homework, she taxied our oldest kids to piano lessons.She had a miscarriage and two surgeries.

She had a tonsillectomy, her third surgery, and felt sick still having to deal with all four kids alone.

She planted a beautiful plant and flower garden.

As a single mommy, she cleaned the house spill after spill and mess after mess...all without going non compos mentis (insane).

She watched four busy kids (ours) and babysat for others...all by herself.

When I came home on R&R mid-tour leave, we had a planned pregnancy. She's suffered through all those changes and illnesses.

She's had no time off, ever! -- and no personal space.

She worked part time out of the house.

When my friend Johnny died, she wrote me a letter of sadness and, since she knew him, she became even more worried for me.

After I left, she had more security lights installed at home for her safety and consolation.

She had to comfort our kids whose peers said I was going to die in Iraq.

Our baby girl couldn't even say five words before I left. A few weeks ago she sang two songs to me on the phone, as well as her ABC's.

Flying with four kids all alone isn't easy, but she did it, and celebrated Christmas all alone with my family.

She had a root canal retreated and found that the last dentist left a file inside her tooth which has bothered her for years.

She's been a single parent for the most part for the last five years, since I've traveled so much...all while continuing to get pregnant and raise all the kids alone! (Note: It's by choice that we've had kids, but it's not been a choice to be separated. In fact, I left the air marshals to be home more. A surprise "Go to Iraq"-note from Uncle Sam changed that.)

She's served in multiple volunteer church assignments, and has gotten the kids ready and sat with them in the pews each Sunday.

Best of all, (according to what she told me recently) she spends all my money while I'm gone and I have no idea what she's doing with my money. That's evidence that she has kept her good sense of humor. (By the way, it's really 'our' money.)

My wife is the most incredible, beautiful, wonderful woman I know. She's my best friend, and frankly, I don't ever want to travel so much again.