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Hey everyone. Just settling in for the night here. Got laundry put away, and kids are in bed (FINALLY).

JJ had a great first day in this new program at school (which actually is in the same school just a different program and classroom). He has the same bus driver as before so that helped a little I think, to see a familiar face. He did fall asleep on the way home. *s*

I'm battling yet another sinus infection. Yay. You'd think when they cut out my tonsils and adenoids when I was five, it'd help some. WRONG.

But hey, hubby will be home the first week of April. That's all that matters. *LOL*

Military Wedding Vows:

Dear family and friends, we are gathered here today in the sight
of God, and the Department of the _____ (insert service here),
to witness this exchange of vows, and see the love that these two dedicated,
loving people have for one another.

Wilt thou, ________(his name), take ___________ (her name)
(who was once referred to as the "dependent"), as your
family member, to dwell together in so far as the
Department of Defense will permit?

Wilt thou love her, comfort her, via the postal service
or over the phone, make sure she knows where the commissary,
PX, and church are, and what time she is scheduled to use
the laundry room the day she arrives, wherever you are stationed?

Wilt thou attempt to tell her more than 24 hours in
advance that you will be leaving for two weeks, beginning the next
morning? This especially applies to the years you
will live in a foreign country!

Wilt thou ____________ (her name), take this Sailor as
thy wedded husband, knowing that he is depending upon you to
be the perfect (well almost) military wife, running the
household as you see fit, and being nice to the commander's
wife? Furthermore, you understand that your life with
your husband (little that you may have together) will not
be normal, that you may have to explain to your children, not
once, but twice, and more often in the same day, that mothers
do have husbands, and that children do have
daddy's, and that the picture of the man on the refrigerator
is not the milkman, but the same individual who tucks them
in at 2200, long after they are asleep. This Sailor
is their daddy, who loves them very, very much.

Wilt thou love, respect and wait for him, preparing his
favorite cookies and pictures of yourself and the kids, so
he can remember what you look like? And last but not
least, put on the outside of your door his "Welcome home"
sign when he's due to arrive?

I, ____(his name), take thee____ (her name), as my
independent wife, from 1900 to 2200 or as long as allowed
by my Commanding Officer (subject to change without notice),
for better or worse, earlier or later, near or far, and I
promise to look at the pictures you send me, maybe not
when they get to me in the field, but before I turn the
lights out. I will also send a letter, if time permits,
and if not, to somehow, some way, make the time.

I, _________(her name), take thee,_________(his name) as
my live-in/live-out husband, realizing that your comings and
goings and 0330 staff meetings are normal (although absurd to
me) and part of your life as a Sailor. I promise not
to be shocked or taken by surprise when you inform me that,
although we've just arrived at our new duty station, we
will be leaving within the month. Yes, I'll have you as my
husband as long as while your are away, my allotment
comes through regularly, and that you leave me a current power
of attorney and the checkbook at all times.
I am a family member and proud of it, dependent upon myself and
my resources. Although I miss you when you are away, I know
I can handle whatever comes across my path.
Now then, let no man or woman put asunder what God and
the Department of Defense have brought together. The _____
(insert service) hereby issues you this lovely,
dedicated, independent woman, knowing that she'll be an asset not
only to your marriage, but also to the mission of the United
States (insert service), which is, as you all know, to
remain in a state of "Readiness." By the authority
vested in the Bible, coaborated in the regulation and
subject to current directives concerning the aspects of
marriage in the military, you are now a Sailor with a Family Member.

Best Wishes and good Luck!