3 Fun Facts

1. Did you know- The background picture used in the cover for Cadence of Love, Breaking Protocol was a picture my husband took in his hanger?  The Kiowa helicopter in the picture is one he was fixing and loading to send back out for air support to the ground troops.  The dullness in the picture was caused by the sand that blew in the wind.  At times, the sand storms would get so bad they had to bunker down and wait until it passed before they could move.  You can also see the heat radiating off the ground in waves if you look close enough.  This deployment he was away for right at 2 years.  So, using this for the cover just seemed necessary.  
2. Every soldier has traditions of some sort they do with their spouse before deployment.  Ours were kids first- taking them places and giving them full one on one attention as much as possible to the days leading up for departure.  The nights were ours.  Snuggles, cuddles, and tapping into those sentimental words and feelings that normally don't get spoken get laid out on the table.  Deep from the heart, words are shared to fill each other enough to get us through what was to come.  On the morning he was set to leave, (which I might add was usually 3 or 4 in the morning... ughhh) My soldier would wake me up gently caressing my cheek and smiling down, singing "
All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go

Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go
Now, it didn't take but a few verses to get me to wake and start bauling.  Where he would say 'So kiss me and smile for me', He would pause and I would smile.  He would sing some more, and I would answer, 'I will wait for you, forever and eternity baby.' and the song would go on.  
To this day, I still cry when I hear this song lol.  


3. While Alaina is packing up the team's rucks, she sneaks little candies and notes into each pocket in all of their clothes for them to find later...one day at a time.  Elizabeth wanted to send stuffed animals too, so they managed to conceal a sleeping buddy in for everyone.  
Before every deployment, my kids and I would write tiny little notes, draw pictures and the kids would make little things for hubby so that when I went to pack his duffle bags and ruck sack, I could hide it in all of the ACU pockets, flak vest pockets, under the lining of his Kpot, in every pair of socks, and tons of other hidey spots!  He would be stocked up with treats for over a week.  


More fun facts to come, so stay tuned!!!