Well, here we are. Almost done with our first deployment. Even though we are not done yet, I am excited that the difficulties of the past several months will be over soon. Even more so, I can't wait to see him, and I can't wait for him to see how the boys have grown. I think it's been a good learning experience for both of us in different ways, although I am happy to see it coming to an end. I think one of the big things I have learned over these past months is how, as a parent, you have to try to control your emotions when it comes to kids. Yeah, I still mess up, and I'm sure I will mess up in the future too, but I think I am better able to understand the importance of keeping your cool and better able to do it as well. Under my stress today, I uttered something under my breath that isn't the greatest example of language (alhtough it's probably not what you're thinking), and Jeff said to me, "Mom, don't say that." I was both amused and embarassed, having my 2-year-old son keep me in check. Boy, oh boy.