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What a week it's been. It started off pretty hard to beat with the birth of our son, JL. Despite my still 4-5 month pregnant appearances, my body is recovering nicely, I think. Engorgement is not exactly joyful, but it in terms of overall aches and pains, I think I escaped labor relatively unscathed, making me feel like I could do it again, no problem. Something my husband does NOT want to hear right now. His strategy for making me feel better about all of the discomforts of third trimester was saying, "Just think- you'll never have to do it again!" a little too enthusiastically. (The thought of 3 children makes him want to head for the hills.)

But then, THEN we found out pretty wonderful news yesterday.

My husband will not have to deploy to Iraq as planned this weekend. Oh. My. God.

Which means we get to be a true family and not have the weight of him leaving for a war zone burdening us. Which means I won't be left struggling with a newborn and a toddler. Which means I'll be less at risk for developing postpartum depression. Which means we are feeling so, so blessed right now it's not even funny.

It's still possible that he could be sent somewhere else for a few months, but at least not for a few weeks, and we won't know until the next couple of months play out.

We are so, so relieved.

This ordeal has taught us some things, though. For one, to never take being together as a family for granted. Military life (and life in general) is unpredictable, and it's important to make every moment count. For another, to truly appreciate what gifts we do have- a warm house, food to fill us, clothing and the support of many. And, faith. We've grown in faith during these past stress-filled weeks. Faith that we would be given the strength to get through the challenges ahead. Faith that our burdens wouldn't be soley ours to carry.

So Christmas came late to our house this year.

And we couldn't be more grateful.