Uncle Robbie

 We were blessed to have Rich's brother Rob come for a visit!  The kids call him uncle Robbie.  Rob had a friend who was buying a truck off of Craigslist and the truck was here in San Antonio.  Since his friend was injured while deployed, he could not drive alone yet.  They live in Georgia, so it was a long drive.  Anyway, his friend and him jumped on a plane and bought the truck and stayed at our house for a night.  It was a short visit but we were so glad he was able to come!!  I love his brother Rob.  He is such a great guy.  We don't get to see him very often since we've always lived so far away but it's always good to see him.  He is a Ranger in the Army.  Okay, he's like big time, and has a better title than that, but I can't remember.  All I know is this guy an amazing soldier and deserves all the respect in the world!  His best friend Kevin, that came with him, is also big time too.  Forgive me for sounding so ignorant with their correct titles, I don't mean any disrespect!  (I'll have to get back to you on that).  These guys are the real deal and the sacrifice they make is one that leaves me ever so grateful.
   So we had fun.  The kids loved them and the day went by quickly.  But at night, once the kids were asleep and Rich was finally home from work, all of us stayed up late talking.  They told us stories of being in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I noticed at one point my jaw was on the ground and I must have looked like a very ignorant and naive American.  The things they were saying about the hate these people have for Americans is so disgusting, it's hard to wrap your mind around it.  I just sat there listening, feeling like I no longer had any problems.  Life there (in Iraq and Afghanistan) is just so incredibly night and day different!  Of course I knew that, but after hearing stories, it made me really contemplate my reality vs theirs.  What an amazing life we live, here in America!  I just find it so fascinating how everyone living on this earth has different realities and perspectives.  It's easy to get so wrapped up in our own reality that we forget how others live.  It also made me appreciate everything I have, especially the people I love, and was a great reminder of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans.  His friend, Kevin, had a grenade blown up under his feet.  He was in a coma for weeks and had to relearn how to walk and talk.  He still has some issues with his brain and has seizures from time to time.  I felt so humbled to have these brave soldiers in my home.  Kevin just kept thanking us for letting us stay at our house and for Rich to have taken the time to check the truck out before they came out.  I'm sitting there, as he is thanking us, feeling like a jerk that they were sleeping on my living room floor; these people that put their LIFE on the line so I can live a life of freedom!  So in debt to these heroes!!    I have so much respect and appreciation for them and their families.  Why is it so easy to take this life for granted?!  Rob is now deployed for 6 months again.  I'm so glad we got to see him before he went out.
   Now, here are some pictures from the visit.  I must write that Rich is definitely Rob's little brother.  What I mean is he looks up to him soooo much and loves to be in his presence.  The way he talks about Rob today (at 33 years old), leaves my imagination to visualize a little Richie trying to be so much like his big brother Rob.  It's really that cute how he still adores him.  And since my husband doesn't read my blog anyway, maybe I can throw in a little funny story about the two of them.  :)  When rob was here he went in the bathroom and changed into his p.j.s.  He came out wearing a t-shirt and some really short running shorts.  It surprised me a bit and made me chuckle inside, but Rob wore them with pure confidence.  And on a side note, his friend Kevin changed into some flannel p.j. bottoms with reindeer on them...super tough guys with silly p.j.s!!!  Anyway, Rich made some poking-fun-comments about Rob's short shorts that night.  I told Rich he should go get his short (and I'm talking SHORT) running shorts that he has had for years that he used in a triathlon (? or something) when we first started dating.  I begged Rob to please take the shorts home because they've always been something I don't care to see Rich in and they are just taking up space because he only used them once!  The next day, Rob left and I found the shorts on our chair.  I mentioned to Rich that Rob must not have wanted them and Rich said, "Yeah, these things are just really short." (They weren't too much shorter than Rob's).  ANYWAY (to the point), a few days later, Rich gets home from work, showers, and comes out wearing THE short shorts.  He's dead serious and is feeling super cool in them because his big brother sports these things at bed time too.  LOL.   Let's just say they get worn to bed quite often now.  So you tell me, is he Rob's little brother or what!?!