a Spartan Family!

I went to a motivational workshop the other day about how to be a Spartan family. While sitting there, I quickly identified our family as being one. Later that evening, Chris called home from the field and asked how it was. I told him all about it and how we were Spartans. I was under the impression that Chris already knew what it was to be a Spartan. Before the class, I didn't. But I though it was just another Marine Corps term that I didn't know, but my husband would. I found it hard to put what a Spartan was into words. I was able to give him examples of other families we knew who were Spartans. He quickly came back with, "So you're telling me we're old?" No. Not at all. Those families aren't old, they're salty. They've been around, they've done the military life and succeeded. We are becoming them. We're almost to the 10 yr mark and we know we'll be in another 4 years. That puts us at 13 years in. Let's face it people, we're probably not quiting before 20. And I'm proud of that. So proud that it almost brings tears to my eyes. I love this lifestyle. I realize it has it's downfalls. But by damn, it provides A LOT of opportunities that our family and the individuals in it would have never had the opportunity to be exposed to.

Now that I've digressed....last night I decided rather than define a Spartan, I would make a list (imagine me making a list - who would have thunk it) of Spartan characteristics.