Big Day

 So a while back on facebook I wrote that it was a big day in the Pettit house. A day that we had been waiting about a year and a half for. I then simply wrote that we were blessed and that I would write more about it in a blog later. Well, later has come and gone, and I still haven't sat down and filled everyone in...I guess simply because it isn't something that we normally talk about, it's personal (although I kinda blew that by posting about it on facebook), and some what embarrassing especially for Kyle. So I will attempt to do this tactfully, providing enough information to fill you in a bit, but not enough to embarrass Kyle.
I've heard a quote in the past that says "In war there are no unwounded soldiers." Jose Naroksy said it, I'm not exactly who he is other than a writer, but I think he is 100% right. I really don't believe that anyone can go to war and come back unscathed by it all. There are those with the obvious wounds and then those with the unseen, emotional wounds.
Kyle has been on four military deployments. We are thankful for our faith in God and the protection that He placed over Kyle while he was on those deployments. Kyle came home from each deployments, but not without damage. Some of his injuries like his ankle and back are more visible to those to look at him. You may or may not notice that Kyle has sleeping problems. But the other injuries are those that are not apparent to one just visibly looking at Kyle. Kyle hates labels and hates this diagnosis, but has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. He has seen a lot of things, things that are unimaginable to most of us. I often try to imagine what it would be like to be deployed, but really it's uncomprehendable.
Kyle has changed so much from the time I meet him to the man he is today. Some for the better, some not. I'm sure I have changed too, just ask him, but we love each other and and working through the changes in our lives. If you ask him he would not change his circumstances. He really believes that EVERYTHING happens for a reason, and just leaves it at that.
Kyle has been going through a Medical Board with the Army. The day I was referring to a few weeks ago was the day we heard if the Army determined whether Kyle was fit or unfit for continuing his career in the military. They determined that Kyle was indeed unfit. They have placed him on a temporary duty retirement list. This means in August they will come back and reevaluate his conditions and change them as they see fit. In addition they give you a rating for your conditions that they feel will keep you from doing your job. So the Army rated him on his ankle and PTSD. We also received his VA rating, which rates you on any service connected disabilities. So they rate him on everything from acid reflux to his PTSD. Because they rate him on all his conditions their rating is usually higher. In Kyle's case it was considerably higher and honestly we have been blessed beyond anything we ever imagined.
It's hard to write about, because like I said it really is pretty personal, but also it's a hard thing to address, maybe hard for people to understand. And I feel like I'm saying "Hey Kyle is pretty messed up. So messed up the government will be giving him a paycheck the rest of his life. Wow, we are blessed Kyle is so messed up!" So, maybe you can understand my hesitation in writing
We still have a few months left in the military as we await orders. We are expecting to receive those for sometime in February or early March. As from here we really no have idea yet on what is in store for us. Kyle has been in contact with a company located in Spokane, Seattle, and Portland called Peak 7. It really is exactly what he has been dreaming of doing on his own. Except they are already established and need employees and volunteers. Kyle could volunteer the rest of his life if he wanted. Really, now we are just waiting to see what doors open and we are listening. We are praying, waiting, and listening. We sure don't want to miss what God has planned for us next!
A couple pictures, totally unrelated:
 This is what we live and breathe at our house lately...trains. Gunnar talks about them before he goes to bed and the moment he gets up. Ryker loves the little lego men...but usually attempts to destroy Gunnar's train creations, so it can end up being very frustrating for me as the referee.

 Last night we went to Fantasy Lights in Spanaway Park. We had a great time with friends!