Sad...

Well, we just left DH at the airport to head back to finish his deployment. It was so sad to have to tell him bye again. I'm so tired of the goodbyes. I can't wait till he retires and the deployments end... for us anyway.

We had a wonderful time while DH was home on leave. We shopped, we played, we ate, we visited, we just spent time together. It was easy to forget that it was going to end.

We were very lucky. DH had a conference in Virginia the week before his leave started and we were able to go up there and stay with him. It added a little to our leave time and that was a wonderful gift. Of course he was gone before we awoke and quick to go to bed right after dinner (jet lag) but at least we were able to watch him sleep and eat dinner with him. It was wonderful!

I feel that we have been incredibly blessed this month by his time with us. Remember, friends, to enjoy every moment you have with your loved ones. You just don't realize how lucky you are to have TIME, time with those you love.

Such a hard week...

Well, DH left last night for a 15 month deployment to Afghanistan. This is his third deployment in about 5 years.

I have to say that whoever came up with the 15 month deployment has never had to tell their spouse, daddy or children goodbye for that long. 15 months just seems like a lifetime to me. Knowing it is for so long just made it that much harder. DH will miss 2 of DD's birthdays, 2 of her dance recitals, one and half school years, DS's first archery tournament, and probably his first shave. I'm sure there will be lots more firsts as well.

It was so very hard to tell him goodbye again. We were lucky enough though to have him with us for 18 months between deployments and we had a wonderful time together. He of course wasn't home all of that. He made a trip to Afghanistan, and several to Virginia and Florida but he was safe.

We had lots of great family time during those months filled with camping, games, playing and lots of loving. The last few weeks were really hard but we tried to squeeze as much into them as we could.

So, we will continue on and try to get back into our deployment routine and get through this as best we can.

Prayers are always welcome.

Hello dear cyber friends,

It seems like forever since I really posted on here. I know I posted a little ditty on Sunday but it was just a quick note.

We have been so very busy. The kids and I are trying to finish out the year and I'm trying to get everything organized for next year. Plus we had our trip which kind of threw us off kilter for a while.

Then DH has been getting ready for his little trip to one of the unpleasant places in the world and honestly, it takes a lot of out of a person. It's a short trip but it just scares me knowing he is in one of those dangerous places. I won't rest easily until he's back home.

Then to make matters worse! They announced yesterday that the army will now be doing 15 month rotations!! YUCK!!! So it's not bad enough that DH is getting ready for his 3rd year long deployment, but it's no longer for year but for 15 months!!

I'm sure that those of who have experienced deployments know this already but for those of you that haven't.... the last 3 months of a 12 month deployment are hard. Morale is low, everyone just wants to get back home. They miss their families. They are tired and all they can think about is their count down and now they are adding 3 MORE MONTHS!!! This will not help morale at all. It's terrible.

I know, there are those of you out there saying, "You signed up for this! This is what you wanted. You knew what you were signing up for!" Well, all I can say to is POOH!!! GET A LIFE! You have no idea what it's like.

The other day my son made a comment about serving his country. I don't really remember what his comment was but my answer was this...

"You do serve your country and have been your whole life. We all have! We too, our little family, serve at the pleasure of the President (even though I DID NOT vote for him) and this United States of America. We serve wholeheartedly and you should be proud of yourself."

Military families serve without pay every day when they kiss their loved goodbye hoping that they will get to kiss them hello again.

Yes, I'm having a bad day today and you are getting the brunt of it. Better you than my children. This is what happens when I have to say good bye.