Day 29

Well, thank God it's been almost a month!  We're trying to stay pretty busy.  Hung out with mom a while the other day while she cooked us dinner, then went to sign up at the YMCA.  It's really cool that they offer  6 months free during spouse deployment.  Only some locations do this.  So we got our foot in the door there.... the kiddos have been swimming & I've done Wendy's Zumba.  It was pretty cool, I'll have to try that again!  Tonight I opted for a nap instead.  Haaaa!  My exhaustion may have something to do with my munchkins having to sleep on top of me every night.  Last night I turned everyone sideways in the bed thinking that they'd quit buggin each other & we'd have a little more space since that's how they tend to sleep sometimes anyway.  It wasn't the greatest idea, so tonight were back to normal, well... Something like it.

Ive Talked to Mark a few minutes everyday.  While it may be short, or hard to hear sometimes, I try to just simply be grateful that I hear his voice everyday.

Day 26

I guess it's been a while.  We've been pretty busy over the past week.  The last week of school, Cleaning my house from top to bottom getting ready for my trip home, Friday night with a friend and  5 kiddos, pool party at Kyle's teachers house on Saturday.  We traveled to MS after returning from the pool party and finishing up all of our packing.  Spent the evening relaxing afterwards, and we all got a good night of sleep.  Sunday we headed to church, and to moms afterwards for a cookout with some good friends and family.  Hung out there almost all day, ate until we couldn't eat anymore, and got some sun while the kids swam.  On our way back, we dropped Lexie off at granny's while Kyle and I ran to do a little shoe shopping.  We couldn't find the shoes he's been wanting, since it was pretty late on a Sunday evening.  Sooo, this morning, we had some awesome 7up biscuits & ham, then all ventured out to shop.  We heard the Nike clearance outlet had some good deals, but def didn't have anything we were looking for.  We headed to the Southaven mall area, with no luck there either.  Although everywhere we went Lexie was able to find something she wanted.  We ended up right back by target, and got the sandals he wanted, and a pair of tennis shoes for him.

After our shopping trip, we headed out to aunt Sheila's for another day of food and family fun.  We ate and the kiddos played hard all day.  Lexie has a couple girls around her age there, so she had a blast!  Kyle managed with the giggly girls, haha!  Didn't get home til late, got baths & now all in the bed... The SAME bed, every night since we've been here.  I'm thinking we're gonna have to reevaluate this soon.  2 kids who can't sleep without being all over the place at night do not belong in one bed with me! Mama may sneak out and find a couch to sleep on now that they're out.

I'm missing my friends at home, missing my hubby more, and wishing that he was here with us, or we were back home with him.  It's like that ready to go home feeling all the time, because what makes a house a home is a family.  Part of our family is missing, so it just doesnt really go away.  It seems like everyone else's lives are spinning a little faster than ours.  We don't stop, we keep moving. Sometimes it's just like we're moving in slow motion.  I was a little down last night, and before I headed to bed, I realized that God had apparently put me in the hearts of some of my best army wife pals and had a few diff posts at just the right time.  Love all of y'all!   Topped it off with a late night spill with granny, who's the only other woman that misses that man of mine as much as I do :(

We talk to him everyday, yes.  That's what I get asked most.  It may reassure us that he's safe, and it's great to hear his voice yes, but it's not the same as him living our everyday lives with us.  He received my package really quick, but his computer was messed up when he got it and started fooling with it, so he is still not settled in.  Not to mention the wifi turns out to be complete trash where he is.  I may be sending him a new computer soon, and some tennis shoes since he only took his running shoes.  He's also wanting his favorite comfy boots.  He took the ones that were supposed to be worn with multi-cams, but apparently everyone isn't having to wear those.

 Praying for him, and his comrades, one in particular is dealing with a horrible personal loss, so if you're reading... Pray for him, his safe and timely return, and his family.  We've dealt with the loss of my papaw during a deployment of Mark,  and the loss of Opa when his brother was deployed, and it didn't make things easier to have them missing from the picture, or waiting and having to travel
during such a difficult time.

 Soon they will both be deployed at the same time, wishing I was closer to my sis in law for this one!
Goodnight everyone.  Hold your loved ones tight :)

Day 20

So, the basic rule of thumb for a deployment is.. If it can go wrong while he's gone, it will
So far, so good for us.  My friends over the past month have had car troubles,  appliance problems, and a trip to the ER with a child.  Mine have had me close to meltdowns in the past, but now I've learned to accept it.  So, I'm saying all that because I took my big guy to the ER today.  Yesterday while he was play sword fighting, one little boy threw the plastic sword straight in his eye.  Well, if you know Kyle, you know he's pretty tough physically.  He fell to the ground and cried, so I knew pretty quick that it was bad.  After a cold paper towel & some Tylenol, he wanted food, so I figured he was ok.  Well, today after school he was complaining about blurry vision in that eye earlier in the morning & had a headache all day.  I would usually lean on my hubby's response of how he's a boy, he'll be fine, he's tough, it ain't bleeding, he didn't pass out.  Whatever choice of wording he uses for the situation.  (followed by a story about him and his brother when they were kids.  Those are some pretty tough stories to swallow, and I just pray that I don't get paid back for his childhood with my own.... ). Today however, since my hubby isn't in any nearby time zone, and I'm solely responsible for the kiddos, I made my own decision to be safe rather than sorry.  We pretty much sat there for over an hour and a half with an eye drop test for scratches, and told to give him Tylenol.  Sooo, then under your breath, you mumble about how your an idiot and your spouse is obviously the best.  So mama prescribed him whatever he wanted for dinner, and no PS3.  Instead, we watched our 5th Harry Potter movie.

Now, since the weather was supposed to get bad, we decided to camp out in the living room.  They usually cancel the warning about the time both of the kiddos fall asleep, and I'm wishing I could just get in the bed.

Had a quiet morning with my girl, and after dropping her off at school, had a date with Laura and another precious baby.  She stole a little of my pretzel, and crashed in my lap for an hour or so.  Makes me miss my little nephew so much!  Can't wait to see him in a few weeks!

Haven't had a great conversation with my hubby in a while.  It's beginning to really suck, but I try to remember that I'm lucky to even get to hear from him everyday.  We all miss him, and Lexie just wants everything daddy usually does.  It's pretty cute.  Just a few more days of school, and summer break is here!  Bedtime for now , goodnight.

Day 18

Thank God for time flying by already!  Let's see... Friday, Lexie had a friend to play with all morning, then we all went to school.  It was her last day to be the leader for the school year.  Now we only have 5 more days left this year.  Ready for summer, because I know it'll fly right by and be school time, football time, holiday time, and my love returning home somewhere in there.

Our weekend was spent with a lot of movie time.  Sometimes I feel the need to be busy, but sometimes it just feels better to keep my babies close and enjoy quiet time together.  We've never seen any Harry potter movies, so we've started watching those yesterday.  We spent a little time outside with friends last night and this afternoon.  Made it to church this morning, and my friend Jamie even met us there.  It was nice for us to not have to go without daddy for the first time back.

I have loads of tasks on my todo list for the next week before we head to spend a little time in MS...

Mark has discovered a way to get wifi where he is, but the connection/speed seems to be pretty crummy for the price.  Not sure about the route we'll be taking with that.  Maybe just phone calls an FB chatting.  The kids and I sure love getting to see his face and talk even if it is just for a few minutes here and there.  Still waiting for my evening call.

Goodnight :)

Day 15

When I got our land line phone, I explained to the kiddos what it was & not to play with it, but answer if it rings since it would be daddy.  Well, daddy decided he could use whatever phone he wanted & call my cell phone.  Lexie has been so disappointed that she hasn't gotten to answer the regular phone, until this morning.  Daddy had a chance to call her on it right before she left for school, and you wouldn't believe the excitement that child exuded!  For now, that's the easiest way to make her happy, hearing from daddy, and using or eating his "stuff".   I got her OJ yesterday, and after the excited shriek of excitement because I bought "daddy's OJ", she claimed she's going to drink it all before he gets home.  I sure hope she does...

He's doing good.  I was way off when I thought he was in extreme heat already.  Apparently he's around a bunch of mountains & it's chilly.  He's requesting a blanket.  I'm back to my theory that he's obviously going to be eating deodorant.  I did send some off today.  Four sticks of that, and his computer & hard drive so he has movies to watch in his "cage", as he calls it.
I had to pause from writing because he just called to talk to Kyle...

Laura and I ran our errands together today & then went for a quick lunch instead of our usual gym time.  The best part of the day was driving  down the road & seeing this guy eating a huge carrot.  Maybe it was one of those moments where you just had to be there... but that was hilarious!  Who digs through the fridge in the morning and grabs a giant carrot to take for lunch?!  Sheesh... Topped the day off with some outside play/chat time with my neighbor buddies & kids. We got in a little later than I wanted, but got Lex a bath & ate leftover red beans & rice from last night.  Kyle finished up some reading work, and they both went to bed.  Mama had to watch the season finale of Grey's Anatomy.

 Not sure about our weekend plans yet... We'll have a busy day tomorrow!  Emma's coming to hang out in the morning before school, and Lexie is the leader tomorrow.  That means mama will probably go to school with her.  She likes me to come watch her get to work the board :)  I'm gonna miss her being in pre-k!

Missing my love... AND almost punched a guy at the post office today for calling me a "rookie" because I asked him the best way to write the last part of the address in on my customs form.  In my head, he had a black eye and maybe a slight ass chewing for assuming ... but I politely laughed it off, and just explained that it had been a couple years since I had to fill one out.   Now that I think about it, maybe that totally should have been taken as a compliment.  That I looked young enough to be married to one of these young soldiers on their first deployment.  Hmmm

Off to bed, goodnight!

Day 13

So Mother nature... are we safe to actually put away our winter stuff now that it's the middle of May????  Sheesh..

It has been almost 2 weeks since we dropped the hero of our family off, and he has FINALLY made it to his destination.  If anyone would like to send goodies or a letter or whatever else, get in touch with me for his address.  He likes to get where he's going and scope things out before I send out a box.  For instance, the PX/shopping area has a very limited stock.  They don't carry his deodorant, so I will be sending a ton of that soon before it gets any warmer outside!  He left with 3 sticks.  I personally think he may eat deodorant over there instead of the wonderful dfac chow they have available over there.  Either way, he says he'll be out of that soon.  I feel bad that he's headed over going into the dead heat of summer.  Also the fact that he's in the middle of nowhere is a bit unsettling.


 He called me from somewhere in the middle of the night, and then decided to facetime!  Crazy man, I'm glad he loves me when I'm not all gussied up!!  I'm  pretty sure he just talked to me in the dark for a few minutes before it dawned on me that I'd have to turn a lamp on for him to see.  He's gonna have to figure out our time difference soon, or I'm gonna have to be much more flexible with my sleep schedule.  haa!  He has no wireless internet at his new location, so he'll have to use the MWR for computer and phone time.  He said he couldn't use the phone unless he was calling a land line, so I went and got a phone today.  First I tried out my old one I dug out of the closet from my dad's stuff.  You know the one that you could see through... I thought it was possible it still worked, but no dice.  It's funny that we've had a number through comcast since we moved here almost a year ago, but I'm just now getting a phone and figuring out my number for it.

I was able to talk to him for a few minutes on FB earlier today.  Since he has no wireless internet,  looks like our conversations will be a bit more limited than we thought originally.  He seemed to be at the very least relieved to be at his destination, and getting settled in.  He was exhausted and doing laundry since all of his clothes were wet... He says he already misses me doing his laundry.  I told him I missed it too.... NOT!!


Our day was good.  We're settling into a routine without daddy, and getting excited about school being over soon so we can come spend a little time at home.  Lex got to go hang at Laura's with her friend Emma & walk to school this morning while I went to the doc.  Then I went on my search for a phone, finding an otterbox cover 25% off for Kyle's kindle!  score!!  Then after school, we cooked up dinner early, and hung out with the neighbors & their kiddos.  Taking advantage of the beautiful weather before all the crazy heat hits and the bugs become unbearable.  Both kiddos were bathed & in bed by 9 ish... I spent a little time cleaning my kitchen & doing laundry.  Now time for bed.  Trying to wait up a bit for that late night phone call, but I'm probably not gonna make it....

Day 11

Happy Mother's Day to everyone.  We've had a pretty busy weekend.  Saturday started out as a day trip to memaws to visit, but that morning my kiddos both just wanted to spend the night.  We did a quick pack up, and headed to Paducah.  For some reason, as quiet and sedating that house seems to me, my kids become these wild chickens when they walk in the door.  They perform and aggravate each other.  It's like a constant game of who can be the loudest.  We'll just say it was a full day of uninterrupted entertainment.  Hung out at Meme's by the pool, wishing it was warm enough to swim! Then a BBQ dinner at memaws with most of the fam.  Lexie finally got her turn to stay with Meme without Kyle a little during the afternoon.  Kyle and Aidan spent the night with her after our dinner.  Early bedtime for memaw, since she had no nap and a busy day, and quick shower & early bedtime for this mama & lil miss Lexie.  It was nice to be there for the Mother's Day dinner for memaw.  She wants so badly to have a house full of family.  Anytime she has a visitor she wants to make it a party :) gotta love that woman.

We got up this morning and headed back towards home after a little morning chit chat.  We took a scenic route and went through to see the KY dam.  We were coming up on the exit, and Kyle says, ohh, ky dam exit 27... So I took it.  Figured why not... He said  "Yes!  I've got like 12 hours to kill",  after asking I realize he meant til bedtime.  Funny kid... So we detoured a little.  Then took another detour because there's a house I saw for sale in the boondocks for $25,000, and I wanted to map that out to see how far from post it actually was.  How fun would that be for a project to stay busy!  It was beautiful around there, but a good 30 minutes away from post, sooo that won't be happening.  Anyway, we finally get home after a couple hours to drop Charlie & start our Mother's Day celebration.  I'm pretty simple, I love Waffle House, and hate waiting at restaurants... So that's our plan.  I remembered after all this that iron man 3 is out and we change plans last minute to just watch the movie.  It was a great movie!  Followed it up with a trip to Starbucks for last day 1/2 price frapps, where Kyle jumps out tOf the car to pick some flowers for me while being cheered on from the line of people waiting on their orders.  That was probably the highlight of the day!  He was looking for other flowers to stop and pick the whole way back from there.

The afternoon was fairly quiet.  Kyle went out to play with friends for a while, and then we decided we'd head to Waffle House for some dinner since we were too stuffed after movie junk.  Back home to build some random puppet thing out of a box that Lexie found in a magazine, then army wives & teen mom 2.  Now cuddled up with my baby, because she was heartbroken when I said she had to sleep in her own bed because it was a school night.  She thought it meant the days, so she starts crying and reminding me she didn't go to school today and she was sweet at the movie theater (I didn't buy that part of it) but her reasoning was so sweet that she ended up in daddy's spot for tonight.  

I missed being home for Mother's Day to celebrate with our moms, but I think my emotional balance was better off  waiting a couple weeks.  I needed the quiet this evening watching my shows, missing my love.  Only a quick call to let me know he was ok last night, and haven't heard anything today :(
Hoping for something before I fall asleep....  Goodnight all!

Day 9

I guess tonight it finally hit my baby boy that his daddy's gone & it's gonna be a long 9 months.  He said he was mad that it had been over a week and daddy still wasn't even where he's supposed to be yet.  I think he thought his time didn't start until he got to his destination.  Mark has been calling during the day while he's at school, but he called this evening and was able to talk to Kyle for a minute.  So, it was probably just him hearing from daddy after a few days and probably detecting the stress in his voice as well.  I know Mark is ready to get stable, and it shows when we talk.  We were at a friends house eating dinner when he called, and Kyle was  holding it together just barely.  On the way home, right as we pulled on our street, I could see the tears falling freely.  I think he needed a good cry honestly.  He's a tough kid, and all boy... but he is still just a little boy who is having to deal with his daddy being gone.  Praying specifically for Kyle tonight.

Otherwise, today was pretty busy.  Little Lexie had her first experience with diarrhea this morning.  I know you all want to know about it!  Haaa.... I wouldn't tell, but it was so funny that I can't help myself.  She was laying in the floor in the living room watching Sprout, and she JUMPS up, runs to the bathroom and starts taking off her clothes.  I'm watching wondering what happened, because it wasn't a normal situation.  As I'm in the middle of wondering... she yells, looking right at me with complete shock, "mama!  There's something disgusting all in my panties!"..........Yessir, she sharted.  I explained what it was and told her not to trust her poofs today.  So all day, after one more accident, she'd run to the bathroom and get excited when she did just poof.  Yes, we call them poofs.  She's a princess.... princess snot wad 

We'll be up bright and early headed to Paducah to see family tomorrow.  We're excited to spend the day with memaw & see everyone  :)  Good night for now... 

Day 8

Nothing much today, stressed from dealing with a little girl who seems to be even more strong willed and stubborn than before daddy left.  She's in her own bed again tonight, after playing hard for a little bit outside while mama's chatted.  The beautiful weather allowed us to walk to school & back.

Missing my love as usual tonight, but did get to talk to him for a little while earlier.  Poor guy is stuck, and just ready to get settled into where he'll call home for a while...
Bedtime for mama, I'm hangin out with the pre-k class tomorrow afternoon!

Day 7

Well, it's been a week today.  My army wife friends and I agree the first week or two are pretty much the hardest, then you kind of settle in to your own routine without daddy.  It's tough when the man of the house is adored by all of us, and he is what our lives usually around.  We're that weird old fashioned family who usually waits on daddy to get home,  and we  sit at the table to eat dinner together most of the time.   So I'm past the first few days of random frozen crap for dinner, and were back to dinner at a decent time at the table together.  I think I may screw up a lot... But I like to think that one day, my kiddos will look back and appreciate that I did make the effort to keep their bellies full with home cooked food & not mcd's every night.  That's one thing my mom always did.  I remember dinner at home way more than eating out or grabbing junk.

Again with the intention to getting back into a routine, Lexie was bathed & put in her own bed tonight at bedtime.  I don't mind her sleeping with me, but my bed is one place where she's not welcome when Mark is home.  Not only because she sleeps like a ninja on constant defense, but I think our bed is for us only unless its a special circumstance... So I'm not sure yet about what the boundaries should be while he is gone this time.  Last time she was a baby, so it was a lot different.

All in all, we had a great day.  Took some food to the school for the teacher appreciation luncheon, then hung out with the neighbors until it was time to walk to school, yay for beautiful weather!! Then it was more girl talk and walking and another park trip with the kiddos this afternoon.  We're soaking in the amazing weather while we can!  Home to cook dinner & fight a bit with my unruly child who was being quite a snot... Then back outside to torture our kiddos with some dead power wheels... So not done on purpose, but couldn't  help laughing our way to better abs ;)  showers/bath, and everyone is in bed.  My house is peaceful tonight.

I pray my hubby's day as he's beginning it is easy & productive.  He enjoys staying busy to pass the time quickly.  We had a pretty quick chat earlier, (at the end of his day) and he was a bit stressed, so if you're reading & praying..... Keep on keeping on!  Thanks y'all!  To any of you reading, it's nice to see the numbers go up and to think if even half of those people say a quick prayer for my hubby, then he's got a serious shield of protection!  <3 goodnight

Day 6

Well, my baby girl felt better this morning.  It may have just been allergy related.   Now she's laying beside me clinging to daddy's shirt...yes, in my bed again.  She did spend one night in her own bed.  Everything has been about daddy this evening for her.  I think she's had a long day & played hard at the park with her friend & Kyle.  Earlier while I was vacuuming after giving Kyle a haircut, she dusted daddy's tv stand.  She was so proud of herself, and saying daddy would be so happy she did that when he got home.  I wish the dust would stay away that whole time!   Then, a little later as I was heading upstairs to take a shower, she was laying on the stairs "looking at daddy's hats" she said. His normal ACU soft cap hangs right inside the front door, and his fav mossy oak hat is under that one.  My poor bug doesn't know how to take this all in, she said she's just very sleepy while daddy's gone, and for some reason keeps talking about moving back to Virginia.

We stayed busy today, kids went to school & I went to Laura's.. Until my other friend had a little problem we had to work out :/ thank goodness it was just a simple dead battery from a light her daughter left on.  After the kids got out of school, we all walked up to the Starbucks and met Laura for playtime, chat,  & half price frapps.  Gotta get plenty of time in with her while I can, because her hubby will be getting back soon!  (Yay for her!!!) This just means in military wife terms that everything will revolve around him until the "honeymoon" phase dies back down.

I actually cooked dinner tonight... Nothing fancy, just salmon patties, but at least it wasn't frozen ;)
My menu plans consist only of the foods that Kyle gets excited about having for dinner since he's the only one who seems to still have a huge appetite.  As for me, I have been living on spark & some random bite of something here and there.  Hopefully my appetite doesn't return until he does! Haaaa

Ended the evening with a shower & some cuddle time with my mini-me, and now waiting on a call from our soldier.  I Only talked to him a few minutes earlier while I was getting Lexie ready for school.

Day 5

Most people hate Mondays, I'm a bit of a rebel though.  Usually I love Mondays because its back to routine.  I catch up on the stuff I didn't do over the weekends that are filled with family & friends stuff.  Today, however, I was just relieved to have some things to do.  I'm ready to get through this week, and head to Paducah To see memaw this weekend.  My aunt Kim is coming in town too.  We'll probably just spent Saturday, and be here for church and Waffle House on Sunday!  That's our Mother's Day tradition :) this mama loves some Waffle House!  I'm feeling a little guilty about not heading to MS for the weekend, but I'll be back there in a few very short weeks.

Lexie seems to be acting out a bit, which is pretty normal for her, but then close to bedtime, she became a little clingy & claimed to not feel good.  Im thinking she may just have been smart enough to worm her way back in my bed tonight.  It worked... She was feeling a little warm :/

Talked to my love for just a few mins today while I was out shopping.  Just a regular phone call since the wifi connection was overloaded I suppose.  We kept trying to FaceTime connect, but it didn't work out.  He's still not where he's supposed to be, so still praying for safe travels.

Only about 265 days or something to go now...

Day 4

The first of many "longest days ever"....  We didn't go to church :( probably would feel much better if we had!  We talked to Mark a few different times today.  So cool that he can FaceTime me and I can just hang out and talk and we see each other & he sees the kids.   Last deployment we had chat and email and just occasional webcam, so him being so "available" is awesome.  It's still not as good as cuddling in one of our big comfy chairs & watching movies & our Sunday evening shows though :(

We miss him most on the days we don't stay busy.  Lexie was talking to daddy earlier and as he said where he was and he was still not to his destination, she says, "You're really far away, that makes me sad."  I guess she's thinking about how far our car rides and other trips are, so for him to be still traveling it seems like a long time to still not be there.    She's in her own bed tonight... That probably won't last through the night.  I'm headed that way myself...

Love that man :)  so glad I could see his face so much today!

Day 3

I don't know what I was thinking taking my kids to the giant tent today to see the pups outside of petsmart!  We left without the perfect pup and 2 crying kids.  Naturally they would need a living adorable thing to bond with since daddy just left... Something to fill the void.  Charlie is like a kid, I'm just not sure if we'd get that lucky twice, nor do I want to find out anytime soon.  I think we definitely need to spend some time volunteering at a shelter this summer so we can all get some pup lovin & not have to bring one home!

Our day started out attempting garage sales, but with the rain, you couldn't tell if people had good stuff or not!  We gave up and opted for the trampoline thing at the mall, some new hand soaps from B&BW, pretzels (Lexie demanded the little round ones with sprinkles like daddy always gets) from auntie Anne's, some new shoes, and some random stuff from target.  We also scored some shop kick points at several of these places!  Then Starbucks treats after my torture method at petsmart to cheer them back up & a visit with my friend Jamie and her new pet iguana >>so cool<<.

Got home just in time for another call from daddy.  He called at the mall too, but was just checking in, and getting ready to go to bed.  Our evening call is his morning, so he chats and then heads off for breakfast.  Thanking God again for use of some amazing technology!  Simple dinner again, corn dogs with a side of ketchup and mustard.  This means over the course of the day, my babies have had fruity pebbles, pretzels, mocha frapps, goldfish crackers, and corn dogs.  They may actually enjoy this, but mama has got to throw some nutritious food in their bodies in the near future!

These few days seem to be flying by... Even Mark said so himself.  Praying it stays the same! He's already in the gym, and I assume will probably need much more of his nighttime recovery pills with the crazy workouts he does!  I'm gonna have to find him a tiny funnel for his spark too since he didn't take ours!  Lol... Also, I'm a stay home wife/mom for a reason, so wondering what my hubby is having to eat & sleep & how he's planning on doing his laundry is exasperating the control freak in me.   Funny, I tried to explain to him about just separating some of his laundry right before he left, but then he informs me how it's done over there to my disbelief.  Needless to say, if he doesn't, I will probably trash all socks, underwear, and tan tshirts and just start over!   This isn't our first rodeo!


Watching paranorman with my mini me now... Kyle passed out watching the boring movie & gave up to head to his room.  Ready to head to bed and bring on another day!  I miss my love.  Lexie is once again in my bed.  Not sure how long is too long before I have to have her suck it up and kick her out... After discussing it with her tonight, we should probably just share the room.  Gotta love her...

Day 2

Day 2 is way better than day one.  Today, I don't wake up worried about how my kiddos are going to wake up and feel after the rough "first night".  My kids are strong.  We're used to days and weeks apart, so I think once the initial goodbye's are over, it's now time to settle into our routine without daddy.

  Another quiet morning, a little neighbor visit, school, gym with Laura (which is our usual hour of girl talk/therapy), home, and then all afternoon, dinner, and evening spent with our adopted fam/neighbors.  Good talk, kids played, made weekend plans & talked until the girls were no longer playing quietly enough for us to hear each other! ha...

  Lexie is apparently a bit more clever than I thought.... The other day I was telling Mark that I didn't think she really understood how long he'd be gone.  Our last separation was about 3 weeks, so I told him I figured she'll be asking "where's daddy?", "when's daddy coming home?".... all the time.  WELL, as were coming home from school, she's climbing out of the car.. she asks "Is daddy home today?"  I sigh, hang my head and tell her to please not start that already.....she replies with a huge smile on her adorable face "JUST KIDDING!"  Clearly she takes in more than I think she does.  I suppose mama needs to be careful about how she's helping mold these beautiful little souls.  Speaking of mama's ... Mine had a birthday today :)  Knew it was coming, still didn't get her card in the mail....  I JUST need to find my stamps!  I refuse to buy more knowing I bought some a few weeks ago when I sent my precious nephew his bday package!

   Working on laundry, kids are laying down... one specific is obviously planning to keep her daddy's spot in bed warm.  I was just folding up laundry from the weekend & the past few days.  Folding his clothes, wondering how his day is :)
I did talk to him earlier... we're still checking everything out with phone bills before he tests it out on anyone, but he's texting voice messages from a text app & calling from a magic jack app all done on wifi!   TECHNOLOGY ROCKS!  We aren't sure it will work right when he gets where he's staying, but it lets us know he's safe & fed ;)   SOOOO  Just so all of you know, he's good!  He had a good plane ride & some great conversation with a good friend for the ride!  They aren't where they're going yet, so we're still praying for safe travel ya'll & of course when he arrives...Going to curl up with my mini me....

Day 1

        Today is much better.  This morning, we sit outside with our neighbors first thing in the morning,  mostly to chat, but to also to plan out our schedules for summer with all of our hubbies gone.  We are responsible for each other.  We'll mow yards and check on houses for each other while one is away.  Most importantly, we try and schedule the time that we'll be spending together.  Our kids will basically become siblings spending so much time together.  We are each others significant others.  We'll call each other for grocery store runs, keep kids, cook for each other, ect.  We bond.

       Lexie isn't as upset today.  The shock factor has worn off, and she plays with her friends.  Kyle was off to school as normal this morning.  We took one neighbor to get her car from the shop.  Her daughter and I brought Lexie to school.  Then back home.  My house was a wreck since I haven't wasted time cleaning or doing laundry in the past few days before he left.  The time was spent with him, not around him... I clean, and force myself to eat a piece of 4 day old leftover pizza because I haven't been hungry all day, but apparently my body is.

        You know, sometimes you can shine right through the sadness.  I like to convince myself that it will be nice not to have that extra laundry, or not to have to cook an elaborate meal every night.  My kids are pretty easy to please.  I start filling out our calendar, to realize that we'll stay busy right up until the end of school, then plan to come home to MS for VBS!   Our summer will fly by.  I hope his time flies as well.

      The evening was topped off by a visit with more friends.  My friend Laura and her girls came to hang while their power was out.  So I got some baby lovin, girl chat, and Lex got to play with her friend.  Kiddos went to bed without fuss or fight, and have gotten along better today than in a long time!  (Minus that few minutes they played Mario on the wii... Lexie hates when Kyle gets any of the super powers & has a tendency to scream at him!)

Last I heard my hubby was safe in Germany.  Praying he's able to rest some....

Saying see ya later....

           We weren't very prepared for this deployment. In fact, we were almost certain that Mark would be staying here & had specific duties already tasked to him. That's the thing about us, we've learned in the 13+ years that nothing is CERTAIN in the Army. He got word the same day that he found out he was on the promotion list for 7. What a way to pick you up and drag ya down at the same time, right? WELL, guess what... we weren't shocked, and decided not to announce any of it, because it could change AGAIN! So we took leave, grabbed up the kiddos & His parents, and took us a little vacation for some family time before his trip. You can spend as much time as you want together, but at the moment when his bags are packed up & sent off that it was NOT enough time. There you are on your way to the drop off sight, you realize how quick this time just went by and silently pray that the next 9 months go by just as quick.

             

           When we get to the company, Mark thinks he's gonna be slick by making me think he's being dropped off around the corner. This, in his head, ensures that he won't have to stretch out that time where everyone is crying and so sad because daddy is leaving. Well, I do know better sitting in an empty parking lot, and drive around to the back where they have weapons draw, just because THAT good-bye wasn't enough, and I know we can hang out with him for just another few minutes. This gives us time to dry up our eyes and calm down so he can keep his "game face" when he sees us again and has to leave our side, AGAIN.

              

            So, up until this point, Lexie has been fine with the idea of daddy leaving. I guess in her head, he leaves a lot, so why would this be any different. Well, some flip switched in this child when we had to drop him off, and all of a sudden, THIS WAS NOT OK! She cried, and i cried, and poor Kyle tried to hold it together for both of us because when daddy leaves, he is "the man of the house". I brought them home and we all climbed in my bed. It took a while, but Lexie finally cried most of it out and gave up. She was out with 2 t-shirts in a death grip that daddy had worn earlier that day. All kids handle this differently :/ I'm pretty lucky.

         

             Now, they're asleep. I lay there a little overwhelmed about the next 9 months, because this is only the first night of many that we will endure. The first couple days are just travel for the soldier. A lot of sleepless plane trips here and there until they arrive at their destination. So the worry hasn't kicked in yet. That won't happen until I get word that he's made it to his location. Then it does. Then as much as they beg you not to, you set your TV to news channels, and start taking notes. You aren't only worried about your soldier, but his friends as well. The wives of his soldiers and friends that I'm friends with, and currently, my extended family. I have a super strength on my side. I have God. I pray, and will everyday, knowing that its all up to him. Knowing that he has a reason for all of this, and I have to make the most of whatever that may be. I pray for Mark's strength, and for many other things.

   

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