Day 118

I can't believe it has been so long since my last post!  Time is definitely moving right along.
Mark has been moved from an office to motor pool, so he is staying very busy, which is great!
He says time is going by much faster with more work needing to be done.  I'm glad he's busier.  I feel like I have so many things to keep me busy, but worry about his time crawling by.

Have you ever spent 118 days away from your spouse, children, or parents?   I didn't know exactly what I was getting into when I agreed to take his hand and walk the rest of our lives together.
 I do know a little now.  I know deployment from a family perspective.  It means keeping your phone by your side at all times, and running or tripping down the stairs when you run up and leave it downstairs.  Sleeping with your phone on the loudest ringtone, and silently cursing those who text at random hours that are not him.  Changing every plan when they do call, or having lunch with a friend and being completely ok with each other not speaking through the meal because one of your soldiers call. Sleeping with one eye and ears wide open because you are the "lone ranger", the one person to protect the babies you have sleeping in the rooms next door, or right beside you.  It's sleeping with a million pillows on the bed that always seems so small when he wants to sleep in the middle, but has now become huge and you need some space filled, with the pistol loaded and nearby.  Suddenly becoming the mom that will eat and/or destroy anything that tries to mess with her babies.  Becoming a part time parent to the kids whose dads are also gone, and accepting that these ladies who are helping you parent, will most likely become sincerely special friends, and then move within a year or two.  Making sure that you're children are emotionally full is another blog or book...
Keeping your own emotions in check and the worry for your soldier are uncontrollable.   This is just some of it, but I'm sure you may be able to imagine.

God knows what he is doing, and I hope that I come out with more faith.  I actually hope to be stronger, more selfless, bigger hearted, and more in love with my husband as well.
Right now I'm tired, yet hopeful that we are down to double digits before his return.  It's hard, we miss him and he misses us and everyone else in his life.
I couldn't imagine half the things that we would go through, and conquer.  Times when I thought we
weren't going to make it, and God laughed... apparently I knew so little.  I'm in awe, and so very
thankful that I am not in control.

We've started school, ballet, and football.  This makes for full schedules!  Weddings and family visits over the next couple months add to our agenda, and then it'll be our turn to go pick up our hero before we know it.  That day cannot come soon enough.

Goodnight :)
Sorry for my lack of posts!