[CRS]

Well, the day finally came. Dh left for his deployment yesterday. He should be landing in Saudi Arabia any time now. The goodbye was sad, but not as bad as I thought it would be. We went over to the access road of the airport and watched his plane take off. He called from D.C. on his layover and he was all set for the long flight overseas. He met up with other people in the mission, so he wasn't going alone. That made me feel better, too.

As for the girls and myself, we had a quiet afternoon, then went shopping for a few things, and got my favorite dinner to bring home. I left my credit card there, so had to go back and get it. It took an hour to do all that, but the dinner was still worth the wait! We had a slumber party last night and watched High School Musical. Today we're going to watch HSM3.

I don't think the fact that dh is gone for a whole year (maybe 2 yrs) has hit me yet. Hopefully with all the technology today, I won't miss him too much. I know I'll feel better once I know he's arrived there safe and sound!

Thanks for listening to me ramble!

[scrappinchar]

Oh, Carla. I can't even imagine. Is this the first time y'all have been apart...or have there been other times?
This makes my weekdays apart seem like nothing. I will be thinking about you often...and ramble anytime you want to.

[kimmybutton]

((HUGS)), Carla! Prayers for safety, protection, and comfort for you, the girls and your husband. I'm thinking this separation will result in you and the girls becoming even closer to one another ... creating an unshakable bond ... at the very least you'll be able sing all the songs in HSM (he-he)!

[KBT]

HUGS!!! All I have to say is thank you. Thank you to your family for helping to keep our nation safe.

Enjoy what sounds like a HSM marathon!

[Zaz]

You're made of tougher stuff than me, Carla. Let us know if you need anything. I know I'm not the only one who would like to make this year a little easier for you. My friend, Debbie, said goodbye to her DH in February and is keeping herself really busy. I haven't even had a chance to see her yet. Praying for your family!

[bikeneday]

Hugs, Carla! You are made of strong stuff and you will more than likely become stronger during your DHs time away. You will bond with your girls and your friends and family too. With the technology of today, I hope you will be able to communicate with your DH on a regular basis. Hopefully you can SKYPE or somehow use a webcam - it is a great way to 'see' those that are far away. In the mean time, my thoughts are with you as you adjust and with your DH as he travels and begins his mission. Remember that your SG friends are only a mouse click away.

[catvinnat]

can't even begin to imagine what this must be like for you and the girls Carla - I'll keep you all in my prayers

My cousins eldest lad went off to Afghanistan this week she is really upset but put on a brave face for him before he left.

sending virtual hugs

[Ngaire]

Oh Carla as Carol Ann has said you are made of much tougher stuff than me. I'm pleased you have this place to come to, to help pass that time away. Praying that the time goes real fast for you both.

[Shelbi]

Prayers for your DH and for your family.

Hey if you ever want/need someone to chat with I am around alot LOL.

I hope that the year goes by quickly and it will seen like no time at that you have been apart.

[Shari PV Mom]

Carla, you are tougher than me too! I will also pray for comfort, strength and safety for your whole family. And I too thank you for your sacrifice! Big hugs girlfriend! Let us know if you need anything!

[Scrapin Pat]

Hugs Carla - I trust the good Lord will look out for your family. Please feel free to ramble here any time. We all want to help the time go faster for you. And thanks for the sacrifices that you and your family are making for us! Know that it is appreciated!!!!!

[Peppi]

You are a tough girl Carla! Many hugs from over here, let us know when you need us!!!!

[shellbw]

PM me anytime! I'm glad the goodbye went better than you thought it would. One thing I did was mark the days off on the calendar. Start of orders was day 1. I can see how many days we have made it through instead of focusing on how many more to go. That really helps. Love your shopping trip and slumber party idea. The modern technology does help with contact when it's available. I hope that it will be for you.

Good luck with this!

[deadeye dianna]

Carla, My prayers and gratitude go out to your DH and your family. I hope the time will pass quickly for you. Unload here any time.

[NS_Scrapper]

Hugs, thoughts and prayers for all of you, Carla.

[ManiakMama]

I don't know how the loved ones of military members do it, seriously. I pray that it goes quickly for you guys, Carla. Thank you to you and your husband for what you all do for our country and freedom.

[B&K Mom]

Carla, prayers for you and DH and your girls. I only had to go through 3 months...that's enough for me. Thanks for your sacrifice for our country and the safety in other parts of the world too. Post here anytime...even if you're not quite as "up" or "OK" as you are right now!

We love you!
Debbie

[CRS]

Thank you, every one of you! I heard from dh and he got there safely. It was late their time, and he was on a borrowed phone, so it was a quick call, but I just wanted to hear that he was ok. He has been sick, and found out that several in his group are, too. They think it's from the shots he got before leaving.

I love the idea of marking off the days on a calendar, but he still doesn't have orders yet, and may not for 120 days. He'll have email, since he'll have a desk job, and we've set up Skype. Dh travels all the time, but it's usually just a few days at a time. The longest we were separated, while married, was 4 months, when Lauren was 15 months old.

And, I found out my step-uncle is leaving for Afganistan next Saturday! My step-aunt wants me to check in with her regularly, since her kids are grown and out of the house. I have a lot of support, and I know he'll be safe, it's just hard being apart.

I'll be on here so much, you all will be sick of me!

[siskitkat]

I am glad that your husband arrived safely. Emails and phone calls will help. I am praying that both of our husband's will be home in a year.

[patsyt]

Carla, prayers for you, your husband and your girls. Separation is never easy but as you mentioned the new technology makes it a little more bearable. My mother tells me about her letters from my Dad during WWII being all blacked out when she finally got them and when my husband was on board ship in Vietnam he wrote me every day but I wouldn't get the letters until any activity was over which meant I'd get about 20 or 30 at one time with no word in between. Your digital scrapbooking skills will be a blessing too as you can document changes in the girls that your DH will be missing. Thanks go to you, your DH and your girls for the sacrifice you are making in service to our country.

[shellbw]

CRS, on Mar 8 2009, 06:21 PM, said:

I love the idea of marking off the days on a calendar, but he still doesn't have orders yet, and may not for 120 days.

Start your calendar marking with the day he left then. I started with orders because his orders started before he left.

[Jo Corne]

oh my dear friend Carla, I have no idea what you are going through, I can barely stand it when dh goes away for two days of business. I am so proud of you that you are dealing with this. You are a champion and hopefully, things will go smoothly for you and the family and, without wishing time away, I hope your time away from each other only strengthens your times together.

we love you and are hear for you honey

[podiumchick]

Hugs and prayers, Carla! Glad to hear your DH arrived safely. We are here to help whenever you want us!

[kazbar73]

Carla all I can say is hugs, kisses and lots of love and prayers going your way.

Karen

[CRS]

Thank you everyone! I just got an email from dh. They don't have regular internet yet, but he was able to tell me a little about his first day. Sounds like they let him settle in some. He's not much of a writer, so I'll have to wait until I can talk to him before I learn more.

Thank you all for your kind words. I'm really not that strong a person, but I've gotten used to dh traveling over the years. I'm handling things just fine right now, but it still feels like he's on a normal trip. I'm sure reality will sink in soon!

[Laurel Lakey]

Wow, Carla, I can't imagine how you're feeling right now. My heart goes out to you. But you're right -- with all the technology we have nowadays, at least you'll be able to be more connected to him. Imagine if this were 50 years ago! Thank you for being a brave person and allowing your husband to go and fight for us all. I admire you so much.

[varanda]

Carla, at least you have us to help get ya through.

I am sure reality will hit but thank goodness for the internet. I remember my Dad being gone often. And over 50 years ago before I was even a thought, lol---my Dad couldn't communicate with his bride. He was not allowed to due to his work. So there my mom sat, all alone in Alaska far from her home in Vermont, wondering (I am sure) what she got herself involved in. But she and my Dad will celebrate 59 years of marriage this year.

I always loved it when mom would make breakfast for dinner. She was pretty strict about keeping a routine, even with Dad not home, so those wonderful special times when she changed the rules were all the sweeter. Dad never would have liked breakfast for dinner. I hope you can build those times into your children's memories.

Draw strength from family and friends, your children and all who went before you. Thanks to all the military famillies who make a sacrifice many of us will never know.

[sweetaudrey]

Carla, you are an unbelievable woman! Just know that we all appreciate what a selfless thing your husband is doing for us, our country. I love you and know that we are all here for you! Give your girls a hug from me, and know that I am keeping your whole family in my thoughts and in my hearts....especially for the next 364 days!

[cyndisa]

Just know that I'm praying for you, Carla. And I'm thankful for your DH and his willingness to serve like he is and for you and how you are supporting him. No one around here will get sick of seeing you, so hang out with us, whenever you want! Hugs!

[A-dab-adu]

Carla, Bless you and your DH and your kids! Having had my DH deployed 3 times I know how it feels. I hope you get around to visiting your
extended family during this time, that always helped me. I also think that doing the SG52 will be very beneficial and will be nice for your DH to see it
either as it's done or at the end of the deployment.

Like others said, come out and play here when you can. There's a wealth of life experiences here as well

All the very best Carla