[bjc]

hugs and best wishes for dh and for your family.... this is when the computer, photography and scrapping really comes in handy

[PBarnes]

I can't imagine either, being away from my husband for a year. I don't see how the government can do that to families. Know that we are here for support Carla.

[CRS]

I want to thank you all. Dh has emailed twice so far, and is having trouble adjusting to the time change. He is 7 hrs ahead of us right now. But he seems to be feeling better (the shots made him sick, as well as several other people who got the same ones).

I can't begin to tell you all how much your warm welcome and comments on Lauren's (KittyPrincess) first layout have meant to us. She was in awe when she saw how many comments there were in such a short time. I can't wait for her to get home and see how many more there are today. She is having trouble with the separation already. This support and attention is just what she needs right now.

I printed out photos of the family and put them in mini albums. Dh took one with him, and the girls each have one with special photos of them with their dad. Once dh gets the internet set up, hopefully he'll start sending photos (I bought him a new camera to take with him) for us to see what it's like. I think that will help, too.

I really do appreciate all your kinds words. This deployment would be so lonely if it wasn't for all of you!

[tinkerbell11]

Hi Carla, I hope you know that you have lots of friends here to share with, we will help you thru this and hopefully the time will fly by, thought, prayers and a hug to you !

[scrapariadna]

Hugs, Carla! I can't imagine being separated with my hubby for so long, I really admire all of the military families for their strength.

[JoannB]

Carla, I'm going to add my voice to everyone else here --- and here is a for you and your girls. I wish that you didn't have to go through this -- and I pray for safety and peace for you & your family while your DH is away, as well as for him. And here's a big thank you for the wonderful work that he is doing.

[Sherry Lynn]

Oh Carla - you and the girls have been on my mind a lot lately - I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers AND praying for safety for your husband!

[SandiC.]

Hugs for you today, Sweetie. And for the kiddos. I think that's the hardest, to have kids with their Daddies or Mommies gone. I was gone for a year once too and it did have an effect on the boys. But as adults they now understand what it means to serve and to sacrifice. Doesn't make each day any easier though. There are a few slight advantages to being the only adult, like you don't have to fight over controlling the remote or you can sprawl over the entire bed. Not much, but as the days go by and you get more confident with managing on your own, you'll find ways that make life still be good. And he will love it if you stay upbeat, but still let him know how much he's missed.

[CRS]

Thanks for the advice, Sandi!

I got to talk on the phone to dh yesterday! He told me all about his flight and the base. I don't think he's roughing it too bad, lol. They did have a sandstorm yesterday that closed everything down.

I'm sending daily emails to dh, but leaving out the negative stuff or anything he might worry about. It still feels like he's just on another trip, since it hasn't been a full week yet.

I'm going to do some therapy shopping during the sale this week!

[needadietcoke]

You are amazing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

[no_idea]

Carla you are showing such strength and courage for your family. My prayers are not only for your wonderful DH, but also for you and the kids. Don't forget it is also good to let it "all hang out" once in a while, use us as a virtual shoulder WHENEVER you need us!!!!

[Smiles]

Carla,
Checking in and hoping you are having a good day today.
Hang in there!
hugs,

[CRS]

Thanks, Gayle, and everyone else! We are doing great. I can talk to dh more than I expected, so that helps. We actually ran out of things to talk about today! We're going to talk tomorrow so Lauren can talk to him. I expect Monday to be a difficult day. It's his birthday, and I can't talk to him because I'll be in court for jury duty! Unless by some miracle I'm home early, lol!

Tomorrow marks 15 days. Reality still hasn't sunk in yet, I don't think. We got fish for our new fish aquarium, so that's keeping me occupied tonight!

[bikeneday]

Carla, so glad to hear that things are going this well here at the beginning. It's good to get a good start and knowing you can talk frequently has to be such a great help. Remember we are all just a click or two away if you need us.

[jenrou]

Hi CRS, and all the military families. We appreciate you and your family members. I'm from a military family, and have one cousin just back from Iraq (2 tours). Since 2003 I've been writing and sending packages, but since all of my adopted ones came home, I've been making cards for the wounded. I belong to several organizations, and one sends a list each week of wounded military or veterans. The list is confidential, of course, and you have to be a member to do this. It is really rewarding to me, and especially when wives write for their husbands thanking me. Just knowing that you might have made someone feel better. Some send photos.
I really have a nice scrapbook of all the military letters and photos from lots of people. I get so grandmotherly concerned for them, it is hard on me, so I can't imagine what all of you go through.
Keep the faith!
J

[CRS]

Thank you, J, for all that you do! I know that the families really appreciate it.

[shellbw]

jenrou, on Mar 24 2009, 02:49 PM, said:

Hi CRS, and all the military families. We appreciate you and your family members. I'm from a military family, and have one cousin just back from Iraq (2 tours). Since 2003 I've been writing and sending packages, but since all of my adopted ones came home, I've been making cards for the wounded. I belong to several organizations, and one sends a list each week of wounded military or veterans. The list is confidential, of course, and you have to be a member to do this. It is really rewarding to me, and especially when wives write for their husbands thanking me. Just knowing that you might have made someone feel better. Some send photos.
I really have a nice scrapbook of all the military letters and photos from lots of people. I get so grandmotherly concerned for them, it is hard on me, so I can't imagine what all of you go through.
Keep the faith!
J

J,

Thanks. It's so encouraging to see someone taking the time to reach out like this!

[Syndee]

Big HUGS Carla! So glad he arrived safely!

[Cheri T]

I'll be thinking of you and hoping that time passes quickly and safely for you all.

[Leslea.Rhea]

HUGS CARLA - You and your family are in my prayers. My DH's unit is hearing rumblings of a new deployment - so we'll see. The only GOOD thing is I get LOTS of scrapping done because he loves looking at the pages. I'm here is ya need to talk or yell.

Take care of you!!

[CRS]

Thank you everyone! Reading all the wonderful posts of support really helps. We had a great day outside yesterday for the first time this spring, but Lauren woke up during the night with a fever. So today is going to be low key and hope she feels better. They don't have school tomorrow, so she picked a good time to get sick, I guess!

[Sara Arell]

Oh, Carla - been there and done that too many times - it is so hard - when my oldest son was three months old, my DH went PCS unaccompanied for a year and we didn't have the technology we have today so we got one phone call a month and lots of letters daily. Mark was 13 months old when Rich came home and believe it or not, he knew his Daddy, but we had kept a big picture out on the coffee table and talked to it every day so he wouldn't forget. His last deployment was to Saudi Arabia and it was probably the hardest of all - but we got through it with the help of friends whose husbands were also gone too. I wouldn't trade a minute of my military life for anything - the good part outweighed the bad for the most part. Are you on a base or with family?
My thoughts and prayers are with you as you count down these days to come.

[CRS]

Hi Sara! We don't live on or near a base. Dh is an AGR and works with reserve units. We live in our hometown, so we have lots of family and friends around to help. I have one friend who's dh is in Iraq...he is an AGR who used to work with my dh. I have my good days and bad days, but we talk to dh almost every day. I'm thankful that dh is on a safe mission, but I'd still rather have him home, lol. I never thought I'd ever say this, but I hope the summer flies by and Christmas is here before we know it and dh can start his leave!

[Sara Arell]

I understand exactly what you mean, Carla - you are fortunate though to live in your hometown - that has to be a plus for you. We had a calendar where we marked the days off and for the first three months time just seemed to drag by. Him not seeing the children used to break my heart - but I knew what I was getting into when I signed on and married my sweet GI, so I complained very little about it - our wives club was most helpful in that it appeared that everyone's dh was gone. We had lunch out, dinners, went shopping, and met for coffee so would "air our feelings." Lots of tears, but always a shoulder there to cry on too. It is great that you have found SG - it will surely keep you busy on those long and lonely nights.
If you ever need to just talk, I am here - some on over - we can drink coffee and talk.