[CRS]

Well, today is the 2 month mark. Everyone seems to be doing ok so far. The girls really miss their father and I've had some problems with that, but all in all things are ok. Dh misses being home, but is keeping busy in Saudi Arabia.

I woke up yesterday to pictures in my email from dh. Sec. of Defense Robert Gates and Katie Couric visited the base where dh is stationed and he took photos of them! He shook hands with Sec. Gates. He was very excited to tell me about it. He knew about it for 2 weeks before it happened but couldn't tell me. I was excited, too!

I want to thank you all for the support I've received here on the boards and through pm's. My family is trying to be helpful, but they just don't understand like those of you who have been or are going through deployment. It really means the world to me right now.

[elibar]

I haven't gone through this with immediate family, so I can't say I know how you feel. But I do know you are lonely and worried. And I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

[Ngaire]

Oh my goodness Carla! 2 months wow!! I was thinking of you the other day wondering how things were going but would never have thought two months had gone since you first wrote of you DH going away. Here's hoping the next two go fast for you as well!!

[catvinnat]

wow, thats 17% of the time already. Before you know it will be 20, 30, 50 and then you will be on a countdown instead of a countup.
My DH worked away a lot just before we married and I didn't cope very well - can't imagine what a whole year would be like.
Sending extra bear hugs and praying that the time continues to fly for all of you

[B&K Mom]

WTG Carla. That's really exciting about the surprise visit to their base...and that he thought to send you photos (big points with a wife in general. BIGGER points when your wife is a scrapper extraordinaire!) I can understand the struggle with your girls missing Dad. I went through that last year with our girls. Some days when they started crying, I started crying. Don't know if that was the right thing or not, but they understood that we all missed him a lot! I'll continue to pray for you as you come to mind! Hang in there. You're doing it!

[HeidiD]

Wow! That went fast! It seems like just yesterday you were saying that he had gone.

Although I don't have personal experience with deployment, I do have cousins and friends who are out. It's hard hard hard. Let us know what we can do to help - even if it's something as simple as helping pass the time!

Big hugs.

[Julie - scrapaholic]

Wow, 2 months already. That is going fast, although I am sure to you it hasn't moved at all. I don't know what it's like as I have never had to deal with deployment. My brother was in the Army but he was stationed in Georgia and we were able to visit easily enough.

You are in my thoughts and prayers and let us know what we can do here from a distance.

Hugs

[PBarnes]

I'm sure it doesn't seem like it's gone fast for you but it is surprising to me that it has been two months already. Hang in there girl. Sounds like you're doing great.

[pennynoel]

How cool is that, Carla!! I know the year my son was in Iraq was the longest of my life. He's in Germany now and scheduled to go to Afghanistan next summer. Pray that things are better by then. And I'll pray for your kids to get through it okay.

[CRS]

Thank you all so much! Time is going by fast because we are so busy, but if I think about how far we still have to go, it doesn't seem to be going fast enough. I pray everyday that Iraq and Afganistan conflicts will end soon and everyone can come home. My uncle is headed to Afganistan later this month and my stepbrother is headed back to Iraq in August. I can't imagine sending my child over there!

[Smiles]

Carla, thanks for the update.
I've been wondering how you are doing.
Holding good thoughts for you all!
hugs,

[siskitkat]

I am glad to hear that you are hanging in there and keeping busy. Keep letting us know how you are doing. Especially during the summer, when the kids have more time on their hands.
The time has been flying by. Two months ago, I had all the time in the world. I'll be joining you soon. We told our kids last Saturday. DH leaves for Ft. Hood the Tuesday after Memorial Day.

[Smiles]

siskitkat, on May 10 2009, 06:12 PM, said:

I am glad to hear that you are hanging in there and keeping busy. Keep letting us know how you are doing. Especially during the summer, when the kids have more time on their hands.
The time has been flying by. Two months ago, I had all the time in the world. I'll be joining you soon. We told our kids last Saturday. DH leaves for Ft. Hood the Tuesday after Memorial Day.

You keep us posted on how you're doing too!!!

[daisies803]

I hope you had a special Mother's day with your kids. I know your dh's thoughts were with you all day today. These separations are always so hard, but there is something behind them that makes us all so much stronger, even though it doesn't seem like it at the time. Hang in there. He'll be home before you know it and you have awesome photos to scrap.

[podiumchick]

Carla, that is so wonderful that you have made it through two months already. Keeping busy must surely help! We'll keep praying for safety and sanity! Remember that while your DH is away that our heavenly Father promises to be husband to the widow (even a temporary one) and father to the fatherless. {{{Hugs}}}

[JoannB]

I hear you on the child thing! Yikes. Carla, I just wanted to say that I think you're doing an AMAZING job. Congratulations on making it so far -- and best of luck as you continue this. No matter how you look at it, it is hard to have a loved one so far away, for so long -- but it will end. It will. and you're so right -- we're here for you!!

Love ya!

[CRS]

Thank you for thinking of me yesterday. The girls were horrible until my dad and stepmother came over. Then they were absolute angels until they left. I swear the girls have a split personality! But the girls made me wonderful gifts and dh sent me flowers. My stepmother brought over a delicious meal and we had a surprise visitor for dinner....a hummingbird! The feeder is hanging on my dining room window and he enjoyed his food while we enjoyed ours!

We have to be somewhere every night this week. We are definitely keeping busy.

And Susan, please feel free to pm me to talk. I've found that talking to other wives in the same situation really helps!

[Shelbi]

I have never been through what you are going through and I can't imagine what it would be like.
I am so glad that you can come here and get comfort and support from other people who do what it's like.

Thanks for the update.

[shellbw]

Two months already! It barely seems like it could be that long. Time does go so much faster when you stay busy. Definitely keep us posted, and pm if you need to.

[Sherry Lynn]

Carla - you and the girls and your dh have been in my thoughts alot lately - I can't tell you how much I appreciate what he is doing AND how strong I think you are! Hugs to you - I will continue to keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers!

[deadeye dianna]

It's hard keep up your own spirits and try to be everything to two little girls. You're doing a terrific job and I'm sure your dh appreciates it very much. Keep the faith, and we'll be here.