Just in case you were wondering…..
It wasn’t me who stood in my kitchen in April of 2008 sobbing as McDaddy assured me that we would make it through this six-month deployment.
It wasn’t me who grieved herself for months thinking about things like the vehicles, the grass, the discipline, the icy driveway, the checkbook and all of the potential things that could happen while McDaddy is away serving our country.
It wasn’t me who felt like her heart was breaking into a million pieces as we tried to explain why daddy was going to have to go away for such a long period of time because of his important job.
It wasn’t me who watched with tears in her eyes as her boys counted out 185 m&ms so that they could eat one for every. single. day. that they would be apart from Daddy.
It wasn’t me who tried to put on a brave face the morning my sweet boys said their goodbyes to daddy.
It wasn’t me who quietly sobbed as she watched the plane take off on that cold, snowy morning in January.
It wasn’t me that praised God for the opportunity to visit McDaddy at his six-month deployment locale.
It wasn’t me who watched as her sweet boys were reunited with daddy after 107 L-O-N-G days.
And it definitely wasn’t me who sat in her big, blue, bloggy chair writing this post smiling as I realized that yes, indeed I am stronger than I thought I was, and becuase thankfully, we are almost finished with this thing.
But, I would be lying if I said it has been easy.
Or fun.
The truth is I have not crumbled under the pressure at times.
I have not cried.
I havenot whined.
I have not worried.
I have not doubted.
Oh wait. That was me.
Wasn’t it?
Me and deployment?
Um, we have a strange relationship. The only way to get through it is to go through it.
And, I for one, can’t wait until we’re threw with it.
We are just about ready to part ways and I couldn’t be happier.
Seriously.
——–
This post is linked to MCKMAMA’S Not Me Monday over at My Charming Kids! Head over there and see what other things people have not been up to.
{ 24 comments }
(((HUGS))) to you for making it through that and THANK YOU to your husband and his bravery and service to our country!
Sarah
Married to a retired Navy & Army Reserve Engineer
.-= Sarah & Kenadie´s last blog ..Not me Monday! =-.
I did NOT get teary-eyed reading your post! Wow, you sure are one strong mama! It takes a special family to be a military family!
.-= Mama Bear´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday =-.
Hey “soulmate”! I see you were up early and posted to Mckmama first–sleepless night???LOL I like your post and I feel your sadness for the “ordeal” that you have been through–deployment. I can also feel your excitement and anticipation of it being almost over. What a great feeling when they finally come home!!! That ALMOST makes it all worth while…
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Not me, Monday… =-.
Thanks to your husband for his service to our country!! I can only imagine how great it was to be in his arms again!! And also seeing the joy on your kids’ faces!!
Emma
wife of USMC veteran
.-= Emma´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday =-.
Congrats on being first this week! Your boys with with the M&Ms are so cute!
.-= Chelsie´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday =-.
From the bottom of my heart…THANK YOU for your sacrifice and service!
.-= Kathlee´s last blog ..Burdened =-.
I can’t imagine how difficult it is to go through that! I pray that your family will stay strong. You are a wonderful mom and I’m sure your boys will appreciate all that you do while their daddy is working hard to protect our country!
.-= shelly´s last blog ..Not Me Monday: Library Books and Milk Shakes Oh My! =-.
Absolutely the most touching NMM I have read in quite some time. (hugs) to you and your entire family!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Not Me Monday =-.
Thank You! To you, your boys and mostly to your husband for the sacrafice!
.-= Courtney´s last blog ..Not Me Monday! =-.
Thank You for your sacrafice!! We are greatful!
.-= Courtney´s last blog ..Not Me Monday! =-.
Beautiful post!
.-= Stefanie´s last blog ..Not Me Monday =-.
I feel your pain. I have been away from my husband for almost 5 months (for very different reasons, but just the same), and it is very difficult at times. I home your reunion comes quickly and is sweeter than you imagined.
.-= Drahdrah´s last blog .."NOT ME" MONDAY =-.
Hang in there! And thanks to your husband for serving our country. Most importantly, thanks to you and your family for keeping the home fires burning for our beloved troops. You are truly a hero!
.-= Dionna´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday =-.
Found you on Mck. Great post.
Thank you for all you do here at home while your husband goes to do what he does.
I can’t imagine how hard it is, but I am very, very thankful.
Great idea with the M&Ms. I’ll have to share that idea with a dear military wife friend.
Diane
.-= Diane´s last blog ..Not Me Monday =-.
You are a stronger woman than I and I really, truly admire you!
.-= LoveMom´s last blog ..Not Me Monday =-.
lovely post how hard it seems but how strong you seem as well Thank you is all that I can say I love the idea of the M&Ms this is a wonderful idea and one I had never heard of
Found your blog at MckMama’s. I admire you for doing what you needed to do. For putting one foot in front of the other and taking one day at a time. Blessings on your family.
.-= Angie Vik´s last blog ..Not Me Monday – Case of The Husband’s Hairy Toothbrush =-.
With tears in my eyes, and a very deep heartfelt thank you to you, your boys and to your very brave husband. God Bless you all!
.-= Jodi´s last blog ..Red Potatoes and Green Bean Foil Packets =-.
Julie,
I could NOT be more excited for you, girl!!!!! I’m thrilled as I know that anticipation, giddiness and shear joy that begins to overtake your days and make sleepless nights….the good kind this time!
The reunion phase is wonderful, SO wonderful, at first. Enjoy every minute of it. Do beware there is a point when in the reunion phase the honeymoon wears off and hard work readjusting kicks in. Focus on the joys and chalk up the aggrevations to exactly what they are…ADJUSTMENTS!
I’m thinking of you, girl. OH.. and s jealous that you got to go see him during his deployment. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard of that! Love it, though I don’t believe I want to see Iraq (where my hubbs is stationed) up close and personal.
I’ll be adding you to my roll, sistah. Feel free to inclue me in yours!
Tons of hugs and prayers for the days to speed by til McDaddy is home safely in your arms!!
Thanks for your sacrifice and holding down the fort at home.
XO
Tiff
.-= Tiffany´s last blog ..Can I get a Woooo HOOOOO! =-.
Thank you to you and your hubby for your service to our Great Country. A friend of mine has had her husband deployed for almost 2 years and posted this poem.
Army Wife
I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens
But I am in the Army in the ranks rarely seen
I have no rank upon my shoulders – salutes I do not give
But the military world is the place where I live.
I’m not in the chain of command, orders I do not get
But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
I’m not the one who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line
But my job is just as tough. I’m the one that’s left behind.
My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man
And the call to serve his country not all can understand.
Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.
I love the man I married, Soldiering is his life
But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Army Wife.
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Not Me Monday =-.
Aw what a great post! I’m so sorry to hear that ya’ll are having to say good bye for now!!!
You can do it mama!
.-= Luciep´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday! =-.
That just BROKE my heart! HUGS to you sweet Mama!! And your boys!
=-.
.-= Shop with Me Mama´s last blog .."Not Me Monday" Trying to figure this out
Awwww. (((hugs))))
I served in the USAF for four years, my husband for 26. My best friend, who is 30 with two kids under 3, got deployed to Iraq for six months, just got home a few months ago. I know it’s hard. But you CAN do it. You can you can you can.
Promise.
.-= Lori Anderson´s last blog ..Who Hit Me With a Sledge Hammer? =-.
Julie -
Hopping over from MckMama’s Not Me! Monday link. As one military wife to another, my heart goes out to you for your separation. It’s almost over! Although, I’m actually a little jealous – LOL! Your hubby was gone for 6 mos. — mine was gone for 18! AND you got to visit? Too bad they don’t let spouses go to Iraq — not that I would want to visit there! LOL! No matter how long they are – deployments are not easy. You’re a lot stronger than you think you are! And you made it through! Good job mama!
~ Jennifer
http://thetoyboxyears.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-husband-my-hero.html
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Not Me! Monday =-.
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }