Homecoming

Today my husband's ship, the USS Stennis, is returning after a 9 month deployment, but he is not on it.  I can't stop thinking about how excited the families are feeling today!  Wives making sure they look their best and the kids are dressed in red, white and blue.  The posters and banners have been made and hung up.  Favorite dishes have been prepared and cameras are freshly charged and ready. 

This is the boys in 2006 making signs for Daddy

Then you wait and wait and wait.  Is that the ship?!!!  It slowly gets closer and closer.  The sailors are manning the rails in their uniforms.  You can't help smiling and jumping and waving even though you have no idea which sailor is yours!

2006 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Finally the ship gets so close that you can find him!  You wave but he cannot because they are standing at attention but you do see them him smile.  The kids in the crowd start chanting "Daddy!  Daddy! Daddy!"  You can hardly hold back the tears...

The ship sits there FOREVER it seems like while they tie everything up and secure the ship.  Then it finally happens, the only thing keeping you from your loved one starts to move!

Then the first kiss raffle winner comes off, then the new dads and you patiently wait your turn and then it happens.

Deployments are hard but homecomings are the best.  But at the end of January I had to send a Red Cross message to the ship to request that Darrick come home.  We have never done that before in our 17 years in the Navy but I was so very sick.  Thankfully he came home in January so we had to endure a shorter deployment but it was still over 6 months.  I am so thankful that my Chief is home and not going anywhere for awhile.

Returning Warrior Workshop

Two weekends ago Darrick and I were invited to attend the Returning Warriors Workshop.  It is held all over the USA but thankfully for us this one was held in Seattle.  It is fully paid for by the military and totally worth every penny.  We arranged childcare for the kids-Naomi went to Auntie Karen's and the boys and Oliver went to the Timmermans.  We arrived in Seattle Friday afternoon at our 4 star hotel and attended a buffet dinner.  We enjoyed our night relaxing in our room and watching TV. 

We had an early morning the next morning and had to sit at a table that we would sit at for the rest of the weekend.  Each table had one facilitator and then we had 2 other couples and one single sailor.  There was about 100 people total who have all returned recently from being deployed. 

There were presentations and workshops on the affect of stressful deployment situations, how to adjust back to life at home, but I think the best one was giving everyone a chance to share their story of what it was like for them.  This we did with the other members at our table.  They each could relate to one another and support each other.  The service members were called "warriors" and then they could bring a "Guest".  No one wore uniforms  or used their titles so that every one is equal.  Another meaningful event was the Banquet of Honor.  This was held Saturday night and we got to dress up.  As we walked in to the room we walked through a huge group of people cheering for the service members and thanking them for serving.  It was very touching.  We had a delicious dinner and were each presented with certificates of appreciation.

At the end of the dinner each service member was presented with a hand-made quilt made by a group called Quilts of Valor.  There was a huge table with so many beautiful quilts. Each person was able to pick the quilt they liked best.  Darrick picked a beautiful quilt that was very patriotic.  We all love it and it is very warm and cozy.

We are so thankful that we could attend and talk to others who are going through the same difficult transition as us. 

Delivering Smiles

Things have been a bit rough lately and strangely enough as the time gets less and less it seems to get harder and harder.  Darrick surprised me with a delivery of flowers and a very encouraging note.  I love him.

Twelve Wonderful Days

Darrick's leave was awesome! We left our house at 4am this morning to bring him to the airport. I thought I was holding up pretty well until Darrick got teary eyed. He has never done that before. He really did not want to leave. We did a lot in those short 12 days. Here are some highlights of the things we did. I will post about some of them in more detail soon.

Lots of cuddles and snuggles with Daddy! It was hard for me to get time in-good thing they go to bed every night!

Darrick and I got tattoos.

We took a mini trip to Canada to visit Sam and Darcie.

We bought our first house!!!

Darrick made it! He arrived home about 2 am because his flight was a bit delayed. I stayed up and waited for him. When the car pulled into our driveway my heart started pounding. I flew out the door in my pajamas and held on to Darrick as tight as I could.

The kids woke up one by one and came into our room. Micah gave Darrick a big hug. Darrick said to Micah "I missed you" and Micah responded "I missed you more". Naomi just cuddled and cuddled Darrick. I think Jacob forgot Darrick was going to be home. He walked into our room and his eyes just about popped out of his head! He jump on top of Darrick and just kept saying "Daddy, daddy, daddy".

We made it!

Waking up this morning in bed I had the most wonderful thought: tomorrow morning I will be waking up next to Darrick!

As I write this he is already on his way home to us. He will arrive at the airport tonight at 12:00 am. Our dear friend Josh offered to pick him up that way I can keep things as normal as I can for the kids and get them to bed on time. They know that when they wake up Daddy will be here.

So what are we doing today? Well everyone is crazy excited this morning which is how I expect most of the day to be. We are going to work on some posters. The kids are going to Auntie Debbie's for awhile so I can run a few errands and get my hair cut and blown out straight and clean up the house.

I can't even describe how I am feeling today!

So Close!!!

Almost there!!!

Countdown to Darrick!

Countdown to Darrick!

Countdown to Darrick!

This week is lookin good!!!

Days to Leave

Countdown to Leave

Days to Leave

A Big Question

Last night Jacob and Naomi went to bed early, because they were fighting, which gave Micah and I some time to spend alone.

He had had a pretty emotional day-not much patience, a lot of frustration and crying. I normally read a chapter out of a book plus a Bible Story to the kids in the living room before bed every night. Right now we are reading Where the Red Fern Grows. But since 2 of them would be missing it we decided to read a different book about animal defenses together. During the reading he sat right next to me and even put his arm around my shoulder. My heart melted...

Then he asked if we could cuddle together for a bit on the couch. That was when the big question came. "Mom", he said, "Do you think that Daddy has changed since he has been gone?"

I definitely took a moment to answer. I asked him if he thinks that we have grown and changed while Daddy has been gone. He said yes. I tried to explain to him that growing and changing is a part of life. Such a big question from a 10 year old.

But if I am being honest, which I strive for, I am a bit nervous too. Darrick left in August and when he did he left a huge void in our lives. In order to survive and cope you have establish new routines and ways of doing things-that don't include Daddy. So where does that leave him when he comes home?

We have dealt with this many times and we have found that the best thing for Darrick to do is be an observer when he gets home. All families grow and change so our routines have changed, as well as our ways of doing things, the kids likes and dislikes, etc.

My life is so much richer when he is in it and I hate when I have to live without him. Tomorrow marks 10 more days! I am trying not to dwell on it because when I do I can't stop smiling or seem to get anything done. Last night I had a terrible time because I am so excited for him to come home!

Days to Leave

Super Nanny

I have always been a huge fan of the show "Super Nanny". I have learned so much from her and totally agree with her techniques.

Recently my mom emailed me to tell me to make sure I watch the next episode called "The Merrill Family". It is about a mom whose husband is deployed for a year and she is at home with their 4 adopted children.

So many times during this episode I felt like I was watching myself. The mom would say things that reflected things I feel, like her belief that she needs to do it all and be perfect. She needs to hold it together at home so her husband doesn't have to worry.

The scenes with the kids crying for Daddy broke me and let me see what we are going through as someone on the outside looking in.

Then to top it off they have adoption to deal with...just like us.

I cried when the mom dealt with disciplining them and how that affects their attachment. I am and have dealt with the same feelings. It is such a fine line.

Please watch it, if you have time, and let me know what you think!

Days to Leave

Days to Leave