Yes, unfortunately, we are on that road again. That dreaded deployment road. Our 3rd deployment in 17 months. Needless to say, none of us are too happy about that last statement. But it’s his job. We don’t really get a say. So, here we are, buckling down, getting through. While I love this assignment here at Langley (there are so many positives I can’t list them all), Matt being gone so much was not something I had anticipated. But I try to remind myself that there are many other people separated for much longer. Shoot, he could have been gone for the entire 17 months I was just talking about! So, I’ll take it. I’ll still complain about it, but I am grateful. (Most of the time at least.)
Matt left out on June 5 for Guam. (Another thing to be thankful for…no combat zone.) I guess the biggest thing we have to worry about is them getting too many jets and men on one side of the island and the dang thing tipping! (For those of you that don’t get the joke, check it out here.) Of course, we don’t have an exact date for him to come home, but it should be the first part of October.
The kids did superb saying their goodbyes. The night before, it finally hit the kids what was about to happen. They were very upset about it, especially Mikaela. So, while Matt was up taking a shower before he left that morning, I told the kids that this was much harder on Daddy than it was on us. That at least we had each other! I asked them to be happy for him. To send him off with big hugs and kisses, but no clinging, sad goodbyes. And they did it! I was so very proud of them! And then, of course, I cried. But Matt’s used to that, so I don’t think it took away from the wonderful goodbye the kids gave him. He probably would have wondered what was wrong if I hadn’t cried! :O) But you can bet the kids let me have it when they saw those tears. And they haven’t let me forget it since!
As usual, we went out to the squadron that morning to see the jets take off. It’s my way of saying one last goodbye and my official “okay, he’s gone, get your rear in gear and deal with it” moment. It’s always bittersweet. It’s such an amazing experience anytime we can see the jets take off; but knowing that we have a long 4 months ahead of us before we see him again makes it extremely difficult. While we were there watching the jets prepare to leave, we were told which jet Matt was in. The kids were so excited to know which one was him and waved their little hearts out! And then Matt saw them and waved back. Talk about excitement for the kids! They were so glad to have been able to say goodbye one last time.
So here we are. We’ve got a long road in front of us, but oh how sweet the homecoming will be in October! And we have a lot planned to make the time go by. We’ve got wonderful friends here in Virginia to hang out with. And we are planning a trip home to Missouri in about a month. It being summer stinks because all of our fun summer plans with Matt are going to have to wait. But it’s also nice because we’ll be able to visit family for an extended time. We are already looking forward to it, which is helping the time go by now. And by the time we get back, it will be time to get ready for school again. Then about a month later…he’s home!! I’ll keep you posted on our adventures this summer. For now, just know that we are here and doing fine. Prayers for Matt, and the rest of the men and women deployed around the world (and their families), are most appreciated.
That picture of Mikaela is heartwrenching...makes me want to buy her some silly bandz just to cheer her up
ReplyDeleteLove you all sooooo much! You are the best mommy and I feel so blessed to know you. I'm also jealous of the trip back to Missouri...my big belly just won't allow for it right now!
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