Counting Down

Mr. David visited us in the classroom last week! It was a surprise to me, too. He wanted to bring me lunch before he deployed.  Then he stayed to read a book to the class. They were far more interested in what he had to say than what I have to say. 

Of course, when they walked in and saw him, they all said "HEY! Whose dad is that?" And when I said "Yeah, whose dad is that?" they assumed it was mine. I always have to explain to my students that Mr. David is not my dad.  But it never fails; I still get a kick out of their 'dad' generalizations. 

One kid said "I think it's Greyden's dad." I said, "You know, that's a good guess, because Greyden's dad also wears a flight suit." Greyden's eyes got wide and he said "Yeah, but THAT'S NOT HIM!"

That was last week. 

And then a few days passed, and I moped around the house every time I saw these:

...knowing that our time was down to 2 days. 36 hours. 10 hours. 2 hours. I always try not to count down the time left, but it's so hard to stay in the moment. You know your favorite person has to leave. And you know you have to stay.

We celebrated his birthday over the weekend since it'll actually happen when he's gone. Oh hey, Smallcakes sampler pack. (Yes, this did necessitate three photos.)

On Tuesday morning, I dropped him off.

Now I'm counting down again. This time, until he returns. 

Welcome HOME!

Here's what people don't tell you about when your husband is returning from a deployment:

(1) You won't be able to sleep the night before he returns. You will either be really excited, or excessively vacuuming.

(2) You will be so excited when it's time to get him at 5am and simultaneously tired from running on 30 minutes of sleep... that you will accidentally lock yourself out of the house without your car keys.

OKOKOK. Number two is likely only a Sam problem, as my sister was quick to point out. But don't worry. I used a credit card to jimmy the door (something I got way too good at in my old apartment) and was only two minutes behind the time their plane landed.

The house was ready and the bacon and brownies were, too! ;)

That sign is based on The Dating Diva's one, but I refused to pay money for it and decided I could make one that was almost identical. I. Was. Right.

I hate bacon. 

I love brownies.

The ol' classic, bacon cinnamon roll roses!

These are way simpler the second time around.

AT LAST!

Dear Veterans

Thank you, Mom and Dad.

Thank you, David.

Thank you, Dad Richardson.

Thank you, Ed.

Thank you, active, retired, reservist and former members of our nation's armed forces.

Thank you for the struggles you went and continue to go through. For the training, the distance from family, the danger you willingly enter. For us. For our nation and the freedom we enjoy each day.

Thank you for being our real-life superheroes.

And thank you, military spouses. Our homefront warriors. 

Although Veteran's Day has always been a holiday close to my heart because of my parents and the sacrifices they went through as Army soldiers, this year it's even more significant.  I know my sister feels the same. David and I got four months as newlyweds before he left for his first deployment.  Ed and Mandy got eight months before Ed left for his. 

 Ed (Navy), Dad (Army), David (Air Force), John and Cameron

The military life. It's a hard one, but it's so worth it.  It's worth it when you go to the change of commands or promotions and hear the speeches and shake so many hands hearing "You don't know how great your Dad is," "Your husband was the best in his class," "You're lucky to call this guy your Dad, he's helped with so much," or "You're lucky to have this guy as your husband, I know he's going to do great things."  (Yes, I know! But I'm glad all you guys realize it, too!)   

 It's always interesting to me when people say they have no idea what it's like; they've never had anyone in their family in the military.  They look at you when your eyes are puffy because your husband just left and wonder why anyone would ever marry into that. (But hey, people also wonder why anyone would want to spend their days around 21 five- and six- year olds, too.) It's a hard life, but it's a proud one.  It's an honor to have so many close to me making the nation's safety and security their top priority. 

Padre and Cameron <3