It still feels like a dream

Rob has been home for almost 3 weeks and it still feels like a dream. Its like I keep expecting to wake up, and him not really be here. Its a weird feeling, sometimes my brain keeps saying don't get to close he'll just be leaving again. Yet in reality, I know this isn't true.

Things have been great so far with him home. The boys are becoming less stuck up his butt. We expected them being attached at the hip to him though, I think they keep wondering when he'll be leaving again as well.

We got all of Jonathon's pre-op appointments out of the way, now we just have to wait until Thursday to get the actual surgery time.

Oh and I have a cheese....We bought a new car over the weekend! We were driving a 2002 Dodge Ram 1500, but the gas prices were straight killing our checking account. So we went out and got a 2007 Subaru Tribeca. Ours is gold, with beige leather interior. We love it! Went out driving yesterday, and was getting 27 MPG, big difference from the Dodge, in the truck we would have only been getting 16 MPG. I have some pictures, I'll post them later.

I have been reading a lot lately. Currently I'm reading "The moment of truth in Iraq" by Micheal Yon. I really suggest this book to anyone, its a great read.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

We are going to Canada!

We have been busy busy busy around here. Making plans for July, since Rob is on block leave for the entire month. We're going to go over to Spokane, WA for a couple of days and do some camping, sightseeing, and hit up SilverWood Theme park thats over there. Other than that we don't really have to much planned aside from doing local stuff. We are totally doing to the "staycation" thing this summer.

But we get to go on a really cool trip this summer. Back in April the boys and I went to Ocean Shores for a spouses retreat.

Well the Chaplain offices here on Fort Lewis got grant money to be able to hold several retreats over the summer. I had signed Rob and I up for one of the Ocean Shores retreats, but I received a call from the Chaplains assistant and she told me that we had been selected to go on a retreat to Canada. I was beyond excited about this. The trip, for a family of 4, would normally cost $5,000 dollars, but because of donations and such we (and 17 other military families) are able to go on this retreat with no out of pocket expense. Now I just have to wait until August to go.

Tomorrow we have Jonathon's pre-op appointment, and on the 23rd is his surgery. I'm so excited his surgery is around the corner, and grateful that Rob is able to be home for it.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

He's home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a few days late in posting this, but Rob made is safely home last Saturday. When I got the call from Rear D Friday they told me the plane was expected to land at noon and the ceremony would be at 2:00. Well at 5:00am Saturday morning I get a phone call from Rear D again saying that the plane is ahead of schedule and will be landing at 8am! I was shocked to say the least, and actually said to the Sgt on the phone "No shit" LOL, and chuckled and said yes ma'am.

I jumped out of bed, because of course I had so much to get done due to my bad habit of procrastinating. I remember I called my mom and was all excited telling her the plane was landing 4 hours early. The I hopped in the shower and started getting ready. Got the welcome home banner I made hung up, got the boys up and got them dressed, and off to the gym we went.

They had a live feed going, that showed the plane landing and all the guys getting off the plane. We spotted Rob a few times, it was surreal knowing that in about 2 hours we would be face to face. The boys kept giggling all morning. Then about 10am, we were told the ceremony would begin in about 5 minutes, my heart started racing, I was beyond ecstatic!

It was so amazing watching all the soldiers walking into the gym, people erupted into massive cheers, and tears were flowing from just about everyone in there. The boys and I even managed to spot Rob, which I might add is not an easy task when at a distant, they all look the same in uniform, luckily for us, Rob is quite short!

The ceremony last about 13 minutes total, and bam they were released. I thought for sure Rob had seen us, I mean we were literally in front of him at the top of the bleachers. But he didn't so as the boys and I made our way down to the floor he was standing in one spot looking for us, after making it down and going to were he was, he was gone! I was like oh crap, we're standing in the middle of a see of families and tons of soldiers, but I happened to look to my right and spotted him, he wasn't looking our way so I ran over to him and about tackled him. I honestly can't even begin to describe the emotions that were running through me at the moment.

He latched onto me, as quick as I latched onto him. We both didn't want to let go, but I finally broke the hug and the boys jumped right in. I have only seen Rob cry a handful of times in the 7 years we've been together, and it kind of shocked me that he was crying, but I understand the emotions he was feeling.

Things have been going good so far, he's adjusting to a few of the changes I made over the last 15 months, and we're taking it easy, not rushing our reunion.

Anywho, here are a few pictures.

Rob hugging the boys for the first time in 9 months



Our family is complete again!

Click here to continue reading this entry......

I'm a horrible blogger

So I'll admit it, I'm horrible when it comes to actually keeping up with this blog. There are so many things I want to write, but time just slips away, and I find that I neglect my blog.

I'm really trying to get better, and I promise from here on out, even if just for me and no one reads it, I'll make a post at least every other day.

I have so much to catch up on.........

Jonathon is doing well in school, had a few problems here and there, but not like before. His surgery is scheduled for the end of June, we're all excited to get it done so we can find out what is going on with his hearing.

Austin is also doing well in school, and has increased his vocabulary incredibly. Rob won't know what to think about him talking so much now.

Speaking of Rob........He'll be home before next week! I obviously can't go into to many details due to OPSEC reasons, but I'll be sure to post when he has made it home!

As for me, I'm doing well. Lost 20 pounds since November, and I really haven't even been trying. Just watching what I eat, portion control, and of course I'm very active with the boys and things. Been really busy with the FRG, and preparing for homecoming.

So there is my little update for now. I'll try and post again later tonight or tomorrow and post some recent pictures.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

How do you know its almost time for your soldier to come home?

You start cleaning your house like crazy, and redecorating, and reorganizing stuff. The house really isn't dirty, not much decorating I can do, but I'm finding little projects to occupy my time. Luckily we are into baseball season, and I have a lot going on with FRG, so I am staying extremely busy with those things.

When I talked to Rob yesterday, I told him, I really don't know if I'm coming or going half the time, but I love being this busy, its making time fly by!


The boys and I at Ocean Shores

Click here to continue reading this entry......

What a great weekend!

The boys and I made it back from Ocean Shores. We had such a great time. The reason for our trip was for a spouses retreat for spouses of deployed soldiers. The other 34 wives and I, were first group of wives to be offered a retreat in the lower 48 states, that was paid for by the Army.

The retreat itself was very nice, and the Chaplain was very informative. I loved the fact that he was straight forward when he was talking to us.

He covered many topics ranging from reintegration to commitment to his needs/her needs. The basic concept was stuff that is covered on marriage retreats, so he bounced around on certain topics. Rob's unit is planning on holding 3 marriage retreats a month starting in August and going through October, so I really hope we get the opportunity to attend one. Not that we have major problems, but it can only benefit our marriage to attend one.

Not all of our time was spent in workshops. The resort we stayed at had an indoor water park that normally isn't open this time of year, but they opened for us so the kids could have some water fun. We went walking along the beach, and even though it was really cold, I let the boys roll up their pants and play in the water a bit.

Here are a few pictures I took over the weekend.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

Laundry done..Check..packing done...Check

Just finished folding the last load of laundry, over the past 2 two does I've folded about 6 baskets of laundry (yes I was major procrastinating). Got our clothes packed for the weekend.

I was even lucky enough to get to talk to Rob last night! Wasn't expecting to hear from him until next week, so it really put me in a good mood, I love the unexpected phone calls!

Anywho, Rob send me this picture, and I just thought I would share. I love sunset pictures.




Hope everyone was a great weekend!

Click here to continue reading this entry......

A weekend getaway

Things have been busy around the house lately. For one we are less than 2 months away from Rob coming home, so things have been very busy with FRG. Still working on getting Jonathon's surgery set up, we meet with the specialist next week. Last week the kids were on Spring break. The weather was actually nice, and we got out and did some things. I took the kids to the Olympia Hands on Children's museum. This weekend we are going over to Ocean Shores.

Hubbies unit is doing a spouses retreat for the spouses of deployed soldiers. I figured this would be something really nice to do, and would give me a weekend break. The Army is providing lodging, meals, and childcare while I am in the workshops. So on top of getting a break from post, I'll get a few hours away from the kiddos. I'm actually very excited about the retreat, as I have never been on one.

I know that Rob's brigade is planning on doing a few marriage retreats after they get back from deployment, so Rob and I talked about probably signing up for one. Over the course of this deployment we have both realized we need to communicate better with each other. No major problems in our marriage, but a retreat would be nice, and can only benefit us.

Anyways, here a few pictures from the Children's museum.

My future Radiologist



Perhaps he'll work on the barges?



Just the 3 of us (they never cooperate for pics)

Click here to continue reading this entry......

6 years later

I almost can't believe it, we have been married 6 years today. Last year, Rob left 2 days before our 5th anniversary, and of course he isn't home this year. I told him yesterday that perhaps next year we will actually be together for our anniversary.


Anyways here's a picture of us on our wedding day.




And here is one of us back in September when he was home on R&R




Its amazing to see how much we have changed in looks over the years.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

I just want to give up

I really would never give up, but today, I just really felt like giving up. Out of no where, my oldest son has started having behavior problems. Only the problems are not at home, they are at school. Out of the blue, he has started refusing to do his work, crying, screaming, crawling under his desk, kicking the desk, just all around acting out.

I have been working with the teachers, principal and school counselor to try and figure out the problem, and they have been great on working with me and Jo, but we have reached a point that we have no clue why this has come about.

I made Jo an appointment to go see a counselor, so I'm really hoping that they will be able to help us sort this out.

Last night, Rob called again, and Jo talked to him for about 25 minutes, thats the most they have talked since Rob was home back in September. I was in the kitchen doing dishes and I heard Jo tell his dad that it makes him sad they he missed Christmas, and that he is missing is birthday(its on Saturday) that he'll probably miss his 1st grade graduation, and he missed his whole first year of being in Cub Scouts.

I felt really bad for Rob, Jo just really gave him a guilt trip. Yet at the same time, I know Rob understands that Jo just really needs to vent about this deployment. Which leads me to think, that although I don't think this deployment is the root of all the problems Jo is having, I think its a big part of the problem.

I stop and think how much this deployment has wore me down, and gotten the best of me on more than one occasion, I can only imagine what it does to kids, and especially mine right now. I mean I see how it effects my kids, but most times they won't open up and express what they are feeling, I on the other hand will give you an ear full if you ask me. We are only about 11 months into this deployment, with less than 5 to go, but to the kids, its still an eternity to them.

At any rate, I really hope putting Jo in counseling will help him, I feel so helpless as a mother, because I don't know what to do.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

A Great Surprise.....

No Rob didn't magically appear on the doorstep today, although secretly I was wishing he would have. However, I'll settle for what I got. Rob and his guys are out at the patrol base so none of us were expecting a call. Well around 3:30 I was walking to my neighbors house when my phone rang, I figured it was just someone in Rob's family calling to tell me Happy Thanksgiving. Much to my surprise, it was Rob! I was on cloud nine. The boys got to talk to him and I put him on speaker phone so everyone could tell him happy thanksgiving and he could tell them.

It was such an awesome thing, especially since I was kind of feeling down with Rob not being here.

Speaking of Rob's family, not one of them called, not like I'm totally shocked or anything. They really haven't called in the past 8 months, not sure why I expected them to. But when I stop and think about it, its quite sad that my husband, who is umpteen thousand miles away called me, yet they couldn't? Eh....whatever.

I had planned on doing this well thought out blog about everything I am thankful for, but if you knew me, you'd know that I'm not quite that type of person. But I will share a few things I am grateful for.

• God allowed me to wake up this morning
• My kids are happy and healthy
• My dad survived his massive heart attack last year.
Without him, I would be lost
• My husband was able to call me
• My husband is healthy and thus far is unharmed
• I have a great and understanding family
• I have a great set of friends who are there for me no matter what

I have plenty more to be grateful for, but I'll share those later, after all, today isn't the only day I have to be grateful for things.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

After 18 wonderful days.....

The time came for the boys and I to put Rob back on a plane bound for the Middle East. I'm not even sure how to describe what I'm feeling right now. I think with the holidays coming up, it is really going to be a trying time. Although we are a military family, and separations happen quite frequently, Rob has some how always been home for the holidays.

I guess the only positive thought I have right now, the next time we see Rob, it will be for good, we won't have to give him up 18 days later.

R&R was wonderful, yet awful at the same time. It is such a tease, "here ya go, have your soldier, get used to him being around, but you have to give him back up so he can go back to Iraq and put his life back on the line." Yes I know, this is what he chose to do, but it doesn't make it any easier.

Jonathon asked me when daddy would be home again. I asked him if he wanted the truth or lie, he of course wanted to know the truth, so I told him sometime after 1st grade is over, thats when daddy will be back home. His reply was "holy smokes mom thats a long time"

I managed to snap a few pictures among the hugs, kisses, and I will miss yous'. That and trying to have our "alone" time in the airport. All the people waiting to board the plane were just watching us, really kind of made me feel weird, seeing people, men and women watching us, and wiping tears away from their own eyes as Rob was saying "see ya later" to the boys. Then came the last set of hugs, and the boys latched onto him and didn't want to let go. I must admit, I did the same thing. I even offered to break his legs so he didn't have to go back, he kindly objected to my idea, can't say that I blame him. Anyways, here are two pictures I got this morning.


Rob pointing at us and he telling us he loved us before walking down the ramp



The boys watching as daddy's plane was backing up and going toward the runway

Click here to continue reading this entry......

Yup, I'm boring!

So its Saturday night, can you guess what I did tonight? I went Grocery Shopping Yup thats right! I went shopping with my neighbor and her husband, and about half way through he proceeded to say "man Amie you are really getting old, shopping on a Saturday night, welcome to the old people club" Ummm excuse me, I'm only 26, that is soooooooooo not old. But that is a way to sink me into depression! Shesh, if Rob were here we probably would have been hanging out at home, or would have taken the boys to dinner or something, anything aside from grocery shopping.

This weekend really hasn't been that bad, however I am bouncing off the walls! Well not really, that would hurt, and the last thing I want to do is spend umpteen hours in the ER for a broken bone or something. Before this month is over, I will have my husband in my arms! I am beyond ecstatic! Of course its the Army, and we don't have an exact date just yet, but its getting close! Very close!

This afternoon, I went with my neighbor and her family to her uncles cookout. We had a good time. Her uncle is in a band, so there was live music, good food, and some cool people. The boys were excited as well, they had horses and dogs, and a go cart thing that I got stuck driving with about 8 kids sitting in the back.

Tomorrow I am going back to my neighbors(can you tell I spend quite a bit of time there? Yeah they keep me company while Rob is gone) and we are grilling out and she is making a cake, because tomorrow is her youngest sons birthday.

Speaking of birthdays, my friend got me an ice cream maker! I was totally stoked when she gave it to me! Also, tomorrow when she makes the cake, she is putting my name on it as well...I told her I wanted my own cake, but nooooooo, I have to share a cake with her son. I'm totally kidding, well not about the sharing the cake thing, but I really didn't want my own.

Then on Monday, Austin(my youngest son) starts school. Jonathon(my oldest) started last Wednesday. I will have a whole two and half hours all to myself each day And for the next few weeks until Rob gets home, I will be using that time to clean, clean, and clean some more to get everything ready for him.

I've been trying to do things to keep the boys and I busy, so on Tuesday we are going to do the Freedom Walk. I am really excited about participating in this, and I really think the boys and I will enjoy ourselves.

Lately, its been all about keeping the boys and I occupied for the next couple weeks till daddy gets home, but I'm really not used to all this running, and sometimes feel like I'm running us ragged. At least, we are having a good time, and doing stuff for good causes.

Click here to continue reading this entry......

I think I figured it out

Well part of it anyways. I think I have figured out why my emotions are going crazy as all get out right now.

Rob will be home for R&R in less than 30 days. And while I am thrilled about it, at the same time I am dreading it. Part of me wishes he wasn't taking leave, but I know in the end, I'll be glad he did. After leave, we'll have about 9 more months to go, I was so hoping he would get leave later in the deployment, like after the holidays. Thing is, the boys and are used to him not being around, as sad as that sounds, but since he'll be home before the holidays, I'm afraid we'll be right back in the funk of trying to get our schedule going after he has left, yet again.

And the second part of why I think I'm going a little crazy. All the wives in my neighborhood are preparing for homecoming. Now, why I know they have done their time, its just going to be weird being the only wife on the block still having a deployed husband.


For 18 days, Rob will be home, and we'll be a family again. But it will be short lived. I'm no more going to get used to being able to sleep next to him, and cuddle with him, smell him, then it will be ripped away from me.

I'm just really ready to throw in my deployment towel, and give up.

Click here to continue reading this entry......