Since the "crazy orders" became a realization for Michael and I, I have been thinking a lot of how this will affect the kids. Jack has moved 7 times since he was born, this will be Molly's 5th school (going into 4th grade) and Gracie has never had the pleasure of returning to a school the following year. Kids are resilient, but there is a limit.
Michael had to leave for Italy for a couple days so it's been the 4 of us trying to survive without dad. Times like this you begin to see just how much help he is when he's home. Damn, I was hoping I would realize he doesn't do much and the time away will be a cinch...no such luck.
The three of them always hate to see him go and count down until his arrival home. They adapt quickly and go about their lives doing what needs to be done to make time pass. When I try to make jokes on his behalf to make us laugh, they ALWAYS side with him and turn the joke on me...loyal little critters!
The past two nights that Michael has been gone Jack has insisted on sleeping with the girls and they have happily agreed. At times you can hear screeching in the room fighting over Polly Pockets or Barbies, but for the most part, they get along. I have been lucky enough to stumble upon some of their bedroom conversations. One night Molly was explaining the World Wars to Gracie and Jack. I sat and took notes outside the door. She knew a lot more than me. Last night's conversation...godparents. According to Molly, if Michael and I die Gracie will go live with the Grants, she with the Rookies and Jack with Madison and Mark. I have to wonder if Amanda will mind Madison moving in to help take care of Jack or if Mark will move in with Madison:)
The girls got to come with me to pick Jack up from school yesterday. From inside the garden (playground) Jack saw the girls and was so excited he was jumping up and down and waving to them. The girls stood at the fence and waited there until Jack could come out. When he finally was able to come out the three of them hugged like it had been years since they had seen each other.
This morning the kids fought over who knows what but when we got in the car to go to school all is forgotten. I drop the girls off at school, hug and kiss them both and I'm on my way. Driving away as I look in the rearview mirror I see they are holding hands just as they do everyday when they walk into school. To me it's as if they're telling the world that together they can get through anything.
And so it hits me. They are going to be just fine. The biggest and best gift we gave them to prepare them for the next two years was not our superior parenting, but each other.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Playtime's over :(
Over the past 13 years in the military Michael and I have had our ups and downs. We have been through four 6 month deployments, and several week/month long detachments while on the ship. We have lived in 5 different states, 2 different countries and moved a total of about 8 times (that I can remember). We have been apart for birthdays, holidays, even Jack's birth (well, I was there he was the one that was missing). But now we are coming upon the biggest challenge the Navy has given us thus far.
Michael has been selected for command. Which is great news. Basically it means 1. the Navy wants to keep him around just a little longer, 2. He's still in the running to make Captain before he retires. There are several different command positions. One of which would be returning to P3s. However, Michael was chosen for something completely different than what we are used to. He has been chosen to take command of an Army unit in Afghanistan. His job will be to oversee reconstructing parts of the country. Although he is up to the challenge and will be INCREDIBLE at this job, it's going to be rough. He will need to go to language school for 4 months (in D.C.), 2 months of Army training (somewhere in one of the Carolina I think) and then 12 months in Afghanistan. As of right now, we have no idea where the family will be during his schooling and year in Afghanistan, but we will find out soon I'm sure.
To make things a little more challenging and sad as well, the Navy needs him soon. WE will have to leave Germany in October 2010. That means the kids and I will have only had 10 months here. We were thinking it would be 3 years. Instead of being mad or pointing fingers at the Navy, we have chosen to be thankful for what we have had. An amazing opportunity that we would not have had without the Navy.
I know we can do this. It will be a rough road at times, but we are a strong family.
Being in Germany for a "joint tour" I have come across so many Army families whose spouses are gone for 12 to 18 months. I remember the first friend Molly made told us her dad had been gone 6 months and she still had 6 more to go. I immediately thought, "no matter how bad our 6 month deployments are, thank god we will not have to do that". Ha! oops! These Army families are incredible though. They have been a source of inspiration for me.
And so...I'm starting yet another blog. If interested join me, I'll write the good, the bad and the ugly. It will be an interesting 18 months!!
Michael has been selected for command. Which is great news. Basically it means 1. the Navy wants to keep him around just a little longer, 2. He's still in the running to make Captain before he retires. There are several different command positions. One of which would be returning to P3s. However, Michael was chosen for something completely different than what we are used to. He has been chosen to take command of an Army unit in Afghanistan. His job will be to oversee reconstructing parts of the country. Although he is up to the challenge and will be INCREDIBLE at this job, it's going to be rough. He will need to go to language school for 4 months (in D.C.), 2 months of Army training (somewhere in one of the Carolina I think) and then 12 months in Afghanistan. As of right now, we have no idea where the family will be during his schooling and year in Afghanistan, but we will find out soon I'm sure.
To make things a little more challenging and sad as well, the Navy needs him soon. WE will have to leave Germany in October 2010. That means the kids and I will have only had 10 months here. We were thinking it would be 3 years. Instead of being mad or pointing fingers at the Navy, we have chosen to be thankful for what we have had. An amazing opportunity that we would not have had without the Navy.
I know we can do this. It will be a rough road at times, but we are a strong family.
Being in Germany for a "joint tour" I have come across so many Army families whose spouses are gone for 12 to 18 months. I remember the first friend Molly made told us her dad had been gone 6 months and she still had 6 more to go. I immediately thought, "no matter how bad our 6 month deployments are, thank god we will not have to do that". Ha! oops! These Army families are incredible though. They have been a source of inspiration for me.
And so...I'm starting yet another blog. If interested join me, I'll write the good, the bad and the ugly. It will be an interesting 18 months!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
