So….this is the week I’ve been anxiously waiting for and you all have been asking about. I have avoided mentioning specific dates for security reasons. Terrorism is a real threat to us and we always have to be careful.
Keith began his journey home (hopefully) tonight and we’re hoping that he will be here early this week.
He will have 18 days at home beginning the day after he arrives and we are so excited for our time together.
I’m also a little anxious nervous about this time. I have started getting “butterflies”. The best way to describe this feeling is that it is a lot like going on a date for the first time. In my head I know I won’t be, but in my heart I do fear that I will disappoint my husband. It has been so long since we’ve seen each other and lived together. I pray that neither of us have unrealistic expectations. We have discussed our fears and anxieties over this and it has really helped, but I would appreciate your prayers for a sense of peace and a calm spirit.
Everyone has different goals and plans for their leave, but I’d like to specifially let you know a little about ours.
R & R leave stands for REST and RELAXATION. So, our plans for this time are to…rest and relax. Our goal for Keith’s leave is to spend time together as a family and as a couple. Along with resting and relaxing, we also want to reunite and reconnect.
One thing that has been a source of frustration for me is that somehow we are expected to have an elaborate vacation and travel Europe during our leave. That is not our goal at all. There is a military resort about an six to eight hour drive away that many people go to during their leave. While I think it’s perfectly fine and dandy for them to spend their leave that way if they so choose, I am frustrated by the expectation that we need to do this as well in order to have a good leave period. This is just not true and honestly, I resent the fact that someone else thinks they know what is best for our family.
One of the things that I miss the most during this deployment is just being a “normal” family. Having Keith, my very best friend, around to talk to and to experience life with is the hardest lonliest experiences in my life. During leave, I want to just spend time with him. I want to watch him interact with our children. I want to cook dinners for him, go on dates with him, and cuddle on the couch with him.
Some of the things that we plan to do during his leave are:
- Bowling – with the kids. Keith has also asked for pizza from the bowling alley here for his first meal at home. He loves pizza.
- Trip to Globus – Globus is like a German Wal-mart, only a bit different. There is a Globus about 30 minutes away and Keith didn’t have a chance to go before he left.
- Swimming at Ramstein – Ramstein is an Air Base that’s also about a 30 minute drive from here. They have a new indoor swimming facility that I’ve heard is great for kids.
- Daytime Dates – I am planning to continue taking the kids to respite care during Keith’s time at home. We think it will help them to keep their schedule the same and it will give us some time to have a couple daytime dates.
- Playdates wtih Daddy – Keith would like to spent a day with each of our children seperately to give them some special undivided attention.
- Movie nights together
- Card and board games
- And just have fun being together!
The girls are also going to have their fourth birthday while their Daddy is home. They have requested the same birthday cakes as they had last year, EA wants a strawberry cake and MC wants a chocolate cake. We’re going to have cake coming out of our ears!!! They have also asked to go eat at Chili’s. Yes, there is a Chili’s Restaurant at Ramstein Air Base. So, we’re going to have a fun family Birthday Day!
Eash of the children have also requested some special activities that they want to do with their Daddy…
EA wants to work on comic books with him.
MC wants to play soccer with her Daddy.
And Will wants to “eiahdoiashismah”….(not exactly sure what that means just yet, but I think it may involve some Little People or cars or blocks).
I am going to try to post a few times throughout the week, but I’m pretty positive that you won’t be hearing from me on a daily basis. Blogging is a hobby for both of us and we’ve talked about maybe spending some time doing that together. But I am also positive that I will have lots of stories to share with you when Keith leaves to go back to the dessert.
I am so thankful for the time that we are going to have together. I am so thankful that we will have an opportunity to spend it resting, relaxing, reuniting, and reconnecting. And I am glad that we timed it when we did. It has been a terribly long ten months leading up to now, but when Keith’s leave is over and he returns to Iraq we’ll only have a short amount of time left until he can come home for good.
So, I’ll leave you today with just a simple request that you keep us in your prayers during the next few weeks.
Pray that we would not take this time for granted, but will cherish every moment we have together.
Pray that we would have a great time reconnecting as a family.
Pray that both Keith and myself are able to get some rest and are rejuvinated for our remining time apart.
Pray that the children are able to connect and enjoy their time with their Daddy, but also understand that he will have to go back for a little while.
Carol says
I am so very excited for you and hope you have the best R & R ever. As I have told you, I will miss you, but I cannot wait to hear all about it after Keith goes back. I will pray that your R & R is so peaceful and just the jump start you both need to get through the rest of this deployment.
Carol’s last blog post..Is your journey your destination?
Stephanie says
Our prayers are with you. I think you will have an amazing time. I know how wonderful it is to be reunited with Mike when he goes on a business trip, and those are nothing compared to your time apart. It will be great.
Stephanie’s last blog post..Another segment for the "WHY?" files
Margaret says
I like the Reunite & Reconnect definition for R&R. That’s exactly what y’all need to do. “Normal” is probably more of an exotic vacation than a typical American’s idea of go,go,go and do, do, do. Good for ya – do what’s best for you and forget what the Jones’ or Schmidts’ want you to do. (hope those last names are generic enough 🙂
Ginger says
You are so right about R&R. That’s how we do it and we never regret it. It’s the only time you get to have a “real” vacation. If we feel like going somewhere, we do. If we don’t, that’s great, too. Just take it a day at a time.
sarah says
As always, I wonder at your & Keith’s commitment to our country and the daily sacrifices that you both make. The days will fly by and “getting away” is more stress IMO. I know you will cherish and value the time – so I just wish you every happiness, good weather and good health during this R&R time.
Donnetta says
I am thrilled that you will have this time together! Praying even now for his safety home and for true R&R while you are all together!!
Suzanne says
It is so important to do what works for your family and not try to fit into other’s definition of R&R. Duncan tends to be a go-go-go person, and I need my downtime, so we’ve learned to mix in a bit of both when we are connecting. Will be praying for you all!
Suzanne’s last blog post..Sick Day
Pat says
I can only imagine how excited/nervous you would be but I think you are right in communicating your feelings. By being honest and open with each other as you two are, I don’t think you need to worry. I bet time will fly by so fast. Be prepared for the kids to play you two against each other though and that may cause some stress. You might plan for this ahead of time so you will know how to handle any problems with them as a united front. (Just a thought, hope you don’t mind). I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and can’t wait to hear how things are going.
Pat’s last blog post..Useful Information In and Out of the Classroom 2/20/09
Nancy M. says
I can imagine how excited you must be. I think staying home and being a “normal” family is a great way to spend his leave. Your plans all sound really good. I hope y’all have a wonderful time together. I know the kids are excited too!
Nancy M.’s last blog post..The Worst Day
Maggie says
Oh Monica – Don’t be nervous. How could any man not be absolutely amazed and in awe of such a spectacular woman as you? Have an absolutely wonderful time with Keith and the kids. Don’t entertain any thoughts from others of what your R&R should be. Your plans sound wonderful. It’s what I would do as well. The vacation retreat sounds like something to do when you’ve got Keith home EVERY single day for years on end and want to shake things up with a little excitement…. not a way to pamper a man who has been living in the desert without his family. You guys have exactly the right idea! ENJOY!
All my prayers are with you!
xo Maggie
Maggie’s last blog post..ANGELS AMONGST US
Shawn says
Thanks for keeping it “real”… these types of blogs help us as my dh considers the Call to the chaplaincy. Bless your time together!
Shawn’s last blog post..Thankful
LifeAtTheCircus says
First, I am so sorry. I have been off the computer and out of blog land this weekend due to life happening around me. I would have commented sooner had I been on top of my blog reading.
I can not believe R&R is almost here! I will certainly be lifting each of you up in prayer during this special time. I think your plans sound perfect and so well balanced. If I were you I would want to do the exact same thing with the time together!
Looking forward to hearing about your time together. Until then will be lifting you up in prayer!!
LifeAtTheCircus’s last blog post..A Little Out of the Ordinary
homegrownstrawberries says
I am a friend of LifeAtTheCircus and found you though her blog. as I was reading this I was fighting tears. I am in awe of you. God has given you a strength I do not have. The Husband goes away for a week and I’m miserable. I think your plans for your time together are perfect. I pray that you can really soak in those moments together and that God will bless you and your family in ways you have not even considered.
homegrownstrawberries’s last blog post..100
Erin says
I think your plan for R & R sounds perfect! Enjoy your family time 🙂 So glad he’s home and you all get to do that!
Erin’s last blog post..Great Book…"No David!" by David Shannon