So…Keith is finally making his way home from Iraq. Yesterday he wrote about how he lost his laundry predicting it would take longer to leave Iraq than it actually did. Hey! I’ll take that kind of laundry loss any day!!
I can’t tell you exactly when he’ll be here for two reasons….
1. It is against security regulations
and
2. I really don’t know.
I do know that it is SOON and I have so many emotions right now, it’s hard to write anything at all.
I have been super busy this week trying to get things ready to welcome him home and I’ve also been helping to make the single soldiers returning feel welcomed. I feel bad for them because they won’t have family here waiting on them.
Our FRG group is baking goods to have available for the soldiers when they come in. I’m sure they’ll be hungry after their long trip. I’ve made several pans of rice krispy treats and brownies and Grandmother Paula’s Sour Cream Pound Cake just came out of the oven.
Oh, yeah, I’m also making a birthday cake for Will. An Elmo Cake! His birthday is this weekend, too. He’s going to have such a special present for his 2nd birthday….DADDY!
Little by little I’ve been checking things off my to-do list this week. It was a mile long when I started the week off.
Because I am so excited and nervous and anxious with so much to get done, I have been a bit scatterbrained. That’s how I tend to react to stress. I also realized that I talk to myself as I’m getting things done. The voices in my head have been busy this week!
The girls and Will went to respite care on Tuesday and I went shopping for something to wear when I welcome my husband home from this super long deployment! Because we all know that I MUST. LOOK. GOOD. I came home with three choices….I like choices when it comes to clothing. But I realized later that night when I was showing my purchases to a friend, that I came home without a tank top that is essential to one of my choices, so I have to make another quick trip out tomorrow. I am praying it is still in the store. God is interested in the little details of our life, right?
I have been cutting Will’s hair myself for months now. The last haircut I have him turned out perfect. Tonight….not so much. I have got the hair-cutting process down pat. After dinner I take his clothes off and strap him into his booster seat in a chair in the bathroom and clip away. Then he goes straight into the bath as soon as he’s done and I clean the hair clippings while he’s playing in the bath. He usually really likes getting his hair trimmed and sits so still. NOT TONIGHT! He did not want to cooperate and, well….it shows around his ears. I really wanted it to look just right for his daddy’s return and his birthday. There will be lots of pictures. But I’m thinking there’s no way it will grow out in time for that. Maybe it won’t look so bad in the morning…maybe.
Oh, yeah, my vacuum also stopped working tonight as I was cleaning the floor after cutting Will’s hair. Of all times for the vacuum to give out on me! I could not figure out what the problem is either. I replaced the bag not long ago. Maybe it’s the filter, but that has to be ordered from the states. Ugh!
I drank coffee with dinner tonight to help keep me moving tonight after the kids went to bed. But, unfortunately, caffeine doesn’t work wonders for me….I fell asleep when I sat down to watch the American Idol Season Finale.
Tomorrow night some of my friends and I are eating at the Rhinelander, a restaurant on post, for the last time of the deployment. It was a pretty regular event for us over the last thirteen months. Friendships always change a bit when the deployment is over. Our focus will be on spending time with our husbands, but hopefully we’ll still make some time for each other. I am so thankful for all the friendships I made during this deployment. We have experienced so much together!
I have been thinking a lot about the deployment….reflecting and evaluating. I am planning to write a post about all of that tomorrow. In the end I have come to an important conclusion that I want to share with you.
Thank you for letting me share this time with you….I am excited, nervous, anxious, tired, and so much more! Your prayers and words of encouragement have also been a help throughout this time. I am so thankful for this outlet, but I will ask that you bear with me as I adjust to having a husband at home again.
Shanna says
I am so excited for you! You have braved the homefront galliantly, and I know Keith is so proud of the job you have done in his absence. You’ve been a great inspiration to so many others, myself included, and I’m praying that the new transition will come easily and happily to your home. YOU MADE IT!
Linda@cookingtipoftheday says
I’m excited and happy for you too…. I’m sure everything will be perfect and you will look stunning… Thank you for letting me take a peek into your life…. you are an inspiration…. have fun and enjoy your family…
Linda@cookingtipoftheday’s last blog post..Just Wanted to Let You Know..
homegrownstrawberries says
I’m so excited! I have told everyone I talked too that Keith was coming home and then had to explain who he was and how I “knew” him. I am so thrilled that he will be there for both birthdays this year what a blessing!
homegrownstrawberries’s last blog post..Sharing a Moment: Playground
Kristi_runwatch says
SO glad to hear that your husband will be home soon! I cannot imagine what you military wives go through – thank you for it – I know it usually goes unnoticed.
I’ll be praying for you in upcoming days as God brings you to mind! I’m sure you’re son’s birthday will be wonderful – truly, what a gift!!
Kristi_runwatch’s last blog post..Free Fun Friday – nature prints
LifeAtTheCircus says
I loved this post as it was a fun glimpse into your head…felt very much like chatting with an old friend, which is def what you have grown to be to be. Will be praying for you as you check those items off your list…you have done a great job this past year. I am always impressed and encouraged by the wife and mom you are. I know it hasn’t been easy and I know I have no idea how truly hard it has been. But you have done a great job of keeping things real, without complaining. Your love for our Lord, your husband, and your kids shines brightly through your blog. It’s a joy to read! Your man is so blessed to have you supporting and uplifting him and your kids to have you patiently playing and teaching. Praise God for not just getting you through this year, but for molding and shaping you and growing you too.
Happy Homecoming! And happy birthday Will!
Sending many prayers and happy thoughts!!
LifeAtTheCircus’s last blog post..Pomp and Circumstance
Jenny says
Yay! I completely get the scatterbrained thing. The week before Jon got home, I frequently stopped and stared into space because I couldn’t remember what on earth I had been trying to do! I hope this last bit of time goes quickly for you! And remember – you hubby just wants to see you. He probably wouldn’t care if Will had a mohawk or you were in your pjs – at least at first 🙂 God bless!
Luke Holzmann says
Waiting sure ain’t easy. May the days go by quickly until he is home… and may the rest of his trip be smooth and laundry-loss-free [smile].
~Luke
erin says
Monica,
I love reading your posts…they always encourage me! I LOVE that Elmo cake, you’ll have to let me know how difficult that is…AJ loves Elmo! And cutting Wills hair…bless you, I’ve wanted to attempt that so many times, but they would not sit still for two seconds with scissors anywhere near their heads! I will be praying for you as your hubby comes home. I know you’ll be so glad to have him home. Take care and don’t be anxious… 🙂
erin’s last blog post..Too Cute…
Sarah says
Monica – I am so happy for you that Keith may already be home by the time I’m reading this. You have shown so much strength during this deployment and I can’t wait to see a photo of what you picked out as the coming home outfit.
Maggie says
Oh Monica – I’m soooo happy for you. What a wonderful thing… and scary too, I’m sure. How exciting for you and the kids to be a family again with Daddy. Can’t wait to finally hear the news that he’s back in the fold. Enjoy! And, Welcome Home Keith!
xo maggie
Maggie’s last blog post..THANKFUL THURSDAY