Keith’s leave officially ended today. He left mid-morning to begin the journey back to his “home in the dessert”.
The day was difficult, but we survived it. I think the hardest part of saying goodbye is the anticipation of it. I started feeling stressed about the end of leave yesterday, but this morning seemed like just one big waiting game.
He really didn’t have a lot to do to go….just pack up his one bag. That was done rather quickly after breakfast this morning and we spent the next two hours or so just waiting…..waiting….waiting.
Will, EA and MC climbed all over their Daddy and took turns sitting in his lap as we talked.
We talked about the wonderful time we had over the last three weeks.
We talked about our plans and goals for the next two months.
We talked about the future when we’ll be together as a family.
Then it was time for him to go.
We prepared the kids as much as we could over the last few weeks. We told them that he would have to go back for Iraq for a while, but would be back home and would be home for a long time.
Last night we had a “going away” party for Daddy.
So after lots of hugs and kisses, he walked out the door.
The kids were all very tired and ready for a nap as soon as lunch was over today. To my pleasant surprise, all three of them took naps today.
This gave me time to decompress a little and move forward. I worked out and talked to a good friend.
I am so thankful for the many supportive friends that I have. I received phone calls, e-mails, Facebook messages, and many encouraging words today. All of these helped to ease the heartache of the day.
This afternoon reality set in for the kids a little bit. The girls seemed a little sad after their naps. They talked about how they didn’t want their Daddy to go back and about how they miss him and want him home. I tried my best to listen and remind them that he will be coming back home soon.
I am reminding myself of this as well.
I think the hardest part of the whole day was poor Will. He spent a good portion of the afternoon and evening walking around the house looking for his Daddy. Those two grew incredibly close over the last few weeks. He just kept repeating “Where’s Da Da?” and “I want Da Da”. I didn’t have much else to tell him other than that Daddy went bye-bye and we’ll see him again soon.
Things will get easier.
We have plans for the week. We’re going shopping with a friend tomorrow. And Carol is coming over for Dinner on Thursday. We’re going to gradually get back into our routine.
And life will return to “normal”.
I am praying that the next two months will fly by!
And I think they will.
I have goals to accomplish and things will get super busy around post in preparation for Homecomings.
Thank you for your support during this time. Thank you for all of your prayers and comments and encouragement.
I’ll be posting many stories and pictures of our time over the next few days.
I’m also looking forward to the Ultimate Blog Party that starts this Friday!!! I hope I’ll see you there!
Stephanie says
You never cease to amaze me. I am proud to call you Friend. I hope the time passes quickly, and I am so happy for you that you had such a great visit with Keith.
Claire Wilson Grant says
Monica,
Your post breaks my heart. I know today must have been hard. I am saying an extra prayer for you and your babies tonight and I hope the next two months will fly by. You are so strong and such an encouragement.
Luke Holzmann says
Lord, I ask that You will bring comfort to the whole family. May these new two months go by quickly and with much joy. Be with Monica and the kids as they go about the things they need to get done, and keep Keith safe. May they all draw closer together and closer to You in this time they are apart. Amen.
Hang in there!
~Luke
chaplainandrews says
Thank you too for the wonderful support provided by so many of the readers of dailydwelling.com . The Army family is one of the most over-looked but toughest jobs out there. I apprecite the support give to my family through this amazing time in our life.
We had a wonderful time together for these three weeks–and yes ,the next two months will fly by and we’ll be back together for a long time.
chaplainandrews’s last blog post..Plane Thinking
LifeAtTheCircus says
I have been thinking of you a great deal over the past few weeks. Excited to hear the updates of your fun times together, praying for special memories and bonds. And this weekend, my heart was with you as you all had to say goodbye. I can only imagine how difficult it was for you all, and so hard for you to be strong for all of them. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful husband and they to have a great Daddy. I prayed for you this weekend and will keep all 5 of you in my prayers during these months ahead!
LifeAtTheCircus’s last blog post..Baby, I’m Yours!
Uma says
I’m thinking of you guys! I’m a little drive away if you want to get out of B-town for a day. The boys and Chaster will be too happy to have a play date, and we can hang and be obsessed over Etsy together. You have an opened invitation!
Uma’s last blog post..Price of Safety
Tanya says
I love how positive you are…I pray that the next two months go by very quickly for you!! You are such an inspiration!
Tanya’s last blog post..No Second Chances
Homegrownstrawberries says
I have been and will be praying for your family I know you are giving up a lot to do a very great thing. I am sure you will be more than rewarded.