Keeping things in perspective

We're over half way through and although it's went by very quickly, I am more than ready for Chad to be home. I have a friend, well more of a good acquaintance who was complaining about her husband having to go out of town for 2 weeks. Now I understand it's her husband and him being gone is not part of their normal schedule, so I can empathize there. But she complained to me about this for over an HOUR. I TRIED to be a good person, a loving woman of Christ. I don't know if I truly failed here or not, but I told her to just stop, it's only 2 weeks and that when he's gone for a yr to complain to me about it. I told her that I can empathize that it's going to stink having him gone for 2 weeks, but it's seriously not the end of the world and that she will get through it. She got mad and stopped talking pretty well after that.

I don't know if she just "forgot" who she was talking to or she's just really that insensitive. It actually has had me thinking about it since that conversation. How many others just get so caught up in life that they forget about someone else's hardships? Not just us who's spouses are deployed. There are people who's spouse is sick, in the hospital because of a deadly disease, there are those who's child is sick. We all have our burdens. We all need someone to have that empathetic ear and listen to us. To allow us to just get it out. I think though that when we are sharing our own griefs, we have to remember who we're talking to. This definately goes for me. I try not to complain about Chad being deployed. I'm proud of him and what he's doing in Iraq. I believe in what he's doing over there. I still miss him. I do need him home with us. I do have to keep my focus on the fact that he's doing his job and we will get through this deployment and before I know it he'll be home.

Thank you for prayers, support, love, and friendship.

God Bless

Loneliness

Chad called tonight, it was so wonderful to talk to him. He let me vent.Here he is off fighting in a way and he calls home to hear his loved ones voices and gets to listen to his crazy wife complain about how the boys aren't cleaning the playroom and bedroom. He listens, he talks to the boys and tells them to clean their rooms and listen to their Crazy Mom! Ok so he didn't call me crazy, but I know he's thinking it or should be! LOL

Now a few hrs after hearing his calming and loving voice, I just feel so lonely. I miss him. I miss being able to talk to him every single day. I miss his hugs and kisses. I miss him coming home and giving me a break, by taking the boys outside (or taking over playground time so I can come inside and get things done or just get 10 minutes by myself). I miss sitting beside him in the evenings and being able to talk to him about any and everything. I miss him in our bed, for all the reasons. He's my best friend. It's how a husband and wife should feel about each other, and I do. I think he doubts that at times. I have my best "girl" friend, but over everyone it's Chad. He has my heart like no other person, he has my trust like no other. It truly goes God/Jesus, Chad, etc. Again it's how it should be.

I look forward to him being home in a few months. He's been having a hard time dealing with loneliness too and missing us. I can't fix that for him, just as he can't fix it for me. He has I think a security in knowing I'm surrounded by amazing friends here in Germany and that I have wonderful friends in the states that I stay in contact with too, but he knows that I miss him. I hope he does, if you're reading this Chad....I hope you understand how much I miss you.

One day at a time. I'm sure tomorrow will be better, right now though I miss my friend, my husband.

 

Day: How about..we're half way through!

Ok, I've lost count of how many days Chad's been gone and honestly I'm just too lazy and far too tired right now to go count! I will try to do that tomorrow.

Chad called yesterday, hadn't talked to him since Mother's Day. I'm not sure if I shared or not, but he's not with the rest of his battalion, and he's extremely busy and going out A LOT, which of course limits our contact drastically. He's been through quite a bit, concerning IEDS and mortar rounds landing inside the base camp. He shared a HYSTERICAL story with me, but there's no way I'm going to write about it here, if he's willing to share it I'll let him! Even in Iraq funny things can happen! :)

The boys and I are doing well. Our oldest had his last tball game and he had fun, but said he was glad he was done! We had a half way through party tonight too with the battalion. They had a huge bounce house, trampoline, and a electric bull. They had tons and tons of food. The boys ate and had a lot of fun! It didn't take them long to fall asleep either!!

Our little guy got to talk to Daddy last night for the first time after being asleep the last 2 times he called. He was so excited to talk to his Daddy. He missed him a lot. When you ask him "where's Daddy" he'll say "Iraq" but of course it sounds more like "I" "ack" He's 2, can't expect perfect grammar!

Well, it's almost 2 am here in Germany, I need to get to sleep. I have a Mom's Day Out tomorrow. The boys will be at childcare from 10-6. It'll be a nice break. I plan on going to the gym, getting the laundry put away, and doing some scrapbooking. It'll be a nice hopefully quiet day.

God Bless and Thanks for supporting our family and other military families.

Update

I know, I know. I've been terrible at updating, but hey it's been kind of quiet on Chad's end. He's no longer up at the AF base, but now down with the rest of his unit. I still have this amazing amount of peace about all of it.

Chad told me that one of the good things about being down there is that he keeps busier, he's going on missions, he has PT 3 times a day, and since going there has lost weight, because he has less time. I hope him being as busy as he is, will make the time go by quicker for him.

I have really missed him so much this week. Monday marked 6 yrs since our daughter died. It seems unreal to both of us. He called on Monday. It was really nice to hear his voice, although I could hear the sadness in it, but well mine was pretty sad as well. Friday will be 6 yrs since we last saw our precious girl, closed the casket, and said goodbye to that precious little body that we helped create, no more painting toe nails, kissing those pretty little feet, no more tight hugs, cuddles from her, etc.

I know my pain of our daughter's death, but I can't say I know Chad's fully...he was her DADDY, I was her MOMMY. Two important, but very different roles and no one can lay claim on another's grief. Please keep Chad in your prayers as he does his best to deal with the events that we lived through 6 yrs ago.

I ask that you keep Chad in your prayers for his safety now more than ever. I have not talked to him since Monday, he had planned to call me on Tuesday and well he hasn't. I don't worry, because I know no news is good news, and that once he has a chance, he will call me. He was hoping to have internet in his room this week, if he does, that'll be so great. We'll be able to webcam with each other more often, etc.

Thank you for your continued prayers, love, and friendship.

 

God Bless

Happy Birthday Chad!! (Late)

Ok, I'm a bad wife! I wrote on my other journal that it was Chad's birthday, yesterday and stupid me didn't come here where he actually reads and say.........

 

Happy Birthday Chad! I love you! You're my hero and you're wonderful and I'm so proud of you!!!!!!!

Chad's gone

I know I said I'd have Chad write an update while he was home, but it just didn't happen. He left this morning and should be back by now. I haven't heard from him, but hopefully tomorrow he'll call. Jacob's definately having the hardest time at this point. He's cried quite a bit throughout the day. I've reassured him it's ok to cry and miss Daddy. Jackson has asked for him many times throughout the day. It's heart wrenching, but this is part of the process. This is definately one of the worst parts of the military.

We will most definately get through this and we know that before we know it this deployment will be over and Chad will be back home with us. Please continue to pray for Chad as he goes through the 2nd half of his deployment, adjusts to being back in Iraq, and back to the grind of work and dealing with a roommate that doesn't understand the importance of bathing daily, when he has issue's with extremely bad foot odor among other things! (LOL funny, but not). One thing that's worked out well for Chas is that I sent him a tart burner and quite a few tarts so he burns those when ever he's in his room to help with the smell.

I have a box to send him tomorrow! :)

thank you for all your support and love throughout this deployment, it truly means so much to both Chad and I.

 

God Bless

Chad's home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to let you know Chad got home on Tuesday for R&R!! Life's good! We're really enjoying his time home! We've been able to mix downtime and some work nicely! We got the playroom all in order and it looks GREAT!

I'm going to "make" Chad write an update while he's home for all of you!

I'll try to add some pictures on here soon!

 

God Bless

Happy Anniversary Chad! I love you!

Today is our 9th anniversary. The years have definately flown by! I'm so thankful I met you 10 yrs ago, that you "liked what you saw" and yet were still happy on being just me "friend" until my eyes truly opened up and I saw not only a good friend, but this amazing man who knew almost everything about me by being my unconditional friend and confidant. Thank you for your love and friendship. You have given me more than I ever dreamed of. I thank GOD everyday for you.

I LOVE YOU! Happy Anniversary Honey! I look forward to the next 50 years of making memories!

Update

I'm sorry it's been so  long since I updated. Chad will  be home for R&R in a little over a week! I'm really excited! I  have a 2 night stay for our family down in Garmish at a military lodge and resort! We're all excited about that. On our way down there, we're going to stop in Munich and do some site seeing. We're also planning on going to Austria while we're down there and exploring and do some shopping, but mostly we just plan to relax. We may extend for an extra day  but we'll decide that while we're there. Chad will be home for Easter!!!! I'm so thrilled about that, at least we'll have him for ONE holiday during this deployment! I have a small turkey in the deep freezer so I'm going to make a traditional holiday meal that our family loves, he'll leave a couple days  later so at least I can send him off with a good meal! :)

The boys know he's coming home, but don't know when exactly and I'm not going to tell them...going to let them be surprised when we go to pick him up!

Chad's not been online much. A few weeks ago the base camp where the rest of his unit's at, was attacked by a rocket being launched into their camp and landing just feet away from t heir barrack's and injuring 14. Well this past week, a rocket was launched into Chad's camp, it landed about 2 football field lengths from Chad's room. I still have amazing peace over all of it, which is  honestly so new for me, because by nature I worry.  God's just given me amazing peace.

Please keep Chad in your prayers though for his physical safety and also pray for him emotionally. The 24th marked 7 yrs since our daughter was dx with leukemia. It's been kind of a full circle thing being back here in Germany. We are planning on visiting the hospital she was tx at for 6 weeks when initially dx once Chad's home. I need to email her oncologist so that when we do have the time to go that way, we know he'll be there.

God Bless

Never Forget The Sacrifices

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes.

He stays up for days on end.
__________________________

You take a warm shower to help you wake up.

He goes days or weeks without running water.
__________________________

You complain of a "headache", and call in sick.

He gets shot at, as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
__________________________

You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.

He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
__________________________

You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.

He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
__________________________

You talk trash on your "buddies" that aren't with you.

He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
__________________________

You don't feel like helping out your dad today, so you don't.

He does what he is told.
__________________________

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.

He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
__________________________

You complain about how hot it is.

He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
__________________________

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.

He does not get to eat today.
__________________________

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.

He wears the same things for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
__________________________

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.

He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
__________________________

You are angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.

He is told he will be held an extra 2 months.

He does as he is told.
__________________________

You call your girlfriend and set a date for that night.

He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
__________________________

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.

He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
__________________________

You ditch class to go to a movie.

He goes where he is told.
__________________________

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.

He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
__________________________

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.

He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own government and remembers why he is fighting.
__________________________

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of the men like him.

He hears the gun fire and bombs.
__________________________

You see only what the media wants you to see.

He sees the bodies lying around him.
__________________________

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.

He does what he is told.
__________________________

You stay at home and watch tv.

He takes whatever time he is given to call and write home, sleep, and eat.
__________________________

You crawl into your bed, with down pillows, and try to get comfortable.

He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gun fire.
__________________________

You sit there and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men like him.

If only there were more men like him

 

I'm not sure of the author, I am going to email my friend she might have written it, she's talented so if it was her I'll be sure to add her name to it.