How do you say good bye?

It took me awhile before I felt like I was strong enough to post this. This picture was taken just hours before TJ left on October 21. The last time we knew we would see him. This deployment has been different for me for a number of reasons. The main one is we now have kids, whereas before - we didn't. This deployment is also different because I didn't know until very recently when TJ was actually leaving or where he was even going. When he deployed on a ship, we always knew when it would be and pretty much where he would be going. This time I dropped him off at the airport instead of the ship. And, let's not forget that he hasn't even lived with us since June 4. The rest of it is pretty much the same story.

The scene at the airport wasn't pretty. I could not let go of him. I was not just crying, I was bawling. I kept wanting just one more hug, one more kiss. Finally he had to walk away or risk missing his flight. I could not drive away from the airport for about 5 minutes. I had to get myself under control to drive, plus I couldn't even see to drive anyway.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when he calls and tells me to come to Maine for the weekend. I wanted to go, I really, really wanted to go. But, I can't describe the emotional toll these good byes take on me. Because I cannot stop my crying, it eventually leads up to me having a very massive headache and will sometimes turn into a migraine. I just kept thinking, I cannot go through another goodbye. But, I did it and I am so glad I did. I managed to have a wonderful weekend and just enjoy the 3 days I had with him, and not cry until we got to the airport.

Before when people would thank us for his/our military service I would kind of feel bad because we weren't away from each other, TJ wasn't deployed and hadn't been deployed in a very long time. But, now when people thank me, I actually feel like we are doing something to deserve their thanks. And, I appreciate people's kindness and thoughtfulness in thanking us as well. Just yesterday some guy thanked me for what we do, then he turned to Brena and said "and thank you for letting your Daddy be in the NAVY." I am very, very proud to be this guy's Navy Wife. And very proud of him and all he is doing for our Country.

hmmm, where to even start???

Good grief, I feel so behind I don't even know where to start. Especially because so much has happened in the last couple of months! First off, I want to post pics of the house, but I am going to do that next week. I am getting some plantation shutters put in next Monday and I don't want to take pictures of the house with the lovely paper blinds that are in the windows now!

Well, in the beginning of October TJ's mom came to take care of the kids for me while I flew up to Maine. I got to Maine late on October 6, we checked into a hotel, then left the next morning. We drove to Boston on the 7th, checked into another hotel, then headed off to the Boston LDS Temple. It was so beautiful! It was built in 2000. It was gorgeous. After our session there we ate and headed back to our room. The next day we drove to Maryland and checked into our hotel there. Then, we headed out to the Washington D.C. Temple. Another gorgeous Temple - but what one isn't? How blessed we are to have Temples in these latter days!

Washington D.C. Temple

Us outside of the Boston Temple - we forgot it would be dark when we got out of our session! We should have taken a picture before.

Boston Temple

Boston

Then on the 9th, we drove back to Florida. It was about 1,300 miles of driving. We went though 13 states in 3 days! Of course it helps that all those little New England States are so small! But, it was 3 days of alone time with my awesome Husband. 3 days wasn't enough... But, I have to share him with the kids too :) So we got home and the kids were so excited to have Daddy home again. We only had about 1 1/2 weeks until TJ left again, for good this time. I would like to say we just relaxed and had fun together. But, with all the things that had to get done around the house, we were pretty busy and stressed. It's not easy preparing for a deployment as it is, but then when you add in moving into a new house on top of it - it's a little overwhelming! The time, of course, went WAY too fast.

Jumping on the bandwagon

I have been wanting to do this for a while now and am just now getting around to it. My blog will be going private. So, if you want an invite, send me an email or leave me a comment letting me know. I'm off to visit my hubby - yea! I'm so excited to see him one more time I feel like a newlywed or something :)

AHHH!!!

I have not had internet access since September 23!!! I am GOING INSANE!!!!!!!!!! AT&T keeps telling me it's going to be this week...I've heard that for a long time now. Who knows when we'll be up. Other than that, things are going pretty well. We miss TJ, but I am actually getting to go see him one more time. Next weekend I am farming out the kids to some wonderful friends and flying to Maine for the weekend. TJ will be deploying to El Salvador in just a few short weeks. So, when he begged me to come see him in Maine one more time, I couldn't resist! The house is wonderful, I wish I could post some pictures! Hopefully soon. Well, my library time is ending. Hopefully soon I will be on my own computer again!