Well, here we go! I knew when I married Jarod that he would have to deploy SOME DAY. Since last Fall we've been told he would leave this Fall to Afghanistan for 6 months. Then it changed to leaving in October to Iraq for 4 months. Then it changed again to leaving in September to the Philippines for 6 months. NOW he's leaving the end of August...until that changes again! I'm frustrated that every time he calls for updates on his deployment he gets changes to the plan. They don't tell him until he asks! I finally get used to the new plan and then it changes again. So, I'm at the point where I'm expecting it to change again. They can take him as early as August 2 because that's when he's done with his Summer program here.
That's right! All summer I only see him on the weekends. I have to say we are making the most of our weekends. We are going on little family adventures and trying to go on more dates. There is more passion in our marriage now. We are really living each day like it's our last. It sucks to think of it that way but we don't want any regrets when he leaves. At first our relationship was strained because of our fears about this deployment. So many marriages break a part during this time. It happened in Jarod's first marriage so he had his fears. Now we are trying to focus on growing closer to God and each other and the past few weeks (or should I say weekends) have been amazing!
I knew deployments were hard but I wasn't expecting such a roller coaster BEFORE the deployment.
Now that Jarod is leaving next month I feel like there's so much we need to do and we're running out of time. I'm taking it one day at a time. I'm staying busy with my kids and I talk to my family and friends often. I hope this deployment will be a great experience that will help me strengthen relationships and grow in my Faith.
I'm excited about this blog so I can hear from everyone out there. I love to read thoughts and supportive words. I know there are many wives out there who have been through multiple deployments and I'd love to hear how they got through it. I pride myself on not being dramatic and staying calm most of the time. Although I have felt myself getting anxious lately. I hope this blog helps me just let my feelings out.
Thanks for reading! I'll try to update at least a few times per week.
God Bless!
-Linda
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It's going to be hard Linda, I won't sugar coat it - but from what I hear they get better. The things I do are: keep myself BUSY BUSY BUSY. I don't go to bed until I am extremely tired & can't possibly stay awake a second longer because when I lay down and he's not there - it really hits me hard. So if i'm really sleepy I barely notice it sometimes. I look at pictures of us a lot, I even watch shows that I know he would want to watch even though I don't like them (Nascar) because just the sound of the cars makes me think of him and smile because I know how much he loves it. I do cry, a lot, at least once a day. I think of all the fun things that I am doing that I wish he was here for, but then I think about how when he gets home we will get to share stories of the fun we had. The first week or 2 are probably the hardest. I didn't want to be around anyone, talk to anyone or do anything - I just felt that I needed to be alone and cry, but that probably wasn't the best thing to do. You have a lot of friends that will be here for you (especially me!!!). Sometimes I think its harder to talk to him every other day, I sometimes feel it would be easier to not hear the sound of his voice because it makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteMake a journal, both of you. Of what you do everyday and then when he comes home - you can both read eachothers :)
I like the journal idea! I can't see your name. Who is this?
ReplyDeleteA blog can be a great support system, Linda. Way to think ahead. I'll be keeping up with you.
ReplyDeleteOne thing you may want to look into is setting up Google Analytics on your blog so you can see how many visits you get, since the majority of blog readers don't comment. This may be a comfort to you, though I imagine that your blog will have plenty of commenters, given the subject and purpose of the blog (to stay encouraged).
I'll be praying for all of you! God be with you all and draw you closer to Himself during this challenge.
How do I set up Analytics? Love you girl!
ReplyDeleteWell, you know I don't know what you are going though but you also know I will be thinking of you, jarod, & the boys. You will also be in my prayers and you know how to contact me. Who knows, we might have to steal you guys and make you stay in NC for awhile...heehee!!
ReplyDeleteI love you sis!!!
Sarah J
You're the best "sister" I could ask for! We'll have to see what we can work out over the holidays when I'm on the East Coast anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteXO SIS!