Andy is on his way

We said our good-byes last night. The kids were into the movie (we had a goodbye party) and that distraction helped immensely. Although, tears were shed anyway. I think, for me, the hardest part is over. The last few hours were a roller coaster of emotion and all of them raw. I've heard from many who have been down this road before. They say that saying goodbye is actually harder than being apart. The kids will struggle in the next few days and weeks when the reality starts to settle in. Madi cried a little last night at bedtime and wrote in her journal before bed. She amazes me! Andy still faces many days of unknowns. I'm sure once he is all the way to his final destination he'll be fine, but it's the string of transistions along the way that will be difficult. I will let everyone know when he is all the way there. But, our communication between now and then will be spotty at best. So, I may not know anything myself for awhile.

I can't imagine going away for four months. Aside from two rather small boxes...this is all he took! And, he worried he might have too much stuff!

The kids know Daddy is leaving

Well, we told the kids last night. Madi immediately tallied up every special event and holiday Andy will miss and then sobbed and sobbed. It sort of went over Jack's head...just like we thought it might. His hard days are ahead when he can't understand why Andy isn't here. We watched the Sesame Street video that the AF gave us and I think that helped put it on their level. They enjoyed it. (Jack keeps asking to watch it today. He calls it "Elmo's Daddy Goes to the Desert")We also bumped up the early b-day celebration for Madilyn to this weekend. It did help soften the blow and she is looking forward to presents and cake now. Currently, the kids are enchanted with the novelty that when they talk to Daddy at bedtime he'll be about to have breakfast. And, when he says "Good Night" they can say "Good Morning". So that is helping.

Andy's departure date

Well, summer is drawing to an end. Madilyn starts school in a week and Jack will start speech classes the following week. We're in major prep mode for the fall and all the changes to our family life. We haven't been communicating very well with everyone lately and I hope that once this deployment begins we'll settle into a routine which will make it easier. Maybe this blog will help everyone feel up-to-speed even if we never get into a better routine of calling and e-mailing.

Our days have been filled with numerous trips to the military clothing store to get the things Andy will need. It's difficult to find everything you'll need for new uniforms in one trip. We've stocked up on things like towels and sheets...it's not unlike sending someone off to college. We'll be sitting the kids down this weekend to tell them Andy is leaving in a few weeks and then hope to soften the "blow" by celebrating Madilyn's birthday either Sunday or next weekend...as a family. (She'll still have her big shi-bang in Sept with friends.)

You know in the grand scheme of life four months isn't that long. And, I know that four months at home with the kids and all their crazy, messy, cuddly chaos will seem much shorter and more tolerable than the four months alone that he will endure. I have the luxury of having the kids to help"recharge" my batteries emotionally. I surely appreciate all the attention I've recieved and all the help that awaits during the fall. I know having those spells of help will be a nice reprieve from the daily grind. But, please e-mail Andy and send him notes, etc.... I know that hearing from everyone will help him to sustain all those days in the sand! (we'll send his address to you in an e-mail)

The real news is that Andy has his departure date. He leaves CA at the end of Aug. For security reasons he's asked me not to say exactly when. It'll take him several days to get to where he is going and maybe a few more before communication is established. During that timeframe, when I hear from him, I will definitely tell everyone!

Well that is all for now.