Dear Deployment, I Hate You

I am sure that the whole world has conspired against me to drive me crazy. For all my friends who are reading this and are pretty sure I crossed that bridge a long time ago, be nice or I won't share my meds with you...

If a 400 day deployment for the Soldier wasn't enough, I mean, I am sure it is, right? Hello, 400 days! Who thought this up?

Well now the Army, in it's infinite wisdom, has delayed the homecoming. The Soldier is at a U.S. Military Installation, living in barracks (i.e. not at home) on a medical hold. And in the mean time, the kiddos get to watch the news and see that everyone else's daddy has come home.

Today, they had the nerve to ask him if he had the support system in place to send him home for recovery. I mean really, what do they think I have been doing for the past 400 days? Lets just say, hypothetically, if they don't send him home soon, his support system may to take off for an island and spend the next 400 days sipping drinks with little umbrellas.

And it isn't just the Soldier and the Army. There are six kids here hurrying the crazy train along.

The oldest decided to stay home to go to college. First of all, depriving me of my party moment outside her dorm room and secondly, I now have an 18 year old who thinks she is an adult and can do whatever she wants and come home whenever she wants and not pay for anything. For all of my sweet friends who have preschoolers, save enough now for out of state school. It is worth it.

Because one teenager isn't enough, we also have a 15 year old and 13 year old. It's fun. Yes, that is sarcasm. They have jobs and sports and classes and it could be a full time job just driving them around. When you add in the temper tantrums (yes, they start having these again as teenagers) and the crying fits (these too), it makes it so much more fun. Yes, that is more sarcasm.

The 10 and 11 year olds are working double time to see me admitted. They are convinced that I have have it out for them and that when daddy comes home, it will be all better. It might, but I won't be here to see it. Maybe I can get them to bring me pictures in my private room. In the little Soldier's defense, it has got to be hard to be the only boy while the big Soldier is gone, but I thought little boys were supposed to love their mothers. He would sign the commitment papers if he could.

My sweet preschooler turned 4 last month and has spent the last 400 days (give or take a few) sleeping in bed with me. It doesn't matter where she starts out, she has this internal clock that wakes her up at 3 am and tells her to climb in bed with mommy. So that mommy, who has just fallen asleep after 4 hours of looking at the ceiling (or facebook...), doesn't get any sleep. Mommy is so much more fun in the morning when she hasn't had more than 3 hours continuous sleep for 400 days...

If I could, I would take a nap, but instead I will be driving a child to work, two to dance lessons and one to a volleyball game - ALL at the same time. It's a good thing that I am not in the asylum yet, I am too busy being Houdini in my SUV and making it all work.

Is it Friday yet?

Linking up with Crafty Camo Lover for this week's MilSpouse Roundup!

Love,