Military Friday 4/15/11

Yay! I made it to another Friday and for that, I am thankful. I think I will celebrate by sleeping in and doing nothing all weekend :)

I need to take a minute and wish a Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man. Today is my Soldier's 41st birthday (I married an older man, way older...). We have been together for almost 20 years and celebrated our 18th anniversary this past September. He is a wonderful husband and an amazing father. I am very proud of him and thankful for the blessing he is. I can't imagine life without him.

I love you baby. Come home soon. 

Have you entered my contest yet? I am giving away Amazon.com gift certificates so you won't want to miss it! Head on over to enter now. (Giveaway ends 4/17.) 

For my Kindle friends, the latest list of free downloads is here. Don't forget to like "Our Crazy Life" on facebook to be notified as soon as I find a new one.

And now for the MilSpouse Friday Fill In. If you are a MilSpouse, head on over to Wife of a Sailor to link up! 

1) With PCS moves happening every few years, do you take the time to paint and decorate your home? submitted by Life as Mrs. JPT

 

The Soldier is National Guard, so we don't PCS. However, we moved a lot for his civilian career - seven states in 4 years. We bought this house almost 10 years ago. I still haven’t painted… 

2) If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? submitted by Standing By Him

The house in “Good Luck Charlie” on the Disney Channel. It is a Craftsman and I love the size of it (we live in a very small place), plus the fridge is a really cool chalkboard. Don’t judge me, I have children and I am forced to watch things that I should never have to...

3) What inspired you to start your blog?  submitted by Pink Combat Boots

I needed an outlet to write about life and our upcoming deployment. I know my IRL friends get a little tired of it, so this is a way that they can tune me out. I am so thankful for the MilSpouse community. I have enjoyed getting to know many of you and you never seem to tire of my deployment rants. Or at least you don't complain about it!

4) What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen on base? submitted by Adventures in Life

We live near an Air Force Base and they have a giant red horse statue on the main road. I have heard that it used to be anatomically correct, but some higher up’s wife didn’t like it and they ‘fixed’ the poor thing. 

5) Which historical figure (politician, writer, artist, scientist, actor, etc…) would you like to have dinner with?  submitted by Army of Two

This is a hard one, there are so many. I think I would have to go with Michael Collins. I am obsessed with history and especially love reading about and studying the Irish fight for independence.  

This week's MilSpouse Weekly Round Up is hosted by
Churchy & Her Sailor. Stop by to link up. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

A Few Things I Hate About Deployment

Linking up with Military Monday Blog Hop! Come over and join in!


Deployment sucks. It just does. 

I know people talk about the ‘perks’, but they are just trying to make it easier to cope. No amount of ‘tax free’ money or discount on car insurance can make it suck less.

I hate every part of this 400 day deployment…

I hate the fact that my kids don’t get to see their father. That he will miss birthdays and recitals and milestones that will never again be reached and that the oldest will be gone at college before her father comes home.

I hate when the 3 year old cries after each phone call when she remembers something she forgot to tell her daddy. 

I hate the year's worth of pictures that are missing his smile. 

I hate that we pay way too much every month for Iraqi internet that never works when I need it to. 

I hate having to pump my own gas and wash my own car. Yes, I am spoiled. 

I hate the constant, “when will he be home?” and “how do you do this?” questions that everyone asks.  

I hate that I am envious of my friends whose husbands are home and safe and happy. 

I hate living in an Air Force town and seeing the support and community for the wives and wondering why the Army National Guard can’t do a better job. And I hate that I am jealous of them coming home after only 6 – 8 months.

I hate going to bed alone and waking up in the middle of the night and reaching for someone that isn’t there.

I hate getting in the shower with the worry that I will miss his call. 

I hate wondering, “is this it?” Will this be the last phone call, the last letter, the last box I mail? 

I hate the fear that runs through my body whenever there is an unexpected knock, not knowing who is behind the door. 

I hate worrying when I leave the kids at home to go to the commissary, that they might be the ones to answer that knock. 

I hate the loneliness that is my constant companion, the void that can’t be filled by anyone else.  

I hate what a 400 day separation is doing to our marriage and to me. 

I hate that the only way I can face some days is to become numb and detached to everything that is going on around me... 

Today especially, I hate that we are only half way through and I am sure this list will continue to grow. 

Love,

My Pre Deployment Rant - not the first and I am sure it won't be the last!

My 3yo is watching the Sesame Street: Talk, Listen, Connect DVD that came free from Military One Source. (Quick commerical before I start ranting...) It is a great resource and you can't beat free, so if you have little ones, do check it out.

Now... I just want to scream and then throw up. I don't want to do this. The Army and it's 400 day deployments are just stupid! And I know they will be extended. I am not an idiot and the dates don't add up to the whole 'departure timeline' to leave Iraq. I am really mad at the Montana National Guard and whoever else had the stupid idea to have their AT be three weeks this year (on lockdown) right before their federal orders. Can we please get someone with a brain running these things?

My poor 3 year old doesn't know what she is in for. She is just happy watching Elmo and right now, I hate Elmo too.

Thanks for listening to me vent. I feel a bit better, but I still want to throw up.