Goodbye E, Now the Countdown Begins (T-7weeks)

I told you I was going to take you back... way back.. Ok aprox 8months back.


So as much as we didnt want the day to come. IT DID. As it always does. (and sad as it is, probably will 1-2more times) The day we had to take E to base to leave on an 7-8month depoyment to Iraq. But as sad as were to see him go. We knew we had that much more to look forward to when he came home. We get him PLUS a VACATION.. A very very much needed vacation.


I wont bore you with details so here is the condensed version. Alarm goes off at 0230 (ya I do military time, I also call things the deck= floor, chow=food, and head=bathroom lol) This is what I saw at that time.




We get ready, bags are already in the car. Wake the boys up (that took a bit), drive to base. Now comes my favorite part of the military. Hurry up and Wait. You have to be there at a certain time BUT why.. your just waiting around. But I digress. E goes and picks up his weapons. Yes plural, usually he just has a pistol but this time they needed to take the big boys with them too. (Some high ranking never been to Iraq thought they would need them HA E told me they got there and locked them in the armory!) He comes back and they start loading there stuff in the bus. (He was only allowed 2 bags plus a carry on. I dont know how BUT every time he goes, he has more then that. This time 3 PLUS he sent this huge footlocker ahead of him. (Im worried at how he is going to pack for the cruise. I have told him only 1 suitcase but doubt thats going to happen)



E gives the boys "THE TALK" (you know BE GOOD LISTEN TO YOUR MOM... I believe it went in one ear and out the other lol)




He hugs and kisses them good bye.




Then he gives me my talk (Be Patient with them, DONT KILL THEM LOL... I listened to part... WHAT? Their not dead or hurt!) Can you tell how tired I am also!




We load him into the bus.




Then we FOLLOW IT. Yes thats right I follow 3 Marine Corps busses. WHY? Well they meet at the base they are stationed on then travel to a larger one to fly out of. The one they fly out of it about an hour past our house. So I follow it all the way to our exit. Funny how I have a whole bus waving goodbye to me now. They miss us, as much as we miss them already.



I have to admit once the deployments are over they do feel like they went fast... its just getting to the end that feels like forever.

So all the time he is gone, Im getting info from the DIS regarding the cruise, ports, our pre and post stays, The World etc. I am constently emailing him things, and getting squat for answers. I come to the conclusion that, I share, and If I get input great if not oh well. But if I ONCE hear why did you plan/do/arrange this on the trip... someone will be going overboard.


I also need to slowly show him all the fun stuff I have purchased and how yes we do need the Pirate sunscreen, and High School Musical antibactterial wash. Let alone tell him AGAIN for the umteenth time what a Fish Extender is and how AWESOME ours is that Tiffany made us... let alone fill him in our Secret Mickey Cabin. Oh so much to do and so little time to do it in.


Check List Before E gets home:

• Welcome Home Signs (check)
• Clean the house (eh its a work in progress)
• Wash the cars (doing his truck tmrw, he knows I dont do it till the day before he gets back Im horrible with that stuff, then mine on Friday LOL)
• Mow the lawn (check)
• Get the boys haircuts
• Go Grocery shopping for all his favorites
• Put new pretty sheets on the bed

After 8months of counting down... we are down to the wire folks. Believe me the last few days are killing the boys and I too. We know once he is home we are one step closer to BLISS. If Saturday would just come a lil faster.


Next Up: Welcome Back E, now get to work on the Fish Extender Gifts