Eric left Monday morning. Today is Thursday, day four. Days one, two, and three were very busy preparing for Logan's graduation and work in the evening. I've been okay....as long as nobody says anything sappy or asks me how I'm doing. I did have a small melt-down yesterday morning when I realized I had a money question and then I realized I had no one to ask but myself. I have received more well-wishes, love-wishes, and how-are-you-doing inquiries which have really touched my soul. But I hope you'll all remember to do that six months into this year, too. Today was really quiet until Logan tried to pick up his eye-glasses prescription. My mama bear/strong woman personality emerged.
Logan had his eyes checked a few months ago. He normally wears contacts. We have neglected to buy him any new glasses for a very, very long time. At this last appointment, he only got contacts. We also purchase our contacts through lens.com because they offer great deals. All of the rest of us go into the city for our eye exams so we save gas money by ordering them online. I've done all the math. But Logan has a simple prescription and because of time constraints he goes here in town...or I should say he did go here in town. His contacts are bugging him and he wants new glasses.
Tomorrow we are heading into the city for graduation party supplies and I told him to get his glasses prescription so we could get him a new pair. I have once again done my research and found two one-hour optical places. So I dropped him off so he could run in and get it. He came out perplexed. He said the lady said they didn't have it. ? I wondered how this could be since his prescription is new. He said he didn't know but that they had his contact lens prescription but not his glasses prescription. ? What?
Logan needed to go to work. So I promptly got on the phone to see what the deal was. The receptionist said that because we didn't buy glasses at the time of his appointment she couldn't give him his prescription. What? I was trying to be direct and firm but my blood was boiling. Ummm....lady...we paid for that prescription and I can purchase glasses for my son wherever I wish. And then she apparently asked someone else in the office and came back with, "Oh, I'm sorry. I just came back to work and I guess I can give that to you." ? AND THEN SHE SAID, "Would you like me to mail that to you or would you like to pick it up?" Duh? We were just in your office.
I really wish that I could have just laughed at her and how stupid the whole thing was. But I'm thinking that maybe deep down I am slightly stressed from this deployment because the only thing I could say civilly to her was, "I'm Logan's mom and I just talked to you on the phone". She said she was just writing that prescription down..... (steam was now coming out of my ears).... and she handed it to me. And I walked out. So they were going to hold his prescription for ransom until we bought glasses from them? I'm just taking a guess here because I'm just a military wife and mother but I think maybe that's illegal.
And I guess now I'd like to say to her...watch out lady 'cause my man is deployed and I've got everything under control...at least for the moment.
Because one more thing today showed me that I am slightly stressed...I found the TV remote in my purse when I got to my physical therapy appointment. I have returned it to the coffee table.
Thank you everyone for all of your calls, texts, and notes asking how I am. I have one simple continuous prayer request.
Please pray for simplicity of life for us here at home and safety and safe return for Eric and Brady.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9b
Love,
Monica
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Up until now
I haven't posted very much about Brady and his deployment. It is something I have just had to kind of put out of my mind while Eric and I prepare. But he returned last night from his drill weekend with dates and now it seems real. Now it is time for me to help him prepare.
Brady will be home all of July and that means he'll be able to drive us for RAGBRAI! I am very much looking forward to that time with him before he deploys. I couldn't ask for a better replacement for Eric. My military men will always take care of us. And I look forward to the day when Brady rides with us, too!
When Eric enlisted, I did not really understand what being a military wife was all about. But I did know that it was his lifelong dream and I would not stand in the way. We married and about 8 weeks later we realized I was pregnant. But I was still in denial about the military timeline because when Eric left for basic training, I was 7 months pregnant. And I had a gut feeling that he would not make it back for the birth but I was hopeful. It was an incredibly difficult time leaving him at the airport that day. I bawled and bawled and bawled. And just when I would get my self calmed down someone would call to see how I was doing and I would bawl again. I managed through that time with the help of my parents. My dad is a Korean War veteran and he left my mom a couple of weeks after they married. And then I managed through the birth of my oldest son, Brady, with the help of my mom. At that time it seemed incredibly devastating that Eric missed his birth. But looking at Brady today you can't tell his dad was not present at his birth. And in retrospect, it has been one of the easier trials I have lived through.
All of Brady's growing up, he witnessed his dad going to drill and annual training. Everything about military from the uniforms to all the fun gadgets and hats are very intriguing to little boys. And I realized early on that Brady admired his dad and both of his grandfathers very much for being soldiers. I will admit that when Brady was diagnosed with what we thought was asthma I was relieved to think that he would never experience the military. But what a mom wants for her children is often not what her children want for themselves. And such was the case with Brady. He mentioned it many times but I pushed it aside. When Eric re-enlisted, Brady's drive became that much stronger. And by the time Brady was talking about enlisting I knew this was a place where I would not stand in his way for my own selfish reasons. From a mother's standpoint I wish to always keep my children safe but I also always wish for my children to reach their full potential in whatever they choose to do and not what I choose for them.
I will never forget the day that Brady passed his physical and prepared to take his oath. Eric and I waited and waited and waited for him to finish and sign. While waiting, I was secretly praying there was a maximum height cut-off and he would be too tall. But they took him into a room by himself and said they would call us in a minute to witness his oath. As I walked into the room he was standing at ease with his eyes facing straight ahead. I wanted to run and rescue him. I wanted to sweep him into my arms and make him feel safe. Except I knew that was not what he wanted or needed. He was a man now who wished to serve his country.
So when people ask me how I will deal with my husband and my son deploying at the same time my answer is simple. Vodka.
I'M JUST KIDDING!
It is what they truly want to fulfill their dreams. I would be incredibly ashamed if I ever stood in their way. Will it be difficult? Yes. Difficult isn't even the word. I don't know what word could possibly describe what I am about to go through which is why it is fun to make vodka jokes. But while I am not anticipating this next year with excitement, I also don't want to miss out on what it will be like when they do accomplish their dreams and return. Wow...what a moment that will be!
We will take each day, hour, and moment one by one. And I will pray for them because that will be the only absolute definite thing I will have over the next year. And even after they return, I will continue to pray because that will still be the only absolute definite thing I will have for the rest of my life....my faith, my God, my Savior, and prayer.
Thank you for all of your prayers. We are enjoying our time with Eric on leave and anticipating this first month apart. Our 24th anniversary is coming up and we are hoping to see each other on that day. Please pray he receives special permission for me to visit.
Phillipians 3:14 I continue my pursuit towards the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.
love,
Monica
Brady will be home all of July and that means he'll be able to drive us for RAGBRAI! I am very much looking forward to that time with him before he deploys. I couldn't ask for a better replacement for Eric. My military men will always take care of us. And I look forward to the day when Brady rides with us, too!
When Eric enlisted, I did not really understand what being a military wife was all about. But I did know that it was his lifelong dream and I would not stand in the way. We married and about 8 weeks later we realized I was pregnant. But I was still in denial about the military timeline because when Eric left for basic training, I was 7 months pregnant. And I had a gut feeling that he would not make it back for the birth but I was hopeful. It was an incredibly difficult time leaving him at the airport that day. I bawled and bawled and bawled. And just when I would get my self calmed down someone would call to see how I was doing and I would bawl again. I managed through that time with the help of my parents. My dad is a Korean War veteran and he left my mom a couple of weeks after they married. And then I managed through the birth of my oldest son, Brady, with the help of my mom. At that time it seemed incredibly devastating that Eric missed his birth. But looking at Brady today you can't tell his dad was not present at his birth. And in retrospect, it has been one of the easier trials I have lived through.
All of Brady's growing up, he witnessed his dad going to drill and annual training. Everything about military from the uniforms to all the fun gadgets and hats are very intriguing to little boys. And I realized early on that Brady admired his dad and both of his grandfathers very much for being soldiers. I will admit that when Brady was diagnosed with what we thought was asthma I was relieved to think that he would never experience the military. But what a mom wants for her children is often not what her children want for themselves. And such was the case with Brady. He mentioned it many times but I pushed it aside. When Eric re-enlisted, Brady's drive became that much stronger. And by the time Brady was talking about enlisting I knew this was a place where I would not stand in his way for my own selfish reasons. From a mother's standpoint I wish to always keep my children safe but I also always wish for my children to reach their full potential in whatever they choose to do and not what I choose for them.
I will never forget the day that Brady passed his physical and prepared to take his oath. Eric and I waited and waited and waited for him to finish and sign. While waiting, I was secretly praying there was a maximum height cut-off and he would be too tall. But they took him into a room by himself and said they would call us in a minute to witness his oath. As I walked into the room he was standing at ease with his eyes facing straight ahead. I wanted to run and rescue him. I wanted to sweep him into my arms and make him feel safe. Except I knew that was not what he wanted or needed. He was a man now who wished to serve his country.
So when people ask me how I will deal with my husband and my son deploying at the same time my answer is simple. Vodka.
I'M JUST KIDDING!
It is what they truly want to fulfill their dreams. I would be incredibly ashamed if I ever stood in their way. Will it be difficult? Yes. Difficult isn't even the word. I don't know what word could possibly describe what I am about to go through which is why it is fun to make vodka jokes. But while I am not anticipating this next year with excitement, I also don't want to miss out on what it will be like when they do accomplish their dreams and return. Wow...what a moment that will be!
We will take each day, hour, and moment one by one. And I will pray for them because that will be the only absolute definite thing I will have over the next year. And even after they return, I will continue to pray because that will still be the only absolute definite thing I will have for the rest of my life....my faith, my God, my Savior, and prayer.
Eric meeting his son, Brady, for the first time
and
Eric and Brady after his oath
Brady returning from basic and AIT and reporting first to his dad. This is the same airport where Eric first met Brady when he returned from basic. Amazing how life comes full circle at times.
Thank you for all of your prayers. We are enjoying our time with Eric on leave and anticipating this first month apart. Our 24th anniversary is coming up and we are hoping to see each other on that day. Please pray he receives special permission for me to visit.
Phillipians 3:14 I continue my pursuit towards the goal, the prize of God's upward calling, in Christ Jesus.
love,
Monica
Monday, May 10, 2010
Counting down
We are down to the last couple of weeks. It was recommended to keep everything very low-key during this time. Unfortunately, we thought Eric would have more time while he was still local. But that will not be the case. So our time together before he leaves the state/country was significantly shortened. I am afraid we have a few too many things on the calendar. However, this time of year is very difficult to keep to a minimum with all of the end of year concerts and graduation parties. And this year we have one of our own! But if we choose to not attend some events please understand.
We have been searching for the best option for us during Eric's 15 day furlough sometime next winter. Any suggestions? He won't be coming home because we feel that would be too stressful for all. We are searching for some place warm and beachy. :) Australia was considered but the plane ticket for me was too pricey...well, Eric wanted me to fly first class...at the hefty price tag of $18,000! But even with a coach ticket the price was $2000. And then there's my passport, hotel, food, etc. So we are currently still opting for Hawaii which was our first choice to begin with. If anyone has any ideas, please direct them our way.
We had a great time with Eric's family last Saturday at the Dinges/Snyder get-together. It was good for Eric to see many of his first cousins and relatives before he leaves. I guess his cousin Bill King reported to Eric that his other cousin Todd Harmeyer said, "What the hell does he need to go there for to plant trees? He can just come up and plant trees in my backyard and I'll take some pot shots at him. I can't even hit the side of a barn..". And for those of you who know both of those characters...you are laughing right now.
Thanks for everyone's prayers. Everything is getting taken care of for the most part. We have some small details left. I know you will all keep praying.
And to answer the most asked question to date which is, "How are you going to do that?"...... I don't know for sure. But I will be spending lots of time in prayer and lots of time on my knees.
Specific prayer request:
Please pray for us as we initially separate and then prepare for the sending ceremony. It has been suggested that I just drive up and slow down long enough to kick him out of the car and then pretend he is going to work for the next 400 days. But I know that I will find myself at the sending ceremony blubbering like an idiot. And that is the moment that I am most concerned about for all of us.
Love,
Monica
We have been searching for the best option for us during Eric's 15 day furlough sometime next winter. Any suggestions? He won't be coming home because we feel that would be too stressful for all. We are searching for some place warm and beachy. :) Australia was considered but the plane ticket for me was too pricey...well, Eric wanted me to fly first class...at the hefty price tag of $18,000! But even with a coach ticket the price was $2000. And then there's my passport, hotel, food, etc. So we are currently still opting for Hawaii which was our first choice to begin with. If anyone has any ideas, please direct them our way.
We had a great time with Eric's family last Saturday at the Dinges/Snyder get-together. It was good for Eric to see many of his first cousins and relatives before he leaves. I guess his cousin Bill King reported to Eric that his other cousin Todd Harmeyer said, "What the hell does he need to go there for to plant trees? He can just come up and plant trees in my backyard and I'll take some pot shots at him. I can't even hit the side of a barn..". And for those of you who know both of those characters...you are laughing right now.
Thanks for everyone's prayers. Everything is getting taken care of for the most part. We have some small details left. I know you will all keep praying.
And to answer the most asked question to date which is, "How are you going to do that?"...... I don't know for sure. But I will be spending lots of time in prayer and lots of time on my knees.
Specific prayer request:
Please pray for us as we initially separate and then prepare for the sending ceremony. It has been suggested that I just drive up and slow down long enough to kick him out of the car and then pretend he is going to work for the next 400 days. But I know that I will find myself at the sending ceremony blubbering like an idiot. And that is the moment that I am most concerned about for all of us.
Love,
Monica
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