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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

2 Weeks

We've now hit the half-way point of Joe's deployment. He's been gone 6 months, so that means this month he'll be here for his 2-week R&R.

Oh how I wish his deployment was only 6 months. Because that would mean this was over, we were done, he was coming home ... instead of just visiting with us for 2 weeks.

2 weeks of having my husband here.
2 weeks of the kids having their father.
2 weeks of holding his hand as we're driving somewhere.
2 weeks of Joe making chicken quesadillas or breakfast burritos.
2 weeks of hearing his voice every day, in person and not over the computer.
2 weeks of watching the kids interact with him.
2 weeks of Lucas getting to know his Daddy.
2 weeks of linking my arm through his as we go for a walk with our kids.
2 weeks of Joe dealing with Kayla's attitude and Lucas's tantrums.
2 weeks of not having the bed all to myself.
2 weeks of laughing together.
2 weeks of parenting together.
2 weeks of letting Joe get up during the night to take Kayla back to her bed.
2 weeks of letting Joe do the bath and bedtime routine.
2 weeks of feeling his arms around me whenever I want a hug.
2 weeks of getting back- and foot-rubs.
2 weeks of seeing his toiletries in the bathroom along side of mine.
2 weeks of being able to touch his face instead of looking at it over the computer screen.
2 weeks of waking up to my husband next to me.
2 weeks of falling asleep in his arms.
2 weeks of watching Kayla read her books to her Daddy.
2 weeks of watching Lucas rough-house with his Daddy.
2 weeks of seeing the kids excited about having their Daddy home.
2 weeks of being a family again.

As much as I'm so looking forward to seeing Joe again, I know it'll be bittersweet because we have to say goodbye again.

I've heard that second goodbye is pretty brutal on the kids. They'll just be getting used to having him around again when he'll be gone before they know it. I can only imagine how confused they'll be and how hard it'll be for them adjust when they just don't understand why he left again.

Then I feel like I have this need to make sure we do all these fun things while he's here and go out and do this and that and not just sit at home. But at the same time I know it's perfectly fine to do just that - sit at home and do nothing but enjoy each others company and being a family. I just don't want to have regrets after he's gone again; thinking oh we should have done this and that and made these memories. It's a balance I have to figure out; I put too much pressure on myself to try and make things perfect for when he's here - when realistically I know that's impossible. Especially considering Kayla will be in school the last week he's here, we really only have one week of being able to go out and sight-see, explore, and do fun family things during the week.

2 weeks will go by way too fast, but we're going to soak up all the time we can with him.

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25 comments:

Mom24 said...

Good luck. I hope you find that perfect balance. It's probably more than half the battle that you know enough to seek it. I know it will be so difficult for all of you to say good-bye again.

My unsolicited 2 cents--if you want, pull Kayla out of school. She'll be fine, she'll adjust fine, the school will be fine. The time with her daddy is truly priceless right now.

Unknown said...

I'm so excited for you all. I can't imagine living the military life.
I hope your time together will be nice and relaxing. Time to enjoy each others company.

Ria said...

Sounds like a wonderful 2 weeks to look forward to and enjoy. Very exciting!

jerricaparr said...

I hope that you all have a wonderful time.
And yes, I know from experience that it'll be tough on the kids, no lie, but as long as you explain to them that he's out saving the world (which we all must admit, that's exactly what our soldiers are doing!!) -- they'll understand. It'll seem like he's a real-live Superman.
Goodluck & I hope that ya'll have a blast.
Try not to stress over what to do, simple things mean lots!!

Comberspud said...

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you, I can't even imagine how hard it is for you all being apart. :( Try not to run yourself ragged while he's here tho.

I know that most of my earlier childhood memories are of really insignificant things that my mum did with me, like drying my hair beside the fire after getting soaked in the rain and wrestling over a packet of scampi fries on the living room floor! :D

No matter what you do when Joe's home, the kids will have memories so just relax and enjoy your time together. I'm wishing away the next 6 months for you pet, so you have Joe back safe and sound again. ((HUGS))

Robin said...

Oh Michelle, I can hear how much you miss him in your words. I hope your two weeks are just wonderful.
I do know what you mean. My kids are coming home from Peru in November for a couple of weeks and I am already dreading the goodbye when they leave.
Life seems to be so full of hellos and goodbyes.

Beverly said...

praying for your family. My Noah was crying for his Dad last night and it breaks my heart, he wont be home for 8 more weeks.

Lacey said...

I can't imagine having him home for only 2 weeks. I bet its super hard on the kids. I agree with taking them out of school while daddy's here.

Mommy Bee said...

Yay! I am excited for you guys! Enjoy your time with Joe!

Melanie D. said...

Aw, this made me cry. I'm praying that you will have the peace of mind to know that Joe will be so happy to be with you guys that it just won't matter what you do!
Hugs.

Cammie Heflin said...

This post brought me to tears, I cannot imagine what it is like to have your husband gone for so long. We truly appreciate his service and sacrifice for our country.

Bailey's Leaf said...

I'm so glad for just your two weeks, though I wish it were a more permanent thing.

Soon.

Nancy M. said...

Interesting list. I'm so glad you'll have him with y'all for 2 weeks!

Tina said...

I am SO, SO, SO excited for you guys! Enjoy those 2 weeks :)

Overwhelmed! said...

I have trouble finding that balance when I go home to visit my family in NE. Usually we end up hanging because that's how we get to spend the best quality time together.

I hope you enjoy each and every moment of Joe being home! I know you will! Tell him I said, "Hi!"

On a different note, I'm giving away a FREE Chicken Soup for the Soul book. Stop by and leave a comment before end of day Saturday to be entered in for my drawing. :)

sasha said...

Hi I am pretty new to your blog. Just thinking about your post. It sounds like you will have a great 2weeks. Wishing you the best.

ChupieandJ'smama (Janeen) said...

Oh Michelle this I am so excited for you guys. How wonderful that he's home for 2 weeks. I hope you all have the time of your lives. Enjoy each and every nanosecond!!
But I can certainly understand your concern for the children when he has to leave again. Kids are pretty resilient and I have a feeling that they'll bounce back pretty quickly. Relax, enjoy and have fun!!

Andrea@Sgt and Mrs Hub said...

2 weeks is such a tease. While I know you are thankful, so thankful, to be able to see Joe again, I can tell this is also hard.

I hope that you are able to find the balance that you are looking for. I will pray that you have wisdom. And also that these two weeks together will be blessed with wonderful, thrilling, exciting memories to carry you through til the end.

-Andrea

much more than a mom said...

Aw, thank goodness for that two weeks. This post brought tears to my eyes & I'll hug my big guy a little longer when he gets home from work tonight.

Chris said...

Oh, I am so exciting for you all! What a great list, and think of all those other fun thing you can do that maybe were too private to share ;)

Don't put pressure to make it perfect. It will be--no matter what you do or where you. It will be perfect because you will be together.

Enjoy!!!!

Bonita said...

I hope you savor every minute of your family time and don't worry too much about how it will play out. It will be wonderful regardless of what you do or don't do. What an exciting two weeks!

Sue said...

That is just so exciting. Does Kayla know he'll be coming home? I understand the balancing - it will be hard. But you'll make wonderful memories just being home playing games, sitting together, etc. - just as much fun as being out and about.

I'm sure it will be hard to say good bye again, but I'm so excited for you that you get this time!

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy for you and the kids Michelle! The kids are so young, they will miss him but they will adjust. I agree with the pull Kayla out of school idea, or at least a few days. I know you worry but she will be fine...I can't wait to hear about your R & R!

Mrs. M said...

Michelle, I know I have been super quiet lately but you have never been far from my thoughts or my prayers. I hope that this time with him home is SO BLESSED and am also praying for the kids adjustment when he leaves again. I also hope you get that moment after he leaves...that small moment to have a good cry before you have to put on your brave face for everyone. THinking of you girl!

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you! I am sorry that it can't be longer. i know that you all will have such a wonderful 2weeks.