I'm here today thinking about the twists and turns my family has taken over the last year. Its been just over a year since our family had a baby and joined the military life. For those first few weeks I just didn't think I would be able to make it.
My wonderful husband wanted to make a better life for us by joining the Army, but the leave date listed for him was so close to my due date for our son (5 days after), I was terrified that I would have the baby after he left. Thank God, who had His hand in the middle of the situation allowed me to give birth not only before he left, but a whole week before, which gave daddy a week with his precious son before he would be gone for 9 months of training. Those first few weeks of being alone with the kids was so hard. My son was colicy, which was the complete opposite of his older sister was the calmest baby ever (at one point I'll admit, that I told my mom, with tears streaming down my face, that I would rather be in BCT, because it was so hard having a colicy baby). With the help of my super hero mom, I was able to make it! She was with me helping me every day that Carlos was gone in those 9 months.
With my baby 3 months old and my daughter 21 months old, my parents and I ventured down to South Carolina from New York for Carlos' graduation. Let me tell you, that was a long trip! Carlitos wouldn't stop crying, he hated the car seat. I don't know what I would have done if my dad wasn't in the back to try and keep him from crying for the over 800 mile drive.
Anyway, I have to tell you the moment that I saw my hubby come through the woods for the graduation ceremony the tears fell and didn't stop the whole weekend! I was just so proud of him and so happy to finally be with him after a 3 month separation. The best part was that once we dropped him off at AIT the next day, the CO that was in charge gave him leave for the rest of the weekend, which meant that I would have my hubby with me for my birthday, that was the best gift I could have received! The time with him was short, just a few days and we were on this adventure for another 6 months living in two separate parts of the country.
In the middle of all this we had to sell our house. Which was terrifying, because before we bought it, it was on the market for 2 years before selling, because it had no back yard. When we bought it in 2006, we were not planning for kids for a few years so the lack of yard didn't bother us. Well, in March 2007 we found out we were expecting our first baby! LOL Anyway, once again, God had his hand in it, the house went up for sale in September and by the beginning of December we were moving out and the new owners were moving in! That's it, it only took 3 months!! I count that nothing short of a miracle!
It was hard not knowing if he would be able to make it home for Christmas, but he did =) with the help of http://www.lbeh.org/ thank you Ernie, I will never forget what you did for us!! I have such a greater understanding of what deployment spouses go through and I would like to honor them for the sacrifice that they give. We made it through that part of our journey and moved to Virginia to start his Army career. After all this time (which went by super fast) I have discovered that I just love this life. I love all the friends I have made along the way and I am very grateful for them. I couldn't have asked for anything more. We will have many more adventures with moving frequently, seeing different parts of the country and meeting new friends. I just love being an Army wife!!!
Our first and only family photo, we need to do something about that!
Giovanna playing with papi at the playground in Ft. Jackson.
Visiting dog beach at our new home Ft. Monroe.
I am so excited and proud of u....I think back to those 'good ol days' when u led the way in traveling all the way from Hilton to Victor...and Dick and I both prayed that God would honor your pioneering spirit...willing to risk it all for the best life....and I believe He is doing that....we r so excited for u and so proud of u....can't wait for all that is ahead! Just goes to show if we lay it ALL before HIM HE. Will make a plan! Love u..d
Good Luck to you! And Thank You to your husband for serving and you for being willing to take on the task of military wife.
Godspeed!!
Blessings
MusingMom6
man, sounds like y'all have a had a crazy year! But thankfully God has it all planned out, huh?! Stopping by from Bloggy Moms~ hope you have a great weekend!
yay, a fellow military wife! so glad to have found your blog on Christian bloggy mom's group. Can't wait to read more :) come check out my blog at http://www.cammostylelove.blogspot.com
in my military resources page i have the link to a forum I run. Its a small group of girls that are all over the place. most of them I know really well and I've met a couple. So anyway, check it out :)
Thank you everyone! This year has definitely crazy, but with our willingness to follow God's plan he has blessed us more than we could have ever imagined!! Denise, thank you for all of your prayers throughout the years, you and Dick mean a lot to us! I will check out all the recommended blogs =)
Wow -- what a story and testimony to the goodness of God! I think you could add a ton to the new community that I'm trying to set up on my blog (have GOT to pray about a catchy title). I hope you'll link up next Tuesday!