82 Days

Last week, we set a new record for the longest we've been apart. Mind you, this is not a record that I wanted to set and then break with each passing day. But each day apart means one day closer to him coming home.

The past 11.5 weeks have been both easier and harder than I expected.

Easier - There hasn't been as much drama as I expected from the boys. They are adjusting without many issues. Most rough spots are resolved with a reassuring hug and a Skype call. By the way, if I ever meet the people who invented Skype, I may embarrass myself. I am so thankful for this mode of communication. My boys love it too. Bull leaves the funniest voicemail messages for Hubs. Gator enjoys showing Hubs all sorts of new tricks and things he's created. And Monkey is so cute when he points, waves and babbles at his Daddy. I love that my baby knows his Daddy's voice and his face. As long as I have my phone, we can video chat anytime!

Harder - I am tired and rely on Diet Dr. Pepper WAY too much. Oh, how I wish I liked coffee. It's much warmer than DDP! The boys require a great deal of energy, as one may expect. The big boys miss their Daddy's physical presence. They've started beating up on each other (and suffered swift and appropriate consequences)! They soak up any attention they can get from our guy friends. Monkey has gotten a bit better about sleeping through the night. I thought that this weekend would be our breakthrough. Alas, we all have the sniffles and coughs/wheezes, so no one is sleeping well these days.


Easier - There are days that I really do forget he's on the other side of the world and fully expect him to walk through the door in time for dinner. Does anyone else experience this phenomenon? Maybe it's because the rhythm and busy-ness of our lives didn't change much when he left? I don't remember this happening before though, and it's a bit disconcerting.

Harder - The gremlins typically de-rail my day. Shoveling snow, dead car batteries, losing my keys for four days, rabbits/mice in the garage, snowstorms, viruses....the list could go on. I've accepted that these things will happen (thank you U.S. Navy for teaching me this at the beginning of my marriage!), and just try to roll with the punches.


Easier - It's been much easier to loosen my standards than I thought. Really, I haven't had a choice. There aren't enough hours to get "it" all done. Bedtime has gotten a bit later as has wake-up time. The house is much messier than I would prefer (it's winter though and we spend a GREAT deal of time inside right now). I've let dinner planning slide big-time (being remedied this weekend though!). I chalk all of this up to adaptation. I'm ok with it and working through it.

Harder - Everything takes more time, especially in the winter. The coats and the gloves and the hats and the snow and the boots and the mud...It seems that it takes so much longer to get anywhere and do anything. Maybe I'm understanding what the really important stuff is.


Easier - The boys are much better this winter than last with getting themselves ready to get out the door. They even get Monkey's jacket on him and get the dog in her kennel. I also know to start 15 minutes before we actually have to leave. Really, the kids have been amazing. They have stepped up with helping me more than I expected.


Harder - We have been really sick (for our family) this winter. There was the birthday trip to the ER in October for wheezing, the 2 weeks of Norovirus that got all of us in December (while on the road no less!), the sniffles, runny noses and cough that have plagued all of us at different times. Monkey still hasn't had his shots because he's been sick off and on for over a month!

Easier - We have hit our stride with school. Gator is accomplishing more in less time than before, and with a good attitude. Bull started pre-school this week, and I'm able to use free childcare for Monkey.

Harder - It's really tough to see guys in uniform all. the. time. They look so similar to one another (in uniform that is) that it's easy for my mind to play a trick on me and think that my soldier is walking toward me. I don't resent them or pout when I see them. I am looking forward to him being home though.

Easier - The community of which I am a part is absolutely amazing. I can't get over the support and the camaraderie that exists with this group of people. Though I have my "surviving" days, mostly we are in "thriving" mode. And when it's really hard (like it was a couple of weeks ago when our unit lost a Soldier), I know I have people who can sympathize and walk me through it.

I've heard that many hit a wall during months 4-6. What say you? Any ideas for making it through?