Sledding In Winter Park

We went to Winter Park with some friends just before Christmas. It was an awesome deal - $80 for 2 night and all meals for 2 adults and 2 kids. We plan on going again before winter is gone. The week end was all about the kids. We went sledding with Santa Claus, roller skating and watched the Polar Express. It was a great time. The rooms didn't have a t.v. so Eric and I did a jig saw puzzle in the evenings. Unfortunately, Wyatt got sick during the second evening and we had to leave early the next morning.

More Christmas

Wyatt is the luckiest kid ever. Not only does he have my parents, Eric's mom and dad and then their spouses for grandparents - 3 sets, but he's also adopted Sandi's mom and dad as grandparents. As we know from previous posts, Wyatt often plays "dress ups" with Sandi's girls. Sandi's mom and dad got him a knight outfit so that he doesn't have to be a princess anymore! He loved it and so did Eric! :-)

Christmas 2008

We went to Tony and Sandi's house for Christmas. We had a wonderful time, as per usual. I love spending holidays with the Mercardos and their family. Its crazy and hectic and so much fun. They had a gigantic tree that looked like it belonged in a hotel lobby and a spread of food from gourmet magazine. We did an ornament exchange, which so so much fun because Sandi's dad said we had to make up a story about our ornament - didn't matter if it was true or not. Our friend, Christine, brought an ornament shaped like a gift. She started her speech off saying "this is my box, there's only one like it". It was hysterical!

Life Post-Deployment

I know I am behind. As most of you know, I like to try to record big events in our lives for prosterity. I have been wanting to take the time to sit and explain what its been like since Eric has been home. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!

As we all know, I was beyond exhausted by the end of deployment. Wyatt was running circles around me. Eric and I have been trading days "off". He goes skiing one day and the next day I get a manicure or take a day trip Denver, or enjoy a happy hour downtown. We take turns sleeping in AND Eric takes Wyatt to school every day, even though it means he gets to work 30 mins early. I can't explain the relief! Not to mention being able to tag team Wyatt. I cook dinner, Eric gives him a bath or does the dishes...he folds the laundry and brings in the groceries. Its so good to share the load with my husband.

Then there's the peaceful feeling of knowing that my son has his father again. It hurts so much while they are deployed. Not only because you miss your husband, but because you know your children miss them too. The first few weeks Eric was home I would catch Wyatt just staring at him with all this love in his eyes. There have been several occasions when Wyatt has told Eric "I love you Daddy and I'm glad you're home." To hear a barely 3 yr old, who is still learning to talk, express those feeling to his father and to see Eric's expression is touching. I'm all teary eyed just typing about it.

Its also been strange getting used to not seeing my friends as much - either because I am busy or because they are busy. Some of us text each other saying "I miss you" when we haven't seen each other in a few days. Its been about 6 weeks and I think we are all beginning to get adjusted. Its been the biggest adjustment actually. There are times when you tell your husband something and you don't get the reaction you were hoping for, and then you realise - he's a man and the reaction you were expecting was actually what one of your girls would have given you. Sandi and I found ourselves laughing because we are excited about our husbands going to collect the helicopters. They will be gone for about a week and we plan to have a sleepover for old time sake. We miss the sleepovers!

Then there's the overwhelming stress of the pending move to Kansas. We need to sell our house, but if we sell it too early we will have to pack ourselves and pay to move into an apartment for a few months until the army is ready to move us to KS. We are still unsure of when we will be expected in KS. Right now it looks like May/June. We are waiting for orders STILL. Every time Eric comes home with information I take it with a grain of salt because we have a change of command later this month and the new commander may have a different idea of how he wants the move to happen. I'm also not looking forward to getting Wyatt all new Drs and specialists and finding him a suitable school. We've been also been having troubles finding anything in KS to live in. The rent there is very high. It's more expensive there to rent an older, smaller home than it is for us to own a newer, larger home here. We are considering a trip to KS to check out neighborhoods. I am having trouble sleeping, luckily my Dr prescribed some Ambien.

Making Snow Angels and Waiting For Hot Chocolate

I did not tell him to make the snow angels. He got the idea from his favorite cartoon, Max and Ruby. I was amazed that he thought to do it. Just goes to show his little mind is soaking everything in.

Wyatt's First Day of School

I was so happy to have Eric home for Wyatt's first day of school. Its such a huge milestone and it felt so good for BOTH of us to be there to witness it. The kids have a uniform. Its not what I call a real uniform like I used to wear, but its a dress code. The kids wear beige or navy pants and red, blue or white shirts. Wyatt looks so cute! He loves going to school (8am - 11am) and has been bringing home paintings and crafts etc.

It took me a while to get him into the the school I wanted. The first option we were given was not up to my standard and so I declined the position and pushed for the school he is going to now. Eric joked that we were on track for private school. I'm glad I held out because I really like Soaring Eagles, our neighborhood elementary. Wyatt's teacher and her aids are lovely. There are 16 children in the class and 3 adults. Awesome ratio!

Me, Steph and Avery

Eric's Homecoming

Just pics for now and I will blog about it later. Needless to say, Wyatt, Eric and I are very happy.

I Couldn't Sleep Last Night

I had a panic attack yesterday in the grocery store. I guess all my nerves combined with the Thanksgiving craziness just overwhelmed me. I came home, took some tylenol for my headache and put Wyatt and myself down for a nap. We woke up at 5pm.

I woke up at 3:30am with a migrane. So after taking some heavy duty medicine, a long hot shower and a cup of hot chocolate, I got back to bed at 5:30am. I woke up at 7:30am, heart racing - wondering if Eric had left Kuwait. I called the hotline and it still says they haven't left yet.

I recaulked the bathtub in the master bath, cleaned out the basement closet and got things put away in the garage. Today my plan is to steam clean my bedroom carpet, detail Eric's truck, look for a shoe rack for our foyer to contain Eric's boots and our shoes (we don't wear shoes in the house, especially in the winter with all the snow/mud), buy some cigars for the guys to smoke after our Thanksgiving feast and a nice bottle of wine, drop off some stuff to Goodwill.

STILL NO IDEA!

I just spoke with Eric. He said that he wasn't even sure he'd be home for Thanksgiving - which is 8 days away...YOU'D THINK THEY'D HAVE SOME FREAKING IDEA! SOMEONE has to know! Just tell us - "they are scheduled to be home on this date" and, of course, we understand there are no guarantees.

BUT NO! NO ONE knows anything! #$Q%@#$%@#$%^! Just tell me if I should hope to see my husband for Thanksgiving or not! DAMN IT! I am so frustrated! Just give me a damn date you @#$%@#%@#$^%!

Oh and while I am cursing at the Army - I want to know IF we are moving to KS and WHEN????????? Especially if its going to be within the next 3-6 months and I have to sell my house! You #$%$#%^$%^!

I am OVER IT!

I just am!

Eric's Arrival Date

I've had several calls and emails from family and friends asking me when Eric will be home. I HAVE NO IDEA! Welcome to the life of a military family. NO FORMAL information has been given out.

My girlfriends were notified a couple days before their husbands arrived home, by being told via email to expect their soldiers to arrive on "Tuesday evening". Then on Tuesday morning they were called and notified that their husbands would arrive at 11:20pm. Then later that day they were notified that their husband's would arrive at 3:55am on Wednesday. When I say they were "notified", I mean they had to call a phone to listen to a recording and wait to see if the time would stick or change.

Its a very frustrating process. Eric isn't as...vigilant about getting me information as other soldiers. I rely on other wives to update me. I promise to post once Eric has arrived in Colorado Springs and is safe.

Love to all!

One Of My Latest Cakes

Yeeehaaa

Wyatt and his bff, Gianna. Well they are either best friends or arch enemies - it just depends which minute you are looking!

Wyatt on Halloween

You guys saw his Halloween outfit - he wore it on his birthday. So here's a funny picture of him wearing a green wig my sister put on him for fun.

At The Fair In Georgia

Wyatt loved the fair! He wanted to go on ALL the loudest, fastest rides, but was satisfied with the kiddie rides. I hope he grows fast because this kid is a thrill seeker and that damn ruler is going to prove to be quite the bummer!

Wyatt Loved "Driving" Uncle Pat's Fire Truck

Torture!

2 more weeks...I feel like the count down is getting sloooower and sloooooooooooower. Today I scrubbed my entry floor, detailed the bathroom on my main level, cleaned the oven and range - I even cleaned BEHIND my oven, I bleached my kitchen countertops, cleaned the airconditioner vents and then went upstairs and emptied my bathroom linen closet/medicine cabinet and all my vanity draws! Insane! I've already steamed my carpets, cleaned out my fridge, microwave and pantry and organized out clothing closets and drawers.

Its not just me. Everybody seems to be "Spring Cleaning" in preparation for their husbands. Its the same or maybe worse than how I was right before I gave birth and was going through the whole "nesting" thing. Part of it is because I need something to keep me busy, part of it is because I want Eric to come home to a lovely home, part of it is because we will be moving soon and I want to get some of the crap done now!

I have also stopped being able to sleep through the night again. I wake up tense with heartburn, my heart racing. I told Eric its the same feeling I used to get before a big test. He said "well I'm sure you will pass". I love him.

Counting Down

Three of my close friends, Sandi, Jeanette and Shely welcomed their husband's home at 4am this morning. I am so happy for them! They have finally reached the end. My other good friend, Stephanie, is wrapping up a job and moving back to Colorado at the end of the week. Stephanie and I will greet our husbands together soon.

I feel a little lonely and envious at the moment. Its hard to be the only one left in town without a husband. Everyone (including me when its my time) needs space and time alone with their husbands and families. I can't wait for Steph to get here!

I am also getting very anxious about Eric coming home. The reality of having him home after 15 months is finally hitting me. I've been running the show on my own and now it will be a joint venture again. I am really excited to have Eric home, I am just nervous about what the Army calls "reintergration". We had a very brief training on what to expect about a month ago and have the option of attending more classes with our soldiers when they return. I've included link to the BATTLEMIND concept, which I found most useful in our training.

Here's a link to the Spouse's Battlemind (me)
https://www.battlemind.army.mil/assets/files/spouse_battlemind_training_post_deployment_brochure.pdf

Here's a link to the Soldier's Battlemind (Eric)
https://www.battlemind.army.mil/assets/files/battlemind_training_i_brochure.pdf

Less Than A Month Until Eric Gets Home

So we are back from 2 weeks in Georgia. We had such a great time with my parents, sister and brother-in-law. It was so good for us to be surrounded by family as Eric's 15 month deployment in Iraq SLOWLY comes to an end.

I am really, really hoping that Eric will be home for Thanksgiving on Nov 27th. So that's 3.5 weeks away. It doesn't feel real! He's been gone for so long! The MONTH is finally here! Now all we have to do is get through the next few weeks. The most painful part at this point is containing my excitement. At this point, I feel like I can celebrate! I've done it! I've survived my husband being in Iraq for over a year, while raising our son - who was 1 when Eric left and is now 3! WOW!

ok I'm tired and rambling.