Family Time

Spending time together as a family whether it is through family dinners, working, or vacations, is a very important thing to remember as your soldier gets ready to deploy. My husband's unit has an amazing commander that values the family. He has encouraged us as families, no matter what form, to spend some special time together before they deploy. We are getting ready for a week-long family vacation to Hawaii. It will be our kids' first time flying. We have arranged for, hopefully, everything that is needed. Sunscreen, swimsuits, animals left home. We have been planning this trip since December. We booked it in January. It never ceases to amaze me at how fast time flies. We are all very excited for our family vacation to come but that date arriving also means that another not so fun date is almost here. I have had a little taste of my husband being gone since he left in November for training in Oklahoma. He was able to come home for 9 days during Christmas. He came home the 1st week of April just to leave 2 days later to join his unit for their annual summer camp which lasted 3 weeks. We now have him home for about a month and already a week is gone. We all know how vacations fly by so there will be another week. My son was able to complete his Eagle Scout requirements and will have his court of honor along with extended family party and pictures the next week. And pretty soon, that day has arrived. The day when my husband will be serving our country. I am so very proud of him. I know his unit and the guys he will be serving with are amazing. It still is such a scary thing but most of all the unknown. If I could plan everything out I would be set. The unknown is always scary. When I attended the Military Child training they called it the "new normal". So we will enjoy this time we have with our dad and husband and then get ready for the coming all too quick "new normal". As you stop at the end of your day today, say a little prayer for all the soldiers and for their families. We could use all the help we can get. Thank you for your support!