Lets get to it...

      Deployment around the corner this is the second time we have had to prepare for one of these nasty D words. With the deployment comes a lot of thought and conversation between a soldier and his spouse. The conversation that leaves me in tears and telling him "YOU HAVE TO COME BACK TO ME!" No one wants to think about the "what ifs" but what if the worst case happens and you are unsure of your soldiers last wishes, what he wants for his kids and so on. So the conversation needs to be done.
   
           We have the talk about injuries if he came back with less limbs, or more severe he wanted to have the reassurance I would stand by him no matter what. One of the hardest things we talked about was him giving me the "say" in his Will if he was on life support I would be the one to determine if the doctors would "pull the plug" This one was hard for me to even think of because he would be alive right in front of me but reliant on a machine. I told him I don't know if I could tell the doctors to take you off support. He told me all choked up if it was the only thing keeping him alive then somehow I would have to find the strength but it would be okay.
      There are so many soldiers who deploy and come home with stories to tell but then there are those who die as heroes in a war. Deployment was something we talked about before joining the military. Making sure this is something we could both handle. Mike has told me several times through the years "I train so I can deploy!" He trains hard  and he tells me he is ready to deploy and actually do what he is trained to do. Also wants to have a ribbon on his dress blues, something he can be proud of. Its a man thing I think. ha ha.
      Through training they have several classes. A few weeks ago he had a class on "being captured" I cant talk details on this conversation but to sit down and have that conversation of my soldier being captured and things done to him to release information is beyond scary. I asked him how he deals with the thought of these things and its like talking to a robot when it comes to military. The soldiers are so trained that he talks about what he would do professionally and doesn't show any motion behind his words.
       Before a deployment the soldiers take their "Hero picture" which is a picture the media would use if the soldiers were to die in war. I remember the first time he came home and told me he took his "Hero picture" I worry how that makes a soldier feel, but then again as Mike would say it comes with the territory. Also a Will is made, Life Insurance is set, and we were to make a "family plan" just in case the worst was to happen.
      This conversations may seem crazy to non military members and families but it is necessary. We pray, and plan for the best but prepare for the worst. Before a deployment this kind of talk happens more so then not. Its talks like these I think "hmmm did I really give this a lot of thought before I agreed to the military life? Can I change my mind?" ha ha. On the other hand there is something so honorable, heroic and sexy about a man putting on his uniform and doing what needs to be done. I'm proud of my soldier and know he is ready, now if only I were ready. ha ha.

Deployment preparations...

I'm always searching for fun, new ideas to teach and make Deployment a little easier on Dylan. He is our biggest concern going into this deployment. I came across something similar to this picture from another army wife that I HAD to make one for our deployment. I thought maybe this could be a Dylan and mommy project but at this moment Dylan wants nothing to do with deployment preparations or talking about deployment, and that is normal, we wont push it. When dad is deployed I have a feeling this wall will become very important to Dylan. He will be able to see what time it is where his dad is, every night will mark off another day on the countdown calender, and also see where dad is on the map. 

      Also not in this picture I made a mailbox (it is underneath the picture) The mailbox is for Dylan to write his dad letters,draw pictures, and put anything in there he wants his dad to have then I will empty the mailbox and send it off to Kuwait. When Mike was gone for training Dylan had a pile of little letters he made telling his dad to come home, and also talked about how he felt when dad was gone. Of course when Mike was gone for training he couldn't receive any letters, but I thought for deployment this would be perfect. As of now he wants nothing to do with it, he knows what its for, doesn't want to talk about it but this will be VERY handy when the time comes.
      I have several friends who have went through deployments and I have got some great ideas to make this deployment some what fun. A friend told me she filled a jar full of Hershey Kisses for the number of days her soldier was gone. Every night before the kids went to bed they would eat a Hershey kiss which would symbolize "A kiss from dad" but also a countdown. I love this and will also be using this for both the boys! :)

Q and A

•       How would you explain the army life? Oh boy, this is difficult in one word I would say unique. There's no life like it. 
•       How does the army affect me as a wife and a mother? The army is not only a "job" for my husband but it is a lifestyle for our entire family. I have to support my husband because what he does isn't easy. He tells me all the time "I couldn't do this without you." Being an army wife has made me a better and stronger person. Being a mother is a challenge on its own but to raise kids in this army life I have learned to reach out for help (ask other parents advice) keep my kids busy, stay positive and strong for my kids. 
•       Whats the hardest thing for your kids? Mason is still a baby so it doesn't affect him, but for Dylan who is now 7 it is difficult. Its very difficult when dad is gone but also moving from his friends, his friends moving, being away from his family. Just the other day Dylan said one of his friends wasn't in his class anymore because they moved, he misses his friend a lot.
•       What branch is Mike and why did he choose that branch? Army bc he was prior Army before we met.
•       How many times has Mike been deployed? He has a deployment coming up in a few weeks and this will  be our first. When we were in Alaska he went to NTC (California) to train, and was 10 days away from leaving to Afghanistan but we had our son who was born with Down syndrome and moved to the lower 48 for his medical needs, so he did not deploy. We were reassigned on compassionate reassignment. 
•       How often do you move? Our situation has been different from other military families. We were supposed to be in Alaska 3 years but was there a year and half. We had to move for our son to provide him with better medical care. We aren't in Colorado for a set time, it's temporary. We moved here a year ago and could possibly move after deployment. Mike gets his new orders this spring, so we could stay or go.
•       Do you like to move? I have to be honest I'm addicted to change. I love new places. I mean we lived in Alaska and Colorado is there any place more beautiful and amazing? I'm ready to move again! : ) 
•       What is the hardest part about the military? Besides the obvious...Deployment and being apart I would say Mike and I chose this life together but our kids had absolutely no say. The older Dylan is getting the harder it is for him. 
•       How often do you see your family? Not enough. In the last 3 years we saw our families 3 times. I haven't seen my mom in nearly 4 years because of her busy life and ours. 
•       Do you ever get lonely? Absolutely. I would say on holidays when Mikes not here is the worst because I'm away from my family. 
•       Do you ever get depressed? no. I enjoy being an army wife and I'm busy with my kiddos! 
•       Whats one thing you learned being an army wife? PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE! 
•       Does Mike like the army? YES! 
•       Is he in the army long term? YES! 
•       What made Mike join the army? To be honest we weren't happy with where we were in life, was ready for a change (A BIG CHANGE) and needed a change. Mike was prior service and talked about getting back in so I told him "Lets go for it!" 
•       What is your advice for those couples joining the military? Enjoy the ride! 
•       Whats one of the perks of being an army wife? ummmm seriously? lol. I would say...ummm...hmmm.... There's a lot of things I love about being an army wife, but I'm not sure there are any "perks" about it.
•       This question came from my husband himself...If we weren't in the army anymore, would you do it all over again? ABSOLUTELY! His reply "I knew you were going to say that...me too...me too."