The Post I Never Wrote–Part 3

I think this should have been called “The BOOK I Never Wrote!” I had no idea I had this much to write about! Anyway, on to Part 3:


Our trip across the country went fairly well, considering we had 3 adults, 3 kids, 2 vehicles (3 if you count the car being towed behind the moving truck) and 1 dog. My dad had flown out to help us finish packing and to drive the truck, and a good friend of mine came along for company for me and her daughter (my daughters’ best friend) got to come too. The reason for the trip was difficult, but we had a good time together. We left behind some good friends, but these two were the most special, and we wanted a little extra time together.


At the time we were going through the move, my husband was experiencing all kinds of new things as well. Fortunately, we were still able to talk through a satellite phone and email, and I got to hear about his experiences (as much as he was allowed to tell me anyway.)


After we got settled in, our things stored, final goodbyes said, it seemed as if we’d been through a whirlwind–physically and emotionally. It was a lot of changes in a short amount of time.


I was grateful for the help and support of my parents. I started a membership at Curves to do something good for myself. We found a homeschool group in the area, and even though we knew we would only be around for one school year, we got involved and made some friends. My oldest balked a little at this, telling me one time, “I don’t want to make friends here because I’ll just have to leave them in a short time and I’ll be really sad.”


Not having our own space got difficult and awkward at times, but there were good things too. My mom and I had good times cooking together. She taught the girls a lot about gardening. She taught them how to crochet. I was able to get my doula certification because of her help with caring for the girls. My dad found some fun projects to work on with them.


There were rough patches where my daughter would complain because she felt like she had 2 mothers. Days where I just wanted my own place with my own things. But, for the most part, I think it was a good decision to stay for that time with my parents.


Most of the time, through all of this, we were able to communicate in some way with my husband. I would get an email or call almost every day. Because of the time difference, he would call as soon as he got up in the morning, which was bedtime for the girls, and he would pray with them before they went to sleep. Then he and I would talk until he had to get going with his day.


There were only a few times I remember starting to feel a little panic creeping in because I hadn’t heard from him for 4 or 5 days. Nights were always the hardest. I remember thinking at one point that I would endure the worst snoring without a complaint if he could only be there, safe beside me. Sounds silly, but snoring was one of those little things that annoyed me before this time, and it became so NOT important anymore!


(Before I forget, let me put this in time context. This deployment year was 2009. I wasn’t blogging or journaling then, and I didn’t write anything down, but now I feel the need to have something for myself and my kids to look back on that tells our story.)


Next Wednesday, Part 4.