Deployment Survival Tips

Here are some tips I have come up with (so far) to surviving a deployment:

1. Get used to doing things on your own that you never would have done before. For example, go to a restaurant that you like by yourself with your child. It is okay. You don't always have to have someone else to go with you.

2. Spend time with friends who are in the same boat. If you are bored or lonely, chances are that they are too. Dinners together are great, especially since you are both going through the same thing.

3. Find some fun free things to do with your child to fill the time. For example, go to Barnes and Noble or the library to look a books together. Go to the park. Go on a walk.

4. Realize that weekends are now the worst time of the week. You will look forward to Monday. Why? Because everyone else has a husband at home on the weekends, and there is normally very little to do. Weekdays provide structure, and many more friends whose husbands are at work.

5. Don't let yourself get in a pit. He is gone. It is hard. Sometimes you will cry, but don't stay there. It will make life miserable and zap the joy out of your family.

6. Find joy in the little things. Everyday realize how precious your children are, and laugh with them a lot. Laughter is really the best medicine.

7. Get a hobby. Find something you enjoy and set goals. For example, train for a run a half or full marathon, take up cake decorating or scrapbooking.

8. Cooking will be different. Get ready for leftovers. It is very rare that you can cook a meal that will be finished in one night when it is just you and a child.

9. Make a plan for all holidays. They will be hard. You will miss your husband, so get a friend or family member to spend each one with you.

10. Do some volunteer work. Serving others gets your mind off of your own situation.

11. Pray for your husband every day. Sometimes this is the only connection you have to him.

12. Take some time to re-energize. Take advantage of free childcare that is offered for deployed military families. You will be amazed how much better of a mother you will be when you take a couple hours each week to have a little time to yourself.

13. Don't waste this time! God can do a work in your life when you really need Him. When your husband is gone, so is your security, comfort, true love, friend, confidant, etc. Let God be all those things to you. Let Him do a work in your life so that you are not the same at the end of this time.

"Those who sow in tears, shall reap in joy." Psalm 126:5

"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

If you have other tips to share, please add them. I know there are more.

Take Me Back

Last night a few things happened that took me back to some memories from my childhood.

I filled up Carli's baby pool and put the end of her slide in it. She went down her new water slide over and over again. My sisters and I used to love to do this same thing in our backyard.

Ahh...memories.

Then, I heard the ice cream truck rolling through the neighborhood. This reminded me of the time when my sisters and I swore we heard the ice cream truck one day and stood outside waiting for him for over an hour. Finally, we concluded that we must have heard a wind chime instead.

I think one of the best parts of being a parent is getting to relive your own childhood. I love feeling like a kid again. Those memories are so dear to me, and I hope Carli has many just like them when she is an adult.

I couldn't find a picture of our slide from our backyard, but here is one of me, Meredith, and my dad at the slide at the park.

My mom sent me a picture of the 3 of us on top of our slide in the backyard. I am the goofy one in front.

Kisses On Our Feet

When we went to the beach last weekend, I took Carli out in the water. As I looked out across the expansive ocean, I thought about the people I love that live across the Atlantic. I thought of my sister and her family in Switzerland. I pointed far in the distance and told Carli that her aunt, uncle, and cousin live way out there across the sea.

Then I thought of Chris, and I pointed again and told her that Daddy was way far away across the ocean. I felt the waves lapping at our feet. I told her that the waves were hugs and kisses that he was sending to us from his side of the ocean. I know it was something I made up for my young child, but it felt so good to actually "feel" a hug and kiss from him again.

Missing the Moments

You are missing all the moments that are so special.
You missed her
first crawl
first step
first "Dada"
first birthday
first ...
I don't know how many more moments I can stand for you to miss.
Hurry home, Chris, so that you can see how big your little girl is.
She gets bigger everyday.
And while everyday that passes we get closer to your return,
we will never get back these precious moments.

12 Month Stats

Carli had her 12 month well baby doctor's appointment yesterday. She did very well even with all the shots and finger pricks. She is getting so big and all of her measurements are normal and healthy.

Height: 29.5 inches (75th percentile)
Weight: 19 lbs. 11 oz. (25th percentile)
Head Circumference: 46cm (90th percentile)

The doctor noted that her height had jumped up quite a bit. I can tell because I used to have to roll up every pair of pants but not anymore. I know she has a big head, but that runs in the family...no surprise there. She will just have to special order her hats like my dad when she gets older. It is funny because most of the clothes that fit her body are a struggle to get over her head. We have had to retire a few outfits merely because I could not get them over her head.

Happy Birthday, Carli Grace!

My little girl is one year old today. I still can't believe it has been a whole year since I felt her little feet kicking inside me. This time last year I was in labor anxiously awaiting her arrival. She arrived at 4:10pm on May 8, 2008. It was one of the best days of my life. I still remember the feeling of overwhelming love and joy when they placed her on my chest for the first time. What a beautiful girl! You still are beautiful, my dear Carli, and you are more beautiful with every passing day. I am so thankful that God blessed me with you. You are such a joy!

Carli and me one year ago

Carli and me one week ago

Happy First Birthday, Carli Grace!

Easter

Carli had a great first Easter. It makes me a little sad because this was her last "first" before her birthday. I can't believe she is so big! We started the day with her getting her Easter basket. Then we had a wonderful time at church. Later that day, we went to an Easter party with our Sunday School class. It was a lot of fun! Here are some pictures:

Outside with her Easter basket

Digging through her Easter basket
Mommy and Carli at the Easter party