The Giant leaves in a week. Seven days left as a family of three for quite a while. He ships out for Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio TX on the 23rd where he'll be for at least 2 months with very little communication. Very little as in I've been told to expect a phone call or two, maybe three with good "behavior." From TX, then starts his long training that will last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years all over the country. What a hard holiday season this will be. Our first as our family of three. Lordy, I'm already choking back the waterfall, maybe this will be even shorter than I thought. So, yep. I'm moving home to be with my parents for awhile while we wait on him to finish up. I don't quite know how to prepare mentally for this big change. I've done the only thing I know to do, push it to the back of my mind, until now. Now, everything is a last. Everything we do, we appreciate a little more together. We hold hands a few more times in a day. We stare at Cheyanne a little longer at night together. We sleep a little closer (he is not a snuggler...). He holds Peapod a little tighter. We talk more. I smile at him more.
Its hard. But we have been waiting so long for this to happen, that now it is just too bitter-sweet. Timing sucks, BIG TIME. But, the payoff is so worth it. For him to finally get to start his career, his path in life, is so exciting. I will write every day. He will miss us, but maybe not as much as we will miss him. I am dedicated to taking pictures of Chey every day and sending them to him so he doesn't miss a thing.
This week, we are packing up the house, putting everything in storage, and finishing up all loose ends. My dream is to have everything done by Thursday night, so come Friday, I can turn off my cell phone and all communication and just soak up my family for our last 3 days together.
Because he'll be missing Thanksgiving, I threw a early Thanksgiving going away party on Saturday. We had a fantastic time with friends and family. The Giant needed a party and a chance to relax and say goodbye to our loved ones, and so did I. Since we won't be coming back to the beach to live anytime in forseeable future, it was extra important for both of us. We are blessed with such special people in our lives that love us despite ourselves. We have so much to be thankful for this year. Thank you especially Saia's and Ireland's for coming in from out of town to be with us. Of course, I'm horrible at remembering to take pictures at most events I absolutely mean to so I have very few pictures from the party, but here are the few I have.
Corn pudding! A Thanksgiving staple in my family.
I made chocolate covered pretzels. That rocked if I do say so myself!
the cousins
A flavorful game of cards
The Saias
Somebody was all ready for the party
Yep, we wore her out. I love how she folds her hand when she sleeps
I promise it will all be okay. God's timing is always perfect, even if we don't realize it. One day you'll look back and say "oh yea, that's why..." Trust me I've been there. Shoot I still have to remind myself of that.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the "last" of anything- just a temporary pause in life.
We are all so proud of both you and Mike for your strength and trust to follow God's plan for your lives. It will be worth it- just trust.
love you, Big T.
PS: she looks like dad sleeping with her hands folded over her belly:)
ReplyDeleteMolly, I just want you to know that I teared up a bit reading your post. It reminded me of this past year when I found out (when Haley was about 2 weeks old) that Frank was going to be gone for a total of 21 weeks that upcoming year. And all I could think about was "as proud of him as I am and as much as I know this is his calling right now, this really sucks." I just saw all these other families with newborns whose Daddy's came home everynight and that made things hard. BUT that being said, even through all the tough and "cry your eyes out" days, God really took care of us. Family, friends, little trips, nights to myself with a tub of ice cream. I agree with your sis, it's just a blip in the big picture. So fight your urge to wish away the time, and use it as a time where you'll remember that you and Cheyanne got such wonderful mommy and daughter time that you'll remember forever. And he'll be home before you know it. :)
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