12 days and counting...

Well here we are only 12 days away from Jeromey's deployment.  I guess we never thought that this day would really come.  I know back in July when Jeromey got a call that he would be going over, I freaked out.  He was told before this would happen he had some medical things to get taken care of.  Well these things were taking forever, appoitments were cancelled, rescheduled and eventually, I just figured they forgot about him.  Ha!  Well needless to say, early December we got a phone call informing us that he had orders and would in fact be deploying.  So the last month we have been trying to prepare and have tried living by the quote from Muhammed Ali "Don't count the days, make the days count".  This has been tough, and we have reminded each other over and over to not count the days, but cherish the little moments before he leaves.  Anymore though, as "the day" draws nearer, different words seem to be stuck in my head.  "I'm gonna miss this, I'm gonna want this back.  I'm gonna wish these days, hadn't gone by so fast".  Just the other night, as we were laying in getting ready to sleep I couldn't help but realize that 2 weeks from then I will be going to bed by myself.  Those of you who are married or have been in a relationship probably understand that after falling asleep next to someone every night for so long, their absence makes it hard to sleep.  The bed seems too empty, I'm never quite as warm, I toss and turn. So this realization really made me upset.  Its the little things we take for granted everyday that seem so important now.  Kissing him goodbye this morning as I left for work had me wanting to crawl right back in bed and not leave.  I guess you could say I feel this way most mornings when I kiss him goodbye, but even more so now. So I will try my best to make these next 12 days happy, positive, and full of love and laughter.  We have a party planned for Jeromey this Saturday.  A chance for family and friends to come by, eat, have a drink, and wish Jeromey well. I know I have great family and friends for support, and I know we will survive this.  If this is the hardest thing we ever have to face as a family, well then I consider us blessed.  That doesn't make it easier, or stop me from wishing he didn't have to go.  I am lucky enough to have met some people who have done this before, and that is a comfort in itself.  If they did, well so can I!  I plan on keeping busy with work, the kids, and my Scentsy business.  Wish us well, keep in touch, check in and most importantly, keep Jeromey and the rest of the troops in your prayers.