He's gone

[Laura_A]

The girls and I took Jaime to the airport this morning and he's gone. GONE for SIXTEEN MONTHS!!! For all intents & purposes, that a year and a half. We all cried... it was hellish! The girls have never seen him cry before. We got home and I just crawled back in bed and stayed there 'til noon. I'd prolly still be there except the Culligan guy came to the door. I'm just so sad. I kept the girls home from school today cuz they were so upset I couldn't imagine them having to sit all day and work. He doesn't actually get to Iraq until June, but still... he's gone.

[heatherdumas]

Laura, I am so sad for you and your family. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. And know that I truly appreciate all that you have sacrificed for our families. Keep your chin up! Then do something fun with your girls today.

[ZaCola3]

Awww...Laura, you post makes me wanna cry right along with you!
Be strong and stay focused, I have faith in your ability to be a wonderful Military wife and mom!
Hugs!
I have to edit this to say a big TY from my entire family for your Hubby and his willingness to protect our country and in turn us!

[LeeAndra]

I am so sorry that you have to sacrifice your DH for us, Laura. Please know you and yours are in my prayers. Thank you for all that you and your DH does.

[lauren grier]

:[ that has got to be so hard laura

[BrattyMeg]

(((Laura))) Hugs....I'll be praying for you and your girls along with your dh safety

[joelsgirl]

I'm so, so sorry, Laura.

[digideb]

Aw, Laura! ((((HUGS)))) sweetie! I can't imagine what you're going through! It takes a special woman to be a military wife! I don't think I could ever do it! I'll be praying for y'all!!

[lhaslem]

i can't even imagine...that's gotta be hard. We'll be keeping him and the many, many others in our thoughts!

[meganmecrazy]

I could not imagine how hard that was. I'm so sorry. ((((HUGS))))

[Penny Springmann]

Huge Hugs!

[rach3975]

That had to be so hard. Thank you for everything you're sacrificing for us!

[~Julie~]

{{big hugs}} Laura...

[pbumbaca]

Hugs Laura! I will keep Jamie and you and the girls in my thoughts and prayers!

[SamaraGugler]

Big hugs girl....

[MelissaL88]

Laura, my family and I cannot thank you enough for the sacrifice that you and your family are making to keep us all safe. God Bless you and your family!

[nikkiARNGwife]

Aw..big hugs Laura...I'm crying right along with y'all b/c I've been right where you are several times. Just know that yesterday was hard, but today will be easier and tomorrow will be even easier.

Try to stay busy..do things that keep your mind off of it. Take out your calendar and break up the 16 months into smaller goals to be reached. Start planning with the kids ideas for care packages and stuff.

I'm so sorry you have to go through this too...I wish it were over for all of us who have to live without our hubbies this way. If you ever need to vent just pm me. I've been through the entire round of emotions involved with this a hundred times over so I'll be glad to listen to you if you need me to.

Hang in there!

[Kara]

Wow, that is so hard. Hugs to you!

[tuneskids]

((hugs)) Laura

[LibbysMommy]

Awww biggest hugs Laura!! I'm so sorry you and your family have to go through this.

[AnnieBananie]

((huggles))

[Shawna]

Aww Laura I'm so sorry, I can't even imagine how hard that is for you & the girls. {{{hugs}}}

[wvasweetness]

Sending lots and lots of ((HUGS)) your way...

[ColleenSwerb]

(((((((((((Laura))))))))))))
Huge huge hugs Laura!!

Many many thanks to you, your family, and your man for the sacrifices you all make in protecting this country. An old family friend of ours just got orders to go to Baghdad and leaves at the end of the month.

I'll add you and your family to my prayers while your DH is gone.

[my4boys]

My heart aches for you guys {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

[Laura_A]

Thank you SO much everyone! I hate complaining... but I knew I could come here and express my feelings and ya'll would be supportive. It really really helps know ya'll are here!

[lovely1m]

I am so sorry, Laura, I cannot imagine the pain especially for that long. I wish the Army didn't have to go for so long at a time.

[scrapperjade]

HUGE {{{HUGS}}} Laura! I can only imagine how hard today would have been for you. He!!, I'm tearing up just at the thought!

I really loved Nikki's suggestion about breaking up the months and planning care packages. Maybe the girls could start making a special Valentine gift to send their dad? Maybe just before DH goes to Iraq you could send him some nice photos you had done by a professional (thinking "special" just for him photos of just yourself, lol). Maybe the girls could write him 1x per week or however many times they want, and you can send them once a month along with a care package?

[ditzyscrap]

((((hugs)))) Laura! That has to be really hard, I can't even imagine!

[Paula]

Laura, I am so sad for you today! I can't imagine how hard it was for any of you! I'll pray for your DH safety and I thank you all for the sacrifices that he's making for us all!

[Laura_A]

Thanks so much for the suggestions Jaedyn & Nikki! I really like the idea of breaking the time up into sections, that will really help I think! Jaime wants us to take a few trips together if the budget allows, so I think that will help with somthing to look forward to.

We're going to send him a package once a week with things like the girls' school work, pictures, letters, treats, etc... luckily it's free to send packages to him!

As much as the girls and I will miss him... I can't even imagine how hard it's going to be for him, not seeing his babies for so long, so we're going to try to keep in touch with him as much as possible.

[Mandy]

My thoughts are with you and your girls.
My husband told me a couple weeks ago that he's going to volunteer to go over next Spring and I'm just so not looking forward to it.

[Rae's World]

Stay strong! It was probably a good idea to keep the girls home. Be with them and be together. My thoughts and prayer s are with you and your family. (((HUGS)))

[Misty Cato]

Hugs. I'm so sorry. Thanks for the sacrifice your family is making for us. We are here for you.

[Nettio]

The first day is definitely rough but like Nikki said, it does get easier. I'll be going through it all again in a few months, it sucks. (((hugs)))

[Jennifer]

So many thoughts and prayers going to you, your family, and your DH. Thank you so much for the sacrifice you all are making. Big, giant ((HUGS)) to you.

[lizzyfizzy]

big hugs, love!!! it's gonna be sooo tough, but there's always a bright side. MORE HUGS!!!!!

[Laura_A]

Originally Posted by lizzyfizzy

but there's always a bright side. MORE HUGS!!!!!

Oh you have no idea how much all the hugs means to me! I definitely DO NOT take them for granted.

[Melissa Bennett]

Oh big ((((HUGS)))) Laura. Deployments are just so difficult. We are here for ya!!!

[rachelv]

Aww, I'm sorry
It's such a huge sacrifice that all of the military families go through. One that I am extremely thankful for.

[newfiemountiewife]

Lots of ((hugs)) Laura!

[Kat Stokes]

I'm so sorry Laura!!! {{{HUGS}}}

[kscwgirl]

I'm so so so sorry Laura. Hugs

[rochelle789]

I'm so sorry. I can't even begin to imagine how hard this will be. Hugs for you and your girls!!!

[Brooke W]

I'm so sorry hon, big {{{Hugs}}}

[DawnMarch]

oh, that must be so hard. (((((HUGS!!!!))))

[WalkersMommy]

I'm so sorry My dh spent a year in Iraq, but that was before we had a child and I can't imagine going through it now. Just take it one day at a time and keep your mind on the end when you will be together again. I know nothing can really make you feel better, but I am thinking of you and your family. Take care.

[Nonnie917]

I am so sorry that you have having to go through this. It's times like this that a mom wishes she could take your place in life, but can't. All Pop and I can do is be there for you when you need us, pray and pray for Jaime that he remain safe as I pray for all our troops in harms way. Hopefully you will be able to take the time to fly home and be with family and friends for 6 to 8 weeks. And, we will be over next summer. Hang in there sweet pea and know that your family is praying for you, the girls and Jaime. WE LOVE YOU!
(((((((((((Laura, Riley & Regan)))))))))))))

[jacinda]

Ohhhhhh.......my heart goes out to you all. I've been thinking about you and checking your blog for an update. Prayers and good thoughts coming your way. In my experience, the first 2 weeks are the hardest, but once you're through them it does get better. Like someone said in an earlier post, go do something fun with your girls. Something special. And take some photos to send to DH.

[Priscilla]

(((((((((hugs))))))))