The Major is gearing up, gearing up for another year long deployment to the sandbox.The picture above is when the Major redeployed from his first deployment in Heidelberg, Germany. He found out on my birthday last month that he will be deploying this Summer. He didn't tell me on my birthday, he waited until the next day. No tears were shed when he told me, I guess because we knew that he would more than likely have to deploy again before he retires. And being that he can retire in less than 3 years means that another deployment could be alot sooner than later. We told the kids their last day of Spring Break when we were eating dinner on the way home from the Great Wolf Lodge. They had always said that if Dad had to deploy again that it would be harder the second time around. The Bookworm was the first to shed tears, followed by the Princess. They know how hard it's going to be because we've done it before. The Major is gearing up starting to get all of his military gear and paperwork all together. That means we'll be updating wills, making a master list of things for me, getting power of attorneys done and all the other stuff that must be done getting ready for a deployment.
We're getting ready for the Major's upcoming deployment. The Major has some things around our Cottage that he wants to get done before he leaves. Our deck is almost done, and wow does it look good! It's a great feeling to know that we built it ourselves(with a little bit of a third eye from our retired, farmer, neighbor Joe). The only thing left to do on our deck is the railing and the skirting underneath. Next on our getting ready list is to put up a backyard fence. This is going to be great to have for the dogs! Not only for the dogs but for that added protection and privacy. We're also getting ready by taking advantage of what few months we have together. I believe we have 11 weekends together before the Major leaves. We are cautiously filling up our family calendar, by making sure that we spend as much time "together" as possible. We've already decided on our vacations, and the kids have opted not to take part of camp this year because they want to spend those weeks with Dad before he goes. We'll be going to the beach for a week and possibly the mountains for a week. The Major is also talking about taking the kids back to Disney World. We are no stranger to Disney World or Disney Land Paris!
We're not only gearing up and getting ready, but we're also giving praise. You are probably thinking why would they give praise! The Major and I had been talking ever since we moved into the Cottage that if he had to deploy that now would be the perfect time. Why? Because he wouldn't miss anything significant in the Princess or Bookworm's life. No High School Graduations or getting their Class rings. And if he leaves when he thinks he is suppose to, he will leave before the Princess's birthday and be back for her 16th birthday. Yes he'll miss the Princess getting her driving permit and the Bookworm turning 13, but it could be worse. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything give praise: for this is the purpose of God in Christ Jesus for you." God gives us nothing in our lives that we can not handle. We as a family and as individuals will praise God and have faith.
Will another deployment be challenging? I am sure that it will have it's ups and downs, but there is nothing that we can not do without God's help. I praise Him that we are now living in our own home and that we are now living in the United States during this deployment, my parents are only an hour and a half away, we have wonderful neighbors, the kids have wonderful friends and schools and we have a wonderful and loving Church family in which we can turn to for support. We know that we are not alone and that we have others that we can turn to for help, guidance and support.
So, during the next few weeks when you pass by our Cottage you'll find our yellow ribbon up and tied around our front pine tree and our one star banner on the front door in support of the Major because we'll be gearing up and getting ready for another deployment, but while we are gearing up and gettiung ready we will be giving praise to our Lord and God because He gives us nothing we can not handle.
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