Day 14 & 15....

Let's just start by saying that...I NEED A VACATION!! I know that must sound a little bold this early on in the deployment, but I really felt like saying that right now!  Day 14 & 15 have been kinda rough to be honest!!  I love my little munchkins to pieces..but as every mother I am sure can relate..I need a break!! Snow/no school days are a booger..especially when your best friend is flying in to town in oh, I don't know 2 days!  If you know me...a little or at all..you know that I will COMPLETELY clean my house...you can tell me not too, say it doesn't matter and I am sure part of me agrees...but it's just not in my nature to let things go..or say oh well..this is life.  I will probably kill myself getting it all done..just to then be able to relax..lol!!  I know I am weird...but I have always been like this and I am sure I always will be.  The funny thing is..once my company arrives..I really don't care much what happens to the house..it's all in the presentation ya know!!  Anyway..so that brings us back to yesterday and today..WOW!!  I finally went a little postal on my kids (let's all remember that at the beginning of this journey I said I would be brutally honest)..it was NOT a good trip to the commissary and I had flat out just had it with bad attitudes and the spoiled behavior!!  We climbed into the car and they got the "speech"..with a bold promise that this would be the last time I am having this conversation..lol..we all know it won't be, but hey I felt good saying it at the time! Anyway, I calmed myself down (don't worry I had already apologized for loosing my cool)..we had dinner..then off to their rooms they went..I unloaded groceries, cleaned the kitchen up, vacuumed the family room, started laundry and loaded up recycling..whew I am tired again just writing that..ha ha!!  The surprise of all this is..they actually stayed up there playing and didn't come down until they were called..I had the timer set for 45 minutes..then reset it for another 15 and it worked.  I figure that from here on out..preferably before I lose my mind..I will be setting the timer and sending them off to their rooms for a break!!  Let's just remind you that my children are 10 & 7 and I am thinking...WHY haven't I done this before..or at least on a more consistent basis??  So for tonight...all is calm in the house..they are sleeping...I am heading that way...and we WILL make it through another day..I promise!!  Thanks for letting me Vent it all out!! xoxo

Day 9-13...yep I forgot again!!

So day 9-13 have been interesting to say the least (might be why I forgot to blog..lol)..anyway, Saturday & Sunday were spent out at my parents house so that is my ligit reason for not blogging :)..throw in that Saturday night around 10 pm ish my Dad and I got in the car and headed back to C'ville to the Hangar to say goodbye to MB1 that was making their departure to the country we will not mention!  He had really wanted to be there when Ry left, but with the timing of it all and being that it was a "normal" work day for him it just wasn't possible..this was the next best thing!!  It was really great for him to be able to see how it all works, meet all of my peeps in the Army and to witness the process in which we "all" say goodbye..quite humbling even for me!  Then we made the 45-50 minute drive back to their house and finally went to bed around 2 am ish..whew what a night!  Sunday...my Dad took the kiddos out on an adventure aptly known as a "trip down into the woods on a 4-wheeler" with Peepa, some snacks, water & tp (just in case)", Mom and I hung out, cleaned the house and got some food ready for "Super Bowl Sunday"...then we just chilled for a bit!  Their neighbors brought over some "pulled pork" and we feasted...can you say yummo!!  Then right around game time I loaded up the kiddos and we headed back home...you know it is just not the same watching a football game without my hubby around...plus it was a school night! 

So now..here we are around Monday time frame...and I was thinking it was just another day..boy was I wrong..it started off a bit rough..you know how Monday's can be...waking up is hard, getting in the car is hard..and so on and so forth...you get the point!  I came home with all intentions of getting the house picked up, making beds etc., I started preparing all of our tax paperwork (had a scheduled appt. @ 1pm), filling out as much as I could ahead of time..and just as I was going to take a shower...the school calls and says that the kids are being released early...ummmm WHY I say to myself...it's barely snowing and they aren't even calling for much snow!!  Now at this point we can all laugh...because as the story goes on..you will see that we ended up getting 4 inches of snow maybe more in some spots and it was definitely a good thing that they were let out early, in retrospect that is!!  There were several accidents due to the weather..some of which included buses!!  We made it home just fine (you gotta love a VW all wheel drive car) for situations like this..and boy do I!!  Anyway, so we get home and just start to settle in...I am busy cleaning little things around the house (my BFF Jamie is coming on Saturday)..and I make it to Blake's room to start dusting around 4:30-4:45 ish..and I am really getting into it..then the POWER goes out..yep..too much fun!  I will make a long story very, very short..we had the power out until around 8:30-8:45..on a very COLD night!!  We of course, tried to make the best out of the situation and since the roads were fine..we headed out to grab dinner..ate it by lantern light (battery operated of course..lol), watched a movie on the laptop and just got comfy cuddling on the couch with mass o blankets..and poof the power comes back on..then off for 20 more minutes...then on again..then off again...then FINALLY on again..you get the picture..lol!  It was a day to say the least!!

Today...has just been one of those "snow days" that I really wanted my hubby to walk in the door around 5 ish and just take over...but since he's not...I guess I just have to really pull up those big girl panties and move on...it hasn't been a terrible day..just long is all...then the school calls and cancels for tomorrow due to impending weather and you just kinda wanna scream..instead I think we will watch a movie, paint our nails (Brooke and I of course...Blake might run screaming if I tried) and get them in bed early so I can have a break while I drink some wine.."good times"!!  So until tomorrow..and yet another snow day....

Day 7 (whoops I missed it) & Day 8

So in my defense..I had a sick boy come home from school yesterday and I was a little thrown off for the night..lol!!  I did intend on sitting down to write, but ummm life happens..and I'm not sure about other moms of boys, but when my Blake is sick..he needs his Mommy..poor baby!!  It was a pretty good day...don't really have anything to share other than I ran some errands and went to the commissary..woo hoo!!  Actually, I was expecting a mad house when I pulled into the parking lot, but to my surprise it wasn't all that crazy inside (for those non-military friends)..the commissary is crazy around payday :)!!!  Now on to Day 8...well I kept Blake home today..my feeling is better safe than sorry.  I am not sure exactly whats going on, but he has had a low grade fever since last night...and hopefully it's just a case of the yuckies!!  Today is officially one week down!  I can't for the life of me believe how quick that went by, but if it is any indication of how this deployment is going to go..then I am totally in!!  There is another round of boys hitting the airways this weekend and my Dad and I are going to be heading to the hangar to say goodbye and be safe!!  Actually, I'm kinda glad to have the first week over because I will be a better support to my girlies who will be in my shoes soon enough!!  Staying busy (not too busy) is the key!!  Finding fun things to do, planning trips with the kiddos, going shopping with friends or my Mama, lunching with friends or going to see a movie, heading to the gym for a great morning workout...these are a few of my favorite things!!  Anyhow..nothing major going on around here this weekend..some light cleaning and organizing..then we are off to my parents for the Superbowl Sunday party at their house..should be fun!!  Hope you all have a great weekend....

Day 6...it's getting better

It's getting better day by day and I am feeling stronger too (do I dare admit that a little retail therapy helped lift the mood..lol)!!  Truth be told..it did lift my spirits a little today..I didn't go crazy or anything, but I did snag a cute jacket at my fav (Old Navy 1st-4th Military appreciation 10% off) and stocked up on some bath/body hand pump soaps..you can't beat the 6/20 deal..got my boy 2 pairs of new shoes, a cute top and a hoodie all on sale, got my daughter a darling pair of slippers (which she so loved) a cute hoodie and cute sneakers too!  Again I didn't go crazy..just had a little fun!  Let's not forget the cat..got his liter & food at Petsmart..so he is stocked!  Now on to my hubby..I have his first list of what we call "wanted items"..so I will be shopping for him tomorrow and filling that box to the brim!  On another note...we were sitting down eating dinner watching a movie and I got a text msg from my man...I almost fell over..lol!  He finally got his cell phone over yonder and was testing it out..I'm sure that those 3 txts will cost a fortune, but honestly I really don't care..that was the coolest!! I will be calling AT&T in the morning to find out what costs are involved for the international plan so that we can continue texting for sure..oh yea..then he called as well...what a great end to the day!  Tomorrow is gonna be busy as well, but tomorrow night we are finally going to sit down as a family and create our "responsibilities board" and the "house rules poster"..I'm wondering what the kids are going to think??  Should be fun or at the very least enlightening :)  Off to bed I go.....xoxo

Day 5...blog, blog, blog, blog, blog

Let me just start by saying how much I "LOVE" long lines..NOT!!  So, this morning my besties & I headed down to our local PX to get in line for Ron White/Rascal Flatts tickets.  They are coming this month to the Grand Ol' Opry for a special military show (right around the time my BFF is traveling to visit me from OR) and I thought how perfect!  I said to myself..no biggie..I will just meet my girlies down there..we will stand in line for a bit..get our tickets and be out...ummm can you say NOT.  We proceeded to get in line around 8:40 and we didn't leave until 12:40..yep you read that right...4 lovely hours of standing in line to get our lovely "free" tickets..and the best part of all is that we didn't actually get the darn tickets...we have to go back on the 14th to pick them up..UGH!!  Can you say F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!!  There was lots of drama..with how they split up the line, lots of people that were not happy and you just had to feel bad for how it was all handled!! Lesson learned!!  Anyway, moving on...we left, grabbed lunch and came back to my house to sit and chill (btw it was well deserved..lol)!!  Then I was off..to the bank, pick up the kiddos, run Blake to his tutoring appt., run to walmart, then home to fix dinner..whew..I am tired just typing this..get the kids in the shower, finally clean Brooklynn's room and we vacuumed the upstairs..I feel so much better..especially after slacking last night for movie time..lol!! All in all it was a fantastically great day and I am thankful that the days are "getting better"..like I have said before it's the little things sometimes!  Stay tuned..for more fun times with the Dechent clan..one thing I can say (and mean)..there is never a dull moment around here..xoxo

Still on Day 4...but plans change!!

So, I blogged earlier that after dinner we would be heading upstairs to vacuum and clean Brookie's room..NOT!!  I just couldn't resist the urge to write that we got caught up watching a sappy "Hallmark" dvr'd movie..UGH!!  It was actually the sweetest story ever, but given our current status of a "deployed" soldier..probably not the best move.  It had Blake and I in tears (but you all know to never repeat that last part..nor are you aloud to ever bring it up again..lol).  Anyway, I wanted to write this because this is the story of my life at the present moment..the best laid intentions is what I always say!!  But I will honestly take a "Hallmark" movie hunkered down with my kiddos and a few tears over cleaning up any day...even if it does make me "happy"..just thought I'd share...nighty nite!!

Day 4..and I am still blogging..good times!!

Ok, so I must admit it was a mucho better day!  Although..confession time it sure didn't start off like that!  Both kids were complaining of tummy aches, my head was hurting again and I didn't think we were going to make it out the door, but lo and behold I had them both out the door and to school on time!  My rule..if you are not throwing up, you have no fever..you are going! I know that must sound a little mean..and I do realize that there are times when you really just don't feel well, but I know my kids and the signs were pointing to "let's try and con mom into letting us stay home"..so off they went!  The rest of the morning/day has gone pretty good!  I ran some errands, got the Iphone switched to my digits, picked up my MWR discount card (surprisingly VERY easy to do..go ARMY), made our Tax appt., then came home and cleaned house!  I know it sounds crazy, but cleaning and organizing makes me feel "happy"..lol!  Oh and btw..when I picked up the kids from school they both had great days and feel just fine..so here..now I can say "I told you so"..:)  Anyway, dinner is cooking..then we are off to finish the upstairs..vaccuming and cleaning the storage room and Brooklynn's room!  I am at a loss for how to organize all her little "things", pet shops, barbie pieces & don't forget the polly pockets..OMGoodness she is worse than Blake with his legos and she does have a ton of bins!!  I will conquer her room..I can promise you that..it just may take longer than I anticipate!! Oh well, at least tonight we will get it started!!  So for today, I can say that we are all feeling better and that is SO POSITIVE!!  :)..

Day 3...

So, we finished yesterday off with a nice dinner here at the house with my parents...then we were off to "Cosmic" bowling..that was some serious fun.... Dad was 1st, Blake 2nd, Me 3rd and Mom last..guess we need to do some work on our games..lol!! Blake decided he would rather go home with my parents..so that left me "alone" for the first time!  To be honest..it was actually quite nice..well at least better than I thought it would be :)!!  I slept in today and woke up feeling refreshed, but then as the day went on it just seemed to get quite gloomy. I think it was the headache that started early on..that never really went away and the pit in my stomach (caused by many things I assume)..I realized that I still haven't fully adjusted to "him" being gone and that was adding to my frustration. The kids were tired and a bit cranky I must confess, so you can see where this was headed!!  Not even a trip to the movies and some more play time with friends could cure.  After being home for about an hour or so..the phone rang and it was my hubby...awww that put a big ol' smile on my face, but after talking to him for a bit I felt the sadness creeping back in..he is missing us something fierce (to which I say DITTO) and you could here it in his voice, which makes this whole thing so much harder!  I tried to be strong on the phone, but he knows me and I know he could sense something.  This is the hard part!!!! All I can say right now, is that tomorrow I am vowing to wake up on the right side of the bed..lol and press on!  I have to get my kids back on track..keep my head up and press on for all of us..even when it's hard and I don't want too! :)..I wish this post was way more uplifting, but I said in the beginning that I was going to be honest and today unfortunately it was just one of those days..."hopefully" tomorrow is better :)..until then 

Day 2....up and adam

Well..here we are up and adam on a BEAUTIFUL Saturday morning!  I am so excited to report that he called me..yep..you read that right he called and woke me up this morning (btw..I don't care about being woke up..when it comes to him calling..lol).  Anyway, he is doing good..not all the way to his location yet, but will be there in a few days!  He sounded good and seemed to be in pretty good spirits..just very, very tired I imagine!  Can I tell you how much better I feel now...WOW..and this is just the 1st of many phone calls to come!  I didn't end up going back to sleep..so down the stairs I went to make my coffee :)..if you know me, then you know that it's the first thing that happens in my house..lol!  Once I at least get the first couple of sips..I start to feel so much better..guess that may be a little mental, but it's all good!  Anyway, I relaxed for a few minutes then got busy getting things done around the house..which btw I feel so much better enjoying the afternoon now that it's all done..funny how that works.  Guess my hubby and my Mama may be right on that one..but you didn't hear that from me..just sayin'.  Blake woke up later than normal this morning..so got him ready..made him some breakfast and before 11 am..the friends were knocking on the door to come and play..gotta love post livin'..I am truly impressed!!  He has been out in the 60 degree weather playing all day..can we say LOVE it!!  My parents are heading here around 5pm and I am making them supper..then we are heading to "Cosmic" Bowling..should be fun...I must confess Day 2 is looking much, much better..stay tuned <3

Day 1...making it through the day!

So this morning was rough..as I knew it would be...but the bright spot was a delivered Starbucks from my Mama..a phone call from my Daddy to check in on me.. a LONG hot shower (did I say LONG..I ran out of HOT water kinda long..LOL, another cup of joe, a few chats with my girlies and a trip to Walmart..who knew that could pep me up..but it did!  I guess it's the little things sometimes that keep you going!  The kids are doing great...excited for what this weekend will bring...hopefully some play time with friends...maybe some bowling..who knows!  Oh yes and did I mention that I GOT A MESSAGE from my hubby (you gotta love FB)...I got home from picking the kiddos up from school and saw I had a new email...yippee!  I just can't wait to hear his voice on the phone and to know that he is ok..then I will be able to relax a bit!! Tonight..it's just Blake and I...nothing like some Mother and Son bonding over a movie & ice cream to soothe the soul..thank God for these moments is all I have to say!!  Until tomorrow....nighty night :)

The Goodbye

Ok..well it has officially begun!!  I was just reading some messages on Facebook and one of my FRG friends posted this "we have awesome Jedi skills in our Army wives handbag" and I had to laugh..kinda cry but mostly laugh because it's so true! Even in the darkest moments we must all find the humor or we won't make it!  It's the quiet moments...when the kids have been shuffled off to school that I will sit here alone and try to find the moments that make me smile..goodbyes are never easy, but when you have to say goodbye and pray that you get to say Hello again that's the even tougher part!  I know that GOD will protect our soldiers while they are away at war and that is how I will choose to survive this deployment!  I have Hope!!! 

365 days of deployment: And so it begins....

365 days of deployment: And so it begins....: "So today we are chillin out..watching movies, relaxing as a family and getting ready for the inevitable..UGH! How can one day seem to ..."

And so it begins....

So today we are chillin out..watching movies, relaxing as a family and getting ready for the inevitable..UGH!  How can one day seem to stretch so so long!  It's not that I want this day to end, but walking around the whole day knowing that it's the last day for the next 6 months is quite sereal I must say!  So here is the question for the day???  How do you say goodbye for that long without falling apart inside?  I mean really, how many times can we say "I love you", "I'm gonna miss you" and all the other things that pop into your head while you are mossying around the house all the while trying to put on the "face" of this is just a normal day..LOL!  I'm truly stumped!  I am "seasoned" spouse, but for some reason I just can't face this again!  Well..let me take that back..I CAN face it..I just don't want to!!  There I said it!!  Ok..well..I'm off for now..gonna try and savor every moment, hug & kiss the bagebbers outta my man while I can..muah..and stay tuned for more...from the likes of me!! :)

Here we go..again!

First of all..allow me to introduce myself!  My name is Nichole and I am a military wife/mom!  I won't say where we are stationed, but you can know that my hubby is deploying so this is the purpose for me starting this blog.  I am what they call a "Seasoned" Army spouse..what a term right??  What this really means is I have been around the block a few times and I have "survived"..lol!  As I sit here preparing myself, my kids and family for what is to come, I am reflecting on all that has happened this past year.  I wanted to take this year to try and capture what "really" happens when he is not here!  So, I thought..keep a blog starting from day "1" and see where we are at day "365"..the changes in the kids, myself and my hubby should be pretty amazing!  I hope to take you on a journey..with me of course..be prepared though..I will be brutely honest..the good the bad and the ugly are bound to come out..as this Mom's journey from being in a dual parent partnership dwindles down to being a single parent!!  The sad reality is that this is our reality!  Uh-oh..did I say that out loud???  Ok..so day one is sarting soon..stay tuned!! :)  Hope you all enjoy the journey!