Three weeks down

Well, Monday will be three weeks since Dee left for MOB training. It seems like much longer than that, but we are finally finding a groove and functioning more normally. I think a big part is that the Army hasn't been pulling the rug out so often. That really throws us, as a family, for a loop.

I have been doing very well this week. Last week, God really touched my heart and helped me see things more in a positive light. I know God is going to use this time of seperation to really grow us as individuals.

I had lunch with my mentor and friend this week and she confirmed the same thing. She felt God had amazing things in store for our family this year. One of those things was that she remembers as a child, those children from a divorced home, the siblings were very close. She figured it was because they had each other and had to pull together. In contrast, she and her sister were not close until they grew up, and their parents never divorced. So in our situation, the girls are seperated from their Daddy, in a tough situation. So they will pull together and bond together. I pray this is true. It's been a rough year with all the fighting. But then Daddy gets to come home in a year, not gone forever.
She also said that God would use this time to help Dee grow stronger in the Lord and become more dependent on HIM, as he would for me too.
I know God puts us through things to make us stronger, so I know this year will truly be a challenge but we will gain strength from it. Our family will learn to cherish the time we have with each other every day, not take any for granted. Dee and I talk more because we can't vegg out on the sofa and watch TV. We talk every night and it's been nice. I know that might not continue once he deploys, but I do know the internet is pretty good over there. So we'll at least have Instant Message.
We found out Dee's dates to come home and it's for 9 days the first part of June! I am so happy it's longer than 4 days. PLUS they are letting him come home instead of all of us having to fly to Indiana. THEN I ordered his plan tickets and there was a big sale! So we got the roundtrip ticket very cheap! That is a blessing all the way around!
Dee got his two boxes of goodies and supplies we sent him. He was very surprised to have three boxes at the post office on Tuesday. The third box was a folding chair that has the design of the American Flag on it. He doesn't like to sit on his bunk bed to read and put on his shoes. So now he has a chair.
The girls and Dee have been scheming all week for my Mother's Day presents. Dee told me to give the girls his credit card so they could buy what he wanted to get me. Then Jessie used her own money to buy we some gifts! They wanted me to open them tonight because one I would need for tomorrow. So I opened them and got a beautiful green necklace and earrings, that I will wear tomorrow. Just happens I am wearing green tomorrow! Then Jessie also gave me a Starbuck's gift card. YEAH!
Then Dee gave me a gift certicate to receive a facial at the local beauty School. We've heard the facials are amazing so I can't wait!
I also recieved the most beautiful, precious letter from him today in the mail. He said the base didn't have Mother's Day cards so he just wrote me a letter. I love that! I told him I'd much rather have his words than someone elses! It was a letter I will cherish forever. So special. He really poured his heart out.

Last night, the girls and I had a Mother/Daughter day. We went to Chick Fil A first and the girls played at the indoor playground. Then we went and had our nails done. The girls got pedicures too. They had a little kid's chair that Jolie got to use. Too precious. Then I surprised them and took them to see Hannah Montana the Movie. We had a great time.

So all in all, we've had a good week. Dee is busy doing his "job" on the base every day and pretty much in a routine. Now that the changes have settled down, I think it's easier for everyone. Doesn't mean it over though. The leave dates could change 5 times between now and then. I'm praying they don't since we have ordered plane tickets, but we'll see.

Thank you all for your prayers these past few weeks. Hard to believe we have barely gotten started. We just take it one week at a time. Now just counting down days until Dee comes home in June. According to Jolie, "30 more days!"