My Five wonderful children

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I have neglected this blog for awhile, now, however , with the impending deployment of my husband while my son is still deployed, I am feeling the need to vent and maybe help others along this journey too. There are so many sites, blogs , facebook groups, etc.. out there that support "Army Wives" or "Army Parents" but have you seen one that is a place for us? If so, let me know. My son will be back in country soon. He is leaving a little earlier to go to Ranger's school though. I know this is a privilege and I am proud of him and at least he will be back in the states. Fort Benning is a lot closer to Fort Campbell than Lewis and much closer than the sandbox II. After Ranger's school, back to Lewis and then deploying again, probably right after my husband goes in August. My husband has been deployed before and I know how it feels. Having my son be the one deployed was something altogether different though. Although I will say, I don't know for sure if it is because he is my son or if it is because he is a Ranger and my husband is a CRNA in the Army and deploys with Combat Support Hospitals. My husband is not out there at the front fighting, he is back saving soldiers lives. Both jobs equally important, one just a lot more dangerous, I am guessing. I don't know where my son is, what he is doing, how he is coping...... Maybe that is why I am not coping well with my son being deployed. Ryan, my son, is the oldest of 5. He has been an Army brat all is life. We've lived at Corey Station NAS, FL, Schofield Barracks, HI, Fort Gordon, GA, Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Sam Houston, TX, Fort Bragg, then back to Fort Sam, back to Bragg and now here again at Fort Campbell. He graduated from Cole Jr./Sr. high school at Fort Sam Houston in 2007. He received a ROTC scholarship to TCU in Fort Worth. He went to TCU while we PCS'd to Fort Bragg. He loved the ROTC part, hated school , so during the summer after his Freshman year at TCU, he decided to enlist. My husband and I supported his decision and my husband was able to go to the Raleigh MEPS and swear him into the Army!! He went to Benning right away and stayed there for months. First, Basic and AIT, then on to Airborne school and then right into RIP. He moved to his first duty station, Fort Lewis to be assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Rangers, Charlie company , 2nd Platoon. He quickly adjusted to the Army barracks life and was finally not in training any more, well, at least not formal training, just the everyday Ranger training that goes on. We knew that deployment would come soon. He had 8 months at Lewis to train and get ready and I was really glad for that. He was able to come home in November for block leave for almost two weeks. It was almost like he never left home, although he had been gone for over a year at that time. We didn't talk about the deployment at all and now I wish we had. I mean, my husband gave him fatherly advice and tips from his deployments and years of Army experience, but I said nothing. I wrote in a book of Bible verses encouraging thoughts, highlighted my favorite verses and wrote lots of "I love You's" . I am hoping he took it with him. Communication has been sparse, they must be pretty remote at times with calls only a few times and then at odd times. A few emails too. I pray for Ryan all the time. I made yellow ribbon magnets with a little red heart on it and mailed it to all the family. It is supposed to remind you to pray for Ryan whenever you see it. I've had some dreams, none bad, thank goodness. My latest one was where I was walking on patrol with him, that's all I can remember. I cry a lot too. No one knows this as all the other kids are in school and husband at work. I just haven't been the same since December 10th, 2009 and I don't think I will be until he is on US soil. I am the kind of Army wife that never sheds a tear in public. Is considered Household 6 by my husband. Can fix the car, take care of the house and yard and all the kids no problem. I don't complain about the Army life, I try to make it better. I volunteer on post and in the schools. If you don't like the life, get out ,is what I think. I am not like this when my husband deploys, it is extremely hard, but it is my husband who is out there in harms way, he is a strong man. I still see my 21 year old son as a small Pre-k child who is crying because I have to leave him at daycare so I can work and put Daddy through College. I guess that is why it has been so hard to have him in the Army and deployed now. I still see the little boy and not the Army Ranger that he is. Maybe that will change in time, I hope so. Until next time, Proud Army wife and Army mom!!!

Welcome

I am hoping to have some members join that are experts at juggling being an Army wife and mom. I have lots of questions like, how do you make it when they both are deployed? This could be in my reality in the very near future. Also, I would like for everyone to remember OPSEC when posting items here. My husband is a CRNA in the Army and I am not very familiar with other ins and outs of other units in the Army, but OPSEC is always a concern, especially these days.