Hey friends! I've had a blog post brewing in the back of my head for quite some time now. I have so much going on right now, so many things I want to tell you about, some that I can't, and not because I'm have some super secret news (no I AM NOT pregnant nor am I debuting a new fabric line - although, that would be fun!). We are just busy trying to keep some normalcy around here.
If you didn't know, mrlouwho is a United States Marine. He been coming and going a lot lately. They are doing training exercises for an upcoming deployment which means he will be gone for the better part of the year. There's something called OPSEC (Operational Security) which is basically guidance for military spouses and families to refrain from oversharing possibly sensitive information. This is the main reason I haven't said much lately. I probably won't talk about it much more, but I just wanted to keep it real and let you know why I've been so out of touch lately.
I'm a little frustrated with myself. The constant upheavals of the coming and going have been difficult. I can't find a rhythm and I'm not doing as much as I would like, I'm not sleeping enough, and I sort of feel like I'm waiting around for the dreaded day of the real departure.
I have great plans in my head of being super productive, super housekeeper, super mom, and super field trip planner. Only I can't seem to find the cape that comes with all that super.
But the reality is more like I'm just keeping afloat until the end of the day when I can sit in the messy nice quiet house and watch more TV than I'm willing to admit. Although, I don't consider Downton Abbey a waste of time. (check it out!!)
I tell you all of this, not to ask for sympathy, or to hear "You're so strong" "I don't know how do you do it!" The fact is, I don't feel strong and I get through it like any of us get through hard things. I grit my teeth (ask my dentist), bear down, and plow through. It's not always easy, but I've got a constant shadow of sunshine helping me along the way.
Sew & Tell will still go on! In fact if you are interested in guest posting for sew & tell leave me a comment (with an email attached) and we'll chat!
And thanks for being my friends and understanding. I miss you!
I hope you get lots of sweet kisses from your loved ones today.
36 crafty mcCrafters commented:
Sending hugs to you, dear Amy!
Amy I so understand how hard it is when Daddy is away and there is just so much to do. My children are grown, but it doesn't make it any easier when my hubby is gone whether it be for work, or caring for his elderly parents two nights a week. You have three precious blessings to keep you going. The Lord will give you the strength and grace to continue. Thanks for sharing your heart.
i know how you feel....my husband has a upcoming year long deployment and even as i type it i can honestly say i am in some kind of denial. i understand how out of sync it can make a mom feel. my love and heart go out to you
I know exactly how you feel! My husband retired in 2007 after 21 years. We also have 3 kids. It's rough. The waiting is the worst...even when you waiting for the upcoming deployment. Then you feel guilty for just wanting it to be over already! you shared your feelings very eloquently. I'll be thinking of you. Lean on the other spouses for support and adult conversations! I know the days and nights can be so long when you're home with kids!
xoxo! you are in my thoughts amy! thanks for sharing. i am sending hugs your way!
I know how you feel, too... My husband retired after 23 years in 2010, and I'm so glad that I don't have to deal with his absences any more. And I agree with Cheryl, just waiting for the dreaded deployments are the worst. At least once they're happening there isn't really anything you can do but push through... (and count the minutes).
I'm sorry you're feeling down. Happy Valentine's Day to you, and go give those kiddos hugs and kisses... they know how to make mommy feel better... at least for a little while. :)
(((((((((SUPER BIG HUGS))))))))))) It does not help that everyone is sick constantly this year either!!!!!! LURVE YOU!!!!!!!
oh goodness, stuff like this is hard! i will keep you in my prayers and thoughts. i think it's great that you shared a bit of what you are dealing with. that always helps!
Deployment stinks. It will go fast! Just remember during no part of the deployment is a puppy a good idea!
Wishing you the best during this rough transition time....
You are so right that your little ones are the most important right now. Sewing and blogging are fun but not when they are at the expense of sanity! I'm not a supermom either and I fall apart on a regular basis. Keep praying and leaning on the Rock. He'll pull you through one way or the other (maybe not the way we would like, but...)
Thank you for being real. Being married to a military man has got to be hard! Go easy on yourself and don't try to be everything for everybody. Just do what you need to do, and take a little time for yourself each day... that's not selfish, it's necessary to keep sane.
I loved your photos (the ones in the training exercises link were great, too). Your kids are SO cute!
I hope you have family and/or good friends nearby to give you support and breaks when you need them. You'll be in my prayers.....
You'll find your rhythm and until then we will be here supporting you from the sidelines. Managing a house, three little short people, and worrying about a husband off in a far land all counts as "super" whether you have a cape to prove it or not.
Thanks for sharing, I hope you get loads of hugs and kisses today too :o)
That's what I'm missing--the cape!! No wonder I'm not super mom. Good luck in everything! I can't imagine going through deployment. Thinking of you.
{{HUGS}} to you, Amy!
hugs hugs hugs to you, amy!
A big THANK YOU from my family to yours for having a family member who serves for our country.
Haha...I want that cape too! And yes, blogging and sewing are the things I am having to learn to "give up" more of right now too. Life is just so full.
Many prayers for you all! I really can't imagine how hard that would be.
(((HUGS))) and prayers! I can only imagine what you are dealing with. My husband was gone 7 days and it was tough. You do the best you can and that is all anyone can ask!
I had no clue you are a mil spouse. The time before deployments is usually worse for me than the actual deployment. I hate the anticipation and you do feel like you're life is on hold. Hang in there!
I just wanted to pop in and say (didn't have time to read above, but I am sure it has been said)Thank you. To you, your husband, your family for the sacrifices you all make.
Love you ALW! I can't even imagine a year's deployment. You and your husband are equally heroic. I wish you could come to Utah for a bit to help make the time go faster. We could hit fabric stores and sew and watch British Period Dramas and maybe even feed the kids sometimes.
Lots of love to you and yours!
Life sure is a bumpy ride sometimes. Try not to be so hard on yourself and try to enjoy the ride (even if it takes a detour). And if anyone unexpected stops by just shut all the doors so they can't see the messes ;) Hugs to you! Smiles~Beth
You do what you have to do and those 3 little ones are your priority. I could not imagine what you deal with and I thank you both for your service and sacrifice.
It's hard when a loved one gets deployed. Most of my family is in the military. when my brother was deployed i cried and cried. I just couldn't see him as an army person. Just as my as my baby brother when he was young. Keep your head up and your hubby is in our prayers.
My heart goes out to you. It has been many years ago, but my husband served in Viet Nam. Life was lonely during those days. The Lord will see you through. Also, sometimes the dread of an event is actually worse than living the event. Keep your chin up and just know you are in the hearts and prayers of many of us. Also, tell mrlouwho that I said thanks for serving our country.
You're awesome Amy! Best wishes with everything!!! :)
I'm sorry to hear that your husband will deploy soon. My son-in-law is in the Army and has been deployed a few times. Its hard on the families. Hugs to you all. :)
I would definitely classify "Downton Abbey" as useful television viewing. I'm finding it to be quite entertaining.
Dear Amy
I can't pretend to even understand what you will have to experience and endure in the next year. Please know that everything you sacrifice I appreciate and thank you and Mr. LouWho so much. Sending you a huge hug and an even bigger thank you!
Wow, when did baby Maggie get SO big? She's not a baby any more!!! They are all so dang cute. Hate to say it but maybe your groove will come once the real deployment happens. I always thought my sil was a beast for saying it but now that I'm married with a one kid shy of a handful it makes sense to me, that when they are gone it is a little easier b/c the routine is more stable rather than home, gone, home, gone... You know the longer term. & can plan on consistency even if it includes constantly missing your other 1/2 & daddy. I know you weren't looking for the "you are amazing" comment but let's just face it, you are! You can do hard things. You do hard things! & I'll just add my favorite bit of advice, Flylady, Flylady, Flylady.net . She helps me feel a little more like super everything but without all the guilt of imperfection!
I read your blog all of the time, but seldom leave a comment. Blogland is full of supporting "friends" and grandmas like me who will keep your sweet family in my prayers. Look forward to what you do with your "mess". I have one of those also....and I also LOVE Downton Abbey!
Thinking of you are your sweet family.
I'm new to your blog, but just know that you've got my support, whatever it's worth.
And Downton Abbey is SO not a waste of time. NEVER ever!
I'm thinking of you, I know just how difficult this time is.
Amy, thanks for being real about real life - which is so hard to do sometimes! I totally get the getting to the end of the day and just having to watch tv thing...being a mom is the hardest, most unrelenting, best job ever! I'm looking for that cape too, even though rationally, I knowit doesn't exist! Hope you get some good sewing time in soon...if you ever want to come to Raleigh for a sew day let me know!
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