Almost 2 months down

Well we have made it almost 2 months, 2 days shy. It has been a long 2 months and contrary to what some may seem, it does not get easier. Yes, you get used to your spouse not coming home from work, going to bed alone and cooking for 2 sometimes 1, but it does not get easier.

We have had communication while not talking personally on the phones we do get to IM each other a few times a week. Please do not think that that makes it any easier too because it doesn't. We, Kyla and I, still cry when we see Mike has signed off. Sleep, now that would be nice also. I know that Mike has it 110 times worse where he is and I don't complain, but God please just a few nights of sleep would be oh so nice.

Kyla and I have been trying to stay busy. We have spent several days at the pool here on Post. The other day coming home Kyla had a breakdown. The pool we go to is actually over by Mike's hanger so in a way it makes us feel closer to him and we love watching the jets coming and taking off. It was hard seeing all the kids at the pool playing with their dads. People assume that teenagers really don't care one way or another but try being a parent to a teenager who has a parent or both parents in the military, you will see a whole new side to teenagers. Kyla did get hired for a summer internship program here on Post for the summer. She will be keeping an on-line blog and will get paid after the internship is over in 12 weeks. She had to go thru an interview process and filling out an application. This is good experience for her. She will be working at a child care center.

Mike seems to be doing as good as can be expected. He has had a few times of being a little down missing home but he does seem good. I've kept the United States Postal Service busy with mailing him packages. I think I've averaged 2-3 a week. I've already started planning his birthday box and his Christmas boxes too. If anyone would like to send him things and need ideas just let me know. I also have sent out a recipe for baking a cake in a jar which I found out you can also do brownies and muffins in jars also.

Please remember that even though the media does not tell all, things are not what they may seem and our men and women serving over there need all the good thoughts and wishes you can send them. Please do not forget them.

I am including a website: www.bubbasbellyrun.com please please if you get a chance go to this site and read "Bubba's" remarkable story and life that was taken way to early. His wife is an inspiration to each and everyone of us and this is a wonderful thing she has started. I would love to be able to participant in the run but it is in the DC area and I won't be able to go. I will be supporting this cause though because it hits very close to home in more ways than one.

As most know I lost my first husband in 2001 to a car accident. We had just celebrated our 6th anniversary 6 weeks earlier and even though some may not understand my feelings but this has a lot to do I feel with me not sleeping right now. Mike and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on May 31st this year, we are coming up on 6 weeks past so in my mind once I get past that then I am hoping that I will be able to rest. Trust me this is not easy saying or writing but it does help me to put it in writing and get it off my chest. I love Mike with all my heart and soul and no one can imagine the whole in my heart right now, except for other military spouses. Mike was right in saying that Kyla and I would be best staying here for the deployment. We have such great friends that are going thru the same things with us or have gone thru it.

Kyla unfortunately is learning what the life of being in the military is like. Her best friend is getting ready to move, PCS, the end of August. It is very hard for her but she understands that this is the life we have chosen and we will make the best of it. If you could see how proud she is of her daddy you would be in tears daily as I usually am. I printed out a picture of Mike in his uniform for her and she has it framed and hanging on her wall with red, white and blue beads around it. I can tell when she is having a bad day because she will either stare at that picture or hold it. She e-mails her daddy daily and understands he may not get to respond back.

We have had our good and bad days but we get thru them together. Heaven knows we have our times when we would like to strangle one another but we end up laughing or crying or both and make it thru another day. I will tell anyone, Kyla may not be my daughter by blood but I could not be more proud of her and love her. She still is the typical Kyla, typical ditz and some of the things she does just makes me sit and shake my head but that is what helps me get thru the bad days.

Please remember even though the holidays are a ways a way mailing times for sending things over will be cut off a few weeks ahead of time. I know it is a little hard to think of the holidays when we are now at 7 days straight of 102 and above but it will be here before we know it. Mike told me yesterday that it got up to 122 degrees over there!!

Please keep all of our the men and women serving overseas in your thoughts and prayers daily. They do appreciate it and they know.