Day 12 Tick Tock Tick Tock

The clock seems to drag on.... I just keep reminding myself it is one day closer to our future.  Already talked to my hubby this morning. He called on my way to work. He had been doing network and computer training all day. Before that apparently someone was snoring like a railroad at 2 in the morning so he woke up and did his laundry. He also had a chance to talk to his mom.  She is doing well. He learned the FOB he is going to only has 300 men and no females. Pretty desolate... I hope they have an exchange. Or I will be sending packages once a week. 

Day 11 Getting in a Groove

I am loving that my husband is stationary for the week and has access to the phone w/his free calling card. He called and we chatted for a while. Very nice!  He had spent his day helping the remainder of his group unload the truck with their bags and get them checked in.  He also found out exactly where he will be going and what he will be doing when he gets there.  He is going to a small FOB on the western side of the country. He will be the Network Project Manager responsible for the install of the network to six satellite FOB's. He will be in charge of the contractors setting up the network. He is really excited!  I'm happy he was finally given his orders and will be working soon. It will make the days go by quicker... I hope.  I've been busy with work and Vacation Bible School. It definitely helps me get through the days. Although I am still constantly thinking about my husband.

Day 10 Anniversary

Six months ago on 01/25/2011 we went on our first date... and here we are married. When you know, you know. I finally received a phone call from my hubby.  After being delayed at the airport for an entire night their plane took off to a less desirable part of the country. They were briefed and taken to Camp. He said the camp was absolutely awful and were not meant for living in. He hit the cot and was awoken to mortar bombings. So after awaking Sunday Morning they waited again for their plane. The plane took them to where he will remain for the next week.  He was given a calling card so we again will have free phone...Yay!!  He is in a temporary bunking unit with 25-30 bunks. He claimed a bottom bunk, went out to get his 2nd bag and came back in to someone making up the bed. He promptly told them to remove themselves from the bed and take an upper bunk. Some people have a lot of nerve. And on top of that it was a less ranking soldier. Enjoy your top bunk buddy.

A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when I got that call. Waiting on pins and needles is not fun. I don't sleep well and my appetite is gone. Thank god he is safe and stationary for the week.

340 days to go...

Day 9 Silent Sunday

I presume the plane actually got off the ground last night as it was intended to since I havent heard from my husband in 25 hours. Havent talked on the phone in 50 hours. Just praying he gets there safely. Hoping this place isnt as desolate as the information I have found on google makes it appear. If it is, then its going to be an even longer year than I imagine. Leashed to my phone so I dont miss a call or email. However, it is 2:00 in the morning there so I dont think I will hear anything any time in the next 4-5 hours.

Day 8 Staying Busy

I awoke to an email that my husband would be finally traveling.  I am trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of missing him so terribly. It doesn't work. I still think about him every second. So I am at the zoo with my niece and nephew when I receive an email... Flight cancelled until 8 am sunday morning and they get to sit at the airport all night long. Our soldiers defend our country and they get treated like crap. It is just unbelievable to me how disorganized the military really is. I have to remember why this deployment will benefit us in the end. He is paying off his bills over this next year and we will begin our life together debt free. But jeez.... he is sweating his ass off and being treated like crap for every penny. Thank god he retires next year upon his return.

Day 7 One Week Down

Well no call on Thursday :-(  Received a call about 30 minutes ago. Nothing new going on. Still sitting in the "litter box" as they call it. He is spending his time watching Smallville on DVD. Nine of them are supposed to leave tomorrow evening, including my husband.  I wish they would hurry up and travel so he has an address and a routine. I miss him terribly and the days seem to be dragging by.

But we officially have one week down... only 343 days to go!

Stationary, Day 6 cont.

Received a call @ 3:15 pm that they had gone to the airport and were told there were no flights available so back to Camp they went. Happy to know he is safe and stationary for now. Consider it a paid vacation. Wish he was home though. Ridiculous that they have our men & women over there for nothing and no place or use for them. He has no idea when they will travel to their next destination. If this wasn't happening to myself, I would never believe how unorganized our system is. Some people are clearly not doing their jobs. Waiting for my next call.

Day 6 Message in a Bottle

Early phone call while I was in the shower. They received their ititnerary. They would be hopping on planes in groups of 6-7 soldiers soon. So he is most likely in the air at this time, but to where I do not know. So the waiting begins... the knot in my stomach again... where is he? is he okay? where is he going?  I hate not knowing. He said he would send me a message to let me know he is safe.  And I wait....

Day 5 Destination??

Heard again from my hubby. Got to chat for about 15 minutes. They are to get their itinerary @ 2:00 pm on Thursday... mixed feelings. I don't like not knowing where he is headed. I am happy where he is at because he is safe and gets to a phone daily. However, he is bored beyond belief with no assignment. 345 days to go...

Day 4 Monday

I got to talk to my husband.. Yay!  They haven't done much since he arrived. Some paperwork and a couple of briefs. I am waiting anxiously to hear about his flight for the next day... "we don't know when we are leaving now".  And now that I have made myself comfortable with the change of destination... "i'm not being sent there anymore. I'm going to another place now." 

I am new at this military life. I have definitely learned a few things... they have no idea what they are doing and when they are doing it. They fly by the seat of their pants. Itineraries change last minute constantly. I have to ask why are we over there? It is overcrowded and they have no where to send the 100 or more soldiers that have arrived. Why do you need them if there is no room for them?  Seriously?!! They could be home at their regular jobs with their families instead of lying around doing nothing in 110 degree weather. Rant over...

Another line for the phone so our time is short. He did get internet though.. Hallelujah!

I rush back to my desk to immediately begin researching this new possible destination... never heard of the place. Very little information out there, but Thank you Jesus.. there is a USO - my lifeline!

Until tomorrow.... I love you my chief with all my heart!  I'm praying that you all know very soon when and where you are headed.

Day 3 - Overcrowding

I am so thankful for the daily phone call I get, however, short it may be. There are lines now for the phones. We get our hellos, I love yous, and how was your day.  I am up getting ready for church when I get my phone call.  Again so happy to hear his voice. But due to overcrowding he will probably not be sent to his original destination.  I immediately begin researching the alternative he has been given. Not so bad. They have a USO (thank god). I'm doing alright. Staying busy. My mind is always on what time is it there? What is the temperature? Is he sleeping? Is he awake? Are they actually working? Is he safe? 

Church had the best message that I so needed to hear.  Stop negative thinking and think about God's word.  I'm trying so very hard to stay positive. I know this journey will go by quickly, but until I know where my husband will be and he gets into a routine I just can't stop my mind from going in a million different directions.

I haven't slept well the last few nights. I'm hoping once he has reached his destination and a routine is set up, then I will be alright.

Day 2 - Thank God for the USO

I get a call at 2:15 am ... from Kuwait! Woohoo!! He is safe. There is a USO center where he is currently located and they have free phone calls and internet. Thank you Jesus! So happy to hear his voice from so far away. He traveled all night. His day had begun in Louisiana Thursday morning. They then flew to South Carolina where the USO had pizza and doughnuts for them. The girl scouts were passing out cookies. From there they flew to Maine and onto Germany. They were in Germany for a few hours before they finally arrived in Kuwait and had to unload all the bags from the plane. They sleep in tents. It is 110 degrees outside and desert everywhere.

I get a 2nd call at 11:30 am. He has tried to acclimate to the heat and time change. Been sleeping alot. They do have Mcdonalds, Subway, and a Coffee Shop.

I am so very grateful for the USO and the support and service they are providing our troops who are being sent far away from their families and put in tents... really?!! tents?!! It hurts my heart to hear about the conditions they are put in. For a war that I dont even believe in. 348 days to go...

Day 1 - Questions

It is day one of deployment. I want to try to write each day about my thoughts as we embark on this 350 day journey to the unknown. Day One clock begun @ 9:30 pm Kuwait time. They are 10 hours ahead of California. It is Friday morning for me and I am at work but at that time I did not know where my husband was.. in the air? on the ground? Is he safe? How will he call me? So many questions circling my mind. I miss him terribly. I haven't seen him in 8 days at this point. I'm used to being apart. We have had a long distance marriage from the start.. but this journey is going to be long. It will be the longest time we have spent apart. I know we can survive. I just don't like the unknown.