...And He's Off...

So our last date didn't turn out too be all that magical. Because of timing, children etc we just hung around the house till I had to drop Gunnar off. We made BLT's, had leftover potato salad and were mostly really quiet. I didn't want to make things harder than they already were going to be and Gunnar HATES to see me cry, so it was just easier to not talk. What else was there to say really? After Mom came home from work, Gunnar and I jumped in the car and headed out. We drove in silence, every time I opened my mouth to speak, I got all choked up and stopped myself. I made sure to turn the radio off so I wouldn't remember any songs from the car ride and cry every time I hear it again for the rest of my life. We said our goodbyes and I drove back home. We texted and talked that night a lot. Which was really very helpful.

Yesterday morning Mom and I packed up the kids to go watch Gunnar swear in. We got there early and were able to hang out for a while. We split before the official swear in only because it was taking forever and the kids were getting tired and antsy. I could see so much in Gunnar's eyes. He has never been very emotional or talkative about his feelings. But there was so much in his eyes yesterday morning - it felt like my heart was actually going to break. He was sorrowful and I could tell he was starting to wonder if he was making the right decision. The longer we stayed there, the harder it was going to be for him. So I said goodbye (again) and got out of there. Gunnar spent the majority of the day at Port Columbus airport. His flight wasn't till 6pm so there was a lot of down time. We talked a lot again all day and he said so many really amazingly sweet things. I saved every single text that made me say "Aww" - my cell phone's memory is going to be shot pretty darn quick with this little adventure. There were some detours here and there and Gunnar ended up flying to Dallas, then into Oklahoma City really late last night. The last bus to Fort Sill had already departed so good old Uncle Sam put Gunnar and another fellow up for the night at a nearby hotel. I think it all worked out for the best though because Gunnar was able to have a really nice relaxing evening and good night's rest before heading to Fort Sill this morning. He arrived around 2pm this afternoon. This is the text he sent me from the bus





"just loaded the bus for fort sill. Walking out into the warm air it kind of hit me, a big smile came to my face and in some weird way I feel like I am heading back home. I know that this is going to be tough on us baby. The days and nights of not being together, the missed birthdays, the missed holidays, the lonliness. But I think it will all be worth it in the long run. I can promise that the next few years will be an adventure and that I love you and so happy we are in this together."





I don't know how he knew this is exactly what I needed to hear from him but it was like a huge sigh of relief.






Gunnar and I at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Something-or-other) yesterday morning.

Gunnar on the bus from Oklahoma City to Fort Sill - he looks happy and ready. And that's all I needed to know.

Today's the Day

Today's the day I halfway wish was never going to come. Gunnar will be on a plane tomorrow headed for Fort Sill OK. He is staying at a hotel tonight (silly rule they have) and then off he goes. We had a super busy weekend getting fully moved to my parents house. My dad and Gunnar's dad, Denny were AMAZING and we really couldn't have got it all done in 1 day without them. Gunnar's mom, Connie joined us as well Sunday and Monday. Gunnar had a lot of people that wanted to see him before he ships off. We did have a spur of the moment fun time Friday night when we went to see a Kenny Chesney concert with Jeff and Nikki. It was really excellent to get out and enjoy things as much as possible before our long summer apart. The concert was a blast!

I tried explaining to Gus that Daddy will be gone for a while but he just doesn't understand. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when he realizes that Daddy isn't going to be around. I know we are all going to be pretty darned sad for a long time.

So tonight we are going to have our very last date for a very long time. I'm not sure where we're going yet but I am going to do my very best to not be a cyring, sobbing mess through dinner. I'll let you know how it goes...

Busy Bees

It's been a busy week here. Lots of packing, tossing things and trying to figure out what goes to the parents, what goes in storage, and what goes in the trash. I am trying to keep it together but reality hit me like a ton of bricks last night when I realized we have only a few more days and nights together. Gunnar's parents will be here most of the weekend helping us move and undoubtedly they want some more time with Gunnar before he heads to Oklahoma. And so do I. We are enjoying ourselves as much as we can (with 2 kids and a house to move). We had a few cold ones on a patio last night, and had our favorite tabbouleh this afternoon. I am hoping for one more nice date with just the two of us sometime before he has to leave next week.

Tomorrow also marks my last day as a full time employee at Children's Hospital. So very many mixed emotions! I am so excited to be a stay at home mama for my kids but boy oh boy I am going to miss everyone (ok - almost everyone!) at work. I love, respect and admire so many of the women I work with. I think they do the most amazing work everyday and I have learned so much from them. It's been a joy and and honor to work with such lovely ladies.

The highlight of my weekend amidst all the chaos, hustle and bustle, is that my very dearest friend Rachel is in town this week. The person that keeps me the most sane - which is exactly what I need right now.

Underway

Well we are getting ready for moving day next weekend. I have to admit I really hate moving but I am so excited to be going to my parents for the summer. We found a storage unit and will likely be filling it to the brim next weekend. I am trying to only take the essentials to the parent's house so we don't completely bombard them. But what exactly are the essentials when you have a 2 year old and a baby? Pretty much everything but the kitchen sink, I think. Gunnar has only a week and a half left before he leaves. I am dreading the day most of the time. Other times I just wish it would hurry up and get here so we can get on with it, and get it over with too.

Next Friday also marks my last day as a full time working mom. I can't begin to describe how happy I am to finally be with my kids more than at work. I am nervous as all heck to leave my job - to put it simply, I adore the girls I work with. My manager neglected to hire my replacement until after I leave my full time status so training will be interesting. Gunnar keeps telling me it's not my problem anymore but it's not really that easy. Even though there have been a lot of changes there, I still feel a lot of loyalty to the place.

We are definitely trying to make the most of our last few days together. Gunnar and I have never really been apart before. We've been together for almost 11 years, and living together for at least 8, give or take. I can't really imagine what this is going to be like, but I'll find out soon enough I suppose. I wish we could just relax and spend the time together but there is just too much to do! Packing and organizing and everything else really gets in the way. I am hoping to take him out on a nice date sometime next week.

For your viewing pleasure, I found some ridiculously adorable photos of Gunnar from his first enlistment waaaaayyyy back when (no really - it was a really long time ago, I was in the 5th grade or something).

October 1991 - First week of Basic Training

Summer 1993 - From boy to man in just 2 years *sigh*

Countdown

So we have 20 days before Gunnar officially "ships out". And we are packed and ready to move to my parents house and send him on his way. Except we're not. Not at all actually. We still have tons to do (isn't there always tons to do anyway?). Gunnar had to meet the recruiter again yesterday and for the billionth time give them copies of all of our legit documents (birth certificates, drivers licenses, marraige license, social security cards etc.) I swear he has geven them these things every few weeks for the last 4 months but I guess making photocopies of that stuff just never gets old if you're an Army recruiter!

I have been trying to come up with lots of fun activities to keep me and the kids busy this summer. Luckily Columbus has some really great festivals and things to do and see. We are also going to try to visit some friends out of town etc. I am hoping the summer just flies by but somehow I'm thinking that's not going to happen. I worry about Gus the most - he and his Daddy are best buddies and at 2 and a half he just can't understand why his Dad will be gone for so long. I think moving in to my parent's house will be the best thing to ease that transition. At least I hope so. Kids are adaptable though, right?