I know, I know. You’re probably wondering when the heck I’m going to stop talking about our deployment homecoming and actually share our deployment homecoming. I promise you. It’s coming. Soon…ish. Soon-ish. In typical military, “hurry up and wait” fashion, the date we thought our soldiers were returning is no longer the date. Luckily, it’s not a huge difference, but we’re still in a full little limbo where we’re close but not quite there. I find it humorous, for the most part. I made a point of not telling the boys when Daddy is coming home and opted, instead for a safe “deployment is almost done” proclamation.
So, we’re continuing to stay busy. School and work continue. Doctor’s appointments go as planned, and we keep ticking the days away like so many others. But it’s funny. There’s a change in the air when you know a deployment is coming, and there are some inevitable signs that a deployment is nearly done. What am I talking about? Well, let’s see…
// You realize your to-do list of 722 items is never going to happen
Hey, it was a beautiful pipe dream. You had a lot of goals, and you did your best, right? At the end of the day, I chalk it up to this: the kids are alive. I am alive. The house is still standing, and the bills are paid. All those goals are just gravy.
// You have the same 20 pounds to lose that you had 9 months ago
I have to laugh at this one. I had big fitness goals after Mieke was born, and I did get down to business. I started training for the Seattle Marathon, and then I grew more and more inexplicably tired until, ultimately, we discovered I have Lyme Disease. So, I’ve decided 2020 is the year for me to achieve my fitness goals 😉
// Suddenly every room looks 2000% dirtier
I routinely clean this home, and I’ve had a cleaning service, as well. Yet, at any given moment of the day, you’ll find me scrubbing a spare inch of the home. It’s not so much for Ryan as it is for me. To show off that I kept this place clean and chaos-free. It’ll remain that way until approximately 3 minutes after Ryan arrives home with all his gear. Then all bets are off.
// Pinterest is your new best friend
Need a homecoming sign idea? Pinterest. Outfit idea? Pinterest. First meal post-homecoming idea? Pinterest. Let’s be honest…I had the best of intentions of doing homecoming signs, and that’s likely not happening either. The homecoming meal, however, is scheduled. One out of three isn’t so bad, right?
// You’re planning all the trips during their leave
Local, out of state, you name it. Let’s do it. Let’s get away and escape the fact that the Army will still own you after your leave is up. We have our big trip to South Africa on the horizon, so we’re likely not going too far, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t planning things, nonetheless.
// Cereal, scrambled eggs, and dessert become a great substitute for dinner
I’ve officially hit my limit of cooking solely for myself and the kids by proxy. I’m tired of it. The boys eat really well, for the most part, but I’m tired of cooking and having leftovers. And, frankly, my kids love Cheerios and scrambled eggs, so it’s a win-win for me. Oh, and when a dessert truck comes to town? That totally works for their dinner…
// Murphy pays you one last visit
Big or small, Murphy needs to get his last proverbial kicks in. From constant runny noses to household appliances on the blink, check engine lights coming on, belly aches, trips to the doctor, and more, you know it’s almost done when things start melting down one more time. That said, and knock on wood, we’re doing pretty good right now!
// Suddenly everybody has really big feelings
I think the boys can sense Ryan’s homecoming is coming soon. I mean, obviously, we’ve told them he’s coming back soon, but we haven’t shared when. For little ones, I imagine this is pretty tricky. They have zero concept of time, and waiting a few weeks may as well be an eternity for them. Spencer’s had a lot of feelings lately. Porter’s been more obstinate than he has been in a long time, and Mieke’s just my mellow little meatball. Me? I’d like to drink/eat every feeling I have, thank you very much.
When a deployment is nearly done, it brings with it a whirlwind of emotions and a storm of activity, but we’re doing our best to stay busy through it all. Despite exhaustion, we’re getting out. We went the beach. We went to swim lessons and met up with friends for a tasty treat at FOB. Even as the clock keeps ticking, we have to keep living our days like normal, and that means staying busy. So, cheers to the final days and weeks of deployment…bring it on!
