As the deployment approached we knew it was time to start getting ready for Nathan to leave. No one really wanted to face the reality of the situation-- in just a few weeks he would be gone for up to a year. Things were changing every day with Marines getting dropped from the deployment, so a huge part of me thought it wasn't really going to happen. I kept waiting for that phone call saying, "just kidding, you get to stay home". So we drug our feet a bit and kept putting off the inevitable. We squeezed in as much family time as possible and Nathan took some time off so we could have a few fun day trips before he left.
In the meantime, the kids helped Nathan sort out his gear.
Lincoln tested his gas mask for leaks.
Corinne and Nathan checked out his one man tent/mosquito net thing....who am I kidding--I have no idea what that thing is.
The kids squeezed in extra long snuggles with dad at bedtime.
This is the best part of Nathan's day--one that I am secretly jealous of (just a tiny bit). I love staying home with the kids, but by the end of the day, I am old news. They regularly go running towards the door when they hear the key in the lock screaming, "Daddy! Daddy's home!" and then leap into his arms and attach like little leeches! He sure is their hero---mine too!
On his time off Nathan accompanied us to Lincoln's "school"--speech class.
I got to cut his hair a few more times before he left---can't say I am really going to miss this.
We made another trip up to Julian with Grammy to show her our favorite orchard and pizza place.
Corinne's imagination runs wild with stories of her being a princess. This day she was channeling her inner "Ariel". I caught her napping with both legs in one side of a pair of tights. She told me she was dreaming about mermaids when she woke up.
Nathan got in some good tickle time with the kids.
We had a huge tea party. Costumes were required.
Nathan came as a pirate and Corinne was a mermaid.
The kids got along for the most part and we were able to snuggle up together in the cold evenings.
A huge box arrived in the mail with one of Lincoln's gifts in it, so I turned it into a "dingy" boat for them to play pirates in.
Rapunzel lent herself to be the mermaid figurehead on our mini ship--at least until Corinne decided she wanted her "Tangled" back.
They really enjoyed it until Lincoln decided that I needed to build him a galley to go with his ship.
We also went to the dinosaur exit at the Western Science Center in Hemet .
Lincoln and Dad checked out some fossils.
I squeezed in some time to make Ryan his 21st birthday cake with Stephanie.
We packed in one last trip to Disneyland in an attempt to see it snow on Mainstreet.
It was sooo cold that we gave up and headed out to dinner with friends to hide from the chill and the crowds.
We made a trip out to the Mission Inn with Mabel and Luke to see the lights.
Then we headed to base for the company Christmas party.
Lincoln was a little reluctant to smile for a special Christmas picture for mom!
But he cheered up when he saw Santa...and won a new big kid bike in a raffle, along with a goodie box and a bear and candy!
Corinne even warmed up to Santa for the first time.
We celebrated Christmas early on the 10th. It was a bit weird, but Nathan wanted to get the most time in with the kids and their new toys as he possibly could.
They loved their new robes.
And for once, my monkey bread turned out perfect! YUMMMMMMY!
This is Corinne's "Pirate Princess" costume she got from Santa. She practically lives in it now and only takes it off to go out. It already looks more "piratey"---meaning tattered and torn.
Her main gift was a doll house, which she loves, and even lets Lincoln turn into a car dealership with his new Hot Wheels.
This is the track from Papaw. Nathan tried to run a tournament to see which car was the fastest. The kids were not all that cooperative. I told him it is something he should play with after the kids go to bed at night!
Lincoln's main gift was a pirate ship, that he keeps super organized and is careful to guard from his sister.
In the mix, we found time to decorate gingerbread cookies with friends.
You can never have enough icing and sugar.
As the days until Nathan was due to leave approached, the reality of the deployment sunk in. He finally started packing and we slowly came to terms with the fact that he was really going to leave. I have to be honest here, and say that because things kept changing, I did get my hopes up. I am not mentally prepared for a full year deployment. While Nathan was on leave, the Battalion had a meeting and decided if more cuts had to be made, he would be the first to get cut. I would be lying if I said I didn't secretly hope for another round of cuts to come along. As the last 24 hours approached I waitied for a phone call, like the last time, saying the flight is delayed another 24 hours. That call never came. The kids tried to stowe away in his bags.
We took a special trip to McDonalds with Dad.
Nathan even let Corinne do his make-up--which he referred to as "war paint".
On the last day we went to see "Chipwrecked" with the kids.
Surprisingly, they were super well behaved and completely entertained by the movie.
When we got home the kids and Dad took the Jeep to the park, while I drove the truck.
They had a few good laughs on the swings.
Lincoln did a bit of off roading in the grass. This is his, "Yeah, this is my cool ride" pose.
We headed home for some last minute cuddle time in attempt to calm our nerves, and then headed to base. The bad part was that we had to be there super early only to "hurry up and wait" for him to leave. The good part is that all that waiting included catching up with good friends and other spouses. The more we waited, the more we talked, and the more normal it all seemed. I am forever grateful for Jenn and Warren coming out with Hunter and Buddy (their dog) and making it feel like a regular Battalion function. I also got to catch up with Brittnay and her gang as she prepped for her hubby to leave. Funny how those last few hours with Nathan could have been dreadful and overly emotional, but if you have the right people with you along the way, it just seems like a normal day and nothing out of the ordinary.
We said our goodbyes and we were gone.
I can't say that it gets any easier with each deployment. If anything, it gets harder because I know what to expect. I will never get used to saying goodbye to my other half--this time for who knows how long. I know that my kids will wake up the first few mornings wondering where Daddy is. As the kids get older they miss their dad more, and they slowly get a better grasp on the concept of time.---knowing that Nathan won't be back for "a really long while".
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Quote 1:
As we were leaving base, just minutes from dropping Nathan off.
Corinne: "Where's Daddy? I miss him sooooo much!" Oh, how this pulled at my heart.
Quote 2:
On morning 2 on our own.
Corinne: "Where's Daddy?"
Me: "Remember, we dropped him off to go fight the bad guys?"
Corinne: "Oh...... thanks for being crazy with us downstairs last night." Referring to our wild wrestling match from the previous evening. She sees right through my charade--knowing that I am desperately trying to fill the roles of both parents. Nathan has always been the fun, crazy parent, while I am the more level headed caregiver. Obviously, Corinne knows I am trying to be both here--atleast she appreciates my effort. At the same time, a little piece of my heart broke when she said that, knowing I am trying to fill a gaping hole in our family.
