We hung a daddy chain in November (we take a link off everyday to get closer to being with Daddy again).
This is our daddy chain now!
This is our first deployment; very new and different then anything we've ever done before. When a solider (dad, husband, friend, son) deploys, he faces a new and different world. His family continues in their world in a unfamiliar way.
We had to learn how to live our daily lives, muddle through our typical routines without daddy. The girls (and I) have trouble sleeping.
They developed odd anxieties and fears. DTE is now afraid of being abandoned in public places (such as the grocery store), if she looses sight of me she takes off to begin a frantic search. DTY has separation anxiety any time I leave the house (something she had outgrown long ago).
My girls worry about Daddy's safety.
I had to learn to parent on my own, to make family decisions without consulting my husband, to keep my emotions in check for the sake of my family.
I had to persevere through a pregnancy, labor & delivery, and that rough first month with a newborn without my best friend by my side.
TLOML has missed his girls' birthdays, Christmas and their typical every days.
He has still not met or held his only boy.
Even with all of this (as can be said for most trials) this deployment has blessed our lives in so many ways. We have grown as a family and as individuals.They developed odd anxieties and fears. DTE is now afraid of being abandoned in public places (such as the grocery store), if she looses sight of me she takes off to begin a frantic search. DTY has separation anxiety any time I leave the house (something she had outgrown long ago).
My girls worry about Daddy's safety.
I had to learn to parent on my own, to make family decisions without consulting my husband, to keep my emotions in check for the sake of my family.
I had to persevere through a pregnancy, labor & delivery, and that rough first month with a newborn without my best friend by my side.
TLOML has missed his girls' birthdays, Christmas and their typical every days.
He has still not met or held his only boy.
My girls have learned that even when Daddy is far away, he still loves us and we are still a family.
They have learned to pray for the well-being and protection of others.
They have learned how to answer a skype call (run and push the green button!)
I have bonded with my son (who I was terrified of, I don't know how to raise a BOY)
I have found an emotional strength I didn't know I could have. I am no longer overly sensitive and can better handle my emotions.
I have learned to pray and accept the blessings of the atonement for comfort in my life.
I have recognized how to accept my limits- I can be okay with not being able to do everything myself, and can still step up and take care of the things I must do on my own.
TLOML has learned about himself and his own emotions
TLOML has experienced new people, a different culture, and has seen more of the world.
We have learned what is important and what to "let go"
We have gained a greater appreciation for each other- for our family unit- for the blessings of an eternal family
We have learned how to grow together through growing closer to our Heavenly Father.
They have learned to pray for the well-being and protection of others.
They have learned how to answer a skype call (run and push the green button!)
I have bonded with my son (who I was terrified of, I don't know how to raise a BOY)
I have found an emotional strength I didn't know I could have. I am no longer overly sensitive and can better handle my emotions.
I have learned to pray and accept the blessings of the atonement for comfort in my life.
I have recognized how to accept my limits- I can be okay with not being able to do everything myself, and can still step up and take care of the things I must do on my own.
TLOML has learned about himself and his own emotions
TLOML has experienced new people, a different culture, and has seen more of the world.
We have learned what is important and what to "let go"
We have gained a greater appreciation for each other- for our family unit- for the blessings of an eternal family
We have learned how to grow together through growing closer to our Heavenly Father.
I am grateful for my husband and all that he does to support and protect our family. This deployment has been hard, but I am grateful for all that it has taught us. Mostly, I am grateful for how short our daddy chain is and how soon he will be home again!
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