Deployment Number 1 - Dunzo!

By the time this blog post is published I will probably be nestled in bed with my husband, soaking up every second of him finally being home.  That's right, our first deployment is officially coming to a close.  I'm writing this on my very last night of being alone for what we hope is a very long time.

Due to pregnancy complications, my husband's command decided that it was in the best interest of our family for my husband to return home immediately instead of finishing his tour overseas.  I cannot put into words how much this means to both of us.  We can finally put away the stress of him not being here to hear straight from the doctors what is going on.  I can rest easy, knowing that he is safe and sound and will be coming home to me every night.  I won't have to worry about how I will take care of myself, the house and the dog all by myself while being sick and trying to just stay healthy enough to carry this baby to term.  It's a blessing.

This blessing doesn't come without some guilt, however.  I feel awful that circumstances beyond our control have interfered with my husband's duty and obligation to serve.  I know that perhaps I shouldn't feel this way, but it is hard for me to accept that this is the way it needs to be right now.  I know my husband doesn't hold it against me, and I hope no one else will either.  We surely tried as hard as we could to keep him over there, but there comes a point in time when you have to look at the safety of everyone involved and the fact that it is hard to keep your head in the game when you are worried about the health and safety of your wife and child who are very far away.

Our first deployment may be shorter than expected, but it was definitely not short on challenges or learning experiences.  I think I can honestly say that my husband and I have both grown so much during the last few months...  from learning we are expecting to dealing with the normal challenges of maintaining a long distance marriage.  I have successfully driven across the country, survived a blizzard and learned to put chains on a car in a blizzard.  I've managed to survive 5 months of severe HG with the help of doctors, nurses, neighbors, friends and family and of course the support of my loving husband who never once forgot to check on me every single chance he had.  We've been able to make a huge dent in paying off our debt and have come so much further that I ever imagined we would in a very short period of time.  I'm proud of what we have accomplished and dealt with and how we have grown closer together rather than farther apart.

Dealing with deployment is never easy, but it's worth it.  When you love someone you'd do anything for them and surviving deployment with my head held high is just one example of how I show love to my husband.  I'm sure this won't be our last deployment and I know that life has many more learning experiences coming our way.  I'm just excited that we have handled this challenge so well and have finally come through to the other side.

I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I get them back from the photographer!