from "Wife" to "Navy Wife" !!

Well, the MUCH dreaded day has come, and past! Its been quite the roller coaster ride the past week! One minute I'm so excited for our new begginings. The next I'm a mess. So in all honesty, I'm really greatful that its over! And, I think that he's excited that he doesn't have to see me cry anymore...haha. But I sure do miss him already! I was telling my in-laws, I can do a week. We've been away from eachother at least that long in the past 3 years. But 8 + weeks...is going to be a bit trying!


Den's last day at work was last Monday. He was so funny. They're only supposed to wear plain Navy Blue t-shirts. And he went in with his Navy shirt on. With BIG yellow words! He wanted to get sent home. But didn't happen. Too bad for him. On his exit interview they marked him as re-hireable. That usually is what you want to leave a job with..But he was so done with that place he was so excited to just get out and never look back again! I love him! I knew that since I wanted the week to be paused in time, it'd flyyy by! And so I was right! I usually love when I am. Just not this time! :) We had a busy, busy, week with trying to fit in friends and family to hangout with before he left it was quite crazy! But we ended the week with a BBQ. A bbq with family and close friends. I was sooo happy with all the people who showed up to support him! I know he was happy with it too! So thanks to those who came!

We had a blast talking and goofing off. But I really just wanted the day over with. The anticipation of him leaving was making me crazy! I'm sure by yesterday he was sick of seeing me cry. Infact the last few times I was upset he'd say "quit crying" so just to make him mad I'd cry more....JUST KIDDING! But I'd be okay for a while. Then I'd start to think and make myself upset again. So I was really looking forward to Monday. So that I could have the worst behind me. With the military their motto is "Hurry up and Wait.". This is going to be a LOOONG 4 years! I'm a person who functions better with a schedule. And they give you one don't get me wrong. But it's whenever they get around to it. So this will be difficult to get used too.

We woke up early Sunday morning to leave for Utah so we could watch Den get sworn in to the Navy, to officially become a sailor! His brother Mike and his family were patiently waiting for us to arrive. I was so happy to have them there. All together we had my mom and sister, his parents, and his brother and his family. When we got to Utah we had to get Den checked into the hotel. Because the military paid for his room I couldn't stay with him ( I would've LOVED to pay for it! It just isn't an option..) So he had to be back for a briefing at 8pm. So we had 5 hours with him. I was dreading every minute of it! I asked the recruiter what time we needed to be at the MEP'S building and they weren't sure but guessed about 9...makes me crazy. So I had to say goodbye twice, because I wasn't taking the chance of missing him the next morning and not being able to say goodbye. It was a rough night! I slept maybe 4 hours. Then woke up to get ready.

And left the hotel by a quarter to 8. Got to the building and ended up waiting 2 1/2 hours for the "Ceremony" to start. Mike and Lori have 3 children. Katie 9, Kaleb 6, Carson 2. These kids were AMAZING waiting that whole time. Granted they were intertained by one of the ladys walking through a few times! Den got to come sit with us a couple times, while he waited for the next thing to do. And before we knew it, we were all walking in the back to see him get sworn in. I got way choked up, seeing him stand there all official like. But I was also super proud of him! Then it was about another 10 minutes of waiting and before we knew it the dreaded goodbyes had to come. I think I can speak for everyone else, saying that this was a hard goodbye to say!

They have a website called navyformoms.com, this has been my safe haven for the past couple weeks, getting all the information that I needed. (The recruiters don't spill the beans about ANYTHING!) I learned on there that the guys get a 30 second phone call home when they get there telling us they're okay and to be expecting a box in about 2 weeks with the clothes they were wearing. And hopefully a call back in 3. But nothing is guarenteed. How'd I love it so much though! He finally called me at 7:30 last night. Natually, I wanted to ask all kinds of questions, but had to keep it short. So I hung up at 32 seconds. :) After we hung up I thought he's completley BALD! :( He wanted me to shave his head before he left, but I just couldn't.. So they did for him. I'm on my 4th letter to him tonight. So, I should quit babbling so I can start it.

Before I do, I have to say how greatful I am to have a husband who will do anything to better our family. How easy it is now days to be a bum and live off the government. He wanted better. Our fututre is secure. We will have no financial stress. And our kids even have a chance to have a good life. I love him so much for making this sacrafice for us. I know it's hard to get past now, but in the long haul its completley worth it. I love him so much, I get amazed everytime I get to say his name how much I love him, and that christ would allow such a love to grow strong. I am blessed. We are blessed. Now all we need is the next 8 weeks to hurry up!!