Hmmmm.... You really have to wonder

You really have to wonder when a person decides to grow up and realize that when you work in a corporate environment there are certain ways to treat your co-workers. I've had this ongoing issue with a certain co-worker and it can get so frustrating. This person comes to us out of the military and while you would think this training would teach a person about respect and how to communicate, but turns out that apparently that branch doesn't teach the same kind of respect as the USMC. I am not one who typically has trouble working with people, but this one has been particularly difficult. I've had a chance today to speak with this person one on one and maybe this will help our relationship at work get better and it is my hope that the tension between us subsides and we can just all do our job and leave all the hurt and frustration (from that piece of it) behind us. I can only hope. Ugh!

BFFs

My BFF has been my BFF since the second week of high school. We were inseparable throughout all 4 years of high school. We've been with each other through marriages, births of our only children, divorce, deaths, happy times, our children getting married, and so much more. I'm reminiscing today, because tomorrow is my BFF's birthday. I can't be with her due to geography, but she is celebrating in Florida with her new "bestie", Jennifer, that she works with. I'm glad Jenn could go when I couldn't. I know she is having a ball and I wish so much I could be there.
You know you have a true BFF when you can go almost 10 years without even speaking and get a phone call and pick right up where you left off. I don't know if everyone has a someone like that in their life, but I am so grateful that I do.
We are so close that we truly feel like we are sisters and there is always more room in our lives for another sister.
Sometimes the wonderful men in our lives don't always understand why we have to talk on the phone sometimes 4 or 5 times a day, but any time something funny, sad, scary, or just plain weird happens we call the other one to tell them all about it.
We do share everything and it is the coolest thing in the world to have the same BFF for going on 30+ years now. We have both experienced a lot of things in our lives and without fail we always know we can call on each other for support, a laugh, a good cry, or even a phone date with our wine (well, she hasn't grown up to wine yet so she has her wine cooler), sorry Boo! LOL
I really don't know after all these years what it would be like not to have her as my BFF, but I don't plan to find out.
Happy Birthday my sister and I know you will have many more sunshiny days ahead. Love you! (more pictures to come)

Loneliness... Our Military Wives

So as a parent, I cannot imagine this and I am sure those of you who are parents will relate. Those that are not parents yet, you still have family and close friends that I know you can relate to this as well.

My daughter, Katie, is out in CA with Chad who will be deploying soon and he has been in basically back to back training since January which means she has been left alone for the most part for up to 45 days at a time. She has a couple of girls that he has made friends with, but they have their lives to live and apparently are not the visiting type much. That makes life in a new state and so far from home and family and friends so much harder.

Her biological family has basically treated her as though she doesn't exist anymore. Who the heck does that? I don't understand and I never will (nor do I want to). My heart breaks for her and I know Chad's does too. He doesn't want to worry about Katie being lonely while he is training or deployed and most men wouldn't have to worry about that because usually her family and friends would make sure she is taken care of and safe and happy. Tebo and I are doing our part and trying so hard to make sure she knows we love her as well as some of my family members, but sometimes it takes her own family to step up and be..... well, FAMILY! What is wrong with these people.

We are going to do everything we can to get them here for his pre-deployment leave and spend as much time with them as we possibly can. We don't even know if her family will even want or try to see them while they are here, but if they don't, it is their own loss. Then once he deploys, we will do whatever we can to help them do what they want to do and what is best for them. We are so upset that we can't make this go faster for them, but we can't. Yes, I know, they both knew this would be tough and that he had to leave again, but there is not one person in this world that can say that at the moment you wouldn't think it wouldn't be a big deal until you are in the midst of the situation and then you realize, wow, this is much harder than I thought it would be. I have to believe that in some way it wouldn't be as hard as it is on her right now if her family would step up and make her feel like they are still there for her. What is wrong with people these days? Our children (and family for that matter) is all we really have when it comes right down to it and honestly, I'm proud to call her my daughter.

We (as a country) talk so much about supporting our troops and trust me, I am so grateful for that. But let us not forget these wives that are out there not only supporting troops, but their husbands, and in some cases children while all the time trying to stay strong for their husbands and for family memebers. It is comforting to me as a mom to know that Katie is out there taking care of my son and making sure he is happy and healthy when I can't be there. We can't forget those wives. They are living this life just like our men are. These young women need their families and friends and while they do sometimes have each other out there, there are many times when they sit at home alone. It breaks my heart to know she sits there day in and day out all alone (even with others right there close) and the only company she does have is when I call her. She deserves better than that.

You hang in there my Katie Bug... Carly (what a precious friend) will be there soon and then you and Chad will be home and we will have our girl time while the guys go have their time. :) I can't wait. Love you.

Anxiety!

As parents we know our children have different chapters in their lives and they have to go through them and going through them truly makes them the adults they will be, but I have to admit, I'm ready for this chapter for Chad and Katie to come to an end and for them to start the next one.

The anxiety that is building knowing his deployment is coming sooner than later is starting to get all too real again. He is in the Mojave Desert right now for training and the temperatures will be in the 120's or higher while he is training. After the hypothermia in Bridgeport in May it's my prayer that he is able to stay hydrated and healthy during this training. I know he is a Marine, but he was my son first and I don't care who you are or hold old your babies get, they are always your babies and you worry about them always. Can I get an amen from all those mommas out there? That's what I thought. :)

Chad will be in the desert for 30 days for this training and then have some time at home (when not at work of course) and then they will get to come home around Sept. 17th for his pre-deployment leave and I can't wait. They will be here for 2 weeks and I will have their room all ready with fresh sheets (yes with Downy fabric softener, that's his favorite) for them. I can't wait. Once he returns it will be time to get ready for the dreaded deployment again. He will deploy in October and the anxiety of anticipating that date has gotten me so emotional. I feel like I cry at the drop of a hat and especially when I see anything about our soldiers. Of course, I've always done that, but it's a different kind of emotion now. Words really can't explain what I'm feeling in my heart right now.

I'm just so thankful that I have a bonus daughter that loves him so much and continues to be his strength when he needs a little extra (and yes, even Marines need a little extra strength from time to time, that's why they have families).

I know I couldn't continue to get through all these events in their lives without her and I can only hope and pray I am doing the same for her. She needs us since she doesn't seem to have any other family that really gets what she and Chad are both going through so Tebo and I and the rest of my family will always be here for her. Always!

Chadman, just stay hydrated during this next 30 days and be safe and expect lots of hugs (and pictures of course) when you are home in September, because I haven't been able to hug you since Christmas and it will be too long to go before I get another one so it's on. You have been warned! :)

I love my baby Marine and my bonus Marine daughter and couldn't have chosen two more capable young adults to go through this journey as well as they are. I am so proud of them both.

I may cry a lot over the next 9 to 12 months, but one thing is for sure, I am one proud MOTHER! I can't forget to mention that without my precious husband I could not have gone through any of this as well as I feel I have. He is truly my bisucuit! I love you Tebo.