Friday morning we got our first real phone call from Dustin. It was 4 minutes long - that's all the time he was allowed to talk. He is doing well and was calling to let us know that he was done with reception and would be starting basic training that day. He also let me know that the army issued him glasses. He sometimes wears reading glasses at home, so we knew that his eyes weren't perfect but I didn't think he would need to have them through training. It will be interesting to see what he decides to do about his eyes after training is over.
Matthew was able to talk to Dustin for a minute and while Matthew was crying through most of it at least he was able to hear Dustin talk to him.
I think it's the hormones, but I am emotional every time I get a call from him. We got a call this evening - he was just reading information to me (too quickly for my to write down) and I'm emotional about hearing his voice. I am really proud of what he is doing but I sure do miss him!
The boys have enjoyed their Daddy Kisses every night and I did get the paper chain done, it's hanging up in the kitchen by the table. There are a few special days each month that can be focused on instead of just waiting until the end. This month we have Valentine's day and Matthew's birthday. Next month we have St. Patrick's day, Spring Break and Easter. April is traveling to see Dustin and May is.... well it's May, it's busy.
David and I started work on his class Valentines. He elected to make them this year instead of buy some. We are making robot valentines with Hershey Treasures. He's pretty excited and I'm letting him do as much of the work as possible. I do measuring and line drawing. David is doing the cutting and gluing and putting together. He is excited for them and I'm happy for him.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
And Then There Were None
Well the day that I thought would never really come finally came. Dustin headed off to basic combat training on Sunday. It really hit me Thursday morning and I was kind of an emotional wreck until we said our final good byes on Sunday. Yesterday, because he had lots of traveling to do, we were still able to talk on the phone whenever he was in the airport. Today has been our first day without contact and I have to say that....
we are okay!
For anyone that doesn't know, this is what has gone on. Back in August Dustin really began thinking about joining the armed forces. It is something he had always wanted to do and never really felt it was a good time. After much fasting, praying and temple attendance there was a very strong impression that he needed to do it now. Dustin and I discussed which branch of service he should go into and finally settled on the Army. At the end of August Dustin went in to the recruiting station to begin the whole process of joining the Army. It wasn't until mid September that he actually took his oath of enlistment. The job he has chosen to do is Motor Transport with an Airborne option. I really don't understand how the two jobs coincide but I guess we'll figure that out as we go along. Anyway, Dustin chose a ship date that would allow David to be able to finish out the school year and not have to worry about transferring schools mid semester. Dustin has basic combat training and advanced individual training back to back at the same post. He will get to come home for a few days before heading off to airborne school. In total Dustin will be gone for a total of 20-21 weeks. Little did we know that this would also mean Dustin would be gone for the birth of baby #3.
During this first stage of training communication is severely limited. Basically we can write letters back and forth. Phone calls are privileges and while every post manages calls differently I am not expecting any calls. If Dustin is able to call we will rejoice and be happy and grateful for the call no matter how short it may be. Dustin does have very specific instructions from me to call when he gets a chance regardless of what the time it may be here, I have my phone on me at all times for just this reason.
Even with Dustin only being gone for a couple of days I am already beginning to see the value in having communications so severely limited. As hard as it is not to talk to my husband or have the boys talk to their dad everyday it is helping us adjust to him being gone. We don't focus on every little thing that happens during the day so that we can report it each night. I do have an open word document so that I can write part of a letter as things come up over the course of the week. Limited communication is helping me to be stronger than I was before. I am guessing this is probably part of the reason that communication is limited for soldiers in training - it helps them focus on the job at hand and not worry about stuff at home. It would also prepare them/us for any deployment that will happen.
It is hard to think about how long it will be before we will all be together as a family again but I know it's good for us as a family. We are all getting stronger in one way or another and we are developing our relationships in different ways. The boys are even interacting differently, we'll see how long is lasts, they are spending more time together and getting along instead of fighting.I am getting time with my boys that was always reserved for Dustin. Don't get me wrong as soon as we are all under the same roof again that time will go back to being Dustin's but I am enjoying the reading of bedtime stories with Matthew and reading Harry Potter to David. I get to experience a new kind of relationship with Dustin that will hopefully make our marriage stronger than it is.
These past couple of days I have prayed more for Dustin than I ever have our entire marriage. I also realized that this time has also given me the spiritual kick in the pants that I have needed for a while. I am being more diligent in my personal scripture study and morning & evening prayers. I have been really good with doing morning prayer with the boys before David heads off to school and we have been better about discussing the things we read from the scriptures so that David understands what is happening. This morning I was realizing how much I feel the love of my Heavenly Father and the support that is being provided. It was such a good experience to have in the quiet time of the morning before the start of the day with the boys.
The boys seem to be adjusting well. Everyday is getting better. We have Daddy Kisses jars for each of them and every night they get a kiss from Daddy. They look forward to it every night. Tomorrow I will be making a paper chain for all the days that Dustin is gone and we will write something about each day on each strip when we take it down. Those strips will be included in our letters to Dustin. David is looking forward to me getting this one done too, so that we can start taking the links off the chain.
Now I must admit, even though I miss having Dustin in bed with me and I am sad that he will miss the birth of Benjamin. Benjamin and I are really loving the extra space and pillows in bed at night. :)
Please write to Dustin if you can. I know he would love to get encouraging letters from everyone. I don't have his address yet but you can always send letters here and I'll forward them along as soon as I have an official address for him.
we are okay!
For anyone that doesn't know, this is what has gone on. Back in August Dustin really began thinking about joining the armed forces. It is something he had always wanted to do and never really felt it was a good time. After much fasting, praying and temple attendance there was a very strong impression that he needed to do it now. Dustin and I discussed which branch of service he should go into and finally settled on the Army. At the end of August Dustin went in to the recruiting station to begin the whole process of joining the Army. It wasn't until mid September that he actually took his oath of enlistment. The job he has chosen to do is Motor Transport with an Airborne option. I really don't understand how the two jobs coincide but I guess we'll figure that out as we go along. Anyway, Dustin chose a ship date that would allow David to be able to finish out the school year and not have to worry about transferring schools mid semester. Dustin has basic combat training and advanced individual training back to back at the same post. He will get to come home for a few days before heading off to airborne school. In total Dustin will be gone for a total of 20-21 weeks. Little did we know that this would also mean Dustin would be gone for the birth of baby #3.
During this first stage of training communication is severely limited. Basically we can write letters back and forth. Phone calls are privileges and while every post manages calls differently I am not expecting any calls. If Dustin is able to call we will rejoice and be happy and grateful for the call no matter how short it may be. Dustin does have very specific instructions from me to call when he gets a chance regardless of what the time it may be here, I have my phone on me at all times for just this reason.
Even with Dustin only being gone for a couple of days I am already beginning to see the value in having communications so severely limited. As hard as it is not to talk to my husband or have the boys talk to their dad everyday it is helping us adjust to him being gone. We don't focus on every little thing that happens during the day so that we can report it each night. I do have an open word document so that I can write part of a letter as things come up over the course of the week. Limited communication is helping me to be stronger than I was before. I am guessing this is probably part of the reason that communication is limited for soldiers in training - it helps them focus on the job at hand and not worry about stuff at home. It would also prepare them/us for any deployment that will happen.
It is hard to think about how long it will be before we will all be together as a family again but I know it's good for us as a family. We are all getting stronger in one way or another and we are developing our relationships in different ways. The boys are even interacting differently, we'll see how long is lasts, they are spending more time together and getting along instead of fighting.I am getting time with my boys that was always reserved for Dustin. Don't get me wrong as soon as we are all under the same roof again that time will go back to being Dustin's but I am enjoying the reading of bedtime stories with Matthew and reading Harry Potter to David. I get to experience a new kind of relationship with Dustin that will hopefully make our marriage stronger than it is.
These past couple of days I have prayed more for Dustin than I ever have our entire marriage. I also realized that this time has also given me the spiritual kick in the pants that I have needed for a while. I am being more diligent in my personal scripture study and morning & evening prayers. I have been really good with doing morning prayer with the boys before David heads off to school and we have been better about discussing the things we read from the scriptures so that David understands what is happening. This morning I was realizing how much I feel the love of my Heavenly Father and the support that is being provided. It was such a good experience to have in the quiet time of the morning before the start of the day with the boys.
The boys seem to be adjusting well. Everyday is getting better. We have Daddy Kisses jars for each of them and every night they get a kiss from Daddy. They look forward to it every night. Tomorrow I will be making a paper chain for all the days that Dustin is gone and we will write something about each day on each strip when we take it down. Those strips will be included in our letters to Dustin. David is looking forward to me getting this one done too, so that we can start taking the links off the chain.
Now I must admit, even though I miss having Dustin in bed with me and I am sad that he will miss the birth of Benjamin. Benjamin and I are really loving the extra space and pillows in bed at night. :)
Please write to Dustin if you can. I know he would love to get encouraging letters from everyone. I don't have his address yet but you can always send letters here and I'll forward them along as soon as I have an official address for him.
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