Josh’s Farewell Party

I thought I’d use Memorial Day to write about Josh’s Going Away Party. Saturday, May 19 was the big day to celebrate my amazing husband. It wasn't to celebrate the fact that he was leaving. It was to celebrate the fact that he is serving our country, the sacrifice he is making, and to let him know how much he is appreciated and loved by family and friends.

Me & My Man

Some of Josh’s family was able to make the trip to Moline. His Mom, Dad, Sister Michelle, and Uncle Bud traveled to Illinois to show their support. I was so grateful that they were here. My Dad and Step-mom also came from Colorado for the party. It really meant a lot that these people traveled all this way for Josh’s send-off.

It was an all-American party, from the Coast Guard service-member to the décor! Fun note: the signs on the drink coolers were labeled VETERANS (Adult Beverages), ENLISTED (Soda), and RECRUITS (Water). I’m telling you, when I pick a theme, I stick with it!

We had so much food! There was enough to last all day with plenty leftover! My Dad was the grill master with the hot dogs, and I had lots of help with the food from my Mom and Grandmas. We even had a teamworking cookie machine the day before the party. Josh made the batter and then the cookies were baked by Cindy, Michelle, and Connie.

Speaking of cookies…

Cookie Bar

Josh isn’t much of a cake man so we decided to have a cookie bar for dessert. My grandma even made a huge batch of her chocolate chip cookies that she always makes for Josh. And we ordered a giant cookie instead of a cake.

It was quite the turnout. So many people came to show support for my man. I was so proud. He even got some special drinks and a cigar from some of the guests. Sometimes he is a little too humble to be the man of the hour, but he certainly deserved it this time.

I was happy to have several of my friends there to show support. Jon, Colleen, Erin, Tricia, and Breanne all came. I know that handful of friends are going to be the ones who are going to be here keeping me occupied over the next year. I’m really lucky to have their care and support.

Breanne, Colleen, Anika, and Tricia

Colleen and I shared a couple awesome moments. She had all her kids with that day and our children were bonding like crazy. While we were watching Dylan push Tyler around on one of his toys Josh came up behind us and said, “You two have been waiting for this moment for about 15 years, haven’t you?” Yes, yes we have.

Dylan & Tyler

Dylan also had a quiet moment with Kiley that I was really excited to catch with my camera.

Kiley & Dylan

Dylan had way too much fun at the party. I'm sure he thought the party was for him. There ended up being a lot of kids there.

He was also getting awfully spoiled by Poppy (my dad). He took Dylan for a walk across the street and bought him an ice cream cone! Good thing he was still in his swim gear because I think he got more ice cream on this clothes than he did in his mouth.

Dylan may have thought the party was for him, but Josh was obviously the man of the hour. I think he told the same stories more than a dozen times. When he was leaving, where he was going, about the kind of ship he'll be on. I even saw him with his phone out at one point, showing a map of where to find Bahrain.

Talking to B-ry

Overall, I think the party was quite a success. The kids seemed to love the Kids Zone in the back yard and it looked like the adults had fun too. So many people came to support Josh and wish him good luck. It was a great send-off. Josh even got support from California - Bryan called that evening.

I need to thank my Mom for weeks of help leading up to the party. She was there for me the whole time and I couldn't have gotten the party together without her and Bob. And a big thank you to everyone else who helped make the party such a success.

Anika: Wife, Mother, Party Planner :)

On Memorial Day today, I'm thinking even more of my amazing husband and all our friends who have or still are serving. That small percentage of our Country's population deserves more than a few special days a year when everyone remembers the huge sacrifices they are making (or have made).

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." ~Elmer Davis

Happy Memorial Day!

We Survived Week One of PDT!

It’s official. Josh is away at school and we won’t see him until sometime in May. Right now he is at Pre-Deployment Training (which lasts about two months). After that he has two more schools (one in VA and one in CA). Even though he is going to have a brief stop here in GA between those schools, we decided that Dylan and I would move in a couple weeks anyway. It will be really nice for us to be around family while he’s gone. And that way, we will be completely settled into our new house by the time he gets to Illinois in May. We will be able to relax and enjoy our time together instead of trying to unpack and organize.

"I'm gonna stop him from packing!"

Josh left about a week ago and we already miss him like crazy. The day before Josh started packing his suitcase that he’s going to live out of for the next four months, Dylan came into our bedroom with his book and plopped down on top of the suitcase. I’m pretty sure he was thinking, “If I just sit here, Daddy won’t be able to pack and leave for Pre-Deployment School!” Unfortunately, his plan didn’t work and Josh still had to leave.

Dylan's Progress Report: I’m not sure why it worked out this way, but this week has been a huge week for Dylan. Just like everyone told me it would happen - he has decided that it’s time to start talking. When Josh left, Dylan had about 8 or 9 words. Now, we are adding a few every day. The big thing in the last couple days is animal sounds. Josh had been doing animal sounds with Dylan for a while, but Dylan just wasn't repeating. The other day I was telling him animal names out of his book and when I said Monkey he did the sound. Right now, our pile of sounds includes monkey, dog, cow, and lion. His words are Mom, Daddy, yes, dog, duck, cat, sock, car, teddy, and chewy (I feel like there’s more, but I’m drawing a blank right now). Today we were working on saying the letters D and S (his initials). He also shakes and nods his head and uses sign language for Eat and More. I’m a proud Mama!

We’ve been trying to keep busy here now that Josh is away. I feel like I’m being productive, but I’m not seeing the results that I want, so I’m a little frustrated. I guess I’ve got to just keep with it. I’ve been trying to organize our house for the move, throw things out, and get car loads of stuff to Goodwill. Once the house starts looking move-ready I think I’ll feel better.

Making Valentine's Day cards

Our lifesavers have been the Runnels Family. Katie is always letting me gab with her when I need a distraction, Elleah’s loving all the playdates, and TJ doesn’t complain with all of the Anika & Dylan time. They even had us over a few days ago so the kids could make Valentine’s Day cards. The greatest survival tool a military wife has are good friends. And I have amazing ones. On that note, I’m also grateful to Colleen and Jonathan for calling me all the time. They make my heart happy, and I need that. I am blessed in the friend department.

Josh moved locations today. His first week was a class and now he’s getting into the “fun” stuff that he’s been looking forward to. The good news is that he has better internet now, so I’m hoping we can Skype soon and Dylan can see his Daddy.

We survived our first week apart (of many). I told Colleen that I was a little sad that Josh was missing these new things Dylan was saying, but I was going to have to get used to it. She said, “Just frequently remind him he is not only ‘missing it’ to better your family, but all American families!” See why my friends are amazing?

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we adjust to our new lifestyle. Thank goodness I have such an incredible husband who is totally worth it.