Bahrain Updates (Fall Edition)

I just realized that there are updates on Josh and I haven’t shared them. There’s a lot he can’t tell me and there’s a lot I can’t post here. But I’ll give you a general update. 

After months of working on their boat while it was in dry dock, they are finally operational! That means Josh is finally able to do the job he went all the way over there to do. But it also means that he will be gone for quite a while. So we are no longer able to Skype with his as often as before. He can still access his Coast Guard email though, so we’re not completely cut off.

Even though I wasn't expecting to see his face for several weeks, they pulled in a few days ago and we were able to Skype for a little bit. On a funny side note, I thought I was going to witness something spectacular during that call…

While we were talking, he was outside on the docks and many of his crew was “behind me” playing beach volleyball. The game kind of sounded like a party and then the music started. Pretty soon I was hearing “Call Me Maybe.” I had this vision of the entire volleyball game breaking into one of those lip-syncing dances that invaded the internet all summer long. Not having been in this country all summer, Josh thought I was losing my mind. He even turned the computer back around to prove to me that no one broke into song and dance just because that song came on. I can’t lie, it was a little disappointing. I thought I was about to see something highly entertaining happen. Oh well.

Josh hasn't gotten his leave officially approved yet, but he request dates for his R&R. If all goes well, Josh will have a very cold Christmas this year. At least there will be a little 2-yr old keeping him on his toes.

A Quick Bahrain Recap

I know it’s been forever since I wrote anything – this summer has been complete madness. Even though we’ve all been very busy, Dylan and I have been talking to Josh as often as possible. Lately, he has been putting in ridiculous work hours to help get his boat in working order. Between our busy summer, Josh’s work schedule, and the 8 hour time difference, it has been challenging. But we manage to Skype 2-3 times a week.

But don’t think that Josh is only working and not having any fun. 

He (not surprisingly) has joined up playing on a Softball team. I’m not sure how those guys tolerate sweating all day in their uniforms and then voluntarily going back out there in the evenings to sweat some more. I guess the playoffs started this week, so I'm sure they're having fun.

He has also purchased a bike for getting around over there. It's a must faster commute to the base from his apartment. He’s also gone on some day trips with some friends.

He's even getting some travel time. He headed to Kuwait on a 4-day trip last month.

On a fun side note, Josh has been enjoying the local cuisine. 

About a week before he was deployed, we went to see The Avengers. If you stayed until the very end and saw the clip after the credits, you saw the Shwarma scene. A Shawarma is a fast-food staple in the Middle East. I told him that he had to take a photo of his first one once he got over there.

While he was in his hotel room during his first week there he took the photo for me. Yay!

Josh's Apartment in Bahrain

I know I haven't written in quite a while. Between being out of town for a few days for a wedding, and preparing for that trip, I have been really busy! But I realized that I haven't given a good update on Josh lately, and that is unacceptable! So this post is all about Josh! (One of my favorite topics)

[NOTE: I'm going to share the photos he took and try to tell you about everything. I may not have all the details 100% perfect, but I'll try to remember everything and pass all the info along. If I'm messing up anything, I'm sorry. I'll try to do my best.]

The street where he lives

He moved from his hotel into his apartment during his second week and is settling in well. He isn't living on base, he is in an apartment complex that is about a 15 minute walk away. If you, like one of my friends, was imagining that he was living in a tent and eating dirt, prepare to be surprised. That is not the case at all. He shares an apartment with two other Coast Guard guys from the base.

This is his apartment:

He has his own bedroom with a King size bed. I told him that he's going to hate coming back and sharing a Queen with me. (He, of course, completely disagreed and earned himself a few extra points) 

He also has his own television in his room where he set up the PS3 that he took with him. Imagine, all the game play he wants without a nagging wife to limit his Madden time!

It's a townhouse with the Livingroom and Kitchen on the Main Floor:

Livingroom

Kitchen (View 1)

Kitchen (View 2)

There is a pool that he can see from his bedroom window.

However, I know he hasn't really been swimming much. I wonder if the water in the pool is too warm from the weather being so hot and miserable all the time? Anyway, he said that he went swimming in a pool on the other side of the complex once, but that's about it.

Well, I hope I didn't mess any details up too much. I promise to start doing better about Josh updates. He's starting to settle in and I know he's finally adjusting to the time change. We've even gotten a Skype schedule down and tend to talk around the same time almost every day. More Josh details to follow soon...

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!

Flight Tracking & A Kiss Jar

Josh's flight taking him overseas in now officially in the air. We were able to talk to him a few times today. Dylan and I were both excited to hear his voice. I'll be even more excited the next time, I'm sure. I have my computer open and I'm tracking his flight. Is that obsessive or is it reasonable? I can play off the whole justified thing right?

We had a rough night last night. I think Dylan was really missing Daddy and refused to go back to sleep for me when he woke up in the middle of the night. I only got a few hours of sleep and I'm worried that tonight won't be much better. I know I'll feel much better when I know my husband's cross-country flight is over. But, wait, I'm pretty sure I won't feel like myself again until my husband is back on American soil. 

I had my first 'kiss' from my Kiss Jar today. Right now there are 369 kisses left. Not that I know exactly how many days he'll be gone...I'm sure I'll have to do some math once we get a better grasp on his return date. Whew, 369 kisses left? That's a lot!

I'm so grateful for all the support everyone has given Josh leading up to his departure. And I can't thank my family and friends enough for being there for me. Not only do I have an amazing family, but I have great friends. I really want to thank all my parents and grandparents, Colleen, Allie, Jon, Katie, Shannon, and Matt for checking up on me. Having so much support is what's going to keep me sane throughout this upcoming year. 

Playing outside the library

In the spirit of trying to stay busy today, my mom met Dylan and I at the Library today to pick up a few books for the two of us. I made a point of trying to not waste my precious time with Josh by reading or watching much tv, so I am diving back into my books and trying to catch up with all the season finales that I missed. By the way, watching a bunch of overly dramatic and emotional tv shows while your husband is traveling overseas for deployment is probably a horrible idea. Oh well! Apparently, I'm just going to be torturing myself this week.

On a happy little note, Here's a photo I took the other day of my boys while having lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings. Dylan is so lucky to have such an amazing Daddy. It's easy to see why he's such a Daddy's boy.

My boys

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to put a sappy season finale on tv and watch the tiny little airplane on my computer screen travel further and further away from where I am.

Deployment Day

The dreaded day has come and gone. Today was the day that Josh boarded a plane here in Illinois for the first leg of his journey overseas. It’s almost impossible to prepare for a day like this. I had every intention of being strong and composed so that Josh would feel my support. For being an incredibly emotional person, I I’m not sure why I thought I was going to pull that off. I hope that he could still see support through the tears.

My boys

We had a little time this morning to all snuggle together before heading to the airport. I'm sure Josh was thrilled to get one final fix of Mickey Mouse before leaving. I had to take a photo of my happy boys this morning.

(By the way, it's hard to tell in this photo, but Dylan's t-shirt says, "Taking car of Mommy until Daddy comes home." It was made by Katie Runnels for Dylan to wear this year. I figured it was quite appropriate for today.)

Once it was time, we loaded the car and started the trip to the airport. Josh's parents and sister, Michelle, my mom, and Bob all came to say goodbye. We all got passes so we could go through security to his gate. 

"Goodbye Daddy"

After some goodbyes, the rest of the gang headed out so the three of us could have the last few minutes together.

Dylan didn't understand the significance of the moment. But he didn't hesitate when I told him that Daddy had to go bye-bye and we were going to give him huge hugs and kisses.

Dylan has a few things to help when he is really missing Josh...

Dylan's Daddy Doll

Katie Runnels and family sent him a Daddy Doll. I had heard about them, but hadn’t seen one before. She took a photo of Josh in his uniform while he was at their house in Georgia. It arrived here last week. Both Dylan and I love it! Dylan loves to hug “Daddy” and cuddle with him. I do too! Thank you Runnels Family! What an awesome idea!

Josh also bought Dylan two of the recordable books from Hallmark (a Superhero book and a bedtime story). We read the ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ before bedtime tonight. As soon as I opened the book and he heard Daddy’s voice, he snapped his head around to me with huge, excited eyes and a huge grin while laughing. It made him so happy that Daddy was reading him a nighttime story. We read it twice.

It was a sad day in our house, but I am so blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive family (and friends). And I know that Josh is feeling the support from all those who have sent him cards, messages, and calls. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with my amazing husband for the next 12-15 months while he is serving our great country overseas.