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!

Farmer's Market Reunion

Saturday ended up being quite the day. Dylan and I woke up at Mom & Bob’s house after a much needed good night sleep. We even slept in a bit! My mom and I had planned on taking Dylan to the Farmer’s Market that morning, so we got ready and got going!

I guess Mom & Bob usually go much earlier in the morning, so it was much busier than my mom was used to. But the weather was nice, so I didn’t mind the crowds. Other than buying some fresh produce, I didn’t really have anything else on my shopping list. I hadn't been to that Farmer’s Market before so I just wanted to walk around and explore.

Dylan was really riding in style. We brought his wagon and some snacks, so he was happy. Well, he was happy until we were going down the last row. Then he wanted to “alk.” We compromised with getting out of the wagon, but I carried him. He’s too much of a runner/explorer to be trusted in a crowd that large. 

Little did I know that fate was about to take over…

We stopped at a produce tent so I could buy some fruit and corn. There was a lady buying huge bags full of corn so I was waiting behind her looking around. I saw these 20something girls waiting to the left holding huge plants. I didn’t even look at their faces, I just thought, “wow, those are huge plants” and then looked away. When the corn lady reached down to get her bags, I realized that it was Patty! Patty, who I haven’t seen in years! Patty, the mom of one of my best friends in high school. Patty, who always follows all the photos I put of Dylan on Facebook. Patty, who always tells me she can’t wait to meet the little man.

 “Patty! Patty! Patty!” She turned and instantly got as excited as I was! Then she said, “Did you see Elizabeth?” Liz, who I haven’t seen in, literally, years. Liz, who has been moving around the country almost as much as me. Liz, who I’ve been emailing and talking to but we never seem to visit the Quad Cities at the same time. Liz, who I was expecting to see at the end of June when we were finally going to be in the same town at the same time. I started frantically searching the huge crowd for my long lost friend. She was one of the 20somethings hidden behind those huge plants!

Her sister (another one of the 20somethings) got her attention and pointed her in our direction. As soon as she spotted us, she dropped everything she was holding and came running at us. (Good thing I didn’t drop what I was holding…Dylan would’ve been pissed!) So Dylan was smushed between us in the middle of the Farmer’s Market while we fiercely hugged and while I got all teary and emotional. I swear, with the week I've had, my emotions are living right under the surface and it doesn’t take much scratching to get them to show.

Later when we were talking about our reunion we were sharing our initial reactions. When Patty asked if I saw Elizabeth, I thought, “Well, that’s just a cruel joke! Wait…maybe she’s serious!” When Liz first saw us she thought, “I didn’t know Anika was visiting Moline this weekend! Wait…she moved here!”

Once we calmed down, and there was some time for Liz & Patty to fawn over Dylan, they invited Dylan and me over that afternoon to go swimming. After finally buying my fruit and corn, we left so Dylan could take a nap before our new afternoon plans.

Immediately after I got Dylan asleep Josh was wanting to Skype. (Yay for me, sad for Dylan)  Although, it might be better that Dylan didn’t see Josh that time because our internet connection was funky and Josh looked more like an acid trip video of an 80’s robot. I could see the outline of him but everything was splotchy and blurry. But at least we were talking and he could see me.

Josh told me about the All-You-Can-Eat place he had gone to the day before and how he had walked over to American Alley (A street in Bahrain with all American places, like Fridays, Burger King, Dairy Queen, Planet Hollywood and more).  He said it’s awfully hot, but not as miserably humid as it was in Florida.

He had to work on Sunday morning, but was then going to a BBQ/Cookout that the base was throwing for Memorial Day. He should be moving into his apartment sometime this week (I think) so I hope to have a mailing address for him sometime soon. I’ll let you know…

Not even two minutes after I hung up with Josh, Dylan woke up from his nap. (So close!) So Dylan and I got pool ready and headed over to visit with the Jones Family. It was great. Dylan was a little nervous at first. I think it was a little much - all new people and a huge pool. But he warmed up after a while and we had some pool fun. He only fell off his raft twice. One time he got a face full of water and the second time I landed a pretty spectacular upside-down catch. But we had fun.

Seeing Liz was exactly the thing I needed to snap me out of my funk. Fate works in funny ways. I can’t tell you how happy I am that lady fate decided that I needed to see my friend. Anybody know lady fate’s address so I can send her a thank you note? I think she deserves one. I’ve also decided that anytime Jon shows up unexpectedly at my door, something amazing will happen within the next 24 hours. Ooo, did you hear that? I’m pretty sure I just heard the Universe whisper, “Challenge accepted!”

Eating Out & A Cocktail Party

Life is just chugging along with Dylan and me. I didn’t hear from Josh on Friday, although I feel like we are still trying to get used to the time difference and how to deal with it. We’ll get the hang of it, I’m sure.  I did get to talk to him on Saturday and he told me about his busy day on Friday.

He had one day of intro training on Thurs, followed by a day off on Friday. The work week starts on Sunday there, so his weekends will be Fridays-Saturdays. He said that on Friday, he went around town with the other people from his boat. I guess they went to an all-you-can-eat place where it was $45(converted roughly) for 4 hours of all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink. I guess they were there for a long time and took advantage.  

On the other side of the world, Dylan and I went down to Friday’s by the river and had dinner with Grandma Cathie and Grandpa Ben. Dylan was being a ham (as usual) so they really enjoyed him. When we were leaving I thought Dylan was going to knock them over with how forcefully he threw himself at them for a goodbye hug! Yikes!

When we left Fridays, we headed to Mom & Bob’s house. They were having a cocktail night at their house for the neighbors. A couple of the neighbors are teachers and wanted to celebrate the end of the school year. Mom went all out with snacks, treats, and Patriotic Décor. Mike & Liz, Jon, Dylan, and I all crashed their neighborhood party...I hope they don’t mind!

*Side note: Once again, Jon surprised me that afternoon my not telling me he was coming to town and then just showing up at my door. It was a really nice surprise. So, we made plans for him to crash the neighborhood party with me.  (The last time Jon surprised me, Josh showed up later that day. It didn’t happen that way this time)

Teamwork

The neighbors brought more treats and Ron, our bartender brought martini supplies. We had some really fantastic martinis that night. (I had a Cosmo and a chocolate Martini - yummy!) One of my mom’s drinks was so full to the brim that we had to drain a little bit before she could carry it out to the deck. It was a rough job, but somebody had to help her! Thank goodness I was there for her!

Dylan & Aunt Liz

Dylan completely bonded with Aunt Liz. She got down on the ground and played with him for quite a while. They were climbing under the table like it was their fort and playing all kinds of crazy games. At one point, someone’s reusable shopping bag became the toy of choice for almost 20 minutes! It doesn’t take much to keep him occupied! Aunt Liz was so wonderful and I was able to sit down and relax for a while. Everyone was happy!

Dylan and I both stayed the night at Mom & Bob’s house that night. It was a great move!  It was the first night that Dylan had a decent night of sleep since Josh left. I think it was because he knew where he was, and he knows that it’s always Grandma or Grandpa that comes into his room there, not Daddy. I think it got him out of his funk he was in. And I actually got more than 4-5 hours of sleep for the first time all week! Yay!

I am so grateful to have my parents so close while Josh is away. And I am so lucky that they want to hang out with us so much. They are really there for Dylan and me.  I’m definitely not feeling alone. Maybe a little lonely, but that is a completely different thing.

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.