Benchmarks

One thing about this upcoming deployment that's different from the last one is this time I will have benchmarks.

The last deployment was four months and it was in the summer months. There wasn't much going on in the way of holidays or special occasions for my husband to miss out on. Plus it was just me he left behind. Benchmarks might've been a good idea to pass time, but other than a trip home and to CA, I didnt have much on my calendar since I was working full time at the time.

This go around it's six months. There's lot of holidays and special occasions and my husband is leaving me and our daughter this time. So I definitely think benchmarks are in order. I think I have some good ones lined up so far.

I'm not sure I'll count this as a benchmark (since there's no specific dates), but right after my husband leaves, I'll be moving back to my parents' house and Elise will start her first Mom's Day Out program. I'm not sure when because frankly, I'm nervous about Elise being without me (or family) for five hours. But I do think both the move and the MDO program will give my mind a nice vacation from missing my husband 24/7.

First official benchmark will probably be my trip to St. Augustine, FL. One of my oldest friends lives there and she's been begging me to visit and offered to open up her home to Elise and I. Her husband will also be out of town and she has a son 1.5 months younger than Elise. I'm a little nervous to travel and fly alone with Elise, but at least I wont have to pack all the crazy big baby stuff since my friend will also have those things at her house. Plus she is planning on flying back to Tulsa with me after a few days to see her family, so I only have to fly by myself one way. My friend wanted me to come visit on Josh's last deployment, but at the time, I had already spent a lot of money on a flight to CA for a trip with Jolynne. Two trips and almost $800 seemed like too much in just four months. Now just seems like the perfect time and not only do I miss my friend and want to meet her son, but I think kicking off this deployment on the beach and relaxing with the babies is just what I will need.

The holidays will each be a good benchmark. There's Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and NY. Then Elise's first birthday is January 4. I will be really busy planning for her party.

Once her birthday's over, it will be hard to make it those last couple months. So I'm planning to move in with my in laws mid January and stay through Valentine's Day. (I definitely dont want to spend that holiday alone). Once I get through that hump, I'd like to go back to Abilene (hopefully with just a few weeks left) and get the house cleaned and organized for my husband's homecoming. I have plans for some landscaping and my sweet, incredible in laws have offered to help me with Elise so I can "nest" for my husband.

I obviously don't have set dates for all of these. These are just the big ticket items and I'm hoping to fill the time inbetween with dates with friends and family I wouldn't normally get to spend time with in Oklahoma. Not to mention plenty of visits to my alma mater and some OSU football games with Elise. I'm sure it won't be the same going there without Josh, but he's made it clear we are not to skip out on fun events (especially in Stillwater) just because he's not there.

So here's to starting the countdown and hopefully a speedy six months.