I am ready to walk out the door to our new life!!
Making sure the paperwork is all in order at the recruiters office.
Mark and his recruiter Staff Sgt. L. Harris.
She is wonderful! She has worked so hard to help Mark jump through all of the hoops for an older recruit to join. We are so happy that she was our recruiter!
Staff Sgt. Larson, he is an Iraq War Veteran and a wonderful man. He was a wealth of information to Mark. And gave such support to both of us.
And Staff Sgt Stoney. He was the Future Soldier's PT Teacher. Nice kid. I call him that because he is our kids age! LOL! I teased him a lot about that.
The other recruiters were not in the office the day that Mark shipped out. I would like to that Staff Sgt. Frazier, another Rec. who supported us and gave us a lot of information. Staff Sgt. Garrett who runs the office. These men and woman made this whole experience a great one. They were all there for us through the ups and downs. And kept us going. THANK YOU ALL!
Well kids, he is off!
He left Monday to go to MEPS in Utah to make sure all paperwork was in order and was sworn in as Active Army. he was supposed to be shipped out that day but they couldn't get tickets to GA. So he actually shipped out yesterday. I got a call from him as he was leaving Utah. He was excited! There were 3 other "kids" flying with him to GA and they will be with him in Infantry. So he got to know them a bit. I got my last call from him when he landed at the Atlanta Airport. Their bus was to pick them up at 5PM. So they were all in the USO office. There he was able to talk to a few who just graduated OSUT at Fort Benning. And get the scoop on what to expect. He said it has really helped him to settle down. And we said our "I love You's" I won't hear from him until I am able to write to him.
Whew....I know that he will be so busy that these next 3 months will go by quick for him.
Me?? I have to be honest...being strong for the last year...yes year..in keeping his spirits up, when things were stalled...helping him to keep his dream alive, well...I am just exhausted LOL! I can now sit back and reflect. It is here...this last year has been so wonderful spending this time with him. You know all of our married life he has been in construction, working long, long hard hours. With not the nicest of people in the world. Seeing his spirits go down...and when he finally made the decision to follow his dream. I was there for him. He has worked SO hard for us this last 18 years. He helped me raise my two girls. He has supported me in everything I have ever wanted to do. Leave the corporate world to follow my dream of being an artist without a negative remark. Of course I have my worries, and concerns who wouldn't?? But this is a marriage...you give and support. Especially when that is all you have ever received.
So now I sit and can relax...my body is telling me it has been on overdrive for a year. Time to let go..and I feel as if all I want to do is sleep. But I am too hyper for that. I have things planned to keep me busy. I have picked up 3 "design to sell's" LOL! I start them next week. I was smart in allowing myself a week to decompress. I haven't been sleeping well since he left. The noises I usually hear at night I am hyper alert to them! LOL! Ear plugs are helping with that. The double mattress in this "furnished" apt that was way to small with Mark and Myself and the dogs, is now to big! Hahaha! The dogs look at the door all day waiting for Dad to come home. Now that makes me teary eyed. I tell them he will in a while. Yesterday I scrubbed the apt down...that took about 45 mins. Scrubbed the dogs and trimmed Bingo. LOL! Oy what to do now??
I am so blessed to have my family and friends who have been so supportive. I know they are there for me when needed. My Sisters Michelle and Tammy call me and we talk. They are a huge lifeline. I love you two! My Daughters Sarah and Leah...thank you so much girls for being there for us, I know at the time you didn't understand the choice we made...but I know as you have told Mark how proud you are of him! Your support has made a world of difference to him. His Aunt Christine, his Brother Tony...He needed that love and support from you also! Thank you so much!He left here excited and ready to get things going to make a difference in this world. And it could NOT have happened without the love and encouragement that you all gave him!
Mark has wanted to join in helping this world after 9-11. It has been burning in him. He applied to be on the NYPD, he went through the application process and was ready to hop a flight for his Psych exams etc. He spoke to an officer there. When he found out how little they make (a bloody SHAME!) and what he was making in construction he just couldn't bring me to NYC and have to live in a not very good area..he made the decision not to go. Again...he was thinking of me...as he got closer to the age cut off to join the military we talked. It was now or never. All we could do was try. We talked and talked...we talked about him joining as Infantry. Boots on the ground, right there in the middle of the war. That there is always the chance he might not come back. Yes, we talked. And he said this to me...
"Since the age of 16 I have built America, now I would like to fight for her freedom and to keep her safe." "I want to make a difference."
My heart burst with pride and love. OF COURSE I support him. How could I not?? How could I NOT!
We have never has the kind of relationship as sadly a lot of people have...I was asked "Why didn't you tell him he could not do this? I would have told MY husband he just couldn't do that!"
Well, first off I am his wife...not his Mother nor Parent. I have never told my husband what he can or cannot do. Nor has he with me. We talk and discuss. I can't tell you how many times we have heard things like..."I want a tattoo but my wife told me that I can't." "My husband told me I can't to do this..." What the hell? That is not a marriage! I would never ever think to TELL my husband what he can or cannot do. And he would never do that to me! Talking and sharing your thoughts and concerns in honesty..then come to a decision. THAT is a marriage. Oy vey...
SO, it is happened. This is what he has been working for this past year. Studying, going to the gym. And spending time together. More time than we have ever spent in 18 years of marriage. Just us. I had someone ask me...are you tired of him being home yet?? LOL! I guess some peole would feel that way but in all honesty? Nope. I never got to that point. I have enjoyed this last year together.
Which is good as we will be a busy couple from now on!
So, now I wait for my DEERS to be sent to me from Mark. Sgt Harris will take me to Nellis AFB to get my military card, and get me in the healthcare system etc.
We should find out sometime in November where we will be stationed.
I am sooooo ready to get out of Vegas. And the desert..please let us go somewhere where there is 4 seasons...yes, even snow! LOL!
So...here we go! Onto the next step in our wild and crazy life!
This is gonna be fun! Whihooo!
Talk to you all next time!
HUGZ Rochelle :0)
