Father's Day - a day to celebrate fatherhood and the men in my life. I am so blessed to have a man who chose me to be his wife and mother to his children. A man who has the utmost respect from me as he prepares to head off to Afghanistan and fight for the freedoms we have and take for granted so often.
I met John almost 14 years ago and I still remember our first date, our first kiss, our first deep discussion and the first time I knew I had found the man I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, I just hoped he felt the same way.
It is now 11 years of marriage, 4 children and a second deployment later and it amazes me we are still together celebrating all that we have been blessed with. I never knew love could continue to grow as much as it has over the past 2 months as it has with John.
My children have so much of him in them from the smiles and smart remarks, to the bodily functions and mischief that keep me on my toes.
John, your kids talk about you all the time and wonder what you are up to. Know that you are the best father and we love you and miss you.
Happy Father's Day babe!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
D-DAY
Wow, the last two weeks have been a blur. It all started with a week of firsts and ended with the inevitable - the departure.
I have been very blessed with a neighborhood of angels, my lawn is being taken care of and who knew what a great feeling it is to come home and see a newly cut lawn?!
Our family has had a week full of experience and memory making. John came home last week on Wednesday and since then we just hit the ground running. Thursday night was date night and we just did a spur of the moment, make a quick decision and do it. It started with dinner at Teresa's in Lakeville, a decision made while driving to what we thought would be a night of bowling. While sipping Margarita's we decided to head to the Lakeville theatre, no movie would be chosen until we walked in and saw what was starting within 5 - 10 minutes. THE HANGOVER, it was, walked in right as the previews were ending - it was perfect. The movie was amazing and I didn't stop laughing until we got back into the car.
Friday was a morning of golf with our closest friends, followed with lunch and ended with a impromptu invitation to a Bonfire at another friends home. This would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. On our way home - 12:30 AM to be exact, my car decided to take a turn for the worst and the alternator went out. We were able to barely make it back to our driveway on the battery alone, but we did and breathed a sigh of relief.
Saturday started very early - 6:30AM - a cousin works for Ford and I called in a favor after crossing every finger and toe I had. He was working and was able to get my car into the shop. That threw off the rest of the day which was planned to pack, grocery shop and clean in preparation for our trip out of town. That afternoon, our friends hosted a BBQ, one last hurrah for John before heading out. We hung out at the pool, laughed and ate great food. We called in a night pretty early and made sure we were packed for our trip the next morning.
We awoke at 4:30AM (no joke) and were on the road by 6:15AM. John had to report to duty by 1000 hours in Duluth at the DECC (Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center). We arrived at 9:30 and dropped him off. The kids and myself headed to our hotel to check in, unable to since we were too early. We went back to the DECC to hang out until the Deployment Ceremony at 3:30PM. Several family members made the trip to show their support of both John and myself, thank you! The ceremony was wonderful - Governor Pawlenty was there and gave this words of support along with several others. The night ended with pizza and swimming.
On Monday it was another day of a very busy military itinerary. John had to report at 0800 hours, by 1130 we were eating lunch as fast as possible and on a bus at 1245 heading to the second deployment ceremony in Chisholm. I will say, I thought it was being blown way out of proportion, but when you have the Patriot Guard escorting a line of 9 Coach buses down the highway, it gets noticed. When we arrived in Chisholm, the emergency vehicles joined the .procession and as you drove into town, your hair just stood up on your arms. Construction workers stopped what they were doing to move to the side of the road and wave. Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts saluting in a line, day care children waving flags, veterans in wheelchairs just nodding, workers coming out of their offices and lining the streets, all of this just became an overwhelming site. The ceremony was held at the high school and followed by a dinner at the Armory. We were back on the buses at 2030 and heading back to Duluth. The hotel was a wonderful site at 2200.
Tuesday was my birthday and right away I received a couple of text messages wishing me a wonderful day - thanks sis and cuz! John only had to drop off his duffle bags for weighing as well as his carry on, finalize paperwork and then he was free for the rest of the day. We took the kids out to the infamous Grandma's Saloon and Grill, the Great Lakes Aquarium, the huge castle park and then back to the hotel for arcade games and more waterpark. The hours went by fast and soon it was night and the clock became very bright as it counted down silently to John departure.
Morning came very quickly and it was a typical Karline morning. Pack up our stuff, dress three kids, corral them to the car, double check all corners of the hotel and breathe once all was on the road. Who knew the day would get longer and we would be blessed with a few extra hours. John's unit was broken into two groups for their trip to Indiana. The first group left at 7:00AM and John was not scheduled until 11:30AM - yes that is right - 5 1/2 hours after arriving at the armory. You try and keep three kids entertained in a cement building for that long, it was excrutiating. At 11:15, the emotions started to rise, the call to formation for last minute orders started to really make things seem real. All the soldiers and their families gathered outside as the bus arrived to take our loved ones away. Several red faces among the innocence of the children who do not grasp the intensity of this moment. It did not hit me until John's squad was told to get on the bus, the tears just started and I did not want to let go. He got on the bus and that was the last I saw of him. The bus pulled away at 11:55AM!
Just as fast as John was gone, I was pulled back into life as usual. Max and Colby wanted lunch, Sarah was starting to whine and I was just exhausted. We got into the car and began our 3 hour journey home.
John made it to Indy and is all set up in his home for the next 30+ days. I am going to depend on hearing his voice and making the connection as much as allowed. This is real now, he won't be home in 12 days - it will be 365 days before I see him again.
But overall, I survived Departure Day.
I have been very blessed with a neighborhood of angels, my lawn is being taken care of and who knew what a great feeling it is to come home and see a newly cut lawn?!
Our family has had a week full of experience and memory making. John came home last week on Wednesday and since then we just hit the ground running. Thursday night was date night and we just did a spur of the moment, make a quick decision and do it. It started with dinner at Teresa's in Lakeville, a decision made while driving to what we thought would be a night of bowling. While sipping Margarita's we decided to head to the Lakeville theatre, no movie would be chosen until we walked in and saw what was starting within 5 - 10 minutes. THE HANGOVER, it was, walked in right as the previews were ending - it was perfect. The movie was amazing and I didn't stop laughing until we got back into the car.
Friday was a morning of golf with our closest friends, followed with lunch and ended with a impromptu invitation to a Bonfire at another friends home. This would turn out to be a blessing in disguise. On our way home - 12:30 AM to be exact, my car decided to take a turn for the worst and the alternator went out. We were able to barely make it back to our driveway on the battery alone, but we did and breathed a sigh of relief.
Saturday started very early - 6:30AM - a cousin works for Ford and I called in a favor after crossing every finger and toe I had. He was working and was able to get my car into the shop. That threw off the rest of the day which was planned to pack, grocery shop and clean in preparation for our trip out of town. That afternoon, our friends hosted a BBQ, one last hurrah for John before heading out. We hung out at the pool, laughed and ate great food. We called in a night pretty early and made sure we were packed for our trip the next morning.
We awoke at 4:30AM (no joke) and were on the road by 6:15AM. John had to report to duty by 1000 hours in Duluth at the DECC (Duluth Entertainment & Convention Center). We arrived at 9:30 and dropped him off. The kids and myself headed to our hotel to check in, unable to since we were too early. We went back to the DECC to hang out until the Deployment Ceremony at 3:30PM. Several family members made the trip to show their support of both John and myself, thank you! The ceremony was wonderful - Governor Pawlenty was there and gave this words of support along with several others. The night ended with pizza and swimming.
On Monday it was another day of a very busy military itinerary. John had to report at 0800 hours, by 1130 we were eating lunch as fast as possible and on a bus at 1245 heading to the second deployment ceremony in Chisholm. I will say, I thought it was being blown way out of proportion, but when you have the Patriot Guard escorting a line of 9 Coach buses down the highway, it gets noticed. When we arrived in Chisholm, the emergency vehicles joined the .procession and as you drove into town, your hair just stood up on your arms. Construction workers stopped what they were doing to move to the side of the road and wave. Cub Scouts/Boy Scouts saluting in a line, day care children waving flags, veterans in wheelchairs just nodding, workers coming out of their offices and lining the streets, all of this just became an overwhelming site. The ceremony was held at the high school and followed by a dinner at the Armory. We were back on the buses at 2030 and heading back to Duluth. The hotel was a wonderful site at 2200.
Tuesday was my birthday and right away I received a couple of text messages wishing me a wonderful day - thanks sis and cuz! John only had to drop off his duffle bags for weighing as well as his carry on, finalize paperwork and then he was free for the rest of the day. We took the kids out to the infamous Grandma's Saloon and Grill, the Great Lakes Aquarium, the huge castle park and then back to the hotel for arcade games and more waterpark. The hours went by fast and soon it was night and the clock became very bright as it counted down silently to John departure.
Morning came very quickly and it was a typical Karline morning. Pack up our stuff, dress three kids, corral them to the car, double check all corners of the hotel and breathe once all was on the road. Who knew the day would get longer and we would be blessed with a few extra hours. John's unit was broken into two groups for their trip to Indiana. The first group left at 7:00AM and John was not scheduled until 11:30AM - yes that is right - 5 1/2 hours after arriving at the armory. You try and keep three kids entertained in a cement building for that long, it was excrutiating. At 11:15, the emotions started to rise, the call to formation for last minute orders started to really make things seem real. All the soldiers and their families gathered outside as the bus arrived to take our loved ones away. Several red faces among the innocence of the children who do not grasp the intensity of this moment. It did not hit me until John's squad was told to get on the bus, the tears just started and I did not want to let go. He got on the bus and that was the last I saw of him. The bus pulled away at 11:55AM!
Just as fast as John was gone, I was pulled back into life as usual. Max and Colby wanted lunch, Sarah was starting to whine and I was just exhausted. We got into the car and began our 3 hour journey home.
John made it to Indy and is all set up in his home for the next 30+ days. I am going to depend on hearing his voice and making the connection as much as allowed. This is real now, he won't be home in 12 days - it will be 365 days before I see him again.
But overall, I survived Departure Day.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATION
Yesterday I went to Colby's Kindergarten Celebration, I had taken the day off of work and made sure I was at the school on time.
When I got to the school, I checked in at the front office along with a long line of other parents. I found my seat in Colby's classroom and as the kids entered my eyes found Colby right away. As his eyes wandered around the room trying to find me, it sent chills over me, he was getting so big, yet still my "baby boy". Knowing I was going to be there, he was eagerly looking for me and didn't stop till he found me and the grin he showed was so overwhelming I practically broke down right there.
The program consisted of three "silly" songs picked by the class, an alphabet story about all the things that had learned in Kindergarten (Colby was "Z"), presentation of his "diploma" and then it was parent participation. We spread out around the room and the kids taught us a couple of songs and dances that went along with them. I don't think I have ever done anything like this before with any of my kids, I had so much fun and laughed so hard that it was emotional for me. I teared up so quickly that afternoon.
When the program was over, Colby gave me his "baby eyes" and asked if I would take him home with me. How can any mother say no to beautiful blue eyes? We went home and just hung out. It was a wonderful Tuesday, no worries and just consumed by my child. Celebrating Colby and all of his accomplishments!
When I got to the school, I checked in at the front office along with a long line of other parents. I found my seat in Colby's classroom and as the kids entered my eyes found Colby right away. As his eyes wandered around the room trying to find me, it sent chills over me, he was getting so big, yet still my "baby boy". Knowing I was going to be there, he was eagerly looking for me and didn't stop till he found me and the grin he showed was so overwhelming I practically broke down right there.
The program consisted of three "silly" songs picked by the class, an alphabet story about all the things that had learned in Kindergarten (Colby was "Z"), presentation of his "diploma" and then it was parent participation. We spread out around the room and the kids taught us a couple of songs and dances that went along with them. I don't think I have ever done anything like this before with any of my kids, I had so much fun and laughed so hard that it was emotional for me. I teared up so quickly that afternoon.
When the program was over, Colby gave me his "baby eyes" and asked if I would take him home with me. How can any mother say no to beautiful blue eyes? We went home and just hung out. It was a wonderful Tuesday, no worries and just consumed by my child. Celebrating Colby and all of his accomplishments!
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