Here I go again on my OWN!

Going down the only road I've ever known...

Not really...but that song has been stuck in my head the last two weeks as we have been preparing for this deployment. I've been blessed with a wonderful husband and I regretfully report that this house of four is minus one of our favorites. Daddy left very early in the morning on Sunday and will be away for a whole, super long YEAR. Although his work in this Army is sometimes rough on all of us, we know that he is apart of something bigger than ourselves and the work he does is more important than we will ever know.

What do you do when your beau/daddy is about to leave for a very long time? Here is some of what we did the last couple of days.

1. I didn't clean

2. We made his favorite foods to include some very yummy Belgium Waffles

and chocolate/cinnamon coffee

3. Build Forts and even let little brothers come inside.

4. Love on Daddy!

5. Learn to eat cereal just so Daddy can help feed you...just once with a spoon.

6. Learn new tricks! Look at me...I can grab my foot now!

Then when all the fun was over it was time for Daddy to pack up and leave. Daddy put the kids to bed, kissed, hugged and kissed them once more. He grabbed his tattered and worn good luck charms (these are only two but there are many more) that he has had since his first deployment over six years ago. Placed them in his pocket.

Note: Dale carries them every time he leaves and they are with him during the whole deployment.

Checks his bag one more time.

He grabs is guns and heads on out.

OH, he hugs and kisses momma too! :)