January 25, 2013

Yesterday afternoon Brian drove down to Worcester, MA to take the bus to reserve center in Middletown, CT where the 344th headquarters are.  This is the first of many trainings until his mobilization.  This training is mostly filling out paperwork and making sure that the military has all the health records, financial information, etc. that they need moving forward.  Hopefully he will at least have his transfer orders when he comes home, but with the military it is a lot of hurry up and wait.

When Brian texted last night, he filled me in on some information as he got an email from the training sergeant.  I really felt as he was giving me the information that it was deja vu from his last deployment.  He, along with the 344th will be mobilizing at the end of April in Fort Bliss, TX.  Like last time, they will have 60+ days of training prior to deployment.  It looks like they head out in July, but will be granted a 4 day leave prior to exiting the country.  They are heading to Afghanistan (although this could change prior to them leaving).  He will be gone a year.  I know more specifics, but for the safety of the troops, I refuse to share it.

Will and I are looking forward to Brian getting home on Sunday.  Will was looking for his Dada this morning.  He walked into the guest room after not finding him in our bedroom and said, "Dada here, Dada this."  I know this means he misses him.  I had to explain to him that Dada was training to fight the bad guys so we would be safe.  This is not an easy task with a 2-year-old.  I know that he doesn't really get it, but someday he will.

I have already been brainstorming ideas for William while Brian is gone:

• Until We Hug Again Bear (http://www.hallmark.com/until-we-hug-again/)
• Recordable Storybooks (http://www.hallmark.com/recordable-storybooks/)
• I'm going to have Brian make a video message for Will that I can play him
• I'm going to take a picture of Will and laminate it.  Brian will take it with him and take photos wherever he goes and Will can see pictures of himself with his Dada while they are apart. (It is like a flat stanley, but not).

Not only will these be things to help Will deal with the separation from Brian, but it will give Brian the peace of mind that he is still apart of Will's daily life.  I think I might make a book of all the pictures that Brian takes of the pictures with Will so that we can have record.  I am also brainstorming things to do for Brian while he is gone.  Not going to write them here, but would love more suggestions.  My friend, Heather, pinned some deployment ideas on Pinterest for me.

Have a great weekend and stay warm!