February 21, 2013

It has been a while since my last post and for good reason.  Life got crazy busy and I wanted to wait for the Yellow Ribbon pre-deployment program to really update you.

First off, I want to announce that I officially am the new high school special education coordinator for the Hooksett School District.  My position is a job share at the moment and we are split 60/40.  I work the 60% portion of the position and will be working three days a week.  I will be doing all things special ed for the Hooksett high school students at Manchester West, on out of district placement and all the students receiving services under 504.  I am extremely excited about the position and think it will be the perfect fit for me.  As I have told friends, I can imagine growing old in this position!

Enough about me, on to the Yellow Ribbon.  All I can say, is what a waste of time.  There was some benefits for the CT soldiers and their wives as all the venders represented CT.  If they were to do it right, they would have sent us to a program within our home state.  Also, listening to venders talk all day and spewing information about their programs doesn't help.  Some of the information is valid and important and it is good to know that their our resources out there while our husbands are deployed.  However, a lot of the soldiers deploying with my husband are deploying for the first time and they don't have any idea what they are in for nor do their families. 

If I were running the program, I would have break-out sessions for wives and parents to sit and chat about expectations, fears and the unknowns.  Some of the wives that have already been through deployments could share some insight.  People would make connections so that they don't feel alone going through this.

I am very fortunate to have an amazing support system while my husband is deployed and even when he is not.  My parents and in-laws are always right there to support me and I have an abundance of friends that are supportive.  I also am lucky because I have friends that have been through a deployment and understand what it is like to have a loved ones so far away.  It feels very surreal to me that Brian will be gone in 60 days.  The time will dissipate before we know it...

February 5, 2013

I am so very fortunate, I cannot even begin to say thanks... I appreciate and extremely thankful for:

• a supportive family that will watch Will at the drop of that hat or to help out around the house
• an amazing group of friends that surround me with love and build me up when I am at my absolute lowest
• people sharing their experiences with me and giving me advice during the difficult time of pre-deployment and getting this for Will to make this easier on him (thank you Heather Connelly)
• play dates to share in the joy of raising my son
• an amazing CAGS program full of supportive and knowledgeable professors that are extremely supportive
• the opportunity to interview for amazing jobs (I know some don't even get that chance)
• the opportunity to share my knowledge of reading and overcoming obstacles in college with responsible students (I even enjoy the not so responsible ones)
• the ability to have my grad classes paid for by working as the ERC Grad Assistant
• an amazing day care to bring Will to that is supportive and understanding and loves him

There is so much more and I am truly blessed.  Thank you everyone!