Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
How do I know my husband loves me? He stood in line at the cutting counter at the fabric store for my Christmas gift. (Goodness, that's something I'm hardly willing to do for myself!)
He knew I have all sorts of plans for crafting projects to tackle while he's gone, and so he decided to help make sure I have lots of supplies to work with. Some pretty fabric, felt in every color, bright embroidery thread… even some scrapbook paper! The plans are percolating already…
Are you sure you won't need this shoe in Afghanistan, Dad?
The church that sponsors our battalion had a team of volunteers there to make us all a hot breakfast, pack lunches for the guys, and generally provide kind words and support for everyone… all this, mind you, several hours before dawn. Talk about works of mercy! I am so impressed with and grateful for the ministry they have to military families.
One last family shot, taken with my cell phone. At 3am. I think it's pretty good, considering! |
It was sad to say goodbye, for sure, but a great comfort to know that we are supported by so many prayers offered on our behalf. Now we are looking forward to his return… and getting started on those projects!
(Dear Internet Creepers: my husband did not leave me unprotected.) |
Haus Frau says
Bless you, Rosie. We'll be keeping all of you in our prayers.
Jenny says
Oh wow! Thinking of you and your little guy while your husband is away. I'll be keeping all of you in my prayers. Friends just recently went over to assist in a civilian role, so this area is often on my mind.
Jeannie says
We will be praying for all of you, too. I admire your craftiness, especially that owl potholder!
Joyful says
Sounds like a great guy making sure you have things to occupy you while he is away. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the service men and women and their loved ones.
Jamie says
Bless your Man for his calling. And Blessings to you and your Boy while he is gone and when he returns!
Rachael says
Praying, sweet ones, for peace of every kind. Praying.
joye says
I love seeing your Pippo because my daughter is a Pippa (full name Philippa). Pips gotta stick together!
Ashley says
Oh Rosie…this just breaks my heart only because we had that same mess in our living room just over two years ago. I will certainly be praying for you and for him. I know as a military wife this is one of those things you expect and certainly do willingly and supportively but saying goodbyes and whatnot (shoot…all of it) are still very tough. On the upside, the only reason I'm up in the middle of the night is because I'm nursing our “coming home baby”…our sweet baby girl who came exactly nine months after Husband's return! Anyway, you get crafting!
Sarah says
Thinking of you Rosie and Pippo, and your husband. My husband did an Iraq deployment before we had Ginger and initially when they leave the time does seem interminable. But, honestly it does pass and you slip into a routine, and before you know it they are back home again. My tip is to make sure you treat yourself well in his absence – cook sustaining meals (I was very slack about that!), get as much rest as you can and do some of your favourite things. Oh, and enjoy being able to watch girly tv or movies without complaints or channel changing! I can't believe the middle of the night departure though – at least Mr Provincial had the decency to leave and arrive home mid afternoon! Blessings, Sarah
Melissa D says
Is there anything cuter than a toddler in jeans? Adorable.
Prayers for your family and a safe deployment.
Michelle Reitemeyer says
Every night, my family's “praying for” litany includes “all the military people away from home.” I'll be keeping your family in mind.
warriormom says
I hope you will be able to do some skype-ing while he's away. I'll be praying for the three of you and I am so glad you have support. What a great ministry that church is doing!
Lindsey says
Such pretty fabric colours 🙂 There must have been a lot of mixed emotions for all of you! You seem like a brave and capable woman, may God keep your hubby safe on his mission!
sarah says
Prayers for the three of you during this deployment – you look like you're well set with that pile of crafting! We finished our first deployment in June. It was hard, but also a time of major growth. We highly recommend long-distance movie or book dates (each watch/read the same movie/book, then chat with one another by letter/email/phone about it). Took some advance planning to get the material shipped, but it was so fun to still be able to DO something together.
What a lovely idea to have a church sponsored units! Staying near our post (rather than going home to live with family) ended up being a blessing in disguise – such a warm group of military wives and families and church support who all know exactly what you're going through and how to help in a way my (dearly loved!) civilian friends couldn't quite understand.
Kerry says
Oh, my. This breaks my heart a little bit, and yet, I know your family is one of thousands doing the same thing all through the year. I'm grateful to your husband for his service in our armed forces, and grateful to you for your service in supporting him and keeping the “home fires burning” – and that gratitude extends beyond you to those thousands, too.
And I especially like that last photo. 🙂
Kerry says
Oh man a 3 am departure! Oh the gear all over totally brings back memories of my hubbys deployment. Yup, stay busy and stay positive. Praying for you three.
Deb W. says
Prayers for all the family have been said. Love the last bit w/ the photo… good girl! 🙂
Traci says
I'll be praying for you.
I remember that mess in the living room all too well. I hope you have a strong network of people that you can lean on for help. That makes a huge difference and don't be afraid to ask for help. People just need direction and will be over to help. DON'T be a superwoman.
Jackie says
You all will certainly be in my prayers. May God bless you for your sacrifice!
We never had to endure a long deployment, but my husband frequently had to leave on very short notice and was unable to share his location with me or even call for weeks on end. It was difficult, but God provided family and friends who were quite understanding and helpful. My helpers were found especially in my church and through my MOPS group. I pray that your support system will rally around you.
Josie says
Prayers for your beautiful family promised and a million thanks for your husband's service and your family's sacrifice for us all. God bless you dearly.
ayearinskirts says
oh my. That made me a bit sad seeing all those pictures and especially the ones of Pippo and his daddy. Bless your family and I hope he's not gone too long. Keep busy.
Breanna says
Praying for his safety and your sanity.
PNG says
Your family will be in our prayers. My heart was just breaking for you all while reading this post. You are so brave and optimistic. I guess you have to be. There is definitely a “grace of state.” My husband especially loved seeing your husband's “mar pat .” He picked some up for a recent hunting trip in New Mexico from a military guy relocating to MN. Hey, what's cuter than a gal toting a machine gun? Let me know if you learn how to use that thing. My husband's dying to get me to the range! Blessings for all of you.
ayearinskirts says
Oh, and I wanted to say I'm very impressed that you even had such style at 3am what with your scarf and all!
anne says
God bless you and your family, Rosie!! You seem to be keeping an extremely positive attitude toward your husband's deployment!! Good for you!! You'll all be in my prayers.
Mackenzie Haydu says
I've read here for a few months now, but I'm not usually very good about commenting. I just wanted to say that my thoughts and prayers are with you right now…our husbands are in the same place! We have 3 little guys to keep me busy, and yes, lots of crafting projects! This is all new to us because he's on a contract job, not enlisted, so it wasn't really part of the plan….but we are grateful for a job, and it certainly is an adventure. Happy crafting!!
Lisa says
God bless you all, Rosie. I LOVE the last pic, and the daddy and Pippo ones….look at Pippo's little jeans!Awww. I'll be thinking of you.
Lori says
Ah, I didn't know this was in the offing. How long will he be gone? Glad for your military and family support. I will pray.
Jessica says
I will be praying for your sweet family, Rosie!
emily b says
So hard! I was a newlywed (childless then) when my husband deployed but I remember it well; there is nothing quite like it. You are incredibly upbeat, though, and that is such a blessing. Will pray for your continued peace, and that there will be some phone calls (and maybe skype? I don't know how they do it these days!) in between to carry you through to the day of return (now THAT is a celebration! 🙂 Bless you–we will be praying for your family. Emily B
Mary says
Miss Rosie – KNow that you, Pippo and your Marine will be surrounded in prayer while you are apart. My husband deployed during the first Iraq war in the early '90's. While we were active duty he deployed four times and each time God surrounded my family with such protection and grace as I know that He surrounds you now. Staying busy is key for the time to pass and keeping the loneliness at bay. Your husband knows you very well to provide such a gift to occupy you while he is gone. I can't wait to see what you come up with! Happy Crafting Rosie!! Not to worry…your Marine will be home before you know it! Blessings and Grace…
Jessica says
I will be praying for your sweet family, Rosie!
Tara says
I know that living room scene of military garb from growing up. My dad was in the Navy Reserves and my husband is a Chaplain in the Navy Reserves right now. Someday he hopes to move into active duty and I will know that scene again in a different way. I will be praying that you have a peaceful deployment season and that he comes home safe and sound soon.
justamouse says
We'll intention a rosary for your family.
Keep us posted with the crafting! And, if you ever want to share the awesomenss that is the owl potholder (I still can't figure out how you managed that lined inside) I will be very thankful! (Or, better yet, sell a pattern on Etsy!)
Jamie says
Yes, God bless you and thank you to your family for serving our country! Also I love your positive attitude. I'm sure it must be so extremely hard especially with having a little one who will change so much while Daddy is away, but sincerely thank you for these sacrifices your family is making for all of us.
Debbie says
Oh Rosie- Ill be praying for him and for you two. I know you'll do fine, my dear.
When you speak to Phil, thank him for me and tell him I'm grateful. Also tell him the following: “When in doubt, shoot.” God bless you three!
Love,
Debbie
Lacey says
Our family will be praying for yours, Rosie! This shows my ignorance, I'm afraid, but how long is his deployment? If you two kids ever want to come up north for a Disneyland playdate, you let me know! God bless you all!
MamabearJD says
Oh I shed tears for yall this morning when I was supposed to be checking the school lunch menu before making breakfast! We will keep your family in our prayer intentions. Thanks for sharing with us, I am going to show this post to the kiddos tonight so they have more faces to think of when praying for the military. And will try to link up before end of the day, cannot believe it is already Thursday.
Sheila says
Praying for you. Praying for him. Thank you.
Lorraine says
Military wives are the unsung heroes. They are the toughest, strongest women I know. What a clever man you married to have the wisdom to provide you with all those crafting supplies. Keeping busy is the best way to spend the time apart. Hands to work, hearts to God as the Shakers say. Thank you and your husband and the sweet little boy for your service to our country. My prayers are with all of you.
pippajo says
I have to admit, my heart fell when I read “Deployment” and I braced myself for a tear-jerking post when I clicked on it. And though I did shed a tear or two (the photo with the shoe just kills me–I just looked back at it and welled up again, silly goose that I am), I came away from it encouraged and humbled by your faith, gentleness, and strength of character. It is obvious that you trust that God has you, your husband and your son in the palm of His hand no matter where you are or what you are doing. That is the only explanation for such peace and I praise God for it! I will add my prayers to the many others who are lifting your family up!
P.S. That last photo is priceless! Good man!
bobbi says
Your photos brought tears to my eyes. (Although I did LOL at the internet creeper photo. 🙂 Prayers to you and your family!
skoots1mom says
such a visual oxymoron (child/grownup; protected/protector; peaceful/peacekeeper; unknowing/knowing; babylove/daddylove…i could go on…peaceful/powerful pics…sending safety prayers, that our Lord preveniently walks ahead and returns them home while protecting those who wait 😉
Cathy says
Whatever complaints I had this morning, I think I'll now set aside. Sending blessings and prayers to your family.
Kathryn says
My prayers are with all of you. May God keep the Lt safe and help the time pass quickly. Hopefully you will get to Skype with him often enough for Pippo – I know the return was an adjustment for my nephews and that was hard on my BIL. Thank you to ALL of you for your service to our country – I know you're not going into harms way, but you're doing quite a service too.
I also had to laugh at your last pic – good to know you're prepared. Hopefully you live on base or near other military families so there are others in the same situation to look out for you.
Lynette says
I feel your pain. I have lived this very life, had the very same STUFF spread from one side to the other in our family room, had the very image of a little one wandering around in the midst of it, those very calls in the middle of the night… Praying for you, your name (Blog name) is going on my prayer board, will life you and baby and hubby up during this time! It was def. a sign or testament of his love to have stood in a cutting line to get those yards cut!!! Love it!
Annalisa says
Rosie, may the Lord protect the Lt. and make him an instrument of peace. May He bless you with reserves of patience and strength.
paulaayn says
I don't know how military families do it. I miss Colin so much during cropping season and I know he'll eventually be home that night.
Paula
Kelly D says
Praying for you and your family! May God bless you for your sacrifice! It does not go unnoticed.
jen says
Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers!
momco3 says
Will be praying! Thanks for this lovely post.
Valerie says
Thoughts and prayers from NZ.
maddie says
Bless you sweet Rosie and your Lt. and Pippo.
Abbie says
Best wishes and prayers to protect all of you. God bless.
Allie says
God Bless all of you and thanks to him for serving for our country.
little boys in jeans= the best
Pippi says
Good luck to you and your family, Rosie! My husband was away for a month last spring. It was the hardest month ever. And he wasn't in Afghanistan. It made me appreciate military families on a whole new level. I'll be thinking of you.
Anna says
Praying for you and your husband, especially. And thank you, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifice.
priest's wife says
I have tears in my eyes looking at the last photo- a bit TOO REAL and I don't even know you! I am running over to my blog now to put him and other armed forces on my prayer list!
Rachel says
Ack, ack, ack. You had me tearing up at the title and my face got wetter from there. What beautiful pictures you captured in the midst of the hurry and scurry.
And I agree with an earlier commenter…your sense of style at 3AM beats mine at the saner hours!
May your gorgeous projects, irresistible toddler and the grace of God cause this time apart to be short!
Donna L. says
Dear Rosie, Pippo and LT.
Thanks for such a huge sacrifice for our country–we appreciate you!
God bless you and keep you!
Sincerely,
Donna L.
Kate says
That last picture was great! It sounds nice of Pippo to help his dad with the packing. 😛
Lisa G. says
Afghanistan – oh, my. That makes his wonderful Christmas gift to you all the more meaningful – lots of things to keep your mind occupied (aside from Pippo) while he's away. I hope it won't be too long. You'll be in my prayers.
Betsy M says
Rosie, your family will be in our nightly prayers. Oh and what a nice guy to go into a fabric store for a present for you. It takes a brave man to do that.
God Bless.
RubberChickenGirl says
The Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and grant you (all) peace. God is your shield and buckler and an ever present help in trouble! Through our God we can run through a troop and scale a wall…..some trust in chariots and some in horses but we will remember the name of the Lord our God!
((Praying for you both))
RCG
RubberChickenGirl says
And that is twoo wuv indeed…..the dark ages of the fabric store cutting table. Although our fabric store just modernized with a scanner rather than the handwritten ticket. Progress.
RCG
Mary says
God bless your husband, you, and Pippo. I will pray for his speedy return and for consolation for all of you while he's gone. Thank you for your service to our country.
Camille says
I'm sure you expected this but still…. not much fun. We'll be praying for all of you and that the time apart goes quickly and productively!
Lynn Wright says
Add me to the list of those praying for you and your family!
betsy says
bless you! Praying for you all – esp. for your husband's safe return. B.
Maria says
God bless you Rosie. My son is a Marine. Your family room looks like ours when he is packing for this assignments. All of you will be in my prayers!
Nancy says
Loved the last picture addressed to Internet creepers! My husband is not military,but travels extensively with his work( for the past 30 years) and we moved about every two to three years. In my twenties with toddlers,far from family and friends, I learned some of the best lessons from military wives. These lessons served me well though out my life.
Tara says
Bless your family during this time apart. PS Our basement also looks like the military threw up, although it's due to clearing to get ready for a PCS. The fun never stops! 😉
Melanie says
Family portrait at 3am – perfect! Last photo – hilarious, I love it! 🙂
Mary Ellen Barrett says
I'll be keeping your family in my prayers. I'm so grateful to you and your husband for your heroic service to our country.
CMerie says
Praying for you, Pippo, and your hubby, Rosie. God bless you!
womanofthehouse says
Rosie, thank you for the sacrifices you, the Lt., and Pippo are making for our country! I pray the next year goes quickly and the Lt. returns safely to you!
Lobelia says
Those pictures of Pippo helping out are precious! God bless your family and your husband as he serves our country.
Anne says
I am curious about the chart of orange swatches in the first picture…
Also, John and I both laughed out loud at your “dear internet creepers” picture. 🙂
Glenda Childers says
Thank you so much, dearest, for your sacrifice for our country. I join the many that are praying for you.
Fondly,
Glenda
monica says
Keeping you and your two special men in my prayers. Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God bless.
Brenda says
Wasn't Pippo good to lend a hand with the packing? :o) So adorable, really. May God bless & keep your husband safe while he is away.
Mary says
I'm adding your husband to my soldiers' prayer list. Thanks for your service, both your husband and you. We have a son in the military, has done two deployments. God bless!
Hollace says
Our deepest thanks to your husband for his service for all of us, and to you for being his strong support.
dad says
Good blog Rosie. I should look at your blog more frequently. What an awesome family! And I like that last picture for the creepers 🙂