Ok, I did it. I've jumped on the Blog Band Wagon! I don't know if anyone but me will read it but I couldn't think of a better way to keep a journal! So it's been exactly one month since Tyler returned home from Afghanistan. I was relieved in the beginning at how easily we reintigrated and returned to normal life, until I realized we were in the honeymoon phase! Inever realized how independent I'd become in the 14 months that he had been gone until I had to start making decisions with him again! I mean sure we always talked about big things like purchasing large items or paying bills but we didn't talk to eachother before we went somewhere or about how to parent or even how to take care of sick kids. I did the family thing and he did the Army thing. Also, we didn't have to worry about eachother. For example we didn't think if I do this how will he/she feel. Because let's face it, we weren't really near enough to eachother for that to matter! But now, all of a sudden, we have to do all of those things, we have to agree on whether or not Tylenol is a good idea for the baby, or did I kiss him goodbye before I left, or did he hold my hand unprompted today! Simple things that are hard to be responsible for after so long apart! So yes, all of those military briefings were correct, it takes time to get "back to normal" if you ever can. Maybe that's the problem, maybe now we just need to learn to be married from here and not try to be what we were before the deployment. Who knows maybe we are better versions of ourselves now so we'll be better off. Or maybe we should get some therapy!! :)
The kids are having their own trouble with the transition. They have had the best time being with their dad I haven't seen them so playful in a long time and the older two pre-teen and teenager kids really enjoyed the big kid fun they have been able to have! But in the little ones I have seen some behaviors that I have to believe are a result of the changes in their lives. Elliott has been way way emotional and man is that kid stubborn! And Cohen's sleeping and eating habits have definitely been affected! I am guessing like anything else it will just take time. And we've got some fun and exciting things to look forward to between now and June so that should help them settle in too.
Okay, so here's the plan, I will take the three younger children back to California until June when Reagan finishes second grade, both girls have their dance recital, and Eric and Rebekah get married. While I am there Tyler will go to a promotion school in Arizona for a month and then work for the next month. He's anxious for us to return to Utah. I'm anxious to return to my family and home but I sure wish it was a little closer to my extended family and in a warmer climate. But I guess trials make us stronger right! (Living in UT is just a long lasting trial:)
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So now you've gotten the low down and I've recorded family history for my family!
