Jon's Deployment

Today we said our goodbyes to Jon as he left for his 5 month (150ish days) deployment to Bahrain.  We got up this morning and went to the early service at church, drove him to the squadron and hung out in the ready room with the rest of the guys and some wives while they prepared to walk to the plane.  

We left him a little before noon as their take off time was around 1.  On our way home we stopped by "McDonut's" (Ella's name for McDonald's) by request for a treat for Ella, we came home and waited and listened for the sound of a C-2 to fly over.  Sure enough right after 1PM we heard Jon coming.  Ella and I (Rudy was sleeping) ran outside and waved goodbye to daddy through the clouds wishing him safe travels across the world to Bahrain. 

He will be traveling to Bahrain for about 2-3 weeks stopping in wonderful places such as Souda Bay/Crete, (in Greece-- have you seen the movie "Mama Mia" yeah, THERE!!) some wonderful place in France, Spain and Italy, and probably other places too.  

Ella and Rudy do not grasp the concept of time so the question of "where's daddy" happens over and over and over again as they know something is different or we wouldn't be trying to explain this departure as much.  At this point Jon's absence for me is accompanied by sadness for him in his missing the kids and them not understanding why he is gone.  I've got the single parent thing down, and feel confident in a routine with the kids.  We've got a great Navy family here who provide the support to meet any need that should arise.  I have the best Aunt and Uncle ever to live so close by that help out in so many ways too, and can't forget my neighbors all up and down my street so kind and helpful as well.    

There are a few things on my agenda to do while Jon is gone such as HIRE a painter, and possibly surprise him with a new stove when he gets home? (he he he)    With my class, the YMCA, church and keeping social with my friends and other fellow wives who's husbands are deployed we will make this time fly by.   

We feel so fortunate to have the ability to talk with Jon almost every day via phone and webcam.   Most military families do not have this option but because of the nature of Jon's deployments and his somewhat "civilian" lifestyle in Bahrain this is true for us.  I feel guilty telling my friends this who only hope to get an email everyday and a phone call from the ship once every two weeks.  Jon's next deployment could quite possibly 180 degrees from this so we will relish in his freedoms for now.   

 Please keep Jon in your thoughts and in your prayers as he lands his big fat old airplane on a tiny little aircraft carrier almost daily for the next 5 months!