Leaving for Ft. McCoy

Michael is leaving for the second part of the deployment, his mobilization training at Ft. McCoy, WI. This first month was pre-mobilization training, a sort of preview of what's to come. I dropped him off at the unit tonight. It was a difficult good-bye and I write this almost not as myself so I don't get too emotional. Although it will not be the last time I see him before he flies over, as he gets one more pass at the end of June.

His pass this weekend was a little bit longer than the other ones, which was nice, but we also tried to fit a lot more into it. There was a departure ceremony at East High School Thursday afternoon and then they were released. That evening we went on a really long bike ride through Columbus. I must say that is one thing I really enjoy about this city. We biked from the campus (which is close to our house) all the way through town to the lower side of the city and back. The trails are really nice and they have little benches along the way, which we utilized. Biking while pregnant is not the easiest, but the exercise is good for me. Jaime, Jeremy, and Lucas came up on Friday night for a cookout. It was nice to see them and much easier than taking Lucas to a restaurant, so I think it worked out well (although I completely forgot to cook the beans and I'm still upset about it!). After dinner we ran up to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. We sat outside on the picnic bench and it felt wonderful to be eating ice cream outside, summer is finally here. They left Zeus here for the weekend because they went to TN to visit family so Sammy was ecstatic to have her playmate here. She has been outside since (unless he has been in here). Benny could care less and prefers his place on the couch no matter who is here. On Saturday we went down to see Michael's parents. His dad is getting the pool ready and I think it will be a perfect spot to relax when I go down there to visit this summer. We also went to his niece's pre-school graduation while we were down there. It was so cute. They had little robes and hats and sang little songs. Absolutely adorable! The rest of the weekend was just spent doing whatever; going out to eat, watching t.v., walking the dogs, going to the movies, whatever we felt like. We slept in and cuddled often.

All in all, the good-byes with all the family this weekend went okay. It was the one thing Michael was dreading. He hates saying good-bye and it's hard for him when people are upset. But it really went okay. I was the biggest baby of them all. I tried to keep it in and be strong, but once I started that was it. The first night is always the hardest and house always feel so empty when I come home after dropping him off. But I know I have good support around me and I'll be just fine.