Bye, Bye, Baby!

On September 14, 2009, Rusty walked onto a plane headed to Miami, Florida with no idea when we would be together as a family again. I have to say, I have been really excited for this time. Of course, I'm not excited to be away from him, but excited that we have this new adventure and that Rusty has the chance at a career he can love and grow with. I love a happy husband! So, the weekend before was AWFUL!! I know Rusty would say the same thing. I think we knew what was ahead so we ended up fighting most of the weekend. The stress of moving, Rusty memorizing 21 pages of stuff for the new job, and knowing we were going to be a part for a while made us both on the edge of every nerve. That morning, I drove Rusty to the airport and went in with him to wait. I didn't realize how hard that was going to be. My little girl was tired from us waking her up, I was crying (surprise, surprise), and Rusty was stressed, nervous, and excited. We sat there for a while and finally, I couldn't take it any longer and told Rusty that I had to leave. I needed to do it fast like a band aid. So, I said goodbye to him and watched him hug and kiss on Brylee. I have never liked goodbyes, but this one was definitely the worst! I pretty much threw Brylee in the stroller and ran away. I got to the elevator and some old couple watched me like I was crazy cuz I stood there crying.I got to my car and ended up staying there for another 20 minutes because I couldn't see to drive. I cried off and on that whole day. My Father in law was sweet enough to call and ask Brylee and I to dinner and it was a welcome reprieve from the crying. I was so grateful to hear Rusty's voice when he told me he had touched down OK but I knew at that point, I would always feel like he is a million miles away. I still do most of the time. I have figured out that nights are the worst. I can keep myself fairly busy throughout the day with Brylee, laundry, and other stuff, but once she goes down for the night at 7:30 pm, I am TOAST! I'm sure any woman who's husband travels can understand that it gets a little lonely. I have taken up reading A LOT!! I am grateful that every night we are able to talk and pray and read scriptures together. I guess we just have to find little ways to stay close. Even though it seems I am not able to handle this, I really am. I also know this is what we are supposed to be doing, but sometimes, I just don't want to. Is that bad? This is a huge blessing in our lives and some days I am just plain rotten and ungrateful.

I do have to say that Rusty is doing great and loving this whole experience. He is learning so much, and we have seen blessings come when he has needed them the most. He has been in Chicago for one week and has one week left. From what he tells me, it's pretty intense but he's in doing well. He gets to come home this upcoming weekend and we will finally be able to go to church together! YEA!! Now, we are just hoping for things to move quickly so we aren't apart any longer than we need to be.