Afghanistan...Here he comes!

Fly Boy has been preparing for this incredibly difficult day for several weeks.

As a career soldier, deployment is nothing new. He's been to Korea, Bosnia, Iraq, and today he and 30 other soldiers from his brigade are departing at noon for a one year "tour" in Afghanistan. (The word "tour" almost makes it sound like a real vacation!) These soldiers, delayed for departure as a result of various personal and professional issues are about 3 weeks behind the others who are already settled in to their choice Afghan digs. These guys get the left-overs!

In Fly Boy's case, his delay was due to the birth of his second child in December. He's been a "hands-on" Daddy, joyfully assisting in diapers, feeding and care of both his boys. Last night they video-taped him reading a variety of children's stories so the kids could see him and hear his voice while he's gone! I think that is so special. He's also taking a along a web cam so that the children can see and talk to him over the lap-top computer. Modern technology is so wonderful now, compared to when he first was deployed to Korea as a fairly new soldier!

This deployment is different because this time, he's a husband and a father to kids who were born after he returned from Iraq! When he was in Iraq for a year, Fall Girl was his new bride and a successful soldier herself. Now she's going to experience this adventure as a FORMER soldier, and busy, stay-at-home mom of two babies.

I have every faith in her ability to be strong, successful and self-sufficient due to her character and solid military experience. Plus, lately Fly Boy's been giving her some lessons in some of the finer points of certain home maintenance issues, such as properly hooking up a propane tank. There's not too much that girl can't do! And as someone who used to jump outta perfectly good airplanes as part of the Army's demonstration free-fall/parachute team, she ain't afraid of nothin'! She'll be just fine!

Last night reality set in for all of us as our visit came to an end...for now. I just hugged him tightly, told him how proud I was of him and his accomplishments, and how I expected him to do his job well and come home safe to us, safely!

I am glad I am not at the airfield to see him off today as that has got to be the toughest thing a Mom can do. Just writing this is hard enough.

Now, I am going out to lunch with a friend so I can be distracted for a little bit!

But one more thing before I go.....

That's me....sitting inside Fly Boy's Kiowa, OH 58 Helicopter, last summer! How cool is that? Nice pedicure on those little Fred Flintstone shaped feetz, huh!