Thoughts on my day off

I suppose some people may think it odd that I have begun the process of packing for my deployment when I do not leave until May, but it is hard to decide what is worth the space when you are going to be gone for a full year, but are living with 1-3 other people in a dorm room. It was so much easier when it was college. Now I have to make sure I pack everything the Air Force says I require along with the things I feel are important.

Which movies do I want to take? I only want to have 3-5 with me, so which ones will I want to watch. Which books will I take? I must have my laptop with my DVD player, which also means an adapter. I will need my digital camera, so I can share everything with the family as I live it. Chapstick, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner.... Some of those things will go in later, but the space is rapidly filling up. And the bags themselves are big enough to carry both Mason and Micah in them relatively comfortably. I have to carry all of this through I don't know how many airports in how many countries.

There are boxes to prepare so they can be sent as I leave here for training. They will be waiting when I arrive so that I have decent bedding (not Air Force or Army issue), towels and a few amenities I want.

So many thoughts on what to take and what I need. So much time spent preparing. In a lot of ways, this is how I combat the fear of the unknown. Gather information, try to make sure I have planned for all contingencies and just stay busy. Less than 3 months and I am leaving everyone I love to spend a year in the desert. It's a little scary and very overwhelming....

What's Going On

Things have been busy and I have also "moved" to Facebook. No, it's not an excise, and I will try to do better.

As you can see from the kids Blogs, they are all active and keep things interesting. Derek is officially a stay-at-home Dad again and seems happier with it overall. There are some kinks to work out, but that's always the case.

I am preparing for my upcoming deployment and trying not to lose my mind. Things are really (REALLY) busy at work and I never feel like I have really caught up! Everyone is well (no major health issues recently).

I got my eyes "fixed" a few months ago and it seems to have been a success. Looking forward to the Super Bowl tomorrow and hoping the Colts win!