The Deployment News

We spent a weekend lying in the sun, swimming in the lake, listening to music, fishing (not me), and just generally having a relaxing time.  Sunday evening was coming to a close and the boys were starting to scatter for a little screen time and Clay asked them to come back that we needed to have a family meeting.  We all look at him like he had three heads but everyone came back and took a seat around the campfire.  Clay began to explain about his new job and then landed his bombshell of announcement:  "I am moving to my new job at the beginning of October and they are sending me to Kuwait for a year."  No one moved for about 10 seconds and then Collin burst out in tears and tried to curl up on his chair, Caleb got up and went in the camper and slammed the door, and Caden got up and walked down to the water and started to throw rocks.  And that was the good part.  The evening turned emotionally worse for all of us.  Many hugs later and promises that everyone was going to be ok and we all decided to turn in for the night.  Clay and I did not sleep at all. 
We managed to move on and alternated between bliss (forgetfulness) and sadness (remembering).  Clay worked a final week at JTF-North and then went on leave for two weeks.  The boys each had a special day with Clay.  He checked them out of school and took them to lunch and then what ever they wanted to do.  Caden wanted IHOP and then Adventure Zone, Caleb wanted Red Lobster and then Bowling, and Collin wanted Buffalo Wild Wings and then the movies.  I also took off a day and got to spend Clay's birthday with him, including watching him get his PCS award - A Defense Meritorious Service Medal.  We moved into survival mode and enjoyed spending lots of quality time with Clay.  On October 9 we found out Clay would be leaving on the 14th.  Sad, sad day.  

Caden's special day was IHOP and go-carts. 

Collin's special day was BWW and at the movies.

Caleb's special day included Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits and bowling.