Cherishing The Special Moments

When coming to Great Lakes we had an idea of what Justin's schedule would be like. We knew it would be a lot of work, and a lot of long hours. We also knew that he would be allowed time off in between pushing divisions...or so we thought that's how it would be. His first push began October 6th, 2010. Those first 8 weeks gave us a glimpse of what his schedule would actually be like: Averaging 16-hour days, 7 days a week. Not at all what we were expecting, but we got used to it. Then he found out he wouldn't be getting a break because a new division was coming immediately following. That didn't go over well, but at least he was able to work out a little more time off. Time off meaning going in to work to wake the recruits (AKA Reveille) and coming home before chow-time (which is usually around 5pm), or not having to go in until lunch (but then, of course, staying until TAPS). It made things a little easier, but it was still exhausting for all of us. Fast forward to the end of that push when he found out that, yet again, he wouldn't be getting a break between divisions. Even worse, he would be overlapping divisions! He actually had 2 at the same time for 4 days. For those 4 days he was working from 4am-10:30pm. I'm hoping this current push will allow for more time off.

He was able to be home yesterday evening at 5:30, which meant he was home to eat dinner with us. He and I were able to spend some quiet time together after the kids were in bed, and it felt so nice to wake up this morning and still see him in bed with me. It felt great just laying in bed together talking and laughing before the kids woke up. I miss that with him. Then to have our Sunday morning, together as a family, has been the best. Having him help me cook breakfast, watching him play with the kids, and now watching him while he's asleep on the couch before he goes back to work. This morning has been perfect, and I have cherished every minute of it. Everything feels better when my family is complete.