I’ve been feeding off the Church’s website on Military Relations. There are so many great ideas to prepare for times of separation, keep relationships strong, and avoid temptations. Here are some more fun ideas!
On the BYU channel the other day there was a documentary about a mother of six whose husband was deployed. She openly said it was tough and that sometimes she was just trying to get from one day to the next; but I was awed by the sweet ways she kept her children engaged with their father, through care packages, Skype, and letters. What I loved even more? the way she and her husband interacted. They saved time to talk over the internet, just the two of them, about any issues that needed resolving—children or finances or whatever. There was also set aside “flirt” time in which they kept things positive and light and just talked. Beautiful. We’ll be doing that ;)
The other day at the temple, this sweet lady came into our session late. She apologized profusely and explained that her babysitter had fallen through. A temple-worker asked how many children she had. “Three,” she said, “and their dad is in Iraq. I just had to make it to the temple. It’s my lifeline while he’s gone!” I wanted to jump up and hug her and thank her for being there. I needed her example that day—and probably for the future too.
Our awesome neighbors connected us with an awesome couple who just spent a year and a half in Monterey. Over lunch we bombarded the Sommerfeldts with questions. They gave us great advice and eased so many of my fears. People are so kind!
As I help him settle into “Mom and Dad’s” bed (the usual naptime location), I decide a few minutes of sleep sound nice to me too. To his utter delight, I clamber into the bed next to him. He smiles happily. “Mom lay down too!” he says excitedly. I smile, whisper “sleep tight,” kiss his forehead, and turn my back to him with a deep sigh. My eyes close easily, only to snap open a minute later. A melody of fake snoring drifts out from behind me. I find myself laughing as I turn to tickle him. He laughs hysterically as I roll over again. “Go to sleep, Silly Goose,” I say. Slowly, I settle back in, loving my decision to let myself sleep for a bit. It isn’t long, however, until a quiet series of “me-me-me-me-me” meets my ears. “HA, HA!” I cackle, “Who taught you that!?” Tickling him into submission, I can’t help thinking that he’s freaking hilarious. Again, I settle in for my nap, relishing the coolness of the room and the laughter that still echoes in the air. One last time, fake snores mingled with suppressed giggles cut through the quiet and I’m forced into laughter myself . . .
What a kid.