Ten Things I Love About Deployment

1. I get to rearrange my kitchen cabinets however I want for the next year. Okay, so truthfully this hasn't happened yet, but it still could. I have the time. When Jason told me he was deploying again I scanned my brain for something positive. Anything? Rearranging the kitchen cabinets to my liking was the only idea I could come up with. No longer would I wonder where the pizza cutter was, or why that pan was in THAT cabinet. Jason does most (all) of the baking in our house, so I figured I could pack up the cheese cake pans, muffin tins, fancy frosting gun, and other utensils I don't know how to use for his deployment. It hasn't happened yet. Maybe because they are simple reminders of him. Maybe because Lizzie finds some of them to be fun toys. Maybe I just haven't gotten around to it yet. I still have time.
2. Deployment is a chance to be reminded of how many people I have in my life that care about me and want to help! I am so lucky to be surrounded by family and friends ready to help in any way they can. I'm always grateful for them, but especially when Jason is gone.
3. Its a chance to come out of my shell and catch up with friends. I'm introverted and most comfortable at home. With Jason gone, that gets lonely. So, I am forcing myself to reach out to people, to go out, and to try new things.
4. THE YMCA! That is one of the new things that Lizzie and I tried. She's taking swim lessons and because Jason is deployed the membership is FREE. Free is definitely a good thing.
5. Making new friends. Stressful situations can create strong bonds. I'm grateful for the Army wives I am meeting. Without deployment I might never have gotten to know these strong, supportive women.
6. A reminder to not push myself too hard, permission to say no, and the ability to ask for what I need. I liked being pregnant for the same reason. I ate when I needed to eat, I slept when I was tired, I let myself say "no" when I needed to, and I offered no apologies for these self preserving actions. Deployment allows (REQUIRES!) me to do that too. In fact, I got a dog walker. I know, it sounds extravagant. It still feels a bit extravagant, but I can't imagine deployment without her help.
7. The occasional moment when I realize, "Hey! I'm really doing this!" "I'm handing a sick kid, teaching full time, caring for the dog, and still standing!" Sometimes it doesn't take much to create this moment. It could be when I am able to vacuum the house 2 weekends in a row or the one day I remember to get the mail instead of leaving it for the dog walker to pick up.
8. Being able to support my husband and being proud of him. He loves being a soldier and I love him for so many reasons, including his dedication.
9. Hmm.....what else?
10. I'm out of ideas...
Well...I have plenty of time left to think of 2 more things that I love about deployment. There have to be at least 2 more things? Right?