*** I’M BACK!! ***

Hello friends and welcome to my *forgotten* little world! I have been away from blogging and papercrafting for a long while because of obligations and a few major life changes. This 4 month absence from crafting was actually a much needed break for me.

As you may or may not know, my DH is an active duty US ARMY Officer. As a military family, we move every 1-3 years. This summer, we left Ft Lewis, WA for WEST POINT, NY.

After school was over and graduations took place, my little family and I moved clear across the country from the Seattle, WA area to the New York City area. We cleared, packed, prepared & said goodbye to friends as we began our travels around the country. We vacationed, bonded & spent great quality time with Daddy making wonderful memories along the way. We stopped and toured several cities & were lucky enough to have visited with family and friends. This was a bitter-sweet time - for in the back of my mind I often found myself thinking that at the end of this great journey, we were to get settled in to a new military post, a new area, a new home, new schools, send first child off to College, check into DH's new job, and immediately say GOODBYE..

We are faced with another Military deployment in which our little family will be separated from Daddy for a long period of time. He has left us to train for deployment to Afghanistan. It’s a big sacrifice for our family, but it is the call of duty. It's the Military Life. Things suddenly become a matter of hoping for the best, BUT preparing for the worst. We created a final will, obtained a power of attorney, updated insurance policies and made plans to ensure our family will be taken care of financially. I can’t help but feel sad through the process. I can’t help but feel badly for Daddy who will be missing out on almost 500 days of his children's lives. It must be so difficult to be away from your children for so long. This is our 3rd deployment in the last 7 years. They don’t get any easier. All I can do is hold on to hope, faith, and love and pray religiously for strength & his safe return. Separation isnt easy on children and can be mentally draining on the spouse as we become more aware of what we have to lose and how precious it ALL truly is. There are many available programs to help families of deployed soldiers cope with expressing needs, and meeting goals during deployment. These special programs, available counselors and Military support groups are excellent resources. It is what I've turned to and what will get us through this. :) What really matters most at the end of the day now is that my DH feels that he's doing the best job that he can for our country and that his family is taken care of. Please kindly keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

PLEASE also KNOW that I’m almost ready to jump back in! I’ve missed you all and seeing your beautiful creativity. There is lots of catching up to do, but I sure welcome the challenge. I highly value your friendships and I will need your fun creativity as supplemental therapy to help me pass the time! :)

Living so close to New York City is going to be quite an adventure! Our kids are in their new schools, we’ve toured the area, gotten somewhat acquainted, we’re moved into a new house, and all in all, we’re 90% settled-in. Now I’m off to get busy unpacking & organizing the last few boxes of my papercrafts. A big chore, but that’s what I get for hoarding so many crafts! LOL!

Thank you so much for your kind words & your sweet emails. It means so much! 

I will be back soon with new creations! :)

22 comments

  1. I'm sending you a big hug - may God keep you all safe during this time of separation. Thank you for sharing. (I lived the first 58 years of my life in Bellingham, WA.)

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  2. Welcome back America!! I have missed you!! Please know that I thank your husband and you and the rest of the family for serving and sacrificing for our country!!!! I will pray for his safety. And I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful creations!!!!

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  3. I feel for you...we had a similiar expericence this summer. We moved from Ft Benning back to Ft Campbell and my husband deployed 2 weeks ago. I'm still in the "i feel sorry for myself and my husband stage" and can't seem to get out of it! I hope your husbands deployment goes as well as can be expected and that the time goes quickly for you and your children. {SMILES}

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  4. Welcome back, Thanks for sharing what you have gone through, and why you have been away. Your family is making a huge sacrifice for us, and I thank you for that. Remember that those support groups are there for you, if you need them, don't hesitate to call them

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  5. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you were back!! I know you don't know me from Adam, but I missed your wonderful projects so much!! I've been looking at your blog everyday just wondering what had happened to you until I finally emailed one of your team mates from one of the design teams you were on and she told me what had happened....I know this is very difficult for you and all your family...my thoughts and prayers are with your husband and with you and your children!!! I look forward to your crafting inspiration again and seeing more of your wonderful creations!! WELCOME BACK!! gak@laurellaw.com

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  6. I have missed you too! I love your cards. We were at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover NJ. You will simply love NYC. Get used to the fact that there are few if any paper-crafting stores, LSS, besides AC Moore, Michaels, and JoAnns--there is really not much at West Point, as far as crafting goes. They do have an awesome frame shop, and a really nice craft fair--I think in the fall time, if I remember correctly. The good news is you are about an hours drive from the container store--great for organizing, and quarters at West Point are better than a lot of places we have lived. Once you get settled in, reply to me, and I will get you more insdie stuff. We live near DC now that my husband is retired. Shelley

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  7. I'm so glad to see you're back. I was wondering where you went. I'm happy you had a good cross-country trip, but I'm so sorry you have to adjust to your DH being gone. I will keep him in my prayers, and all of you, especially as you adjust to life in a very different place. Big hugs,

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  8. Hey, it's so good to see your blog pop up on my dashboard! Sound like you have been on quite the journey. We moved from Marysville, WA. to the Nashville area 5 years ago. I can so relate to what you're going through on that note. Just not the military end of it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and I will do anything I can to help you through this time. YOUR family is sacrificing so much for MY families freedom. God bless you. I'm so excited to see you back on here! I was just getting started with my blog when you were going strong. I'd love for you to come by and leave me some love.

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  9. Welcome back! I have been checking in regularly and wondering what happened to you. So glad to see you will be back as I am sure many of us have missed your beautiful creativity.

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  10. I too stopped in once in a while to see if you 'were back' and today I won the prize....lol!!! I have greatly missed your inspiring and intricate creations.....you are an inspiration stop for me in my creative process and YOU WERE MISSED.....

    so very happy that you were enjoying your long time with family and friends.....and wish your DH a safe and uneventful deployment AND, most importantly, a speedy return home

    looking forward to your creations

    hugs
    joanne/jojot

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  11. I've thought about you so often. I have told you before that I just can't image the level of sacrifice you and your family give. I love you guys so much for it. I can't imagine being separated from my dogs let alone children and spouse. I will keep you all in thoughts and prayers and hope this time separated flies by and he returns safe and sound to you and the kids. Hang in there! And thank you to all of you for your service and sacrifices for all of us. Best, Curt

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  12. Welcome back America! When I read your post, a flood of emotions came over me. As a 20 year old, new bride, I too said goodbye to my husband and best friend when he went to Viet Nam. It is such a hard process, to go on with your life, all the while having that loved one in harms way. Please know, I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

    {{Big Hug}}
    Sue Drees

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  13. So good to hear from you America..I have been missing you. My father was in the military and so wasn't my husband, and I do understand the constant moving, finding new schools and friends.. My thoughts are with you and your family, especially your husband.

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  14. Welcome back. It must be so hard for you to keep moving and saying good bye to all your friends. My dad was in the army for 22 years, and we were blessed that he was able to turn down promotions and pay raises by refusing any moves. I was lucky to grow up in one steady home. As an adult I see how lucky I was. Sending you hugs to you and your family.

    Beth

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  15. So glad you are posting again, America! Thanks for sharing your summer adventures. Can't wait for your beautiful creations! Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family! ~~hugs~~

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  16. Welcome back. I have missed logging on to your site to see your creations. God Bless you and your family...you are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  17. So glad that you are back and will be looking forward to seeing you beautiful work again! Thanks to your husband for his service to our country and your family's sacrifices!

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  18. HI girl!!! I am so glad to see you back. I have been thinking of you and every once in a while have popped in to see if you were back. I am praying for your family and the changes it has made in the last few months. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for your husband to be away for that length of time. Welcome to NY. We will have to get together sometime soon since you are now less than an hour a way from me. Thinking of you and praying.
    HUGS,
    Chris

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  19. Hi America! It's soooo good to hear from you!!! I know this has been a most difficult time for all of you and I do pray for you, especially your hubby as you prepare for another LONG separation. I can't even imagine!!! Please thank your hubby for his sacrifice and I thank YOU too for the sacrifice you have to make as well! Can't wait to see you back to creating!!!
    Hugs,
    Grace

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  20. Thank your husband for his service to this great country. Thank you & your kids for YOUR sacrifice, too. We appreciate it. With thanks & prayers...

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  21. Hi ya hun
    so lovely to see you back, what a journey you have had, pleased to hear you are almost settled. Will keep you all in mu thoughts, a long time to be apart, must be so very hard on all of you. Lets hope the time passes quickly for you all. hugs sue,x

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  22. America you and such a sweetheart. I am glad you are settled and I will say a prayer for your family. I know this is a hard time and you will surely miss DH while he is gone. I will pray for the strength on your end and his to make it through. Hugs hugs...

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