NEW...need ADVICE please?

[BrooklynDB]

Hi all,

My name is Brooklyn (aka Brooke) and my hubby is about to enlist in the National Guard. I am really happy and excited for him, but at the same time I am really nervous. My brother-in-law is in the Guard and he did a tour in Iraq as infantry, so I know pretty much what to expect from his perspective (like what will be my options while he is gone and about housing and all that), but I want to know from the SO perspective what to expect. I also have a three year old daughter, and I know it will be so hard raising her by myself while he's gone.
Thanks for any and all advice!! :goodbye:

[Katie]

Welcome Brooke!

**HUGS** I am Katie, 25 Married to my Hero he is in the army Josh 30 (haha I think I wrote the other day he was 28, oop still not use to him being old lmao) we have 2 boys Adrian almost 7 and Alex 5. We live in Ft. Knox KY.


I am glad you joined the group, It will help having some experience with the Nat. Guard and your brother so it won't be totally a foreign language to you.... But it can be totally different with your so. Do you have specific questions you want to ask?

The girls here are awsome a great support!!! They will help you through alot I promise!!!

Remember too, You must do that which you think you cannot! It will be hard, it may be stressful at times, but you can totally do it I promise you!!!

[BrooklynDB]

Hi Katie :)
Thanks. I don't have any specific questions, just any advice on what to expect when eh joins, while he's gone, etc.
I love your quote <3

[KristiMarie]

FIrst off, WELCOME!!

I am Kristi 20yrs old and married. My husband is AD army and currently deployed to Iraq. I am studying nursing here in missouri and have 3 1/2 semesters left!!! AFter that ill join him in the army also, where ill be in the army nursing corps!

ANyways... what to expect from the SO standpoint. Well this probably isnt much help, because it is different for everyone. But I would suggest staying busy, it helps pass the days, and duh of course becoming a MTMH addict helps as well! I found that writing helps me too. But you sound like you will be oK. You have family who has done this already, use that awesome support system when needed! And you have a 3 yr old... correct me if I am wrong... but that right there is what will keep you busy ;)

Just take things a day at a time too! I stress about EVERYTHING, the small and the big. John-Mark has to tell me all the time to look at things a day at a time, and not 5 months from now or next week, I get too overwealmed if I do that.

GOOD LUCK!!! But just keep busy and come hang out at MTMH in your "free" time and you will be totally fine! Even on your bleh i dont wanna roll out of bed days, you have us to come bitch to, we have all been there, done that, even though its a bit different for each of us, we still have had those days!

[Jessie.Rose]

Hey Girl! I'm Jessie, I'm 20, and I'm an ex army girlfriend. But I couldnt leave these amazing girls! they are so great!!! I am now engaged to a State Patrol Officer...These ladies are amazing and the support they give to eachother is amazing as well. I hope you find yourself right at home here!

[BrooklynDB]

Thanks ladies! Lovin' the site already. Looking forward to getting to know you all, and thanks for the encouragement :heartbeat:

[Kristi Rae]

hey im one of the many Kristi's and im married to my Marine on his second deployment to Iraq. I really dont kno how i got thru the first deployment with out these ladies!
i agree with Kristi stay busy but it might help to find something that you can answer your phone while doing it! When i miss his call i feel a bit bad about it and wished i had a job that wouldnt mind me on my phone now and then. just remember good or bad days we are allways here!

[GuardWife]

Hi! I am another Kristi, my husband joined our state guard and just completed his BCT and is now in his AIT school. That is the first of the being gone, they go to basic combat training for about ten weeks then on to their training school for a while, I have four kids, and find everyone is right about keeping busy. We have not gone through a deployment but have been told that it will come one day. The biggist thing is to write them, journal and remember you can do this! It is hard, but I just remind myself how proud I am he is serving this wonderful country and how proud he is in uniform. I just found this site right when i needed it most, i was really down, and that is not good with four kids to handle, i am in school full time and work full time too. Keep on this site, and keep busy, it has made our mairrage so strong since we were never apart before his.
Nice to meet you and welcome!

[BrooklynDB]

Thank you all for your posts. Everyone is right when they say you're all so sweet! :) This site will be my BFF I'm sure. I'm already having anxiety over this, but I know I can do it. I am so proud of him already, and can barely imagine how I will see him once he has officially been enlisted. We are finishing up a couple more pages of paperwork for the recruiter (his cousin) and it will be official. He said a week, two max. He got his "military haircut" already and has been wearing his bro's army shirts (so cute hehe) and I can tell how much he is looking forward to it. I support him 100% on anything he wants to persue as far as his MOS goes. I am just ready to get it going because the waiting and anticipation is killing me. I feel like the sooner it starts the sooner he will be back in my arms. I'm really excited for him, but really nervous at the same time. I know we will be just fine and much closer after this. The longest we have been apart is a month (we had a small break at one point before we got married for him to basically relive his single days, and will never underappreciate me again because it was hell for us both), and we grew so much closer just in that little time. I am just VERY grateful to have all of you already and my amazing family (his too!!).
I am looking forward to meeting more people here and getting to know you all better.
Just to give a little more info on me:
I have a beautiful three-year-old daughter, Chassidy Layla. My husband, John, and I have been together for almost 5 years, married for two months, and have known each other for about 9 years. He is my best friend. We've had our ups and downs but never doubt our love for each other. It never fails to amaze me when I learn something new about him. I tried so long to find "the one" and was happy to find out he was it after being right under my nose for so long...
That's all for now. I will have plenty of time to go into more details later on, I'm sure so I will save the stories for then.

Thanks again, and blessings to all! I will keep you & your SO's in my thoughts & prayers! :wave:

[Mary Cat]

Well you seem to have a great attitude miss and I think you'll do just fine!

Im Mary 20 and married to my soldier Matt 20. He is finishing up his 12 month tour in Iraq and will be home in a few short weeks! We're stationed at Fort Wainwright, AK and have another 5 years Active left in the Army. No kiddos yet but we're planning to start trying in a few months. I work as a Photographer for CPI Corp and an Idependent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay and I LOVE both jobs. I'm planning on going back to college next semester to take some business classes.

The key to surviving military life is to keep busy and stay positive. Plus, you'll have us ;)

[Danie]

Hi Brooklyn,

My name is Danielle, everyone calls me Danie. I am a Navy Vet, Navy Wife, stay home mom and an online student. Keeping busy is the best advice you've gotten... When I was working, it was so much easier... now that I am home, it's a little more difficult. However, I have 2 children that like to help me stay busy. Colton is 3.5 and Kennedy is 16 months old. We are stationed in Florida and will be for another 2 years. The ladies here are great! They keep one another sane! Sometimes I wonder about a few... Lol... j/k.

I have found that when I get involved in the community it makes it easier while they are gone. If you have a church, or a local group that you can get together with, it helps. Your daughter is 3, are you involved in MOPS? It's a great group for mommy time and kid time... they get to play, you get to socialize! If you have any other questions these girls are great for answers! I'm Navy, so... I don't know the same info that the Guard girls do... but I still have some info that is helpful!

Hope you enjoy us!

[Kathryn]

Welcome!!!!

I'm Kathryn. My boyfriend, Justin, is a US Marine and is stationed out in California at Camp Pendleton while I live here in Housotn, TX. We just finished our first (and last) deployment this past July..he was gone for about 7 months.

THese girls here are amazing and they will help you out sooo much! I love them all! <3

Can't wait to get to know you better!!

[Kira]

Welcome!
I'm Kira, 27, my DH is AD Army. We have 2 boys ages 5 and 2 and currently at Fort Campbell, KY.
Keeping busy is the most important thing, seriously. The busier you are the faster the time will go. If he starts training this year he will get to come home for 2 weeks during Christmas ( Exodus ) which can also help the time go by fast since it's a small goal to get to. That's how I broke it down for me and the boys! He left Oct 28th and we counted down to Christmas, then graduation. After graduation we visited him a couple times since his AIT was only 7 hours away from home. Small goals made the time go by. The boys enjoyed crossing days off the calender so maybe that could be something you do with your daughter! We also sent pics to daddy and 'wrote' him letters.
I look forward to getting to know you!!

[Meredith]

Hey!

I'm Meredith. I'm a 23 y/o army wife. My husband just left for his 4th tour, my 2nd with him. We're stationed out of Ft Lewis, WA but I'm living at home in NJ with my parents and closer to his family while he's away for the year.

As everyone told you everyone here is really awesome so jump right in (like it looks like you have! I'm glad you're comfortable no reason not to be!!) If you have any questions don't be afraid to ask! Everyone is super helpful! And when you do get around to having those what it's like to be an so questions just ask away. No question is stupid and we've all been in your shoes before!!

Welcome aboard!