Nate found out today he is leaving in the next few weeks for Iraq. The unit he was assigned to here at Fort Riley had just gotten home last month, but one company in the unit had attached to another unit, and is going to be gone until early spring. He's (and a bunch of other "new" guys to the unit) being assigned to that company, because they are in desperate need of people in his job. Anyway, this means he'll be gone much less than the normal year, but we have pretty much no time to prepare (less than a month). So... we're dealing with it ok (it was pretty much expected), though we're not sure how to explain it to the kids. It's going to be a busy month, so if I'm MIA you know why.

By Jann on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 09:31 pm:

(((((((thinking of you guys))))))

By Tink on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 10:27 pm:

You know how to get a hold of me anytime. I'm so proud of you and Nate. {{{Crys, Nate, and kiddos}}}

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 10:28 pm:

{{Crystal and Family}} I can't believe how little time they gave you to prepare. Ugh.
So sorry...come back to us as soon as you can!!!

By Brandy on Tuesday, August 2, 2005 - 11:37 pm:

even though you expect it it's always hard ... I'm thinking of you and your family ...

By Happynerdmom on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 09:14 am:

{{{Hugs}}} and prayers. That must be so difficult.

By Marg on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 09:25 am:

((((also many hugs and prayers)))))

By Eve on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 09:31 am:

This can't be easy--I'll be thinking of you. ((HUG))

By Insaneusmcwife on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 01:57 pm:

{{{Crystal}}} I'm here for you if you need to talk. My email addy is in my profile. I'll keep Nate in my prayers. You too may want to check out the Army Wivesif you haven't already. I sometimes go on the one for Marine wives and Navy wives(since we are now in VA).

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 02:28 pm:

Thank you everyone!! It's a bit of a shock to be moving so quickly, but really, we came back into military life with the mindset of "Iraq in the next few months". I think it'll start to hit home when he leaves, but for now we're just doing prep work. I'll keep everyone updated.

By Cat on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 03:14 pm:

{{{{{Crystal}}}}} I know how hard it is. We're here for you.

By Jtsmom on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 03:48 pm:

It didn't hit home for me until the very last minute!! If you need to talk or just vent email me anytime. I know what you are going through. I think my email is in my profile. Good luck with everything.

By Amy~moderator on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 04:49 pm:

((((Crystal)))) Not again!

Good luck with all the prep work, at least that will take your mind off of his actual leaving soon. It's going to be the traditional 1 year tour? Mike is probably going to Afghanistan in January - not looking forward to it. I am a member of ArmyWives.com too, it's a great group. And I'm sure you have FRG and other ways of communicating where you are, too. Also, look up yahoo groups for Ft Riley - I'm a member of several for Ft Polk - its a great way to get info early and fast about deployment, community functions, etc. And I hope you know that if you need anything, let me know. (((many, many hugs from a sister who knows...)))

By Crystal915 on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 07:42 pm:

Amy, no FRG that I know of (the units here aren't very organized with FRGs, it is really different than Hood), because the company has been in Iraq for a few months already. That's why it's a short tour, he's meeting up with those guys. Ft. Riley has a Yahoo! group, no one uses it. I'll have to check out Armywives.com. Is Mike going to be doing a year? Thanks again everyone!!

By Amy~moderator on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 - 10:12 pm:

Yes, he'll be doing a full year, if he goes. Not sure yet with his back and all....

You should create a Yahoo group for Ft Riley yourself. It would get a lot of members quickly I'm sure.

ttyl

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 08:50 am:

Good Luck to all of you. Stay strong. I'll keep him in my prayers.

By Trina~moderator on Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 09:22 am:

(((Crystal and family)))

By Amecmom on Friday, August 5, 2005 - 08:16 am:

Crystal, my prayers and hugs to you and your family - and my unending gratitude for the sacrifice Nate and your family is making.
Ame