For those lucky enough...

[DCJenn]

to have to face deployment and have little kids- the Sesame Street video, hosted by Cuba Gooding, Jr. is fantastic. Matt- it's too bad this wasn't out while Gretchen was gone.

Elmo's daddy has to go away to "help people" but they trade items that are meaningful and Elmo's mommy has a calendar that they X off the days- etc. Interspersed in the the storyline they interview members of the miliitary and their families about how those families coped when mom or dad was gone.

It was very, very well done and is available through http://www.militaryonesource.com but should the occasion occur for anyone else, I'll happily send ours along.

Jenn

PS- Rick can't watch the dvd and I cried the whole way through the first time we watched it but it's good. and realistic.

Thanks for the info Jenn. What a wonderful idea! I know that will really help my girls when it is our turn. I am sorry you are going through this. I hope that you all are able to enjoy the next few weeks. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

Anne

I read about that video in a magazine! I wish that it had been released last year when my DH was deployed.

We'll be thinking about you! Those were the shortest and longest 4.5 months of my life. My DD was 2.5 at the time and she bounced right back into Daddy's arms when we met him at the airport. Tell Rick to do the reading video - it's really cute and DD loved to receive those in the mail. He also sent her a lot of books (I don't know where he got those - I think in the same place where they film the reading videos).

How much longer until he leaves?

[DCJenn]

We find out for sure this week- we don't know if the leave date of the 23rd is leaving the US or leaving San Antonio or what.

(February 23rd)

no one can answer why he's been tasked for 14 months- recently most Army subspecialists have been doing 6 months but the other child neurologist is doing a year.

Jenn