And He's Off

Well, Chris is officially gone. Last Thursday he left from the Inver Grove Heights armory around 8am. He is now out at Fort Lewis in Washington state for about 6 weeks and then he will be headed overseas and expects to be there the beginning of April. It was incredibly sad and hard to say goodbye but I am glad that that part is done. There was a wonderful sendoff ceremony at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul for the troops and they had a nice dinner for all the soldiers, friends and family members afterwards. According to the press there was almost 7000 people there! If you would like to read more about Chris' unit you can visit their website at http://www.theredbulls.org/. I really haven't cried since that morning and I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing! I am trying to stay strong and I did go back to work today after having a week off and I think that will keep my occupied. I am fortunate enough to have a great group of friends here in Rochester and of course my family back home. I am still trying to figure out how to get pictures up here on this thing and hopefully I will do soon because I know blogs are way more fun when there are pictures to look at! I have also encouraged Chris to try and blog on here occasionally...so don't expect him to get on here a lot but maybe a posting here and there! Well that is pretty much it for now. I will post more when I hear from Chris!

PS: If you would like to send Chris some mail please send me a personal email and I will let you know his address! My email is lindsaymeeusen@gmail.com

It's almost time...

Well, just a little over a week from now, I will be sitting in my home all by myself and Chris will be on a flight to Washington State. I am really not looking forward to this long journey but I am hoping that it will go as fast as this date has approached. I really don't like this being in limbo business either. What I am talking about it the 10th-12th where Chris has to report for duty at the armory and he has to stay up there too because we live more than 50 miles away from the Cities. So while Chris has to be there I am kind of obligated to stay up there too until he gets off because it makes no sense for us to have 2 vehicles up there. I just don't know what I am going to do while he is at the armory all day. On the 10th though, they are having a dinner for the members' family and friends and fortunatly Chris' parents and my dad are able to come to the dinner as kind of a last goodbye type thing. My mom will be in Arizona visiting her sisters so she won't be able to attend but I'm glad, and I know that Chris is too, that my dad can at least come. I know my dad is really excited that he can give his son-in-law a good send off. There will be lots of picture taking I am sure and I just have to figure out how to put pictures up on this thing so I can keep everyone updated!!

I am also kind of sad that I don't get to see him off at the airport either! Chris pretty much told me that I just get to drop him off the morning of the 12th at the armory and that's it.... :-( I know my mother-in-law, Jane, is very worried about me driving home that day.... I know I will br crying, a lot, but I told her not to worry as I will have my trusty waterproof mascara for those 3 days!

Well, I suppose there is no sense in dwelling on it as it is inevitable no matter what! I really just wish it was this time next year where I could be writing to you all that Chris is coming home soon....hopefully it will go by super fast! I best go start that grill as I have to make Chris his last homemade steak dinner he will get for awhile! I will post more soon! Thank you everyone for your prayers and support..... :-)