My last blog until I return.

Well, I leave Canada and my family on Monday July 7th, which is the anniversary of my marriage to my wonderful wife. I will travel back to Utah and tie up some loose ends and get my things together and leave for LDAC on July 10th. As mentioned before LDAC is 32 days and I will return home on August 11.

It is hard to describe some of the feelings about leaving. On one hand I'm happy I'm going to LDAC because it is the capstone of a cadets ROTC experience. After this I will soon know where I rank out of all the cadets, what I will be doing in the Army, and where I will be stationed first. On the other hand, not being able to see or speak to my family for a month almost makes me physically ill. I think I have grown closer to my wife and kids as Bethany's and I roles have been reversed some what since we've been in Cananda. She is the bread winner and I am the stay-at-home Mr. Mom. Taking care of my children's basic needs every day for the last couple months has been such a wonderful experience that has given me more patience and instilled in me a greater appreciation for what Bethany deals with and will deal with on daily basis. In addition, my love for my children and spouse has grown and I already am homesick for them.

So on Monday the 7th I will leave my wife and kids in symbolic gesutre of celebrating our 8th year of marriage. Pagans would probably say that is a bad omen, but it cannot be helped. I will also miss my dear Hannah's 5th birthday as she turns 5 on July 15th. I will also physically miss sweat Ainnsly's birthday as she turns two the day I fly back to Utah.

So, how do you deal with being seperated? I at least try to focus on the present and the tasks at hand. The worst part about being seperated is going to bed at night where you are alone with your thoughts until you fall asleep. During the day you are so busy that it is not difficult to forget your troubles for the time being. I also try to think of how great it will be when we are reunited (images of slow motion running towards each other arms extended and jumping up and down cannot be helped).

Well, I'm off. I'm going to miss my family more than they know, but I will also not let them down by being a baby. I will complete my mission and kick some ass at LDAC.