On my wedding anniversary, November 6, 2012, my husband CPT Christopher Johnson deployed to Afghanistan for a 9-month deployment. I remember nursing little 9-month old Lilli in his office hours before he boarded his flight and my boys anxiously waiting not knowing what to expect, but just knowing they were sad. We weren’t alone. Many families were doing the same thing- trying to prolong the inevitable “good-bye” or “see you soon”.
I wasn’t sad that day. They train our Army soldiers to expect and look forward to deployment and that sense of duty tends to trickle down to spouses. I felt a strong sense of duty that day. That night at home I cooked my usual dinner fare and as I put over half of it away in little tupperware containers, it hit me that he was gone. I also realized just how different life would be without our soldier at home. We could eat dinner on-time (for once), I could cook half the amount of protein, and I would keep all the lights on in the house for a few weeks (ok…months).
Oh, life was different for the next 8 1/2 months. Grocery shopping was something I only did if I needed 2 weeks worth of groceries. There was no way in H-E-Double-Hockey-Stick I was going to go with 3 kids to get a forgotten onion. I reached out to neighbors and friends more than I ever have for random grocery items!
With the introduction of the “Raider Run to Afghanistan”, a program which encouraged family and friends of the brigade to run in honor of the soldiers with the goal of accumulating enough miles to reach Afghanistan, I suddenly found myself walking and running with the kids to fill large gaps of time. Then, I made the most life-altering change of our lives and joined The Y. I immersed myself and the kids in activities every single day to avoid the whole “waiting by the phone” syndrome. Our soldier found out about our new active lifestyle and quit dipping tobacco and started hitting the gym as well! This is proof that positive thinking is contagious.
Then there were the holidays… Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Lilli’s 1st Birthday, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Chris’ 33rd Birthday and CJ’s 7th Birthday. None of them were the same without our soldier. Toys were left undiscovered due to my lack of boy toy know-how. Family traditions were neglected for the easiest most-convenient methods. No apple pies were made or mulled ciders. Fall & Winter came and went without the usual horse and pony show. Although, I do remember the family catching the stomach bug and passing it around for a couple of weeks 😉
First deployment fights were had, missing teeth hidden, inches grown, first steps taken, first words spoken and all without my husband. I buried my own sadness to deal and cope with my kids’. Occasionally, we would have a family pity-party and neglect all activities for a living room sleepover/movie day!
Without the support of my close friends and family, I would have gone crazy. These close friends gave me happy thoughts journals, fortune cookies with positive aphorisms, wine, chocolate, and my fellow Sizzix Design Team lades even periodically mailed me large care packages with gifts for the entire family! I am forever grateful to those who helped me in large and small ways.
The week my husband planned to return I threw myself into making the house look pretty and welcoming! I was so nervous and crafting was the only thing to keep my feet grounded!
The picture you see above isn’t a smiley-happy-people family reunion picture, it’s a picture of pure relief. I had my biggest meltdown hugging him for the first time after 8 1/2 months. All the pain, worry, frustration, sadness, and grief just vanished with all the tears and hugs we shared.
If you have any questions about the crafts I made, feel free to email me or comment below!
Thanks for sticking with me through all this,
P.S. Thanks to Leslie for taking pics for us!
Wreath Instructions:
The wreath is super easy to make, just time-consuming!
You’ll need:
pinking shears
glue (I used craft glue)
sharpened pencil
foam wreath ring
BDUs/ACUs
1. Using pinking shears, cut 4″ fabric swatches from your desired material.
2. Place a swatch on the end of your sharpened pencil, add a dot of glue to the tip, and pierce the foam wreath with the fabric-covered pencil.
3. Work your way around the wreath in varied sections so that you can determine the amount of fullness you’d like. Do not cover the flat back of the wreath ring.
It’s that easy! I don’t work in sections because the wreath will come out uneven in spots, so just work around in random sections and cut more swatches as needed! I used 2 tops and 2 bottoms and had enough fabric leftover for a banner!
lolyborda43
July 23, 2013 at 11:54 (2 years ago)Awww! Your post made me teary… the good kind of teary. I’m so thankful he is back safe and you can all together share a happy time. Hugs!
Kathi R
July 23, 2013 at 12:22 (2 years ago)Hugs. Hugs. And more hugs.
To all outward appearances you were a rock during his deployment.
I’m so glad he’s home safe and sound with you now!
Anna-Karin
July 23, 2013 at 12:40 (2 years ago)Such a sweet post Tiffany and the photos are great. I am so glad he is home safe with you and you did such a wonderful job during this whole time.
Amy-duringquiettime
July 23, 2013 at 12:54 (2 years ago)I’m so glad that you are all home together again and that you husband is safe.
Vera Wirianta Yates
July 23, 2013 at 13:13 (2 years ago)I am just glad that your soldier is back home safely and can celebrate your birthday with you this year. Thank you for all your and your family sacrifice to keep us all safe. Hugs and happy birthday dear friend. xo
yainea
July 23, 2013 at 14:11 (2 years ago)So happy for you, Tiffany, sincerely. Love those photos and your home decoration, I can’t even imagine passing through all of that. Enjoy your precious family, big hugs!! And happy Birthday (again)
Sizzix
July 23, 2013 at 15:09 (2 years ago)So touched and thankful for your family’s strength. LOVE AND BIG HUGS from your Sizzix Family. <3
melaniadeasy
July 23, 2013 at 17:10 (2 years ago)So happy that your husband back home safely. I couldn’t imagine if that’s happen to me, I will missed him so much!! You’re amazing Tiffany!!
Joy Taylor
July 23, 2013 at 17:32 (2 years ago)I had tears streaming down the face reading this Tiff, what a beautiful and inspiring post..I am certainly glad that your soldier is home safe..love and hugs to you sweetie xx
Ruza
July 23, 2013 at 18:23 (2 years ago)I was soooo happy to see your soldier home! Your post today is amazing and inspiring!
{hugs} XOXOX
Lisa Henke
July 24, 2013 at 06:28 (2 years ago)I have tears streaming down my eyes as I read this, what a touching story. I can’t image what it is like to do all of it without my other half around. Thank-you for sharing and a big Thank-you to your soldier, to you, and to your family, for all you do for our freedom. I am so grateful. Hugs!!!
Kimberly
July 24, 2013 at 07:47 (2 years ago)What a beautiful homecoming! Your account of the deployment was honest and real and I’m relieved for all of you that it’s over. I don’t usually do a lot of Americana decorating, but I just moved into historic housing at Ft. Leavenworth and I would love instructions on how to make the wreath for my front door. I might use the old BDUs.
D West
July 29, 2013 at 06:17 (2 years ago)Congrats on having your family back together again. I’ve been there and done that twice myself so I can honestly say there is no other greater feeling than holding them for the first time after returning and just knowing everything is going to be all better!! Enjoy it!!
An'Jenic G.
August 7, 2013 at 10:02 (2 years ago)OMG Tiffany I understand this special post. I’m so happy Chris made it home to you all safe and sound. Let him know I said my family and I thank him for his for his service. Enjoy this time with your awesome family. I was just topping by to see your 10 minute craft Dash. But I saw this and you had my interest. Happy I stubble upon your joy. =) Have a great week. AJ-
Shauna K
August 13, 2013 at 22:17 (2 years ago)YAY! Praise the Lord he’s home safe and sound
I got worried when I didn’t see anything posted from your blog since June…. so I meandered on over and found that the rss feeder link changed and that’s why I wasn’t getting Tiff updates! hehe. So so happy for you and your family- enjoy your hubby and kiddos!
kerenbaker
December 14, 2013 at 23:58 (2 years ago)What an amazing and moving post. I’ve never really thought long and hard about the impact on the family left behind. Bravo to you. Amazing. Love your honesty and so glad you came out so positive and that’s inspiring xx