Remember September

For those of you following the Remember September Project, I said that I would provide you with different perspectives from my friends across the military.  Last week I brought my best friend Lisa to you, and today I have my friend Krista here for you. I first met Krista in the 3×6 Bee. We were in the same sampler hive in the second quarter. We were both military wives with hubby’s deployed. Like Lisa, Krista’s husband is also in the US Air Force. At the beginning of June I got a message from her asking if I wanted to meet up and do the Western Washington Quilt Shop Hop with her and I said yes! I brought my friend Dawn and Anne with me and she brought her 2 year old son and a friend with her. We became almost instant friends and she has become one of my go to Battle Buddies for this deployment.

You may be curious as to what a “Battle Buddy” is…here is the wikipedia definition: “A Battle Buddy is a partner assigned to a fellow soldier in the United States Armed Forces.  Each Battle Buddy is expected to assist his or her partner both in and out of combat. Most participating soldiers have reported satisfaction and have agreed that the Army should implement the system fully, although there have been cons reported as well. A Battle Buddy is not only intended for company, but also for the reduction of suicide; since each watches his partner’s actions, a Battle Buddy can save their fellow soldier’s life by noticing negative thoughts and feelings and intervening to provide help.^[1][2]” Now wives aren’t assigned their Battle Buddies, we find them as we go and we support each other as best as we possibly can!

Krista and her husband Chris have 3 adorable boys.

1. You have been a military spouse for over 7 years now, and while this is your husband’s first deployment, it is not your first separation. What has that been like for you and your family?

Well for sure, I thought I was ready for this deployment. Nope. I totally got high-fives in the face with reality. Its the things like fighting (which every married couple does in a month period) that you can’t really fight or express your feelings because it’s all via email. Emotions can be read into things. (not that I would ever do that) 😉

I would say the biggest thing though, is the guilt. The guilt that my boys, Connor (5), Logan (2.5) and Jacob (1), may not remember their daddy. Or that they forget he lives here too. The other side too, is the guilt I have for doing things like going to the pool or visiting family that my hubby can’t do.

Now on the exact other side, I don’t have to plan meals!! Chicken nuggets and French fries are a fabulous meal for my bunch of boys! I have a bunch more time for sewing too! So well it’s tough, there are PLENTY of benefits!

2. What does this project mean to you?  The fact that soldiers are given homemade gifts from people from all over.

This project means a whole bunch to me. This project is helping care for my husband and troops, in a way that we can’t. I’d love to go give him a hug and kiss with presents in my hand. This project is doing just that. Giving them a hug.

My hubby has airmen in his squadron that have never gotten a package while deployed. That just breaks my heart, that there’s some 18-24 year old boy without a present or surprise in his whole deployment.

3. What do you think people need to know about military families and what they go through?

I think that people need to know that we may complain about the military and all it’s glory, but deep down we love it. We love the American flag more than most. We love our husbands/wives.  We love our families. We chose this life and a huge chunk of us wouldn’t change it for the world.

As military spouses we are constantly asked things that can be hard to deal with, how would you answer those questions?

Yes, we ALWAYS miss our husbands/wives when they are gone.
No, we aren’t trying to be rude when we say we don’t know when they will be home. We HONESTLY don’t know.
Yes your spouse may be gone on a trip for a conference. Unless he’s getting shot at and in 110+ temps, it’s not the same. We worry EVERY minute if they will come home safe/soon.

5. What do you think it would mean to your husband to receive a handmade gift from a complete stranger while he is deployed?

I know my husband will be sincerely touched that other people have taken the time to make him something special. He will be eternally grateful for the thought.

Thank you so much Krista for sharing with us today and thank you for the sacrifices that you, your children and your husband are making for our country. I will leave everyone with a picture of Krista’s front door, a reminder that military families always have someone in their hearts.

Today, Kristy and I have another wonderful giveaway for you!


 

Like all Daisy Janie collections, the Geo Grand is a gorgeous blend of unique colors and designs printed on 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Fabric.

If you'd like to add this beautiful stack to your collection, simply follow the prompts below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck to all!!!

Giveaway open to all. Winner to be announced and emailed 9/28/12 and expected to respond within 48 hours to claim prize or alternate winner will be selected. 

Thank you so much Daisy Janie for your support of our sewing outreach!

My best friend Lisa and I have known each other for 20 years. We lost track after high school and reconnected a little over five years ago…when she was deployed in Iraq. We have been inseparable since we reconnected. For those of you following the Remember September Project, I said that I would provide you with different perspectives from my friends across the military. Lisa’s perspective is unique, she has been an Airmen, serving in the United States Air Force, and also a military spouse, married to an Airmen.  Here is a picture of her beautiful family. I hope you will read what she has to say about what this project means to her.

1. As someone who has deployed and left your then boyfriend, now husband, behind, what does a project like Remember September mean to you?

This project means a lot to me. When I was deployed, I knew that I had family that cared for and loved me, and I received regular care packages from them. But, if I had received something like what this project seeks to bring these deployed soldiers, it would have made me feel incredibly supported and cared for and valued in my sacrifice.

2. Speaking from the perspective of a spouse (a very recently married spouse) how did your first deployment go? Did you have the support you needed?

My husband and I were married just a little over a month before he left. I had felt pretty prepared for him to go, that is until we found out that I would not be having the baby that I was carrying. I had a miscarriage and surgery just 2 weeks before my husband left me for six months. And while that may not be a terribly long time in the world of deployments, I was absolutely crushed and terrified. Not only had I lost a baby, but I also had an increased potential of losing my husband as well as he was going to a war zone. Had it not been for the loss of a baby, it would have been far easier to make it through the long days. I would have had something tangible to look forward to, as opposed to just a date in the future. I had the support of family and friends, and my co-workers, as I was still in the Air Force, but all I wanted was my husband. I know that every spouse of a deployed soldier feels that way, and we are SO happy and relieved when they return home to us safely!

3. What would it have meant you as a spouse to know that someone was sewing handmade Christmas gifts for your husband?

I would have loved my husband to receive the gift of something handmade for Christmas while he was deployed. I know that he would have been beyond appreciative, as would I, because there is nothing like knowing that someone cares when you are deployed. You are away from family, friends and all of the comforts of home, so any semblance of normalcy and “civilian life” is greatly relished and enjoyed!

4. What do you think people need to know about military families and what they go through?

I think that people need to realize that military families are just like civilian families, (we have the same hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the future) only with a few very important differences. We face all of the same challenges that they face, only often times we do it with less money, because the military does not pay well in the low ranks. We also deal with the separation that few civilian families can truly appreciate until faced with it. Many times spouses are left to manage home and family and all that comes with that, while mommy or daddy go off to war, or to any one of the required training classes that arise. Life goes on even without your family together, whether you want it to or not. We have not been active duty for almost 4 years, but my family is still dealing with the separation as my husband currently works three and a half hours away from home with his guard unit, and we only see him on the weekends. It is difficult for the children to constantly have their daddy in and out of their lives like he is, and we look forward to the day where he has a job that he can come home from at the end of every day. As the saying goes “Do not judge someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes.” You never know what challenges they are facing, and how many thousands of directions they may be being pulled every day.

Thank you for taking the time to read what I had to say. And thank you Melissa for having me. I hope that what I have said sheds a little light on just how important a project like Remember September can be to the soldiers and their loved ones. Any donations made will be so appreciated!

Thank you so much Lisa for sharing your story with all of us. You and your husband, and your little ones are all heroes for the sacrifices you have made!  If you haven’t already I hope that you will join us in our sewing project this month and make a pillowcase or e-reader cover. For those of you are already sewing with us, thank you so very much for your contribution, it really does mean so very much!