Jennifer's Letter

I found this on Facebook from my wonderful group of military ladies, and it is pretty much perfect!

Jennifer's Letter
By Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes
Published: February 3, 2010

Editor's note: The following is the full text of a letter written by Jennifer Chaloux to her husband, Spc. Matthew Chaloux, a Georgia National Guardsman, who was deploying to Afghanistan for a year.


When you find out your husband/boyfriend is getting deployed, your world changes completely. The man you share your life with is leaving, and there is no guarantee he will come home. Days fly by quicker than you have ever known. They are consumed with nonstop picture and video-taking, hugs, kisses and sighs because reality is too close. We try to finish projects around the house and get a quick lesson on using power tools.

It’s days on end trying not to cry too hard so you don’t make him feel bad ... laying your head on his chest trying to memorize the sound of his heartbeat, the way he holds you, kisses you on the head, his laughter and his cologne. Holding his hand and not wanting to let go, not even for a second. A million kisses and hugs. Saying I love you 50 times a day and still questioning whether you have said it enough.

Doing the same paperwork six times over, knowing you’ll have to do it again.

Having that conversation no one wants to have about injuries, death and his wishes if it happens. Spending the last week together attending going-away picnics and family events for the military families, the whole time seeing smiles that conceals heartache.

Watching families hug more than they probably have in a year, and children running around oblivious of the danger that awaits their father or mother. Having moments of laughter, and the next second reality hits and tears start to flow. Watching other families before they deploy, men holding their newborn babies knowing they will miss their first giggle, word, and wonder if they will know him when he gets home. Families taking pictures of everything, no matter how trivial.

Seeing mothers treating their 40-year-old as if he was a kid again, and she always will. Trying to memorize everyone’s face and last name because when he calls he never uses their first name when he talks about them. Not being able to be there when they are promoted to show them and tell them how proud of them you are.

Attending a send-off ceremony and watching your husband and all the soldiers recite the Soldiers Creed, and feeling like you are the luckiest girl in the world to be married to a hero. Strong and proud they stand in perfect formation.

They are clearly disciplined and well-trained. It’s a side of him I have never seen, and I thought I knew everything about him.

The last day together you fight back tears every second and wonder how you can just walk away from him. You watch families around you hugging and saying their good-byes. You feel numb and every emotion all at the same time.

You struggle to walk to your car and drive away without him, only to pull over moments later to breakdown.

Your home is just a house now. Everyday revolves around thinking about him, worrying and watching the clock to calculate what time it is half way around the world. You try to stay busy, but the stress doesn’t go away. It’s a roller coaster ride, and life won’t let you get off.

Being alone some days is more comforting than forcing yourself to be in a good mood to have coffee with a friend. Friends struggle to say the right things to help, but feel helpless as well. It’s an invisible barrier that separates even family.

Doing laundry and realizing there are none of his clothes to do, and wishing there was. Setting the table for four at dinner even if there are only three of us. Sleeping on the couch for weeks because you can’t bear to sleep in your bed when he is on a cot, and it’s just not the same without him next to you. Leaving his combat boots next to the front door because it comforts you, and they won’t be moved until he is home.

Feeling guilty for enjoying a sunny day, a good movie or just a ride in the car. Avoiding phone calls because you just can’t talk about it, again. “I’m fine” is never enough, but you can’t make them understand no matter how hard you try. Alienating yourself so you don’t have to fake a smile or conversation.

Wanting to just scream and yell until you have no voice left, and wiping away those endless tears. “Snapping out of it” will take a year. Bonding with Army wives you just met, and pouring your heart out because it’s easier than telling your best friend.

Wondering if he will be the same person he was when he left and feel comfortable in his own home when he gets back. Feeling selfish for having a pity party when he has it a lot worse. Watching the news when you are told not to.

Knowing when we talk he will never tell me he had to dive under something to avoid getting hurt or he just came back from a mission that you didn’t know he went on. Not knowing who you are at the end of the day because you can’t be who you were without him.

The word “why” is the first word in everything you think about. No matter how hard you try, you’re always thinking the worst case scenario. Wanting to sleep the whole next year because it’s the only time you get a break from worrying. In reality sleep is only a couple hours here and there.

Avoiding your favorite CDs or TV shows that you enjoyed together because you have no one’s hand to hold or arms to lay in. Wearing his clothes while he is gone and using a shirt with his cologne as a pillowcase to snuggle up to.

Trying to pray double-time, but feeling like a hypocrite because right now you would be angry with God if something happens. Walking around with a lump in your throat and a pit in your stomach for the next year. Saying “thank you, he’s fine,” because if you say too much you’ll just cry, like you have done for the past four days. Truly feeling lost, scared and powerless every single day.

Just going through the motions of getting up, getting ready and going through your day clutching your phone in case he calls. When he does call you get an instant high just knowing he is okay, and trying not to forget to tell him about all things you did that day, but leaving the part out about screaming like a mad woman because the sink is leaking, your tire is going flat, the lawn needs mowing, bills need to be paid. When all is said and done, you’re proud of the woman you are and you have a girly toolbox because you decorated your husband’s tools with glitter and rhinestones.

Wanting people to understand most of the soldiers don’t want to be there either. They want peace like all of us do. Wondering why almost every house you see doesn’t have an American flag on it like after 9/11.

Wanting to tell all the people at an anti-war rally that they are there because they are free and have those rights because they live in a country protected by the military. That the people your husband encounters everyday would love to have a right to an education. When the worst happens they will want the soldiers to protect them. That every family and person who lost their life to the 9/11 attacks are being disrespected if we didn’t fight back. Don’t hate the war and the soldiers, hate the people who started the war.

Understanding the TRUE meaning of honor, pride, dedication and hero.

They are drivers in a convoy, infantry, mechanics, medics, doctors and nurses, and chaplains. Most of all, they are our husbands, wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters. They have a job to do and a family to take care of.

That family not only consists of a spouse and kids, but your family as well.

Display the American flag, support our troops and never forget.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~mariah~

It Really Works!!

So I saw this on pinterest awhile ago and decided to try it out for myself! {It came from A Small Snippet} Did you know that if you put a wooden spoon over a pot of boiling water, it won't boil over? Yep! It's true!! See for yourself!

Life {cooking in particular} just got a lot easier!!! Now I always make sure I put a wooden spoon across my pots!

~mariah~

Terrific Tuesday {2}

Hello everyone!! I hope you all had a great weekend! Mine was good, other than having computer troubles.  Hopefully my brother will fix my computer today!!
We had 10 link ups last week!! Not too bad for my first link party!! I wanted to feature 3 of them today before I get the next link party started!

 
413 Sparrow Lane linked up this amazing trick to change up your necklaces!!



4 You With Love linked up her upholstery project. Love how this chair turned out!!



It's Overflowing linked up her photography lesson!  I will definitely be trying to improve my photos with these tips!

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up!

Now let's party!!







~mariah~

Bye Bye Frumpy Friday {2}

I did really good this week at getting dressed and doing hair/makeup most days!!  I didn't get a pic of my outfit on Sunday, but it was cute!! My outfit yesterday wasn't quite picture quality, so I didn't take a pic of it either!!  But here are the pictures of the rest of my outfits!!


Saturday: I went to the temple, so I dressed up a little. {this pic was taken at the end of the day, so my hair was frizzy by then!}

 Monday: Just stayed home! This was a comfy and cute outfit!

 Tuesday:  Went to the temple again with the youth this time! So I'm in a dress again!  {I took this pic using the timer on my camera, which is why I chopped my head off!!}

Wednesday:  Bunco night!! Always gives me an excuse to wear something cute!!

Friday:  Play date with a friend!!  Again a comfy and cute outfit! {another headless pic!!}

{I've gotta get a new pose!!}

Since I had a baby 3 months ago, my outfits all either include layers or flowy shirts to hide the remaining pudge!!

Do you like my necklace?  Find out how to create this look here.

Have a great weekend!!

~mariah~

Thrifty Finds Thursday!

**Note** I am trying to get organized, so I've decided to set specific posts for specific days!

I have been to the D.I. a couple of times in the past little while, so I thought that I would share my A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. finds!!

Attachments for the Wii

A cute headboard {Got big plans for this, and they don't have anything to do with a bed!!}

Stylish Size 13 boots for my sister {she can N.E.V.E.R. find cute shoes in her size!}

A sturdy tote

3 matching chip/dip serving trays

Under the bed canvas storage tote

A fancy frame

A cute vase

A cute wallet

3 knitting looms {is that what they are called?}

3 storage baskets

A wall hook thing to hang all my purses on!

Cute "spring" sign

Storage caddy

Christmas cookie cutters

And my favorite find......

This A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. hutch!!! It just needs a dresser to sit on top of!

Have you found any great deals at the thrift stores lately?  Please share!!

Have a fabulous day!!

~mariah~

Come and See Me

Hello everyone!  I have the awesome privilege of guest blogging over at Through the Eyes of the Mrs. today!!! I am really excited to be visiting her blog, so come and see me over there today!!





~mariah~

Guest Blogger: Kristen Wells

Hello!! I hope you are all having a great day today!! I am so happy to have a guest blogger here on Mariah's Creations!!

Kristin Wells is a recent college graduate from The University of Georgia and an aspiring writer. She wants to make a difference in people's lives through her writing. Kristin also likes competitive cycling, running, and traveling as much as possible. She is a regular contributor on http://curiousmindmusings.blogspot.com/ so you can read more of her articles there!!


M3: DIY activities: Occupying your time and having fun


Being a military wife can be extremely rewarding. Naturally, we’re proud of our men, and we’re proud of what they do. But long deployments can be difficult. Combined with the worry and fear can eat away at your soul. The last thing husbands need is to worry about our sanity, so keeping in good spirits is truly the greatest gift we can give them. One way to keep yourself busy and keep your mind on other things is to tackle some home improvement projects while your husband is deployed.



Fabric Wallpaper

Even if you live in base housing, you can still decorate and bring some texture to your living space. Wallpaper can be difficult to take down before your next move, but fabric is a breeze to remove. There are two ways you can add fabric to the walls. Heavier fabric can be applied by priming the walls and then applying the fabric using wallpaper paste. Lighter weight fabrics can be put up by soaking them in liquid starch, wringing them out and then smoothing them onto the wall.



Refinishing Furniture

Scan the want ads for furniture that’s selling cheap but needs some tender loving care. You can breathe new life into old dressers, tables and chairs by stripping off the finish and applying a fresh coat of paint or stain. It can be as simple as wiping a few coats of stain on with a rag, letting it dry, and putting it back together. The process can be extremely therapeutic, and you will have a new piece of furniture that can travel with you when it’s time to move again.



Quilting

Creating quilts from scratch is not as hard as you might think, especially since there are countless books available to help you get started. You can sew the quilts by hand or with a machine. Either way, you will enjoy a therapeutic hobby and a family heirloom when it’s finished. Make the quilts for yourself, as a gift for your husband or as gifts for other family members.



There are many hobbies and activities you can take up to help get your mind focused on positive things. Activities like these have been used time and time when dealing with diseases like Pleural Mesothelioma to get them through the tough times. When your husband calls to check on you, he will be able to hear that you are okay, healthy and staying busy. While you miss each other terribly, he won’t have to worry as much about how you are handling the separation. This simple gift will allow him to keep his mind focused on the job, and it will help you both get through this difficult time.




Hope you enjoyed this article!! Have a wonderful day!

~mariah~