10 Days and Counting

We weren't sure about timing of financing, but both fell in place and WE'RE GOING TO MISSISSIPPI!

Gianna is thrilled we get to visit Scott before he deploys to the southern hemisphere. She just doesn't quite understand why we can't go today. She has reacted more strongly to the seperation this deployment and I worry about having to say goodbye again, but some concentrated daddy-time will be good for both of us!

My dean was supportive (I have to miss a couple classes) and co-workers are covering as they can. Plus, somehow, ticket prices dropped 40% in the last month and we're both flying for $400 including taxes and fees--how lucky am I?

Militarily Speaking

Throughout my few months as an Ombudsman, I've come to appreciate how much military jargon is thrown around assuming others understand the terms. So, from time to time, I'll try to provide some basic military speak info that might make it easier to understand my posts and might also provide a glimps into the military culture.

For my first post, I've decided to highlihgt three words that are often inappropriately used interchangably: mobilized, deployed, activated.

Mobilized: when a service member leaves home for training
Deployed: when a service member is sent from training to his/her assignment
Activated: when a reservist is called to full-time service (either mobilized or deployed)

He Is Processed

Much like Gianna's favorite cheese, Velveeta (I use the term "cheese" broadly), Scott has been processed and is scheduled to deploy.

The first week of a mobilization is a processing week. Basically, they recheck everything from medical records to service records to make sure the sailor is fit for deployment. Then they interview each to see how they'll fit in the mission. As of Friday afternoon, Scott was officially processed into the deploying unit. We still don't have concrete details on where he'll be or what he'll be doing. Nor do we have a mailing address in Mississippi or beyond, but he does have access to email and this blog so feel free to send messages via either.

Introducing Berkley Ann

Berkley Ann, our beautiful niece and God daughter, arrived Sunday morning around 7:30 a.m. Gianna and I were able to visit for a couple of hours in the afternoon and can't wait to see her again on Tuesday. We miss her already!

Security Surprises

The Green Bay airport security is amazing! After Scott boarded the plane, we were the only ones in the terminal. (Airports give families of deploying military members special escort passes so they can go all the way to the gate.) We were waiting to watch the plane take off when we got the call that our new niece/God daughter arrived. I sent Scott a quick text with the news hoping his cell phone was still on. A few minutes later, the woman at the counter asked if he had responded to the text. When I said no, without hesitation, she asked if we wanted to board the plane so we could let Scott know the news. I felt as if we were in a movie. Gianna and I jogged down the hall and entered the fully-boarded plane and made our way back to Scott--who was visibly quite puzzled! We told him the news and got one more hug and kiss from Daddy!

The Send-Off

Instead of packing, we spent last night having tickle, pillow, and sword fights. We have our work cut out for us today, but Gianna's giggles were worth every moment of frantically cramming gear into seabags.

We are headed to Oshkosh this afternoon. We will likely arrive for dinner. ON Friday, Scott will head up to the reserve center to check-out. He'll play cards with some of the family at Grandma's house that evening. Saturday we'll visit, go to mass, and enjoy the evening as a family. We'll get to the airport around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday.(If anyone wants to see him off, call me for for flight time and location.) We'll watch the plane take off and then head back to the Hilton to check out and have a nice breakfast. (If you come to the airport, feel free to join us for breakfast as well!)

We'll then head to the Sheboygan area for Gianna's cousin Emily's birthday party. From there, we'll head home to wait rather unpatiently for the call saying my niece/nephew has arrived! (Of course, since Sarah is already four days overdue, it is probably a bit much to ask her to wait to go into labor until we see Scott off. So, my well-planned schedule may be altered a bit for a quick trip to a Madison hospital :)