15 October 2011

i'm grateful for . . . 'my handsome soldier'

Greetings all,
This week i am over-the-top, madly-in-love, cheerleading & most-absolutely-grateful for . . . my handsome soldier.  Thanks for asking Maxabella Loves!! 
Regular readers know my husband comes & goes from our life in Canberra, as he lives in Brisbane (for 3-4 years) & is always on course, exercise, training or deployment.  Right now, he's at war, back in Afghanistan.  Those gorgeous posts of him home recently . . . were actually him saying goodbye, for 9 months.  
 Here is my handsome soldier, aged 13, at cadets.  It's as close a photo of him i can share.  Striking resemblence between father & son, non??  I never complain about the Army, my husband was born to be a soldier.  He has an incredible sense of justice, responsbility, protection & repsect. 
 So he's back in the desert, his 5th deployment.  The war has been going on for 10 years now.  Whether you think it's justified or not, please support the Australian soldiers who are over there, they are just doing their job. 
  I found this incredible display of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan, including special forces with beards & beanies, bushmaster vehicles + the taliban, at the Lego Brick Expo midyear.  I wonder if they'll ever release these Lego sets commercially??
  Confronting - a Lego IED explosion.  Let's hope there will be zero during his tour.  During my husband's last deployment, Australia lost 10 men, mostly to IEDs.  I simply can't imagine what that was like, attending 10 ramp ceremonies in only 8 months & having to go back outside the wire to patrol again & again, knowing the hidden dangers. 
I am positive about his deployment, we chose this life.  Of course there are days when i am flat, sad, miss him terribly & the children ask why daddy can't come to assembly/ sport/ school/ home . . . often perfectly timed with locking myself out of the house/ keys in the car, or blowing a fuse/ tyre/ electrical appliance . . . i also get tired of weeding, maintaining the cars, mixing 2 stroke & mowing the lawns . . . I have many roles, most importantly - I am the most loving wife & best mother i can be to our 4 children, so he's not distracted by any dramas, doubts or worries at home.  It takes dedication & determination. 
So here's to my handsome soldier, he's a little homesick, his team has arrived now, so he's busy & distracted.  We love him to pieces & i really do blog for him, so he can watch the children grow & see what i'm up to.  I expect a phone call about not buying anything from Donna Hay soon.  Love Posie

PS for a change of pace . . . i'm having a crafty giveaway including Mollie Makes magazine & handmade goodies.
EDIT: Just in from Afghanistan: "i don't want to come home to find any of that ugly green milk glass stuff from Donna Hay in the cupboard".  Ok, so he's a total bloke, but . . . he didn't say pink or white milk glass though, did he??!!

52 comments:

Amy said...

Your son is the spitting image of his father Jennie!

Love you to, I can only imagine how hard it is for you.

xx

Carole Poirot said...

This has to be the best reason for blogging I've ever heard of. You're doing a great job keeping it all together and I hope time won't be too long for you two. xo

Liz said...

Cannot imagine how difficult life is for you and the family.I am grateful for families that are willing to give up their sons.hubbies and dads to keep us safe!!!!

tinajo said...

Hard for me to imagine how it feels, but I guess you get some strategies that work when you´re used to it?

Cat said...

Your little boy looks just like his dad:) Thinking of all of you and grateful to husbands like yours that keep our world safe. Have a wonderful weekend. xo

Jan Maree said...

I am an ex-navy and ex RAAFie so I really have an appreciation for your husband's call to duty AND yours. Do you think we could make quilts or something else for his unit? I would be happy to do my bit. I read all the time of the Quilts of Valour projects in the States and would love to do something similar for our service people. Let me know if you have any suggestions, though maybe you just have your hands full as life is. Cheers

trash said...

A gorgeous tribute - love, honour, commitment, responsibility, respect and justice. Man alive but you two are setting a fabulous example for your children.

I echo @Cherry Red Quilter and if you wanna kickstart something like that I'm in.

Veronica @ Mixed Gems said...

You say you chose this life, so all of it comes with the territory, but I have to say, you are amazing to do so much on your own and he is amazing for serving and protecting our country and our way of life. What an inspiration you both are.

Sarah B said...

It must be so hard Posie, but you must remember how lucky you are to have such strong love in your life :)

4 kids, 20 suitcases and a beagle said...

You are AMAZING!

Gorgeous post.

Kirstyx

Jo in TAS said...

What a handsome cadet he was. I was a cadet too, you must check out this post, I'm the tall one.
http://scrapnstitch.blogspot.com/2009/10/australian-army-cadets-good-times.html
It's tough being a single mum for long periods and tough for the soldiers being away and missing out on family milestones and events. They're in my thoughts and prayers everyday to keep them safe, they're doing a job that most of us can't even imagine. HUgs to you all
Jo

brismod said...

You've got a tough gig there. It would be the constant worry that would get to me. Wishing the nine months away for you and that hubby returns safe and sound. xx

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Posie,

You are a better woman than I. You really have the most fantastic outlook and that is why you live this life so well.

Kel x

cheryl @ nefotlak. said...

thinking of you, him and the kidlettes.
I know how hard it can be.
count down those days and he'll be home again in no time.
my army-wife girlfriend used to make a huge paper chain with a ring for every day her hubby would be away (HUGE it was! - it kept the kids very busy making it!) - and the kids would break off a chain every night before they went to bed - until it got shorter and shorter.
love the picture that does look the spitting image of your son. too funny.
take care of you.
c xox.

Cherie @ 'a baby called Max' said...

Honestly,

I think you are so amazing!

You do a wonderful job, so that HE can do a wonderful job.

My Father is also in the defence force, & served time in Afghanistan, & I really do have the greatest admiration for our soliders :)

xx

Melanie Gray Augustin said...

I can only imagine how difficult it is playing both roles. What a wonderful outlook you have and such a loving wife and mum. My best wishes for your husband and all those out there with him.

Unknown said...

I was going to say that your little boy looks so much like his dad, but you and everyone else beat me to it!

Keep 'soldiering on'. Good girl!

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Oh thank you so much everyone, my husband will be reading these comments in a few hours, it really does make him feel like he's supported & most of all, you fabulous bloggers are here for me too. Have gorgeous weekends, love Posie

Seana Smith said...

Thoughts are with your lovely hubby over in Afghanistan. We're right behind the soldiers there, they are doing a very tough job, and doing it well. And thoughts with you too Posie, that's a LONG time to be without your husband and father of the kids. The longest I've due was about 10 weeks and that was a killer. My hubby is more often away for 4 weeks and that's tough! I know he really appreciates it when things are smooth at home, he needs that in many ways and I try hard to make it work for all of us. Thoughts with you and much kudos.

georgi said...

nobody's situation is an easy one and it sure looks like you're making the best of yours. good for you! xo

Jodie said...

I love that photo - so full of optimism...
You spend so much time on your own ..I can't imagine how hard it must be at times...

LionessLady said...

Gorgeous post Posie. I think you are both really brave. And I cant believe how much father and son look aike!

x

Kylie said...

When I was in Chicago in May this year I saw something that really affected me... All around me on the streets, in shopping centres, at airports, people would go up to servicemen and women and thank them. Just like that - people they didn't even know. It blew me away. It wasn't about foreign policy or politics, it was acknowledging that these people are putting their lives on the line for everyone else and honouring them for it. I can't imagine people doing that here.
Anyway, what I'd like to say to your husband is..... Thank you :)

Helen said...

good on you, you strong lady!! don't know how you do it. lots of good thoughts to you and your brave husband :)

KH said...

You do a great job in a tough situation - tough for all of you. Thumbs up xxx

emma @ frog, goose and bear said...

I actually thought that was your son dressing up in Dad's clothes until I read the post! Isn't it great that we have the internet and things like blogs so that families can stay in touch and feel a part of each others lives even though apart. You do a brilliant job Jennie!!

Unknown said...

Hi Miss Posie

Sniff! Sob! Honk! (me blowing my nose)

don't get me started crying - you know I'm a sop and I can't wait for you to be together again (I keep saying it I know).

Wishing so much peace and strength for you all at this time

x Loulou

Naturally Carol said...

I don't support war in general but can't help but think that if we are sending so many good men and women over to a country they have to be making a good difference in that place. Cheers to all those soldiers making a welcome difference in Afghanistan and other places and a big thank you to all the families who've let them go without complaint, especially when it's hard.

Jade said...

Just over from Maxabella's link up - you have an amazing husband, I think soldiers are the most brave and selfless people on earth. I pray that he stays safe and comes home to you soon.

Thea said...

Yes, I immediately thought the resemblance between father and son was uncanny. I love how your husband has an opinion about the milk glass. May the next 9 months pass quickly for you and the kids and see his safe return. xx

supermac said...

I salute your husband, Posie. He is truly a hero. And hats off to you, too, for sharing with him all the sacrifices of a soldier's life.

Sindy said...

great to see that handsome smile has not changed all these years, although I am afraid handsome soldier junior has better dimples! T x

Libby said...

Such a lovely post Jennie...you are an amazing couple and an inspiration :)

Jenny from Ohjoh said...

Having nothing to do with the "forces" - not by choice just how our life is - I can only imagine how tough it can get for the families at home, and how amazing "Forces" wives/mums must be.
I also think that you guys are the unknown face of conflict. most people forget that each person over there has a family supporting them, missing them and waiting for them to come home.
May yours be safe and home soon.
Next time mine is working late I'll bite my tongue.
Jenny

Lois said...

Thinking of your Hubby, you & your kids.

xxxxx

TexWisGirl said...

what a handsome son you have. God bless your husband. God bless you...

mel @ loved handmade said...

..and here's to you too, the lady behind the man! He sure was a handsome kid & you're son is the image of his dad!
We women are very good at loop holes aren't we, go on, get the pastel milk glass, it's all gorgeous..x

The Provincial Homemaker said...

Posie, hoping your husband is keeping safe. At least you are on the countdown - I always think the lead up is worse because you have the whole time ahead of you. Once they are away, they are that much closer to coming home. And, can plan ROCL - totally the best bit:).

Tania McCartney said...

You are stronger than 100 women. And please tell Handsome Soldier I'll be having a word to him about that green milk glass comment... xx

Tania said...

Yep, there's a BIT of genetic spitting imagery happening!

Keep counting down those days and keeping eyes open for the perfect bit of rural real estate. And, er, as regards the green milk glass bizzo, I'm fairly sure that's an out and out case for 'When The Cat's Away'...

ClaireyHewitt said...

That is such a beautiful photo. A real treasure.

Sally said...

Geez... that is some full on lego.

Another nine months away hey. Such a long time for you... but even longer for the kids. I have no idea how you do it. I admire you all. My thoughts are with you all - most especially him - for a safe return to you in mid 2012.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say thank you for all you loverly comments. It really makes a difference to know that there such wonderful people supporting not only me, but Jen as well.

Again thank you for your thoughts and prayers

polkadotpeticoat said...

So Handsome and I think you were born to be a soldiers wife your amazing Momma!

The House That A-M Built said...

You truly are the most inspirational woman. Your positivity radiates out from your blog. You are doing the most wonderful job raising your children. Your presence here in blogland has made blogland a better place. Pat yourself on the back Posie. You are a champion. A-M xx

Hot Fudge said...

What a magnificent team you two are, Miss Posie. I pray that the following months will fly by quickly and that your handsome hero returns to you all safely. As a welcome home, forget the yellow ribbon and dangle green milk glass from every branch of the trees in your street.

Oh, the answer to your question is Pymble, although my daughter works at St Ives if that helps!

ally said...

He's a handsome, brave soldier and you are an amazing, courageous and inspirational woman whom I am glad to have found out "there".
I can hardly imagine having to raise children alone let alone having to worry about your loved ones (and your dear mum).
Thinking of you Jennie
xxx

Maxabella said...

He may be a wonderful man, but how lucky he is to have found an equally wonderful woman. x

Sandrine said...

Oh I tip my hat to all of you, such a brave Family you make. May these months go quick, safe and preparing a happy return.Take care x
Oh I lol about the green glass too :)

Stacey said...

Wow, your boy and husband are alike!!
PS: I agree with his milk glass assessment!!

Anonymous said...

Loved reading your post and have just found your post, will get my daughter to read as her wonderful husband is due to leave for Afghanistan later in the year or early January.
He is based in Brisbane and spend 8 1/2 month in East Timor last year,
They are waiting for their baby number three to arrive in the next couple of weeks.
I always feel very sad for the little ones when he leaves as they did not choose this life. Hopefully they all get back safe and sound.

Anonymous said...

Loved reading your post and have just found your post, will get my daughter to read as her wonderful husband is due to leave for Afghanistan later in the year or early January.
He is based in Brisbane and spend 8 1/2 month in East Timor last year,
They are waiting for their baby number three to arrive in the next couple of weeks.
I always feel very sad for the little ones when he leaves as they did not choose this life. Hopefully they all get back safe and sound.