My husband's leave extension was denied. Actually we applied for the extension a week ago but they didn't get around to notifying us that it was denied until yesterday. This assured that we couldn't go thru other avenues to get the extension granted.

We have a date when everyone has to be out of Afghanistan. They should be leaving well before that date, but at least we know the LATEST my husband will be there now. We still have no clue when he will actually be home since this is a hobbled together group with portions of units from all around the country. So where, when and how he will demobilize is still up in the air. He could be on "lockdown" at a base for a month stateside before he comes home. It would be nice if that lockdown is here in our state. It would be even nicer if they let him commute to de-mobe

In any case he should be home before Christmas (and our 13th wedding anniversary on New Years Eve

).
We will (as we always do) stay up all night talking and such and then leave here (with all the kids) early tomorrow morning. My birthday is Sunday along with my baby shower at the parish. This will be my first go at having all four kids in a public setting and I am a little intimidated. Initially it was planned to be a welcome home for a bit party for my husband as well. But being induced early made the timetable for everything move up. So it will just be my birthday, my baby shower and our eldest's nameday.
I have planned to ply my kids with Peanuts cartoons tomorrow afternoon to help them (and me) deal with the sadness and stress of my husband's departure. I can't take them anywhere fun as a distraction so peanuts cartoons are the best I can do. If you could pray that we all do well with all this separation and such that would be wonderful. Particularly if you could pray for our 2 year old son Ollie that would be great. He is a mommy's boy by default. He would rather be around his Dad/Baba more than anyone else in the world. And currently he doesn't do well when my husband leaves the room. He wants my husband and I in the same room at all times. This is all way more than he can understand. And I am still coming down from my 10 month hormonal rollercoaster of pregnancy. Not to mention I am
supposed to be on modified bedrest for another couple weeks but that will be impossible once my husband leaves. And my brother just injured his back so all the lifting and housework is on me once my husband leaves. So prayer for my continued recovery (despite not resting) and sanity would be wonderful as well.
Thank you to all that have prayed thus far.