After months of preparing for an upcoming deployment, something we have known about since last year, the word came down that he will not deploy after all.

Most people would breathe a sigh of relief; we on the other hand, are somewhat disappointed.  Maybe disappointed isn’t the right word.

We spent all this time preparing and I had got into the mindset that he would be gone for 9 months. We made a new budget, made goals, and now we have to change it all again.

Or do we?

The last time he deployed, the whole “yes he is deploying, no he isn’t deploying” went on for months! It changed a good 20 times! In fact we didn’t get the yes he for sure, really is going to deploy until about a week before he left!

Even then I didn’t believe it until I dropped him off at the buses, he was on the plane and called me from another country; only then did I believe the Army decided not to change their mind again.

Good thing I decided to keep on planning like he was going to deploy! Could you imagine if I hadn’t? Could you imagine only having one week to prepare for your spouse to be gone for 9 months?

Oddly enough, years and years ago there were times where I had just days. I work well under pressure; thank goodness!

So that brings us to right now. I have decided to keep on planning that he will deploy AND planning that he will not. I am a military wife; I can and will overcome and adapt.  

If the Army can’t make up their mind, I will have planned for both outcomes, so either way I am prepared. For now though, this will be the last entry in my deployment diary.

You may be asking yourself, “What do you need to plan as far as him not deploying?” Well, every July we take a vacation (assuming he is here.)

So, I will plan our vacation like he is not deploying. We plan on doing another cross-country road trip like we did last summer. Needless to say we had the time of our lives during that 3-week 5,000-mile road trip!

The purpose of last years trip was his 20th high school reunion in Washington State. We decided to drive and stop at several places on the way there and back.

This year, we have no purpose other than to just be with each other and reconnect as a couple. I am a firm believer parents should take childless trips yearly to reconnect with each other!

We are thinking our main stop will be 1 week in Yellowstone National Park. We will take a week to get there and a week to get back, stopping at sites along the way.

And hiking, there will be PLENTY of hiking!

What do you think? Are there any sites that we just need to visit? Let me know!

Bridget is a military spouse of 17 years, Mom, Professional Photographer, Writer, and Avid Hiker. You can contact Bridget by visiting her website http://nuttyhiker.com or following her on twitter/facebook/instagram