my husband is coming home from Iraq. Me and the kids would love to do something special and different for him.
960522
I don't know what kind of action he has seen over there, But when I came home after 6 month in a war zone all I wanted was the peace and quite of my home with my wife.\nIf you go out of your way to make it special it will just force him to play along. just meet him and be happy he is home.
556544
My nephew in law is already there.  Sweetie?  Take your camera if you have one and make sure to see him off.  Let him know how much you love him and that your thoughts and prayers will always be with him.  Let him know now how much you need him to come home and why.  Sometimes, your words will be enough to carry him through the fire. Spend as much time with him as possible before he goes and create some lasting memories with him just in case...know what I mean?\n\nI talk to my Creator every day about all the young men and women who are in Iraq, and for the ones whose lives ended there also.  You have to accept the fact that there are going to be casualties and prepare your own self for the worse.  I pray it doesn't happen to your Dad. Pray to whomever it is you pray to and be confident about his safe return.  And write him lots of letters and send moto-mail. I cannot stress enough to you how important it is to spend every minute you can with him before his deployment.  Okay?  I hope this helps.  ((((((Sheri)))))\n\np.s.  Try to put together packages of stuff for him like, believe it or not?  Baby wipes, beef jerky, lotion, soap, foil packages of single servings of tuna for sandwiches, easy to open/preparation type foods that require no cooking., candy bars, vienna sausage, etc.
811600
My husband has been to Iraq twice, the first time for 15 months and the second for 10. He leaves again next summer for another year. The thing that helps me the most is being around other military spouses and families, because they know what I am going through (and don't ask annoying questions like "how do you do it" or "what would you do if he died" or say things like "I could never do that, it must be so hard waiting on him.") I know that being around military families may not be an option since you may not live in the town with him. The first deployment we weren't married yet and I lived in a non-military area. It was different but I was able to find a couple of people (reservists wives, etc) that were going through the same thing. If you can't find someone to hang out with, try an online support group, Yahoo Groups has a lot of them for military girlfriends/fiancees.I also do my best to stay busy, which for me has meant going to school full time. I am graduating soon, and I am planning on doing a lot of volunteer work and staying home with our baby on this next deployment. Anything that will keep you busy and keep your mind off of it as much as possible is a good thing. I also recommend writing to him as much as you can, every day if possible. I like to tell him about my day and "talk" about the kind of stuff we'd talk about if he were home for dinner. That way I don't feel like he's missed out on a whole year of my life. Mail - letters, pictures, packages - are always appreciated when they are deployed. \n\nI know it sucks, but after he has been gone for a little bit you will get into a routine. You will also learn what works for you and what doesn't. I found that the second deployment was easier because it wasn't such a new experience and it was easier for me to get into my "deployment routine." I have also found that if you wake up and tell yourself that it's going to be a good day, and don't allow yourself to do otherwise, you will feel a lot better. Good luck with his deployment and know that everything will be ok because you love each other. When he gets home all the pain and sadness will be worth it, I promise!
741179
Sweat heart everybody makes mistakes.\nYour husband is going through some unbelievably tough experiences. Life in Iraq is brutal.\nWrite him every day, keep the letters upbeat but still telling him how much you miss him, and need him around. Tell him about your child, tell him you talk to her about him all the time. Send him care packages, make them a piece of home, send your picture and a camera telling him you can't wait to see him again. When he says the things you wrote about skim over it, it is such an untrue thing to say it deserves little time. Remind him that he is the only one for you and that your family is the most important thing.
577348
Well, when my hubby was in Iraq, I spent alot of time with family and friends. I made it a rule to get up, get dressed and out of the house before noon. Made me feel better too.\n\nJust keep yourself busy. If you don't have a job, get one.
565671
the fact that i am a single mom raising three kids in this messed up world and wondering if my man will come home from IRAQ
1123745
I would tell our troops thank you for doing a job that so many people are a fraid to do!\nI would tell them that they are brave for fighting a war that so many people believe is an unjust war!\n I would thank their families for being unselfish and  allowing there family member to fight for the rights of their country!\n I would tell their children to be brave and do not be mad at the parent for having to leave! \nI would thell the spouse to love and support them even though they are not home to help with the problems and continue to love and support them when they come home and they are not the same person who left!\nI would tell them that it is ok to be scared!\nAND;;;\nFinally I would tell them to BE SAFE and come home to their families!\n\nThe soldiers are doing more than any person can ever be asked to do----Defending there country! I am so proud to be an American!
1164147
I think this is really sweet what you want to do! I don't have any good recipes but I can tell you to go to Food Network.com and they have all kinds of recipes that I bet will impress him! Just the fact that you are wanting to take the time to do something for him, for Father's day, is a wonderful thing for you, him and your marriage!!! I would say also, don't know how old or young the kids are, but why not get them involved in helping to get ready for dinner, etc? Make it a family time, a family day! That's what it's all about and if you ask me, we all make ourselves so busy nowadays that we don't take the time!!! Good luck! Hope all goes well!
410423
thanks!\nmy husband was there and is going to Kuwait for a few weeks very soon and then back to Iraq next year.  \n\nwe appreciate it----ooo rah
325370
greet her at the airport with her favourite snack and make sure she comes home to a clean house.  she'll be hungry and tired after such a long flight.  might not be romantic but be assured it will definitely be appreciated. that's what i'm hoping my hubby will do for me when i return from seeing my family in the us too.\n\n\ni have no real good suggestions but want to say she sounds like a lucky lass :)
945502
In hide site you should have been telling them all along that it could and probably would happen. Maybe you did. I told my GF the minute I found out. Just sit you spouse down first and tell them. If you have kids your spouse doesn't need to be surprised in front of them. As far as everyone goes. Tell them and then tell them as much as you can or are allowed to. They have a right to know. Make sure your company/unit has a FRG and that your family is involved with it. I've been to Iraq and I'm in Afghanistan now. I send pictures home as much as possible. And get pictures back. Call when you can. Write and email as often as possible. Make sure they know there might be times when you can't call or email and not to worry. Tell them to stay busy. Good luck.
896822
My son has been in Iraq twice now and i know how tough it can be on the home front. God bless you and your family, and Thank You for all that you are sacrificing for us. \nBeings it is after the 13th of Nov. {the date we are supposed to get things mailed for Christmas } it might take longer than the expected week and a half. You might be better off sending packaged goodies, the commercial preservatives are better than what we can use at home. Here are some things i have mailed and had good results with...Oatmeal, or chocolate chip cookies do really well in the mail if you put them inside of a pringles can. Those "disposable" tupperware bowls are inexpensive and work to keep things airtight and fresh too. Divinity, and homemade fudge keep very well if airtight, so will rice krispie treats. Put layers of waxed paper in between, or individually wrap each piece. Carmel corn is always a winner too, and can be sent in a ziplock baggie. Make sure that the box you send everything is packed tight so things don't end up breaking to pieces in the mail, i use dry popcorn, or new socks to fill the spaces. Hope that this is helpful for you.
959707
My dad was deployed on a lot of holidays when I was growing up.  My mom invited soldiers over whose family was in the States or somewhere else.  Thanksgiving isn't just about family its about being with friends too, so she just made sure that if anyone didn't have a place to go they were at our house!
778780
There is a program called adopt a soldier and its great.And you know what the guys ask for most?Beanie babies for the Iraqi kids..,great guys arent they?God bless them and you.Go to www.adoptasoldier.com and it will come up.Also go to www.militaryfriends.com another great site.
542628
My husband is in Iraq. Last time he saw our daughter she was 2 months old, next time he will see her she will be a walking & talking 14 month old (I didn't include the oh-so-short R&R he gets). I cry almost every day. I write him every night. I pray before bed that he makes it home to our daughter and I. \n\nOn the good side, this time apart makes us realize all the things we took for granted before. He's making more money so I am able to stay home with my daughter and go back for my Master's.
787027
You might try creating an iMemoryBook for him. My roommate is creating a book for his fiance right now. He wrote his story of how they met and how they got engaged, then she wrote her story. Then Justin (my roommate) invited me, and all of his family and her family to the book to write their favorite memories about the two of them. When they are done, iMemoryBook will ship them a hardbound color copy of the book. I know that if I was in Iraq, there isn't much that would be more meaningful than a memory book full of all my favorite memories of family and friends.
597971
I wish it was today, I want my husband to come home.