So invasions take on a whole new meaning when your child is actively serving and somewhere on the other side of the world. The anxiety level for this mama has reached an all time high. I’m not sure what this means for his and his buddies, but I know it’s not a positive development. We don’t really know how this will impact his time overseas, which really sucks. It’s super hard not knowing anything because we can’t really plan our lives.
I’ve found that while my boy has been deployed avoiding the news has been key to maintaining my mental health. Unfortunately, these past few weeks it’s been utterly impossible to avoid the news. With missiles flying in the Middle East, Russia knocking on Ukraine’s door and China’s Taiwan obsession, there hasn’t been much rest for the weary. It’s hard to quantify how this news hits differently with a kid deployed. There’s a perennial knot in the stomach that’s unrelenting tightening with each bit of news. Nonetheless, I need to limit my news intact. Honestly, the more I limit the news, the better I feel.
Over the last few months, we’ve settled into the big D routine. For the holidays, we sent a bunch of care packages to him. In normal fashion, we -meaning our friends and hockey family- may have completely overdone it. In fact, he might have enough beef jerky to last a life time. In the end, the most important thing was that he knows there’s a whole army (pun intended) that support him and are praying for him back home.
Perhaps the hardest part is not knowing anything. With Goalielocks forthcoming graduation, I’d love to be able to plan a bunch of family activities and pictures. Unfortunately, we have no idea when he’ll be back home. Ugh….. It’s honestly the worst.
So as we get through week one of deployment, I’m noticing that the pit in my stomach will not leave. It’s like I’m watching Goalielocks in net 24/7. In short, it’s not a great feeling. Thankfully, I’ve been able to chat with him via text. This has helped immensely. This weekend I’ll be distracting myself with some Curb Your Enthusiasm and the Mayor’s hockey tournament. Hopefully, this will allay the pit in my stomach even if it’s just for a moment.
All week I’ve been fighting the urge to text my boy over and over again. One I know he’s super busy. Two I know he can’t have his phone with him while he’s working. And lastly, I don’t want to be inappropriately overbearing. Nonetheless, it’s super hard. I know he’ll reach out when he can, but I miss him and I worry. Oh the horrors of radio silence during deployment.
Last night we had Goalielocks’ volleyball banquet at the high school. It was a nice dinner with both the boys and girls volleyball teams. He’s played volleyball the last two years, but there was no banquet last year due to Covid. Dinner was courtesy of Olive Garden, which was good. Fortunately, it settled in my stomach. I was a bit worried as my stomach had been quite sensitive lately.
While we ate, the coach, the senior captains and the underclass men gave their speeches. They were nice, brief and to the point. After the speeches came the awards. Goalielocks was awarded a letter in in varsity Volleyball. After the awards, the kids switched into active wear and the girls took on the boys. The girls beat the boys, which wasn’t super surprising given the talent on the girls team. A lot of Goalielocks’ team was relatively new to the sport. It was a fun way to end the volleyball banquet.
We’re currently driving to the west coast for hockey. There’s nothing I hate more than driving on state road 60. It’s honestly the worst road in the history of roads. In fact, the entire of state road 60 should be at least four lanes instead of one lane each way. There’s nothing more disconcerting than your car shaking as a semi speeds by heading the other direction.
We’re still a good two hours out from our resort. While we’re heading west for hockey, we thought we’d make it worth the parents’ while by booking an nice resort. Consequently, we’ll be staying at the Saddlebrook Resort and Spa. The resort has a couple of incredible pools, which is where I plan on spending my day tomorrow. Since we only have to be playing this year, our game schedule is nice and light.
I’m officially en route to Turks and Caicos for Momcation 3.0. This trip has been three years in the making and couldn’t have come a moment too soon. To say I need some rest and relaxation would be an absolute understatement. For the next five days, there will be no fucks given about anything as I soak up the sun in paradise with some of my favorite people!
Last night was the Mayor’s prom. He and his teammate Danny went with Danny’s sister and best friend. The Mayor was defitjeily anxious to get dressed and get to his buddy’s house to get the festivities going. He and Goalielocks both opted for the gray suit, which looked super good on both of them. He added light gold accents to match his date’s beautiful dress.
The girls weren’t ready when we first got to their house, so we had a blast taking photos of our two hockey players. They’re absolute characters. I have to say I was impressed as my boy dropped his voice and introduced himself to all of his date’s family. Albeit, it was quite amusing that he dropped his voice and octave or two. The resulting photos of the boys were absolutely incredible. There are so many great photos, I don’t know where to even start.
When the girls came down, they were absolutely stunning. Their dresses were gorgeous. Aubrey opted for a white dress with pink and rose gold accents. Her friend opted for a blue dress. After seeing all the prom pictures from this weekend, I think most girls wore blue this year. Before heading out for pictures, the boys gave the girls their corsages. Afterwards, the girls pinned on the boys boutonnières.
The Mayor was in rare form as we took pictures outside and in the limo. He may or may not have given his buddy’s grandma a shock as he did a cup check during family pictures. Perhaps the picture was the one that captured his reaction when they told him the limo had chocolate milk. As they made there way to the limo, he did the “no pictures” pose. And then they were off!
Meanwhile, we watched the Panthers game until the limo came back to take us parents to dinner. Originally, we were thinking Restoration Hardware for dinner, but they had no more sittings available. This in spite of the fact their restaurant was half empty. Consequently, we ended up eating at True Food Kitchen in Rosemary Square (formerly known as City Place.). After dinner, we we’re all fried and ready for bed. Meanwhile, the Mayor’s prom was a huge success.
It’s prom season here in the Hockey Mom Fig household. This weekend our younger two will be heading to prom. Goalielocks is going to his senior prom tonight, while the Mayor will be going to prom tomorrow. Getting these two ready for prom has been quite the adventure. Last weekend, I had them both fit at Men’s Warehouse for tuxes. They were both in rare form and had the gentlemen fitting them in stitches. I, however, was in less than a great mood as the tuxes set me back nearly $600. Now prom is expensive for girls, but at least they get to keep their outfit.
Last night, I took the Mayor for a sorely needed hair cut. He looks great! Goalielocks needed one as well, but had volleyball practice, so it didn’t happen. Oh well, his hair looks fine as it is. Once Goalielocks got home from practice, we headed to Men’s Warehouse to pick up the tuxes. It was a zoo albeit better than it had been Saturday. We were quickly served.
What took a minute was having each of the boys try on their outfits. Goalielocks chose a grey suit with a darker gray vest and a red bow tie and pocket square. His pants were a little shorter in style, but I’m told that how the kids wear them these days. Meanwhile, the Mayor also picked out a gray suit (albeit a different one) with rose gold accents. His pants were quite a bit longer, but fit really well. It was interesting to see their individual styles come through in each of their tuxes.
After the fitting we went back home to watch the end of the Panthers’ game. Unfortunately, Hulu was down, so that couldn’t happen. Consequently, we ended up watching Gordon Ramsey adventure through Finnish Lapland. It was fun to see him foraging through the swamp for my favorite cloud berries and blueberries. The scenery was amazing. I look forward to returning to Finland and exploring the country beyond Helsinki. And for tonight, it is night one of prom season! I love it!
It was senior night for Goalielocks’ volleyball team last Thursday. Honestly, it’s hard to believe that he’s graduating high school. Time definitely flies by when you’re raising kids. We’ve all heard that old axiom and probably we’re super annoyed by it when our kids were toddlers, but it’s painfully true. Even if those toddler years seem to crawl buy with endless daycare and diaper bills.
All of the seniors played the first set, which was nice. Unfortunately, they didn’t play well. They were off and every bounce when the other’s team way. Also, let’s talk about officiating for a second. I’ve worked the penalty box for years and our ice hockey refs are super thick skinned. I’ve never seen an official hand out so many cards for hurt feelings before. At this point, I’m certain the ref would give the coach a ref card if she told them their shoe was untied.
We still can’t follow the rules for volleyball, but I’m not sure if that’s because we’re slow or the officials are uneven in their application of said rules. It’s a much different game from hockey, but fun to watch. The parents in the stands, bat shit crazy like hockey. People think I’m crazy for working the ice box that is the penalty box, but here’s the deal. I’d rather freeze my ass off in the box, then listen to some idiot parent wax philosophical about the play of every kid on the ice.
Senior night, as it always is, was emotional for all involved. The end of an important chapter of Goalielocks’ life and ours is quickly coming to a close. Its been fun to watch him grow and thrive even if some days, I’ve wanted to tear out my hair. His last day of school is coming quickly. I’m not ready for it, so buckle up folks because you’re in for weeks of sentimental blog posts.