Moore Miles & Memories: 3 day pass. Austin TX

I think the easiest part of Bradley leaving March 16 was knowing we would get to see him in a month. I've realized that only in the military it is common to say , " Its just a month." I knew I would spend this first month looking forward to the next time we could spend time together. I would stay busy training and adjust to my new schedule and life with Cohen as a "single mom". We decided together that getting a coach to hold me accountable with my triathlon goals would be a good idea, so I was also looking forward to efficient workouts and Ironman St George 70.3 (which would be my first Ironman event and race at this distance). Having a daily workout that I know is benefiting me is motivating and it keeps my brain occupied. It also helps to break up the day for Cohen and gets us out of the house whether he joins me or goes to gym daycare. Bradley is super supportive of my athletic endeavors and I am so grateful for that. Anyways, Cohen was 6.5 months old when Bradley left so he would be 7.5 by the time his dad saw him again. This first month went by FAST. Bradley agrees =. We were actually able to talk quite often , even multiple times a day. This really helped the transition of him not being home seem easier. We tried to facetime and the first couple of times Cohen got so excited !!!! It was adorable to see his face light up when he saw his dad!! But a few times after that he started getting frustrated when he would see Brad. It broke our hearts! He would try to grab the phone and grunt. He didn't understand why his daddy was there and not here. So we stopped doing that temporarily because we knew we would see each other soon!!! Cohen and I borded the plane to go see Daddy on last time before he would eave for Afghanistan. I was a little hesitant as to how I would fee about having to say goodbye again but Im actually so grateful for the opportunity we had to spend time together as a family after really missing each other and knowing it would be month before we saw each other again. Time flies when you know you only have a little of it. We met Bradley at the hotel Thursday afternoon on April 18th and the pictures will tell the rest of the story:). My parents flew in from Tallahassee on Friday to take us to dinner and that was really nice of them! Steak and Lobster. We got a babysitter to stay at the hotel with Cohen. Saturday we went to seaworld. It was fun for about 5 seconds :). Sunday was Easter and we were clinging to each other so tight this day. Feeling the love for The Savior and for each other. I wish I could've paused time!! I just sat back and watched Bradley be a daddy. I watched Cohen love him and pay with him. They have such a special bond. Cohen laughs differently around his dad and plays differently as well. Its amazing to watch them together. Monday we had to say goodbye. THIS SUCKED. It is so hard to explain the different emotions. Im sad. Im scared. I can do this. Can I do this? We can do this. My baby wont understand. Bradley will miss so much. How can I do this on my own? Ill miss him. This isn't fair. Im strong enough. Be strong. You can do this. Be strong. I am truly so proud of my soldier. SO PROUD. Saying goodbye was so hard. Watching Bradley cry as he held his son. Cohen would change so much before he saw him again. Walking, talking. It hurt to walk away with my sweet child and not be able to tell him why Daddy wasn't coming. But, its ok. We are ok. We will be ok. Somebody has to do this and its my family. We will be blessed beyond comprehension for this sacrifice. I am a proud army wife and our family is willing to go through this journey because WE CAN.