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Kerry Barrett Reporting In February we introduced you to a military family as they were preparing for deployment.
Although Anne and Joe Gerling are both active military and this is their 13 deployment, they still get just as excited and anxious planning for the return after several months of their lives at war.
Anne Gerling/ Husband Deployed in Iraq: "Once you know a date or have something to anticipate, it seems like time goes by a lot slower. It's kind of Groundhog Day. Day in, day out, it's the same thing."
And, it's not the first time. They've done this before.
"We've been doing this a long time now, 12 years, almost 13 that we've been married. Thirteen deployments, 13 years."
"We've done this so many times I could do it standing on my head."
That doesn't make it any easier. But with Anne being active military too, at least she knows what to expect.
She and their two children, Becca and Daniel, get into their routine, helping clean the house, make dinner, set the table.
Some things have to change. But some things never do.
"Daniel's the same, just as active as ever!"
They're getting ready for Dad to come home, anxious for his return, planning what they'll do. So too is Joe...
"He definitely seems a little antsy."
While the kids certainly miss him, she says it hasn't really hit home. And, while we're there Joe calls to say "hi."
"Hey Dad, Dad!!" "Hey Daniel!"
"Dad, can we go to your baseball game when you get home?"
And you can see, after some good natured joking, that they miss him more than they let on.
Of course Anne is excited to see Joe, but as any parent can understand, she's just as excited to have a little help. Single parenting is not a task to take lightly.
"Give me that pencil. Your son, as usual, is not on his best behavior." "You need to listen to your mom. Drawing on the floor is not listening." "Okay, I won't draw on the basement floor anymore."
"I don't know who will get to him first, but I'll be up there in front."
Anne stressed several times that she really feels blessed to only have Joe gone for four months. She said her heart really goes out to the spouses of those deployed a year or two straight.
Coming up on Eyewitness News on Monday, we'll continue our series with another look at "Life at War."
