Hello my name is Theresa Downing and My husband is leaving for Iraq, He is now in texas training before his deployment. I have just found this website and I am glad it is here. I have 2 boys 10 and 4 who are having a hard time with this. I know that they will settle in however it is heart wrenching, especially the oldest one, to watch them try to cope. I am trying to keep their schedule full of activites, and keep them busy if anyone has any ideas it would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Theresa Downing

Hi Theresa
Glad you joined its a great website to find things to do around town and alos make some new friends!..
I can't imagine how hard it is for you and your boys to have your Husband being deployed to Irac.
You and your Family are making a huge sacrafice and I appreciate it!
God Blees you and your Family!

Theresa,

God Bless you and your husband for what you are all doing for our country and freedoms!

I have a friend of a friend (if that makes sense) who also just left for Texas to be deployed to Iraq next month as well, so we'll keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.

Theresa, I am so sorry for you and your children. I know as a an adult, we can stomach pain and yearning for a significant other, all though hard. But you have a double task, not only your own sadness, but helping your children understand and giving them support is all the more mommy moutain to climb.

Know that I, and there are some GREAT ladies here, are here to offer friendship and support.

Thank you for joining us here on PolkMoms!

Theresa,

It is nice to meet you, online of course. My sister in-law went through that when the war first started, she had two boys ages 9 and 5 at the time and lived in Oklahoma away from her family.
Do you have family here? If not, you have new friends here on Polkmoms and if you need anything let me know. I am in Winter Haven, what part of town do you live in? Not that it matters if you need something I am here.

Like the other ladies said I too want to thank you, your husband and two boys for the sacrifice for all of our freedom.

Theresa,

I am not living in the area but am from Bartow. I currently live in Oklahoma where my husband is stationed in the Army. We are currently on our 3rd deployment. I know you might want to check the local YMCA and see if they have summer camps that will help your children stay busy. And I am not sure how far you are willing to drive but MacDill might have some stuff. Also check out Operation Purple, it is a camp for children whose parents are deployed.

Welcome Theresa, we are here for.
looking forward to meeting you, I have a 10 yr old son who is surrounded by all these girls, hopefully we can get them together this summer.

Okay everyone, I am getting teary-eyed reading all of this. All this support for Theresa and her family is so Caring & Thoughtful! This is a reminder to me just how much I really appreciate this site. Shawn, I do hope you will plan some get-togethers for us so we can all try to meet. Welcome Theresa and I hope that you find some comfort from your sisterhood at Polk Moms! Oh, and yes, the YMCA will hold summer camps in several locations. North Lakeland's phone number is (863)859-7769 and the South Lakeland's number is (863) 644-3528 I work for the "Y".

Hello and welcome Theresa! My boys are 11 and 5.
As others have said, we SO appreciate the sacrifice your husband and family (and jjbt0695) are doing for our country. God bless y'all in every way.

There is the Y that was mentioned, other camps for children have been posted here and church youth groups is another idea.