Thursday, April 10

I thought it was time that I cheered myself up so a few friends and I decided to go on a spending spree to Ikea. I have now had a letter from Russ. The Americans seem to have taken Baghdad and I feel happier than I have for a long time, so shopping was the icing on the cake.

Friday, April 11

Four RAF Tornado crews came home today. I watched their homecoming on television; their family and friends waiting for them to land and then an emotional reunion. I can just imagine how they must be feeling - I so wish Russ would be home soon. I know he won't be though, we were told it would be at least six months before they would be able to come home. I am just taking one day at a time and hoping that the time will pass quickly. Charis, my three-year-old, keeps asking if her daddy is at home when I pick her up from school. How do children cope with this sort of separation and how will they be when he returns?

Saturday, April 12

The holidays are upon us. This Easter I am going to Devon to spend a couple of weeks with my family. I haven't been watching the news as much and they don't seem to be broadcasting as much from Iraq. More cities have fallen and it seems that Saddam's regime is over. I am so relieved, but the war won't be over for me - not until my husband is back home with his family where he belongs. My friends have started to get phone calls from their husbands and keep phoning me to tell me - but I haven't had one yet.

Sunday, April 13

The Families Office has arranged an Easter egg hunt for the kids at the garrison so off we went with my friend and her two children.

Monday, April 14

Up early as it's a six-hour journey to Devon. Today, Tikrit has fallen and everyone is talking about the war being nearly over. The journey down to Devon was easier than I imagined. The kids were good and we didn't get lost. Normally, Russ and I stay in my parents' granny flat but, this time, it was just me and baby Teya. The older children stayed in the main house with their Nan and Grampy. The flat felt really lonely and I felt so sad. I couldn't help shedding a few tears. I did take a photo from home and put it on my bedside table but it made me feel worse.

Tuesday, April 15

Teya had me up most of the night cutting her first tooth, but at least mum looked after the other three. The children had a great time today and they played out in the fields. More troops came home too, which is good news for some wives and girlfriends but not for us as I know Russ is staying on for peace-keeping duties. I have almost got used to him not being here, which is a fact of Army life and, as Army wives, we have to get on with it and make life as normal as possible for the children.