We're reaching the home stretch

10 months into the deployment, I have become pretty numb to the entire situation. It's not that I miss him any less, it's only that I've gotten used to the feeling. I'm starting to get excited about reuniting, but at the same time the thought of seeing him in person has become hard to imagine and thus anticipate. It's going to be so unreal.

Lately time has been passing slowly because I have been on summer break from school. I love spending long summer days with my daughter, but for some reason they don't pass as quickly as the days I have school. The new fall semester starts in 2 days, and Madison has been signed up for her ballet classes, so we both have something new and exciting to look forward to as we finish up the last few months of this deployment. Last semester I was able to finish with A's in all of my classes, and I am determined to do the same this fall semester. 

Madison had such a blast at her swim lessons this summer I knew I needed to keep her involved in something, and ballet seemed like something she'd really enjoy. Not a day passes that she doesn't ask me if we're going to her dance classes yet, and her classes don't even start until the middle of September. I already went out and bought her all the cute gear she'll need, and she's even tried them on and practiced her moves while watching "So You Think You Can Dance."She is such an extrovert and it's adorable, but I have no idea where she got that from because my husband and I are pretty introverted. 

As for me I signed myself up for Crossfit. It's been a pretty intense ride so far, and completely outside of my normal comfort zone, but I truly enjoy the challenge. Every time I walk into that Crossfit gym I have no idea if I'll be able to walk back to my car at the end of the work out without any assistance. So far I've cried once, but have yet to vomit (unlike some of my friends). 

That's basically all I've been up to lately. Nothing too wild or exciting, but I cannot wait for this summer to come to a close. Everyday is another day closer to having my family back together again. 

What was I thinking?

It's been difficult to blog lately because how hectic life has been. Since my husband left I been pretty depressed, and who wants to blog when they're depressed?

I've decided that moving back to California from Hawaii was a horrible idea. Why on earth did I leave HAWAII of all places to come back home? I think during all the stress I wasn't thinking clearly, and in no way was I aware of what moving back home truly meant for me. I have learned a valuable life lesson; never look back, only move forward. There is nothing left in my home town for me. Sure, it's nice to visit family and old friends, but honestly, what was I thinking moving back here? I miss my independence, my home, and transitioning with my child has been difficult. I can value this experience in the future when I am feeling homesick. There's a saying that my husband once told me that goes "you always miss where you've been, hate where you are, and can't wait to get to where you're going" and it's completely true.

What's done is done, and I am just join to have to stick it out. Only a few more months to go and my family will be reunited again. I will no longer have to wonder if my husband is safe where he is and that peace of mind alone is something I will treasure and never take for granted again; home is where he is.

Army Wife-ness

This has been me for the last couple days..

Why you say?

Because It's been 4.. going on five days since I've heard from my husband.

Where is he? I couldn't tell you. All I know is it's some parallel universe called Afghanistan.

I've pretty much been glued to my phone and computer for this entire weekend. I can hardly concentrate on my homework... and hardly able to finish a plate of food. This would be what we called the "crappiest part of being married to a soldier". This is not romantic at all. It's just plain stressful.

I keep wondering if the electricity is out because of bad weather. And/Or he ran out of minutes on his calling card for his wireless phone, and that he's far away from anywhere that sells more calling cards. Or that he's just plain swamped with work to do. I know my husband calls me as often as he can and that's what worries me the most. I even go as far as checking CNN and FOX news for any coverage of anything going on in his area.

Just wait.. wait.. wait..

100 Reasons Why I Love You.

1. You always can make me laugh

2. You have a beautiful smile.

3. I'm jealous of your long thick eyelashes.

4. You force me to drink milk so I don't get osteoporosis

5. You always thank me for my cooking, and tell me it's good every time. Even though I know that's impossible.

6. You always remember all the best lines from all the best movies.

7. You will eat vegetables even though you hate them, because it makes me happy.

8. You're the best at explaining things that confuse me. Such as jokes I don't get, and anything car or military related.

9. You're a mechanic so I never have to worry about car trouble.

10. You teach me new things all the time

11. I feel safe when I'm with you.

12. You're a great father and always play with Madison even when you're tired.

13. You always plug in my cell phone for me at night.

14. You always grab post cards for me when you travel around the world.

15. You'll drive home on your lunch break sometimes, because you know I get lonely being stuck at home all day.

16. I never have to tell you to take out the garbage or mow the lawn. To this day I have never had to touch the lawn mower.

17. You can tell if I have recently mopped the floors. You'll take off your boots or tip toe around and if your soldiers are with you, you force them to do the same.

18. You let me play video games with you even though I suck at the ones you like.

19. When you run errands, sometimes you take Madison with you so I can have a break.. even if it's running back to the office.

20. When you're around you always put Madison in and out of her carseat.

21. When we go to kid birthday parties, the kids always like the gifts you pick out the best.

22. Even though you hate shopping, you'll go to the mall with me and always offer to carry my shopping bags.

23. When I'm being a b*tch, you'll never call me a b*tch.

24. I love that you go all out decorating the house for Halloween and Christmas

25. If it's broken, you can probably fix it and fix it right away.

26. Whenever I buy things to hang on the walls, you always offer to put them up for me. Even though I know it's because you don't want me touching your tools.

27. You always are cleaning out the car or washing it without me having to ask you to.

28. Even on the days you're dead tired from working all day.. you'll take me out if you know I haven't been out in a while.. even if it's just to Target. And I know you hate Target.

29. You'll chase Madison around department stores while I try on clothes.

30. You're the best at BBQing.

31. You're a big kid so you remind me how to have fun.

32. You let ME sleep in most Saturdays.

33. You're the hardest worker I know.

34. You leave me love notes inside books or on my cellphone calendar. When you've been gone for a long time and I've been missing you, they bring tears to my eyes when I find them.

35. Sometimes you take forever to apologize, but you eventually do and that's all that matters.

36. When I'm decorating a cake, you knead my fondant for me because it cramps up my hands.

37. You help me clean up the kitchen after I have destroyed it making it 3 tiered wedding cake and 100 cupcakes.

38. You would let me have the last bite of whatever delicious thing you're eating if I asked. :)

39. You make the most perfect omelets I have ever seen or tasted.

40. I have many-a-time been surprised by breakfast in bed.

41. When we're watching TV you'll sit on my feet or put them your my lap and cover them with a pillow for me because they're always cold.

42. You call me sweetheart.

43. The skills you learned in boy scouts always come in handy. Like how you're aways able to fit things like air mattresses and tents into their original packaging so neatly.

44. Sometimes you help me finish all my chores like the dishes or folding laundry so you won't have to go to bed without me, and I don't have to ask you to.

45. You always remember to put the toilet seat down.

46. You'll let me wear your PT shirts to bed, even though irritates you that I take the good ones.

47. If a random stranger were to pop quiz you on all my favorite things, you'd get every answer right.

48. You feed Jasmine every day and take her out to go potty, even though you think she's the most embarrassing dog in the world. I know you secretly love that pomeranian.

49. You take such good care of us as a family.

50. You sacrifice so much for your country and us.

51. You leave out all the scary details of your job so I won't worry, even though I know there's lots.

52. You'll watch stupid shows like Army Wives and Teen Mom with me and leave your commentary to a minimum.

53. You can talk me into watching movies that I wouldn't normal ever want to watch, and I end up really liking them, like Black Hawk Down.

54. You'll stay up extra late, or wake up extra early when you're exhausted, just to talk to me over Skype when you're deployed.

55. There's no one in the world I trust more than you

56. You trust me too.

57. You would go on 3 mile walks with me when I was pregnant, so I wouldn't have to go alone.

58. You have a nice butt.

59. You call me out on my bull crap.

60. You gave believing in God a chance because you knew how much I loved Him. Now you believe too.

61. If I'm working late, you'll bring me dinner. Sometimes you'll even be the one who cooked it

62. You always encourage me to do things I'm scared to do.

63. You like my art

64. You give the best back rubs.

65. You take me running with you even though I'm super slow. You'll even push the jogging stroller.

66. You may not care about how you dress, but you care about so many more important things.

67. You're extremely ticklish and it is hilarious.

68. If I hear a noise late at night, you'll go and check on it.

69. You always bring in the groceries

70. You help out whoever you can, whenever you can. Even at other people's houses

71. You support me in whatever I want to do.

72. You treat me like your team mate, and your equal.

73. That one time you painted Madison's toe nails for her while I was napping. I loved that. Even though they looked awful. haha..

74. You call me as often as you can when you're away

75. You surprise me with flowers from time to time because you know they're my favorite.

76. You're my best friend.

77. You never give up, and you never stop trying.

78. You put your family first.

79. You look really cute in uniform. Especially class B inspection days

80. You always share all your cool stories about the people you meet and the places you go.

81. You always help me find my glasses or hairbrush.

82. Sometimes you put away the dishes without me asking.

83. When you're home I sometimes go months without ever having to fill up the gas tank.

84. You think I'm pretty even when I look horrible or just had a baby.

85. If I have a crazy knot in my amazon hair, you help me comb it out.

86. You don't care that I take over the bathroom with all my make up and hair care products.

87. You've never refused to give me a piggy back ride.

88. You try your hardest to always keep your promises.

89. When I worked graveyard and would come home super tired, you'd have the bed nice and made for me.

90. You get mad when people take advantage of me or don't treat me right.

91. You come visiting me on my breaks at work.

92. All my friends and family always love you.

93. You love me even though I am a huge brat.

94. You give me lots of attention!

95. You have the fullest most kissably soft lips.

96. No matter what happens in life, as long as your by my side, I know things will be okay.

97. When we're super old I know we'll still have lots of fun.

98. You'll let me play Taylor Swift on the radio while you're driving. At least for a little bit

99. No matter how bad the argument, you'll always come back for me.. even if I'm just in the other room crying.

100. You make it easy to think of a 100 reasons why I love you.

The Hunger Games

I started and finished the entire Hunger Games series this week. I loved it. It completely surpassed my expectations. I saw the preview for the movie, and it looked pretty cool. I decided to pick up the books thinking they'd be a little something like the Harry Potter or Twilight series. I was totally wrong. This series is more of sic-fi, thriller-ish, with a tad of boy meets girl. The series is pretty dark and violent set in a post apocalyptic world where the united states no longer exists, and the world (or what's left of it) is divided into 12 districts where once a year a boy and girl are chosen from each district to fight to the death against one another in a televised arena. The 24 children are chosen in a lottery style and only one may make it out of the arena alive to win the game. The Author was pretty gruesome when it came to killing off my most favorite characters. I will be no doubt crying when I see the movie. Some parts of the book get pretty depressing, but honestly I don't mind because given the circumstances in the book I find it more realistic and not so sappy.

I am SUPER excited for the movies to come out. I LOVE who they chose for the cast especially for Rue and Peeta. I feel like the actors are exactly what I envisioned them in the books. I've been telling my husband all about the books over Skype and he'll be here on mid tour leave around the time the movie comes out and we'll be seeing it together. Unlike Twilight, I won't have to drag him there unwilling. :)

Day Zero Project - Road Trip

I'm starting to hack away at my project list and an opportunity came up for me to go on a road trip. I decided If I was going to do a road trip it would be to somewhere I have never been before. A friend of mine recently needed to make a trip up to Washington state and I asked if Madison and I could tag along.

The trip was a 14 hour drive for us, which is pretty much the longest drive I've ever been on. I used this opportunity to start working on my "collect 100 postcards" part of the project by going in to grab a post card in a few of the towns we stopped in.

We made our way from Sacramento, through Portland Oregon, Olympia, Port Angeles, and then finally our destination; Good ol' Sequim Washington.

It was a beautiful drive, plenty of beautiful scenery, snow, trees, and a LOT of deer. Literally, we saw deer sitting in people's front yards as we drove past neighborhoods. We also hit up a few Twilight tourist attractions. Not because I'm psychotic about Twilight, but because.. well.. there aren't many tourist attractions where we were. Also on the drive up, I did get to see Mount St. Helen, which I can say looks just the way it does in the history books ;)

I now officially have "Road Trip with Friends" crossed off my list, and can say that this portion of my project was a success

Deployments Mean..

going to see movies by yourself. :(