You Just Call Out My Name & I'll Come Running...

Highlights of my day: spoke with my wonderful husband & felt my lil man kick :)

Day 2 ~ Post a picture of you and your so being silly

Day 3 ~ Post a random picture of how you met & tell the date that you met. Did you know then that you'd be where you are with him today?

We met through friends maaaaaaany years ago. You know, at those cool, underage parties? Yup. Those would be the ones. I don't remember the exact date. But then a few years passed by, we both grew up a little & talked more. I always thought he was VERY attractive & apparently he thought the same about me, that lil connection was always there but the timing was never right. We were both in serious relationships and well, you get the picture. I never thought that we would be more than friends, however. Not that I never wanted to be, just didn't feel as if we were too compatible. I'm so happy I was wrong :)

You Are Not Alone Tonight... Imagine Me There By Your side...

I've been doing just fine these past couple of days. Honestly, I have. However, there's this feeling deep down in the pit of my stomach that something isn't right. I've gotten the privilege of speaking to that wonderful man in my life several times recently & I can hear it -- in his voice. He's not okay. I know he misses home & feels as if he is missing out on a lot when it comes to Tyler & this pregnancy, but I also know my husband. I know his voice, how he talks... Its beyond that. And I'm worried. Lord, knows I don't know all that he is going through over there & I cannot imagine the toll is has to be taking on him, but I'm just hoping I'm wrong, just this once & that I am reading too deep into nothing...

But anyways, I'm starting a new 30 day challenge... I didn't fully read into all of the questions of the one I was previously doing & well, the rest of the days, the questions are kinda real dumb lol. So here goes, its a lil different :)

Day 1 - Post a picture of your SO & list 10 facts about him :)

1. He is the most giving, kind-hearted person I know, once you get past his hard exterior.

2. His love for his family runs deep.

3. He doesn't let people get too close.

4. He is anything but selfish. He cares most about providing for his family. He puts himself last, even when he shouldn't.

5. He sings. All the time. Random songs. In the shower, in the car, doesn't matter.

6. He has an undying love for motorcycles.

7. Exploring nature. Get him around a beach with little creatures or a lake or just around any type of creature period & he is like a big kid. (who am I kidding? he's ALWAYS a big kid lol)

8. He doesn't give himself enough credit. (but lucky for him, thats what I'm there for :) )

9. He loves jui jitsu & is pretty damn good at it.

10. He's headstrong & determind.

day 10 & happy easter :)

So, my day was entirely brightened as I received a phone call from my hubs today :) Its amazing how simply hearing his voice makes everything right in my little world for the moment.

Our little Easter family get together was rather small today. A bit disheartening. But seeing those that I did see was quite nice :) Hope everybody had a wonderful day as well!

Day 10 - A Picture Of What You Wore Today

Originally, it was just a picture of my baby bump, but slap on some jeans & vwahl-la :)

30 day challenge -- days 7,8,9 && sigh...

So, I've been slacking. its a shame i want to do this little challenges, but i'm such a scatterbrain, i always forget....
These past few days have actually been quite wonderful. road trip on friday, girls' "date" night tonight... lots and lots of catching up... i absolutely love my friends. they are such amazing people. but all the while I just don't feel like myself. For whatever reason. Maybe I'm lonely, maybe I'm just full of self-pity. Maybe I'm just reconsidering and re-evaluating way too many aspects of my life. Who knows?... There is so much running through this brain of mine... And I'm simply not thrilled with where my thoughts are leaving me. Lost and confused. Not very comforting. It can't be natural to feel this unsure about things... Not after this long. Ugh. I wish things could be simple and clean-cut sometimes. Life's funny, isn't it?
Anywho, enough with all of that... On to the challenge...

Day 7 ~ If you were trapped on a desert island, who would be with you & what limited 2 items would you two have?

Hmm... The hubs, of course, would be with me. I'm going to assume construction supplies and a boat are off-limits. So... hunting gear? a fishing pole, insect repellent?

Day 8 ~ Describe your perfect date...

If I happened to be back on the dating scene, as great as the whole "romantic dinner & a movie" sounds to some people, it sounds blahhh to me. I want to enjoy what we do. I want something different -- something that brings out our personalities and what we enjoy, who we are... So, simply, something exciting -- anything non-cliche.

Day 9 ~ Write the differences between you and your best friend....

Its very simple. I'm very quiet & reserved. My bestie is all but that. Our values are the same as well as most of our standpoints. She is very secure, I am not. She has her head on straight, mine continously spins out of control... I'm sure you are seeing the pattern here...

Night all.

really wish this feeling would go away. i know i do NOT need to read too deep into anything. bc everything i'm thinking it is, more than likely its not. deployments are like this. communication sucks sometimes. he's going through stuff, i'm going through stuff, sometimes its just brief and lackthereof. it just hurts. i'd just prefer anything over this. :(

30 day challenge - day 6

Post a picture that makes you happy.

Seeing my precious baby boy sends emotions through me that I can't even begin to describe. I am so anxious to bring him into this world that I can't see straight! This pretty well ties into Worldless Wednesday as well, which works perfectly for me. Y'all have a good night :)

wee bit wednesday

Today has been one of those blah, emotional type days. I had my ultrasound this morning with the company of my wonderful & amazing father & best friend. It showed our lil munchkin to be doing wonderful :) He's so active & as silly as it sounds, seeing him bouncing around in my belly, he already reminds me of his daddie. I am so thankful for the support system I have here. Never I am truely alone -- I was blessed with specific individuals in my life who are always by my side... However, today, laying on that table in that room, the blue-goo pasted on my belly, I felt a little beside myself. Granted, I always feel an overwhelming burst of happiness/giddiness when I see my little man, just today something was missing. Someone. Some days are easier than others. I can pretend he is just away or whatever helps at that time, but days like today, his absence is hard. Going through this pregnancy without him physically by my side hurts. I wish more than anything that he was here. It would make things so much better... But enough with that... Things such as this as those that I cannot change... I can't dwell on the fact that he isn't here, I can only be thankful that he is somewhere & that we are allowed to communicate -- that counts for something, right?



Well, anyways, for a change of subject... Another new little thing I found... Go over to http://www.myleighashley.com/ & link up :) Her page is pretty cute as well!!




















{one} How often do you do laundry?
Back when the hubs was home & I was on a normal routine, usually about once a week. Now that it is just me & of course, once lil man makes his grand appearance, I'm sure all of that will change.

{two}What is your favorite type of cookie?
Omg... I am craving cookies now!!! I loooooove cookies :) All different kinds, shapes, & sizes, but my all time favorite has to be the good ol original ooey gooey choco chip :)

{three}What would you do with an extra 2000 a month?
Save it. Pay off whatever bills that needed to be paid off & after that, in the bank it would go.

{four}What is/was your favorite subject in school?
If you count the "extra" courses you were allowed to take, photography was my fave :) but out of the normal curriculam, English. I didn't mind to read & all of the other stuff just came naturally to me. Or History. I'm a big history nut, well, I guess I wouldn't go as far as to say that, but I certainly never cared to learn about past events. Life back in the day always interested me.

{five}Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon?
This would be a no. However, I would absolutley LOVE to!!! If given the chance, the hubs and I will definitley have to at some point.

{six}What was your high school mascot?
Black panther

{seven}If you had the chance to go into space, would you?
The idea of going into space in THEORY is awesome & I would love to, but in reality, no. Not only does it take FOREVER to get into space, the process is actually very hard on a human being. And I'm not a skeptic, but what if something happened once you got there? Ran out of fuel or crashed? I don't think so.... lol.

{eight}How often do you go dancing?
Never! I'm actually disappointed because. Hubs isn't big on the bar scene nor the club scene. And the VERY few times we do go out, other guys always seem to be a little inappropiate or grabby with me (I do NOT provoke it, just to throw that out there...) & well, you simply get the picture..

{nine}Would you rather drive or fly?
DRIVE!!! Loooooong drives and the music blaring from the radio, there is NOTHING like it. Not to mention the scenery along the way!! Granted it takes twice as long, but during that extra time is where you make the most memories!!

{ten}Have you ever been caught re-gifting?
Never have I re-gifted!!

30 Day Challenge - Day 5

Name somebody you would like to trade lives with for a day and why.

My great-grandmother Munsell. She was an incredible woman who lived for her family. She endured so much during her lifetime -- physical and emotional abuse, hard life on the farm, the great depression.... However, she expressed so much strength. I feel so weak at times simply by being so alone but my life is nowhere near as bad as it could be. Women, like my great-grandmother, who go through more than any human being ever should have to, and decide not to let it bring them down and allow themselves to still thrive inspire me. If only I could obtain that strength and courage. She was a remarkable woman.

Hmm... today I really don't have any vents or well, much to say. It has been one of those not-so-good, not-so-bad, in-between days. Got to facebook chat with my amazing hubs tho, that was definitley a plus :) Its so crazy how a single individual can make your entire morning light up just simply by talking to you -- even over an im screen :)

30 day challenge - Day 4

What was the last movie you watched? Write about it.

Ok. So most of you will think I'm silly. I just got back from my bestie's house & we like to have our little "disney" nights. Therefore, the last movie I watched was The Rescuers Down Under. lol. As I kid, it seems like I was deprived of so many disney movies. Heck, I had never seen Cinderella until a couple of months ago & thats a classic haha. Anywho, there's not much to go into on what it was about hence its a cartoon -- a little boy gets kidnapped so a bird & 3 little mice go to rescue him. They rescue him. The end :)

I do believe I am going to call it a night. One day down this week, 6 more to go :)

30 Day Challenge - Day 3

Write about your top ten pet peeves.

1. Lying. I absolutley, positively CANNOT stand when people lie. This underlying annoyance that I have with it I believe originated with the fact that during the past however many years of my life, I have been surrounded by several individuals who do nothing but lie. Huge lies. And the sad part, I believe that they have lied SO much that they honestly start believing their own stories. Either that or they reached too many points where they couldn't distinguish who they told what story/lie to and they would tell off on their very own lies. Its just sad. Granted, I've said/done things that I don't necassirily want/like owning up to, but its a part of life & adulthood.

2. Dead-beat fathers (& mothers). Yes. Another big issue of mine, again caused by too many of them that have crossed my path through very close friends over the years. If your man/woman enough to have sex & conceive a child, be man/woman enough to raise them RIGHT. Period. Its as simple as that.

3. Overgrown "little" boys. Let me clarify this term. In the town I am from, it appears these "little" boys aka 23-25 year old boys are everywhere. Partying is the priority. And if its not partying, its Xbox. Yes, flipping Xbox. They see nothing wrong with sitting on their hind-ends all day long, glued to a pathetic video game all the while doing NOTHING with their lives. No jobs. Still living at home with mommie and/or daddie. No cars. Its sickening. (Yes, I personally know some of these individuals. I want to slap them into reality more than anything.)

4. Hair pulling. Ok, my hubs is the KING at doing this and it drives me up the wall. Eyelash itching him? Why rub it? Just rip the hair right out. Hair thats a little darker on his arm? Leave it alone because its not that noticeable? Heck no, rip it out as well. It makes me cringe! I can't stand it.

5. Singing ABOVE the radio. Again, this is something the hubs has MASTERED. Whether he is singing along to the right lyrics or making up his own, no way will we be driving down the street without him belting out something. (Mind you, it can be in a normal voice or weird ones as well.) (I will add tho, now that he isn't here, I miss it...)

Ok. So, I'm sure there are many more things that could fall into this list, however, my mind is an absolute blank. 5 pet peeves surely is enough :)

There's A Time To Listen, A Time To Talk, And You Might Have To Crawl Even After You Walk...

Today has been fairly productive. Got started bright and early. Mind you, my to-do-list at the moment (hence being restricted from bigger things due to it being the weekend) was trivial things, but they needed to be done :) Breakfast with the family. That was very nice. Our family doesn't get together that often, not like we should. Its so nice when we do take "family time" though. Went shopping for care packages. I'm pretty sure the hubs is almost all set. Got my little easter theme going. I'm actually a little excited :)

My grandparent's 58th wedding anniversary was this weekend. I sat back and watch them -- they are as in love as ever & it just tugs at my heart. I hope that the hubs and me are that lucky and blessed that we can still be as we are now that many years from now :) Anywho, Happy Anniversary Gma/Gpa :)

It is Sunday, so as always, here's to MannLand5's getting to know you :)

the q's & a's :)

1. What's something that you have eaten and liked, but didn't think that you would?

Hmm.. On account that I am a VERY picky eater when it comes to trying new foods (even though I really do TRY to be open-minded about things), there's not too many odd things I've tried. Sushi would definitley be at the top of my list. Never ever would I have thought it would be one of my guilty pleasures, but it definitley turned into that. Another would be shrimp chips. Yes, SHRIMP chips. (There is possibly another "formal" name for them, but I wouldn't happen to know what that name is.) Since the hubs is part phillippino, he likes A LOT of off the wall things that just aren't heard of (to me, I mean.) He picked these things up and I thought he'd lost his mind when he started chomping down on them. I was sure he had lost it when he tried to get me to at least taste one. Granted, they aren't a favorite or anything like that, they aren't half-bad.

2. Plastic surgery -- yay or nay?

I'm all for it. If you have the financial means to do so then by all means, do it. You want a bigger chest? Have at it. A different nose? Why not? However, I'm not all for the people who overuses plastic surgery or the individuals that have procedures done for the wrong reasons. (Yes, I do believe there are RIGHT reasons for getting cosmetic procedures done, even boobie implants lol.) Do I think you should be comfortable and happy with what the Lord above gave you? Certainly. But it is surprising what a little enhancing can do to ones self-esteem. Granted, it shouldn't take something like this to make you feel better about yourself, but if it does and will, then why not?

3. 2 things you love about spring are?...

The fact that its almost summer :) (without the intense heat!) The storms spring brings are my favorite. I sleep so soundly during this time of year lol. & of course, the liveliness of everything -- the green grass, the blooming flowers and trees. Its so uplifting after evil winter leaves.

4. When's the last time you went on a picnic?

Wow. I don't even remember its been that long!! I may have to change that once the hubs comes home, either for r&r or for good :)

5. What's your favorite app?

I'm assuming this is referring to the Iphone or something similiar, I would say facebook since I am on it 99.9% of the time (sad, I know.) but I absolutley HATE the facebook app for the IPhone, its absolutley HORRIBLE! With that being said, it would have to be my Pandora radio app. Commercial-less music whenever I want it? I think yes!

6. Who does the grocery shopping in your house?

Me. Always me. Even if the hubs is with me, I'm stuck pushing the cart & filling it, while he trails behind or in front lol.

7. Would you rather take a spin class or zumba?

I'm all for some Zumba, although I've never gone. It looks/sounds like so much fun!!

8. How often do you go out to dinner?

Waaaaaay too often. This will change however once I am settled in my new apartment. (That I'm praying the bestie & I get approved for this week. "Cross fingers & say a prayer for us")

Its already Saturday, well, technically, almost Sunday :) This excites me. Another week down, another week closer to being reunited with my wonderful soldier!! I received my first phone call from him since he arrived at his last and final destination. I was relieved to hear that he is doing ok and how even though you couldn't possibly described the place as "nice", all of the awful things we were hearing about it wasn't entirely true. As of now, at least.

Easter is right around the corner! It astounds me how quickly these past few months have flown by (well, for me). Next Saturday will be the hubs and my very first wedding anniversary :) Even though we have spent the majority of our first year apart, it has been the best year of my life & I am looking forward to so many more.

Well, I have quite an early morning tomorrow so goodnight & God bless :)

30 Day Challenge : Day 2

2. Post your favorite song and why you like it.

Music is my life you guys. I'm constantly listening to something. If I'm sad, I have my playlists to listen to that either matches my mood or helps brighten my days. If I'm happy, well, you get the picture :) So, this one is a little tough for me. Since the hubs and I are going through our first deployment, I picked Gunslinger by Avenged Sevenfold. Out of every possible song, this just stood out to me while I was trying to narrow my selections now. Look up the lyrics and you all should understand. It helps me to imagine how he is feeling -- all that he is/will experiencing, visually, emotionally, all the while fighting will all his might to make it home to me... I don't know, I simply love it :)

30 Day Challenge Day 1

I'm discovering all of these challenges and things like them on the internet. I'm seeing a lot more of them now than ever so I decided to just start some. Answer some random questions, write about specific topics... Couldn't hurt to pass some time, right? And who knows? Maybe it will help to get some of my thoughts in order.

1. Write about your best friend.

In life you are very fortunate to have a handful of TRUE friends. I've had my share of convience friends or simple acquantances, but throughout the past couple of years, there's been a select few who have truely stood by my side and been there through thick and thin. I am truely blessed to have 2 girls in my life who have earned the title of my best friend(s). These girls I honestly do not know what I would do without. They are the very best support system a girl could ask for.

Wordless Wednesday

Something that always pulls at my heart... The feeling of being in his arms. The overall knowledge of how each and every woman feels when being reunited with their loves after a long period of seperation. Takes my breath away each and every time. (Ok, so maybe not soooo wordless :P)

Everyday is a new day. That is the only way you can look at it. It can bring in wonderful things or well, not so wonderful things. You are going to have your ups and downs. Some days you may smile when inside you are falling apart. Other days you may smile and really mean it. And thats ok. Its ok to be happy and hell, its ok to cry. Just realize that this is only temporary. As long as 6 months or 7 or a year seems (& most of the time, it DOES seem like an eternity), it is not forever. He WILL come home. Things WILL be normal again. You WILL get past this milestone. I am doing everything possible to remind myself of that everyday. Especially on those "downer" day, like today. I woke up this morning, instantly on the verge of tears. (Still I am not able to distinguish pregnancy hormonal-ness from simply being emotional and missing him.) He hasn't made it to his very last destination yet but should be there rather soon. Hence, communication will soon be cut to the very minimum, if not completely. (Yes. I know. Be thankful I'm even getting to hear from him. Which I am, by the way.) I would love to talk to him more, but the occasional text that I've been receiving since he left is just very comforting and well, very much looked forward to. And it pulls at my heart more and more knowing that I'm going to have to give that up. Granted, I know it comes with the territory. I just don't have to like it. It makes the fact that he really isn't here, well, suck. On a bright note, I've made it half-way! On my pregnancy, that is. Ultrasound next week. I'm so excited to see my lil man again -- only this time, he will be a bit bigger :) I can't believe how quickly those first 5 months flew by. If only these next 4 would do the same. I'm beginning to get impatient. (Yes. Already. I know... I'm in for it.) But I'm ready to meet him -- face to face, hold him, spoil him :) For now, however, I'll enjoy my sleep (or should I say, the very little sleep that I do receive.)

Mornings like these are the worst. I just can't get it together. I feel like a complete and total emotional wreck.

-- You'll Be On My Mind Wherever I Go --

Today has definitley been one of the better days I've had. The past few have been a tad bit rough, but hey, rough days happen. Thank God for the wonderful people in my life, they get me through so much more than they ever could realize. I've got a little bit to write, but it'll have to come later... Baby Tyler is making me super sleepy tonight :) I love these little weekly things, so here goes from MannLand 5 :)

the q's & a's --

1. Do you watch/read the news?

I try to avoid it as much as possible but sometimes it is just easier said than done.

2. How would you describe your "look"?

Honestly, pretty plain. As much as I want/try to change it up, I feel like I dress and look just about the same as I did my senior year of high school... (about 3 years ago.)

3. Did you play sports in high school/college?

I'm was and am waaay to athletically challenged to play any sports recreationally more less for a team. I'm not too coordinated.... Ok, I'm not coordinated at all lol.

4. Would you rather give up lip stick/gloss or high heels?

I really don't wear much of either. Now, if flip flops or chapstick were the options, then it would definitley be a toss up lol.

5. What's your favorite show to watch on tv?

I've got a few... Army Wives (haha.. who woulda guessed right?!) Teen Mom (whether it annoys me or not) and Law And Order SVU (reruns or new).

6. Would you rather bake or cook?

Baking is the best... I love sweets waaaaay too much & when I think of baking, sweets are what comes to mind. The cooking part I'm really trying to work on. My bestie & I are getting a place of our own soon -- I'm bound and determind to me one heck of a cook by the time the hubs gets home!!

7. Shorts or skirts?

Shorts. Definitley shorts. I told you, I'm more of a simple type of girl.

8. What's your favorite scary movie?

Ha. A few years ago I could have answered this one easily. I've become a skeerdie-cat when it comes to scary movies now... But I'd have to say the newer Amityville Horror -- Ryan Reynolds shirtless for roughly 2 hours, I mean, seriously?!

Thats all for tonight :) Night everyone!

What do YOU do to keep busy during these awfully long deployments? Having a job or going to school are always nice, but what about the rest of your day?

I am not lucky, I am blessed. It's a fact that I am realizing more and more as each day passes. Not all get to have the experiences that I do -- to know all that love has to offer, to know the true meaning of happiness. And right now, more and more, I'm seeing how happy I am -- how all of those twists and turns along the way these past few years, have brought me to where I need to be. Also, how they made me grow and learn so I could honestly appreciate and be aware of what I have. I am very priveleged to be able to say I married my best friend -- nobody knows me better than he does & nevre have I felt as comfortable, safe, & secure as I do with him (not to mention all of the lovey-dovey feelings that still exist :) ) I've just been spending the day reflecting. It's been one of those kinds of days. I'm somewhat taken aback by how much has changed over the years. 3 years ago, the army certainly wasn't in mind for our future nor was having a baby so soon. Friends that I always thought would be there slowly slipped away and/or showed some true (& awful) colors. I realized, also, that as good of a friend that I always try to be, I need to learn to be better -- to learn forgiveness and to be open/honest with not just others, but myself as well. I need to learn that I'm not going to always agree with others and how they live their lives but at the same time, they may not exactly approve of all the decisions I make myself -- life & friendship isn't about judging -- its about joining along for the ride. Everybody is different. Thats another thing -- I've learnt that there is still so much I do not know about myself and I've opened my eyes as to how much that fact scares me. I've got to get out there and give myself the opportunity to find out who I am & what I'm really about. That opens a huge goal for me this upcoming year. And I plan on putting every effort into successfully completing it. I feel like I have so much weighing on my mind. Ever feel like you just can't think clearly? Like everyday is just a blur? I have so many jumbled thoughts and emotions -- I feel like I need a filing cabinet to sort them all out. I feel like I bottle way too much up inside and just push it to the back of my mind -- planning on confronting and sorting it all out at a later date or perhaps, just forgetting about things altogther. Sadly, that just gets me into funks, like today. Anywho, as always, I've been browsing other wives' blogs and found this survey & for whatever reason, I always have to fill them out :) Military Wifey Survey -- from Simplysteele.blogspot.com

1. How long have you been a military wife? Will hit my one year mark in May

2. What branch of service is your husband? Army

3. Active/Reserve? Active Duty

4. What is his job? 11-Bravo, Infantryman

5. How many deployments have you gone through? We are in the beginning of our very first :(

6. Camo or Dress uniforms on your man? I'm a sucker for the camo's :)

7. What do you like about being a military wife? I love the opportunities that the military provides. Traveling, meeting new people...

8. Do you live on base? Not currently, but we sort of did -- it was a military reservation & it wasn't too great...

9. What is your favorite base so far? We still have the remainder of the deployment + another year at our first duty station -- Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

10. What is the hardest part of the military life? The long seperations, the hurry up and wait, their unorganized ways...

11. Do you go to the grocery store or Commissary? Since we live(d) on the island, the commissary was definitley the way to go -- spend 4.00 on a gallon of milk on post or 7 off post... I'm sure you get what I'm saying...

12. Do you work or stay at home? I'm a housewife at the moment -- looking for a job though :) until the baby is born that is, then I will be taking more time off obviously

13. Do you have a lot of military wife friends? I wouldn't say a lot -- but I do have a few that are absolutley amazing :)

14. Do you prefer Walmart or the BX/PX/NEX/MCX? The NEX is the best place to go in Hawaii. Schofield's BX/PX isn't awful, but the NEX has so much more to offer & is so nice :) (Walmart in HI is awful, btw... 4 isles at most for groceries and most everything is overpriced -- well, over priced from what I am used to in good ol' Kentucky lol)

15. How did your husband propose? This was truely the very first time I have ever seen my hubs nervous. Back when we first met, he had a motorcycle & we rode everywhere -- country roads, down to the river, you get the picture. We had this nice little spot that was "ours" we always went to -- whether to talk, watch the stars, or what not... Well, on our 2 years anniversary, he took me to a nice dinner and then took me there. I was so oblivous to what he was doing that I didn't even notice him fidgeting and asking all of these really serious questions about our future. The next thing I know, he turned me around with a ring in his hand, and asked if I would spend my life with him :) My answer well, is a lil obvious!!

16. Did you marry him after he joined or before? Before.

17. How long have you been together? March of 2008

18. Any kids? Our first little munchkin is expected to arrive in September of this year :)

19. Any kids yet to come? ^^^^^^^^^

20. Is your husband one of those "I am soldier hear me HOOAH" kind of guys? When he first enlisted, I truely thought he was going to be.. He went into the recruiters station, "I want to go to Airborne & Ranger school... I wanna look into Special Forces..." You get the picture...But after the fact, he actually calmed down. Granted he is very proud of what he does (as am I), he isn't that way at all.

21. Have you ever done combatives with your husband? Haha yes.

22. How many bases have you lived at? Just one

23. If you could change one thing about the military? The length of deployment (haha -- very unlikely, huh?)

24. Do you like military balls? The military ball was one thing I was really looking forward to. However, about a month before we got to Hawaii, Schofield had theirs, so we missed it. I'm hoping to attend one after deployment.

25. Where does your family live? Kentucky

26. What do you do for a job? Just a housewife at the moment

27. Have you ever gotten in a fight with an NCO's wife? Luckily I haven't had to deal with any drama wives & hopefully I won't have to. 28. Name one thing you do when your husband is gone. Right now, I'm preparing for our baby & getting care packages together for him :) Other than that, just STAY busy.

29. Do you think other wives do that too? What else can you do when your hubs is so far away? To keep your sanity, you have to stay busy.

So far, I think I'm keeping a pretty good outlook on things. Granted, we haven't gotten too far at all into the deployment, but I'm doing better than expected. Once I get the apartment & have more time to myself, I'm sure things will unravel a bit more -- when you are alone, you think more & you have way more time to worry -- but I'm not looking that far ahead. One day at a time, right? & today, well, was a good day :) I promise to try to keep all of the "this is so hard, I don't think I can do this, I miss him too much..." pitty posts to a minimum. I know there are many of you wonderful ladies who have survived and/or are surviving this very same things therefore I am relieved to know it is possible :) Just some days, as you all know, are a lot better than others.

I left today. I can't even put into words how heartbreaking it was. Saying goodbye can be quite painful, but this hurt unlike anything I have ever felt before. The entire day, a huge lump remained in my throat and all one had to do was mention what was to come in a matter of hours and the tears would promised to come. The ride to the airport was quiet and tense. The goodbye was awful. Feeling his arms around me and knowing it was going to be the last time I felt his embrace for a very long time was overbearing. I didn't want to let him go. I know I looked like a crazy woman -- going through security, heading towards my gate, constantly looking over my shoulder, feeling his eyes on me as I walked away -- myself in tears each time. Seeing the pain on his face as he himself tried not to cry was worse than any of it. I must have broke down into tears a dozn times on the way to my gate -- onlookers staring at me like I was derranged or something. Now, Im just waiting. Waiting for this emptiness and constant need to cry to pass. Lord knows missing him will not get easier, but hopefully passing the time will. I'm already counting the days until we will together again -- til our little family can be, well, a family. Please keep him and his unit unit in your thoughts and prayers.