SLEEP!

...or lack there of!

(Until tonight) it had been over a week since I heard from A. I guess this is why I've had trouble sleeping as well as blogging lately. I don't want to complain about not hearing from him, because I know that there are some of you who have not heard from your love in longer than that, or who will never hear their voice again. The past few nights I have just had really restless sleep and then have been super sore all day because I was not able to get comfortable at night. This happen to any of you?! (I'm sure it probably does!) It has just been a long few days and on top of having a lack of sleep I've had a lot (and still have quite a bit) of school work to do. But it's getting there. :-)

After class tonight, I went to church for a presentation given by our pastor on the Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter). It was fantastic. He really explained it in a way which I had never really thought about before. And to make my night...I got home and got a phone call from A almost right after I walked in the door. We didn't talk long, but it was wonderful to hear his voice! Hopefully I'll be able to get some sleep now. YIPPY! (Can't wait!) Good night ya'll!

A Great Few Days

Since I last posted a few things have happened...including I turned a year older on Thursday! :-) (Yes...that's right. I am now a quarter century old!)

If you've been reading my blog you already know what I got from A! However, I know I have a few recent followers so...this is what I got a brand new pink laptop and purple wireless mouse...look here to see!

So on Thursday night a group of my friends (some from work, school, and the roomie/gang!) went out to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was an absolutely blast. Here are a few pics for a recap of the night...

Here I am with the roomie!

Smiling for the camera with one of my classmates.

Me with three of my coworkers!

My supervisor (above on bottom, left) made some cupcakes. (Don't they look cute placed in the shape of a fishy!)

And this is what happens when there are extra cupcakes left sitting right in front of the roomie and me. (Thanks roomie for making me laugh! HAHA)

Friday was a pretty low-key day with work in the morning and dinner with my parents. Then today was just great. My roomie and I ran (walked) in a 10K race this morning. It was great. We finished in about an hour and 20 minutes. We felt great afterwards. A little tired now, but that's what happens. It was a great race because there were bands along the way and tons of people on the sides of the street cheering and stuff. It was an overall great time.

Afterwards, I got to spend some time with my nephew who turns 1 tomorrow. I can't believe it. His birthday party was today and he got so many things. His toys are absolutely amazing. If I were still a kid (other than at heart) I would totally steal his toys from him. HEHE!

And then tonight I went out to dinner with my parents for my birthday! Now, I am about to crash because I'm exhausted. Just wanted to touch base since it had been a few days. Hope everyone is doing well and that you are all having a great weekend! Have a happy Sunday! :-)

I Want It Wednesday

Hmmm...what do I want for the next year of my life?!

...good health (for myself, A, my family, and friends)

...good grades in my classes

...my brother's new job (starts this summer) to go well

...my roomie to find a job (she graduates in May)

...overall happiness

...A to return home safely - and for our future to be able to finally begin

Can't Believe It!

Today was day 100 for the deployment. (Thanks Expat Girl for counting days...hehe!)

It's been...

100 days since I held his hand.

100 days since I kissed him.

100 days since I hugged him.

100 days since I touched his face.

Can't believe it has already been 100 days! However...we've made it this far and can get through the rest. I love you baby! (I know that you will read this later now that you have started reading!)

PTSD

First off I want to say that No, I am not just randomly deciding to discuss PTSD on here. However, I was catching up on my blogging last night and came across this topic in a comment and felt the need to provide resources, etc. (I guess that's the counselor in me). A comment in reponse to New Girl on Post's post titled Somewhat Controversial stated that "the armed services need to step up their counseling/PTSD services a bit more." I am not trying to call anybody out or accuse anybody of lying or being wrong. I just feel like not everybody is informed on this topic and it really is something that we all (as spouses, girlfriends, fiances, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters) should be aware of the services that are out there for our loved ones.

So I would like to start with some symptoms of PTSD that you should look for when your loved one returns home:
There are 4 types of symptoms:
-Reliving the event
-Avoiding situations that remind you of the event
-Numbing
-Feeling Keyed Up

Some other common problems which individuals with PTSD may have are:
-Drinking or drug problems
-Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
-Employment problems
-Relationship problems including divorce or violence
-Physical symptoms

Some good resources for you are:

www.ptsdresources.org This site has some videos which may be helpful as well as links to helpful books.
www.ptsd.va.gov This is the link the the Deparment of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD.
www.mentalhealth.va.gov Through this link you can find additional information such as that at: www.mentalhealth.va.gov/OEFOIF/OEF_OIF_PTSD_andDepression.asp
At this site there is information on What is PTSD, Treatment for PTSD, Depression and Trauma, and Depression.
www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/index.asp This site is the VA's site for suicide prevention. The phone number for the suicide prevention lifeline is 1-800-273-TALK
(8255). At the bottom of this website there is an area title "Get Help" which has information for Resource Guide for Family Members, Talking to your 4-8 year old, Talking to your 9-13 year old, and Talking to your 14-18 year old. The information about talking to your child is helping you talk about a suicide attempt in your family.

The most important thing for you to do if you think that your loved one has PTSD or is having suidicial ideation is to seek help. The links above will help you receive the help that you need.

I apologize to anybody who does not want to hear about this, and if you are offended that I am even talking about this I am truly sorry. I don't mean to offend anybody but this is unfortunately reality and I unfortunately have had to face some of this in my past. Therefore, I have learned a lot over the years and have attended multiple informational sessions on PTSD/Suicide Prevention. This is not a full overview of EVERYthing out there, but a piece of what the VA has to offer. You can find more on their website. If you have any questions please let me know and I will do my best to answer.

My Birthday Present :-)

Yes...I know, my birthday is not for another 4 days. However, I already got my present from A, and it is absolutely amazing!!! I am actually using it right now to write this post. Yes, that's right...A NEW COMPUTER!! He ordered it and had it mailed to my parents so that my mom could wrap it. Then today I went to my parents and talked to A on webcam while opening it. Therefore, it was like he was there. :-) It was perfect. The week will be too crazy which is why it happened early. Of course that really made for a happy me, because although I love surprises, I am horrible at them when I know they are coming.

So here it is...(I like how you can see my old comp in the background!)

And to make it even better...it's PINK!

And I also got a wireless mouse which is a purple/pinkish color!

He knows me so well. It's absolutely great! I had just been complaining last week that my old computer kept freezing on me. However, he had already order this. I guess he was getting annoyed with my computer himself. (My P key was messed up because Jewels had walked on my keyboard and pulled it up once, My screen was SUPER floopy because it was taken back and forth to work for a year, And there were many times we'd be talking to Facebook or trying to get on Skype and my computer would freeze or reboot on it's own and take FOREVER!) Such a wonderful gift from an amazing boyfriend. :-) Oh how I love him and he loves me!

Speechless...Which is Difficult for Me!

I have just been catching up on the blog world for the day and found out about the sad news of the loss of one of our Marines - the husband of Rachel (23) and father of Ariana (2 months old). Ariana has never met her father, but I believe that he is there now and always will be there with her. She now has somebody constantly watching over her. Do these thoughts make the terrible tragedy of their loss any easier? Of course not. But we have to TRY to move on after something like this happens. My thoughts and prayers are with Rachel, Ariana, and all of their family. I cannot imagine (nor do I want to) being in their shoes. But they are strong and will get through it with all the support around them.

If you would like to stop by and leave some thoughts with Rachel you can go to her page, A Little Pink in a World of Camo

I Want it Wednesday

I want to know what A has gotten me for my birthday! Yes...that's right, my birthday is just a week (and a day) away. :-) He keeps talking about how wonderful a boyfriend he is and how the present he got me is the most wonderful present ever, blah blah blah, etc. It's driving me CRAZY! I keep trying to guess but he won't tell me. And to make matters worse (kinda), I asked if he was mailing it to me and his response was "Well not to you directly!" What does that mean? So I tried guessing who he could be sending it to in order to have them give it to me. I am pretty sure that it's my parents, but he's just being a sneaky little booger! But, I love him anyway. He said he didn't want to send it to me because I would have opened it early and I explained that I've never opened a present early without him being here telling me to open something. Therefore, I accused him of not trusting me! HAHA...he said not to turn this around on him, but what was I supposed to do? Just let him get away with teasing me and giving me a hard time?! I don't think so. He said it's not that he doesn't trust me, but that it needs to be wrapped first! Hmmm...I dunno. I guess we'll find out in a week what it is! Can't wait.

Here are some of the things that I've guessed:

-necklace

-plane ticket

-vacation with him

-clothes

-new cell phone

-charms for my bracelet

-shoes

-iPod touch

-gift cards/certificates

I just want to know! But I'll try not to ruin the surprise for myself.

3 Months Down

As of today, A has officially been gone for 3 months. I can't believe it. A lot has gone right, and a lot has gone wrong over these months. But throughout it all, we have always supported each other. He will have his R & R in about another 3 months...I just can't wait to be back in his arms again. I miss him like crazy, but knw that he is always there if I need to talk, need a laugh, need to cry, or really...just if I need ANYthing! Loving him always and constantly :-)

What a Night - FANTASTIC Concert

Went to see Trace Adkins and Martina McBride tonight with my parents (yes, I really am that cool :-) )! It was fabulous...and our seats were amazing. We were literally to the left of the stage, in line with the stage as far as height. It was perfect! Both performances were wonderful.

Go Martina!

"I've got a Mustang, It'll do 80, You Don't Have to Be My Baby!"

And then there's Trace Adkins.

"You're Doin' All you Can, To Fit in Them Old Jeans, You Want that Body Back You Had at 17"

I Want It Wednesday

I want to brag about my roommate and her talent! She and our other friend made 2 cakes this week. They are absolutely beautiful. Look...

This cake is for one of her classmate's boyfriends. He is a med student and it's his Bday! (Look at all that detailing...and yes, it is ALL edible!)

40 And Fabulous...This is for my roomie's boss' surprise party at work this week. It's so pretty.

And look how professional it looks with the box!

Look at My Mail!

I got a package in the mail today, from...A!!!!! :-)

And look at what he sent me:

Army Wives...one of my favorite TV shows!

The Lovely Bones...which has not come out yet in stores!

He's so wonderful and spoils me oh so much! Oh how I love him. :-)

A Relaxing, Productive, and Smiling Day!

I slept in today! (OOPS!) But hey...I deserve to get a good night's sleep every once in a while. Once I got up at about 11, I got some school work done for a few hours and relaxed for a little while working. It was great getting stuff done...and to make it better, I was in my PJ's the entire time! :-) Then I went to church (since I didn't get up in the mornng...and mommy joined me even though she went this morning) and then had dinner with my parents. To make the day complete, I got home after dinner and got to talk with A on Skype for about half an hour. Unfortunately, it was about 4 am there so he was exhausted and I felt bad keeping him up, but it was a great conversation. We hadn't really had a chance to talk at all this week with me being busy with school and he's been busy getting prepared for the elections. It sounds as if everything went as well as it could have been hoped. So that's good! Now that I've been able to see his face and hear his voice, I feel so much better. Therefore, it's time for me to get some sleep and have sweet, wonderful dreams! Good night all!

Please Tell Me This Is The End...and I Want It Wednesday

For the past 2 years, before starting school full time in the fall, I taught 1st grade. I absolutely loved my job and the people that I worked with. However, I wanted to get my master's and if I was going to do it, this was the time! Well...I just found out that the father of one of the other first grade teachers passed away this evening. This is the third person that I "know" who has passed away in the past week. Is it over now? I know it's important to see that people who have left us are in a better place now and to celebrate their life. However, I just can't do it all the time...especially when one of them was only 31 years old. I hate seeing people sad, and for that matter...being sad myself. So I guess that I will be heading to Newport News again this weekend to spend some time with my past coworkers and be there for my friend. I love you Susan, stay strong! Your father was a wonderful man but I am glad that he is now out of pain and spending time with our Savior!


Now...time to try to be happy! What do I want this week, you ask? Hmmm...I want to go to the movies with some friends. These are some of the movies which I would like to see:

I still really want to see this...but there's a part of me that isn't sure if I can take watching it right now! So we'll see what happens.

I just think this would be a good laugh. I mean really...The Tooth Fairy

I never got to see this when it first came out and really wanted to. It is apparently still in some theaters so I hope to either see it soon or rent/buy it once it comes out! I've only heard good things and it seems like a great story!

A New Week...and a New Month!

It was a stressful past week and weekend. I am definitely ready for a new beginning and what better to do that with a fresh week and month. Not only is it a new start, it's also the month of my birthday! YAY...something to look forward to at the end of the month. I can't wait (well kinda...cuz I'm not ready to get old!). :-) So here's to a new beginning and this month starting and ending better than last!