Opening Presents

Prior to traveling to NY for the holidays, we went to VA and celebrated Christmas with my parents and also opened each others' presents at my apartment. (Luckily my roomie was there, so she took pics for us!)

Here I am opening my presents. I thought this was a great pic because I can only imagine what he could have been saying in order for him to get this facial expression. :-) HAHA. It definitely shows the type of relationship we have...a fun, goofy, loving one!

Kisses after opening the presents!

I got these beautiful Pandora earrings which I will probably be wearing to the batallion ball coming up. I also got a new watch...I will post pics later about that and explain the story of why I don't have it at the moment.

Hope everybody's holidays were wonderful. I can't believe that A has been home for almost 2 months now and that Valentine's day is now sneaking up.

Time Apart

After A got back from deployment we spent 6 days together, followed by 5 days apart, and then 29 days together! It was an amazing 29 days together and I would not have traded any second of it. However, I really hate being apart now. I got so used to having him around. Now he has been back in GA, while I'm still in VA for 8 days and I REALLY don't like it. So, it's a good thing that he'll be back up here next weekend...but it really needs to go by quickly. This whole 2 weeks without seeing each other thing is going to get really old. But unfortunately with my internship, my life is crazy and I can't exactly expect him to come up EVERY weekend. So I will just have to enjoy every second that I get! :-)

Starting this week...look forward to some pictures from his leave!

In the Beginning...

of leave that is! We are still on leave, but I finally have a chance to do a little blogging. So, I figured that I would start with the beginning of leave and fill you all in on what's been going on. Well, A got home in the first week of December. I was able to spend almost a week with him before I had to go back to VA to finish finals. After finals, I went back to GA to spend 5 days there before his leave began. Well, we were traveling to VA to celebrate Christmas with my family and then getting on the road the next day to NY to get to A's parents' before the holidays were here. Our last night in GA, we were having some friends over for dinner. We only had one car (his car was in NY during the deployment) so he had taken my car to work and then came to get me to do grocery shopping. He was only working half days so it was not a big deal. But by the time I get back to the apartment I really needed to finish cleaning up and starting things for dinner. A decided that he wanted to clean out the car some before being in it for 2 straight days. I totally understood, but there was no way that I could help with that. He had no problem with that and off he went to change the oil and vacuum the car. Much to my surprise...when he came home, he had cleaned out the whole thing, got a steering wheel cover, seat covers for the front seats, and put air freshners in. Isn't he something?! :-) A little early Christmas present. As he said, he knows that I do not really have time to clean it out with school and stuff, so he was happy to do it for me when he had the chance. He's so great! Well here are some pictures of the new stuff...

(New seat covers...getting covered with dog fur already. HEHE)

(New Steering Wheel Cover and Air freshner in the air vent!)

Thanks A for being so wonderful!

And The Traveling Begins...

It is that time now...A will finally be starting his leave tomorrow. At which point we will begin our travels. We will start by heading north to my parents' house in VA. We will get to spend the evening celebrating Christmas with them before A and I head to NY, and my parents head to Chicago to see my brother. All of us will be leaving VA on Thursday. Thursday will definitely be a day full of traveling since it is about an 11 to 12 hour drive to his parents' house from mine. It will all be worth it, and hey...it's 11 to 12 hours I get to spend with him, right?! :-) I'm looking forward to every minute of it. Pictures and posts will come later as the traveling starts and the good times continue!

A Year Ago VS. A Week Ago

Here we were a year ago right before saying goodbye but already having tears in the eyes...

And now, as of a week ago, we have been reunited and I couldn't be happier (even if we were outside in 20 degree weather and we were all freezing)!It is hard to believe that he is finally home, but it really does come to an end. I have been reminded over and over again as to why this past year was worth going through. It has been wonderful to have him back! I love you A!

Flowers...

For what?!? You ask! ....

END of deployment.

I walked in after class one night last week to these flowers (thanks to the roomie for taking them out of the box so they wouldn't freeze on our front step!) On the note it said "X (number) days until we are together again". Well we are getting close to that number and I'm getting more and more excited! YAY! :-)

Changes

...that's exactly what keeps happening with A's return information. A few weeks ago, we were given one date for his return. I had been slightly stressed because of the timing in comparison to my final exams, etc. but had gotten passed this issue after talking to my professors and working it all out. So I was getting really excited as this date was approaching and getting closer and closer.

There is a website where the homecoming ceremony information is posted and I kept waiting to see his flights ceremony information. Well, I was excited yesterday to see this information, but it was listed as being a few days later than I had thought. Ok, not what I was expecting, but this might be better...after all, then I can go to my classes and be in GA when he gets in and not miss as much school. So I was annoyed it was a few days late, but was trying to look at the bright side of things.

Well...now, we are being told that the information that was posted on the website is wrong and that you should go with the information being told to you by your soldier. WHAT?!?! Maybe if they could just get this stuff straight...of course, I know that the date can change ANY time, so I'm dealing with it as it comes and I need to not get comfortable with any sort of "definite" information, but it's getting frustrating! AHHH. Thanks for letting me vent. Regardless, it's just around the corner and I can't wait to be wrapped in his arms again :-)

Counting?!

Counting up/down the days! Did/do you count the days? We are getting fairly close to the end and as much as I try not to count, I just can't help myself. I don't know the exact number of course because I have no clue for sure what day he'll be home. But I have a pretty good idea about when it will be. I just can't wait! I'm getting so excited at this point and have been trying to focus on my school work and stuff, but it's so hard. I've been having a lot of trouble concentrating lately. I am so ready for this all to just be over.

I think that my fears have set in the most right now and unfortunately I do not think that it will really getting any better until he is finally home. But that's ok. I'll get through it. I know I will! But I definitely have to keep reminding myself of that.

So with a combination of my fears and my readiness/excitement of the end being in sight, I have been STRUGGLING to concentrate and get work done. Somehow, I have been able to pull it all together at the last minute for all of my assignments this semester but I really need to get on top of things. Cuz when I put it off, I end up just adding to my stress. OOPS! :-D

Off to bed for me so that I am rested tomorrow for work and then school work! YIPPY!

So...did/do you count?! Or did you find that you tried not to?

I Know TOO Much

Nope...I'm not talking about being super intelligent and knowing too much. (Not that I'm saying I lack intelligence ~ HAHA!) But that's not what I mean.

What I mean is...

I know too much that has happened in the last 7 (almost 8) years of our country being at war.

I know too much about things my brother has experienced when he was deployed.

I know too much about the bad things that CAN happen.

I know too much about what A has experienced during this deployment.

I know too much!

In an email that I received a couple days ago, A said it himself. He said that he knows he shares too much information with me sometimes and that he knows it causes me to worry. This is true, but I always tell him to talk to me about things if he needs to and not to be concerned about me worrying. I'm going to worry regardless of what I know. I love the fact that he is comfortable talking to me about things, but there are times that I feel like I know too much. And that's ok, I've been dealing with it pretty well throughout this deployment. I am just ready for it to come to an end. Obviously, I have been ready for that since it began, but it has truly gotten to me at this point. I have a lot of things coming up in the next couple of weeks which have me looking forward to them and then into those events comes A coming home. So before I know it, it will be here, but I'm ready to no longer worry about "Knowing Too Much"!

How much does your soldier/sailor/airman/marine/coastie share with you during a deployment? Have you felt like you "Knew Too Much"?

Decisions

First of all...so sorry it's been a while since I last posted. I feel like my life consists of work, school, some more work, school, work again, do school work, and maybe get some sleep and relaxation in there at some point. To catch up real quick since my last post...I had a fabulous time in GA with Expat Girl last weekend. It was wonderful getting to spend some time with her in her fabulous new house. She has really done a wonderful job putting it together. I'm proud of her for all that she has accomplished on her own while Mr Soldier is gone. It was also nice getting to see Maddie again since it had been a couple months since I last saw her and boy is she growing up.

But so onto today's topic...DECISIONS! The main reason that I planned the trip to GA was to try to look into some places to live for when A gets back (mainly for him but for me to go visit and then possible live once I graduate in May!). So it will be "our" first place...at least as far as deciding where to live and I'll get to decorate! YIPPY! We are debating on a few things and seem to be coming to conclusions but I'm really not sure. We are thinking about whether or not to get a place in the city which is about 45 minutes from post or in the suburb which is only about 30 minutes from post. Living downtown would be fabulous with all of the things to do but it's a longer drive to work for A, a little more expensive, and I'm not really going to be there much until the summer (and then he PCS's in August/September) so he'll be traveling to VA a lot on weekends. Also, he has thought about getting a place with some of the other guys so that it's cheaper. The guys he has talked to about this also have girlfriends who live out of the state so they also would be traveling a lot on weekends.

So...downtown or suburb?!?! And roommates or own place?!?!

A Weekend Getaway!

HAHA...yes, that's right ~ I'm getting away from home for the weekend. Wish it was a weekend getaway with A...but for not a weekend in Georgia with Expat Girl will just have to suffice. :-) Heading there tomorrow to have some fabulous girl time (and look at some places for when A returns ~ but that's not the good stuff! J/K Super excited about that!) Anyway...looking forward to the trip even though it's going to be really weird being there without A. I'll see you shortly Expat Girl. And please say some prayers for safe travels and no speeding tickets...I've only gotten a couple on this trip before. :-D

I Want It Wednesday!

CHRISTMAS!!!

.......

because by then A should most definitely be home! If not...the Army will be hearing from me. :-)

I can't wait to be in his arms again and to know that he is out of harm's way!

(So basically I want A to be home...but I figured I'd put a date of some sort on it since I can't really count down.)

Random ~ But FUN!

First of all...this is my 100th post. I know this means that I am supposed to be answering the questions from the Q & A. But unfortunately I have not yet had the time to sit and do this, nor do I really have the time right now (I probably shouldn't even be posting at all at the moment!). To those of you who have asked questions or are curious of my answers to those that have been asked...don't worry, I will get to them...probably this weekend. Thanks so much for asking questions...and if you still have questions you have one last chance to ask! And yay for 100 Posts!

So I've been putting off posting because I wanted to do the Q & A for Post 100 but just haven't had a chance, which is why I decided that I needed to just post and get over it. :-) Sorry! So, I had a wonderful day at the spa on Saturday with my roomie. We both got a manicure, pedicure, hour long massage, and had our hair styled! It was an absolute blast. If you ever get the chance to go...do it! It was so relaxing...it was greatly needed and greatly appreciated by both of us. Therefore, I have to say thanks to A for making this possible. You are so wonderful and spoil me so much! I love you!! XOXO

Today was my first day at practicum for school counseling. I will be at a middle school for 1-2 days a week this semester. Today was the students' first day of school. I was fortunate to be able to go today and see what it is like to start off a new school year. I had a great day. I was a little nervous, but I had a lot of fun and I think it went pretty well. I have been working on my plans for this semester of working with students. I can't wait to really start working with them, rather than "just" dealing with scheduling problems.

After my day at school, I had 2 three hour classes. Therefore, it has been an incredibly long day of schooling. So, it is time for me to get some sleep. Good night all! Have a great day

1 Year Ago

A year ago "A" and I went for a hike up Hurricane Mountain in NY to celebrate our 1 Year Anniversary. It was a beautiful hike and just a great time having him to myself for a little while. Oh how I wish that we were able to spend this day together again this year. However, he is doing his job which I am sooo proud of him for and I look forward to celebrating all of our special days together next year! :-) I LOVE YOU A!!!

(Don't forget to ask your questions here if you have any AT ALL for my 100th post!)

The Little Blue Box

AHHHH!!! That's what I got...a Little Blue Box. :-) And you all knew it! I can't believe that none of you loved me enough to tell me. HAHA. But I forgive you. Yes, I know you are all thinking..."Didn't she say she had to wait until Monday to open it?" Well, you are right. But I was able to convince A that I should get to open it today. I just made sure that I looked as pitiful as possible on Skype earlier. HEHE. And I made him laugh in the process too. As I joked to open it before he said I could, and had the box sitting on one side of me and a pair of scissors on the other. He was like "You a little anxious to open it already?!" Well yes of course I was. He finally gave me permission to open it and this is what I found...

A beautiful robin egg blue box with a pretty white bow!

And on the box it said...

And inside was a soft little pouch with a gorgeous ring inside.

A beautiful sterling silver ring with 4 round diamonds.

This all makes for a very happy me! I love you so much baby! You are the best and always seem to surprise me.

Anniversary Flowers

Well I still have not been able to convince A to let me open my present which I mentioned in my previous post. However, I did receive some beautiful flowers. Obviously...I was able to open them, otherwise they would have died. Well these flowers are beautiful and the card with them made me tear up. He's so amazing!


Yes, there are 2 dozen roses there! At risk of him being mad at me for sharing...this is what the message says:

A rose for every month you stole my heart.
A petal for every time you gave me yours.
Thank you for the best two years of my life and I look forward to the next sixty with you.
Love forever and ever,
A

EEEEEEKKK!!!! :-) He said he wrote it all on his own. I love you baby!

I Got A Package From Where?!?!

Great Question!!! I have NO idea. However, I'm not allowed to open it until Monday which is my and A's 2 year dating anniversary. This is driving me crazy. Some of my girl friends checked the address online and know where it is from. The only hint that I have is that it says TCO and the address is from NJ! I have NOOOOO idea. They told me that I am not allowed to search for the address because it would ruin it. GRRR. But, if you would like to find out for yourself...here's the address! I figure I'll let the world have a secret for a few days. Why not?! HAHA

15 Sylvan Way
Parsippany, NJ 07054

And if you love me...you'll tell me where it is! Because then I didn't do the searching on my own! :-)

I Want It Wednesday

...to see the end of this deployment!

I know this has been a great week since we've hit 8 months now. However, this deployment seems to have been really getting to me this week. I don't really know why, but it has. I feel like the end is still so far away. A has been incredibly wonderful and positive. I am so glad that he continues to be doing well. But I can't get over the fact that although we've made it through 8 months...we still have about 4 (ish) to go. I know, it's not like this is a shock considering I knew this was a year long deployment. It's just gotten tougher this week. I'm sure once I start classes again in a week and a half for the fall semester I will not even have enough time to realize how much time is left until this deployment comes to an end. But for right now...I JUST WANT HIM HOME!!! Is that so much to ask for? (Actually...yes, it kind of is!) I know. He's doing his job and the US Army owns him. But I'm ready for this year to hurry up and finish. Fortunately I'll be super busy again soon. For right now though, I am so proud of A for all he has done, is doing right now, and will be doing in the next few months. He is so wonderful and amazing. I could not ask to have a better guy in my life! :-) I love you babe!

Spoiled Rotten!

Look at what I got in the mail yesterday...

an envelope with this return address

Hmm...that's weird. "Why would I be getting something from them?" I thought. I almost threw it out, but was curious. I opened the envelope and found a catalog. Not sure why I would get a catalog from there, but I fortunately flipped through it real quick. I then realized that there was something in the back of it...

and there was a gift card.

I then wondered what the "instructions" were for this gift since A had told me there would be instructions to come with it. Well...I spoke to him earlier and guess what...my roomie and I are going to the Spa for half a day of mani/pedi, massage, and hair fun!!!! I can't wait. :-) He is so wonderful and I am so spoiled.

Love Being a Kid!

It is so much fun to just be a kid and have a good time. A couple of my friends and I went to play laser tag today. :-) It was a pretty crumby looking day so our plans to go to the amusement park changed. Therefore, we figured we'd find something fun to do indoors. So, laser tag it was! It was an absolute blast. HAHA! We will definitely be doing this again...and hopefully we will be able to get a large group to go next time. Can't wait.


Today became even better after I got back from laser tag because I got to talk to A for about 30 minutes on Skype. So great to see him and know that he is doing ok. And apparently I will be getting something in the mail at the end of this week. Gives me something to look forward to. I'm excited. :-D