phew!!!!

well...I haven't posted in forever because....

I GOT THE JOB!!!!
July29--found out we're going to Cannon AFB
Aug 9--offered job in NM and accepted.
Aug 12--flew to Chicago
Aug 13---found out I'm going to be an Aunt again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (nothing to do with moving, but beyond exciting!!!)
Aug 14---flew to NM
Aug 15--first teacher day
Aug 22--purchased truck and first student day
Aug 24---move in with perfect stranger!
Aug 30--make offer on house
Aug 31--sign offer on house

Sept 2--GO INSANE!!!!!!!

I love my life and wouldn't trade it for anything.  The Lord has truly blessed my husband and I. Can't wait to be in Andrew's arms again :)

Life of a Military Wife!

Well it's been 3 years since I have had my own classroom to teach in and this evening I have an interview!!  I am beyond excited and completely 100% anxious at the same time.  The job is in NM where Andrew and I are being assigned and would be in a bilingual education classroom.  I do not have the endorsement to teach in that type of classroom, but the school system told me they are in desperate need of teachers and are willing to work with me.  When I sent in the application three days ago I also signed up to start taking classes to obtain my BLED endorsement.  I should be able to finish it by the end of next summer.  I am making lists right now, they calm me down.  If I get this job I am moving next week without my stuff, without a place to live, without a car, without my husband...BUT I'll have my dog, a job, and most importantly my God.

I feel like I'm putting the cart before the horse, but wanted to write about some of the practical things we go through as military wives.  Andrew is deployed and if I get this job there is a small chance I wouldn't be able to come back and be here when he returns.  I would be adding almost 2 months onto our separation.  I can't look at the "what-ifs" right now, I need to focus on getting ready for my interview tonight and getting things organized around my house.  Wish me luck!!

Jeremiah 29:11--Porque yo sé muy bien los planes que tengo para ustedes--afirma el Señor,--planes de bienestar y no de calamidad, a fin de darles un futuro y una esperanza.

ahhh!!!

The Lord is completely amazing.  It's 0815 on a Saturday morning (which is a gorgeous day btw) and I've been up for a few hours thanks to jet lag.  I have a lot on my mind (all good things) and needed to sit down and make a list and I thought I would blog too!  Here is my to-do list for today...

• run
• unpack
• weed the yard
• take care of recycling (maybe lol)
• figure out how to get ahold of my Praxis scores for teaching (having these will help me obtain a new license in a different state when we move)
• buy food :)
• hang out with friends
• NAP  (all caps b/c it's the most important)

There are a few other things on the list but I don't want to post them yet.  The Lord is definitely leading Andrew and I somewhere and I thank him for giving me a heart to follow.  Phew...amazing how writing things down calms my heart!!  Thank you Lord for the amazing husband you have given me and the opportunities you have placed in front of us.  Thank you for allowing us to rest in Your arms as we make decisions concerning our future!

The 4th of July

Happy Independence Day!!!  As it is coming to a close I am laying in bed listening to many booms outside.  The 4th of July has always been my favorite holiday but it holds much more meaning for me now that I am a military wife and my husband is in the desert.  The sacrifices he and his fellow military members are making definitely hit home this weekend.  I am so proud of everything he is doing so I can lay here and write whatever I please.  


Thank you Andrew for everything you do for this country so we may continue to enjoy the freedoms we have on a daily basis.  You are truly a hero and I love you with all my heart!


God Bless the USA!

If tomorrow all the things were gone,

I’d worked for all my life.

And I had to start again,

with just my children and my wife.

I’d thank my lucky stars,

to be livin here today.

‘ Cause the flag still stands for freedom,

and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,

to the hills of Tennessee.

Across the plains of Texas,

From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,

and New York to L.A.

Well there's pride in every American heart,

and its time we stand and say.

That I’m proud to be an American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

And I’m proud to be and American,

where at least I know I’m free.

And I wont forget the men who died,

who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,

next to you and defend her still today.

‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land,

God bless the USA.

what a difference 5 weeks makes!

Man, I must say I didn't think I would do it, but I ran 40 minutes tonight!!!  It was day one of week 6.  Week 1 I was worried about running for 15 minutes and tonight I did 40!!!  I know I am capable of anything I set my mind to, but I am actually starting to enjoy running again...uh oh!!  Can't wait until I can say I have run a 10k!

Another happy note I have officially hit 30lbs on the weight loss adventure.  I still have a ways to go, but I am getting there.  Slow and steady wins the race.  I know it will stay off this time...I'm not going through this again unless I have a baby to show for it, LOL!!!

Happy Tuesday night to all!!

Ciao ciao world!

Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

25 years ago unbeknownst to me an adorable little boy was born in Kwangju, South Korea.  He would later grow up and become my husband.  God has truly blessed this world with an amazing man of God that I am so lucky to call my husband!

This is the second year in a row Andrew and I have been apart on his birthday.  Last year I was in North Carolina meeting our nephews for the first time and this year he is away.  I know as a military family we will spend many holidays and special occasions apart, but I will do my best to make them count when we are together.  I was able to send him a few small gifts and some cakes.  He seemed to enjoy everything, but I can't wait for a time when we get to spend his special day together.  I am missing him a lot today!!!

Happy Birthday Andrew James!  You are an amazing man and I am so thankful to have you in my life!!!

2 months are over!

Yesterday was 2 months since Andrew has left.  Hopefully time will keep passing at a decent pace.  We are getting close to half way!!  I miss him terribly and this week with all the rain has been a very very blah week, but that is to be expected.  Dolce is continuing to be good company, although she's a tad crazy when I'm on Skype with Andrew.  She hears him and she goes nuts looking for him.  Funny and sad at the same time.  I got his birthday stuff mailed off and did my best to be creative.  We shall see what he thinks :)  I will be sending our anniversary package from my parents house.

Something is up with my internet and I cannot figure out what is wrong with it!  Some sites are refusing to load.  I have reset, restarted, rebooted everything I can think of and it's still not working.  OH well, so it goes.

Dolce and I have been laying around today.  We ran/walked the base perimeter today.  It is 5.8 miles.  We ran 3 miles and walked the rest.  It was a great workout.  I am starting to add up miles but am going to have to get a LOT more in to meet my goal by October!  Hopefully I can get some long bike rides in while I'm in the states.

Went to biblegateway.com to find a bible verse and the perfect one was the verse of the day.  "He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” Psalm 46:10 NIV

Good night world!

humble

I am amazed at how the Lord will humble me when I most need it.  I cannot make it through this deployment without Him.  Just when I start to think I am doing great and I will do this on my own He gently (and sometimes not so gently, lol) reminds me I need to rely on Him at all times.

It is June 1!!!!  Praise the Lord!!!  While we haven't even  hit  2 months of Andrew being gone we are already in the third month title.  I know that seems strange but it's exciting to me!  A lot is happening this month.  I am working like crazy until June 16 when school gets out.  I leave for the states June 23.  Most importantly this month is Andrew's 25th birthday!!!  I'm sad this will be the second year in a row we haven't been together on his birthday but that is just what happens!  We have spent 2 of the 5 (including this year) birthdays together.  Hopefully next year will be different!

Dolce has been great company so far and I know we will both be so happy when he gets home! Well I need to go to bed, I have a date with my running shoes in the morning!!!

Oops! It's been awhile!

Man time flies whether or not you are having fun!!  I cannot believe that Kendra has come and gone and it's already May 25!!  I am praying time keeps going quickly.  A few updates...

• I miss my husband (go figure, lol) but am so incredibly proud to be his wife!
• Dolce is driving me crazy, lol, apparently she has grown quite attached to her daddy and doesn't like him being gone
• I had a mouse in my dresser the other day and about freaked out (I am still sleeping in Andrew's man cave on the futon until I can completely bleach down my room this weekend)
• We got A/C installed...but I have a hard time bringing myself to use it for more than 10 minutes.
• I head to the states in less than a month!
• I have lost 6 more pounds (talk about trying to stay positive, losing weight stinks...remind me not to gain it back!)
• I am slacking on my miles but am making progress.
• I have finally settled on a training program for my 5/10k (I chose a 10k so the 5k is built right in)
• I have traveled to Venice, Croatia, and Rome 
• I attempted to plant poppies and they died...I'm not very good at keeping plants alive.  Kendra and I took them from a random field and transplanted them.  I am hoping to at least get some good seeds from them.

Well I said a few updates but that was a lot!  I have been busy this month.  I am working a lot and that keeps me running around.  Well, I am running the morning with my friend Tina!  Good night world :)

A New Month!!

It's May!!!  I cannot believe it's already May.  Two big things happened yesterday.  My brother (Derek) graduated from Bethel College and my adorable nephews Garrett and Ethan turned one!!  Andrew has been gone for 3 weeks and I feel like we are settling in.  Kendra gets here Thursday (tons to do before then) and summer is just around the corner!  Today is one of the first week days that I haven't worked since Andrew has been gone and I am having trouble finding any sort of motivation to get up and moving today.  You know it's not the best of days when your dog comes and climbs back in bed with you instead of whining to go outside!  I guess we were both tired from walking the perimeter of the base yesterday.  It felt great to go on a long walk though.  Haven't done that in awhile with her.

I need to sit down and make a to-do list for today.  I'm pretty good when I make lists.  I need to go to the commissary and BX and mail a package to Andrew.  I am very thankful for MPS, it's great to be able to send stuff for free!!  Well, typing what I have to do has given me a little motivation...ready set go!

Life

Life seems to be moving quickly...Andrew has been gone 18 days already!!  It seems like just yesterday that I was saying "see you soon."  Life has been so busy and Kendra is going to be here in a week!!  I'm excited to have someone else in the house to talk to besides Dolce :)  I was able to find a cord for our camera so I need to post some pictures.  I cannot believe we will be leaving Italy soon.  We have been so fortunate to have been stationed here.  The traveling is amazing!!  Not many people can pick up and go to Venice for an afternoon date with their husband :)  I'm praying life continues to go quickly, but also pray that I don't wish it away.  God has us in each season for a reason and I want to learn and grow while I am in the "deployment season."  Looking forward to what is ahead and being grateful for what is behind :)

Time

Time is such a weird concept to me.  I know days are always the same length but some seem so much shorter and some longer.  It's Wednesday already and I am tired and ready for the weekend.  I have worked every day this week and will again tomorrow.  I have been able to chat with Andrew every day and it just makes my day.  No matter how long or how short the conversations are they are wonderful.  I am so proud of him!  Thought of these verses today and it is so true!

Phillipians 4:13  I can do all things through him who gives me strength.

James 1:2-4 ² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


Ciao Ciao

Goals

Finally going to post my goals for the next 6 months...

1.  Read my Bible study book (this is difficult for me to remember to do)
2.  Run/walk 555 miles in honor of Andrew's squadron (something the wives are doing)
3.  Lose weight (preferably 37 more lbs!)
4.  Run a 5k
5.  Run a 10k
6.  Travel

I have a list upstairs, but am in bed and not going to get it!  I am trying to get up and workout before I go to work tomorrow...we'll see.  I'll try and post updates for my goals as I go along!  Putting them on here for everyone to see is making me nervous!!

Week One OVER!

Week one is officially over!  I am celebrating the end of it by making my husband cookies :).  I cannot believe how fast this first week has gone for me.  Andrew said it wasn't as fast for him, but I'm sure things will pick up as he continues to get settled in with everything.  We were able to chat for a long time today and that just makes my day!!!  We're getting into a good routine of when we talk and I hope we're able to continue to do so as time goes by.  

I looked through some old pictures on my camera from last fall tonight and I cannot believe some of the places we have been able to go.  It has truly been a blessing being over here and I cannot wait to travel again with Andrew when he gets back.  Europe better look out!  We have a lot to see and not much time to see it in.

I think Dolce is settling into not having her Dad around.  He's so much better about throwing the ball with her outside than I am.  I really need to work on that.  I accidentally left the gate open today for 30 minutes but she was good and was just in the neighbor's yard.  I am lucky to have a such a good dog to keep me company!

Going to look into taking some Italian classes this summer for a possible job opportunity in the fall.  We will see where the Lord leads.  Well, bring on week 2!!

Skype!

Skype is a wonderful invention!  I got to see my hubby today!  He was also able to "show me around" his work a little.  It was great!  I'm so happy that we have the technology we do today to make this separation a little easier.

I think my allergies have hit full force today, if not then I'm sick.  I'm going with allergies.  I don't want to be sick!  I managed to get 2 burp clothes done for my friend's baby shower today.  I never knew working with jersey would prove to be so challenging.  I'm glad I've been able to figure out my sewing machine though, I am really enjoying it.  Well, I have ends to put into the crocheted blanket I have to finish and errands to run today before the shower...or after :)

Jeremiah 29:11

Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Philippians 4:6


I think this is going to be my motto for the next six months.  Why does Satan always try to sneak in unexpectedly??  I know why, but it's really annoying!  I am so thankful for family and friends who are always praying for me.  It means more than they will ever know!  Just reading the verse has calmed my heart.  Thank you Lord!!!

Thursday already!!

It's already Thursday!!!  I was woken up today in the best way anyone could ever be woken up, my husband called me :)  The only thing better would make him home so for now this is the best!!  It is so nice to hear his voice.  It makes me feel like he is not half a world away.  One advantage of being in Italy while he is down range is the time difference is not as bad as it would be in the states!  Well today has flown by and I cannot believe tomorrow is already Friday.  I do not know where time has gone this week!  I am definitely praising the Lord for this though!!  Tomorrow I am going to post my goals so I have others to help keep me accountable.  Praying for warmer weather tomorrow!  60 today was cold!!!  I love you Andrew :)

What NOT to say to a military wife!

A friend posted this on FB, it's so true!!!

http://www.mydaily.com/2011/04/12/what-not-to-say-to-a-military-wife/

I will add a few of my least favorite things to hear...

1.  Well, this is what you signed up for when you married him...yes I know this is what I signed up for, but just because I went into this eyes wide open does not make saying good bye to him any easier nor does it make me miss him less.

2.  Well, you knew this was coming...see above statement!

3.  When will he be home...I have no idea, I will not know until he is actually wheels up (on the plane and in the air).  Even then he could divert somewhere.  He will be home when he gets home, I promise you will know when he gets home!!!

Stormy Nights and Sunny Spring Days

Last night it was stormy and I HATE storms.  I had a hard time sleeping and that is probably why, but when I woke up this morning and opened my shutters the sun is shining and the sky is blue!  The rain definitely cooled things off and it's going to be a sweatshirt kind of day, but it is gorgeous out!  I need to empty my memory card on my camera and get out and take some pictures of these beautiful spring flowers that are blooming all around!

I hung out with some friends today and it was really nice to get out of the house.  Mailed Andrew his first package and am hoping it gets there soon!  I got to talk to him tonight on skype which is such a blessing!!!  I am missing him a lot and the nights are the worst.  Hopefully I will get some better sleep tonight!  It seems I am going to be busy the rest of the week so that will be a good thing!  On my way home tonight I couldn't believe tomorrow is Thursday, it's gone by quickly.  I hope the rest of our separation goes this quickly.

God Bless the USA!

We have definitely had some amazing presidents.  Thanks to my friend for posting this today.  It reminds me of why all of this is completely worth it in the end!




"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States when men were free." Ronald Reagan

Day 2...the waiting begins

Well day 2 is here and I have allowed myself to be lazy today!  I always try and give myself one lazy day when Andrew first leaves.  It's almost 3 and I'm getting restless, I may have to tackle something on my list today.  I think waiting is the hardest part of being separated.  Once Andrew is at his final destination I know we will develop a routine of talking and it will become our new normal for the next few months, but waiting on that is tough!!

I made 2 lists last night.  I am a list maker.  I love making lists for the simple fact that I get to cross things off when I finish them.  I am sometimes that person that adds to the list to cross off something I have already finished and forgot to put on the list in the first place.  My first list was what I want to accomplish this week since it is spring break and I know I will not be working.  My second list is what I want to accomplish while Andrew is away.  I think I am going to put my second list on some fun paper and post it in my house as a reminder to what I want to do.

ANDREW IS ONLINE!!!!  See it's the little things in life.  Being able to chat with my husband brings a smile to my face and tears of joy!!  I love him so much!!!  Well I am talking to my hubby...more later!

Live Everyday Like He Deploys Tomorrow!

Well the dreaded day finally came.  My love got on a bus yesterday looking as handsome as ever in his ABUs and set off on what will be a very new adventure for both of us.  We are very familiar with separation.  We were separated the entire time we were dating, the first 3 months of our marriage, and countless TDYs since then.  Yesterday was different as he set off for his first deployment.  We have had some great times waiting his departure and I will cherish those memories over these next few months.  I decided I would finally start a blog while he is gone to keep him up to date on what is going on in my life back in Italy.

As difficult as yesterday was, I had almost a sense of relief when I heard the plane take off last night.  We have been waiting for about 2 weeks for him to leave.  We can now start counting the days until he returns.  Today and these next few days will be the most difficult.  Emails and phone calls will be treasured.  Hopefully he will be somewhat settled in by the end of the week and we can start our talking routine!

Yesterday I was able to spend some time with other wives whose husbands are with Andrew.  It is so nice to have such a large support system!  The ladies here are awesome, and I know this time will go by quickly.  After I got home I was exhausted so Dolce and I headed to bed...she quickly jumped up on our bed with me, didn't even bother to wait until I was asleep.  She knows when her dad is gone and she takes back what she considers her place on the bed!  Today I had lunch with a dear friend and had a great time just chatting away.  I then headed to another friend's house and made some cookies that I will be mailing out tomorrow.  This is truly reminding me of him being in Korea.  I don't think I've made this many cookies in awhile!

While I am missing my husband I want to enjoy the things that are planned while he is away.  I am so proud to be his wife and of the sacrifices he makes to support our family and defend the freedom of our country!  Couldn't ask for a better husband!!