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!!