Blogger is my therapy.

Here's an interesting read: Not even labor contractions could keep a woman from driving to meet her husband as the guardsman returned home from Iraq.

I keep thinking of things to write about, but none of them are sticking. Since today is Valentine's Day, I've been thinking a lot about all of the holidays that I've been without Steve. Two Christmases, two New Years, two Valentines, The Fourth of July, and many other little ones.

Since I've seen him?
158 days.
22 1/2 weeks.
6 months.
That's half a year. My goodness.

I've had all of this weighing down on me in the days leading up to today. I got a text from Steve just past midnight wishing me a happy Valentines Day, and saying that he loved me. Then, the first thing I saw when I got on the computer this morning, was an email from a fellow blogger. She just thought to send me an email because as a fellow mil-spouse, she knows what it is like to spend holidays apart. That really lifted my spirits.

It really reminded me of why I blog. It helps to get all of the feelings out, and it is so nice having a community of people that have been through what I'm going through. I've had a few friends who were mil-spouses, but they either moved to be with them or the relationships ended. A lot of people at school are sympathetic, but it doesn't mean as much when they don't know what it is like.

When I see how many other women do this, and do it with strength, it gives me hope. I want to be a strong person. I want to be successful, have hobbies, have friends. I want to be busy. I'm getting there.

Being with Steve is worth all of this. Even when I just get to see him for a week, it is worth every day of waiting. I think Mrs. G.I. Joe  says it the best in her post at ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus
"If he were only able to be home 1 single day a year for the rest of our lives I'd still be happier with him then I would be with anyone else. "

But I still can't wait to see him every day. To wake up next to him. To spend holidays together.

Fa-la-la

Yay, Christmas! I'm so glad it is here! It was definately stressing me out, but it all ended up good. Spending time with family on days like this is the nicest thing.


So my entire childhood, we would always sleep on the floor in my parents' room Christmas Eve night. That way we couldn't sneak out to all of the presents without them. Over the years though, it became a tradition. Now, a thing about my sister, is that she can sleep in. It's a gift we all have. Every year though, on Christmas, my sister wakes up first. It's usually around 4 am. Then she would wake me up and get everyone going.

This year, we woke up at about 8:45. My sister doesn't live with us anymore. It was nice to sleep in. ;)

It was a nice morning. I got some awesome clippers, a few movies, some kitchen stuff. My brother made the cutest things. For me and my parents, he made picture things. Kind of like a scrapbooking page, but he made it so it hangs on the wall. Super cute. He also made coupons for my sister and her husband. I got my mom and gift certificate to my school for a day of pampering. My sister and her husband gave my parents a digital photo frame.


Anyway, we're watching the Goonies, so I'm losing my train of thought. So more later.

Long time no see.

I finally got together the pictures from the 4th of July week. My dad and a few other people from his company put together a fundraiser called Buck Up. What we are doing is rasing money for Wounded Warriors, which is a group that helps wounded veterans get their lives back together. It's a great cause. We've been selling t-shirts and hats at different events for the past few months.

Here in town, we have the World's Oldest Rodeo. On the morning of the 4th, we always have a parade, and this year we were in it for Buck Up.

We walked with some guys from the recruiting offices at the mall.

Here's Cayla, my lifey. She's been a huge help with us.

Oh, and here's one of the awesome parts...

Are you ready for it?

Yep, we got John McCain to come out. Up above, my dad and Drew presented him with a knife.

And here we have Grammy. :)

Here is Tim.

This is Bucky. He is not nice. Not nice at all.

Christmas time.

Hank really enjoys laying wherever the dogs do. After they leave the house, of course.

Hank moves in.