Two weeks together

Well we finally got our midtour leave! Drew came home for his R & R on September 26th and we spent the next two weeks never leaving each other's side. It was a Sunday morning and I was expecting to hear from him by 9 that morning. By 10:30 I was panicking cause I hadn't even heard a word. Not being able to sleep the night before I had been up for many hours. Curled my hair, put on my favorite outfit just awaiting a phone call so I could go get him from the airport. While on the phone with my mom ranting about my excitement and impatience, I turned around to find my husband in the doorway. I cant describe how excited I was. His flight came in early and he took a cab so he could surprise me. Oh I was surprised! The emotion rushing through my body was undescribable. It had been more than six months since we had been together. Looking back now it seemed like a blink of an eye.

The following day we flew out on our way to Las Vegas, Nevada. That was so much more fun than I anticipated it would be. We walked our butts off and went to two different shows. We went and saw Cirque de soleil and Le Reve. They were both amazing. It was to both of us like the honeymoon we never got. Its funny as it was happening I thought it was the greatest thing ever but looking back not even a month later all I can think about is my time with Drew. Not the lights or the show but holding his hand and curling up next to him late at night. After five short days we flew home in time to meet Drews dad and step mom whom drove all day Friday just to spend what little time they could with us before returning to Idaho where they both have jobs waiting.

The remaining week seemed to just fly by as expected. We stayed up to all hours of the night playing Mario Bros on the Wii and Guesstures. We laughed and cried and shared every moment of every day. We went out and played pool and went bowling. I took him to a restaurant he had never tried. (he loved it by the way) And just like that he was gone again. The night before he left we didnt sleep much. Not wanting to do anything but hold each other.

It's been a month now since he went back and I have to admit, It's hard again. It's a lot harder than before those two weeks together. I work a lot and try to always be busy but things are hard again. Its like I always want more. That phone call or email once a day just doesn't suffice. It will have to do for now until my husband can come home again. I guess that's why I put off writing about our time for so long; I hate thinking about it because I miss him so much! I guess thats all for now.

Deployment...

So I just thought I would upload some pics of drews deployment and what its like there. I cant describe what he's going through. I have no idea. But I love him and am so proud of him. So here it is. They have better living conditions than many of the locals and the last pic will illistrate that... We are so blessed here in America!

5 Months down...

Wow! I cant believe its been 5 months already! I don't know that I would say that it "flew by" but it definately went faster than I thought it would. Drew is doing good. Its hard over there. He is so brave and strong. It takes a toll on you. He has missions 6 days a week. Day 7 is maintance day. They work just as hard on that day too. Their missions usually consist of convoys driving through the area patrolling for IED's (roadside bombs) or any other signs of combat related issues.

A couple weeks ago I got a message saying check your email, when you do let me know and I will call you. I do believe I was driving, directly pulled over and checked my email. I opened my email to find a picture of Drew's ACU top... sporting his new rank. Specialist Girton. That was a pretty proud moment. In order to receive a promotion in the time limit Drew did a higher ranking officer must put in a waiver for early promotion. It then must go through the order of command to be approved. I'm very proud of Drew and all of his hard work. I love that man.

As for me. I went to visit my family about 6 weeks ago and went horse back riding with my brothers, and sister in-law. My nephew was riding with me on front and while we were going up a big hill my horse, ludging to make it, scared Roan and he latched on to me basically climbing off the horse. I was so concerned for his safety that I released the rains and wrapped around Roan to protect him. We went off. As we hit the hard ground I just thought I'm so glad we are ok. Roan was crying but ultimitely not hurt. I seemed to be fine but had a bad pain in my arm. Well we got back on and road home. THe next morning still in a great deal of pain I went to the Dr. to find that I had broke my elbow. So I've got a nice long vacation from work... not that I can say I wanted it. Its getting closer to being heeled but still have therapy to go to.

More than anything we are looking forward to seeing one another again. Next month Drew gets to come home for R&R for 2 weeks. I can hardly wait!!! He is so homesick and I'm so lonely that I dont sleep much ... ever. I will post new pics after he comes home for that.

Life without him

I consider myself a pretty strong person but this deployment is so much harder than I thought it would be. I dont write these words for attention but more for validation and if nothing else but to get it out. I work most days. Usually six days a week and feel that without my job I would be very lost. But every night is the same. I sit in front of my computer praying he will actually be able to call. Its like your life is on hold. You aren't single and dont even wanna live like you are, but you can't live without your husband.

Today at work we saw all these buses coming down the road. They were filled with Soldiers from Iraq returning for war. Everyone at work started cheering and without warning I starting crying and was unable to hide my emotions as I realized that my selfish soul couldn't even join the celebration but feel my own heartache to know it will be so long before my husband will be home.

I think one of the hardest realizations is that I dont have the support of other Army wives. It seemed so promising in the beginning but I quickly realized because I don't have children yet and I have a job that the support I need and long for simply isn't there. I always maintained that I don't know how someone could get through a deployment as a wife without a job or children to keep them busy. But it seems now that I am the one going without. Living off my husband without cause just seems insensitive if nothing else.

I knew this would be hard but I miss my husband so much more than I thought I would and I just dont know how to be happy without him!!!!! I simply HATE THIS deployment!!!! Drew might kill me for uploading this video but nothing else seemed to fit.....

A Day for Prayer

Yesterday at work while on lunch I got an email stating that there was a soldier from my husbands battalion whom had lost his life this week while in Iraq serving along side Drew. The email did not give any details except his name and location. That is when it hit. This is real; this is scary. I was also scared to talk to drew for fear that he know the man and was already dealing with the loss of one of his fellow soldiers. But being at work I had to wait.

It was later that night that a young man came in for a haircut who was assigned a "detail" for a Funeral the following day for another soldier that had lost his life surving our country. The reality sets in more. I got off work and waited at my computer all night for word from Drew. Word never came. Anxious and unable to sleep I arose early to see if maybe he was online. To my comfort he was and I was able to here my husbands voice again. He told me that he did not know the man but was aware of the incident. I was cut short and called into work early and went to work with a knots in my stomach not sure what to think.

While at work today another srgt. came in for a haircut because he was assigned to escort a widow whom just lost her husband and must now attend his memorial. This is when it really hit me. We know that people lose their lives to keep this country safe, but today its just too close to home. Drew is always comforting me that his location is safe and he is relatively out of danger. But nothing feels farther from the truth today. I have not felt the fear and helplessness like I do today. The statistics are "so low" in Iraq right now but that doesnt matter because when its your loved one it only takes one. I am writing today that we might humble ourselves and ask that you get on your knees for those heroes that keep us safe. I love my husband so much and today I get that feeling of true humility and fear. God Bless our troops and may my husband and all the other men and women serving our country come home safe!

A man's Best Friend

Who would have thought that a little 9 pound dog could bring so much love and comfort! Lexi is that source for me. After my persistant begging drew bought her for me. It was one year ago this week that she came into our lives at a mere 3 lbs. She is a shithzu-lhasa apso mix.

She goes from running in circle at top speed to dead a sleep in 2 minutes flat! Its amazing how much personality they can actually carry. For as long as she as been in our family she as listened and been very mild mannered; but in the last month she has started acting out more. Drew has beed deployed a month now and I have been workin more to pass the time, and my sweet lexi is feeling neglected (thou I guarrentee she is far from it) lol So she is getting into things. Chewing things up and almost pouting. But those lonely nights that I'm missing my husband she curls up on my lap, nuzzles into my neck and gives the sweetest kisses ever! Lexi is so much more than a dog to me and I love her very much!

Deployment Day

Well the day we dreaded for so long finally came! Deployment day! On March 17, 2010 my beloved husband PFC Andrew Girton packed his bags and left for his 12 month tour in Talil Iraq. His wonderful father, step mom, and grandmother were able to be with us on the days following up to that day. It was a wonderful but sad day. We were able to spend most of the day with him at his company on Fort Carson. While not havin much to say we just soaked up the time we had with him. I am so proud of my husband and love him very much!