Family pics!

While we were home my wonderful sister in law took new pictures of me and drew. I just wanted to share a few of them.

Goin home

SO my last post kind of ties into this one... If I hadn't quit my job I wouldn't of have the opportunity to go home and spend time with my family this past month. They would not of given me the time off and I would of missed a wonderful opportunity to spend time with drew and our families. We spent a week with his dad and Lori which we thoroughly enjoyed. We then drove to Moscow Idaho spent and spent the weekend with my wonderful brother in-law and had my first "frat" experience. All I can say about that is oh my!!!! The following week we had the opportunity to stay with my oldest brother Jake. I have to say I had no desire to leave. I love my family so much and have missed so much in my nieces and nephews lives. They are growing up so fast and are changing every day. Sometimes its so hard being in Colorado when all of my family is in Idaho. I also realized while I was there how close my siblings have gotten. It was really touching to see the banter and love that filled the room when my family gets together. My father would truly be touched. I was so filled with emotion of being home that leaving was so much harder than each time before. Just writing about it brings me to tears. I love my family so much and am truly blessed to have each and every one of them. The loyalty and service each of my siblings and their spouses possess is truly honorable. ... Ok I have to stop talking now I'm getting to mushy and emotional. lol

"I QUIT"

So I need to catch up on some of the things that have gone on in the last few months. I had been working in a salon in Colorado Springs for about a year and a half. Drew had been deployed for nearly 8 months and the holidays were approaching. I had been working 6 days a week and dedicating pretty much all my time to my job and requested some time off to be with my family for the holidays. I was refused any time for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New years. So after struggling for quite sometime I decided to quit. Disregarding the fact that I was nearly alone in Colorado and all my friends and family were in Idaho it was a very hard decision. I can say months later that... A- I was addicted to work and sorta "checked out" of my own life and B- it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. It gave me the opportunity to work on myself, my marriage, (as much as you can from half a world away) become closer with my family, and probably more importantly my relationship with my father in heaven. I was given the opportunity to actually attend church every Sunday, have family dinners with my family again, and so much more. I'm so thankful for the support of my husband to allow me to make that very difficult decision. I have to also mention that in the last month my job contacted me and asked if I would like to come back and I didn't hesitate at all saying I'm honored but am happy where I am.

He's Home!!!

So I know I am horrible at keeping up with this blogging thing... but what can I say life has gotten so busy. As everyone should know by now Drew is finally home from Iraq. I could not be happier. That last month was quite possibly the longest month ever! But he's been home for about 6 weeks now and everything is falling into place once again. As cliche as it sounds... deployment strengthened us so much. It is the smallest things that mean the most... crawling into bed with him, having someone help change the oil in the vehicles, or just listening to me ramble about my most recent zumba class. I just know that I really love him. As far as we know we will not have to relocate out of Fort Carson and Colorado and he is not expecting to redeploy for at least a year... and possibly two. We are crossing our fingers and enjoying our life together.

Bad Days

Sometimes it just hits. I have no idea why or what the trigger might be, but all I want to do is cry. We are nearly done now. Its been ten months since Drew was here with me. (well other than those 2 little weeks back in September) But none of that really matters when its 3 am, you've cried for hours and all you want is your husband back. Its weird that I can get upset or frustrated when I see a post on Facebook saying "I miss my husband so much he's been out of town all week." Sometimes I just want to scream, "Shutup I havent seen mine all year." But I know that is not fair and I am merely jealous. So tonight after wallowing in my self pity for hours I decided to write. Its probably not anything anyone cares to read... but it might help me get some sleep. I guess its the little things I miss the most tonight. The way we used to talk for hours and laugh at the stupidest things. The afternoons we spent playing mario brothers, teasing and harrassing each other the entire time. But I think what I miss most is just being held. I'm scared sometimes that this deployment has changed us so much that we don't know how to act any more. That we have tried so long to be strong and brave, that we dont know how to rely on the other for that moment we need it most. You learn to be strong. And you learn to say things like "you get used to it.", "Only two more months." and "I'm fine." But deep down I know we are both screaming "Not good enough I want her/him now!" So tonight I clinge to the memories and remember to get on my knees a little more than usual. I end this post with a video Drew made for me about a month ago. It has done more for me than he will ever know....... Hurry home my soldier.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOkkDBqkrrc

Sorry it wouldnt let me just download the video so I had to just use a link... If you cant see it and are interested just let me know.

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!