Marriage: Month 8

Well, today marks eight months of marriage for Darren and I. When I look at how much time has gone by since Darren has been gone it seems like he's missed a lot, but also on the other hand, it seems like it has gone fast. Next month on our nine-month anniversary he should be back! I have never wished the time away quite like I have wished this time away, and it makes me feel little bit guilty. When he comes back, I just want us to make the most of the time we have together, whether we are separated or apart, because the reality of it is we will probably have to be apart again. Hopefully that's much later down the road :) 

So how does one celebrate eight months of marriage without her husband? Well, she goes to El Magueys with her family and then she goes to Walmart with her sister. Big day ;) 

Today I have completed four weeks of my new job. I'm also doing other things I never thought I would be able to do, such as go see a movie alone, eat at a restaurant alone, and mow the yard all my myself. I'm feeling a little bit empowered, but I am ready for him to be home to help me with these things and to go see movies with me. I miss laying my head on his shoulder and scooting close to him in the cold theatre.  

Next month will be wonderful!

Marriage: Month 7

Darren and I have been married for 7 months today! That's 213 days that we've been married so far. The countdown for his return is on. My kiss jar is getting super low on kisses! I'm beyond ready for some real ones and I know he is too.

This month, Darren lost wifi in his work tent, so we can't talk as much as we used to. He still has it in his living quarters, thank God, so that doesn't affect our 2 daily video chats. I'm just thankful for how much communication we do get. Just 5 years ago, we wouldn't have been able to talk as much. I think it helps me, and him, that we do get to talk as much as do. Nevertheless, talking and cuddling and playing is always much better in person though. I honestly don't know how I've made it this long without him. I have never wished the time away like I have these last few months, and it makes me feel bad for wishing the days that God gives me away. It kinda all just seems like a blur. When he comes home, I just want to cherish each day. 

I also have exciting news to share this month! I accepted a new job offer at a company in Winfield. I'll be working full-time in their finance department. This is a huge answered prayer for our family. I love where I work, but I've tried and interviewed three separate times for full-time work here to no avail. Changes are good though and I'm nervous and excited for this change, but Darren tells me it will be ok. We even are talking about buying a house in Winfield now! In month 8, I will have more to report on my new job and how it's going. Month 8 will also be our last month to be apart. He will be home for month 9! Blessings all around. 

Marriage: Month 6

So I wrote this a few days before February 29th but I forgot to post it :( 

Today is Leap Day and a day that Darren and I also celebrate 6 months of marriage. How cool is that? If this wasn't a Leap Year then we wouldn't have this day! There's less than one hundred days now until Darren gets home.

I haven't been accomplishing some of the goals I thought would be a piece of cake while he's gone, mainly my fitness goals. I've gained 10 pounds since the wedding. A lot of that has to do with the holidays and a lot of it has to do with being depressed. I'm an emotional eater. I recently got Jillian Michaels new ab video. Five days later and I'm still hurting...not my abs, but my thighs. Strange huh? I have noticed that I've upped my stamina on the elliptical and treadmill though so that's good. I just need to start eating better. Instead of snacking, I'm trying to fill my time up with work, taking care of the animals, a daily nap, exercise, organizing, and Netflix.  Right now it's The Walking Dead. I'm almost to season 4 and I'm completely hooked. One thing I have been doing is organizing and getting rid of stuff. My hallway is packed full of garbage bags stuffed with things that need to be taken to Goodwill. I figure I would make our move this summer easier by organizing and getting rid of things now. I will probably still need to have a garage sale though because our storage shed is packed to the max with all sorts of different odds and ends.

I saw this picture on Facebook the other day. It sums deployment up pretty well! I think I am now regretting buying him a PlayStation 4 for Christmas :)

Marriage: Month 5

Well today has been 5 months since we got married! The weather has been beautiful the last couple of days and today is supposed to be the nicest day yet. It should get up to 67 degrees and be sunny. God knew just what I needed today!

I am a huge sucker for Teen Mom on MTV and last Tuesday night Catelynn and Tyler got married on it. They got married just one week exactly before Darren and I, them on August 22nd and us on August 29th. All I could like about was what we were doing on that weekend they were getting married...attending the pre-deployment conference.....yay us. I was a blubbering mess throughout the second half of the show. It just took me back to Darren's and my wedding and it was just such a wonderful day. It took me back to our rehearsal, saying our vows, exchanging our rings, kissing for the first time as husband and wife, and our first dance. It was just magical! Thankfully I have our wedding on DVD and can watch it anytime I want.

This month has taken a huge emotional toll on me. I think it's because Darren and I haven't seen each other at all this year. Of course we "see" each other on FaceTime but we can touch, tickle, cuddle, and do all the other things that a husband and wife should be able to do. I think, in a sense, we have been getting closer through prayer and our daily devotional. It's helping us to learn even more about each other and bring us closer to God. It's also making us appreciate what each of us does for the other better. Darren said he was never going to take me for granted ever again. When he comes back I think we will live in the moment more and be there for each other in ways like never before. We have a lot of stuff to look forward to and that is the only thing that is keeping me going these days. We are almost half way done.

So how does a girl celebrate 5 months of marriage when her husband is deployed? By going to Blingo Bingo at the base and taking her best friend Emilie! Here's to hoping we both win some fancy jewelry!               

Marriage: Month 4

Well Darren and I are officially 1/4 of the way done with our first year of marriage!

This month we learned even more about communication than we ever have before. Being over 6,000 miles apart will do that to a couple. We use FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, and email as our three main forms of communication, with Facetime being the biggest. We have even utilized Facebook calls as a way to communicate with FaceTime doesn't quite work right. Who knew! Technology has played a huge part of keeping us connected while he is gone. I would be lost without it.

We started praying every night on FaceTime together. It's one of my most favorite parts of the day and soothes me a little bit before I *try* to go to sleep. Before he left I was all about my sleep, but now, it's hard to sleep when he's not beside me. In turn, I watch Netflix. Technology, though. Isn't it the greatest? We have also started doing daily devotionals every evening. He's usually at work and I'm sitting in my comfy bed with HGTV on in the background. Today will only be day 4 of that. I think it will help us learn even more about each other.

The topic of kids comes up quite a bit in our conversations, and I may or may not have already bought baby L something. Before he left, we were both all about trying when he comes back. Now, we aren't quite sure. We want to be selfish and take some time to ourselves and just be us for awhile longer. I feel kinda robbed of time with him leaving the country after only two months of marriage, and I know he feels the same way. We are both young so I don't see it as a big issue :)

Marriage: Month 3

Yesterday marked 3 months of marriage! Darren usually FaceTimes me before he goes to work and I asked him if he remembered what today was and he said we've been married for 3 months! To me, it feels much longer than three months. This month, we have learned how to survive without each other. I haven't cried in about a week. It helps setting new routines and not sticking to our old one we had regarding morning routines, exercise routines, mealtimes, and our nighttime routine. We'll get that when he comes back! Even though I wasn't sure it was possible, I am doing ok and I think we are both getting in a good routine of what will work best for us both. In summary, this month we learned that although we need each other, it is possible to live without each other. For awhile as least. I'm ready for our old routines to come back.

My heart aches for summer

It's Veteran's Day today and my Veteran is overseas. I'm so proud of him and love him very much. It's so different here without him. He's not dead, but people are always giving me sad eyes and crying. His stuff is exactly where he left it. I even had to put some things away because it hurt so much, such as his water bottles, bathroom towel and wash cloth, toothbrush, and lunch box. I sleep in the middle of our bed now, with his pillows surrounding me and me hugging my body pillow pretending it is him. His car (that I can't drive) is parked in the same spot, just as if he were home. I come home from work each day and just want to run into his strong arms and for him to tell me everything will be ok. But he's not there, and he won't be for awhile. It hasn't been that long since he's been away, but to me it feels like weeks. I dread the months ahead and how slow they may go. Right now, my heart aches so bad for summer.