It's not a life for the faint of heart

Whew... the past few weeks have been... well, less than enjoyable really. I mean, things have been ok, mostly good even, but boy I am just over some things. It's been rough.

Three months down with BW being gone... wow! I am glad that three months are over, but I am ready to be done. Can't we call it good and just bring my boys home? I am over the lack of and frustrating conversation. I am thankful for email... but, I miss a phone call. I miss personal interaction. I miss having him here. But, three months down... that's about one-third done! I can do this. And, with those three months down the friendships that have been built between "us girls" are so important to me and I am so thankful for them! I don't know what I would do without my girls... be a crazy person (even more than I am now!) I am sure! They are fabulous and I look forward to our time together each week as if it has been years since I have seen them. There is guaranteed laughter, relaxation, understanding and great times to be had whenever we are together.

The past few weeks have been hard with missing other people who at one time or another were very important to my life and now, for one reason or another, are no longer in my life. I hate when those things happen.. whether it be because of a "falling out" or because of a move or because of a death... whatever the reason, I hate having a place in my life that once was filled by someone now be somewhat empty. There were people that I counted on to be with me through things in my life that are now gone, and it makes it harder to go through those things, but at the same time it shows me how wonderful other people in my life are. I am thankful for the friends I have who have stuck by me through so much and are always there when I need anything and who I know I can always count on.

Today sucked. Today was the first "event" that the next three months contain that I would like to forget about... if I could have gone to sleep this weekend and woken up in February that would have been okay with me! Today would have been my momma's birthday. This is the first time in years that I have worked on her birthday. I think this year it helps make the day go by, but it still sucks. I want to spend the day with my mom for her birthday. I want to call her and talk to her and find out what she is doing to celebrate her birthday, neither of us ever worked each other's or our own birthdays. I just want my mom. It's hard when the calls stop. When the friends who would call on this day the past couple years don't. Not because they don't care. Not because they don't miss her. But, life goes on, I understand that. But, today sucks.

Happy birthday, Momma. I miss you and love you... always!

So, from this day I move on... my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, BW's birthday, the day my momma left this earth... all days that are important to me. It's hard to go through them without my mom, and this year without BW. BUT!! I have my fabulous "Bluffton family" to be with along with other friends and family spread all over the country to lift me up and celebrate with me and make the most of these hardest days. And I am looking forward to spending those days with them and celebrating with them. And by the time they are over and it is February, deployment is almost over and there will be plenty to look forward to!

Even though everything about right now or the upcoming months may not bring a smile to my face, there is plenty for me to look forward to!!

• I'm going to San Diego in one week!! Who-Hoo!!! I cannot wait to get out there and spend some time with Alicia and have some more amazing A&J time! Not to mention all the other wonderful girls and guys who I am friends with who will be around to help celebrate my birthday (a little early) weekend!! It's going to be fantastic!
• MY BIRTHDAY!!! I love my birthday, I can't help it. That is one day I am a princess =) I am very excited for it... and am looking forward to what the next decade of my life will hold. AHH!! I'm turning 30!!!
• Dad and Tressa are coming to visit. I am so very excited for them to come to SC and see me. I am sure we will have a great time.
• I will be going to Ohio the weekend before Christmas for some family holiday time. And, I am flying so I won't have to drive an entire day and worry about nasty weather. I always look forward to time with sweet Cody and the rest of my family, especially around the holidays.
• January is another wonderful trip to San Diego for more birthday celebrations... this time on a cruise!!
• Not to mention all the weekends of fun here in Bluffton with my fabulous friends here.

So, I am excited... sure, some days will suck like today, but there is always tomorrow and more fun to look forward to!

Pumpkin Time

It's fall time!! My favorite time of the year... I love the smells, the colors, the weather, the food... everything! Even though the weather down here may not-so-much resemble the cool fall weather I was used to in other parts of the country, I still love it!
This past weekend my sweet girls came over to my house for some pumpkin carving fun! I absolutely love these girls and look forward to whatever we do each weekend -- we have all already warned the boys that they are going to have to keep liking each other when they get back because we are going to continue our girl social times! Once again, this weekend was just what we all needed... some great girl talks... great food... fun and relaxation! I will tell you, these weekend times together get me through my weeks and I am so thankful to have these girls to go through the ups and downs of this deployment with me.

Kayla and Siena participating in the fun =)

(It sure doesn't hurt that two of the girls have the cutest little girls of their own!!)

Kathryn and Laura hard at work...
It's hard to believe we were carving pumpkins on my back porch
and sweating because it was so hot out there! Gotta love SC

Our finished products...

and I had to get some cuddle time with sweet Siena =)

Love you girls! Am so thankful for our friendships!!!

Look how cute our pumpkins are with their candles lit up!

and I just think my front porch is so adorable with my fall decorations... =)

Hope you are enjoying your fall time too!

Pictures from Far Away...

I have been telling BW since he left that I want him to send me pictures of whatever... I enjoy seeing what he sees, where he is, what he's doing... just anything! Because it helps me to feel connected to him while he is gone I guess. Well, today he came through =)

This is a picture BW took one night while on the boat during a lightening storm, obviously =)

I think it is one of the coolest pictures ever and love seeing his photography ability.

He is a real perfectionist when it comes to his pictures,

so I love seeing the ones he actually thinks are good!

This, of course, is my absolute favorite picture!!!

It's been a little over 2 months now... the days are going by... its a new season even! Keeping myself as busy as I can and looking forward to whenever it is he will be back home again with me! Lots of things coming up that will be bittersweet, I know, without him here... but, I (we) will make it through those days as well. I could not be more thankful for the wonderful girls that I am surrounded with who keep me busy and laughing. They have become my "family" and I love them dearly.

Fly safe, babe. I love you!