Monday Madness

There has been plenty going on I could write about... I just haven't taken the time. Oops. Oh well. This will be my "catch-up-with-no-real-organization" version of life the past few weeks. Speaking of few weeks, I can count the number of Saturdays left on one hand!! Yay =) He is on his way home, a slow journey around the world, but on his way none-the-less.
I've done lots of working, an extra shift a week really adds up. Started working out three times a week (remember I can count on one hand how many more weekends?? haha). And then lots of catch-up sleeping on the weekends. I may or may not have slept for 22hrs a couple Fridays ago... maybe.
Have started going to oyster roasts. Yum. Saw snow in South Carolina this weekend, not a fan of that but at least it was gone the next morning. Spent lots of time with some fabulous girls and their adorable kiddos. Would never have made it through this deployment without these wonderful ladies I have come to love and cherish! And I look forward to our weekends yet to come. Got my truck back after the accident New Year's Eve, that's fabulous. Finally took my Christmas lights down... maybe in February =) Got a new phone this weekend, its way too smart for me but I am learning!
Mainly, working and counting down days =) Will try to be better about keeping up... no promises though, I do kinda enjoy those 22hr sleep days!! haha

Always in My Heart, I miss you Momma!

To my dearest family,

some things I'd like to say...

but first of all, to let you know,

that I arrived okay.

I'm writing this from heaven.

Here I dwell with God above.

Here, there's no more tears of sadness;

here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy

just because I'm out of sight.

Remember that I'm with you

every morning, noon and night.

That day I had to leave you

when my life on earth was through,

God picked me up and hugged me

and He said, "I welcome you."

"It's good to have you back again;

you were missed while you were gone.

As for your dearest family,

they'll be here later on.

I need you here badly;

you're part of my plan.

There's so much that we have to do,

to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things,

that he wished for me to do.

And foremost on the list,

was to watch and care for you.

And when you lie in bed at night,

the day's chores put to flight.

God and I are closest to you....

in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth,

and all those loving years

because you are only human,

they are bound to bring you tears.

But do not be afraid to cry;

it does relieve the pain.

Remember there would be no flowers,

unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you

all that God has planned.

But if I were to tell you,

you wouldn't understand.

But one thing is for certain,

though my life on earth is o'er.

I'm closer to you now,

than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you

and many hills to climb;

but together we can do it

by taking one day at a time.

It was always my philosophy

and I'd like it for you too...

that as you give unto the world,

the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody

who's in sorrow and pain,

then you can say to God at night......

"My day was not in vain."

And now I am contented....

that my life has been worthwhile,

knowing as I passed along the way,

I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody

who is sad and feeling low,

just lend a hand to pick him up,

as on your way you go.

When you're walking down the street,

and you've got me on your mind;

I'm walking in your footsteps

only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go....

from that body to be free,

remember you're not going.....

you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)

©Copyright 1998-2006

http://www.ruthann1.com/

In My Thoughts

I know your life
On earth was troubled
And only you could know the pain
You weren't afraid to face the devil
You were no stranger to the rain

Go rest high on that mountain
(Mom), your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

Oh, how we cried the day you left us
We gathered round your grave to grieve
I wish I could see the angels faces
When they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain
(Mom), your work on earth is done
Go to heaven a shoutin'
Love for the Father and Son

All my love, Momma

Merry Christmas from Heaven

I still hear the songs

I still see the lights

I still feel your love

on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes

and all your cares

I'll even remind you

to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you

you still make me proud

You stand head and shoulders

above all the crowd

Keep trying each moment

to stay in His grace

I came here before you

to help set your place

You don't have to be

perfect all the time

He forgives you the slip

If you continue to climb

To my family and friends

please be thankful today

I'm still close beside you

In a new special way

I love you all dearly

now don't shed a tear

Cause I'm spending my

Christmas with Jesus this year

-- John W. Mooney Jr.

I love you, Momma... Merry Christmas

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!