10 Years!

My 10 year high school reunion is tonight.

OMG

How is it that 10 years has gone by so quickly.... and yet it feels as though SO much has happened in that time (because it has).

I feel very blessed and fortunate to still be  friends today with some of the most amazing people that I met back at AHS... I've watched these girls turn into independent and beautiful women.... Watched them fall in love, some get married, get promoted, buy a house, move away. 

And more than any of that, these women have been my backbone and my go-to when things have gotten tough.  I think about how many things I have gone through over the last ten years.... Some great and some awful.  These girls brought me through it all.

Love you, girlies, and am very thankful that we became friends whether it was on the football field as cheerleaders or in the hallways during passing time.  <3

Crisis Averted.

Have you guys seen this??   How sad.  So glad that this guy was arrested before he could do any harm to our soldiers and their families.  It's bad enough that our military has to watch their backs when they're overseas;  they shouldn't have to watch out for one of their own to attack them while at home!

Soldier arrested in 'terror plot' targeting Fort Hood

Waiting... Again.

I'm ever-so-patiently (yeah, right!) waiting to hear from my boyfriend.  I haven't gotten an email in 10 days and that makes me a little nervous.  I know with the Army that no news is good news, but this is a really long time.  And I've sent him 3 or so emails that he normally would respond back to.

Maybe he's so exhausted he can't email.  Or maybe the internet is down again and he doesn't have a choice.

OR (wishful thinking) maybe he's on his way to see me..... Now that I know August is an option for him to take his leave, every time I don't hear from him a part of me jumps to that hopeful conclusion. 

As my friend KJ put it tonight, I'll see him soon, and then I have Christmas to look forward to, and then when winter wears out his welcome, he'll be home!  (Love the optimistic attitude KJ! :)  )

an AMAZING weekend

Sorry to my followers that I have been MIA for a few days... But I promise I have good reasons :)

First.... I'm thrilled to say that my newest niece Reese has arrived.... She is absolutely beautiful and I'm head over heels in love with her.  Baby R was born yesterday around 12:30 via c-section and both her and J are doing well.  It was one of those scenes where family from both sides were pacing in the waiting room  for confirmation that J & B were officially parents. 

I'm thrilled for both of them... but I think what touched me the most (other than meeting sweet Baby R, of course!) was seeing my brother as a dad.  He is so sweet with her and it's such an amazing thing to see.  And it's crazy to me that the little boy I grew up with has transformed into this loving father. This afternoon I got to the hospital after most of the other visitors had gone so J & B were exhausted.  While they rested/took naps, Baby R and I snuggled for over an hour.  And there was nowhere I'd rather have been.

Friday night some girlfriends and I went out to a few bars/restaurants along the river in Stillwater for my birthday.... It was a beautiful night and I had such a great time. I also had lunch with my mom and brother by the lake and a great dinner with some family last night.

Also, it was a year ago today that my Grandpa Cliff passed away after a very long battle with Alzheimers.... And as we remember him today, we do so while welcoming a new generation into our family. God works in amazing ways. 

The best birthday gift

Whenever my birthday comes around, I'm always taken aback by the generosity and kindness of my family and friends.  This year with S being gone I was a little saddened that he wouldn't be with me like last year, but my peeps are pulling out all the stops to make sure I have a great day!

The festivities have already begun (even though my birthday isn't until Friday)....

Tonight one of my best friends KH treated me to an AMAZING mani/pedi.... She also got me a beautiful decorative platter that I love.  Check it out the artwork.  Good to know I'm going to bring in 29 (ahhhhh!!) looking fantastic :)

And last weekend I spent a great day on the lake with some of the fam.... Sis got me the adorable Poppy Flower Graffiti wristlet below and cosmetic bag.  LOVE it.

My dad and stepmom got me some great items for entertaining (guess I have to have a get together to break them in) and hosted a wonderful day and dinner.

And Saturday, my Bro and SIL are going to give me one of the greatest birthday gifts ever.... another niece!  Miss R will be born via c-section around noon and I couldn't be more thrilled. 

This week just keeps getting better and better :) 

Dreaming

BF's potential August leave is consuming my thoughts. Last night i had a dream that he called me and asked if I'd pick him up at the airport. Flash forward to me spotting him in the baggage claim area and running straight to him in his camo. I was so glad to be with him and it felt like he never left.

And then my alarm went off and i woke up.

So disappointing. It was so vivid and real. One of those dreams that you try to squeeze your eyes shut and go back to. But, no such luck.

No news yet on if his leave was approved but he told me he thinks no news is good news. I don't care if we watch tv the whole time or if he wants to sleep for 2 days straight.... I just want to be next to him.

Reminded

I got a great email today.  A "real" email.... Not just a bunch of fillers or answers to questions.  It made me miss him so much and made my heart melt.  He didn't write about any one thing that hit me in particular, it was just the overall tone of his email.  I feel like I finally have my boyfriend back on the other side... and that makes me feel so inspired and hopeful.

I miss him so much.  I can't wait to see him and I'm starting to get really nervous... nervous that he won't feel the same way about me as he did when he left.  So dumb, I know.  But for the last few weeks/months, I had almost forgotten what an amazing, thoughtful, and humble boyfriend I have.  And then today I was reminded again.  And I just want him home.

I can only continue to pray that he is safe and that I get to see his smiling face soon.

HOT!

Minnesota is so HOT this weekend.  100 degrees + 100% humidity = gross.  I dont' ever remember a day where all the windows in my house fogged up due to the extreme temp difference outside to inside.  But, at least it's not snow!

As I was sending S an email tonight, I kind of got stuck.  Because email is our only form of communication, I end up telling him about what I've been doing or ask him questions.  But, is it mean to tell him about the weekend I spent on the lake, or the dinner I went to, or the movie I saw?  You can only type "I miss you..." so many times and then I have a hard time coming up with what else to tell him. 

And of all the questions that i ask him, he maybe is able to answer a third.  So that doesn't work well either.

My only other option is to talk about work or my day... That's just boring to him and b!tching to him about what so-and-so said or did seems so petty in comparison to what he's up against.

What do you guys do?  I know he wants me to be living my life even though he's away, but how much is too much with regard to sharing your every day activities? 

Sleepover at Auntie's

Still haven't heard anything more from S since Sunday when he told me he was requesting his leave in August.  But since then, I've probably had dreams about him coming home maybe 3 nights?  It's hard because they seem so real and then I wake up.  I'm trying not to get my hopes up (because I've learned my lesson with that) but I'm really really hoping the Army approves this.

In the meantime, I have another great weekend ahead of me.

Right now I'm typing away while my niece AJ is watching Rainbow Bright.  Man I missed that show.  Assuming weather cooperates, we're going to head over to a softball game for a while so she can hang out with my friend's little girl.  So fun to have her for some time.  I seriously am in shock each time I spend time with her and see how much she's grown up from the last time.  Tomorrow we'll head over to my dad's for a day on the lake... My birthday is next week already and getting my dad's side together is tough.

However, my birthday is always a sign that we're on the back half of summer.... and it has gone by so fast. 

And I think that's why I've been doing ok for the past 4 weeks or so with the crappy communication I've had and the fact that I haven't seen S since March.  I've been so distracted.  There's been an event or something fun for me to do every weekend lately and that makes things so much easier - and I'm actually enjoying my summer. 

However, I still miss him like crazy.  And I just want him to be home.

10 Days

First of all, I would like to wish  my mom a

VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I wish you all could meet her.... then you would understand what a truly amazing woman and mother she is.  She has been there every step of the way for me, through the good and bad, and is the most selfless person I've ever met.  She has dedicated her life to making sure everyone else is ok -- often putting her own needs aside.  I would not be the strong, driven, brave, and independent person I am today if it were not for her. 

On another happy note, my sister-in-law and brother are going to welcome their BABY GIRL into the world next Saturday.... My birthday is the day prior and I cannot think of a better gift in the world than another precious niece.  10 days to go until I meet little Miss R and I watch my niece AJ interact with her little cousin.  So excited.

Definitely the week of good news! 

Can hardly wait!

Guess what???

I got an email from bf yesterday and he said he's put in a request to take his leave NEXT MONTH!

I can hardly believe it.... I'm so excited! I can wait to see him and wrap my arms around him.

August is going to be a great month :)

Cabin Bound

Very much looking forward to a weekend up north with some of my girlfriends.  My friend JC's boyfriend has a lake cabin about 2 1/2 hours away and small group of us are escaping away for the weekend.  I'm definitely excited for some good times, maybe a bonfire or two, and some time on the lake away from home. 
Feels like just what I need right now. 

Debbie Downer

I'm at a loss for words... I'm tired of missing my boyfriend and the fact that I haven't heard his voice in over 2 months. It makes me sad that I email him all about what i've been doing, ask him questions, and I get brief and vague notes back. I don't like being in the dark and completely out of control.

I knew this deployment thing would be hard (c'mon, I watched army wives) but this really sucks.

Thank goodness the running countdown on my iPad is making progress.

Blogging on the balcony

Tomorrow I go back to work after my great extended weekend off. (don't feel too bad for me, I'm off again on Friday ;)). I got this awesome high bistro set at Target on clearance a few weeks ago. And tonight I'm breaking it in! It's just nice to eat outside instead of in front of my tv perched on the couch.

Heard from S that he got his first package.... So number 2 was sent off this afternoon. This email thing is getting hard for me. I have absolutely no idea what he's doing all day or what it's like. And email is not the forum to get it out of him.

I guess is all keeps coming back to patience and faith...

I know you're dying to know what he's getting next, so I'll quit holding you in suspense:
-chocolate pudding cups
-velvet macand cheese cups
-jerky stick
-pringles
-powdered Gatorade and hawaiian punch
-gummys shaped like army guys
-mini fan
-water balloons
-some toiletries
-an old school nintendo game boy advance with 3 games (love ebay)
-sports illustrated
-sudokou book

Hope everyone was able to watch able to watch a beautiful fireworks show like I did last night... Such a great way to celebrate

Happy Birthday USA!

It has been such a beautiful weekend in Minnesota and today is no different. 

Today I feel thankful and humbled to know that the patriotism and desire to do what's right for people to be free is just as strong today as it was 235 years ago. 

Enjoy your day and have some fun... because that is what this is all about.  But  as you do, please remember that there are heroes that walk among us who have experienced things we will never know, as well as thousands of our loved ones that are suited up in camo toting their rifles 6000 miles away. 

Thank you.... to those who have fought, those who will continue to fight, and for those who support a soldier.  It's your strength and determination that allows us to live the lives we do in this amazing place we call home.

Loving my Friday

sleeping in until 10 AM!

going out for lunch

grabbing some passion tea at Starbucks

window shopping for baby R in 90 degree temps and SUN

getting a mani/pedi

jamming out to Lady Gaga with the AC on high

Target run complete with random junk food

an evening thunderstorm

and watching LOST season 6 tonight.

Why don't I take vacation days more often!?  Loved my day and spending time with my SIL J.