Friday, April 30, 2010

Distracted

So many things are going through my mind right now. Where am I going to stay? How am I going to get down there? When will his first check come in? Will I get to spend the weekend with him after graduation? I'm going crazy! It's hard to concentrate on anything else. And all I want to do is talk to John and I can't. GRRRRR! I wish there was someone you could call that would have all the straight answers and not give you the run around. Welcome to the military life I suppose.

I have met some great women throughout the past week, however. Some moms and some wives/ girlfriends. Each of us has had different information, but together we have been able to at least put some things together. It is so great to have these women to talk to on a daily basis and to have someone knowing how you feel. They are all going through what I'm going through and it isn't easy for any of us.

Off to start the day. T-minus two months till Family Day.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

First Call

I received my first call from John last night since basic has begun. Five minutes is hardly anything, especially since I missed his call twice. Silly me. It was so great to hear his voice. It is Amazing how someone'e voice can send so many emotions through you, but good emotions.

His graduation will be July 1st, it seems. Which is one day sooner than we thought, but I'm not complaining. The bad part is that he has to report to OCS the next day. When I receive the information in the mail I will be able to request to get to spend the weekend with him. I hope I get more time with him. Nine weeks apart and two days together isn't enough to make up for lost time.

I'd have to say I am one of the luckiest people. I have a husband whom I love more than anything and I know he feels the same way. Even though we have miles away from each other and can't communicate, I love him more each day.

When he left I realized how much he did for me and now I have to do everything on my own. This isn't a bad thing, but I took this for granted and hope I appreciate him more when we are finally together again.

When I get up in the morning I know I need to look good for work, but mostly I wanted to look good for him. Now that he is gone it seems as if I have forgotten how to dress myself or I don't care as much. Hopefully I don't look awful.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My Soldier, My Love



This is my husband John. He left for Ft. Benning, GA last week and officially started basic yesterday (Tuesday). He is in Alpha Co, but not sure what unit.

Again, thank goodness for instant communication. This was taken with his cell phone.

Instant communication

So while I am having a hard time being away from John there is an upside to this. Thankfully I live in the day where I can send an e-mail, get a call anywhere I am, and see John through a computer screen. While all of these luxuries won't come until OCS, it will still be nice to have them. Until then, it is pen and paper.

Another great tool is Facebook. I know everyone who is anyone is on Facebook, and while it seems pointless sometimes it can have a great purpose. Today I found a group for Ft. Benning. It was great to see so many people posting as once with questions and information about their sons and husbands. I even managed to find a few people who have someone going through at the same time as John.

If you haven't found any support groups, please look for them. Even if you know someone who has been through what you have been through it helps to have someone who is going through it at the same time.

Friday, April 23, 2010

And so it begins

So this has been a long week. Hardly any sleep, little to eat, long hours at work, turned in a paper late, really behind on homework, car still isn't fixed correctly, and Traveler (our Beagle) decides to somehow get hurt so he is now on medicine the next two weeks. Thank goodness it is Friday! 

So now that he has left, I actually have something to write about.

Monday John left for MEPS and Tuesday was driven down to Georgia to being the process. Tuesday at work was hard, especially after I received a yummy Edible Arrangement. The bouquet included 20 chocolate covered strawberries. My love was thinking of me. :-D

So I have to admit I have been spoiled this week (and not just with chocolate covered strawberries). John and I texted back and forth Tuesday so I talked to him just like any other day for the most part. Wednesday and Thursday night we spoke for about a half hour before it was lights out. And today....about three times with texts in between. :-D Oh how I will miss the sound of his voice. He was sweet enough to have someone take a picture of his and send it to me. He looks wonderful in his ABUs. 

Honestly thought, hearing his voice has made me feel better and better each day. He begins basic officially Tuesday and I know that from that point on speaking with him will be rare. 

While this time apart will be hard for us and as much as I hate to be away from him, I am so proud of him and so proud to be his wife. I know I am only following in the steps of many military wives who would have a million stories to tell about their own military experience. This is going to be an amazing journey for us and I can't wait to see what is in store. 

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Two more days

So time is getting closer. Monday I will be dropping John off at his Hotel in Beckley and saying goodbye.

I realize that is isn't goodbye. I will see him 4th of July weekend, which right now seems forever away. It is going to be hard to go without talking to him when I have a rough day or just being with him in the evenings. Hopefully school and work will consume as much of my life as I think it will.

Obviously I will make it through. I'm not the first person to go through this and I won't be the last. I look forward to what it ahead when he finishes. Plus, with deployments telling him goodbye is going to become a part of our lives.

If anyone has an advice or tips please share.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Trip pictures

So I am finally getting around to putting up some pictures from our trip three weeks ago. What an amazing weekend!

Our wonderful cabin, which came with a hot tub. :-)


John zipping through the air. 

Friday, April 9, 2010

What we take for granted

This week I have had something heavy on my heart. Like I mentioned, a co-worker of my mom's lost her husband in the coal mining blast in West Virginia. Jason was 25 and Amanda 28. They had been together for 10 years, 10 YEARS, and married less than two. My heart breaks for her. It makes me realize the things we take for granted in life.

In 10 days I won't be able to sleep next to my husband, call him when I have a bad day at work, or go to the movies with him. But I know that I will see him in July for his graduation and that after all this is over we will be together again.  Deployments may be another story. 

A co-worker of mine has had a long pregnancy. She found out around Thanksgiving that her little boy had a heart condition. Kathy has worked and fought and spread the word about the condition. She even got Governor Manchin to recognize it. Jacob is almost two weeks now and he is such the little fighter. His first surgery went well and he is making excellent progress. 

I hope you take the time to think about what you have. Cherish your baby's smile and forget the argument you had with your spouse. I hope for myself that I remember what I have and be thankful. It can be gone in an instant. 

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Thankful for my life

I live in West Virginia, which is big on coal mining. My grandfather was a coal miner and it the life for so many others in this state.

Yesterday afternoon there was an explosion at one of the mines killing 20 miners. One of which was the husband of someone who works with my mom. That was the first thing I checked this morning and I can't get it off my mind. They are a young couple and got married the same year John and I did. Such as sad situation.

http://www.dailymail.com/News/statenews/201004060065

It is times like this we need to be thankful for what and who we have in our lives. While everything may not go like we think, there is a reason for this. We just have to remember that the love we have in our lives can go away at any minute.

Once John has completed his training and starts to deploy, I realize he will be putting his life on the line every day. Miners go everyday with the risk of explosions and what not. I pray that I am never get the phone call, but I realize it could happen.

I am thankful for my life, my AMAZING husband, my family. Please take time today to be thankful for those in your life.