I have reached a couple of my workout goals and am so excited to keep pushing forward. I have managed to workout every day of the week, as well as eat healthy!  I even worked out twice yesterday, which makes me thrilled (not to mention, exhausted).  I am learning that really eating to live healthy, rather than just eating to eat (or when I'm bored, or sad, or lonely, or overwhelmed, or thirsty, or mad).  It's also making me realize how important and essential presentation is to food.  Not only does it MAKE me take my time to really make my food look delicious, but it makes me take my time when eating it.  When you eat alone (come on, everyone has eaten alone at least once in their lives), you learn to enjoy and savor the bites.  I've learned to have a book in my car or purse in case I eat out by myself, because it makes me eat slower and not feel like people are staring at my loneliness. :)  Reading with a book also gets me "into" the book, rather than rushing through eating. The only drawback to reading or watching tv while you eat is watching your portions.  I always make a conscious effort to really create my proportions on my plate before I sit down to eat (this eliminates the whole I'll just eat chips out of the bag until I finish this chapter).  Portion control, not giving in to little wants (instead of needs), and working out are essential to making a life change!

Crazy to believe we are almost celebrating the fourth of July!  I was talking with my hairstylist at FRINGE SALON (check them out!) about how weird it is that the 4th is on a Wednesday!  I am so used to associating this holiday with the weekends, that it feels absurd it is on Wednesday.  This is our (hubs and my) third 4th of July without us celebrating together -- but I think this 4th is even more celebratory because we are getting so close to his return.  It is crazy to think I am part of the military family, after growing up in a military town for all my life.  I am so proud of my husband, and all he has done to chase his dreams, accomplish his goals, and provide for us as a little family.

As you celebrate the 4th, keep in mind it is the celebration of the great U.S. of A -- and we would not be the country we are without the faith of our forefathers, the bravery of strong leaders, the sacrifice of courageous soldiers, and the passion of loving citizens.

XOXO,

H

Deployment Woes

We have now come to the six months' mark of this deployment, and are finding ourselves begging and ready for some time together.  NJ's time home will be shortly, and I cannot wait until that day arrives.  I have learned a lot through this deployment, and I can attest that we have grown much stronger as a couple.  There have been some things that have been harder than the things I thought would be the hardest, but it's only made me stronger.  So many times I have to change subjects, or just walk away from conversations where people are trying to relate to a very unrelateable event in life.  I find it funny when people express their concern for living alone, sleeping alone, or just not knowing "how you do it".  The bottom line is - military spouses/families learn to "just do it", and in a sense, we don't even have the time to fathom "how" we do it, but just that it (along with so many other things) needs to be done.

I've learned a lot about myself.......

• I am stronger than I ever really realized.
• I am able to push myself beyond my own boundaries to accomplish things I want to accomplish (i.e. squashing bugs, taking out stinky trash, running more than from here to the mailbox, cooking and enjoying a delicious dinner by myself, hauling a grocery trip worth of groceries up three flights of stairs in one trip, taking out the dog at 11:30 at night when the boogey man is out, responding to scary noises in the house in my pjs, etc.).
• I am capable of running over two miles by myself, and with our puppy, and feeling completely confident in my stride, safety, and abilities.
• I am capable of teaching a dog, becoming pack leader, and balancing the whole good cop/bad cop routine with doggy discipline.
• I have been learning that, although my husband is phenomenal and my best friend, I am so happy to know myself and be confident in the woman I am (with or without him physically by my side).
• I've learned sometimes we have just to grin and bear when people try to shed light/wisdom on things they have no clue about - they are only trying to love on us a little.  Breathing exercises help in these situations as well. :)
• I am learning the process of really eating to live, and not living to eat.
• I've learned that eating by yourself isn't a bad thing.  I've sharpened my people watching skills, and have even learned to laugh out loud by myself and feel completely ok with that.
• I've discovered that I have a knack for cooking and baking, and have fully embraced this as a fun pasttime.
• I've become more open to allowing people into my life, and striking up conversation with completely strangers (at the gym, grocery store, etc.).
• I've learned to laugh even when I feel like crying (and let the pup lick all my tears away).
• I have no allowed myself any pity parties - just reminded myself it could be worse. I could be in the middle of nowhere with no one I know in a scary place where the food sucks and the air stinks.
• I've learned that although I'm functional on my own, I feel the most blossomed when my husband is around.
• The sound of my husband's voice still puts butterflies in my stomach and heart, as well as makes me relax with a sigh of relief.
• I've learned deployed husbands have bad days...they just don't tell you until after the fact. :)

Our relationship has grown in leaps and bounds....I feel we are both more confident and trusting, as well as finding our own individual two feet after being together for over six years.  We are still "us", but we are a stronger "us".

This deployment has made me immensely thankful for...

• my husband - he is truly an amazing person; strong; compassionate; has continued to pursue me throughout these 6 months; my best friend; and the one thing I can't wait to get back into my arms.
• a loving God. enough said.
• my family (blood and married into) - they have been my refuge during this deployment, whether it be meals, puppy sitting, celebrating birthdays, flowers, cards - they have helped me keep it together.
• our puppy - she's been a joy to light up my days, as well as a great topic for conversation with my husband after 6 months of our lives not overlapping much to produce a ton of conversation topics
• friends -- they've given me space to adjust in the beginning, called me when I was down, surprised me with little gifts in the mail, and reminded me that I'm not alone
• work - it's kept me busy, and allowed me to focus on something other than deployment for 8hrs a day
• summer break -- has reminded me to smell the roses, take everything in stride, and enjoy being a lil housewife

I won't say deployments are not hard.  I won't pretend that I haven't spent a few nights crying myself to sleep.  I won't pretend the dog didn't sleep at the door for the first month waiting for her papa goose to come home.  I won't lie and say that seeing his face on Skype doesn't make me miss him even more.  I will not say that the military life is just for anyone.  I will say that military spouses are some of the strongest people I know, and I have been so mindful that I have a million other warrior wives who have/will have/are in my same spot in life -- SO thankful to be part of the legacy, life, and love of our great country. I am no full time military wife, I am no soldier - but, I love our country, and I could not be happier to be the woman my sailor comes home to very soon.

xoxo,

H

SUMMER 2012 has arrived -- AND I survived my first year of teaching - halleujah!  I am so happy for summer to be here, and really looking forward to spending time with family, good friends, and my husband for two weeks!  He'll be home soon from his deployment for some R&R time, and I'm very excited about that!

I've been accomplishing a lot in the two whole days I've been finished with work!  Pups and I have reorganized cabinets, closets, cleaned, rearranged the living room, and ordered bar stools!  I'm looking forward to picking them up today!  I will be posting more this summer with all my summer adventures, projects, and, of course, the husband's arrival! :)

I was digging through some old drawers in our guest room (aka supply/junk room), and came across some writings I had done in college the summer NJ was at basic training.  It really got me thinking how much I love writing (and reading for that matter), and I have made it my goal this summer to 1) share my writings with my blogging friends, 2) write more, 3) read more, 4) take in everything around me!

I'll start by sharing one of my favorites from that creative writing class in my next post this afternoon -- it's a lil comedic relief for the start to summer!

Love and Joy,

H