Small Tribute

Tomorrow marks 2 weeks since Matt left. It hasn't been too bad, so far. Of course, I miss him like crazy, and our schedules are almost exactly the opposite, but we get to chat online every night, at about midnight our time (4pm his time, the next day). I've been staying busy with the family, and our friends... everyone has been super supportive. I am SO lucky to be surrounded by such loving people.

I can't believe that it has already been 2 weeks, I hope time keeps flying, I can't wait to see him again!

One thing that I have learned so far, is how the military has also blessed us with friends... friends all over the country & even around the world. I now have friends scattered everywhere... California, Arizona, Colorado, Arkansas, Texas, West Virginia, and many more states (I'm sure) and even in Atsugi, Japan. It blows my mind that I met these girls 2 years ago, and it feels like we've been friends for a lifetime. It is amazing that after just two years, we have effected each other's lives and taken care of each other in so many ways. We've been hands to hold, ears to listen, shoulders to cry on, and each others only support when we were far away from our families. It's something that other people just don't understand, but the Sorority of Military wives IS a family away from home and the friendship is so much deeper than JUST being friends. Here is a tribute to my military wifey friends... You are all so strong and beautiful, and I'm glad that we got to be together in Lemoore, and even though most of us were not happy there, and have moved away, we were able to have some fun, laugh some laughs, cry some crys and drink some drinks together.

^Me, Alisha & Tami, Alisha's Birthday in 2008 (I think) :)

^Toooo many of us to name, but Girls night at Sonya's

Steph (Currently in Arkansas), Amanda (I'm not sure where she is now...), Me (Currently in AZ), Crystal (currently in TX), Sonya & Alisha (Both currently stationed in Whidbey, Washington), Kassi (Currently in WV) & Anna (still in Lemoore).

This was my FIRST Friday in Lemoore, First Ladies Night @ Kassi's. Kass, Dess, Me, Kristina, Alisha & Crystal.

My BFF in Lemoore, Mrs. Emma Knauss. Couldn't have made it with out her... and she's pretty, too! :)

Sonya's 27th B-day party at my place... Kass, Me, Sonya, Anna & Alisha
Anna, Me, & Chels... They were helping me hide my HIDEOUS bangs... Chelsea's going away party before she left for Atsugi, Japan.

Kassi & Anna's Bday party at Anna's. Anna, Me, Sonya & Kass.

There ya have it, memories that will last a life time :) I am SO thankful for these girls that welcomed me to Lemoore and very quickly became VERY close friends. Love you, Ladies!

Goodbye.

Yesterday was probably one of the hardest days in my life so far... I took Matt to the airport, so he could fly to Japan: where he will be for the next 25 months. Saying goodbye was devastating, and I can't imagine how in the world the next two years are going to be. It has only been about 36 hours since I saw him last, and I already miss him like crazy. This entire experience is VERY overwhelming, intimidating, and a tad bit scary. I love him and am PROUD to say that he is my husband, but these two years are going to be very hard and very trying... I'm lucky enough to know already though, that Matt and I are GOOD at long distance. We did long distance for 10 months before we got married, and that is VERY reassuring to me. AAAND now I have an excuse to travel to Japan, and for decent prices if I take a military flight, too! We have friends from Lemoore, which we both adored, that live in base housing there, and I can't wait to see them and their son again, either. Oh man, so many different emotions at one time...

Anyways... To break it down, he will be home in:
25 months... or 106 weeks... or 759 days... or 18227 hours... or 1093640 minutes... OR 65618434 seconds, LOL! I think I prefer to count in days :) Side note: I did not figure these out on my own, I used an online countdown calculator!

Hobbies, I need them! I am going to unpack my sewing machine and get back to practicing my straight lines again :) Maybe I can start organizing the bedroom... or painting or something, too? Wish me luck... maybe I'll even blog more regularly!

BTW: I finally heard from Matt, he is in Japan... safe and sound... just a little jet-lagged and feelin' a little tired and goofy :) Keep him in your prayers while he adjusts and acclimates to all these changes!