Cleaning...

Well, I am so excited....I played a little "game" yesterday and it worked!! For those of you that know this...I struggle with organization and cleaning... this is being brutally honest.....every since I became an official "adult" on my own....cleaning has been the bain of that "freedom"..... well,,,my husband came home and was a little disappointed that the house wasn't spotless... I was proud that it wasn't falling in.....lol! ;) Anyway, we had a morning of lecture and conversation this past Saturday..... Instead of being mad or upset at him or talking negatively in my head about my "problem" or struggle to keep things clean...I took a mirade of advice from various sources... My husband, my mom, several of my "cleanie" friends... and I set the timer for 1 hour about 9:30 a.m. yesterday. I began rinsing dishes and cleaning countertops and organizing our bills...... once the timer went off, I rested for a bit. Then in the afternoon I set the timer again for 1 hour and began working on vacuuming the floor and dusting and mopping the entry way... Needless to say the timer went off and I was still working! I was empowered... I cooked dinner and had it ready when my husband walked in at 7 p.m. from work. He was all smiles and I felt good about myself!

Random stuff

Well, it's been a lovely day here in Killeen. I was just thinking today how much I really love it down here and I am getting so very accustomed to the Army way of life.......-minus deployment of course! In so many ways, I wish I had met Philip sooner....just so that I could have had a year or more with him before he left. Everyday I cherish the man that he is and the husband that he is becoming. A friend of mine and I have talked about "newlywed" life and she coined the term of "new" husband. What a thought.....I am so very lucky to have Philip, the new husband, learning how to put me and my needs so very high on his list of priorities. Perhaps I am also learning quickly how to be a wife.....as time is a commodity that we do not have excess of right now.

Yesterday evening we played Guitar Hero III on his XBOX 360. Boy did we have a great time!!! I found myself engrossed in the songs and loving spending time with him. It's true that when you "give in" a bit and do something your husband loves....you may find yourself getting fulfillment in the process...... ;)~ Everyday I silently pray for God to give me strength to know that Philip is going to be in His hands every step of the 455 days I will not be with him. And I will always thank the Lord for blessing me by bringing Philip into my life.....

Phil's back for a bit......

Well, Philip got back from training last Thursday. He went back to work on Friday. This is a very bittersweet time for us. We are making every minute count, but we are also very mindful of the upcoming 15 month separation. This is hard, very hard. Okay, really it is incredibly painful..... Philip is dealing somewhat better than I, because he looks at Iraq as his duty to his country. I, on the other hand, struggle to understand it all completely. I am glad that we are helping an oppressed people, I just wish that we didn't have to do it at the cost of hundreds of thousands of people's families.....wives, husbands, children.....fathers, mothers..... The sacrifice that is made by a year or more long separation is beyond comprehension for many who have not had to do it. It puts a real face on the true value of marriage and family and what can often be taken forgranted. I no longer complain as much about later nights at work.......because to me, that is better than never seeing my husband for months and months......... In just 4 short months I have grown up a lot. But, I can't say it has totally helped me with what I will have to soon face. Married life is really great.....and essentially I will be a "single" person again in a month and a half.....

Let's try this again.....

Well, wow,,,it seems another month has nearly went by. It's that time again...time to go and see if Philip is going to WLC! Warrior's Leaders Course for two weeks. Honestly, it's funny what a difference a month or so makes. I have met a few friends, gotten cable tv, a new hobby room, and some new furniture and well.......I am holding up a little better at the pending two week separation..... Don't get me wrong...I have shed a few quiet tears realizing how very much I do with my husband and depend on spending time with him.

Well, my husband just woke from his "little" 20 minute nap that seems so important.... Gotta rush...

Will update more later!