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!

New developments

Philip and I spent the whole weekend cleaning......the house looks so clean and organized! Philip really did a lot of it, although I did a lot of the"surface" cleaning like vacuuming and laundry and such.........

Today Philip said goodbye to something near and dear to him....his ZX6 motorcycle....... a nice guy from San Antonio came up and bought it. I even hated to let it go, but for practicality purposes, it had to be done. Philip will be leaving in a couple of months and it will free up a bit more $$ monthly for our home and leisure activities...... I knew I wouldn't be riding it while he is in Iraq, so we sold it.

Also, today, we decided to invest some of our income tax return on some new purchases. I got a heavy powered vacuum cleaner(It really sucks!--lol! a Philip joke) and drum roll......... we made our first major purchase as a couple and bought a new washer and dryer!!!!!! I'm super excited. No more trips to the laundry mat! Yippee!!!! Trust me, it was getting quite old lugging several huge piles to the laundry mat and sharing your wash with all to see!! This should help keep the house looking uncluttered, as I usually had piles before I actually would go!

My hubby and I got some book shelves to and Philip put them together and put all my books on them. They are nice big ones with about 5 shelves and cost less than those you buy at WalMart. There are definitely benefits to the Army PX (Post Exchange)!!

Spring Cleaning

I am doing a bit of Spring Cleaning......okay,,,to be honest, I am doing a massive overhaul of the garage. With school and adjusting to married life, there are still a few things that I have yet to "master"........... I have been able to generally keep the presentable parts of my house really nice....

Anyway, long story short, I realize that I keep A LOT of things....specifically sentimental things..... Like pictures, birthday cards, graduation cards, etc............ Everything that has sentimental value.....I keep... I have decided...maybe I should take up scrapbooking!!!

I must say, I used to be anti-scrapbook......I thought it was too hard.....but, actually, I think it would be a wonderful way for me to organize my memories and use some of my creativity!!! :)

Marriage....the greatest thing....

Marriage truly is the greatest thing. I love my husband....for so many reasons, but I would have to say that overall the number one reason is how much I see God move through my husband. Sure, things aren't always a walk in the park....that is the case with every marriage. But, my husband is able to speak to me as if it is God speaking to me. I love that.

Every day I have with my husband is a blessing. Not just because I love spending time with him, and I do. It's because I grow myself.

Marriage takes mutual submission. I read about it over and over again before I was married.....but once you put it into practice, there is so much peace,,, it is unbelievable! It is no wonder,,,,because it is God's plan!!

What I have learned is that if you stop thinking about what your husband should and can do for you and instead think about what you can do for him,,,there are fewer arguments....and your home is one filled of love.....

Marriage truly can be the greatest thing....... a testimony to God's great love for us....the sacrifice he made on the cross..and the immense joy you can find in relationship with him!