One Fast, Crazy Year.

Wow! I can't believe its already been a year since Daniel left for basic. Its been such a whirlwind year--from the lonely anniversary and Christmas, to bmt graduation, to moving to Keesler, moving to Ga, and all the fun stuff in between. I can't even put into words how blown away I am at all that has happened this last year.

Our last kiss before he got on the bus to BMT

As most of you know, this time last year I was a mess. I didn't cry when he left-I kissed him goodbye and watched as his mom and aunt lost it. I stayed strong. I didn't even cry when I got home. It wasn't until we said goodbye on skype the night before he got on that plane to San Antonio that it really set in "Oh my...this is really happening."  We had our tears on the call, we said our goodbyes. And then he was off to become an Airman. That was 2 days before our 3rd wedding anniversary. That was an extremely hard day. The few of you who were able to see me, you know I was completely beside myself. So I was depressed for a few days there...but I had a voicemail from Daniel that really helped. The first phone call came Christmas Day around 7p---while we were eating dinner. I literally flew off the couch (mom and dad can testify to that--LOL) and ran to my room. I stayed strong that entire call, I was so happy to hear his voice. I just wanted him to talk...

So thats how the first couple weeks went. I waited for the phone to ring. I worked out. I tried to busy myself. As the time got closer to his BMT graduation, I was getting more and more antsy. I bought my plane tickets super early (I knew he wasn't gonna get recycled! He's too good for that! :P), made plans to get my hair done, pictures done, everything...then patiently waited for Feb 12.

BMT Graduation weekend was CRAZY. I got to see him on Valentine's Day (best Valentine's present ever!), and I was beyond happy. It went by super fast. I found out that I was moving to Keesler that day, but we had no idea when. We spent time with his family on Friday after the Graduation parade, ate at Chilis (one of our *used to be* favorite restaurants), and just relaxed. Saturday the two of us went to downtown San Antonio and the Riverwalk. it was gorgeous. We ate some good food, walked around, and just spent some time being us. Sunday we went to Cheddars and then went back to the hotel to be lazy. It was so hard to say goodbye that night. The only thing we knew was we'd be together again soon.

Us and our pup, Titan, on Biloxi Beach

me and my girls Lani and Nichole

The first month of tech school went by fast--thankfully. He was able to text, skype, call, whatever he wanted--whenever he wanted outside of duty hours. I finally was able to move March 19. Best day ever. Seeing him again for the first time in a month after the tease BMT grad weekend gave was fantastic--especially because we got the keys to our first house that day! We were so happy. Within 2 weeks of me moving there, he was able to move in with me. The next 6 months were fantastic, brutally hot, and filled with fun. I met new friends, I saw things I've never seen, I learned how to clean a 2 story 3-br house--and do it well (lol). I learned that sand is pesky and will follow you forever. We got our first puppy there. His name was Odin--he was precious...but due to an unknown infestation of hookworms at the time we got him--he died 4 days later.  A week later we decided to try again and went to the humane society--got a GS puppy because we thought thats what we wanted...... She turned out to be extremely aggressive and we were forced to return her--which is where Titan came in. He was the SWEETEST pup. The biggest of his brothers and sisters in the pen with him. And he's doing alright--lol. 9 months old now! I learned a lot about fitness there from one of my good friends...She gave me a bunch of workouts/circuits I can do in or out of a gym. I became addicted to Hobby Lobby, Michaels, and Starbucks (thanks girls. -.- lol). We made it through tech school easy peasy...but when it was time to leave--it was so sad.

everyone at dinner at BWW for my birthday

Graduation for tech school wasn't nearly as big as bmt. It was a small, intimate affair. We got to say goodbye to all of our friends. We all went out to dinner a few night prior. That very day we had our final inspection on our house--and passed with flying colors. We stayed in a TLF that was disgusting, and we got our stuff together. The morning after graduation--we hit the road. First stop--Brandon, MS to see Daniel's Aunts and grandmother. It was a good visit and I wish we could have stayed longer. After a couple days, we headed out to Tuscaloosa, AL to see Daniel's uncle and my brother. I love TTown. :) After a day or so there, we were off yet again to home. We were home for a whopping 2 weeks on RAP (recruiter assistance program). While we enjoyed being home and being able to see everyone--we definitely overstayed our welcome and probably will not stay longer than a week ever again unless we can stay in a hotel. IMHO. lol We ended up having to buy our first car while we were home because my suzuki decided it just had given up--lol. After RAP ended--we were off to our first duty station.

I've posted a little of whats been going on since we got here. I had the worst time adjusting. We got here and all the blinds were broken, the kitchen cabinets/counters were filthy, there were stains in the carpets, floors were disgusting--its a wonder this house passed inspection. We kept getting phone calls from the dealership where we bought the car saying we needed to come re-fill out paperwork--even though they KNEW we were in GA now. lol. It was  a stressful first couple of weeks. While I only had one friend, I longed for my friends from keesler. I hadn't really gotten to know my new friend here yet, and I lived vicariously through my friends who moved to Japan, Utah, and California. I know thats bad--but thats where my mind was. I was so sad here.

at the Christmas Party where we surprised everyone

3 months later--I'm doing much better here. I'm still not completely sold on this area--and I have my moments where I curse this town and its lack of EVERYTHING. But, I'm doing better. I have a few friends here, but I'd rather have a few good friends than a ton of acquaintances. We had Thanksgiving here this year and had a few people over. It was fun, but I probably wont do it again unless I get monetary help from all parties coming. It tanked us. lol. (mad props to those who do it every year and can afford it!). Since then we've had not a lot going on...Just trying to get some Christmas this year for everyone. We were actually able to get everyone something--God has blessed us more than we thought this month. :) We just got back on Sunday from a quick trip home to surprise Daniel's family at their annual Christmas party. It was so much fun. I loved the look on his mom and aunt's face when we surprised them. I also got to surprise my bestie--which was 20x more awesome! lol she about knocked me over when she realized it was me! :P She graduated this weekend from UAH for Nursing--so I was super proud and HAD to see her. :)

my little man, CJ on our trip home

This week is short--thank God! Daniel works today and a half day tomorrow--then he's off until the 30. :) We have our 4th wedding anniversary on Thursday (can't believe that either--4 years already!!!), and then on Saturday we head to our grandparents in Bham--then home for Christmas! Its going to be fantastic! Daniel opened one gift this morning because it was his AF Anniversary gift. Cleats so he can play gatorball with the shop for PT, and a morph mug (changes color on a 8-bit pixel heart when hot liquid is put in there). He was so happy. :)

But anyways--as you see--its been a crazy year. We've had fun times, sad times, times where I was thoroughly over the AF, times where I hated myself for that. We've seen friends come and go, built new relationships that will last a lifetime, and grown in our own marriage. We've gotten a puppy and a kitten, learned what its like to lose a pet after trying so hard to save it. We've figured out when we want to start a family, and we're working towards those goals. We have learned so much about ourselves and each other--we are different than when this started a year ago. We are better than we were a year ago.

I used to look at military spouses and be like "i could never do that. i'm not that strong." This past year has taught me that I AM that strong. I can do this. A deployment will be hard, a TDY will be tough, but as long as we are together again when it ends--nothing else matters. Keep busy, and treat it like its BMT all over again. I know I can handle it now. I know it'll be hard, but I know I can do it.

Anyways--i know a nice long post! But its been a busy year. ;) Thats all for now.

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

-Beth-