The "D" word

Deployment...yuck! Getting ready and although I hate to admit it, it's coming nearer. But the sooner they leave, the sooner they return. It's like this every time....a visit home and then they're gone. BUT I'm trying to look at this as positively as I can. 1. It's going to be shorter this time. 2. I get alone time (and everyone knows I need that!) 3. I can work out A LOT and he'll see how much better I look when he gets back 4. I'll be busy with all the projects I have going on 5. I'll be DONE with school! We have a lot going on in the next few weeks. Going back to Michigan for a visit, and then moving into our new home. It's a shame that I am going to have to get settled in the house without him, but it gives me more time to adjust and get things exactly the way I want them. I'll have little projects to keep me busy and hopefully a puppy too by then! Yes, we are going to get a puppy. So in all this sadness and anxiousness that we have going on right now, I know it'll all go by quickly. There will be lots of surprises when he returns- hopefully I will physically be in better shape, and I'll have things all ready, unpacked and organized in our new house. Which means also tending to the outside (eeeek)There's a lot ahead of me! I will miss this little noisy apartment, and the lack of skills you really need to live here. Trading it in for a quiet house really will be nice, and everything to keep me busy over the summer. Enough with the depressing "D" word, I will look at this as positively as I can!

Marriage

We aren't married yet, but living together has been a huge eye opener already. There's so much adjusting that comes with moving in with someone, but I already knew that. Living with roommates in college, there were issues as with anyone. Figuring out who does what chores, sharing responsibilities and combining different lifestyles. For the most part we live alike, but we are still getting used to each other. We are constantly learning new things about each other- how we like to keep things, our routines. It's kind of fun to learn these things about each other and I know we are nowhere near knowing everything. Ben likes the dishwasher loaded a certain way, and I like to keep the sink clear. I think sometimes we're both stubborn in our ways and we like to do things the way we like to and are used to doing them. But with marriage and living with someone, there's more adjusting and finding your new routines TOGETHER. It's been hard for me because with everything I gave up- my home, my job, routines, and then I'm facing all these new things. Most married couples move in together and face these same issues, but in addition to this I'm trying to learn a new city and find a job. I heard a quote about a month ago and it went something like this, "If life just got a little bit harder, it probably means you just leveled up." I keep repeating this to myself over and over again. Whenever I'm feeling overwhelmed I remind myself that its making me stronger and our relationship stronger. Welcome to marriage!

Moving!

It's been a long time since I've blogged, and a lot has happened since then! I have moved to Tacoma and started my life here. It was a HUGE HUGE change, one of the biggest and hardest things I have ever done. But I know that Ben and I are going to be so happy (and have been!). Thought I'd share some of the pictures that my sister and I took along the way, the long 2600 mile drive.

It was the longest car ride of my life but by far the best! We got to see so many amazing things! I will cherish these photos for my whole life. Not many people I know can say they drove across the country. I can't wait to do more!

Engaged!

So it's been a while. I put down the blog for a while because I guess I felt I didn't get anything out of it. Not gonna lie- turned to Tumblr. BUT sometimes I feel with Tumblr I can't be personal enough. I can't write out my feelings. I'm just in the mood.

It's official. I'm on my way to becoming an Army wife. Yes, we are getting married. I plan on moving out to Seattle sometime this spring hopefully and we begin our lives together. This makes us sooo happy because we can now spend more time together and grow as a couple. We know sometimes it might be hard, but we'll get through it. We've gotten through 2 years apart and 3 deployments, right?? It's going to be amazing to see him every day (except when he deploys). I feel like I can't get out there soon enough. Of course, he has some stuff to do in the meantime and so it's not really a good time for me to move right away, but I will when he's back.

I think about all the stuff we have a head of us- house hunting, the wedding, babies. Yes, babies eventually and we want several! It's so exciting and so much to think about! We'd like to try and get a house before he leaves again so that I can settle in and personalize it, keeping me busy while he's away but we'll see. We hope to get married before he leaves. Of course, my parents don't like the idea because they think we should have a nice long engagement, time to prepare and plan. I'm thinking that he's going to deploy and I'm going to be in a new place, a new state all the way across the country and no real ties to him. Not that being married will make things easier, but it will, for me. For me, I'll be able to go on post, I'd have health insurance, get any support I need from the military. Plus if we do buy a house or if we're in the middle of doing so, I can help out when he leaves. If we're not married, that won't happen.

Then there's there girls. I look forward to being there, around others going through what I am. It's kinda difficult being here where no one really realizes what we're going through. At least with them we all can relate and support each other.

Overall, I'm just lucky to have him. I love him so much and can't wait to be with him forever!