Come and Gone

So our time with Hun has come and gone and now we sit in silence lol, kind of. He came home the 28th of June and left just today and it feels like forever since Ive seen him. It was a short 2 weeks but definitely worth it, I missed him so much, but now is the time to start the count down til the end of deployment. I cant wait to see him again.

When he got home I was alittle nervous of how hed be around Stormie and how shed react to seeing her daddy for the first time since she was 2 months old. Might I say Im proud of them both. He was so playful with her and loved her ever second he could and she was taken by him in every way. She loved the faces Daddy would make at her and would bat her beautiful eyes at him and just make him fall deeper in love with her by the second.

We enjoyed some alone Mommy Daddy time as well. My dad took her for a few days so Hun and I could enjoy some alone adult time, which i desperately needed. We went to Niagara Falls and had a blast. But when time was up I was more then happy to get back to our babygirl.

The rest of the time was spent playing and shopping and doing things together.

He even celebrated my birthday a few days early because he wouldnt be home. He was so sweet about it.

This morning came all too soon and way too early. We had to be up at 2am which ment no sleep for either of us. The baby was up at 3am and we trucked out the door with everything he and I needed in tow for the trip to the airport to say goodbye again, well see ya later...theres never goodbyes. The drive home alone was quiet and lonely, with a sleeping 7 month old in the back and an empty passenger seat it seems like just yesterday I was picking Hun up and hugging him and thankful he was home! But were back to square one and getting back into our routine is key for this deployment to fly by. Tonight will be lonely as will other nights but I will remember the 2 weeks I spent with my husband and be anticipating his return him, hopefully sooner then later.

But for now my little girl is napping and Im reminising on the time spent with Hun. So until I can get the pictures taken uploaded Ill be writing soon.

On His Way....

Hun is officially on his long journey home. No say what day hell be in but he is nonetheless on his way. Im super excited to have him here with us in our new home with our growing daughter whom he hasnt seen since she was 2 months old. Shes getting so big, crawling, sitting up and just loving to play. She talks and laughs and screams with delight. Hes going to absolutely love the litter person she has become!

Were in the process of unpacking whats needed for him to be comfortable during his time home and the rest will be left for when he goes back. I just cant wait to have him here with us, even though its only 2 short weeks Ill take what I can get, its better than not being able to see him at all.

But let me take this opportunity to say....WOOHOOOO!

Im excited :)

The Beginning...

In the beginning it was the most unreal thing to ever happen to me. Hun and I met on the internet and things progressed quickly from there. He called me after I gave him my number telling me that it was Dominos pizza looking for Shana...bc he didnt know how to prenounce my name apparently lol. And from that night on from the moment the 2 of us were out of work we were on yahoo talking until the early hours of the morning, on many occasions we were online until we had to get ready for work again. For days upon days he was asking for my address so he could come see me, and I always refused, not knowing if he was some crazy man that was putting up a really good front. So I agreed to finally meet him but he had to meet me at my softball game, where there was witnesses...and bats if need be :). He got lost (surprise surprise) not only once but twice and finally I had him wait where he was while me and friend went to meet up with him. It was crazy, the emotions were way stronger then I ever thought. He took me and my friend out to dinner that night and we held hands the whole time, not being able to take our eyes off eachother for one second. I brought him back to my parents house to meet them and to hang out for a bit. When we were hanging out my dad got al paranoid and told my Mom that he could be here to kill us (hahaha), so we went outside to hang out (much better idea dad) lol. So for the next couple days, everyday he got out of work he drove 2 hrs down to my house to see me, even if it was only for a few hours and then drove back to Drum the same night. A weekend came and he finally was spending the weekend in Auburn, well when we tried to find him a hotel they were all booked, so we found one and he stayed there for the weekend, my Mom felt bad and agreed to let him stay with us on weekends, but only if we slept in different rooms. Two weeks later when we were out and about he took off for about an hour, when he finally met back up with me he was shaking and really nervous acting. I asked him what was wrong and he didnt answer. So we went out to the Jeep to drive back to my parents house and he proposed to me in the Jeep on October 14th 2006. It was perfect. We didnt tell my parents for some time because I knew how they would react to us dating for 2 weeks then getting engaged, but my Mom knew right away! She always knew everything before I said something, of course she did, she knew her daughter well. For months he tried to ask my dads permission for my hand in marriage and he would say things like "over my dead body". So one night we were sitting in the living room talking and Hun wanted to tell my parents what was going on, but he was too nervous so I had to do it, it was pretty funny watching him squirm lol.

Ever since the day I met my husband on the internet I knew with my mind, body and soul that he was ment for me, MY soulmate! Ive had such bad luck with men in the past but my husband....hes one of a kind, Ive never met another man like him. I love him with all my heart and I wouldnt trade him for anything in this world.

Just about 4 years later we are happily married, have a beautiful daughter and were going stronger than ever dispite this deployment. I just know when he gets home things will remain wonderful, I didnt say we were perfect, we do fight once in a while but isnt that in every marriage?!

I just wanted to share my story with you guys in hopes that it will make you laugh or smile. I know alot of people have many different stories of how they met their spouses, so as I was sitting here thinking about the past I thought Id write it out to look back on in words at some point and laugh. There is alot in there I didnt add...its TMI or whatever else you want to call it, just wanted to stick to the main points :).

My husband is the love of my life, always will be. Hes my best friend, my soulmate, my cuddlebug, and so much more! Hes a wonderful husband, and father! Stormie is a lucky little girl to have such a wonderful Daddy in her life.

But anyways, enough of me reminiscing on things. Its Mothers Day and Im going to go spend some time with my beautiful babygirl.

So....

...we are about 3 months down on this deployment and might I say its been a pretty fast one so far. Stormie is growing and learning more each day which definitely makes me smile. She has her 4 month shots this coming week ( alittle late because of the move ). and Im excited to see what the doctor says about her growth. I cant wait to find out how big shes gotten (in a number form). Hun will be home for leave in a few short months and before that Im moving back to Drum to get our house in order so we have a place to rest our heads when he returns for leave. I really cant express in words how happy I am that well have a place again so Stormie can just be herself and play and play and make all the noise she wants and same for my Zoey. Most of all I cant wait to have my bed back and my snuggle buddy too! Leave will go by fast, and I know this, but every second will be cherished to the max! I cant wait to see Stormie with her Daddy, I hope to see him fall in love with her as much as I have if not more. She is my little angel! a Blessing to this family! Without her Im not sure how Id do without Hun home. She keeps me busy thats for sure. The days pass by without a second thought and although I hate to wish her baby days behind us its just happening, faster then I even expected, which is a bad thing but also a good thing because thats all the sooner Hun will be home with us and our family will be in one piece again. There are so many things I want to do when he comes home but physically they all wont be able to happen, with limited time well be lucky to get a few things off my checklist of things to do. Its getting nicer out and me and Stormie have been able to go outside to play for a bit at a time and its just nice being able to get out of the stuffy house for a bit to just be outside.

Its hard to believe that in a few weeks it will be the 1 year anniversary of the loss of my Mother, whom I miss terribly. Shes definitely missed thats for sure.

Ill write more when things go on...its bathtime for the little one so I must be off.

Till then....

XoXo

Sending our love

I just wanted to send some love to our good friends The Martins as they say goodbye to a husband, a father, and a best friend. I want to wish you luck Ty in your travels and I will pray for your safe return. If any of you need anything just let us know.




To all the other Army Wives Ive gotten close to over the years who have their husbands overseas.....I hope all is well and that your hanging on and taking things as well as possible. Times are tough but they do end at some point.




To all the soldiers Ive meet because of my husband....good luck.....have fun and come home safe! If you want anything while your over there just tell my husband and Ill be glad to send some stuff over, after all deployments turn me into a carepackage queen!

Changes

So its been almost 3 months since Hun left for Afghanistan and were still going strong. I moved home to my fathers mid March and things have been steedy. Although we miss Hun like crazy were carrying on everyday as normal as possible. Ive become very used to caring for Stormie on my own with no one elses help, which Im sure will come in handy throughout Huns career in the Army. Because Stormie was so young when her Daddy left I fear that she wont remember him when he gets back. Ive been trying my hardest to show her pictures of her Daddy, hear Daddys voice when he calls and talking about seeing Daddy again. I guess only time will tell if she truly remembers. This is one of the pictures I always show her.





Stormie has been growing up so fast. Its so unbelieveable. Shes recently found her feet, starting playing with her hanging toys (ALOT), putting her little baby feet in her mouth (so cute btw), holding her bottle at every feeding, rolling over, talking to me (in her own Stormie way), growling (thanks Hun), and so many more amazing things. She is such a good baby, Ive been so blessed.




Stormie has become facinated with her Mommy, sometimes it makes it hard for me to try to walk away from her for even a minute. She is amazing! Its as simple as that.

We still have many months left in the deployment and Im pretty sure itll go by fast. But in those months Stormie will continue to grow and learn and I hope when her Daddy gets back he gets to enjoy as much of the things she does as I do. Watching her grow up and become her down little person is one of the best things Ive ever witnessed. I just wish her Daddy was here to enjoy every second possible. Ive been taking pictures and videos of her in the thoughts that even though its not in person that Hun can enjoy seeing some of the firsts and funny times. We miss you so much Hun, be safe, and come home soon. Cant wait to see you again with our daughter!

3 Months Old!

So its been three glorious months since my little angel was born and my has time flown by. Its hard to believe that just 3 months ago I was sitting in a hospital bed giving birth to her. Shes grown so much in the past few months. Heres the latest:


She has given up her pacifier and replaced it with her hand, which is nice because she cant lose that in the middle of the night. She is now on a two nap a day schedule which is working famously. She is so much happier during the day with that structure in her life. She has become facinated by the tv, which she stares at like theres nothing else in her little world.






She is starting to hold things on her own, only when she feels like it that is. She loves her "Stormie Gail" blanket toy.



She recently started to lay under her little play gym and kicks at one toy while using her hands on another and staring at herself in her mirror, SO cute!

And her tummy time....dont get in the way of her tummy time. My brother was sitting her while I was doing something and she just decided instead of sitting upright that she wanted to be on her tummy so she put herself there.

Below is a picture of my brother and Stormie on his visit for a few days this past week. We had tons of fun, he brought his fiance with him and I got to know her alittle better. Stormie loves her Uncle John, it was so cute how she reacted towards him, and hes pretty taken with her as well. Its nice to have family that is so willing to be active in her life.

She has started babbling tons during her waking hours. She tells me tons of stories and laughs tons. This morning I went in to check on her while she was napping, well crying, and I looked over the crib and she smiled, she was on her back! I couldnt believe it. I put her down on her belly for her nap and she managed to get on her back. Im so proud!

Unfortunately Hun cant be here to see all her progress, but Im going to do the best I can to capture those moments that I know he wanted to see. Hell be home soon, and then he can see her progress for himself.

Deployment Number 2

So....Hun was due to deploy yesterday, as most of you know. So Stormie and myself dropped him off and came home to get a nap and take a shower to go back to see Daddy before he headed off for a year. So we went back and spend a few short hours with him and said our goodbyes.



So Stormie got her final hug and kiss from Daddy....
And I got mine.


So....I wake up in the morning and of course like any normal Army wife I was very upset and alittle confused for half the day. Kept watching the clock for the normal times when Hun would call or come home, kept thinking he was in his normal spots where he relaxes and I kept looking out in the driveway thinking that Id see him walking in the door. I hadnt heard from him at all by this point. I finally got a call and I thought it was going to be to tell me they were leaving and to tell me he loved me and goodbye, but no I was very wrong, his flight was delayed, which seems like a blessing to any ordinary person because that means more time spent together but after you have already said your goodbyes it makes it a million times worse. I was very excited to go pick him up just to have that final hug and to feel him hold me even if it ment for only a couple more hours, even though I KNEW it would be that much harder to let him go again. So we spent some time together, the time the Army did give us, and I took him back to work and said a very very quick goodbye this time. Lastnight I didnt have that pit in your stomach feeling or the heartbroken feeling, I was content with the fact he was leaving even though I would miss him. But tonight....I had such a large pit in my stomach that it hurt and my heart felt like it was literally breaking in two. So I told Hun to take care of my heart because half of it was with him, and I didnt want it back til he was home again for good.


I feel like such a big baby about all of this but no matter how many times you said goodbye in a military career it NEVER gets any easier, no matter what people think, it only gets harder, it makes you think about the years you didnt get to spend together because of these deployments. Ya know, been there, done that type thing....but yes although I now know what to expect and yes i knew what I was getting myself into when I married this man but does that mean Im not allowed to miss him? I think I have every right. He is my best friend, my soulmate, my husband, the love of my life and I will miss him like Ive never missed anyone. I just pray for strength to carry on my everyday life with little disturbance so my daughter can have stability. She needs that now more then ever.


We will miss him terribly and he will hold my heart until he is boots down again in the states! Until then, I will cherish every coo, giggle and smile I get from my daughter, every cuddle from Zoey and Stormie and every hug from every kind face I know.


This house is not a home without him but i know before I know it hell be home bugging me all over again and well be a happy, complete family.


But for now, its bedtime for this tuckered out wife/mother/friend/sister/daughter and the list goes on....

Love Yall
XoXo

Changes....lots of Changes

As I sit here thinking of whats to come a lot of things come to mind.


As my daughter approaches were second month of life we prepare to say good-bye to a wonderful husband, father and friend. Hun is due to deploy anyday now. We are just sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear the date. He is deploying to Afghanistan for what we're hoping to be a shorter deployment then last time. Everytime I hear the word deployment my stomach gets in knots. I know that Im going to miss him terribly and worry fills my mind while I wonder if Im going to be able to handle being a Mommy and a Daddy for Stormie while her Daddys gone. I know he'll be safe because I believe in the training hes received and I know he has a good head on his shoulders. For a first time Mom of an infant its a scary thing to be left all alone while he goes away to serve his country. I worry about how I will move out of this area without Hun here to help me pack and move while Stormie is here, before it was easy because it was just me. But my little girl has needs that need to be filled and in my opinion her needs will be better met if we move to my fathers house, So I will figure out a way to make everything work.


As you all know I lost my Mother about 8 months ago now and she was my main support last deployment. She would sit up with me and talk to me as I cried because I was missing Hun so much. She would leave little notes in my lunches for me to read at work to make my day better. She would call me on my breaks to check on me and to tell me she loved me. She even learned how to text messege me and did so when she knew I was down. I miss her so very much, more and more with every passing day. And when I look into my daughers eyes I hope she never has to feel the heartbreak I felt when I lost my Mother. I dont know how I will survive this deployment without my Mom. I guess I will have to take it one day at a time. I know Stormie will keep me plenty occupied. I just hope I can give her all she needs and I hope I can be half the Mother my Mom was to me!


This deployment will provide my family with a lot of things that will help us in the years to come, and Im hoping(even though shes young) that Stormie will grow up understanding that her Daddy serves his country proudly and when duty calls he must leave, as much as it hurts us he loves us and will do whatever it takes to provide for us and make us safe. I also hope she learns patience with everything in life, and that nothing in life is handed to you, you have to work for everything you get.


Stormie is my whole life now, its not all about me. I have to give before I can take, and I will give her everything she wants, needs and deserves before I take those smiles, hugs and kisses that I hope I deserve.