1/2 Way Through

Wow! I cannot believe Nick's been in country for 70 days, and gone for over 100. We're just about to the half-way mark... no way of telling for sure since we don't know his exact return date. We're hopin' and prayin' we can be each other's birthday presents!

I've been busy. I like it that way! I like being out all day and ready for bed by 8:00p.m. It keeps my mind occupied. I took my exercise certification exams the end of September, and am anxiously awaiting my results in the mail. 4-6 weeks! I thought we'd be graded on the spot, which we were for our practical exam; however the written portion was old school and reminded me of state assessments back in the day. Fill in the bubbles... it got old real quick! Anyway, because of the format the tests had to be mailed to the states, put through the grading machine and mailed back. One of the ladies here who happens to teach Spin and Body Blast (weight-lifting) has been letting me teach as little/much as I want to during her Body-Blast class. I really love it! And I am so grateful she is mentoring me! The most I've stayed in front of the class is about 10 minutes out of her 60 minute class, which is a great starting point. I'll continue to stay up there longer as I can find the beat of the music more readily.

Timi and Mom get here next week! I'm so excited, especially for Timi to be able visit another country and experience the culture. Kenzie is now wishing she could come. I wish she could too, I was just looking at pictures from when the three of them came to Florida and we were beach babes. Maybe she can come by herself in the spring, since she'll be a high school graduate!

Lucy and Zoe are doing well. I've been trying to trim them down a bit for a couple reasons. 1.) Mom and Timi are going to think they are fatties! and 2.) Zoe has her annual appt. the end of this month. Last year she weighed 24.9... they vet told me to put her on a diet! I've been trying ever since then, but it's just so hard not to give them treats all day! We'll see what the porker weighs in at this year...

Nick is changing locations sometime within the next week or so. He'll be going from doing nothing all day to being busy and doing his job all day. It's one of those things that make me happy and anxious all at the same time. I know how much he loves his job, so I'm thankful he'll actually get some down-range, hands-on experience. On the other hand, IT'S SO DANGEROUS! Geesh... I am at peace with it though. I am not one of those wives who is misinformed and doesn't know what her husband is up to. I'd rather have all the juicy, dirty, gory details so I know what we're in for. I had another tech fill me in this weekend on Nick's whereabouts, and what it boils down to is that he really needs our prayers for the remainder of this deployment. So, please pray for his safe return! :)

I took up running... It's really a love-hate relationship that I have going on with it right now. It all started because a friend of mine (who's husband is deployed with Nick) wants to run a marathon in April. I told her my body is NOT conditioned for running. Well, we started a 30 week training program a few weeks ago. It starts out very basic for the novice runner. It's hard for me, and my heart rate usually sores up to 85% of my MHR right away, but it's getting better. I love the challenge it has presented to me, and I love what it's doing for my core! I took a picture and sent it to Nick just to be sure, and he confirmed it; I have a 2-pack! I am continually working toward a rockin' hot, muscular body and am so proud to finally see a couple little ab-lets hanging out! ;) Melissa and I figure at the least, we're going to be in the best shape of our life by the time our husbands get home. That's inspiration enough for me to keep on trekkin'!

Well, that's all, I think. I am "used" to Nick being away, though I dream about him returning every day. It's one of those things I know I cannot change, so I don't bother consuming myself with the situation. I've been having fun and trying new things and really just enjoying life. I'm so excited for the next couple months, family visiting and then the holidays! Once winter hits I'm going to learn to ski and snowboard and before I know it, my baby will be holding me in arms!

Fall is in the Air!

I surprise myself every time I say this; I am so happy for fall! Normally I'm your girl who starts sporting my summer clothes in early spring in hopes the sunshine and warm weather will get here sooner. However, this year I find myself anxiously awaiting the first opportunity to pull out my nice Italian boots and slip on a pair of jeans to go out. Lucky for me, it's 72º out and by the time we go out to dinner tonight for Nikita's birthday I think it will be just the perfect weather. Maybe I'm antsy this year because it only means Nick will be here sooner or my Mom and Timi's trip is in mid-fall... or simply because I am changing. I find myself noticing which trees are starting to change colors and glancing up at the peaks of the mountains in hopes of seeing the first snow-cap. Whatever the reason behind my new-found love for fall, I am so glad it's here to stay!

I meant to post sooner, but as always I'm trying to stay as busy as can be. (By the time I get home from the gym for the second time each day I'm ready to just sit down and relax... not worry about sentence fluency or typos;)!) Not that this is relevant anymore, but Nick called last week and we got to talk for 1 hour 20 minutes! It was so enjoyable! It reminded of the nights he would call me when we were still dating (it was late when he called and I was already in bed, asleep!) and we could just talk on and on about anything and everything... goals, dreams, etc. I think our record time was somewhere around 4 hours when one or both of us would be drifting off.

Anyway, that night last week was great! I say it isn't relevant anymore because he got to call again yesterday! That conversation wasn't as long, which is okay. We talked about what I did for the remainder of the week and my plans for this week. He told me about his chance to go out on a couple calls and the way he fills a mop bucket up with soap and water to wash his clothes... Keeping with his low-maintenance way of living right now, his hair is long, far too long for Air Force standards and he's enjoying not shaving. I hope he is loving this man time... I really appreciate a clean-cut man! They are expecting to receive a satellite computer to share between the 3 of them, which will be incredible! No Skyping or Facebook allowed, but regular emails are possible. Who knows when it will get there... right now there is a computer for the entire FOB to share. He has been waiting his turn and getting on a few nights out of the week, but it will be much easier to share the computer that they can take to their tent and keep for themselves. With that being said, feel free to send him emails and photos! He really loves seeing pictures/videos of what's going on with the real world. I sent him a video of myself the other night and even though the computer he was on had no sound, he loved it!

With the month already being a quarter of the way done, I need to get on my studying habit's a little better! In high school and college I enjoyed waiting until the final days to write my paper or prepare for an exam... and it never hurt me, usually always ended up with A's. However, this Primary Group Certification Exam is a big deal to me! And even though I realize how important, I can't seem to force myself to study every day when I know I need to! Ugh.. Maybe if I get away from the computer. ;)

Here are a few pictures I've chosen to upload from Saturday night's Cosmic Bowling. I treated myself to a hair color last week (which Nick loves, says he likes it better this way) and I got all "pretty" to go bowling. Not too many chances for me to get all dolled up when the only person I want to impress is out in the middle of the nowhere (quite literally!). I'm normally found in my exercise clothes...

At Last...

Finally, Nick has made it to his home away from home for the next 158 days! They got there Monday (I believe?) and when he called me earlier this morning they were still trying to get their living quarters weighted down with sand bags and get their hands on a light. Yes, in case you didn't notice, they live in tents! He and his 2 teammates are the only Air Force guys on this Marine-ran FOB. They do not have showers... have to fill big bags up with water and let them sit in the sun all day to warm the water. Somehow they rig the bag up to the JERV and take a quick shower that way... Good thing it is an all-men "base". I don't even want to think about having to handle that. And, sticking with the no running water theme, they have holes in the ground to go to the bathroom in. If they are not eating a MRE, they get (I forgot the proper abbreviation) a MRE that is basically in bulk form for everybody to share. Starts with a U... He says sometimes they get in shipments of chicken, beef patties or steak and it's a special celebration! ;) Needless to say, I am going to be sending goodies all the time! Email me if you would like his address to send supplies to. I'm sure too much is never enough over there!

Yesterday I went and got hygiene supplies... toothbrush, soap, band aids.. just anything I thought I would want when situating into a new "home". Today I'm off to the commissary to shop for snacks and microwavable items. Yes, they have a microwave! I'm going to get popcorn for sure, and then just walk the isles to see what other kind of non-perishable (no refrigerator by the way!) meals I can find.. mac & cheese...

Also, he went out on his first call last night! He enjoyed it!

As for me, I've been up to Tabitha Kathrine Spoke! My friend Nikita was induced on Monday. I went and picked her mom up for the airport and we made it back just in time to see Nikita experiencing some hard contractions before medication... She asked for an epidural and it was smooth sailing from there! Thankfully, she let me stay in the entire time! It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life. I don't even know how to describe it... as soon as she was born I just started crying! I love her so much! She is so little and I keep getting nervous that she's so fragile, but I am also reminded that I won't break her. Needless to say, I've only gotten the opportunity to hold her once because I'm afraid of hurting her! Once they get home *hopefully this afternoon sometime* I won't be so scared. I can sit on the couch and cuddle her!! :) I am so happy we're neighbor's... It may get to the point on Nikita saying, "Get out already!!" ;)

Adjusting

Nick has been in Afghanistan for nearly 3 weeks now, away from home for 6 weeks and I'm starting to adjust. At first it seemed impossible to deal with him only being able to call once a week, but I am adapting the the fact. There isn't anything I can do to change it, so I am not going to get down about it. Instead, I am going to enjoy the calls he makes while I'm home and able to answer. If I miss a call, at least I know he is okay and had the chance to call.

I recently enrolled in 2 group certification courses through AFAA (Aerobics and Fitness Association of America) at our base gym. I am going to take the Primary Group Exercise Certification course and the Indoor Cycling Instructor Training course. With these two courses I can teach a spin class! I am so excited! Ever since I've discovered spinning in January I haven't been able to stop! It's truly the best cardio exercise (for me) that I've found. I love the group atmosphere, loud music and ability to work at my own pace within a class. It's challenging and I can always make it harder! At the least, I'm ecstatic to volunteer for Saturday morning classes... I won't actually take the courses until the end of September. I imagine it will be a few months still before I'm able to teach, but the idea of it is exhilarating!

Two months until Mom and Timi are here! I am excited! I need to start planning! I want to take them to stay at Camp Darby, and Army post near Pisa. From there, we can travel to Florence, Cinque Terra, Lucca... and many places along the way. I have a friend who recommended a kennel, so hopeful Lucy and Zoe will be okay for the duration of our travels! I get so nervous leaving them with anybody because Lucy is an escape artist and I don't want her to get hurt or never come back to me! She's my spoiled baby. Poor Zoe, her daddy isn't here to spoil her! I try to do my best, but everybody knows that Lucy is mine and Zoe is Nick's... It's just not the same cuddling up with Zoe. Gee, I am a terrible mother! ;)

Well, that's all for me. Nothing new, really. Just sticking to the same ole routine of going to the gym as much as possible. I'm also trying to squeeze in every last pool day we have left! They close September 7... Until next time!

Afghanistan

I received the following email this morning... I'm pretty bummed about it. I haven't spoken to him in a week and the 2 emails (including this one) I've received are short. I was really hoping for one or the other... steady phone calls or steady internet connection (which would have been better) so we could email and skype. Looks like I'll be lucky to get phone calls... which will be tricky since I am trying to keep so busy. Anyway, he's not staying in Kandahar, so it will probably be awhile before I hear from him again. Boo.

"hey babe
im here in kandahar but there is little to no internet and its only gonna get worse the further we head downrange, probably wont be able to get on very often but i think we'll have a sat phone so i should be able to talk to ya that way.
i love you and tell everyone else i said hi and i love them too.
i'll talk to ya soon,

love nick"

Time Flies...

Wow! It's already August, and Nick and I have been apart for a month now. The time passed so quickly, and for that I am thankful! Roni and the children have been keeping me so busy and I can't thank them enough! (I love having an excuse to go to the pool... and the kids are great and making that happen! hehe!) Other than spending time with them I have been focusing on getting a stronger body. July 31st was the one year mark of my commitment to exercise and eat healthy and get back the body I had when Nick and I got married. I've lost 20 of the pounds I put on since that first year of being a wife, and now my goal is to loose 10 more pounds of fat but gain it back in muscle. I am well on my way. This is the third week I've incorporated weight training into my routine and I can already tell that I am stronger! This is such a great goal to keep my mind focused while Nick is away.

Speaking of Nick, he is currently awaiting transport to go fight the big war. Oddly enough, he and I are both excited. He's excited to get over there and work and I'm excited to hear, from him, what it's like. I know that being open with each other about our emotions whether we be scared, excited, nervous, etc. is the best way to go! And I'm sure when he actually gets there I will no longer be so excited, and more scared. And he'll probably get even more excited... Nevertheless, he's going and I think we're ready individually and as a team to get through this!

I also want to express the pride I feel! I have never felt so much pride in my entire life, not even about an accomplishment of my own! I just want to get on the news and shout to the world that my husband is off to war to fight for our great American country! He is so strong, courageous, brave and intelligent! I am so deeply proud of my hero! I hope all military wives get to experience this feeling because it is truly great!

Anyway, we're down to 187 days and counting... of course it may be more or less by 7-14 days depending on when he actually arrives and the availability of space on the planes when he's headed back. At any rate, it's good to know we have one month down and out the way!

Zoe Turns Two!

Yesterday was Zoe's second birthday! Last year Nick and I grilled a steak for her. This year we (the dogs & I) were over at Roni's so we made her a cake. Haha! It was Banana Nut Cake... stuffed with dog treats. It smelled so appetizing until the treats caught your eye! We made a large cake for Zoe and two slightly small "loafs" for Meeka and Lucy Lou.

Not the best decorating skills Roni's ever displayed...

Lucy was so jealous!
Mmm!

Meeka, Lucy & the Birthday Girl

She licked the frosting for awhile until she realized what was under it! Can't get it down quick enough!