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!

Lake Barcis

Zoe, Me & Lucy
Zoe didn't care for the water...


Lucy learning how to swim!

Lake Barcis up in the Italian Alps

This picture is for Nick since I was wearing my hat ;)

A random cemetery we came across while driving through the mountains

Yesterday Roni, the kids and I, took our puppies to Lake Barcis up in the mountains, about 10-15 minutes from where Roni lives. They wanted to take their new puppy to play in the water, and Lucy and Zoe have never had the opportunity to swim so we all went! The girls were so excited to be outside walking and exploring around. Of course, they had to stop at every single tree and smell past dogs who had left their markings... We finally got to a spot where we could walk the dogs down in the water. Lucy walked in no problem, Zoe didn't want leave the solid ground! Obviously, I didn't give them the chance to stay on solid ground. :) Zoe hated it so much when I threw her in the water I didn't even try again. Lucy was so cute doggy paddling though, I couldn't resist doing it a few more times! I was so proud of my little swimmer. heehee! I really wish Nick could have been there to see her swim. He would have loved it! After taking the dogs for a dip, we proceeded to drive further through the mountains just taking in the scenic views. It was so gorgeous and relaxing (well, for me that is... Roni was driving!). We stopped off at a few different spots, one of which being the town captured above with the cemetery. It was so well kept and beautiful! After spending a few hours playing around we came back to Maniago and had doner kebabs for dinner...mmmm! It was such a great way to spend the day, and a wonderful chance to get out of the house! If the rain stays away *fingers crossed* we plan on going back up to the crystal blue water and swimming around tomorrow, without the dogs. Hopefully I'll have more pictures to post!

Ready!

So, the first couple weeks of having little contact went ok. It always goes ok when he's gone for a short time. But when he goes on long TDY's, and now this, I am just ready to be able to talk to him again! I would even be happy with everyday emailing. It's just so rough desperately wanting to share something with him, or ask his opinion on this or that, and I can't right now! I've been having bad dreams lately, (Hey! He's the one who is supposed to be experiencing those with his Malaria medication!) and usually when I wake up he's right there beside me and can cuddle me up in his arms. Now I wake up with that dream on my mind all day... They are silly dreams that I know aren't true and won't ever become true, however, it is so much easier to accept that they are just dreams when he's here to reassure me. I know this is contrary to popular belief, but I just can't wait until he gets to Afghanistan so we can have some sort of communication more than once a week.

I am doing well, though. Last night I went with the Coppock's (my BFII-best friend in Italy (Roni) whose husband is also deployed and their 2 children) to pick up their brand new puppy! She's so cute and fluffy! Meeka is a golden retriever and the kids were so happy to get to bring her home! So was Roni... It was love at first sight. She was so playful! She did as good as could be expected the car ride home. She was nervous at first about meeting Lucy and Zoe, but they are going to be BFII's too so they have to get used to each other. ;) I'm excited to get back over to Roni's this afternoon and hear all about what she's done! Before that though, I'm going to Nikita's (my neighbor and first friend upon arriving to Italy) baby shower! I hope she gets a ton of stuff... Tomorrow I going to learn how to make lumpia with Roni and another friend. It is so delicious! Maybe I'll be able to save some for my mom and Timi to try when they come visit me in 89 days! Well, I think that is enough rambling for now! 196 days until Nick's birthday, and hopefully his arrival back to Italy!!!