It only took a year for the FIRST post

This time last year I had really gotten into a lot of my friend's blogs. I had decided that it was my time to start blogging as we were just beginning the plans for our first big move--to Alaska. Things got busy and well, here we are...a year later. I can't believe it has only been a year, and since then...SO much has happened and our lives have and will continue to be changing.

There would never be enough time to catch up on the past year, but I figured the first post would be a good place to look back on some of the things that have happened. I think this is something I need to do for myself, as I need to remind myself that although life may get crazy,  I will always have the strength to get through it.

In the past year we have:

-Experienced our 1st family death as a married couple. My grandma passed away unexpectedly. It was a hard time, but B was there for me the entire time. He even took me to get ice cream at any hour of the night I wanted. Luckily we had not yet left our home in Oklahoma and were fortunate to be able to attend the funeral and have a closing with her, along with the other hundreds of supporters for my grandma. It was truly one of the most touching times in my life to see how important and special of a woman she was and always will be.

-Moved away from our first place that we, together, could call home. It had it's ups and downs, but when it was time to go, I was not ready to leave behind some of what will now forever be life long friends. Hardest part was knowing that they too, would be moving all over just days after.

-Made an 8-day, 5,035 mile trek across not only the good 'ol U-S-of-A, but Canada as well. There were long days, cranky days, and "get me the hell out of the car" days, but we made it. In one piece. Still married. It was definitely an amazing journey that we are blessed to have had the chance at.

-Survived living in a hotel for 45+ days before finally getting our first "real" place. Unfortunately, life has not settled down and it doesn't look much better than the day we moved in, but we will get there.

-Expanded our family as an anniversary gift to ourselves and got the best pup ever, Duke, flown up from the great state of Texas. Courtesy of my brother, thanks again for everything. Oh, and mom and dad for watching after the little guy for a few days--he's ready to see his Mops and Pops again soon!

-Started my first "big girl" job. As my life had been crazy and unstable since the day of college graduation I continued to have jobs "just to make some $$$", but my time has finally come and I was more than fortunate to land the job as the Assistant Youth Sports Director for all the programs on post. Almost 7 months later, I'm still thoroughly enjoying it, although it has it's times, and I definitely still have LOTS to learn.

-Found out B would be leaving for his first year tour overseas in May. It has now moved to April. I'm apologizing now for any soon-to-come posts that I'm sure I will be blogging. Don't worry, there will still be lots of happy posts, so don't quit on me yet. It'll be our first deployment, and even after spending 5+ years in a long distance relationship, this WILL be different. But there is not a bone in my body that doesn't tell me I won't get through this. I have more resources than I could ever imagine. And Duke, he can always turn my day around.

-Got to spend my birthday with B! To most people this may not be a big deal, but being as it was only the 2nd chance I've had in the 8 birthdays we've been together, it was a big deal. Although knowing that we would once again not be spending it together this year was a little rough, it was an awesome birthday. Friends and all!

-Traveled down to the lower 48 to cheer on the Army football team at Army/Navy in Philadelphia. Army lost, but we had a nice little weekend get-away and got to see some friends that we hadn't seen in a while.

-Went back home to San Antonio for B's Christmas leave. We got to see some family and friends and even better, Army's 1st bowl game in years. It was one of the best times we've had in a long time and we are super thankful to have been able to experience the big W by ARMY!

-Began the preparations for B's 1st deployment. I watched him pack his first bags and boxes to be sent off and then he was on his way to Fort Irwin, CA for the month of February for the real prep time of NTC.

-Been fortunate to go on one last vacay together before he heads off. We headed down to Vegas, San Diego, and Los Angeles. It was beyond amazing to have that time together, but as the time came to a close, it only got harder knowing what the next real step was--a year apart from one another. All in all though, we had an awesome time together and that is what will get us through.

Looking back, it sure has been a fun and busy year! This next year will bring many new things for our little family, but with faith and prayer, and all our support from every direction, we WILL get through it. TOGETHER. Physically and emotionally.

Love and Strength,

Lindsey