4 months and counting...

It has been quite a while since I showed my face around here...there have been a lot of changes in my world as of late. My Soldier has been deployed for almost 4 months, it seems like 6 already. Second deployment is much like I anticipated, dreading the things I know are to come and waiting for them to occur... at the same time, I've found that there is peace in knowing no news is good news and the sun really does rise each morning, despite how long the nights are. More about deployment later.... what I really wanted to share with everyone is the reason I've been gone so long. I realize I have to catch you up in warp speed... so here we go.

My hubby left early in March, and I wanted nothing more than to be the brave, independent wife who kissed him goodbye and stood strong until he was out of sight before the tears fell. But it didn't really work out that way. Night before the send off I was up allll night sick. My amazing husband stayed up with me for hours, only getting 3 hours of sleep before his long travels. I was a mess that morning, crying every five seconds and wondering how in the world I would survive the day.. after reporting on base, we had a couple hours to pass. We walked around and tried to talk about anything but the looming goodbye ahead. And then I got sick again. and again. and again. Isn't there something about Murphy's Deployment Law? You WILL get the flu or have something inconvenient and horrid happen on every send off, R&R or welcome home ceremony. Well its true. My Soldier tried his best to convince me to drop him off early and go home, but I refused. I'd rather spend my last hours ralphing on the side of the road than leave him for a year knowing I had 2 more hours.... the send off came and went, I was miserable but it didn't kill me. If anything, being sick distracted me from the gut wretching pain that makes its mark on you when your heart walks across the flight line and takes off into the horizon....

My best friend and fellow marine milspouse held my hand that day, and through the next week as my symptoms continued to plague me like the flu with avengance. I dismissed the nagging questions lurking in my heart and chalked it up to exhaustion, stress and heartbreak. Until a week later, when a surge of bravery took over and I had to know. It was 8 days after my soldier deployed that I sat on our bathroom floor and bawled my eyes out. We are having a baby. a precious little baby that we tried and waited for so long. and now my husband was gone. gone to celebrate the news, quiet my fears and assure me that this was God's perfect timing despite my panic. but most of all, my husband was gone for 12 months. without an assurance of R&R or even where he would be... For those of you who are faithful readers despite my 4 month absence, you understand the significance of this news after reading this post...  I was beside myself with the news, so I called my best friend to cry it out and then waited a day to tell My Soldier. I didn't know how to share the most amazing and yet heartbreaking news over the phone... but we were able to skype the next night and I burst into tears and told him. He was so happy and excited, he actually teared up. ( I have NEVER seen him cry, not at funerals, not when he left me last deployment, NEVER!) It was a precious moment that I will never forget. He has been more excited than I've been.

Which leads me to my excuse explaination of why I haven't been around since learning this news... I have never, ever, EVER been so sick in my life. The first 16.5 weeks have been filled with nothing short of 14 hours a day of sleeping ( and sometimes more!), ralphing every ten minutes day and night, headaches, body aches and wondering how on earth women actually WANT to do this again. I am SO excited to hold my precious baby in my arms and become a family of 3, but I cannot fathom how anyone actually enjoys this process called pregnancy. Its more like a process of torture... I tried everything from ginger chews and saltines, to seabands and peppermint aroma therapy, to gingerteas to prescribed meds. Nothing was the cure. A temporary slight relief at best. But praise the Lord above, last week I finally woke up and made it 3 hours before yacking. And the next day it was only 2-3 times instead of 8. And before the end of the week I woke up and had an entire DAY without getting sick! The slight nausea feeling hasn't quite passed, but I am counting my blessings. I can actually clean the house, shower and do something outside of the house all in one day!

I promise to be more faithful at posting, if anything to keep you updated on the baby....

For now here's your update:

*17 weeks 5 days
*weight gain 5 lbs
*fleeting "butterfly" moments of the little one squirming
* We find out the gender next week, I am SO excited to know! We all think pink, but I am a little skeptical because our family trackrecord- the Griffins are all boys!!
*craving- sugar. I am trying to fight it. I think after 16.5 weeks of eating nothing, I am wanting to inhale all things sugar and tasty!

Stay tuned!

Crazy In the Head

Deployment makes you go crazy.

Before. During. After.

Legit Crazy.

If you've ever experience deployment, you'll know what I'm talking about.

If you haven't, well I hope you never have to.

Dreams- Where in the heck to the wacked dreams COME from?

 I can understand the insane dreams of ninja terrorists breaking into your house, killing the dog and kidnapping you to bribe your soldier for information.

Or the ones where you miss the send off and suddenly realize that you won't see your soldier for an entire year and you don't understand what happened or why he couldn't say goodbye.

The nightmares, I expect. I hate them but I understand.

But, what about the ones where you find yourself in a foreign country trying to find your soldier and there are ten thousand uniforms and all the faces are blurred out and you can't find yours no matter how hard you try. You scream and scream and call for him but he doesn't answer...

Or the ones where your front door gets stuck and you can't open it for all your worth and the dog has to go out and contemplate shoving her out the window. and then the aspca comes and takes her away becase your neighbor saw you throw her out the window.

(so this may be an actual concern, seeing as how our door keeps getting stuck and I am not strong even to open it!)

Or, let's just talk about the crazy hormones going on.

S.T.R.E.S.S

What if I forget to change the oil in the car? What if I send our house into financial ruin?

Pizza for dinner. I should have made his favorite, I'm a terrible wife.

Don't ask for his help on this, you have to learn to do it alone.

He asks for another cupcake, I say no because they are for the party. He says, isn't it my party? Yes- but I don't want you to eat them now. Ten minutes later on the floor in a puddle of tears, he promises he didn't really want a second cupcake but says he'll eat five if I will stop crying.

I'm annoyed at him for throwing dirty laundry in the basket of clean towels. and out of nowhere the thought flies into my head, it'll be so much easier when he isn't here to make a mess!

 And then the hysterical tears of guilt.

Oh, the guilt. Have mercy.

I ran an errand when he was home. I missed 3 hours I could have spent with him.

I shouldn't have stayed up to watch American Idol, I should have gone to bed with him....

I've got to get out of my own head.

I am going crazy!

WE: not me vs. you.

"Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love overs all offenses."

Proverbs 10:12

There has been a lot of smoke around the milspouse blogging world as of late.

Most of you know what I am talking about.

I had to wait a couple days before writing this post, because I knew in my heart of hearts- that my ugly flesh would come roaring out if I did not allow the Spirit flood in.

I am addressing it, not to fuel the fire.

Not to defend my husband or my role as an Army Guard Wife.

Not to confront or put someone in there place.

And certainly not to spread gossip.

But I do think it needs to be addressed.

Because this kind of bickering and backlash tears a body down.

And aren't we all one body?

Don't we all serve for one common goal?

Didn't we all recite the same pledge and creed?

It is no secret, that in the military world each branch is distinct.

Army.Marine.Navy.AirForce.

Active.Guard.Reserve.

And we all know the jokes. the poking at each other.

 "marine jarheads",

  "ain't ready for marines yet army",

 "sailors who don't swim"

"air conditioned airforce"....

I would be lying if I said they've never been spoken in my household.

You'd be lying if you did, because we all say them.

And we all laugh.

But at the end of the day, whether I'm talking to my best friend whose husband is a deployed Marine,

or my co-worker whose husband and son are in the Air Force,

We are all in this TOGETHER.

We may not walk the same steps, but we walk the same path.

Its true, that I cannot relate to PCSing or moving across country.

But I do know the struggle of deployment without knowing another milspouse nearby to confide in.

I don't have to worry about My Soldier deploying every other year.

I worry deployment every two years. because our guard unit is the most deployed unit in our state.

The longest stretch (aside from deployment) that I've gone without My Soldier is a 3-4 month school.
But we've never known a one weekend a month, two weeks a year schedule. ever.

in fact we've been training for this deployment since four months after last deployment,

 and we already have alerts for the next deployment before this one even starts.

I don't call it a BX, I call it a PX. even though the only one in a 50 mile radius is technically a BX.

I don't understand the Marine ranking system.

 (my best friend and I try and figure out what means what in "our" branch....its really funny actually.)

The list could go on and on and on...

Because we are different.

But we are also the same.

When we start walking towards that place where we compare and try to exalt ourselves against our brothers and sisters...thats a dangerous place to be in.

As you can imagine, military spouses are STRONG.

We have to be.

We learn to brave a smile when our love in uniform kisses us for the last time in X months and walks away leaving us standing alone...

We take on dual parenting.

We learn to mow the lawn or shovel the driveway.

We take over finances.

We sleep in a big empty bed.

We wait all day for 5 minutes of delayed fragmented phone calls.

We study for promotions and boards.

We memorize ranks.
We learn acronyms.
We encourage and support our uniform.

When did we become me vs. you?

When did details break down a community of support and acceptance?

When did difference become distance, and camaraderie become competition?

I won't deny my initial reaction to this spiral of controversy.

I was hurt. Offended. Outraged.

As I should have.

But what does quarreling accomplish?

Nothing.

My sister said it best here, that every uniform, regardless of branch, regardless of rank,

stands shoulder to shoulder to defend our country and uphold their oath.

Shouldn't we as milspouse's follow their lead?

That feeling when you sign your 30 page mortgage agreement...

Yesterday I officially joined the mid-20"s club.
And of course, My Soldier was MIA.
Drill weekends and TDY usually fall around holidays and birthdays.
Of the 4 years we've been together, we've shared just 1 birthday celebration each.
That's just how it works right?

I did get a present from the Army though.
A text message from my hubby saying he has 1 day to decide to re-up.
24 hours to plan the next __# years...

His service date is in June, so we thought we had several more months.
On one hand, I can not imagine a life without the military.
On the other... "normal" life, with a hubby at home. always. hmm....

But the gut-kicker was this: re-up and get a nice little bonus.
OR get out next June and he won't go on the upcoming deployment...I think the thought of getting out gave me the butterflies more than re-enlisting,
but all I got from the conversation was:

He could stay home next year. We finally got to talk about it late last night and have decided to re-up.
The Lord has yet to call us somewhere else. And we both have peace about the decision.

But you know that feeling when you sign your 30 page mortgage agreement...it still kinda feels like that.

Because no matter how you spin it- we signed over the next ___# years of our lives.

   

My Next Adventure

I am so very excited to share with all of you what has been consuming my free time as of late....

I am now an official Arbonne International Consultant!

Having just signed up last week, my kitchen at the present time looks like an Arbonne Christmas exploded! 

I was thrilled to come home to 4 lovely boxes filled with Arbonne goodies for my starter kit.

The products are even packaged pretty!

 

 For those of you who aren't familiar with Arbonne, you seriously owe it to yourself to check it out! 

 For years I have been an avid supporter of their products and their promise to deliver pure, safe and beneficial products that uphold their botanical tradition.

 

It wasn't until just recently a family member (an area manager for Arbonne) asked me to take a closer look at the business side of Arbonne. My first thought was that I wouldn't be any good at it, or that I wouldn't have the time to start it up while working a 45+ hours a week job...but the more I looked into this incredible opportunity, the more I realized it was a tangible reality for me.  She gave me this video and it really made me think... why not? Why isn't that lifestyle and opportunity as available to me as it is to them?

 

Then I made My Soldier watch it. And read the pamphlets. And listen to the informational call.

His approval sealed the deal. So here I am!

Kickstarting a new home business, with a crazy work week that requires an hour drive both ways, a puppy who is in desperate need of training and excerise,and these insane migraines that have plagued me for the last 6 months. 

 

And I'm loving it.

 

 I am busting my hiney to get my calendar filled with party dates and new clients to order products.

This isn't a get rich quick scheme by any means, but it is a lifestyle worth the work.

Freedom of time, being my own boss, and being part of an organization that strives to bring beauty to the world inside and out. Not to mention their products are amazing quality.

 

I have the best intentions to spend a little more time around here...

Look for my new Arbonne page..it's in the making!

 

Arbonne.com

 

 

 

LAST CHANCE!!!

 Today is the last day to enter my giveaway! Have you entered yet? Theres been a lot of you who stopped by...but only a few left comments... (better chances for those who did to win!) Come on! Introduce yourself- win a fabulous giveaway!! I'd really like to meet you!  

The "D" Word.

My head has been spinning lately.

I keep catching myself playing the "what if" and "when" game...

deployment is slapping me in the face from every angle.

and my soldier isn't even deploying.
not for another year.

but my best friend's are facing it in their near future. they are making plans and adjustments. preparing themselves for single mommy-hood. steeling themselves for the rough journey.

and everything is flooding back.

the long nights filled with insomnia. the lonely days waiting for that blessed 5 minutes phone call.

I can't decide whats better, the blissful ignorance of first deployment or the painful truth of knowing what lies ahead. I've tried to be still and listen to what I know the Father must be trying to reveal through this.I know it isn't my burden to carry.

I believe and have faith that He gives grace sufficiently.

I KNOW He gives strength for each day.

And I still find myself trying to stand beneath the weight.

I want to spare them from the pain.

the fear. the constant worry. the loneliness.

I know how to be a hooah buddy and walk through the "tour of duty" when I'm going through the same thing. I've been there through the tears and long awaited letters, the 3 am phone calls because you can't sleep. planning skype dates and sending flat rates.

I understood because I was living in the same shoes.

But what will I say when I have my soldier in my arms?

How do I comfort in the middle of the night when my bed isn't lonely and cold,
when ACU's still line my closet and dirty PT's fill my hamper?

I'm scared my "hooah hooah hooah" won't be the same.

That kills me.

As thankful as I am that My Soldier won't be leaving anytime soon, I think I almost feel guilty for it. Like somehow I should walk through the same journey while they do. If only they would all deploy at the same time. later, not sooner.

If only Soldiers could arrive at home at 5 o'clock for dinner everynight
and tuck their daughters into bed for a goodnight kiss.
and no birthdays, holidays and anniversaries were missed.
and puppies were family pets and not guard dogs when you're scared to live alone.

If only the "sandbox" was a place where sand castles were built and seashells were lined in rows.
If only life were... simple? easy? fair?

Deployment. I just don't know what to do with you...

How do you face deployment fears?
Have you ever felt the weight of someone else's trial?

MilSpouse Blog Carnival- Last Day!

I have had such a wonderful time blogging for the carnival this week and reading what all the other amazing wives have written. It has been wonderful to meet other milspouses in the faith!

Check them out here!

Today's topic is Where I Find My Strength

Ultimately, I find my strength in the Lord.

He is the only source of perfect light and love.

When I am weak, He is strong.

His hands are mighty enough to hold all my fears, insecurities and doubts.

His arms cradle me when I am lonely, sick and tired.

His words bring comfort, peace and stillness.

He will never leave me nor forsake me.

There is none like Him.

The Lord has also given me a Hero, to love and honor

Who is my other half, my best friend.

My Soldier brings me joy and security

I know I am safe by his side.

Come what may, we will endure together

This man I call my husband, he is the strength for my heart.

He leads me to the Father, where we draw strength together.

I am so blessed to have such beautiful friendships in my life.

Each of them hold a special place, unique to themselves.

I am so thankful for these woman.

They are the treasures in life.

They ones who answer tearful calls in the middle of the night

Who send you packages with pretty ones and fun tea cups

Who hear in the silence the exact words I cannot say

They are the ones who will last forever

Kindred spirits until the end.

Family. It cannot be described in words.

There are no measures for its loyalty

Love, understanding and sacrifice.

Family is home.

Home is comfort.

Comfort brings its own source of strength.

This is where I find my strength. This is where I find myself. This is where I find love.

Happy Military Spouse Appreciation Day!!!

I didn't have the opportunity to post today for the MilSpouse blog carnival at Wifes of Faith,

BUT I wanted to wish you all a

HAPPY MILITARY SPOUSE APPRECIATION DAY!

I am so thankful for the friendships I have made through my fellow bloggies.

You guys all ROCK!

A special thanks to my best friend and hooah buddy Kate,

I don't know what I would do without you!

MilSpouse Blog Carnival- Day 6!

Day 6 : What's Cookin'?!

I have posted this recipe before, but its one of my favorite snack/desert!

Super Easy. Super Yummy. Mostly Healthy.

Ingredients:

2 lbs green seedless grapes
2 lbs red seedless grapes (I used only red)

8 ounces sour cream

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste

Topping Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar, packed, to taste

1 cup crushed pecans, to taste (I used 1 1/2- you can also use walnuts)

Note: I used low-fat or fat free cream cheese and sour cream-tastes just as good!

Directions:
Wash and stem grapes.

Set aside.

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla by hand until blended.

Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.

For topping:

Combine brown sugar, and crushed pecans.

Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely.

Chill overnight.

Told you it was super easy.

Check out more MilSpouse recipes here!

MilSpouse Blog Carnival- Day 4!

Day 4: 10 Tough Things About Being a Military Wife

1. Deployment- separation from loved ones is always difficult, but deployment separation takes the cake. It's hard when the rest of the world around you moves on with life, while yours has temporarily frozen in time waiting for combat boots to grace your doormat once again. Not knowing where he is, what he's doing, when he'll call, if he'll call... but in that place where you have no control, God works in indescribable ways to show Himself faithful. When you are able to be fully dependent upon Him, it is an amazing revelation to see He truly is enough.
2. Learning to speak in Code-oh the joys of trying to learn the billion acronyms the military has. The best part? It CONSTANTLY changes and each branch has their own variation! But once you get the basics down, you can finally understand whats going on!
3. Independence-learning to be independent and holding the fort down is a great lesson that I am thankful for, however its difficult to transition from independence to submission when hubby returns. I constantly battle with the desire to take the lead and jump into action, yet I know my role as a godly wife is to be a supportive and submissive wife. Though I haven't overcome this struggle, I am learning (with the Lord's help!) patience and self-control and most importantly trust in my husband.
4. OPSEC-most often I don't have a problem keeping things underwraps. I am conscientious of what I can or cannot reveal, and am entirely in agreement that it is necessary and for the safety of our fighting men and woman, HOWEVER it is frustrating for me to see blatant violations of OPSEC from those who know better. I have learned to confront in love and kindness and withhold my judgements.

5. Opinions and Comments from Others-we've all heard them. From friends, family and strangers..."why would you marry a soldier?", "well you signed up for this", "what did you think deployment would be like?", "are you proud that he is fighting in a losing war?"(GRR!) ...and my personal favorites, "do you miss him?", "is it hard when you don't know what he's doing or where he is?", "what if something happens to him, what will you do?", "don't you think you're a little young to have this life", "did you know the divorce rate in the military is 50%?", "I bet its hard not to cheat", "oh, he flys in blackhawks- have you seen blackhawk down?" (and yes- someone actually asked that, ON deployment!) I think I could go on and on... All I can say is that God has faithfully shown me grace and allowed me to hold back the angry tide and respond in love. I can't lash out at them for being ignorant.

6. Inactive v. Active-since My Soldier is in the guard, I don't have the same experience as an active duty wife would...I don't have to deal with PCSing and leaving family and friends, however I also don't have that same support community. My hubby plays army everyday, leaves in uniform every morning and reports to the guard base here...but he's not active. (its rather confusing actually, a kind of full-time inactive guard job) I have met a few wives from the unit over deployment, but most everyone around here is regular guard and only lives military once a month. It makes it difficult to bond and establish a common ground for relationships. Thankfully, I have a close group of highschool friends whose husbands have all joined the forces. God has blessed me with those treasured relationships and I know they are "lifers".
7. Lack of Sympathy-as terrible as it is to admit this, it's true- I've toughened up with army life and find it difficult to sympathize with civis who miss their husbands on 2 week business trips or even 2 month trips. Callous I know, but honest. I am learning compassion and empathy through His help.
8. Miles apart- even though I don't have to move around the country, my best friend does. It's wonderful to have a Hooah buddy, but I would love it if she was next door instead. That said, distance has proven our friendship to be gold and I am so thankful for her.
9. Isolation-as I mentioned before, being in the guard means folks around here aren't exactly a military town. It gets lonely sometimes feeling like your the only one. I know there are others, but most of the wives of the men that work everyday with My Soldier are older, have children and are comfortable in their established circles. Its difficult to break into a group thats already formed. We have met a couple younger couples our age and get together at times, but their lifestyles and ours don't always go hand in hand. That said, it has been a great opportunity to be a godly example and display a picture of military life they aren't used to seeing.
10. Mr. Army is the Boss-theres not much to explain about this one; Mr. Army calls- My Soldier responds. No matter 12+ hour days, missed dinners, polar opposite schedules, scheduled weekends, continuous training and tedious classes. That's just the life. But Mr. Army is also the reason we have the many things we do. So for that, I've learned to thank him.

Well, I think that covers at least the basics.

Check out what the other MilSpouses have to say here!

MilSpouse Blog Carnival- Day 3!!!

It's Day 3!!! Check it out here.

Top 10 List of what’s great about being a military wife

Here goes nothing...(and in no particular order of importance)

1. Honor - I feel my heart swell with pride each time I hear our national anthem or see our soldiers stand in formation. Serving my country beside my husband gives me great joy and honor as we stand for something worth fighting for.

2. Family- I never thought strangers could bond so quickly or support so fiercely. I love being part of a close-knit community who knows and understands. It is such a blessing to have a large extention of family and friends.

3. My man in ACU's and Dogtags! - because we all know there's just *something* about a man in uniform. mmmm hmmm.

4. Discounts- well who doesn't love a bargain deal? And hey, if they are offering- I'll take it! I think it's wonderful that some companies and individuals do their part and support the armed forces in a way they are able. Using a discount is thanking them for that support!

5. Bumper Stickers- I love my Army Wife tag! Pink and camo (well- ACU digital print) all the way!

6. Military "speak"- Acronyms are such a normal part of our everyday conversations, I forget the rest of the world has no idea what I'm saying! Just yesterday I had to explain O'dark thirty and TDY to someone...

7. Benefits- another wonderful blessing God has provided. Health care is such a help!

8. Letter and Presents from far-away places!- it's always fun to get presents in the mail, but it's just plain neat to get foreign ones! Pictures of places you can't pronounce, coins, medals, teddy bears, jewelry etc. oooo- Irish and German dark chocolate = YUMMO.

9. Deployment- now before you misunderstand- I do NOT enjoy having my husband 5000 miles away, sleeping in a ginormous bed alone, or never being able to call HIM. However, isn't it awesome how God uses separation to grow your faith and allow beautiful moments where you are solely dependant upon Him alone?

10. HOMECOMING-so I hate the saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder", but it's true!! And on that glorious day when your soldier steps off the plane and into your arms, that feeling is just one of a kind. Home takes a whole new meaning.

Of course there are a billion reasons why I love being an Army Wife,

but most of all I love being My Soldier's wife.

MilSpouse Blog Carnival- Day 2!

Day 2 of the blog carnival over at Wives of Faith!!

Today's topic is to share your MilSpouse Bible verse or passage

Psalm 91
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge,

my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.

For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings.

His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.

Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,

nor the disaster that strikes at midday.

Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten

thousand are dying around you,

these evils will not touch you.

Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished.
If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter,

no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t

even hurt your foot on a stone.

You will trample upon lions and cobras;

you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

There are many scriptures that the Lord has blessed me with, declaring his faithfulness and perfect peace, however this passage which I have chosen to share has been the salve he used to quiet my anxious heart, calm my worries and fears, and provide comfort and stillness in the truth that he is our great protection. Time and time again, he has confirmed this verse in my heart, as well as through other's testimony.

To read more about what this passage means to me, click here.

MilSpouse Blog Carnival!

Wives of Faith is having a Blog Carnival!Day 1- Tell us your milspouse story...

Every time I tell "our story", I cannot help but smile. God is so into details.The first time I met my husband we were twelve years old and in the sixth grade.
He was loud. I was shy. I was not very interested in being his friend. I still thought boys had cooties. In junior high, his best friend had a crush on me.So, inevitably, the three of us became best friends.
In high school we remained the three musketeers.Until the friend decided to ask me out. I declined holding to my "no dating" policy...But secretly I was kinda crushin back.
My sophomore year, I transferred to a private highschoolI knew it was the Lord's calling, but I was devestated the three musketeers broke up.I kept in touch, but only minimally- going to their soccer games and such,but it was the friend who always made sure that I came- My Soldier was otherwise preoccupied by highschool love.Graduation came and went, the three of us saying our congrats and farewells.
Summer days were filled with college preparations and hanging at the beachUntil one day, I happen to bump into *My Soldier*He was working, I was rushing but we exchanged the polite- "what school are you going to, what are studying"...


He had joined the Army National Guard. He left for basic training in two weeks.I was glad to see him, would be praying for him, wishing him good luck.He would see me around.Two weeks later my phone rang. Would I meet him to say goodbye? Of course.I'd only be able to stay for an hour. I had other plans.Two days later, starbucks in hand, we talked for three and a half hoursSo how did he get my number? Well so and so said you wanted me to call.She said you mentioned I was leaving for basic and wanted to say goodbye.Actually I didn't say anything to her. She gave you my number? No, its ok. I am glad she did.Next time a date? I'm not interested in dating. I am just getting over a relationship.But I would love to have coffee again when you get back....I'll write you. Ok.
Months later, counting the letters sent every week-He came home. In ACU's.We had that coffee "not-date".Movie? Ok. But its not a date.By the end of the summer the line between not-dating and dating were a little blurred.We often joke- he chased me for months and I decided one day I loved him and then agreed to date him.

We're often asked how long we have been togethera question that really has no answerunofficially or officially?Dating or together?My Soldier was home for eight months for he deployed.We had officially been dating for two months.Unofficially about six.
That day I put him on that plane. Watched his uniform fade down the corridor....
I knew.
All the years of praying for a man whose name I didn't know...Yet God knew I met my soulmate on the playground when I was twelve.Letters, skype, flat-rates, and phone callsI gave my heart to a soldier 5000 miles away.Five and a half months into deployment, home for R&RHe asked me three little words-Volonta lo sposate (...will you marry me...He asked me in Italian!)I told him before he left for deployment that since he is part Italian, he should learn to speak it for me...so he did! Seven months later, at O'dark thirty, I welcomed home my Hero.Wedding plans galore! July 11, 2009We promised to be one- a chord three-fold- in a little white chapel Where my parents said their I Do's.
We are nearing our first anniversary and loving our lives together.Loving a soldier and living an Army life can be difficult at times,But every day I thank the LordFor choosing our souls to intertwine.Who would have thought?I met My Soldier, My Husband, My herothat day on the school playground in the sixth grade.See, isn't God into details?

MilSpouse Blog Hop

Riding The Roller Coaster is hosting a MilSpouse Blog Hop!

It's super easy to join... just write a little bio and introduce yourself!

Then link your post back to the roller coaster and let us meet you!

So, for those of you who don't know me...

Hi, I'm Mrs. Griffin

I am first and foremost a daughter of the King, who has been saved by grace

I find my hope, strength and passion in my Lord, Jesus Christ

I am wife to an incredible man whom I call Soldier, Hero and Friend

I met my husband in the sixth grade, and little did I know

That ten years later he would promise to hold my hand forever

We will be celebrating our first anniversary this July

I am so thankful to laugh with him every day

I am two weeks away from graduating with an undergrad pre-law degree...
and not at all sure what God has around the corner

I am daughter, sister, auntie and friend
I love my family and treasure our traditions

I am fiercly opinionated, but gentle at heart
A perfectionist but never perfect

I am an organized planner, but fifteen minutes late as a rule
I value honesty and abhor hypocrisy

I procrastinate at times, as I am now, when I should be writing a paper for class
Writing is therapy. as long as I can write what I want

I would love to share my life with you
Pour yourself a cup of tea and curl up in your favorite spot
It's nice to meet you

The Military Wife

Lots of moving...Moving...Moving...Moving far from home...Moving two cars, three kids and one dog...all riding with HER of course.Moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house;Moving curtains that won't fit;Moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours.Moving away from friends;Moving toward new friends;Moving her most important luggage: her trunk full of memories.Often waiting...Waiting...Waiting...Waiting for housing.Waiting for orders.Waiting for deployments.Waiting for phone calls.Waiting for reunions.Waiting for the new curtains to arrive.Waiting for him to come home,For dinner...AGAIN!They call her 'Military Dependent', but she knows better:She is fiercely In-Dependent.She can balance a check book;Handle the yard work;Fix a noisy toilet;Bury the family pet...She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts.She can file the taxes;Sell a house;Buy a car;Or set up a move........all with ONE Power of Attorney.She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.She reinvents her career with every PCS;Locates a house in the desert, The Arctic, Or the deep south.And learns to call them all 'home'.She MAKES them all home.Military Wives are somewhat hasty...They leap into:Decorating,Leadership,Volunteering,Career alternatives,Churches,And friendships.They don't have 15 years to get to know people.Their roots are short but flexible.They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.Military Wives quickly learn to value each other:They connect over coffee,Rely on the spouse network,Accept offers of friendship and favors.Record addresses in pencil...Military Wives have a common bond:The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands; his commitment is unique.He doesn't have a 'JOB' He has a 'MISSION' that he can't just decide to quit...He's on-call for his country 24/7.But for her, he's the most unreliable guy in town!His language is foreignTDYPCSEPRSOSACCBDUACUBARCIBTADABUAnd so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.She is the long- distance link to keep them informed;The glue that holds them together.A Military Wife has her moments:She wants to wring his neck;Dye his uniform pink;Refuse to move to Siberia;But she pulls herself together.Give her a few days,A travel brochure,A long hot bath,A pledge to the flag,A wedding picture,And she goes.She packs.She moves.She follows.Why?What for?How come?You may think it is because she has lost her mind.But actually it is because she has lost her heart.It was stolen from her by a man,Who puts duty first,Who longs to deploy,Who salutes the flag,And whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is herMilitary Husband,She will remain his Military Wife.And would have it no other way.--Author Unknown