He's Home at Last!

5 months...
151 days...
3,624 hours...
217, 440 minutes...
13,046, 400 seconds...

Then time stood still when I saw Bill for the first time after all those months, days, hours, minutes, and seconds! I am so happy he is back home with me! It's always hard to believe how slow some of the days feel while he's overseas, but to wait (im)patiently as they make their way home is worth every single slow night and day. Through this deployment, I've learned how strong of a woman I can be. Last time I lived with my family for the year Bill was deployed, so I had company and lived in a basement. This time, I was in Florida with family in Tennessee and Bill's family in Arizona, so I only friends to rely on day to day to help pass the time. I successfully took care of the inside and outside of our house, took care of Jack, and cooked countless single-serve meals! I am looking forward to having Bill around again, so I have someone else to cook for every evening! It's the little things in life...

I want to say thanks to the many thoughts and prayers from all our friends and family through the last 5 months. We are loved by so many!

I decorated our house with American flags and a Welcome Home! banner! I thought I did a good job :)

We were waiting patiently after discovering that his last flight from Atlanta was delayed about 40 minutes... so we decided to take some pictures to pass the time.

And then all of a sudden (cause I had just checked the flight tracker and it said they were in flight) there he was!!! I handed my camera off quickly and loved the hug and kiss!

So happy!!!

Home at last!!

Jack sure was happy to see Bill! I was able to take a video of him seeing Bill for the first time, and it was so sweet to see the pure happiness and love a dog has for his owner! We see so many of these videos, but they truly are some of the sweetest moments.

Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Today is our 3rd Anniversary!! It's hard to believe how fast those three years have already gone by! Tonight I looked back at our wedding video, and it feels like it was just yesterday! I love all the emotions that the days brings, even now! This is a different anniversary because Bill is still in Afghanistan. He was unable to make it back in time to celebrate today, but he will be home soon. We have been through so many adventures as Mr. and Mrs. Right after our wedding, Bill started training for his first deployment- this took us to Albuquerque, him to New Jersey, and then Destin for training. After he deployed, I moved back to TN. We had R and R in Hawaii, and when he came home, we were in Cheyenne. That summer we bought our house in Florida and finally enjoyed living as a married couple! In between all of that we have been working and having fun traveling! So, here's to our next year of marriage! I can't wait to see what it is going to bring us!

2012 | A Year in Review

Top 12 of 2012 (in no particular order)

1. Bill and I celebrated our first New Year's as husband and wife- yes, two years after we had been married.
2. Enjoyed the full benefits of living in Florida (beach, weather, and lots of visitors!)
3. I finished my very first year of teaching and couldn't believe how fast it went by! Also, started my second year at the same school and am truly loving the profession!
4. Enjoyed making new friends and seeing old friends- both near and far away!
5. I visited Seattle for the first time and enjoyed meeting our friends' little boy!
6. We experienced our first Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival.... truly an interesting experience!
7. Found out Bill would be deploying to Afghanistan for a 4-6 month deployment at the end of August and have anxiously been awaiting his return, now THIS YEAR!
8. Took a few trips to Tennessee, Minneapolis, Seattle, and Tennessee again! We are looking forward to 2013 trips to Phoenix, California, and an unknown vacation spot!
9. Bill and I celebrated our 2nd year of marriage, where does the time go!?
10. Bought a new Toyota PriusV, the first car we have bought together- a car that will we will grow into in the new few years!
11. I celebrated my 27th birthday, while Bill celebrated his 30th birthday!
12. Loved every minute with our dog, Jack, who never fails to make us laugh!

2012 was a fast year, but we enjoyed every minute of it! We have lots to look forward to in the coming year, and we can't wait to experience our 3rd year of marriage!