Half Way Point

We are at the half way point of Brian's deployment, maybe a little past it. I look back at the last seven months that have past and realize that at points time seems to fly by and at others it seems to be a complete standstill. This past Saturday, I held the housewarming party to show our friends and family the house that we bought together while thousands of miles apart. I can officially state that I have put my blood, sweat and tears into it. I think Brian would be proud of all that I have accomplished. I know I am. I am so very grateful to my in-laws who have spent many weekends at the house helping paint and doing jobs that I have no idea how to. It's amazing that in my husbands absence I have grown closer to his family. They are great people with big hearts and I know I would not have as much done without their help. My father-in-law even came over the day of the party to do some last minute jobs. What a godsend.

My parents have also been extremely supportive. While they have not been able to put in as much time due to their own renovation project, they have been there to wipe away the tears and give me words of encouragement. Without them, I too would not be where I am at.

I am very lucky that, with my husband thousands of miles away, I have the support of so many. However, even though I get that support, I often feel so alone. These holiday's have probably been the hardest months for me. I miss him by my side and knowing he is there to turn to at a moments notice. It is hard being on my own. It is as if a piece of me is missing. It will be strange to feel whole again when he returns. I know when I agreed to marry him, that there would be days, months or even years that would separate us. I know it has made me stronger. I support him for all he does for this country and all he does for me. I am so very proud of him. Every time I say the pledge of allegiance or hear the star-spangled banner, I am overpowered with emotion.

In five short days, I celebrate my 1 year anniversary of marriage with my husband. Just as strongly as I said I DO on December 20, 2008 - I too say that again. I am proud of my husband and love him more than anyone or he will ever know. He is a true hero and I hope and pray that I can be as brave and strong as he is every day.

I love you honey.

Long time in coming

It has been a while since I last wrote. I could use the excuse of the new house or the start of the school year, but that would be far from the truth. I often find that if I don't think about it and don't write, I can somehow put it out of my mind. However, it never leaves my mind. It is torture some days to just get through. I can imagine that I might feel like widows feel after the loss of a spouse, but I am not a widow. My husband is in a distant land, making his country and me proud. But, while he does this I feel as though a part of me is missing. Brian has been gone for 7 long months and in those 7 months lots of things have changed around here. I went to Greece at the end of the summer and had a wonderful time. I started a new school year, with new responsibilities and new students to take under my wing. I closed on our house and began the process of making it ours. I painted and painted and painted some more. I have yet to finish painting... but it is getting there. I bought new furniture for our living room, furniture that Brian has yet to see, touch or relax on. I refinished the hardwood floors in our downstairs. I have mowed the lawn, raked leaves and soon will clean the gutters. My in-laws have helped a tremendous amount with this and I am forever indebted to them. In the midst of this I started on my CAGS (certificate of advanced graduate studies) in principal leadership. Some may say I am crazy for doing all this - but I say it is the only thing that keeps me sane.

I do all this because I know that my husband is doing something I can never repay him for. He is giving up his days and nights with me and the rest of his family and friends to protect our freedom. What he does no one can ever repay him for. It is because of him that I am free to go shopping, buy a house, work my job and hang with my friends. I know that while I do all that I do, that every minute of his day, he is wishing he can do all that with me.

His hours are long and his battle is tough, and I continue to remain proud of the man I married.

In a few short weeks we will be celebrating the 1 year anniversary of our marriage thousands of miles apart. We will remember the vows we said and continue to live by them. I know that the man I married is coming back to me - and I hopefully only have 8 more months to go!

In the mean time I will survive knowing that he wants to do everything I am doing. I will hold on to the memories we want to create when he gets home and those that we created in the past.

I love you Brian Michael and I am so very proud to be your wife!

Day 81 of 400

Back from Greece! Katie and I had a fabulous time away. We spent 10 days exploring Athens, Mykonos and Santorini. Athens and Santorini were definitely my favorite by far and I cannot wait to visit them again... if I am so fortunate. We visited practically all the ancient ruins in Athens. It was amazing to think that were walking on the same paths that some of the famous ancients had walked. It was quite overwhelming and fascinating and indescribable. I recommend a visit to anyone that gets a chance. Mykonos is known as the windy island. The wind was constant and fierce. We enjoyed the relief from the heat. We spent time relaxing by the pool and on the beach as well as a day of shopping. The views were gorgeous... you will have to check out the pictures on facebook. Santorini was our last stop on the trip. We took a tour to view the land and was fascinated by what we discovered. The island is known for his volcanic existence and our views from the top of this island were amazing.

For the first time in months I was in the same time zone as Brian. I thought it would give us ample time to skype... unfortunately I was wrong. He was off on a run in the beginning and ended up stuck at another base for around 3 days. We were able to email and AIM... but nothing is the same as hearing his voice. Were able to skype a couple of times while I was gone and we skyped last night. He is doing ok. He got the 2 packages I sent before he left. He is having trouble sleeping and we don't know why. I am really worried about him. He is working 12 hour shifts and not sleeping. They have to repair the trucks as they were left in not good condition from the last unit that was there. Unfortunately they are still waiting on parts so it sounds like ALOT of sitting around.

Well that's all I have for updates. He could use some fresh baked goods if someone can send something out. It needs to be something that does ok in the heat.

Please keep in your prayers.

Rebecca

Day 68 of 400

Seven days is a long time not to update, but there has not been much to update.  Brian has been very busy in Iraq.  His company is rather sick and Brian is no exception.  It sounds like he might have bronchitis.  Not good.  I guess most of the company has the flu that they are comparing to H1N1 or Swine Flu.  Brian said he is not that bad.  He is working the night shift in Iraq which he seems to enjoy as they don't have the hot sun to deal with.  They are in the midst of doing repairs on all the trucks.  The previous company didn't keep on top of the maintenance for the last few months that they were there.  If they are doing maintenance I feel like they might not be out making deliveries which equals safety in my mind!

On the home front...

Yesterday I ran in the Crisman 5K.  Ok I walked most of it, but I still participated.  Maybe one of these days they will have beer for me at the finish line!  HAHA - inside joke.  We had a lot of fun and there was somewhere between 200 and 300 people racing, not to mention spectators.  As always, it was a great event!

Tomorrow I head out on my 10 day excursion in Greece.  We are doing 3 days in Athens, 3 days in Mykonos and 3 days in Santorini.  We can't wait!  It will be so much fun!  I am going with a very good friend of mine and this has been a dream of ours for a while.  Needless to say, I may not have the opportunity to update the blog or talk to Brian as much as I would like.  

Tomorrow Brian turns 26.  Make sure to wish him a Happy Birthday!  Wish I could be there with him.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Rebecca

Day 61 of 400

I got to skype with Brian today!  It was really good to see him.  He looks great and other than a slight cold is doing well.  He has been really busy in training and has yet to go out on any missions.  Unfortunately the idea of him staying on base at a check station is not going to fly.  He will be doing what the transportation department does... drive trucks.  He still doesn't know his day to day tasks and things seem to be kept pretty tightly under wraps.  Just know that he is doing well and is keeping safe.  

Continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers!

***ADDRESS UPDATED***

Please look below. I have updated the address to send stuff for Brian. This update just came in. Please scroll down to the first address and copy the address as I have posted it.

Rebecca

Day 60 of 400

It is 7:25 p.m. in Iraq as I write this.  I was hoping to be able to Skype with Brian today, but as every minute ticks by, that seems even more unlikely.  Now that he is in Iraq it seems that he is extremely busy.  I was able to AIM with him yesterday, but distractions with kids (the ones I nanny) made it hard to actually really "talk."  I have been trying to keep him updated on everything that is going on with the house, but as things get more complicated, my explanations don't fair well.  Email and AIM are hard to express everything and unfortunately I am not a very expressive writer.  I am hoping that blogging will help me with that.

On the home front, I have been trying to stay busy.  I nanny for 3 amazing kids that make me smile all the time I am with them.  Yesterday we sat down and wrote letters to Brian.  Being 4 (twins) and 6, they did an amazing job.  I know Brian is going to be blow away when he receives their letters.  They are always full of questions about what Brian is doing and I know they miss him too.  Fortunately, being kids they get distracted by toys and sibling fights to always express that they miss him.  They keep me busy!  I get to take them to swim lessons and watch them improve every day!  They are so imaginative - it is great!

I also have been working on buying a house.  We are on our 2nd extension for a commitment letter.  The seller wants to push the closing date out to October 1 from September 15.  I was already generous with putting the closing out to September 15 since our offer was accepted in June.  Who knew buying a home was so stressful.  I am trying to get everything complete before I leave for Greece on August 10.  Which will be a wonderful 10 day distraction from LIFE.  I know Katie and I will have a blast.  Keep your fingers crossed that everything will work out with the house!

Sorry I don't have more updates for Brian.  As soon as I hear more - I will fill you all in.  Keep praying for his safe return.  I need my hero back with me.

Rebecca

Day 59 of 400

I recieved an email from Brian this a.m. He is now stationed in Iraq. He shares a room with 3 others. He does have internet access now. Hopefully we will be able to skype soon. I have so much to update him on - and email is so difficult to explain everything.

He seems to be doing well. I know he would enjoy hearing from people and sharing care packages with his unit.

Feel free to ask questions and I will hopefully be able to answer them...

Rebecca

Day 56 of 400

I spoke to Brian early this AM (between 12:00a.m. and 1:30a.m.) on instant messenger. I have been fortunate to be able to email back and forth with Brian since he left the states. He is currently stationed in Kuwait. They are still doing training and all are ready to leave for Iraq. He will be stationed in Iraq. I have been able to talk to Brian twice on the phone. I am still getting used to the delay that is often present within our conversations.

Brian can get on the internet at free points throughout the day, but has to pay $5/hr. Is that not crazy. Also, when he gets to Iraq to be able to stay in touch through computer he'll be paying $65/month. While it is quite worth the expense to be able to talk to him, it is crazy that we send these men and women to fight for our freedom and we can't bother to pay their internet costs.

I am extremely proud of my husband for what he does. I miss him dearly and am counting the days until I see him again.

I will try to keep this blog up to date and give you information. Feel free to post comments and well wishes as Brian will be able to check this page.

Rebecca

Address

Here is the long awaited address for Brian:

SSG Martel, Brian, 3rd PLT

445th Transportation Company POS 260th CSSB
Camp Liberty Iraq
APO-AE 09344