50 Weeks Down!!!!

Fifty.

50.

5-0.

Fünfzig.

I cannot believe Joe has been deployed for 50 weeks. It's quickly wrapping up. Thank goodness. That little e-card is from Joe. :)

Although, I was listening to some other people talk about how hard this year has been. Joe being gone has royally sucked. But it really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It's brought us closer together. It's prepared us monetarily for the next couple of years and helped us start a nice little down payment for a house in our near future. It's allowed me to go back to school. It's put many things in perspective, including our family and future. Granted, I've had some bad days, but I'd say there were only about 20 really bad days, and I really only hit two walls, and I was fortunate enough to have a couple really great friends to help me up when I fell. And of course the emergency surgery. We cant forget about that fun fiasco. But all in all, it hasn't been the Earth shattering year many Army wives make it out to be. I went into this year with the goal not to wallow in the deployment. I think I succeeded. I'm not a whiner by nature. I try to have an optimistic attitude. We didn't have much drama. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that to me, the deployment is only as hard as you make it. I'm not going to over dramatize everything to get support or pity or attention or to make my life seem more glamorous than it really is.

(Of course, I wasn't pregnant or had any deaths in my immediate family. Hard things do happen. I have seen many people deal with a lot this year, but again, it's all about how you handle yourself. I have watched people in awe while they take care of twins alone or had to move home to take care of a family member who just lost their spouse. Again, not wallowing, but dealing with the world and moving on.)

With that said, I want to thank everyone for the out pouring of support during this year. No matter what is going one, a few kind words from a total stranger can mean the world to this lonely blogger. :)

My last class of this term is tonight. This has been an awesome term. I have loved both of my classes. Family systems has opened my eyes to my own family, but also made me realize that everyone has a family and a history, something I actually said at work the other day to make a point. Stats has kicked my butt. It's hard to cram so much into so little time. But I have learned a lot in that class too. I do like statistics, as crazy as that sounds.

But with the classes wrapped up, I have time to prepare for Joe's arrival. It's absolutely perfect timing. Things couldn't have worked out better. Joe is making me a shopping list; pork roast, thick cut peppered bacon, beer, fresh vegetables, including brussel sprouts, STEAK. He's adorable. I cant imagine missing so much for a whole year. He talks about his shower like a long lost friend. I ordered his 4G iPhone this weekend too. I had to order one because the stores around here were out. But I should get it soon and have it activated by the time he gets here. His new number is already in my phone. :) And I got an email saying what Main Body flight number he will be on. Now to just wait for the date. :)