Saturday, December 31, 2011

Onward to the New Year!

I'll say it again... Where the HECK did this year go?


How is it possible that we are 3 hours away from 2012?


Now don't get me wrong, I am happy that a large chunk of this year went as quickly as it did.  (I still can't believe a deployment has come and gone.)  But wow... where did the rest of the time go?


It does scare me sometimes- and make me feel old.  I remember when I was little feeling like time was standing still... my birthday, Christmas, and summer vacation always took forever to get here.  Now, it seems like its just all gone in the blink of an eye.


It makes me appreciate the time that I do have that much more though- and enjoy the time I have with my family and friends.  I have learned to take advantage of every opportunity I am given, and live each day to the absolute fullest.  


2011 overall was a good year- I honestly cannot complain.  Yes there were sucky things- deployments are never fun, the dog nearly sent me straight to the looney bin- but each and every bad thing made me appreciate the good that much more.  I cannot dwell on the suckiness- because then you miss out on all the good stuff- a trip to California, seeing high school friends that live on the other side of the world, and happy homecomings.  


2012 will be even better.  There will of course be challenges- the pup is already recovering from round 2 of surgery, the boy will be leaving for 6 weeks of training (and its just about making me crazy that thats about all I can say about it... ugh!), and there are always challenges that the Marine Corps throws our way.   But each and every one of those things will only make me appreciate the good that much more!


So here's to a great 2011, and an even better 2012.  


Happy New Year!


I found this picture on Pinterest- I just love it!

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Home for the Holidays

Merry Christmas!


Ok, so I am a few days late.  Better late than never though!


I know- I've not been the greatest about blogging lately- I'm trying to be better about it- but its hard when  I don't feel like there's much to talk about that would interest you.  Hopefully 2012 will be exciting and I will have lots to write about!


Anyway, this Christmas I was lucky enough to have Randy HOME.  That right there was enough for me.  I didn't need one single other thing.  We've done a Christmas deployment, and they SUCK.  There's no other way around it.  Everything reminds you about your loved one- the empty seat at the table, spending time with their family, collecting their gifts for them to open upon their return... ugh.  It makes me teary eyed just thinking about it.  


We were also lucky this year that we were able to go home for Christmas.  While it wasn't a white Christmas in PA, it was still Christmas at home with our families.  I know the odds are against us at this point- the Marine Corps has been kind to us as far as proximity to home, but I know it won't always be that way.  So that makes each holiday we spend at home even better.  


I'm still having a hard time believing that there are only 2 days left in 2011.  I honestly don't know where the time has gone, but I'm happy that this year that included a deployment went by as quickly as it did.  I could not have done it without the support of my fantastic friends and family.  Thanks to those that called, wrote, visited, and supported me when I needed it.  It was definitely a challenging year.  


2012 will be great- although I am less than thrilled about my impending 30th birthday- blah.  The boy is gearing up for training that could potentially change his future in the Marine Corps, and I am just along for the ride here in VA.  We had to cancel the cruise because of that training- which really really sucks- but I know in the end it was the best decision, and hopefully once we are through the training, we will have an opportunity to cruise again.  It turns out those "grown up" decisions are not so fun!


I am looking forward to what the future holds... it will definitely be interesting!