Happy Valentine's Day from Across the Sea

Happy Valentine's Day to my husband across the sea (with a picture of us by the sea!). 

<3

Well, Valentine's Day came and went. I went with a friend to get lunch and pedicures and we went to an event at a Deployed Spouses Group. We had dinner and made edible arrangements. It ended up being a very pleasant day! I got to open a present from my husband too. :)

One thing that is great about army wives is how different we all are. We range anywhere from 18 to early 50s; some of us have 6 kids and some have none; we're diverse races from diverse backgrounds; we have different interests and different jobs...yet we all just "understand" each other. I'm generally a positive person when it comes to other people (some might call me a bit naive), but I honestly have not yet met an army wife that I don't like or can't connect with in some way. Maybe it's because of the people I surround myself with and the groups I go to, but I also think that part of it is because army wives simply have to learn to be positive, learn to be friendly, and learn to be strong. If not, then she can't survive. So we adjust- and we thrive.

I have a funny story! While getting pedicures, I was telling my friend about buying the piano from the thrift store. She stopped me and said: "I almost bought a piano from a thrift store a few weeks ago!" Of course, after describing the piano and the location of the store, it sure enough was the same piano I bought. Turns out her mom is a concert pianist and she recognized the good quality of the piano and was so tempted to buy it. But she also would have needed help to move it, and she is pregnant, and just got out of the hospital, thus she realized that she didn't need to complicate her life any more. So the piano was left for Jack and I to claim and our future concert pianist children. ;)

I was sick over the weekend. It was kind of strange to be all alone in this city without my husband or any family here to help me out. I ended up texting a friend to see if she could bring me some ginger ale. She was out of town but gave me the number of another friend who lives nearby. She was my saving grace, because once I had the ginger ale, I started to feel a lot better. It reminds me of when I came down with the flu last year. Of course, I had a roommate who would have brought me back anything from the pharmacy she worked at, but my sister was the person I asked to bring me medicine. I realize how blessed I am to have had support from my family all these years! My mom, my siblings, my dad of course when he was alive, and even some of my aunts and uncles have always been just a drive away. Now that I don't have that here, I've been pushed to ask for help and reach out to others- something that doesn't come naturally to me. This is a good thing. Just another positive to think about as far as this whole deployment thing goes. In addition, there's nothing like the stomach flu to help you appreciate good health! Whenever I got out of bed yesterday, I felt like a walking zombie. I remember dragging myself over to Molly's food bowl, dumping in a cup and letting it drop down to the floor, without saying a single word to her! And then dragging myself back to bed and collapsing! It feels sooo good to feel good!

This weekend my Jessiekins is visiting again! We found a locals-type ski resort that is southwest of here. We're going to cross-country ski one day (her crazy choice) and downhill ski the next (my choice). Since this is kind of an off-peak peak, it's really inexpensive and the powder is supposed to be amazing! I'm so excited to ski! My family went twice when I was in middle school. My parents put us in ski class and I got pretty good then- advancing to some blacks. I went for the first time in 13 years last February with Jack, and it was pretty easy to pick up again- sort of like riding a bike. We mostly did greens since it was his first time skiing. We went down a blue and he did really well so I convinced him to go down another blue that ended up being slightly disastrous. It's hilarious now but it was NOT funny at the time. The blue was definitely a more advanced one and I had to help Jack slide down it on his bum! There weren't many people on that run but once in a while some 10 year old would ski past us. Anyway, I've learned my lesson and I won't do that to Jessie!

I can't wait for this week to go by and Jessie to get here!

In other news, some of you might know that my maid of honor got engaged at the young age of 16. Finally on this Valentine's Day she and her fiancé SAVED THE DATE for this September! I am so beyond excited for her! We were planning this wedding as roommates during our freshmen year of college and even went dress-shopping a couple years ago, so needless to say, this has been a long time coming. And some more exciting news...she asked me to be her Matron of Honor! 

 Ariel is visiting next month (so is her mom and soon to be sister-in-law) and we are going to go dress shopping! She was such an amazing maid of honor that I have some tough shoes to fill...but hopefully I will do a good job!

And to wrap up this post, I will now share with you a very common screen I see when Jack and I are talking...

Happy Valentine's Day!