The Deployment Lately and a GIVEAWAY!!

It has been so tough. We are getting so close, but it still feels really far away. Joe comes home early November and I can not wait! Words cannot describe how much I miss him. I want nothing more then to spend time with him. He has been traveling a lot lately, which makes me nervous about his safety and means that we have a lot less time to talk. I have been so spoiled with all of our communication through out this deployment that 10 minutes a day just doesn't seem to cut it.

Although, I am very excited for his arrival I am also very anxious.  I am nervous that I will be at work when he arrives, that I will miss the phone call letting me know when he gets home, or that I will have such high expectations and I will be let down. Joe has been doing an amazing job at keeping me informed about what to expect with his "re-deployment" (homecoming for us normal people) and have even sent me some really great articles about what it might be like when he returns home. This article is really great if you have a family or even if you don't!

I also must admit that ever since I have moved to Colorado and started working, I have really lost focus on sending him care packages and I feel horrible. He just told me that they will be cutting off his mail very soon. So I guess my days of sending care packages are behind me ( or at least over until the next deployment).

This deployment has been tough, but I think it has brought us a little bit closer. Joe has done an amazing job keeping me updating and walking me though it. He has given me the resources that I need to be able to support him and keep up to date on what is going on. I have learned so much about myself, our relationship, and the army this past 8 months and I can't wait to learn even more. I am so proud of what he does and what so many soldiers and their families do for us.

Do you have any advise for our "re-deployment"?
What was the toughest thing that you had to deal with when your soldier came home from a deployment?

Now for the GIVEAWAY!!!

My lovely little, Haylee is also a Military Spouse. She has done a really great book review on The Tender Soldier over on her blog that you should go check out. 

Since this book is such an exciting read and Joe is almost home, Haylee, Lauren, and I have teamed up to offer you a chance to win a free copy of The Tender Soldier AND a $20 Amazon gift card. Simply enter the giveaway below for your chance to win!

Open to U.S. residents.

Giveaway closes October 8th at 12:00 a.m. CST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Just Run

Last night, I had finally decided it was time for me to start to train for my marathon. Ever since my 1/2 marathon, I haven't had much motivation to run. For the first time in my life, running doesn't feel good. It doesn't feel right. I have always been a runner and it has been something that I have always enjoyed. But, it has always been something that I have been able to share with someone. I have always had a running partner. In college it was my best friend Amanda, we would run for miles and miles, make her dad go get us ice cream, and then run more. I truly believe that running is what made us best friends. I use to run when I was bored, run when I needed to think, and run to work out. I loved to run. 

Fast forward to today, I am now living in Colorado. I am alone, I have no one to run with, and the altitude sucks. I am counting down the days until Joe is able to be home with me, this deployment is really starting to take a toll on me. I get out for a run and only make it a few miles because I don't love to run, I give up, and I tell myself that I can't do it.  Have I mentioned that I can't breath? I think it is a combination of the high altitude and the clean air. I have gained a few pounds and it has just been excuse after excuse of why I can't run, why I shouldn't run, or I just don't want to run. My pace has gone from 8:30 to a 10:00 at best.

Yesterday I had lunch with a friend, got my oil changed, and took a nap. I woke up and decided that I can't live like this. I can't just sleep and eat. That will get me no where. I need to make the best of my time alone, I need to be the independent, strong woman that I know I am. 

I decided it was enough with the excuses, I was going to run. I put on my old, go-to running shoes. It was raining so I didn't want to ruin the brand new shoes I just bought. I put on pants and a long sleeve and started on my run. It was sprinkling at this point and I felt good. I had some sweet tunes on and I was starting to get into a groove. I decided I would stay in my sub-division since it was getting dark. I took a turn and, at about the .75 mile mark, I fell. 

I was in a bit of disbelief as I laid on the ground face down for what felt like eternity. My hands and knees throbbed as I pushed myself up. I walked for a few feet and then began to think about running. Why do I run, what do I get out of it, why was I so unhappy? As these questions flooded my mind, I made a choice that I would finish my run and re-dedicate my training for myself. I run for ME. It makes ME happy. I am unhappy because I am alone and I will not be alone forever. As I ran, I had a mixture of tears and rain flowing down my face. I began to think about the deployment and how lucky I am to have a supportive family, amazing friends (blog friends included), a job doing what I love, and a supportive boyfriend that is constantly supporting me. I am not alone. 

I got back into my run and finished it, I finished the 3 miles I set out to run. I finished it for me. I can run and I am a runner. It is kind of sad that it takes me falling on my face to realize these things. But sometimes I guess it's great to start from the bottom and work your way up. My marathon is in early January and I know I can do it. I am excited to get back into running and I can't wait to share my love of running with Joe once he gets home. 

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Disneyland - Care Package

I am so excited to finally have another care package post. I have been totally slacking in the care package department. When Joe first deployed, I was sending a care package once every two weeks. But, after the move and starting a new job, I think it has been almost a month. Hopefully, I will be able to get back to at least once every three weeks. I made sure to make this care package a good one. I have a bunch of really awesome things in my mind of what a great care package should be, but most of my ideas really take some time and planning. I knew from the moment that I got my Joe Doll, that I needed to take him to Disneyland! It is my favorite place in California and it gave me an excuse to take a picture with all of the characters (not that I needed one).

The finished box!

My main idea for this box as to go to the park and get as many signatures in an autograph book and get a picture with me, Joe Doll, and the character. It was so much fun and everyone was so thankful for what Joe is doing. My sister and I were able to get the book filled up by noon! Later this week I will share with you another secret of Disneyland and how I got to meet all of the characters. But for now, here are a few of my favorite pictures.

Back to the box,  I went to Michaels and found some really cute paper and stickers. I decided that I would put Disney quotes on the main flaps of the box and I even put some on the outside of the box (there were way to many good ones that I couldn't leave out). 

Inside of this box I put the following items:

• An autograph book with signatures and pictures
• Chocolate and caramel popcorn from the park
• Mickey Mouse rice crispy treat
• Chip and Dale Pretzels
• Mickey Mouse head shaped "gold fishes" (Joe loves Gold Fish)
• Candy from the Candy Shop at Disneyland (Joe's favorite, Candy Corn) 
• Cookies, Crackers, and all kinds of snacks
• More water enhancers, Mio
• More wipes 

The autograph book couldn't have came out any better. I loved that the characters where all very excited about the Joe Doll and some even left personalized "thank you" notes to him. 

This is one of my favorite boxes that I have done. Disneyland is my favorite place to go and I am so happy I was able to share that with Joe. We will be going to Disney World early January and I am planning on getting an autograph book there and getting pictures with all of the characters with me and the real Joe! 

Check out my other Boxes:

• Favorite Sports Team
• Oh the places we will go
• Honey, I Shrunk the Care Package
• Zombies are Coming
• 4th of July
• Hello Summer

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Sunday Social - Fear, Dreams, and Reality

This Sunday, I am linking up with A Complete Waste of Makeup for her Sunday Social! 

1. What is something you’ve always wanted to do but are afraid of?
Run a marathon. I have ran a 1/2 Marathon and will be running one in 2 weeks, but the thought of doing that race then, doing it again (26.2 miles) is frighting. But, Joe and I will be running our first full marathon  Jan 12, 2014. If I am going to do it, I am so happy that Joe will be by  my side. 


2. Where do you see yourself in five years?
This is an interesting question, if we are able to stay in Colorado for 5  years  it would be working to be an AOM (Airport Operations Manager), living in Colorado, and hopefully I have started a family. But, realistically I have no idea where we will be in 5 years. The Army is a funny  thing, you never know when they might say you have to move. If the Army decides that Colorado is not in my future, then I still hope Joe and I will have a family of our own and I can find a job in aviation wherever we might be. 

This is me as an AOM ;)

3. What are you looking forward to before the end of 2013?
This one is so easy!! I CAN NOT wait for Joe to come home. He is currently deployed and this has been the hardest thing that I have had to deal with as far as relationships go. It's so easy to forget the little things like seeing your significant other everyday. I can't wait until he is safely home. 

4. What are your hopes for your blog?
I write for my, Joe, my family and friends, and my readers. I hope that I will continue to be active in documenting my journey and that writers block won't visit me too often. I hope that I can share my life experiences with people and help them, be it small or large. 

5. Do you always see yourself living in your current town/city?
Nope, as I said above the Army gets to decided that one for us. Sometimes I wish that we could just buy a house and I could focus on my family and my career, but it's kind of growing on me that we will have  many adventures to come. 

6. What is your morning routine?
My morning routine has changed a bit. Now, I wake up at 5, take a shower, get ready for work, leave my house by 6:30 to get to work by 8:00. Yes, my drive is an hour and fifteen minutes. It's tough, but I love my job and am so happy that I was able to find a job in my field where Joe is stationed. It makes this Army thing a little bit more enjoyable. 

Do you have a  5 year plan?

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Hello Summer - Care Package

Another Care Package sent and received, means that I am two more weeks closer to seeing my soldier! I must admit, I try to think out side of the box when it comes to care packages, rather then just going with the normal holidays, for very selfish reasons. I am the worse person when it comes to shipping things. I can't seem to get anything in the mail at a reasonable time. So rather then meeting a deadline for a holiday, I just do random care packages. 

This time around I was very all over the place when it came to the theme. I really wanted to do a Hawaii themed box with all of the goodies that I brought home from my awesome trip to Hawaii in May (see I told you I am horrible at shipping things in a timely manor). But for some strange reason, I couldn't find any Hawaii themed scrapbook paper. You would have thought that all of the time off I had for my surgery that this package would have been amazing! But I must say, it was just mediocre.

.

For this package I sent all of my Hawaii stuff along with photos from my photo shoot! I think that was the saving grace, because Joe seemed to LOVE it!

I included the following:

• Photo book made with all of my photos from Hawaii - I made it with MixBook
• Photos in magnetic frames - his walls in his room are metal so they are perfect to hang up the photos
• Stephanie Doll - He was very excited to get this. You can get one of yourself or your soldier at www.daddydolls.com
• A Nike Running Watch - We are running our first full marathon in Jan 2014! So he needs to start paying more attention to how long his runs are. I was a bit nervous to send the watch (it is the highest price item that I have sent) but everything arrived safely!
• Mauna Loa Chocolate - This is from Hawaii and so yummy. I am sure that my days of sending chocolate are over. This batch got to him melted, but he ate it anyways. 
• Gourmet Pineapple Bits- Also from Hawaii
• Loofah Soap - From Hawaii, it has some stuff in it that repeals bugs.
• A hula girl for his desk- From Hawaii
• Ghirardelli Squares - Melted...
• Jif To Go- Chocolate dip, this looked so good. He loves chocolate, if you haven't been able to tell. I may be able to send this to him because it is suppose to be melted.
• Other snacks - Gold Fish, Graham Crackers, Gum, Chocolate!
• Baby Wipes- Sometimes I will send him things he needs. I am not completely sure what he uses the wipes for, but I have sent them a few times. 
• Air Fresheners - for his room and office.

Although this box had no real theme, I am happy with the result. It's always nice to send things he needs with the things I want to send to him.

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My Joe Doll!

About a month ago, I decided that I wanted to find a way to take Joe with me where ever go. I came up with a few ideas and finally decided on how I would do this. I stumbled upon a website that creates dolls (pillows) for kids for when their dad is deployed, www.daddydolls.com. At first I thought that it was a bit strange to have a doll with Joe's picture on it. But then I just did it. Who says that only kids can have a daddy doll? This was one of the best things that I have bought.

Now, I can take Joe with me where ever I go. I just got my Joe Doll a few weeks ago and he has already been in the cockpit, been on a fire truck, been to Texas, been with me to get my surgery, and many more places. Here is a tiny sample of the places he has been!

I am also very excited that Joe's Steph Doll just arrived yesterday in the mail! I will be shipping her out to Afghanistan today! I can't wait to see what photo idea's Joe can come up with. 

I have a few more ideas about where my Joe Doll will go. Keep checking back to see where he pops up. I really wish I thought of this before he left! 

Do you have any cleaver ideas for deployments?

Am I crazy for having a doll that looks like my boyfriend?

Happy 4th of July! - Thank You!

4th of July is one of my favorite holidays and this year it is even more special for me. I am so very thankful for all of the men and women who protect our country. Most of the time, I spend the 4th of July with friends or family just having a great time, doing fun things. To be honest, I can't really say that I even thought about what people in the military are doing for us. I was always one of those people who just celebrated just to celebrate.

I want to take this time to thank the men and women that are in our military. Thank you for protecting our country. Thank you for all of the sacrifices that you and your family make on a daily bases. Thank you to the spouses and children who are often left to celebrate alone and who stand behind their serivce member. Stay strong! 

Thank you dad for serving our country. Although you served before I was born, I just want you to know that I am proud.

Thank you Joe for everything you do for me and for our country. It is people like you who give us the opportunity to celebrate this special day. While we are here having a drink and spending time with our families, you are in Afghanistan. I am sure it is hot and you have a ton of things to do. But please know that I am ALWAYS thinking about you. I can not wait until you are home safe with me.

Please have safe and Happy 4th of July.

We Are Finally 1/2 Done! - Deployment

It's official, we are over 1/2 way done with this deployment. Some days it feels like Joe has been gone forever and other days, I can't believe how quickly it has gone by. The anticipation leading up to the half way mark made the last few days drag. I feel like I told Joe "we are almost to the half way mark" a million times. But, it has come and it has past. Now the true countdown begins! We also have a more realistic date for homecoming! But, as some of you may know, that date will change. The Army gives you a date and it is very rare that they stick with it.  I guess it's just one of those things that I will have to get use to. I am a planner at heart, so that is one thing that I know I will continue to struggle with.

I can not wait to see that pie chart be filled with green. But at the same time, it makes me nervous. I have so much that I need to get done before he gets back. One big goal is to find a house in Colorado Springs, move, and set up the house for his homecoming. Although it feels like I have plenty of time, I know I will be rushing to get it done. 

Here is small list of things that I need to do/look forward to before Joe comes home:

• Bruno Mars Concert - End of July. I won tickets on the radio
• Get moving on my charter broker business
• Work on making my blog amazing
• Run the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon
• Go to the San Diego Zoo with my sisters
• Enjoy the beach while I can 
• Go to Disneyland as much as possible
• Visit my friend Nate in Houston
• Find a house in CO
• Move to CO

Do you have any other suggestions on what I should do while I am still living in LA?

Communication durning deployment

One of the toughest things to deal with during a deployment is not knowing when you will be talking to your soldier next. I am so happy that technology is where its at today and I am able to keep in touch with Joe almost everyday. It really varies based on what's going on with his job, but I am able to talk to him on the phone daily, email multiple times a day, skype a few times a week and he sends me cards weekly. When he has access to wifi, I can even receive texts from him on an app from his iPad.

 A lot of people are shocked that we keep in touch so much, but I believe that this is very important to any relationship and very important to me while he is deployed. Please remember that the amount of communication varies based on many things. Such as, where they are deployed (some FOBs don't have great internet or cell phone tower access), what their job is, and what their schedule is like.

We have been able to work out at least one night a week (morning for him) that we dedicate to "date night". Right  now our "date night" is every Thursday and Saturday night. The day of the week has changed a few times since the beginning and we have missed a few because something comes up, but it is always nice to have that to look forward to. "Date night" is the one night a week that I know we will Skype (unless of course the internet is down, but it has been really reliable where he is). We often share stories about our past, talk about our future,  or just send each other funny videos that we have seen on the internet. It's really nice because I don't feel rushed when talking to him and I know that he has set aside that time just for me. I know that I have been very lucky that Joe has had the flexibility that he has had and I do value the time that we spend talking.

Ways to keep in touch:

• Phone Calls - I would highly recommend that your soldier buy a cell phone when he gets there
• Skype/Google+- A must 
• Care Packages - To let him know you care
• Letters - It's always nice to receive a hand written note, they do take more time to get to them then a care package
• Emails- Since I have my email on my phone, Joe always emails me first see if I am free to call/Skype or I email him to see if he can call me
• Texts- There are many apps out there that allow texting, we just use  his iPad and do iMessage, the only problem is you need wifi

Deployment is what you make it

Even though my blog is called Living in the Moment, I am a planner at heart. I am always looking forward to what is coming. I named my blog Living in the Moment as a reminder that I really need to appreciate the things that are currently happening and just enjoy life. With the deployment it is very easy to get caught up in the countdown to homecoming and I do. I am always checking my app to see how much time I have left until Joe comes home and sometimes I am just looking for ways to make the time pass.

About 2 months ago, after working over 75 days in a row with no days off, I decided that I would enjoy the life that I currently have. I was missing valuable time with my parents and sisters. Instead I was going from one job to the next and working out all of the time(often doing 2 a days and seeing little to no results), coming home, taking a shower, and going to bed. I wasn't very happy with my current situation and I would just dwell on the fact that my relationship with Joe was at a stand still until he got home(at least that's how it felt). The first 2 months of the deployment felt like eternity. Everyone would tell me that "time would fly", but it didn't. I was miserable and it was taking a toll on our relationship. I would often get upset for the smallest of things and I knew that this was adding extra stress to an already stressful situation for Joe. I decided to make a change.

After talking to a friend of mine on the phone, I decided that I would go on 1 trip a month and make it a point to spend time with my family. This was the best thing I could have done. Now, instead of spending hours at the gym alone, I will go for a run with my sisters or take them on hikes. I have the best of both worlds. I also have been using my annual pass to Disneyland, there have been many weekday nights that my family will meet at the parks just for a few hours. I have kept up on my monthly trips, the first one was a trip to visit my friend Nikki in Vegas and the next one was a trip to visit my friend Amanda in Hawaii. This month I will be going on a trip to Austin to see my friend Brittany and next month is a family trip to Yosemite in our RV!

My relationship with Joe has also changed, in stead of talking about how much it sucks that he is not here or dwelling on how long it is going to be until he gets back, we talk about all of the things that I have been doing. He has also been able to get involved with a bunch of things in Afghanistan. He is the moral leader and plans activities for the soldiers. My care packages have been getting better and better, because I want to do them. We have begun to focus on our relationship and our future together. I haven't been upset over small things in  a while and I have been able to be his support.

It really has been an adjustment, but I am happier and healthier then I was in the beginning of this deployment. I wish I could tell you that I have stopped looking at my apps, but I haven't (we only have 150 more days as of today!!!) Deployments are tough and it is up to you to decided it you will enjoy the time you have or if you will just sit and wait. I have figured out how to enjoy the time that I have now and as a bonus, time really is starting to fly by.

Enjoy the little things in life

Every Sunday, Joe takes the time to write and send me a card. I think this is the cutest thing that he has done. It was his idea and has done it ever since the beginning of his deployment. I have received both cards and post cards. They are only a few lines long but they make my day. They always seem to appear when I need them most. He has sent them to my office and to my house. He writes about things that we didn't talk about over phone or email. I love it and hope he will continue to surprise me with the little things.

Zombies are Coming!! - Care Package

I am so excited for Joe to get this care package! I have been wanting to make it for a while now, but every time I go to make it I get another genius idea. I have a few more ideas brewing, however I decided to make this care package. I got the idea of sending a zombie themed package because Joe was reading World War Z. To be honest, I am not even sure if he liked the book. I was a bit nervous that this wasn't going to come out as planned. I have seen many zombie boxes on instagram and they don't look clean (which I guess could be the look that you can go for). I am very happy with the outcome of the box.

Inside of the box I included the following:

• Walking Dead Season 1
• 10 Zombie Movies
• The Zombie Survival Guide 
• Nerf Gun - To shoot Zombies
• Nerf Ammo 
• Zombie Targets - these were given to me from a shooting range 
• Zombie Repellent - Sunscreen
• Smelly Shoe Balls - To keep his shoes smelling good, Zombies can smell feet from miles away
• Gushers, Fruit Roll Ups, Fruit by the foot - I like to send him these sugary snacks because I don't eat them and they will not be in our house. Hopefully he enjoys them while it lasts.
• Popcorn- to eat while he watches the movies

I also included a little note addressed to him letting him know that Zombies are coming!! Hopefully he enjoys this care package as much as I enjoyed making it!

Deployment

Deployment is something that most, if not all, military significant others will go through at some point. Joe has been deployed for almost 4 months now and there is not one day that passes that I'm not slightly upset that he can't be here with me. This has been so difficult. I would be lying to you if I told you that "Time is flying by" or that "It's not that bad". I am sure that when we look back at it, it will feel like it those things are true, but being in the moment they are not.

Saying goodbye was a surreal experience, it didn't even feel like anything was happening. I knew in my head that he was leaving, but I tried my best to stay strong. For him and for myself. He left in the middle of the night, around 2 am. It was my first experience with seeing so many families say good bye to loved ones. There were kids running around that had no idea what was going on. There were kids sleeping. There were parents and spouses crying. Fathers saying goodbye to their new born babies and husbands saying goodbye to their pregnant wife. I just sat there in shock. The time had finally come to say goodbye and I could no longer hold it in. Tears slowly rolled down my face as I gave him one last hug. The soldiers all formed up and some things were said and they filed out the door. I was lucky that he was the one organizing the formation, so I was able to steal a few more kisses and hugs.  They went out the door and on the the infamous white buses. Within 15-20 minutes the buses were loaded and they drove away.

I am pretty sure he was looking for me in the crowd.

 I made the choice of leaving right after he left, I booked a flight back home that departed about 3 hrs after. The first few days didn't seem like anything was different. He was able to send me iMessages and even skype a little. The first week that he arrived in Afghanistan I spent most of the time trying to figure out what I was going to do, I was determined to make time fly by. I didn't want to spend time dwelling on something that I couldn't change. I decided that I would focus on myself and my fitness.

 I have been really lucky because he has deployed before and one of the first things he did when he got there was get a phone and buy minutes. He has been wonderful at calling me every day (when he can, which is most days), emailing me often, and skyping. He also sends me cards/letters/post cards every Sunday. Our communication has been great and I normally hear from him very quickly. There has only been a few days that he is out off the FOB that he is unable to call.

With all of that said, there have been days that aren't the greatest. I sometimes get upset at the smallest things and he can tell that I'm am frustrated. I try to remind myself that it's not a big deal and that this tough time in our relationship will past. One things that a friend of mine wishes she didn't do while her husband was deployed, was nag and get upset. It's very easy to say that you will not do these things, but trust me, somethings just can't be left unsaid (even though they really should be). I think most of those minor things are just your emotions on overdrive because of the stress of the deployment.  The other thing that is really difficult is felling so separated from the military. I am not a wife and the FRG has not been keeping me updated on the deployment, even though I was added to the email list. I figured that would be the case. Since I am living in LA, most people don't know what it is like to have someone close to them in the military. Most people just say "I could never date anyone in the Army" or "I don't know how you do it". The truth is, that I use to say those things. But now, I just do it. I am also lucky to have 2 close friends that know exactly what I am going through. One, her husband is currently deployed and the other is in the army herself. I have been able to find things to do to stay busy, I work 7 days a week. My free time is spent with my family, working out, or taking trips to see friends.

Deployments are tough and if anyone tells you differently I would think that they are lying. But at the end of the day, I know that Joe is doing something that he loves and is fighting for you and I. That is what makes it worth it. That is why I am proud.

Deployment Wreath

I saw this wreath on Pinterest a while ago and I have wanted to make it ever since. I have decided that it would be a great gift for Joe's Family!

Here is what you need:

• 3 yards of camo fabric - I bought mine from Joann's. If I was to do this again, I might consider fleece 
• 1 wire wreath - The one I choose was 18", it didn't seem that big when I bought it, but I think 12" would have done just fine
• 1 roll of yellow ribbon
• 1 roll of American flag ribbon
• Name Tape - I found a random site online that was able to make it in any color. I am sure that it would have been much easier to just get it on post somewhere
• Craft wire - to attached everything to the wreath

Steps to making the wreath:

1. Cut your fabric into 3/4"-1" x 8" strips. 
2. Tie all of your strips onto the wire wreath - This will take up most of your time. I first started with 2 yards and the wreath didn't look as full as I liked. Keep tying the strips until you have reached your desired fullness. It may have took less fabric is I used fleece, but I believe fleece is more expensive. One pro to fleece is that it won't fray. 
3. Make bows with the ribbon. 
4. Use the craft wire to secure all of the pieces. 

Here is what my finished wreath looks like!

Overall this project was bigger then I thought it would be, but well worth the outcome. I think that may have been because I had no idea what I was doing. Now that I know what I need and how much material I need it will be easy to duplicate it. The overall cost of the project was around $30. I can't wait to try some more Military inspired crafts! Let me know if you have any questions!