Reunited...

... and it feels so good!!!

This past weekend I hopped on a plane and headed to Biloxi, Mississippi. I left Fort Wayne at 6:00 in the morning on Thursday and arrived in Biloxi at 11:00am knowing I would not be able to see Ross until 4:15ish. My thought was that I would head to my hotel, check in, and take a nap. That did not work out very well as I was not able to check in at the hotel until 4. So, there I was, in a town I had never been to with nothing to do. I had a lot of time to kill, so I grabbed some lunch (at perhaps the only Taco Bell that does not have grande soft tacos) and walked around the BX. After walking around for about 15 minutes I asked someone for a suggestion of something to do. Learning that my options were going to a casino or going to the mall, I opted for the mall. Upon arriving at the mall and taking a lap around, I decided that was not much fun either, as I packed just a carry on and did not have space to pack potential purchases. Thank goodness for the beach! I decided my best option for the remainder of the afternoon would be best spent walking the beach and taking pictures. Something I enjoy, but is not necessarily Ross's favorite activity.

I had a great time walking and snapping photos and before I knew it, it was 3:30. So, I headed back to my rental car and made my way back to base. At 4:00 I went and checked into my hotel... I will leave out the details about the hotel room, as it was perhaps the worst hotel room I have ever stayed in (coming equip with a SHARED bathroom). Finally, at 4:15, Ross called. I told him where I was and he met me at the hotel. After 14 weeks I was finally able to hug him!!!

Thursday evening Ross and I went to B Dubs with Newell, Stanko, and Bradford... Ross's usual crew. After B Dubs we went down to the beach with the guys to an old lighthouse and had a few beers. Then it was time to call it a night.

Friday we had breakfast in Ocean Springs, then went bowling. We decided to go bowling for just an hour, thankfully. With just two of us, we managed to play about 4 games, all of which Ross won. After bowling we called the guys and planned on going to The Shed for dinner. Boy were we impressed! This was the best pulled pork I have ever had!!! The building itself it a shack, but the food was fantastic!! After dinner, the guys asked us if we wanted to go bowling with them. Ha! Twice in one day at two different locations! This time, however, I beat all the guys!!

Saturday Ross and I slept in then went to the Beau Revage for breakfast/lunch. Then we walked around the casino for a bit before calling the guys to see what they were up to. That afternoon, Ross, Bradford, and I drove to Gulfport to Jack and Diane's Tattoo Shop. I was the only one of the three of us who followed through and got a tattoo. Saturday night we grabbed a quick dinner at 5 Guys Hamburgers then went to a movie with the guys.

Sunday, we got up early and went to the hotel so I could request an extension on my room. "Unfortunately", the room I had been staying in was to be occupied that night so I would have to stay in a different room. Oh, darn... Before checking into the new room, we went and played Putt-Putt. I beat Ross, fair and square! THANKFULLY, Sunday night I was able to stay in the Tyer House Hotel and had a wonderful room. That afternoon, before Ross had to be back at the squadron, we just hung out at the hotel and watched a movie.... and took a nap.

Monday morning I was up early to get back to the airport and catch my flight home. It was great meeting the guys Ross spends his free time with. I don't worry about the people he selects as friends, as he is a good judge of character, but it does help to meet his friends if for nothing else to have a face to put with the names.

I am looking forward to going back to Mississippi in 33 days and spending Thanksgiving with Ross.

More to come....

Randomness

I have been wanting to do a post like this for a while, just have not gotten around to doing it. Below you will find some pictures I downloaded off of my phone. Some are meaningful, most are just random. Enjoy!!


This is my cousin, Josh and me. As a family, we spent a day at my grandparent's house cleaning outside and inside. Josh and I took on the task of washing the outside of the windows after being voluntold by my Mom (Love you, Mom!!).


I took this one evening while watching tv. Fenway is usually not allowed on the furniture. He got lucky this evening so I snapped a photo and sent it off to Ross.


This flag flies out by the mall. In person, it is HUGE and perhaps the most beautiful flag I have ever seen.


I saw this van at a gas station on my way to school one morning. Who posts a sticker on their car like this?!?!?!


These girls are FANTASTIC! They are my WaWa's!


When I was in South Carolina I got up every morning to walk on the beach. One morning I wrote this, took the picture, and sent it to Ross. Love him!!


BEAN! This is perhaps my favorite little guy of all time! Can't wait to see what the future holds for him as he grows up!


Hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my life. Maybe I'll do another post like this sometime.

On the flip side, I leave for Mississippi in 8 days!!

Mississippi Bound!!!

That's right!! Three weeks from now I will be in Mississippi! I am beyond excited to take a few days and go see Ross!!

Right now, three weeks seems like a ways off, but then I think about the day Ross got his orders. His orders came exactly three weeks before he left... and those three weeks FLEW by! Perhaps those three weeks went so quickly because I didn't want Ross to leave... but I choose to think they went quickly because that's simply what time does.

I'm flying Delta, as I have for every trip I've taken in the past 6 months. The airline charges a $25 fee to check a bag, so in an effort to save $50, I'm planning on taking just a carry-on. Now, I'll be the first to say, I'm a great packer. For one vacation, I managed to get ten days worth of stuff in a suitcase most females can only get about five days worth of stuff in... but I'm nervous about packing for this trip. I'm only going to be gone for four days, but I'm already strategizing what, and how, to pack. I have never been to Mississippi or the Gulf Coast. I checked the average temperatures for the middle of October and according to weather.com, it should be around 85 during the day and 72 at night. So I'm thinking through what clothes I can pack that will allow plenty of space for all the other "female necessity" items required for getting ready in the mornings! I've always been a list person when it comes to packing. Who knows how many "clothing options" lists I'll have by the time I really pack! Ha!

I might need a bigger suitcase.....

I love them!

I spent this past weekend with my family in Kentucky. Everyone, except Ross, was there. It was so fun being all together!I couldn't help but wish Ross was with us though! I miss him! I cannot wait to go visit him and take little weekend trips with him once he gets home!!

I'm planning a trip down to Mississippi in October! Can't wait!!!!!!!

Change

I've decided it's time for a change.

Don't get too excited. I'm starting small. Partly because I was raised Methodist and change isn't our thing, and partly because I just can't make up my mind.

I started with my blog. I decided the old background was just that... old. That was the original background I set up when I started this journey. It was time for a change.

Next comes Fenway. He's been eating the same puppy food since he was a wee little guy. He's over a year old now, so it's time to make the transition to "big boy" dog food. It's time for a change.

On to making my bed. I used to be really good at making my bed daily. Then Ross left. Once Ross left, I stopped making the bed every morning. I don't know why, but it feels so much better crawling into bed when it has been made. The sheets feel more fresh. I'm going to start making my bed daily again. It's time for a change.

Now for the biggest change. Getting up earlier. I need to start getting up early enough to eat a healthy breakfast at home instead of keeping a stash of poptarts in my desk at school. Sure, that's the easy option, but it's not the best option. It's time for a change.

Here comes the hard part... putting change into action.

Wish me luck.....

These Things I Know For Sure.....

... school has officially started - and I miss summer!
... my family pretty much owns my heart!
... I have a crazy, energetic and mischievous dog, but I love him!
... there are three fantastic girls I have grown to love tremendously! They are my WaWa's!
... wing night with the B Dubbs Crew is perhaps my favorite night of the week!
... I have found very few things that cannot be cured with a good girlfriend and a glass of wine.
... the state of South Carolina has a special place in my heart.
... my husband is my hero.
... being by myself is not my idea of a good time.
... photography is perhaps my favorite form of self expression.
... fireworks make me proud to be an American - they bring tears to my eyes.
... I live for opening day of football season and baseball season - and two hour delays.
... I proudly wear a KIA bracelet for an incredibly honorable soldier - I wish I could have met him.
... Jesus is one cool dude!
... Mega Smartie Lolly Pops are my favorite candy.
... the older I get, the more my Mom becomes my best friend.
... 108 days without my husband is 108 days TOO MANY!!
... my brother makes me one incredibly lucky sister!
... my job is the most rewarding career I could have chosen.
... I am blessed to still have all four of my grandparents.
... my dream as a child was to be as tall as my Uncle Dan (6'4") - today I'm thrilled to be a foot short of that dream!
... this life I am living is not always glamorous.
... with God ALL things are possible!

Day 92

Ross has been gone for 92 days. Can't wait for him to come home for Christmas!!! I still miss him as much as I did on May 4th. One day at a time....