how proud I am to be a member of the Norman Community. It's great to see a community come together to support our troops, even the fallen heroes. You hear about it all the time, but to actually be able to see it and know where they were is a great feeling.
http://oudaily.com/news/2008/oct/05/veterans-honor-norman-soldier-killed-iraq-helicopt/
Though I was unable to attend, I did recognize a lot of familiar faces as I flipped through the pictures online--including several of Aaron's ROTC friends and cadre. I have a tremendous amount of respect for members of the Patriot Guard and think what they are doing is amazing.
Just thought I'd share--
God Bless
Monday, October 6, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
7 Days down 105 to go
Well school has officially started and my semester will be anything but easy. Starting next week I don't get a break from tests/projects till November. Yaaay for my last semester in college!
OU had a blow out Saturday in their season opener--I was glad I didn't go because about half time, hurricane winds came blowing through and a massive down pour started. So I was nice and dry while everyone else that went was soaking wet.
Aaron surprised me with flowers and a hand written note--he must have had this planned for a while :) It was really sweet and I cried of course when I saw his note. But it was a nice touch after such a long first week.
The guys that live below us made us hamburgers for lunch on Saturday and in exchange we're making breakfast this morning. Everyone here is really nice, some even know Aaron, and they're all really understanding of our situation--which helps a lot.
Friday, August 22, 2008
School starts Monday!
Well I'm all moved in and settled for my last semester in Norman. (yay) I've taken care of getting school supplies and my books (3 books-$450.00--ridiculous!). I finally got my ACU purse that is a lot bigger than I thought it would be so I think it's going to double as my school bag too. It's super cute! :) I keep getting asked though if I'm really an army wife. I really want to respond with "no I just like to carry it around for fun, it's a fashion statement." Yes. I'm really an Army wife.
The apartment is nice--clean, small, but just right for two people. The kitchen isn't bad--it'll do for 5 months.
We did have one drawer in the kitchen that wouldn't open unless the over door was open, but we pushed the oven as far back as it would go (even had to tilt it to one side) so that it would open with out opening the oven door.
On an unrelated note--Sam (my roommate and I) went and laid out by the pool yesterday:
I got so into my book that I was reading that I forgot to turn over a second time. I'm now a lobster on the front side of my body. haha
Friday, August 8, 2008
2 Weeks Down
Two weeks down--too many to count to go.
But I'm two weeks stronger and absence really does make the heart grown fonder.
Love you, Aaron!! See you soon!
I went back to Norman last Monday to get settled back into my house and start working again before school started. Aaron successfully made it to Iraq last week and has already been out on a mission with his team. He called sooner than I expected him to saying he was back and my first reaction when I saw the number on my phone was oh gosh somethings gone wrong. But nothing was, he just got back early. He seems to be enjoying himself for the most part--as much as you can in the middle of the desert and was able to snap a couple of pictures--this one is my favorite--No one can decide how they're supposed to wear their beret:
I have been good at keeping myself occupied--I've been working everyday, but won't continue when school starts so I can focus on my class work and be readily available should Aaron need me. I just feel much better about having free time during the day to be able to talk to him when HE needs to--and it's on HIS time schedule, not mine. I've also been thoroughly engrossed in the Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series. I bought the first one Sunday and was finished with it by Wednesday. SOO GOOD! I love books that grab your attention and "take you away" into a different place. It's a vampire love story--but not like Dracula--It's really good, and the first movie is coming out later this year.
Other than that I haven't done much-- Aaron sent me BEAUTIFUL flowers last week, it was an ordeal to get them to my house, but so totally worth it once I read his sweet words that went along with his beautiful gift. And I got a letter from him last week from while he was in Kuwait. I love reading his letters--Aaron can always make me smile! :)
I've missed him a lot, but I think that's to be expected--but I have pictures EVERY place you could imagine--my car, my room, my phone, my computer, it's decked out in Aaron and Chuck stuff (can't forget my other lazy boy in Cedar Park!! I miss his fat butt too!!)
But I'm two weeks stronger and absence really does make the heart grown fonder.
Love you, Aaron!! See you soon!
Friday, July 25, 2008
I won't let go
Today wasn't the best, lets be real here.
Aaron left this morning a little after 0500. We stayed up all night, and I'm still running on only 1 hour of sleep (if that). Our families gathered around 0230 to spend our last hours with him. I was queasy the whole time. But I did fine. We spent time together before we had to meet with everyone else--talking, joking, and reassuring each other. We went with him to draw his weapon at 0330. We sat around talking, joking, and taking pictures (Aaron has the camera, so when he can send them, I'll post some). A little after 0400 we went to brigade to see him off. We got to spend most of the time with him--all but maybe 5 minutes. We hugged and kissed--he hugged his mom.
Then that damn white bus came. It pulled into the parking lot around 0430-0445. It was taunting us. Just sitting there reminding us that it would take Aaron away and we wouldn't hear from him for a couple of days. It was like it was staring me in the face--mocking me and how sad I was becoming.
It became time for him to go. I hadn't cried the whole time we were on post until then. I saw his mom crying, him hugging her and reassuring her that he'd be home soon. I lost it. I didn't want to see him go. Aaron came to me last, wrapped me up and told me not to let go. I told him that I loved him and would see him soon. We said more to each other, but it's a blur right now after only an hour of sleep the whole night. He let go and started walking away. He didn't look back--for that I'm thankful. I wanted to run after him and storm the bus and take it over and drive everyone away. If he'd have looked back I seriously might have--I was ready to run. I watched him get up on the bus and find a seat in the front. Moments later the bus started to lurch forward. We stood in the same spot we'd been standing anticipating the moment we saw him for the last time.
As soon as I saw him, I waved...blew a kiss and mouthed "I love you, always..forever." I don't know if he knew or saw what I mouthed, but in his heart I know he did. I am trying not to dwell on the sad parts of the day--instead the times we were laughing--how we saw the new Batman 3 times in the past week and would quote it back to each other and smile--how he told me he'd be back and would call as soon as possible. Every time I say out loud "I love you" or "I'm fine baby" or "See you soon" I pray it's from my lips to God to Aaron's heart.
Aaron left this morning a little after 0500. We stayed up all night, and I'm still running on only 1 hour of sleep (if that). Our families gathered around 0230 to spend our last hours with him. I was queasy the whole time. But I did fine. We spent time together before we had to meet with everyone else--talking, joking, and reassuring each other. We went with him to draw his weapon at 0330. We sat around talking, joking, and taking pictures (Aaron has the camera, so when he can send them, I'll post some). A little after 0400 we went to brigade to see him off. We got to spend most of the time with him--all but maybe 5 minutes. We hugged and kissed--he hugged his mom.
Then that damn white bus came. It pulled into the parking lot around 0430-0445. It was taunting us. Just sitting there reminding us that it would take Aaron away and we wouldn't hear from him for a couple of days. It was like it was staring me in the face--mocking me and how sad I was becoming.
It became time for him to go. I hadn't cried the whole time we were on post until then. I saw his mom crying, him hugging her and reassuring her that he'd be home soon. I lost it. I didn't want to see him go. Aaron came to me last, wrapped me up and told me not to let go. I told him that I loved him and would see him soon. We said more to each other, but it's a blur right now after only an hour of sleep the whole night. He let go and started walking away. He didn't look back--for that I'm thankful. I wanted to run after him and storm the bus and take it over and drive everyone away. If he'd have looked back I seriously might have--I was ready to run. I watched him get up on the bus and find a seat in the front. Moments later the bus started to lurch forward. We stood in the same spot we'd been standing anticipating the moment we saw him for the last time.
As soon as I saw him, I waved...blew a kiss and mouthed "I love you, always..forever." I don't know if he knew or saw what I mouthed, but in his heart I know he did. I am trying not to dwell on the sad parts of the day--instead the times we were laughing--how we saw the new Batman 3 times in the past week and would quote it back to each other and smile--how he told me he'd be back and would call as soon as possible. Every time I say out loud "I love you" or "I'm fine baby" or "See you soon" I pray it's from my lips to God to Aaron's heart.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
It's never goodbye--it's always see you soon
Everything right now is so surreal. Aaron leaves in two days (early Friday morning) and it just seems like time is running out. We're packing up tonight and moving out of his sisters house and will be in a hotel in Killeen through Friday morning. We'll be leaving our dog behind, and tonight is the last night that Aaron will get to see our sweet puppy.
There's an FRG meeting Saturday morning, but I'm not sure I will have the strength or courage to go so soon after he's left. I'm still not sure. I'll be heading back to Norman soon--hopefully getting back into a routine of work and school will help calm my nerves and ease any fears I have. I don't know--
--I do know that I'm not ready to say goodbye, or rather see you soon.
Time is running out and I can't slow it down.--
There's an FRG meeting Saturday morning, but I'm not sure I will have the strength or courage to go so soon after he's left. I'm still not sure. I'll be heading back to Norman soon--hopefully getting back into a routine of work and school will help calm my nerves and ease any fears I have. I don't know--
--I do know that I'm not ready to say goodbye, or rather see you soon.
Time is running out and I can't slow it down.--
Monday, July 7, 2008
I just don't want to forget
It is suddenly becoming more of a realization that I only have a few more weeks left with Aaron. We planned one of our final weekends here with each other, tonight. We're gonna go see the Batman movie at the IMAX and then go to eat at a nice steakhouse as our final hoorah.
It didn't really hit me until today when Aaron made the comment that he just likes spending the days with me as much as possible. He had the day off today so we so lovingly spent the day together trying to fix the flat tire on the miata. What a pain in the ass! But we got it done and were able to come home and spend the evening together. I cooked dinner (lasagna and my oh so yummy smoked green beans) for Aaron and his sister Sarah and her husband Heath. After that we curled up on the couch and watched the movie High Crimes together. It was nice just to sit on the couch curled up together.
I've been to one FRG meeting with 2-12--I really liked it! The girls were amazing and so helpful and I've already made several new friends. We're meeting again this Thursday and again at the end of this month and it's just exciting. They're all so willing and so helpful...it's just really encouraging.
My biggest fear is that I'll forget. I don't want to forget what it's like to hold hands or kiss or hug or curl up on the couch together or how bad my head hurts after he elbows me in the middle of the night :) I just don't want to forget....any of it.
It didn't really hit me until today when Aaron made the comment that he just likes spending the days with me as much as possible. He had the day off today so we so lovingly spent the day together trying to fix the flat tire on the miata. What a pain in the ass! But we got it done and were able to come home and spend the evening together. I cooked dinner (lasagna and my oh so yummy smoked green beans) for Aaron and his sister Sarah and her husband Heath. After that we curled up on the couch and watched the movie High Crimes together. It was nice just to sit on the couch curled up together.
I've been to one FRG meeting with 2-12--I really liked it! The girls were amazing and so helpful and I've already made several new friends. We're meeting again this Thursday and again at the end of this month and it's just exciting. They're all so willing and so helpful...it's just really encouraging.
My biggest fear is that I'll forget. I don't want to forget what it's like to hold hands or kiss or hug or curl up on the couch together or how bad my head hurts after he elbows me in the middle of the night :) I just don't want to forget....any of it.
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