Stronger than Before

What a week it has been. As promised, here's a quick update on my running. I ran my second 5k this past weekend and it felt great. Since my last one, I really stepped up my conditioning. I focused on sprints and hill training since that was where I really struggled and what a difference …

Respect The 5k

First 5k of the year is in the books! It was a lot harder than I was expecting but nothing beats that feeling when you cross the finish line. It truly is a high unlike any other. Its relief, mixed with exhaustion and pride is the best I can explain it. I honesty was not …

What “Being Positive” Really Looks Like

I truly have been overwhelmed by all the support and encouragement I have received since my last post. I am so thankful for all those who reached out to me, shared their experiences, offer advice and words of comfort. I was not expecting the responses I received but am so grateful to everyone who  took …

One Day At a Time

I am trying hard to remain "positive" and "upbeat" and to "thrive" through this deployment but the truth is I am struggling and my heart hurts so bad. Everyone says to "stay busy" and I have been but no matter how "busy" you stay, the sting of walking into an empty house just never gets …

When it Rains, it Pours

Have you heard of Murphy's Law? Basically it states "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." I learned about it years ago in grade school, then again in college but never thought much of it. Then last year, as we were preparing for his deployment, I kept hearing the term. I read it on military message boards, …

Bringing In 2018 With a Splash

I have officially been home for one week by myself and what a week its been to say the least. I have had a lot of highs and lows. I was a lot more emotional about coming home than I was expecting to be. It was hard standing at baggage claim and seeing people reunite …

What We Wait For

I was reading through some old journals from several years back and came across this quote. I remember the exact situation I was struggling with when I wrote this quote down. I sat there in aw as I remembered how fearful and doubtful I was that I would make it through that situation. I remembered …

A Different and Needed Perspective

With Christmas right around the corner, its been getting tough. Tougher than I was expecting. My plan was to just avoid as much Christmas as I could, act like it wasn't happening and just move on to the new year. Well, that obviously was not possible. Especially since I am home with family.  . It …

Home for the Holidays

Never thought I would say this but it truly is good to be home. I was not planning on coming home. Was just going to prepare for the holidays alone but my family (and his) were having none of that. And now that I am home, I am so grateful that they made it happen. …

Countdown to Goodbye

Today went so well! I talked him into going to the early church service and on the way there I told him why but didn't give all the details. I just told him I had a surprise planned for noon in town. For the next three hours he guessed and asked questions constantly. Everything from helicopter …