D-Day...

Although I had to take my husband back to the airport last Sunday, today is actually the day we have been dreading. He has been away from us for many weeks now, but at least I know he has been safe. Today things change a bit for us. Today he boards a plane for a 20 hr flight. I don't know when I will hear from him again, but I know I will. He is very nervous about going. It is the sense of the unknown.

Over the past few years life has thrown us many curves, and it hasn't always been pleasant. This is just another bump in the road, and I hope the next year flies by. So much can happen in a year. I miss him already.....

A Letter to Santa....

Dear Santa,

I know I'm a little old to be writing, but I thought I would give it a shot. I'm a simple girl with simple requests, and I don't want much. First of all, I want my kids to have a great Christmas. I can control most of that, and if my job cooperates we will be spending the Holiday with my niece Karmen and her husband Dave. I have most of my shopping done, with only a few little pieces to pick up here and there nothing major.

I have a couple of requests though. I don't usually ask for things, but this year I want a couple of small things. I want a big coffee mug, some flannel sheets, and some new fuzzy sleep pants.

Oh, and if it isn't too much to ask, please keep my husband safe with some magic elf dust or something. I know you can do it.

Love,

Geri Lynn Addison

Giving Thanks...

It is Thanksgiving morning and I have loads swirling through my brain, but really no cohesive way to put them to paper metaphorically speaking. I have mixed feelings about today. I am SO thankful to have my beautiful family although they are not all physically with me. Zac, the cats, and I are giving thanks by ourselves this year. Most of my readers know that my husband has been deployed, and my Kendra is spending the holiday with her father and his family. We had an awesome "last weekend" with hubby and the entire family last weekend. The house was abuzz with activity, kids, and happiness. We all loved it, and my husband was in heaven. Would I rather have them all here? Of course so, but it isn't in the cards for us. Like LOADS of military families, it isn't in the cards for them either. I just pray that they all come home safely.

Giving Thanks....

Today is Wednesday. An ordinary Wednesday for most, but not for me or my family. Why you may ask? My husband has been gone for about 5 weeks after being home for 6 days 3 of which I spent in the hospital, and the other 3 I spent extremely ill and recovering from surgery. Before those 6 days home he had been gone for 6 weeks. All of this in preparation for his deployment to the Middle East.

Tomorrow is Thursday. Also an ordinary Thursday for most, except maybe for those freaky Harry Potter fans that are going to the midnight showing of the movie.(me included haha) There is one more thing that makes it an extraordinary day for me though. What makes it such is that I am picking my husband up from the airport! I am so excited to see him, yet the visit will be bittersweet.

Sorry for being cliche, but the term bittersweet just fits here. You see, this is the LAST time my husband will be home, before he leaves for the Middle East. I want the weekend to be perfect. Kendra is staying out of school tomorrow to make an 8 hour round trip to pick up his children. I will pick him up from the airport, so he can be here when Zac gets off the school bus. We want to make every second count. He is exhausted from all of the training, so while he is sleeping, I'm taking a group of teens tomorrow night to the Midnight showing of Harry Potter. Friday morning, he is taking his oldest son to get his driver's license. They are BOTH excited about that!

We are NOT having a "Going Away" party. Those tend to be too somber. What we ARE having is a double birthday party for Kendra and his oldest son. Kendra's actual birthday is Sunday she will be 17. His oldest son's birthday is Dec. 5th, and he will be 18. SOOO, we are having a bonfire, chili, roasting hotdogs and marshmallows over the fire. I have ordered a cake, but not a grown-up cake. I have ordered a cake that mirrors their 1st Birthday cakes. Kendra's was Elmo and Vyren's was Hotwheels, so we are having an Elmo and Hotwheels cake! I think it will be loads of fun, and it will be festive.


Sunday will be one of the hardest days of my life. I will be driving my husband back to the airport. I won't see him for a very long time. His orders say "up to 400 days," but we know at least a year, but hopefully he will be able to come home for 2 weeks on leave during that time. I am thankful for the time I have, and I will be counting the days.


So, Thanksgiving may actually be NEXT week, but everything I have to be thankful for will be happening for me THIS week. Zac and I will be spending ACTUAL Thanksgiving alone. I will probably put a roast in the crock pot with potatoes and carrots. He LOVES that. No worries though. Kendra will be at her dad's, but we all have LOADS to be thankful for...........

Turn, Turn, Turn.........

It seems as if the leaves have turned overnight. I swear yesterday the trees were still green, yet this morning I awoke to them being awash in color. Although it was raining today it was still beautiful and bright outside. What a wonderful world we live in. The trees painted bright red, orange, and yellow. Who could call a day like today gloomy? To me it was perfect. Renewing rain and trees painted by the creators own hand. I know that in a couple of months the trees will be barren. The technicolor leaves will be in a brown blanket on the lawn, but today......WOW!!!

I'm Melting Away....

Oh, my ever ending struggle over my weight. I know I am not alone in this fight. Most people don't remain one size and stay that way. It takes a bit of effort. Actually, it takes a LOT of effort. I've been working really hard on my eating habits, and I think I've finally gotten that part licked. I'm eating healthier foods, but if I want something "bad" I'll allow it occasionally. I think the trick is not feeling defeated when I do "cheat." I don't consider it cheating though. I consider it an incorporation. I'm not on a fad diet. I still eat what my family eats, and they are becoming healthier for it too which makes me smile. Kendra is making quite a transformation herself. Now if I could just get the exercise commitment down, I think I will have it made in the shade. I've got 2 "face shots" where you can tell the difference. I've dropped about 35 lbs since June. Yay me!


I've dropped a chin or two, and I am SOOOO thrilled about that!!!!