I'm glad you were born!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR AARON, HAPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!

My handsome man turns 23 today. Yes, he is a whole year and a month younger than me, say what you want : ) We have each celebrated three birthdays since we started dating, yet we have only spent one of them together. He was in boot camp during the first and now in Afghanistan for the third. I told him I am slowly figuring out his master plan. Not together on birthdays=no present buying. I’m only kidding, he did send me a Lifeproof case for my phone, because I tend to drop my phone is toilets!! Without wanting to sound all mushy, I say this with an honest heart…as hard as it is to spend Birthdays and Holidays apart, I would spend them all alone if it meant having to share them with someone else. I know I joked about the presents, but these days, and every day, isn't about the gifts and what not. It is about being with the ones you love. Celebrating life and the gifts God has so graciously given to us. I know the next few months of holiday celebrations will be hard because of the void I have in my heart. But, I constantly reminding myself that I am blessed enough to get him back in several months. Besides, he isn't “mine” to begin with. He is the Lord’s and I’m so thankful he has a heart that will follow Him anywhere He leads.

Putting together care packages has become the only thing I enjoy about this deployment. I was so excited to start putting things together for his birthday box, but I wasn't really sure what to send him. One day when we were talking he mentioned that he had picked up a little kettle thing that boiled water and later was talking about how he missed his coffee. So, being the wonderful girlfriend I am, I picked up a coffee press at Ross and some of his favorite coffee. Then I filled the box with a few of his favorites: green apple chapstick, oreos, beef jerky, noodles, slim jims, pop-tarts, playing cards, and of course some peanut better!!  I also picked up some hand and toe warmers and wool socks to keep his little hands and feet warm. My wonderful parents always contribute to the boxes because these little things can get expensive. But, it’s worth every penny when he gets them and loves everything in it. He was especially surprised by the coffee press and hand warmers. He told me he asked his parents for some the day before, but little did he know I do my research and had already sent him some : ) Okay, I’ll stop bragging on myself now!! He also received packages from his parents, which contained a cake and other goodies and his winter gear finally arrived from the States. I’d say he has had a good week of gifts!! I think between me, his parents, his Aunt Pat, and other friends, he will be one spoiled boy while he is away. But, he deserves it. They all do!!

Until next time…have you thanked a Veteran today? Because you should!!

Melt downs.Funny Faces.Pride.

I was going to write this blog on Tuesday, but I have been a bit of an emotional basket case the past few days so I decided it would be best to wait. I have tried so hard to hide my tears from everyone, especially Aaron. I guess I'm scared that if anyone sees me cry or have a weak moment, then they will question if I'm strong enough to handle this or not. Everyone always tells me that I have to be strong for Aaron and I can never let him see me cry or break down. Yes, I understand this logic and the last thing I want is for him to see me struggle and cry when there is nothing he can do to fix it at the moment. I know it is just as hard, if not harder, on him and I know he wishes more than anything that he could be here. But, on Tuesday I failed at being able to hide my built up emotions from him. And let me tell you, I was quickly reminded of why I love that boy so much. He didn't get mad at me for crying. He didn't get on to me and tell me it wasn't fair for me to break down in front of him and he didn't tell me that I HAVE to be strong all the time. Instead, he told me it was okay to cry, to let it all out, and he sat there in silence for a few minutes and let me have my cry baby moment. Over the past three years he has become the person I have turned to for comfort and support through tough times. After all, that’s a huge part of a relationship, right? So, to have people constantly telling me that I can’t turn to him or let him know when I’m struggling hasn't made much sense to me. We are in this together. We support each other, on the best of days and on the worst of days. I’m thankful that he lets me cry to him and takes time out of his busy day to talk to me and comfort me. I know he is under so much stress and I want his focus to stay on his job and not to worry about me, but I'm amazed at his strength to be able to do all of that and still be able to handle my weak moments. I’m thankful his heart belongs to the Lord; I know we could not make it through this without Him. My melt down was soon followed by a series of funny faces and jokes to cheer me up, which always works!!

Now, on to happier things. A promotion. A very well deserved promotion. My man works very hard at his job, a job most men couldn't handle. If you haven’t been able to tell, my heart overflows with pride for my Soldier. I feel like I can probably be that annoying proud girlfriend that is constantly bragging on how amazing her boyfriend is. Well, I guess I probably am. Sorry I’m not sorry. But, he is someone worth bragging about. (And I’m not used to having one of those : ) Any women who isn't overwhelmed with pride, support and love for her Soldier, doesn't deserve him. I just wish everyone else would get their priorities straight and realize who America’s real heroes are. Anyways, that is a rant for a different day : )  

SPC. BRANNON

I'm really not sure if I am supposed to steal, well "barrow", these pictures or not. But, I wan't to share them. His buddies take pictures all the time, which I love. Aaron told me a few weeks ago that he ordered a hammock off Amazon and would hook it up under his truck to sleep at night.I guess it is much better than having to sleep on those rocks, but of course I would prefer him to be in his warm, safe bed at home. I stuck a few things in his last package that will hopefully help keep him warm. Maybe I should send him some fuzzy ear muffs? I think I may..haha : )

 Until next time, be intentional, not only in your witness, but in general concern for others. You know, when you ask someone how they are, do you really care or is it just something you think you have to say after “hey”? Maybe take a minute and really find out how someone is and if there is anything you could pray for them about. You may shock someone for really caring what they have to say. Don’t get too busy and miss out on a being a blessing in someone’s life.