Can You Believe It!!!!!!!! Seriously? Can You?

Lucas is on the ship right now and finally got his email system set up! I went 5 days without hearing from him and it was awful! =) I'm a baby I know, but I'm sure someone shares the same feelings! He is heading for the Philippines but until then they are training the pilots which he told me are not too good...that gets me kind of worried since he is actually on the planes with these horrible pilots! I look forward to pictures of his adventures!

Just when I thought I could get down about things, I found myself with this inner jolt of excitement. I got a package ready to send to Luke today and it made me feel closer to him in this weird way. Decorating cute things for him with "I love yous" and just giving him a piece of home that I sure he misses more an more everyday. I wish I could squeeze myself in that package and arrive to see him, but I know what a week from today we will officially be half way done! It seriously is hard to think that time has passed so fast. I remember crying my eyes out on my way home from dropping him off and feeling like the whole world was crumbling to pieces. Although, hearing from my friends Laura and Kris that their husbands will be home next week excites me that all of us who are going through these tough deployments are getting some where instead of feeling on the road to nowhere. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I just wish that we can bring our boys home! Ooooorrrrrahhhh!
For now, its 2 months and 3 weeks down of this deployment and we are entering double digits instead of triple digits! That has got to count for something!
XOXOXOXO

Life Lessons

I miss him....

Life can be an uphill battle
When I'd rather walk a trail
If a mountain stands before me
I have to climb it to prevail

A path that even I create
To know the end, I must explore
For mystery makes me curious
Even if fear makes me unsure

The only thing that's certain
Is that nothing has certainty
For faith is still just that
Believing what we can't see

I've walked a line so ever fine
Between what's wrong and right
I've denied what I knew was true
by putting up a fight

The still, small voice inside my head
Speaks volumes when I deny it
It grows even louder still
That is, when I try to hide it

Doubt can be a theif in the night
Robbing us of faith and hope
And even if there's miles before you
You come to the end of your rope

But it's all about perspective
How we see it is how it will be
To know what lies ahead of you
You need to look inside and see

So when faced with a mountain
And it seems too steep to tread
Don't see it as a battle
But a victory instead

Second Phase Is Going To Be Just As Hard

Today marks 2 in a half months and this is where it begins to get hard. Lucas is leaving for the ship tomorrow (since it will be Tuesday there) and I am dreading not being able to talk to him everyday. I know that I will just have to surround myself with staying busy and by the looks of this class that I am taking so far it will not be hard! I have homework coming out of my ears! *sigh* I miss him more than ever and right now I have the feelings that it will never end, but I know the weather is finally getting colder which means I am getting somewhere. Everything just has a different meaning when someone you love is missing. I find myself crying a lot more to the sappy movies that are on because it holds that special meaning...and even songs. I just wish he was home so badly...as we all do.

Pinch Me! I Wanna Wake Up NOW!

Things around the Leifermann household has been stressful lately between work and starting I think the first really challenging class since being in school, I have been so exhausted and it doesn't help that I haven't been sleeping all that great lately for some reason. Too much on my mind...when my body wants to rest, my mind just keeps going. Luke is preparing to go on the ship for 3 months and he said this morning they will be pulling out on Tuesday of next week. It is a bitter sweet time because this means we are half way done with this deployment but also difficult because I won't be receiving anymore phone calls (which I have been spoiled with) and emails will just have to do. This is like boot camp all over again! It seems like lately I have just been so impatient for him to come home...I just want him to be here NOW! I don't want to mow the grass anymore! Hahahahaha...but I am glad I am where I am right now with almost 2 in a half months down instead of a week.
It seems I have been so busy lately that I haven't been fixed to the countdown timer and I was shocked to get on here and see there is only 109 days left! It really is flying by but at the same time, at times it feels as though it is dragging out. We all miss him so much! So get your phone calls in before Tuesday because it will be awhile until we will hear that deep voice of his!

Rest In Peace

Yesterday back home in Austin, people found one of Lucas's friends, Joe Shada dead at his house and it is believed that he took his own life. I never had the privilege of knowing or meeting Joe Shada, but Lucas told me he has known him since he was little. A great deal of my friends know him and a lot of people are shocked and confused right now as to why this has happened. It is always hard to lose someone but I can't even imagine what it would be like to lose someone in this manner...so many questions may never be answered and people are left to wonder and morn. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time and I only hope that in time, questions will be answered to bring closure if that is even possible. For now, you can only hope that he is in a better place...

A Day Of Remembrance 9/11

As we all known, today will always be marked in history. As much as we want to forget, its too hard to. Today is such a somber day for people who lost loved ones and also for restless America who is still fighting, what seems like a never ending war. I remember exactly where I was that day, in my second period class, my junior year of high school. I remember teachers pulling out T.V's to just watch in horror at what was unfolding...and also someone coming over the intercom with news. It was horrible to believe such evil that took over. It just amazes me what people are capable of doing to others...but the question will always be why? A year later, September 9th of 2002 Lucas joined the Marines and I think after what happened a year prior we were all worried for him, but fast forwarding now, I am glad he is safe...selfish I know. He has been in 6 years and has been so lucky to not have to deploy until now. I hear of people having to return on their 3rd duty over to Iraq and it breaks my heart. Most of the time they are gone for years at a time which I could not imagine...I truly look up to those people who are strong enough to endure that because you keep me going!
My cousin Zach is about to endure a year of duty over there at the end of this month which is hitting close to home. I definitely will be thinking of him and his wife Danielle.

The people who lost their lives and the people who are fighting in the war now will always be in my prayers and not a day goes by that I don't thank you for what you have done!

Something To Make You Smile!

I know you had a rough day yesterday, but just a little pick me up. I laughed a little when I saw this...I know you will at least smile a little....

Teale Photography

I found this amazing photographer in San Diego and I thought it would be nice not only for us, but for everyone else to get pictures taken after Luke returns home. We have never been the ones to do something like this, but I figured why not and with the amazing San Diego as our back drop why not? So I was on a search for a photographer that shared the same vision as me and I did! She is young, open and extremely nice! I can't wait to get them done, we are scheduled in February...(babe, you didn't know about this, but now you do! So smile pretty! LOL...I know you hate picture taking) and I am so excited! I'm pretty sure they will turn out great. Here is her website for you to check out some of her pictures and get an idea of what she does...I thought she was amazing.

http://www.tealephotography.net/tealephoto/intro.html

And her myspace page has more great new pics...

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=181899847

Hope you enjoy them!

XOXOXO

An Important Date

Lukes birthday is coming up so I was just browsing the internet trying to find that really cool gift instead of the every year present of clothes which I know he gets soooo excited about! Hahaha, right babe? So I might just have to make something from home to send to him to let him know how much all 3 of us miss him being around. We have not spent his birthday together since he joined the Marines since something always pops up like him having to leave on a debt...so it sucks that it is another year with him gone. Just want to do something special for him, so if you have any ideas please let me know! And if anyone needs his address email me and I will be happy to give it to you...I don't want to post it for security reasons.
He leaves to go on the ship for 3 months soon so I might have to send it out early so he will get it...I know mail kind of slows down due to them being in the middle of no where!
He sounds a little depressed and stressed. He keeps telling me how much he wants to get out of the military and be a free man, which is kind of concerning me. He has such a change of heart since being over there and it makes me wonder what he going through...I think about that a lot when I am laying in bed...wondering what he is doing at that VERY same moment.
He has been looking into various things to do when he gets out of the military and doesn't know whether to go back to school or not. Either way, he is amazing at whatever he does...So he shouldn't worry so much! He had a test today that he was studying for all night, so I hope he did good...cross your fingers! I love you babe...keep your head up! We all miss you a ton and wish you were home!
XOXOXO

This Was Quite The Week!

This week has been crazy at work. I have been having to get up at 5 a.m. (something I haven't had to do in a long time!) and work later due to the kids starting up and school. Getting up early has been kicking me in the booty! But it is helping to keep my mind off of things tremendously!

It is hard to believe that it is 2 months today since Lucas left and we are almost at the half way point! Most of my friends husbands are starting to come home and find joy in seeing pictures of that anxious but exciting moment! I just can't wait for that to be me! Speaking of pictures, I set up a photo shoot for when Lucas comes back. I found this amazing photographer and she is so talented, so I can't wait for that.

Lucas has been doing good, just working a lot. He is preparing to go on the ship at the end of the month, so the everyday phone call will come to an end and we will just have to do with the occasional email, so that will be a hard transition.

My class ends this week and I have a week brake before starting another one. My last class was quite the bore, but I am just glad I am done with it. Well another week has come and gone and I don't think fall will be here anytime soon! It has been sooooo hot here, in the 100's and I am ready for the cooler weather to come that is for sure! I miss and love you all!

Hurricanes Oh My!

I was watching the news today as I was getting ready for work and I was informed that Hurricane Hanna (for sure) and Ike (might not for sure yet) are going to hit North Carolina directly and they have issued for people to evacuate. I immediately texted all my friends to just make sure they are staying safe and what not. It has not hit there yet, but it expected to this weekend, and I am keeping them in my thoughts! Sure enough right when I leave all the fun begins! LOL, me and Lucas are such weather nerds. I remember being in Minnesota and trying to chase down tornadoes together...yeah we are that crazy couple that like to chase whatever with no worries about what it could do to us! One thing is for sure, I miss the North Carolina rain and storms...they are the best! Nothing like cuddling up on the couch and watching the lightning and hearing the thunder and rain hit! Anyways, back from memory lane...I am thinking about everyone there and stay safe! Miss you all tons!

Growing Anticipation For Numerous Things

First off...Happy Labor Day! I am sure many of you have the day off and are enjoying the long weekend and not to mention the short work week! Yippie...especially since I will be going in an hour and a half earlier since school has begun here...the first sign of fall to come. I sure wish I was in Minnesota this time of year...it is absolute beautiful there. I miss the smell that is in the air and definitely being there to see my niece and nephew go trick or treating! I absolutely love Halloween, it is my favorite holiday! Anyways off track...we are onto the 2 month mark and I am getting more anxious. Almost half way done. My girlfriend's husband came home a whole month early from his deployment, so I guess I can always cross my fingers and hope that happens with me! Either way, can't wait to see him. I am also getting excited as I have heard news that my family might come out and visit which I would love. It is not for sure yet, due to somethings, but I miss them more and more everyday, especially my little peanut Karlee! So we will have to see, if all goes well October is the projected month, so I will cross my fingers for that as well. Last and not least, I am entering the last week of one of my classes, which has been such a bore! I hate to say that about education, but this class and the instructor is quite bad, so I am just glad I am getting through it and getting an "A" so far! So I am staying busy and starting to enjoy my time here. I have got in touch with some old friends from here and also from high school and I hope that will help to keep my mind off of things.
Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend, I know I did with some therapy shopping...lol. Back to the grind tomorrow!