5 Months STRONGER!

Hard to believe ANOTHER week has come and gone. I feel so close to the end, but so far at the same time. I kinda don't think it is real that I will see him in just a month...but when I do...(sigh), I am going to be the happiest girl in the world. This journey has been one that has tested my strength to the core and I am glad that I have been able to stand on my own and be very independent, which I haven't been really in my life...depending on Lucas and my parents and it is just nice to depend on myself. However, I don't like to be alone! So it will be nice to have my side kick back.
Got to talk to Lucas after 4 days of not hearing from him and they are back in Okinawa safely. Now we just play the waiting game. Lucas finds out soon his leave dates for when he gets back, so hopefully it will be right away and for 2 weeks so we can head home...8 months is too long to not see family! It has killed me internally to see what I have missed out...my niece and nephew growing so big that I hardly recognize them and just being around for them to know me and vise versa. BUT...we will be home soon and that is all that matters...plenty of time to catch up! Love you all and thank you for your constant support...it means so much to both of us!
XOXOXO

Happy Thanksgiving

I am having a tough day already being so far from family and Lucas, but I have so much to be thankful for, that I am trying not to dwell too much on it! I can just picture my mom slaving away in the kitchen from 4 am till it gets served at 1 pm. I also hope that Lucas got to relax for the day and have a good meal, but I doubt that might have happened since they are on the ship. (Wishful thinking!) Since it is technically Friday there today, they should be arriving safely in Okinawa...back home for them! Hope to hear from him soon.

Well, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and we miss you dearly. You are never too far from our minds and we will see you soon!

Welcome To Hong Kong

Lucas sent me an email containing over 200 pictures and although I would love to post all of them, there is hardly any room for that! However, here is a little taste of the ones that he sent and off course I posted all the ones with him in it because it is a rarity that he is in photos! It is hard to believe that their is such beauty out there and he is over there experiencing it, because there is nothing like this here in the States! It is gorgeous! They are heading back to Okinawa as we speak and this deployment is coming to an end as this is their last journey! I know that we are all way excited to have our loved ones home! And I just can't wait! The Yin Yang Garden

A Japanese Temple

In A Ice Bar...Looking Like Trouble!

Lucas Infront Of The Temple

Visiting The BuddhaHong Kong During The Night....

And Hong Kong During The Day

Long Night? =)

Lucas' Pass Time In Japan

Shots!

A Night Out On The Town With Some Friends

The Buddha Up Close

Yup You Guessed It, Another One Down

Seems like the weeks get away from me...which is good. I have been so consumed on trying to get things ready for Christmas that I have forgot where the time went. I am already doing my shopping and starting to get some special things in order for Lucas. I know it is early, but I know the time will come up on me fast.
I am so glad that another week is gone, 4 months 3 weeks stronger is what I am today. I haven't heard from him much. I got an email about 2 days ago saying that he was in Hong Kong. I hope he is enjoying his time off the ship and can't wait to see amazing photos of a place I would be so lucky to see!

Early, But Who Cares?!

I got our first Christmas tree up and decorated today! It is our first Christmas tree and I was able to get one because Lucas is gone...lol. He never would let me get one since we spend the holidays away in Minnesota so it is pointless to have one and not enjoy it, which I agree. Some how this year I couldn't resist. I know some people think it is way too early to be doing this, but oh well! I am trying to move time along faster...lol...and besides Lucas won't have much of a Christmas and it will be nice to have our own this year a little late, but only by a week or so. I hope to make it home, but if I can't I will still be in the spirit.

However Lucas might now like it since I decorated it very girly...with lots of bright colors and a lot of sparkles!

4 and 1/2 Month Mark

The days keep slipping away and I feel this deployment will be over before I know it now. I am starting to stay busy with my first real hard class that is consuming every moment that I am not working or sleeping! Can't wait for this class to be done!!!! But I just have to get through the next month or so which is hard due to the holidays, but what doesn't break us, makes us stronger right? I keep having dreams about how it will be when we first see each other and I wake to a smile every time...just gets more and more anxious. I'm so glad we are here at this point! Luke is one his way to Hong Kong and hopefully he will take pictures! They will be off of the ship for 4 days so I am sure he will be calling us in those days! I got a phone call last night, but I barely heard him.
This deployment is winding down.........so ecstatic it's almost over!

Let The Rumors Begin...

So Lucas sent me this email this morning labeled just that, let the rumors begin. Here is the email:

"Well the latest rumor going around is that we will be coming back to the states on the 4th of January haven’t heard anything official, we’ll see what happens, I had an all right day today, I flew for about 3 hours, and were just working around the flight schedule, no 14-15 hour days, I didn’t even have to be to work until 10am so that was pretty nice to sleep in for a change on the boat. Other than that nothings new. We will definatley be getting off in Hong Kong for 4 days I think, it should be awesome were all pretty excited!! Hope you had a good day at work! I love you!"


Ohhhh how I hope this is so true or even better...it's earlier! We will have to wait and see as the time gets closer, but I am going to be happier with any time knocked off of the deployment whether it is just one day or not! We all miss him so much and are excited to see him so just cross your fingers super hard for him to come early!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 233rd Birthday to the Marine Corps today...don't know how I forgot, but I just thought of it! It stems from its founding in Nov. 10, 1775 at Tun Tavern in Philadelphia. Just a little factoid for ya all! Happy Birthday!

The Deployment Blues

I totally have the deployment blues today...feel as though it will nnnnnneeeevvvvveeeerrrrrr end. It really is hard seeing other couples together and I just wish that was Lucas and I so bad! It has been hard too just not being able to talk to him...hearing from him either on the phone or through email is a rare occasion now and I don't like it one bit. I keep telling and reminding myself that everything will be alright again sooner than later...and I just need to toughen it out for just a little bit longer...but its hard, at least for today. I'm struggling with the idea that we won't be home for the holidays together, seeing both families that we love so much, but I know they are struggling with that idea as well and I know it won't be the same without him. Just wish my life was like that in the movie "Click" where I could fast forward through this part in life....

4 Months, 1 Week

Yes, its that time again. Another week down!
Lucas called me early yesterday morning at 4 a.m. but I was in a dead sleep and he decided to call back when we were both coherent. So I got to talk to him for a short amount of time since he was on his way to work. They will be in Okinawa probably today, which means Luke has a day off and I would think you all should be expecting a phone call maybe! Or at least an email, since he said they one have one computer on the ship and they are all sharing it which is 40 people, so that is why the emails are so short. It will be good to talk to him and get some questions answered that I have for him.
My stress level is increasing as I have decided after all to make the 27 hour drive to Minnesota and I have a feeling I will be solo. I am dreading it, but I just have to keep my family in mind since I haven't seen them for 6 long months. My niece and nephew are growing so much I hardly recognize them...so I think it is time. However, I am going to have to turn around and make the same trip a month later when Luke returns, but at least I will have my partner in crime to make the ride more enjoyable!
Its off to do loads and loads of homework...this Psychology class is killing me!
58 days left!!!! Wooohooooo!

Another One Down

Had to believe that it is another week down and another week closer to see my hubby! We are officially 4 months into this deployment and it is starting to feel better. It really does seem like yesterday I was driving home from saying good-bye...but like always, not everyday feels like that. I am so glad I am this far and I am so proud of myself for going through this and being so strong...I didn't think I could.
I haven't heard much from Luke lately as he said he hasn't had much computer time. His emails are short and I think he is having a hard time being on the ship, which I would not be able to handle! He says he is ready to come home and is over being on the ship. He told me that since they are doing a really good job that they will be home no longer than 10 weeks...which is around the time I expected him, January 7th. I feared an extension, but I am glad I don't have to worry any longer...another week or month tacked on and I would be a wreck!
Don't know why I am in such a good mood today, but it must be the time change! I'm ready for the week ahead...

Karlee Bella

Lucas,

Your niece is getting soo big and she misses you so much!

Happy Halloween