Deployment Positive Thursday- Week 15

Okay, I'll admit, I was a little sneaky on this one.

I didn't want to post last night for my usual positive Thursday because there was something kind of exciting was happening today and I didn't want to jinx it. (and no, I am most certainly not talking about the royal wedding, even though I could talk about that for days probably).

As of this moment in time, I am no longer engaged to a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Andrew was promoted today at midnight local time to First Lieutenant! For the most part, his duties will remain the same, until he gets his platoon hopefully next month (which really doesn't have anything to do with the promotion- the Army can be confusing that way). He likes to point out that everyone who is an Active Duty 2LT for 18 months gets this promotion, but I am still so proud of him! Can't wait for him to get home so I can plant a big, fat, juicy, wet kiss on my very own 1LT! Congrats, Andrew!

He won't officially get to wear this new rank until the LTC comes around to his FOB to pin it on him, but I get giddy with excitement knowing that the next promotion (to Captain in 2+ years) I get to pin on him!

Easter in New England

Since I missed every major holiday at home with my family last year, I decided to make the drive up to New Hampshire for the long weekend (I had Friday and Monday off). Here are some highlights from my trip up north:

Excited about my new PA license plate!

Stopping for gas on my way out of town. I <3 Hershey!

No road trip is complete without my Medium French Vanilla Iced Latte with Skim Milk.

Long ways to go still....

One of my favorite sections of the drive. Beautiful view around Scranton.

Getting Closer!

I was so excited when I finally got home after 8 hours + of driving that I forgot to take a picture of the house! It was perfect timing though, as I just had enough time to shower and get ready without having to rush too much, before going to dinner with one of my best and oldest friends, Alexa and our families! We ate at a great sushi place that I've been dreaming of ever since. I can't wait to go back!

On Saturday, Lex and our moms and I had a super fun, girly day of wedding dress and bridesmaid dress shopping. Here we are at lunch in between shops!

Sunday was, of course, Easter:

Easter Morning Breakfast before Mass... just the 4 of us (mom, dad, grandma and me). Quiet but nice.

It was a fantastic weekend, filled with lots of food, family, friends and love (and 4 Red Sox wins, which makes everything that much better). I have to say though, the best part was the 17 minutes and 37 seconds I got to spend on the phone with Andrew! No dropped calls, very little delay (only about 2-3 seconds), it was everything I could have asked for! 

And something to be excited about for today: 100 days have officially come and gone in this deployment! Goodbye double digits for Deployment 2011 FOREVER! It feels so great!

Deployment Positive Thursday- Week 14

I know I just posted yesterday, so I'm going to keep this quick and stick with my Thursday tradition.

What a week! Things at work have been absolutely mind-bogglingly crazy, but I love it. Today marks exactly one month before we leave for the event in Orlando which is what all this hard work has been working towards so I'm really excited to see it all come together.

Also this week and next week are only 4-day weeks (thank you, Easter break)! Today after work I'm heading to Hummer's to get an Easter Ham for my folks, then getting my nails done, meeting the family at Hennigan's since some out-of-town cousins are now in town for the holiday, then eventually picking up my car from the shop (it was in for my first PA inspection)! I still have to pack (obviously) but other than that I'm set for my drive tomorrow. I've got a few audiobooks (thanks, Shannon!) and lots of new songs downloaded so hopefully my 8 hours drive will be quick and uneventful.

The one thing I'm worried about is that I gave up drive-thru lunches for lent. AND it's a Friday during Lent, so I can't eat any meat. I'm sure I'll come up with something creative, or just starve until I'm home, but it shouldn't be too bad.

This Positive Thursday, I'm just excited to be spending Easter with my family, and that it will officially be my last Easter as a non-Catholic! I will also be spending a lot of time with one of my best and oldest friends, Alexa. She's the sister I never had, so I can't wait to go wedding dress shopping with her and our moms on Saturday! Should be lots of fun!

Everything is going well with Andrew, but basically just the same as it always is. He was out on a mission yesterday into today, but it back safe and sound. He said his favorite part was giving out lots of candy (his mom sent an entire care package of just lollipops a few weeks ago) to the kids! My heart seriously melts when I think of him being so generous to those children! Gotta love that man!

In the meantime, I wish everyone a beautiful and fun-filled Easter!

Spring Has Sprung!

FINALLY!!!

I just got back from my first outdoor run of the spring and it felt great! Don't get me wrong - for the most part, I hate running - but it just felt good to be outside without being hunched over under the protective shield of an umbrella or hood of my jacket. The weather in Central Pennsylvania was nothing short of perfect today! You could smell chocolate in the air (yes, this really happens!) and not a hint of cow manure on the farms, which is rare.

The beginning of the week was so miserable and rainy and cold that today's mid-sixties sunny skies completely brightened up my day! It'd have to say today's weather has been the best day of the year thus far!

They have these trees in this region (that unfortunately I can't ever remember the name of) but they only bloom for a few days each year. It's similar to a Cherry Blossom Tree, but with much bigger flowers. I was determined to capture this mystery tree in at least one photograph, but the weekend had gotten away from me and yesterday I feared I was running out of time, so even though it was lousy weather out (the rain had stopped momentarily) I went out and got some pictures incase that would be the last day it was in bloom.

These are some of the shots I got yesterday:

(and I couldn't resist getting this close up of the beads of rain, it looks so cool)

Today I was pleasantly surprised when I came home for lunch and the tree was not only still in bloom, but thousands of time more beautiful than it had been yesterday! After my run, I came back and got some shots and boy, what a difference a day makes!

(sorry, I couldn't pick just one- making decisions is not my strong suit)

If my wedding colors were pink, you bet your boots you would have seen these babies in my bouquet. Honestly some of the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen!

A Whole Quarter!

I am so, so, so happy and beyond excited to report that an entire quarter of this deployment is behind us forever! Yep, you read that right. A quarter, one-forth, a quadrant, twenty-five percent.... however you want to look at it, it's gone! Never to be seen or heard from again!

Three whole months in the books! It's so funny to look back on because parts of me feel like this time has flown by and then other parts of me feels like we're not making any progress. It's hard to imagine that Ranger School was 3 1/2 months long... that seems like sooooooo much longer than the three months we've already invested in this deployment. I guess the major difference there was that we didn't know what to expect with Ranger School and we were living with the ever-present threat of a recycle that would extend the school by 3-6 weeks. We are months away from dealing with the changing dates of this deployment at this point- which I assure you, will happen. 

This weekend was a great way to celebrate the closing of Q1. On Friday night Mom Dolan and I went to dinner and shopping and I got some great new dresses and outfits for the spring/summer as well as my upcoming business trip to Orlando (can't wait)! I've come to the conclusion that I'm an emotional shopper. Where others seek comfort in foods or alcohol, when I'm stressed, I shop. The day Andrew recycled Ranger School I bought two pairs of adorably impractical shoes that --combined-- I have worn a grand total of one time. Emotional shopping though, when done with the help of an expert (insert Mom Dolan) is actually quite beneficial and great for my wardrobe! 

Yesterday we had a church retreat in Harrisburg (as one of the final steps of my RCIA process before I actually convert- which won't be happening until my Sponsor, Andrew, is here to witness it and join in my first communion with me) and then I drove down to DC to be with my family! My brother starts work at a new job tomorrow and just moved in with his girlfriend (who I love) just outside of the city. Our family was meeting her family for the first time, but we all had such a fun evening. Lots of driving for a short visit, but definitely worth it!

Today after Palm Sunday Mass, Shannon's family was over for lunch when the house phone rang... which is kind of weird for a Sunday. Dad Dolan answered and I knew right away by the tone in his voice who was on the other end! My heart just about leaped out of my chest and I got butterflies in my stomach. He was on the phone for a little while, and I sat in the den with him on speaker while he talked to his parents (and Gavin, who RAN to the phone when he found out it was his God-Daddy). All of a sudden, the call was dropped and all we could hear was a busy-tone. I was crushed. I hadn't even said hi to him, he didn't even know I was there. 

We all waited for about five minutes before we realized he wasn't calling back and the network must have just gone down. Saying I was heart-broken would be an understatement. I had to take some time to myself and let myself meltdown for a bit. Everything just hit me like a ton of bricks, I had been praying so hard that I would be able to talk to Andrew this weekend. Physically talk to him. Not email or text, I needed to hear his voice and just carry on a conversation and bounce ideas off of him. I really thought this was the answer to my prayers and just as fast as it happened, it was gone. A few minutes later I got a text from Andrew saying "Bummer, the network must be down. That was way too short, were you there"? I texted him back as quickly as I could and said I was there and begged him to go to the MWR and try to use skype. I wasn't going to give up. I had to talk to him. It took almost a full hour and a half to get everything up and running, and many many failed calls, but we finally did it. I could see his grainy face and his smile warmed my heart. 

Alisia and Lillia were with me when the call finally went through and I was so happy that the computer almost fell off my lap! Alisia found it necessary to tell Andrew "Aunt Tina was cryyyyyy-ing!" but it was cute the way she said it and we were all just happy to have him be a part of our lives for the time being. We talked for 42 minutes and 12 seconds and I basked in the glory of every single moment of it. Joking around and not worrying about how much each text is going to cost or if what I'm saying is going to be read and understood the way I am intending was liberating. It's like he wasn't even gone this afternoon, he was inside my computer laughing with me and carrying on a normal back and forth, give and take conversation. It was simply amazing, and the best part was that we got to decide when the conversation ended. Not the Taliban (who control the cell phone network over there), not the wireless companies, or anyone waiting in line for a pay phone (a la Ranger School). It was time for Andrew to get to bed and we got to squeeze in lots of "I love you"s (which mean a bazillion times more when they are said, not typed) and "I miss you"s. 

Over the course of those two or three hours today, I went from probably the lowest low I have been at this deployment (save the day he actually left) to one of the highest highs. It was a struggle, but in the end, it made that 42:12 call all the more special.

My Soldier - My Hero - My World - My Everything

Deployment Positive Thursday- Week 13

Hello, Keystone State!!

As of Tuesday at 12:42 PM I am officially a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania! Of course this was a long time coming, and I am a little upset about giving up my first-in-the-nation-primary by losing my New Hampshire Residency, but overall I am very excited to officially be a Pennsylvanian! Mom Dolan came down to the DMV with me on my lunch break (she was one of my proofs of residency) so we decided to document the time we spent there:

 Here I am with Lenny, who was oh, so happy to help us. Not really.

 Taking my vision test... which I told him I didn't need to take because I am blind, but he made me take anyways. And I almost failed.... WITH contact lenses in.

 Waiting for my temporary license! This guy was a resident of E-town too and kept telling me "Welcome to Elizabethtown," (even though we were in Lancaster) "I'll see you in all that traffic." I wasn't really sure what he was talking about because we live in a small town, with almost no traffic, but I just smiled and nodded and said "thank you, sir!"

The newest Pennsylvania Resident!

So excited to have my new License! All-in-all not a bad hour!

Even waiting for an hour in a ridiculous line at the DMV (which, let's be honest, pretty much everyone hates), Mom and I had such a fun lunch break! We got all my forms sorted out and proofs of identity and residency and then just had one of our great chats!

My next step is to get my registration and license plate squared away (to do Friday!) and then get Little White inspected and I'll be all set! It feels great to have all of this out of the way.

In other news, Andrew is doing well in Afghanistan. He got his Easter Care Package on Tuesday that I sent out last Monday, which is pretty much a miracle as far as deployments go. Only 8 days!! I didn't even have time to tell him "do not open until Easter", since I thought it would take at least another week or so! Hopefully this is a sign of good things to come as far as mail is concerned. The Battalion Commander writes an email to all family members each month stating how things are going and what is to be expected in the coming weeks and in last month's email he said that since the weather is getting better, mail will also be getting to the troops faster since it won't be delayed due to snow storms and such. Fingers crossed no more month-long waits for Care Packages!!! Here is a picture of the Easter package I sent him: complete with a chocolate bunny, Easter eggs, Easter grass, a Red Sox Yatzee game, more candy and- of course- ARCHER!

Today was also a great day because on my lunch break I finally went to have my engagement ring appraised (so that we can have it insured- after almost 6 months I think Andrew was about to have a heart attack thinking about me walking around with that uninsured rock on my hand. And I was all too familiar with the phrase "that's the only one you get, if you lose it or break it before it's insured its too bad, so sad!"- the romance never dies) I also got it cleaned for the first time since Andrew proposed that magical, freezing cold day in Boston Common, and boy oh boy does that sucker shine now! I haven't been able to take my eyes off of it all afternoon! It's so nice that no matter what goes on in my life and what stresses I'm facing each week I can look down at the promise of a life together. It makes everything else go away and those stresses just seem to be lifted off my shoulders. 

Deployment Positive Thursday- Week 12

Another week in the books feels great! We had our last bowling game for this season on Tuesday, which by my early deployment calculations tells me we are almost a quarter of the way through this sucker (if you go off the assumption that Andrew will be gone for exactly 365 days- which he won't). Before the deployment started I set little markers in my mind for what would consist of each 1/4 of our time apart, so it feels great to know that we are so close to being done with the first quarter!

This week Mom Dolan and I also met with a woman who will most likely be designing our wedding invitations! She was AWESOME and had so many creative and fun ideas! I can't wait to start working with her more as the months go by, but for now we have a pretty good idea of what we want (sorry, it's a secret!)... I am just so excited to really be getting into the thick of wedding planning. We have been engaged for almost 6 months and I felt like up until this point people have been looking at me like I was crazy if I was trying to plan anything so early. Now I am still early, but vendors are appreciating having so much time to work with.

Friday will also be a very happy day for all of Red Sox Nation (we can only hope). After an absolutely dismal start to the season, tomorrow is their Home Opener against the hated Yankees, which will be sure to be action-packed. Hopefully all we need is a good solid home stand to turn this all around.

With baseball season now in full swing, I can get used to my new summer routine. It feels good to have something to look forward to every night other than talking to Andrew and crossing another day off of my Deployment Calendar!

Passing the Time

As March came to a close, I was excited to flip the page for good on yet another month of this deployment. I'm the type of person who loves to have little (and big) things to look forward to to make the time go by faster, so each month I have key days that are just a little bit special when I get to cross them off the list. 

I have a calendar that I originally made for Andrew for Christmas on Shutterfly, but recently made myself a copy and named it my "Deployment Countdown Calendar 2011". I love crossing off each day as it passes and it's super exciting when I forget a day and I get to cross off two days at the same time, even though this only happened once when I went up to Boston.

For whatever reason, I don't have a picture of my March page, but here is February completely over!! 

All those colorful little symbols mark an important day (two circles, our wedding date, yellow ribbon: deployment day, pink heart: first kiss day, purple ?!: proposal day, green box[random but I couldn't think of anything else]: Ranger School Graduation Date). At the bottom of each month I wrote "By the end of this month XX DAYS will be behind us!" I also noted the big "countdown" days, like Day 25, 50, 100, 150, 200 (which happens to fall on our pre-versary: August 4th of this year, exactly a year before our wedding day), 250, 300 and 350. I pray that I don't have to count much higher than that, but there is no "rule" that a deployment will only last 365 days. Some are shorter, some are longer; it's just the luck of the draw and we won't know for sure until he is home again and in my arms. 

April's calendar is really exciting with lots of extra dates! I drew a little baseball on yesterday's date (for Opening Day; which I have avoided talking about for a reason. I'm actually in an utter state of depression at this point and it has absolutely nothing to do with deployment) and a little Cross for Easter. I took this picture last night of my calendar (planning ahead for this post, and I just love messing around with our new camera). This little guy sits next it on the shelf (along with Cami, the Ice-Ice-Baby-singing-Camouflaged-Camel) and I just can't seem to get enough of him. I just love looking at him and can just picture this little boy in his Daddy's gear waiting for him to come home and wanting so badly to one day be just like him. It makes me love America a little bit more than I already do; which is a lot!

I also have some news to share from the Sandbox! While I am finding crafty ways to pass the time and have things to look forward to, Andrew is passing the time in an entirely different way. He's been going on more patrols and missions lately, and according to him "being outside the wire is 100 times better than being in the TOC". There is not a doubt in my mind that he wasn't born to do this. Here he is on his most recent mission with a Polish Platoon:

That's about all the news we have to offer from our world. It feels great to have another month swept away, never to return again, and with a few more flips of the calendar I'll have my solider home again!