I'm a Single Wife.

Well.  Kyle has been gone almost 3 weeks now, and my life has been interesting as a Single Wife.  That is a term I made up.  I hope you like it. :) It's my description of being married, but your husband is not there to share in your life.  I know. I know. That's a little sad, but honestly, it has been a great time for me to grow independently, which may be a tough reality once Kyle gets back and allowing him to do things. :) A woman at Bible study said the other day that it is hard as a military wife and Christian woman because when our husbands are gone we need to be independent and take on things we never would have before.  We get used to being independent and then once our husbands return home we struggle with submitting to them as the man of the household.  Hopefully, since we don't have a house yet, it's difficult to get into too much of a routine, so I'm praying our transition when he returns will be a bit easier than others. :)  

Now about the housing situation, it's been 3 months and 26 days since we moved here.  When we first got here we were told, "The housing waiting list is 1-4 months.  You should be in a place soon."  Well, we are 4 days away from our deadline...how many think we'll be in a house?! ;)  Unfortunately, we are still 17th on the waiting list and they changed our wait to 2-6 months, but I have given it up to God because I know he's having us WAIT for a reason and I will "learn to be content whatever the circumstances" Philippians 4:11.

While I wait patiently for our house and try to let time go quickly while Kyle is gone, I have actually been keeping fairly busy! Here is what I've been up to:

Dinner and board games with our new friends (Ben and Trisha next to Kyle) and our friends from TBS (Patrick and Stephanie who are expecting their first child, a boy, in May!)

I have been attending PWOC (Protestant Women Of the Chapel).  It is a Bible study at the base chapel.  I have met some wonderful women who are helping me grow spiritually.  This is the book we just started studying 2 weeks ago. 

 I've been running a lot.  Trying to get back into shape and this day I beat my 3.6 mile run by 2 minutes! Still not very fast, just under a 10 minute mile, but I'm working on it! 

 Our new wait time.  2-5 months.  Come on house! :)

HUGE waves at Pyramid Rock on base.  I was there with Stephanie and Patrick to watch a body surfing competition.  Couldn't get good shots of the body surfers.

I've been going to the chiropractor 3 times a week to correct my neck and lower back.  I had minor scoliosis in my lower back and barely had a curve in my neck.  Kyle and I decided the money would be worth getting my body fixed...especially since I'm only 24! 

 Julie, me, Steph, and Trisha.  We had a taco night.  We all brought part of the meal with our husbands (minus Kyle) and I had a blast.  So thankful to have these women while Kyle is gone.

Kalama Beach! Went here for the first time the other day and I love it! It's only a 5 minute drive from our studio! 

 Julie's cutie patootie daughter, Aubrey! 

 Julie and I went to a Women of Hope night at our church.  They had this fun photo prop at the end for fun!

 Lanikai Beach.  Another favorite.  Spent Sunday after church with Julie and her husband, Ben, and Trisha and her husband, who is also a Ben. :)

I've been editing my photos on photoshop which I downloaded.  Been getting used to it and trying to learn, but I like it so far! Also watching one of Kyle's and my favorite shows, Justified and watched Southland, another favorite, prior to this! :) Kyle is watching them in Cali, so we can talk about them after we watch.  It's sorta like watching them together, right? :)

Now who has heard of Pinterest?! Or should I ask, who hasn't?! If you haven't, click here and you'll be able to browse around. Be warned.  It is VERY addicting! It is a virtual bulletin board where you post pictures of things you like and share them.  People can view your pictures and "repin" them onto a board of theirs.  I have been using it A LOT lately!  I use it for house inspiration and DIY projects.  There are so many things I want to do! BUT...I can't start them until we have a house! UGH! I will write another post later about ALL my ideas to make our house a home. :) 

Well, there's a bit of what I've been up too! Hope you've enjoyed my semi-enjoyable life as a single wife here in Hawaii. :)

Saying goodbye to my Marine

Well, it will be one week tomorrow since Kyle left.  When we drove to the airport last Saturday, we didn't have enough time to park so I couldn't walk in with him.  Boy was that a mistake! We got in a quick goodbye, hug, and kiss, but then the guards made me rush back to the truck and leave.  From here on out, whenever he is leaving for a long period of time I am going to be with him till the last second possible.  The goodbye we had just doesn't suffice.  Maybe to make up for our lack of goodbye, I'll make a sign to welcome him home...I'm sure he'd love that. ;)

Pulling up to say goodbye...

For those of you who don't know, Kyle left for his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) School.  His school is to train him with AAV's (Amphibious Assault Vehicles).  He seems to be settling in alright in his little "dorm room" style motel room.  There are two bedrooms with a small living area with a refrigerator and microwave.  Looks like he'll be eating at the chow hall for most of his time there.  He also has a roommate who he has yet to meet.  I find this completely bizarre by the way. If there were two girls who hadn't met, but shared a room, they'd be chatting it up with each other in an instant! Or at least go knock on the others door if they knew they were there to introduce themselves.  Boys are weird.

Hopefully while Kyle is at school I can talk him into writing a few blog posts about his time there.  I may need some family to encourage him though. :)  We bought a new camera (not a dslr, but that WILL be soon!) so I can use the new one to take better pictures for Project Life and Kyle can use the older one to take to work and out to the field with him.  And about Project Life, I will start posting pictures once I get everything I need...still waiting for the plastic page protectors to become available in February and then I'll get started.  I CAN'T WAIT! :)

Now when it comes to me...well, this week seemed to last forever, but at the same time it didn't seem to bad.  Night one was rough without Kyle, but I survived and I can survive the rest. :)  Classes are keeping me very busy, along with sub jobs here and there.  Kyle and I are looking for flights home to Oregon around President's Day weekend.  He will fly in for the weekend, but I will stay longer.  I'm trying to figure out how long I want to stay...maybe 2 weeks.  Since we're paying rent I don't want to be gone too long, but at the same time, we don't have a house or our belongings, so I DO want to be gone awhile.  Hmmm....decisions, decisions. Along with not having our things, I have been hanging on till the last minute to go clothes shopping, but I'm about to burst...we only have the clothes we packed in our suit case and I'm going nuts!  I think a trip to Honolulu is in store for this next week. :)

I pray this time apart for Kyle and I will go fast and smooth.  I pray we grow stronger as a couple and individually.  I also pray that if Kyle gets deployed in the future, that this is a way the Lord is preparing us for that.  Thank you all for your continuous prayers and love.  We appreciate, love and miss you all!

A New Year

Wow!  I cannot believe it is already 2012! Kyle and I sure have had a year of new adventures. Here are a few pictures of our year in review.

*We are missing February and only had one picture for a few other months which is why I am starting Project Life this year! It is a way to scrapbook EASILY! How perfect is that?! Some people take a picture each day and some people take pictures weekly, but ultimately, it's up to you. Make it personal and easy for you. This year I am going to try to do weekly, while I get caught up with previous years.  Once I get Project Life in the mail I will post updates of how it's coming! I am so STINKING excited!!! Here is Becky Higgins' (creator of PL) website:
beckyhiggins.com

This is an example of a PL page from http://www.debduty.com/.  It comes with filler cards and journal cards.  You place them in the pocket pages then put in your pictures, journal and you're done! :)

Now onto our year in review! Enjoy reliving our 2011!

JANUARY

Kyle and I enjoyed some trap shooting on Goat Mt in Colton with my parents and Ty. 

MARCH

Going away part at Padington's Pizza with my side of the family and friends. 

Our drive across country from Oregon to Virginia.

APRIL

Our 1 year anniversary in D.C.  The person who took the picture failed to get the White House in the background...sometimes I wonder what people think.  

  The Cherry Blossom trees were beautiful!

MAY

Rolling Thunder Motorcyle Rally. Very cool! We even saw Sarah Palin! This was one of Kyle's highlights will on the east coast.

We went to a few Nationals games which were a blast.  This one had one of those crazy southern storms! A torential downpour and lightning and thunder!

JUNE

Kyle and his buddy Wiseman out in the field...one of many FEX's (Field Exercises) 

During the guys' FEX's, us ladies would get together.  Here I am with a few wives at Georgetown Cupcake which is on the TLC show D.C. Cupcakes! They were De-Lish!

JULY

I visited home to attend Katrina and Tyler's baby shower for Macie and...

we took a family vaca to Hawaii! Little did I know I would be moving to this exact place in about 2 months! :)

I celebrated my birthday in Oregon too!  I extended my stay because we found out Kyle was going to be on a FEX, so I wanted to spend it with family.  But look at what my Marine sent me! :)

AUGUST

At Great Falls Park in Northern Virginia.  They had nice hiking trails with beautiful views.

SEPTEMBER

Finally got a picture with my good friend Mandee and her kids at her birthday party

My beautiful niece, Macie Rae, was born on September 7th.  AND...I was able to take this picture because my parents flew me out!!! I am so thankful for them! Kyle was gone on a FEX and I was missing a big family moment...I pulled at my mom's heart strings while crying into the phone while they were in the hospital after her birth. :)

Kyle is on the far left in this group of Marines at Showalter's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony held in Maryland.

Exploring Baltimore after dropping off Kyle's truck to be shipped to HAWAII!

My parents came out for Kyle's graduation and we visited Philadelphia.  Standing in front of the Liberty Bell. 

We also did night sightseeing in D.C. It was my moms first time there and I think she had a blast because it was a beautiful night and seeing D.C. at night is a whole new thing than during the day.

Kyle's graduation from TBS.  He was definitely relieved for this day! What a stud! ;)

OCTOBER

We finally made it to Hawaii. Living in a motel, but we made it!  Can't believe we get to be in this beautiful place for 3 years!

NOVEMBER

Happy Thanksgiving! We took a short, but steep hike in Lanikai for part of our first Thanksgiving alone and without a house!

DECEMBER

After Kyle's WPW surgery.  What a trooper.  I am so thankful they fixed his heart and we are still praying to find out about his atrial fibrillation.

Christmas at the beach in a swim suit. WHAT?! :)

Looking back I can't believe at how much we have done in 2011!  Hopefully this year will have just as many adventures, more friendships made, and...we get a house!!! ;) (Can you tell I'm going out of my mind anxious to get a house?)

Wishing you all a Happy 2012!  Come visit us in Hawaii! :)