Our Lives Since January

Hey there!  Sorry I have been absent these last two months.  This blog has just been put on the back burner when I am trying to catch up on my Project Life and then have a life at the same time.  Here's a quick little picture recap of Kyle's and my last two months.  Enjoy!

Mandee and I took the kiddos to hike halfway up the lighthouse hike to try and spot some whales in early January.  We didn't see any that day, but there are plenty of them there now!

 My first day back to school after Christmas break I was greeted with a beautiful sunrise out my front doorstep.

The Pro Bowl always plays in Hawaii.  One day at school I heard a lot of commotion outside, there were people walking by our classroom with big cameras like reporters, and then I realized that some of the professional football players had come to our school to play with the 5th and 6th grade students.  Needless to say, I skipped my lunch that day to go out and watch the kids play and take pictures.

 Kyle's been doing a lot of Crossfit (a type of workout that includes Olympic style lifting).  He LOVES it and wants me to do it with him when he gets back.  I'm also excited to try it!  Kyle's parents, Larry and Rhonda, also do Crossfit and have enjoyed it.

These two celebrated their birthdays in January (they're one day apart!).  We took Marcella to get a mani/pedi and Cold Stone, then for Maddox we took him to the Air and Space Museum at Pearl Harbor and Burger King.  We had a blast :)

Kyle and his friends/co-workers.  They watched the movie Lone Survivor then participated in the workout "Murph" which is named after Mike Murphy (one of the Navy Seals who lost his life).  He used to do the following workout:

1 mile run

100 pull-ups

200 push-ups

300 squats

1 mile run

They now call his workout "Murph".  People do this for time.  Kyle wore his flak jacket too! Don't ask me how much it weighs though because I don't remember. Kyle completed this workout in 35:11!  Awesome!

For Valentine's I decided to send Kyle "Open When..." letters.  There were multiple different topics and reasons for him to open.  Some specific dates like his birthday and some for days where he is bored or needs a pick me up. 

The Fab 4 (a new nickname I thought we should use...do you like it?) at The Lion King show!  It was an amazing show.  Marcella loved it and Maddox fell asleep with about 30 minutes left. 

Oh, the joys of being a teacher on a holiday!  Love my students even though that is WAY too much chocolate for me!

 

Kyle and his buddy, Micah in Doha.

 Best.  Mail.  Ever!  Kyle surprised me and at the perfect time because I had just run out of my money from Christmas gift cards.

We were able to have the K-9 unit from on base come and have their dogs and trainers put on a demonstration for the kiddos.  It was simply amazing at how well trained these dogs are.  The kids LOVED it and so did I!

 On February 22, we had a base wide power outage from 6 AM to 6 PM, so Mandee and I planned a fun filled day with the kids.  We woke up and went to Starbucks for breakfast and coffee, traveled to the other side of the island for a little shopping at the outlet malls, then to Waikiki to the Hale Koa Hotel for swimming in the ocean and pool, and finally we stopped to get a little Cold Stone before heading home.  It was a blast!

Finally working on my 2014 Project Life!

Co-workers at a Crossfit competition

I've finally received the first shipment (a footlocker) home of Kyle's things!  We are getting closer!

And finally I will leave you with a little laughter.  The Commandant of the Marine Corps announced a couple weeks ago that they are bringing back rolled sleeves.  A couple years ago they made an order that when Marines wore their desert camis (the light brown ones, during spring and summer) they could NOT roll their sleeves.  Marines were very upset because the look was so sharp and very distinct to civilians.  They were proud of their rolled sleeves.  Spouses were also in love with rolled sleeves because they thought their Marine looked mighty sexy in them!  Here's a picture I saw roaming around the internet after the announcement.  :)

Surviving the Deployment

Well it's officially been over 3 months since Kyle has been gone.  It's not necessarily getting easier, but it is becoming different.  I am finally getting into a routine of my own.  It's definitely been interesting to plan everything around me...I don't have to rely on Kyle's schedule to plan our day, week, or month.  I've had a few people say things to me about "Oh, it must be so much easier without kids to take care of!" or "I'm jealous you don't have to raise kids alone".  I want to tell them I'm jealous they get to hug, squeeze and hold their little ones when I get little human contact.  That I love my alone time, but after a month of having alone time in my house, I am ready for someone or something (a pet...*ahem* Kyle) to fill the space with me.  Yes, children are a huge responsibility, especially having to do it when your husband is deployed, but not having children has it's own difficulties.

I actually had a meltdown a few weeks ago with Kyle.  I had started substituting full time and when I sub we rarely get to talk due to the time difference and the hours he works.  Well, I was dealing with our new house we purchased in Oregon (remodel, paying first mortgage, etc.), starting back at work in a grade level I do not enjoy, and just being plain, old lonely.  He asked if I was okay and I just lost it.  I told him I am tired of being alone.  If you know me, I love my alone time, but I had had enough.  I will do plenty of things...I will go to work all day, go to my workout class, meet up with friends for coffee or go shopping, but when I get home I am alone.  I go to bed alone.  I wake up alone.  I make dinner alone.  Now, don't go feeling sorry for me! But I would LOVE your prayers!  And maybe a cat. You could get me a cat.  I am seriously thinking about it because it would be less work than a dog, Kyle could care less about a cat so he wouldn't be upset, and I would have something in my house that is living and would hopefully cuddle with me when I come home. 

So within these last three months (which have gone slowly and quickly at the same time), Kyle is working in Qatar and he is "bored" and "losing his mind" which are two phrases I hear a lot.  I on the other hand, am trying to stay busy (because I can) to help pass the time.  I got a full-time substitute job at the elementary school on base.  I am in an inclusion class (general ed and special ed together).  It is 1st grade and I am the special education teacher.  If you know me, you know I prefer 3rd grade and above, particularly 5th, so 1st is not my thing.  I have also had minimal experience working with special education students, so this has been a learning experience.  I will be in this classroom at least through the end of February, but they may need me to the end of the school year.  As emotionally and mentally exhausting it can be with my 3 particular students I work with, it is great to have the income and more importantly the teaching experience.

Since Kyle was going on this deployment as an individual, it was very low key since it was me who dropped him off at the airport instead of on base with a company of Marines.  Before walking into the airport, we took one last picture together in the car (below) and then I shed a few many tears.  Definitely not something I would wish upon anyone.  But, honestly that was the hardest part so far! Now we get to talk as well as send pictures via email or text daily, which we are SO fortunate to do so!

:)

Kyle takes pictures for me and sends them for me to document in our Project Life album.  Love him for that!  Here are some pictures from how Kyle passes his time in Qatar and how I have passed my time in Hawaii.

 When Kyle first flew out to the middle east, he spent the first few days in Kuwait.  Here is a view of the sunset.

 A view of Qatar at night.

 Of course, Kyle found Mt. Dew

Eating dinner in the main square.  A little blurry, but I guess they have hookah at every table for people to use.  Very different than the U.S. with no smoking at restaurants!

I have been telling Kyle to read Harry Potter because I love the series.  Well, Kyle doesn't enjoy reading nearly as much as me, but he will listen to book on tape.  He was on book two and I just finished book one (again), so I read the book while he listened to it.

My first care package to Kyle.  Thought I'd decorate a little for Halloween along with some requested items from Kyle and a few treats of my own for him.

Love this picture of Kyle in the city.  They usually get one day off on the weekend, if they get it off at all, and him and some co-workers usually venture into the one major city.

Kyle thought I'd enjoy this picture of him and his buddy at Starbucks...and I do!

 I am still going, going, going in my workout classes.  Trying to get more toned and fit before Kyle gets home!

The big group.  They drove, well Kyle drove, into the desert to see old ruins.  Kyle said driving there is a little bit a lot crazy!

A man with his kids selling some cups (I believe).  I'm so glad Kyle took a picture of this!  I love seeing them in traditional outfits and the girl is in an outfit you would see in the states!

Kyle sitting at his desk, on the Marine Corps birthday, Novemeber 10th, and he wore his fancy schmancy dress blues that I love! He actually had a soldier walk past him and tell him "man, you guys have the best looking uniforms!"

FINALLY got my school badge at Mokapu...I feel official. :)

 They have putt-putt!

AND bowling! How can Kyle say he is bored? ;)

I go to movies by myself and I'm not ashamed of it.  I usually go on base because tickets are only $4.50 and popcorn and a drink is only $5.00.  I went to a matinee on a Sunday to see Captain Phillips.  I told the ticket guy "one, please" and he said, "all by your lonesome?  Well you can go bowling alone too!".  Gee, thanks, but no thanks.  That is good to know about the bowling coupon for future reference though!

Kyle also got to meet Shaq!  Shaquille O'neal and Alonzo Mourning who were doing a USO tour.  He got a signed basketball for me!

 My last pre-Christmas care package.  Unfortunately, I got it together last minute to mail at the beginning of December, so I couldn't decorate it. But I threw in a chocolate advent calendar, some felt garland, and a few mini stockings filled with chocolates, mints, and gum.  I wanted him to decorate a little and have it actually FEEL like Christmas in Qatar.

I hope this gives you, family (especially Kyle's) and friends, a little glimpse into what Kyle is doing and what I am doing to pass my time while he is gone.  If you pray for something, pray for time to go quickly, especially for KYLE!  He gets very bored sitting at a desk...definitely not the type of work he enjoys!  HE is definitely wishing this was a combat deployment, but I am thankful it is not. :) 

Kyle Turns 26

On Friday, the 29th, we celebrated Kyle's 26th birthday.  I am so thankful for his life and that he chose to be a part of mine.  At first, he was supposed to be gone on his birthday, but he isn't leaving till the 7th now.  To start off his birthday, he had to do the PFT (Physical Fitness Test) at 0600 where he had to run 3 miles in 18:00 minutes, do 20 pull-ups, and 100 sit ups.  Not the most fun way to start your birthday, but I surprised him with coffee and homemade lemon poppyseed muffins with a lemon glaze, when he got home.  

These are delicious and I found them on Pinterest! Click here for the recipe!

After breakfast Kyle headed to work, but luckily it was "Aloha Friday", so he got off at 1400! :)  He did not tell anyone it was his birthday because he embarrassed his Gunny on his birthday with cupcakes and having his troops sing happy birthday, so the last thing he wanted was for that to happen.  BUT...his Gunny saw on Facebook that it was Kyle's birthday, so he did the SAME thing to Kyle :)

Here is Kyle with Gunny Shaw holding his cupcake getting ready to hear his Marines sing happy birthday to him :)

Once he got home, we did our little birthday together. 

Kyle being surprised at the the blue ray I got him!

He'd been wanting this movie for a long time and kept quoting it the last month :)

Kyle also LOVES outdoor games, so I bought him Ladder Golf!  We will definitely get good use outta this game! 

I made him take a picture with me on the self timer :)

By dessert, he wasn't in the mood for pictures, so I got a picture of his Funfetti Cake I made, his favorite :)

At the end of the day, it was a low-key birthday.  We ended up watching The Other Guys, ate burritos for dinner, and relaxed.  Kyle isn't one to make a huge deal out of birthdays, so this was perfect for him. :)  

Our First Separation of the Year

Well, it's 2013 and Kyle is already gone.  He went to Lava Viper on the Big Island.  He left at 3am/0300 on January 10th and he's already coming back on Saturday, one day sooner than we thought!   When he's gone, I try to stay busy, which isn't too difficult with subbing occasionally, working out, beach days, friends, Bible study, Project Life (I'll do a post on this soon!) and homework, but this is my LAST class! I will complete my Masters on March 3rd! Here's a glimpse into our month so far.

New Bible study.  Ladies, if you have never done a Beth Moore study, all I can say is WOW! She makes you really dig deep and there is 5 days of homework, but it is worth it!

Larissa and I working on Project Life.  We are trying to meet once a week to work on our albums.  If you haven't heard of Project Life click here and watch the video.  I will do a post soon of my completed 2012 album to hopefully inspire you like I did Larissa! :)

This is what I do 6 days a week.  I have been doing the Insanity workout and let me tell you, it does not get any easier! It kicks my butt every day, but I finally am up to regular pushups! 

I also spend a lot of time at the beach alone sunbathing or with Mandee, Marcella, and Maddox. Her husband left last week for awhile, so we've been spending a lot of time together. 

This is what Kyle is up to.  You can see the traces and then the helicopters (I believe cobras) in the back.  Kyle said they were doing medivac training with the helicopters and he was even given a little tour of part of the island in the helicopter.  Kinda nice since it's over $200 to do it in the civilian life.

In the evenings (on days it isn't raining), I like to walk down to North Beach which is only a 5 minute walk from our house.  I love to watch the waves there, as well as the sun set.  

Breathtaking!

Yesterday, I went into Waikiki with Stephanie and Evan and Mandee, Marcella, and Maddox.  We ate lunch by the beach in the park and then went to the Waikiki Aquarium.  We went to celebrate Marcella's birthday and Maddox's which is today. 

Beautiful fish.  And Marcella spotted Dori from Finding Nemo :)

Mandee and her kiddos!

The 4 year old birthday girl!

And one last picture so you don't think we have sunshine every single day :) This was my drive into Hawaii Kai to go to Costco.  It is definitely the start of the rainy season!