Our Little American Life: 2009

10.09.2009

Day 17: Dear Roe

So today It was an ordinary day. I went to work at the yogurt shop from 1:30 to 5pm about halfway through my shift my mom and sister walked in. I was excited to see them, it was their first time that they came to my work. They went through and got their yogurt and toppings and when they got up to the register they pulled out a stack of letters. I think I my smile went from ear to ear.

Over the next hour I patently awaited my break, I wanted to read them so bad. I walked around just knowing that the letters await me in the front pocket of my apron. When my boss said "do you want to go one break"? I said "yes" before she finished the question.

I ran past all the yogurt machines to the break table. I set the break timer for 10 minutes and I opened all the letters and laid them out so I could read them in order.

I only got around to reading 4 letters on my break. I was so hungry but I couldn't eat because I had to much to read. I was reading so fast that there was no time for tears. After my shift I got some pumpkin flavored yogurt and ran to the car to read the reminding letters. I sat there in the yogurtland parking lot reading these letters crying. People must have thought I was crazy!! Oh well if they knew what was going on they would have understood.

He wrote on 10/12 that he did the victory tower. Below is a picture if Fort Jacksons Victory Tower. This is most likely the tower Ryan used.

He said " I did the "victory Tower" Thats that big obstacle thing that I'm afraid of, Well I did it. It was crazy, the craziest part was repelling down an 80 foot wall. I think by the time i'm done here heights wont bother me."

On 10/4 he wrote that he got his rifle, he named it "war hammer" just in case you were wondering. He says "It's pretty cool except I have to have it with me ALL the time. The only time I can't have with me is when im in the restroom, in the dining hall and in the chapel. So during those times someone has to guard our rifles".

It was so nice to hear from him. Gosh I miss him so much! I am so lucky to be his!

10.07.2009

Day 15: RoRo's DIY day # 2

Today after the mail came and I didn't get anything from Ryan I was really really sad. So Janene decided to cheer me up, we went to Wal mart and Micheal's and got stuff to make crafts! I made Christmas Ornaments while Janene painted. My goal in making ornaments is by the time me and Ryan have our own Christmas tree I would love to have some nice handmade ornaments with memory's behind them to decorate it.

I made these Army Ornaments for the obvious reason!

My next set of Orniments was inspired by our engagement

On Surprise RoRo Saturday ryan took me to LA and we visited the Butterfly exhibit at the LA natural history museum. For some odd reason we both enjoyed the beauty of the butterflies so I made some orniments for us to remember them by.

I wanted to make some orniments that display our love of Red & Blue

Ryan and myself have been to different Botanical Gardens so I wanted to make a couple of flowers

All together I made a whoel bunch of orniments, crafts make me happy and it made my night go by really fast!

Thank you Janene for making me smile! I love you!

10.06.2009

Day 14: Awaiting Letters

Day 14:

Today it has been 14 days since Ryan has left. I can’t believe it’s been two whole weeks! So far the first week was the easiest and it has been getting progressively harder since. I’m just wondering when that point will come where my sadness will stop growing. I don’t want it to get worse and worse over the next 5 ½ months. I guess this is normal. I wrote to Ryan saying:

So pretty much ever since Sunday I’ve been depressed. I feel like it’s hitting me all at once. I’m kinda Ro-pressed … nothing clinical … just not back to being myself again. But that makes me think. In the bible it says that two shall become one and since we are almost to that stage of marriage do you think its ridiculous to think of us as emotionally one. Either way if you do think so or not that’s how I feel .. I feel like we are one. Which helps me understand why I’m sad. If we are one then technically half of me is missing in you. That makes complete since because that is exactly how I feel. I feel like half of me is missing. That’s pretty much the only way to describe it. God designed you for me so I naturally have a Ryan void in my heart when you are away. I mean I still feel your love because it is so constant but well you know, your going through it too! In this long way I guess I’m trying to say I might not get back to “normal” for awhile. But I promise not to let it get the best of me!

I know Ryan sent out some letters last Thursday so I am anxiously awaiting his letters. Then I will have an address to send him everything I have written. I have about 5 super long 8 + paged letters and a few pictures that I am going to send his way … oh yes and one coloring page.

10.05.2009

Day 13: Red, White and No More Blues

Mom found this ice cream at Ralphs and showed me. I'll take it as a sign from God to STOP being sad!

10.01.2009

Day 9 RoRo's DIY Day

So yesterday I did a bunch of stuff I've been needing to do .. it was nice being able to check things off the old To Do list! I shall call this RoRo's Do it yourself day!

I cleaned and shampooed all my make up brushes!

I cleaned all my jewelry .. including my engagement ring .. i have cleaned it 4 times since Ryan left.

Cleaned cds/dvds with Toothpaste .. Saw it online .. I would not suggest doing it, my hands still smell minty fresh. But the DVDs do play better.

Made a place to put all my letter/correspondence supply. Lately I have been writing allot of letters to my love, so it's nice to have it all in one place. Yes that is a Planet Earth coloring book, i bought it so I could color something for Ryan. One of my first times over at his house he made me watch on of the Planet Earth DVDs .. I though oh great I'm going out with a nature freak! But it turned out he isn't he just really likes planet earth.

I cleaned some white shoes of mine .. this is the before

After .. used some white out to touch up the sides.

Overall a successful day .. I am looking forward to RoRo's DIY day next week!

9.26.2009

Day 4

So today I got to talk to Ryan for 30 minutes! It was absolutely amazing! He is still in processing so he is able to have his phone, it's quite a nice surprise. It's a crazy feeling to look down at my phone and it says call from Ryan.

The first day he was there he only got 2 hours of sleep so I'm guessing he was running off adrenaline. He said that he didn't have a hard time adjusting to the time change at all. He had a complete medical exam (x rays and everything) done. He told me that his fear of needles was not longer a problem because of the amounts of shots he got. He even had his blood taken. Results from all the test are that he is healthy and has 20/20 vision.

Yesterday he got issued his uniform .. he said it was a crazy feeling getting it.

He told me today he got up at 3:45am, he had grits, fruit, toast and pancakes with no syrup on them .. i asked if they had syrup, he said they did but he didn't want it. Typical Ryan. He told me these last few days have been filled with allot of waiting around and standing at attention for hours. He all around enjoys it. He had fish, veggies and salad for dinner tonight.

Everyone around him is pretty young and they act that way. He says it sometimes feels like high school camp. There are not to many Christians around him but he did get to share a scripture with another solder.

He is not having any problems sleeping at all. He has to get up early.. tomorrow he wakes up at 5am and that's considered sleeping in. His daily meal times are at 7,12,5. He gets Sunday off but assumes he will just be cleaning and doing laundry. He starts basic training on Monday, we should be getting his address then.

All the things highlighted in orange are answers to prayer!

9.24.2009

Day 3

So i got to talk to Ryan today over text! It was the best text conversation I have ever had. There we allot of I love yous, I miss yous and I can't wait to marry yous. He says things are going great and that he got his uniform today .. so I am assuming he is still in processing. I told him I've been writing him everyday and he was excited, he said i won't be able to give me an address till next week. He called for like a second and we were able to say hi but then the reception cut out .. but it was still amazing to hear him say hi!

9.23.2009

Day 2

I woke up today and looked at my phone then I remembered where Ryan was. I keep thinking about him and what he is doing. I assume he ate Grits for breakfast this morning but he is in luck because those are his favorite. In an online itinerary I found it says that the soldiers get a buzz haircut the first day of processing. They are also issued all there clothing and boots and are given a medical examination .. but I'm not sure about any of this, I'm just going off of this article.

http://www.tradoc.army.mil/pao/TNSarchives/August%2006/081806-3.htm

I can't wait for him to get my first letter, I included a Ronald Reagan Quote! Actually I'm more excited to get my first letter from him!

Today I'm going out with my best friend Jessica, she always has a way of making me laugh. So I figured today is a great time to hang out with her!

9.22.2009

Day 1

Today Ryan left for boot camp in South Carolina. We decided to say that he is going Boot Camping because it sounds more fun.

Last night me and Ryan said goodbye to each other actually we said see ya later. It diffidently was a difficult thing to do, i never want to do that again. We decided to spend our last few hours together by talking about all the things we loved about each other. We tearfully prayed together and sang the song I Cry Out:

I cry out
for your hand of mercy to heal me
I am weak
And I need your love to free me

Oh Lord, my rock
My strength in weakness,

Come rescue me oh Lord

You are my hope,
Your promise never fails me
And my desire
Is to follow you forever

For you are good
For you are good
For you are good to me
For you are good
For you are good
For you are good to me

We decided that this was going to be our song while he was away.

Once it got time to say the actual see ya later we had to open up the second box of kleenex. We danced for a little bit even though we both aren't good dancers. We just laughed and had fun. Said our farewells and I was on my way home.

Ryan was picked up at 7am this morning from his home, he was taken to San Diego Airport where he got on his flight to South Carolina with a Layover in Georgia. We got to talk before he left the Airport. He said the people at the Airport were really nice, one lady who worked at baggage claim told him that she prays for the troops every day and thanked him. He was given $30 worth of food vouchers so he got a turkey sandwich at the airport and a Almond butter and Jelly Sandwich on the Plane. He was also thinking about getting a quiznos sandwich last time I talked to him. He said it was cramped while flying to to Atlanta but he did sit on an isle so that helped. He didn't get much sleep because some people were really loud around him, but he said he did get about an hour. His second flight was quick and was filled mostly with soldiers going to basic training. We didn't have much time to talk but it was still amazing. I think he might have sneeked away to the bathroom because i soon got another call from him and he said" I had to tell you I love you one more time". So now he should be on post.

I miss him so much already ... but I think it will really hit me tomorrow. I wrote him already today, i don't have his address but i will save them until I do!

9.11.2009

Today Marks 12 Days

Today marks 12 days till my love leaves. I’m trying really hard not to count down but it seems impossible not to. I'm going to miss him so much. But then again I have to stop and think that this is not about me. Ryan's the one who will be leaving every one, he will leave his family, friends, me and all his surroundings. When I put it like that it makes me feel like what I’m going through is pretty minimal compared to what he must be going through.