A Port = Phone Calls!!

Well David hit a port a couple of days ago. This is always very exciting. It means phone calls. I am sure we spend a ton of money on all of the calling cards but hey it is 3 months of phone calls mushed into 3 days.

He is happy to be on land and to walk around. Just simple things like fresh air, a mall to walk around in, sand and trees make such an impression on them. It has been a while since they were last on land, a very stressful few months. They work really hard doing what they do. But seeing the same people 24/7 gets old, fast. They also work 7 days a week with no breaks, so these port visits are super fun.

I am happy to be able to speak to him. I forget the sound of his voice. I forget how he laughs at my jokes. I forget how he rambles about nothing and I have to remind him we only have 30 minutes. I forget how good it feels to have my best friend, even if it is just on the phone.





I mentioned in my last post that my sister's friend had her twins prematurely. This family, The Phillips, still need your prayers, your fervent prayers. They lost one of the twins on Thursday morning.

I don't even know what to say. It has really bothered me, and made me so sad. God is so mysterious, and I do not understand this world and the horrible things that can happen. Sometimes it is so hard to see what part of this world is still good.

But I do know there are so many things in this life that are wonderful. God blesses us with many beautiful, peaceful, happy moments. Yet, we must also live through the devastating ones.

I really wish this world was a perfect place.

Feeling a Little Foolish

My sister's close friend delivered her twin babies at 25 weeks a couple days ago. Another friend of hers is have complications with her pregnancy.

And while these families struggle, I feel foolish for writing such a self centered blog (confessions of a blog stalker). I was feeling sorry for myself and I am ashamed to even be so petty. These poor little babies are fighting and I am upset because I can't talk to my husband. It seems so foolish. I can survive 8 months without David, it is difficult, but I shouldn't complain about it and I shouldn't be jealous of others.

Please pray for these families while they deal with these life struggles.

Confessions of a Blog Stalker

I think it is time that I come clean about one of my favorite pass times.

My name is Analee, and I am a Blog stalker. It has been 6 hours since I last stalked.

But seriously, I am captivated by other people's lives. Mostly I look at people's blogs that I sorta know, or knew. But I am sure that they would not even remember my name, or if they did they would be creeped out by the fact that I read their blog.

I read everyone's blog, and I check everyday to see if they have written anything. I don't know why. But I like to see how other people are living. And it is kinda sad because not only to I stalk these poor people, I get jealous of them. Sometimes I even roll my eyes and say nasty little comments. Mostly just when they talk about their husbands. Missing their husbands, going on vacation with their husbands, how much they love their husbands. It is dumb for me even to read these particular blogs because I know that they will inevitably talk about how great their lives are. So why read? I don't know.

I do get embarrassed when I am jealous of normal couples living normal lives. I try to say, "Oh that will be me one day," or "me and David will add that to our list." (we make a list of all the things we missed and need to make up when he gets back) I do think it is kinda pathetic that I almost get angry that we are left out of this wonderful little club of real married people.

Being a military wife is a hard, thankless job. It is up to us to hold down the fort, deal with all the life problems, the finances, the future all the stuff a couple works on together. It is an emotionally draining job. I have to keep David happy, keep our relationship alive, and deal with my own emotions. And I tackle this all on my own.

Maybe I read these other blogs to prove to myself that a normal life is out there, just waiting for us. No matter what, I am happy to read about other people's lives. It helps keep my mind focused on their lives rather than my own.

Spring Break : The End

Part 3: Out Came the Sun, and Dried Up All The Rain

Most Houstonians will recall the horrible storms on Wednesday. Well they were BAD! We were supposed to pack up and leave on Wednesday and we were working hard to get out of there quickly. My dad had to get back to the office and Leah and Michael went home early, so it was just my mom and me finishing some laundry. We watched the black sky move towards us, coming up the canal. Right as we were loading the car it started to rain, and the pour and then HAIL!! And so I drove home in the first of the bad storms. Yucky!

When we got home we changed out of our wet clothes and took warms showers. I spent a little quality time with the kitties when MORE rain came, and MORE hail!! It was rainy so unbelievably hard. And we were supposed to go downtown to see 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. But luckily it slowed down and we made it ok.

We had this great meal and saw the show and had such a good time, or at least I did. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers has always been one of my favorite movies since I was a little kid. Leah and I would pretend to be dancing in our "underwear" tossing the bouquet to one another. Plus I really enjoy going to the theater. It is so exhilarating. I love it!



Then on Sunday, after church of course, we went up to Brenham to see the bluebonnets. They weren't totally out yet, but it was a pretty day and there were several patches of them all around. One of my favorite times of year is spring. Driving home from Abilene I always got to see them bloom. And all the cows had little babies! They were too cute.

And that was Spring Break!

SB Part Dos

Part 2- Family, Shopping, Kayaking!

Well Monday after a night of rain, Leah, Michael and I went into town for a day o' shopping. Really I came in to check on the kitties, they were fine. And Leah came in for a shopping day. So we went to the Galleria. It was fun and I didn't buy anything.


Tuesday my family from Ft. Worth/Illinois came down for a little impromptu celebration. We made fajitas, and homemade icecream. It was good to see everyone and just have a fun relaxing time at the beach... at least for one night.

Yes you see what you see! Michael went kayaking in the canal that the little beach house sits on. I would have never done it, just because the getting in and out was a little teeter tottery. eeek. Plus we had some trouble locating the oar, so he started off rowing with his hands, then a plastic shovel, and then we found the oar. Just look at him GO!

Also my dad caught two crabs. And there was talk of eating them but I made the decision to let them go. And they were set free to live their lives in peace. It was nice to be able to spend time with the family. I had such a nice Tuesday Night.


Stay tuned for the last installment of my spring break rundown!

Le Playa

I thought I might do my Spring Break in a couple posts. So this is:

Part 1- The Beach

We got down to the beach on Saturday after my uncle Herb's birthday breakfast. It was sunny and pretty and I got to work on some art, pastels and water colors and that kind of stuff. It was nice because I got a chance to work on it when I don't usually have the time or motivation.

I also started reading my mom a book. It is kinda a fun experience. Books on tape are kinda fun because you really have to listen. It is also a personal thing to be reading to someone. I like it. Plus the book is HILARIOUS! Who says you can't find a great book in the clearance isle at B&N.

Sunday I walked along the beach with my mom, and it was relaxing. But cold and windy. By the afternoon the sun had come out but it stayed really windy. So I suggested we go fly a kite. David and I used to fly our kite all the time in Virginia and it was fun.

My dad, Leah and Michael went to get a kite. And then we all (Kay and Herb stopped by) went to the beach to fly this kite. Well, there was this whole ordeal with the kite being off balance. After much toil it was Leah who earned the title of "Kite Master."

That was mostly all of the beach fun. The weather was not nice the whole time. But we made our fun else where.

Spring Break?

Well it is my family's spring break. I don't feel like I need a break, I haven't really gotten started. But none the less we are headed to Galveston this week. It might seem kinda convenient that I am well just in time for fun, but really it just happened that well. I am happy to report, NO MORE STOMACH FLU! WOO HOO!

It might also seem strange that I am headed to Galveston. Most know me as a Land Dwelling Mammal. Well I am. I don't like the water at all really. I even dislike washing my face. Also, I burn really easily and so I don't like to be out in the sun a lot. And sand is annoying. So basically I don't like the beach. :) But everyone says I am going to have this really great time. Hmmm. I hope so.

I will give the whole story when we get back.


DAVID UPDATE
So David is doing just fine. He is busy and that keeps his mind off of the fact they still haven't had a port call yet. He wears lots of hats this cruise. He has some secret squirrel stuff, he is a part-time firefighter, he is his work center supervisor, and he has a vault that he is solely responsible for. Not to mention all the other little min-tasks they have him do.

I have gotten an email every day so far and I am very thankful for that. I often think about the days before email and how difficult it would be if we didn't have that.

I am doing just fine. I know that every day that he is away is just one day closer to him coming home. And I just focus on keeping him happy. So I work on packages and letters all the time. I miss him lots but it really doesn't bother me that much. Maybe because we have done one of these before, or that we did 3 years of long distance dating, but whatever reason I am just fine. The hardest thing is getting used to the time changes. :)

I wish I May, I Wish I Might

I wish I may, I wish I might
eat like a normal human being
again someday.
After being sick, a nasty stomach flu, for a week now all I want is to eat. Ok, we I technically can eat now but I want to digest normally what I eat.

I have a big giant list of all the things I want:

* Ice cream Sundae with whipped cream, nuts and a cherry
* Pizza
* Hamburger and chocolate shake
* cherry limeade from Sonic
* Jalapeno Poppers
* Grammy Rice
* Quesadilla Explosion Salad (Chilis)
* mexican food, preferably Lupe Tortilla
* caesar salad from Cafe Express
* pancakes
* breakfast ham
* pineapple
* cereal
* spinach
* mashed potatoes
* macaroni and cheese
* grilled chicken breast
* chips and salsa
* guacamole!
* chocolate cake
* crusty bread
* steak
* steamed veggies
* tortilla soup
* any home cooked meal except spaghetti
* potato soup
* chick fil a sandwich
* spinach and pepper jack cheese quesadilla
* fruit salad
* fried okra
* black eyed peas
* green peas!
* english muffin
* milk

Really I could go on forever. I am so ready for solid food.

February is Gone?

Well I am not quite sure where February went. It just got at away from me. (I wasn't napping like this little guy) I have honestly been so focused on adjusting to my new home I haven't quite found a routine yet.

But I am really happy. I can not understand why I am so happy. Yet, I am. I love being home. I feel so strong and healthy. And I really feel happier than I have felt in a long time. That is a pretty incredible statement for me.

I am also looking for a job. I don't know what I am looking for, don't know what field or permanent or semi-permanent or part-time or full-time. I am really just confused about my future and all that. So I am really just letting God guide me now. But prayer are needed and welcome. :)

David is doing just fine. I can say that he has arrived at the location they were headed to. He is busy, and adjusting well. Other than that I can't say specifically what all he is doing and where for security reasons. But I get an email a day, which is so incredibly nice. He called me last on Super Bowl Sunday for 10 minutes and that was fun.

The kitties are LOVING Houston!! I am not even exaggerating. The love the sun and the birds and STAIRS and Grand Mama.

January was a month of change, February a month of adjustment, and March? I am not sure yet. Let's hope God's blessing fall down on me and David! And maybe that I have a little fun too :)