Dear November, December, and January - Where did you go??
Mid-November found me applying for a temporary job in Midland with the Midland County Farm Service Agency. I wasn't quite sure that I was ready to work for FSA again (especially since I would have a 45 minute commute one-way) but after hearing that the government had approved the latest disaster program legislation, I knew this was what I needed to keep me busy while Matt is deployed. After being offered the job I decided to accept the position.
Some days it seems like just yesterday that I was driving to San Antonio to pick Matt up at the airport for his 4 day leave - and then other days it seems like it was forever ago. In reality - it was for Thanksgiving! I really enjoyed Thanksgiving this year and was VERY thankful to get to spend it with my husband. I wasn't too thankful to have to say good-bye, but thankful that my parents were there to drive me home! This is Matt's favorite picture from Thanksgiving:
Matt's Dad took all the kids on a hayride and Matt wanted a picture of us by the tractor
December came and went too quickly! Dec 7th was kind of a bittersweet day - but God knew what he was doing! Matt left the states and I started work. The rest of that week was kind of slow at work and on news from Matt. I knew that communications would be hard to come by while in 'transit' but he did email and call me the morning (my time) that they got to the first place. It was so great to hear his voice! It took them a week to get to the place they were headed - Forward Operations Base (FOB) Ghazni - his home for the next 10-12 months.
The weekend before Christmas my father-in-law got ordained as a Deacon in the Catholic Church. Matt and I are so proud of both Joe and Mary. They have spent the last 6 years in preparation for this occasion. Through their journey they not only grew stronger in their faith, but made me want to become a better Catholic and learn more about as well as grow stronger in my faith. I started a Bible Study the week I moved home and absolutely LOVE it! I can't wait to do it again when Matt gets back!
Deacon Joe, Mary, and the Bishop of Victoria Diocese
Mid - December brought about the start of the 'out-of-staters' coming in!
Jill and Aaron (&Tiny) and
Craig, Tara, and Holt all came in for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here and we had a wonderful time. It was great to all be together - the only thing that would've made it better, of course, would've been Matt! But I am incredibly proud of my husband for the Soldier (and person) that he is! I love you, Matt!!!
'Santa' and Matt got together this year and gave me a Canon Rebel T1i - which I absolutely love! I took TONS of pictures of Holt testing out different settings and hopefully will be able to test it out a lot more in the coming months before my big trip - which I will tell about later! I'll upload a few of my favorites from Christmas soon hopefully!
The rush of the holidays ended and I continued my driving back and forth to work - for the most part January flew by but the last few days were super slow. Went to the wedding of some friends and had kind of a rough time with it being my first wedding without Matt - but thanks to a bunch of Corps boys and the wives of those married, I had a better night than I expected to at the beginning of the reception. Congrats Mr. and Mrs. David Cook!!!
YAY!!! for Febraury though! February holds the birth of my second and Matt's third goddaughter! I can't wait to meet her and take lots of pictures to send to Uncle Matt! Then there is the Superbowl, a Valentine's weekend trip to Shiner for a girls night with my sister-in-laws (which is desperately needed) and who knows what the last two weekends will hold! Whatever it is - I know I will be doing something!
I'm sure I forgot something - I always do...but that gives you a quick update on what's been going on!
'Til next time...
