A Quick Bahrain Recap

I know it’s been forever since I wrote anything – this summer has been complete madness. Even though we’ve all been very busy, Dylan and I have been talking to Josh as often as possible. Lately, he has been putting in ridiculous work hours to help get his boat in working order. Between our busy summer, Josh’s work schedule, and the 8 hour time difference, it has been challenging. But we manage to Skype 2-3 times a week.

But don’t think that Josh is only working and not having any fun. 

He (not surprisingly) has joined up playing on a Softball team. I’m not sure how those guys tolerate sweating all day in their uniforms and then voluntarily going back out there in the evenings to sweat some more. I guess the playoffs started this week, so I'm sure they're having fun.

He has also purchased a bike for getting around over there. It's a must faster commute to the base from his apartment. He’s also gone on some day trips with some friends.

He's even getting some travel time. He headed to Kuwait on a 4-day trip last month.

On a fun side note, Josh has been enjoying the local cuisine. 

About a week before he was deployed, we went to see The Avengers. If you stayed until the very end and saw the clip after the credits, you saw the Shwarma scene. A Shawarma is a fast-food staple in the Middle East. I told him that he had to take a photo of his first one once he got over there.

While he was in his hotel room during his first week there he took the photo for me. Yay!

Celebrating Five Years!

Feb 2, 2007
(Yes, we wore flip-flops!!)

Yesterday was Groundhogs day. But more importantly, it was the day five years ago that Josh and I got married. I know that’s confusing for some people who were at our wedding the following September, but our first exchanging of vows took place on Feb 2, 2007 in the Downtown Orlando Courthouse. It wasn't really a secret that we were already married at our wedding. I’m sure everyone knew. We wanted to have that party where we could celebrate with our family and friends even though we exchanged vows before Josh went into the Military.

We got married on the 2nd and Josh left a few days later for Basic Training. We did managed to squeeze in a weekend at the Disney Resort on Hilton Head Island and a Superbowl party before he left. Now, here we are 5 years later and separated again. Oh, the joys of a military life! But I fully support him and I’m so glad we are in such a good place in our relationship right now. Otherwise, this separation and deployment would probably drive me crazy!

Dylan and I have been keeping really busy this week. We had a family come through to look at the house and an hour later, my rental place called me cancelling all the future appointments for others to come because an application had been filled out. I’m hoping they get the house and I don’t have to have any more strangers wandering through my home! Only 16 days until the movers come. Holy cow, I have SO much to do! We’ve already dropped off two huge loads of stuff to Goodwill - and there’s more on the way. But, I feel like I’ve turned a corner and that I might actually get my to-do list completed in time...maybe.

"Hello? Can you hear me?"

Dylan is doing great! He’s added “Bowl” to his word list now. He had a fever yesterday, but it only lasted a short while. I’m not sure if it was picked up somewhere or if it’s because of the 6 teeth that kid is pushing through! But he’s back to his wild self today. We’ve been playing with the Runnels and trying to stay active. Dylan loves going to the park!

Earlier this week, TJ offered to watch Dylan so I could go to a spin class with Katie on base. Katie and I worked our butts off, and the kids had a blast! Then Katie and I picked up dinner on the way back to their house. I was really needing a pick-me-up that day and the Runnels really came through for me. They are the best!

Josh is doing well at School. I did get his mailing address that he will have from now until Mid-March. If you would like the address please email, text, call (etc) and I'll give it to you. He is still in the midst of administration stuff, but he did get his new Camo uniforms! I am impatiently waiting for a photo of my studly man in his new Camos!

Smile of the day: 
Now that Josh is gone, I’m finding the small joys in little things that make me smile. Most of them are posts on Pinterest (my new addiction), but I know not everyone is on that site (yet). So I thought I’d share some of those things that make me happy.

Today’s is a kiddie costume of the old man from Pixar’s Up. I can’t tell you how adorable I think this is!

Our Sitko Thanksgiving

It is the last day of the 2011 Thanksgiving weekend and I have been thinking about all of things I am thankful for this year. Let me tell you about our Thanksgiving while I mention some of those things.

Thankful Thing 1: My boys. I am surrounded by testosterone in my home and I couldn’t be happier with it. Even my cat is a boy!! But those boys that live in my house are absolutely the thing that gives me joy. I have a husband who loves me for who I am, a cat that cuddles with me, and a son that couldn’t be more amazing. If I had to pick what I am MOST thankful for I wouldn't hesitate when I said, "My boys."

We spent our Thanksgiving over at the Runnels home. I spent lots of time the day before prepping the food, and then cooking in the morning before heading over before kickoff of the first football game. The Daddies hung out with the kids and watched the game while the Mommies put on our matching aprons and got to work in the kitchen. (Yes, we have matching aprons. Katie is a creative whiz and made me one when I freaked out over how much I liked  hers. Mine says “Domestic Goddess!!” By the way, the fact that our outfits underneath the aprons matched as well was just an awesome coincidence.)

Thankful Thing 2:  I am so thankful that we have made friends like the Runnels here in GA. Anyone in the military will tell you how difficult it can be moving around and constantly having to start all over at the beginning with friendships. But on the other hand, I have made friends with people I would have never even met if it wasn’t for our military life. I really lucked out this time in my friendship with Katie. We have so many things in common and we can completely be ourselves around each other. And it doesn’t hurt that we have children that love playing together.

While we were busy cooking, the men kept the kids entertained with an entire playroom, coloring books, sticker books, and (of course) some roughhousing that involved a bean bag chair, Daddies roaring, kids squealing, and some flying through the air.

Thankful Thing 3: The man that I married turned out to be such a wonderful father. In the past, I had seen him interact with his nieces and nephews who just adore him, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he is so amazing with Dylan. But I still find myself smiling while watching them play and cuddle. I don’t it take for granted.

We had a HUGE meal with turkey, corn casserole, dressing, potatoes (mashed & sweet), chicken & dumplings, and more. It was enough to feed the entire block! The good news is that I haven’t had to cook anything since!

Thankful Thing 4: My son is growing into such a little man! Not that I want him to grow up so fast, but I am so proud of him every day. Not only is he the sweetest thing I’ve ever known, but I feel like he is always trying to learn something new. The joys of Motherhood are amazing.

After our meal, we all took some time to relax together and play with the kids. We really had the perfect day. Full bellies, happy kids, and football on tv. The kids were so happy that they were, literally, hugging and kissing by the end of the night. (I won’t tell you how many times they had to kiss to get this photo!) SO CUTE!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with reminders of all the things we have in this life to be thankful for. I hope I continue to remember mine and don't take any of them for granted.

Thankful Thing 5: I know how blessed I am to have such an amazing family and wonderful friends. You all know who you are, and I am so happy to have you in my life. Even though we couldn’t be with everyone over Thanksgiving, it doesn’t mean I’m not incredibly thankful for each and every one of you.

Josh's Orders

Orders are in, so it’s time to put the word out. This announcement is a bit delayed because, as Josh put it, “it’s still so far away!“ But it’s about time to put the word out, I think. We already told our close family and friends, so anyone reading this probably already knows, but here is more detail anyway. Although Josh didn’t get his official orders until last month, we have been operating under the knowledge of his future location for a while now.

The acronym for Josh’s future is PATFORSWA (Patrol Forces Southwest Asia). He is going to be assigned to USCGC Wrangell in Bahrain for 12 months starting next summer.

A couple years after Josh and I got married, one of my close friends said to me, “Anika, I always knew you were going to be a military wife.” I paused for a moment and then smiled and nodded saying, “I get that.” I’m not sure why he always thought that, but I understood it. I didn’t know how I was going to get here, but it doesn’t surprise me at all.

It is so hard to explain to people why I am excited for my husband. How do you tell people that you are happy that your husband volunteered and has been selected to serve overseas for an entire year? Maybe “happy” isn’t the right word. Maybe it’s just that I get it. I support him in his decision, and I am so proud to be married to a man that wants to serve his country.

How can I not be supportive, when he is serving such an amazing country? It may not be a perfect country. Our economy has been through the ringer, and sometimes I want to put most of our bickering politicians though the ringer…but I am so proud to be an American. I am so proud that my son will grow up as an American. I am the woman who gets teary-eyed during the National Anthem, who feels a sense of pride when I see my 1-yr old waving an American Flag, who is a huge sucker for all of those sappy shows on TV about American Pride. I love my country. And I love my husband for serving our country.

Josh played all of his cards right to get my support for this overseas tour. He told me about this opportunity about four years ago. And then about a year later, we told our families. So there has been plenty of time to prepare our hearts and minds to this possibility. Not that I am ever going to be completely, 100%, ready for him to leave for a year, but I think I am as mentally and emotionally prepared as I am ever going to be.

Between now and when he reports to his ship next summer, Josh has 3 schools of varying lengths (He already completed one 2 week school in October), and 2 months of Pre-Deployment Training he will need to attend. So, even though he isn’t leaving the country for several months, he is still going to be gone…a lot!

Over the next several months, this website will most likely evolve to a “Survival while Separated” blog and will be a connection to my distant husband. Not only will it keep everyone up-to-date with all of the latest news from me and from Josh overseas, but it will also be an easy way for Josh to have an every day update on his family back home. I apologize in advance if I start to post more mundane updates and simple photos…but I want Josh to feel included and be updated on everything even from across the world.

So that’s the news! Congratulate Josh…and wish me luck!