Another Day Closer!

"She is clothed with strength & dignity; and she can laugh without the fear of the future." -Proverbs 31:25

Well, if you are counting down with me until Mr. Cummings gets home...then you will now that we are past the O N E week mark!
It's been a week and some days and really, as slow as it had been---it really has been a blur. I finally put away his little messes and did the last bit of his laundry that I didn't want to do because I miss him. I took extra time hanging up his shirts, savoring his smell. Knowing that the only way I was going to do this again is if I wore his clothes to wash them. Which, I'm not going to lie-- I might. 

I have had so many of my family and friends, even strangers be there for me this past week. I can't even being to explain how thankful I am for each and every one of you! 

My very own care package from Sami!

 

A Valentines card from Amber+ice cream money!

So I had an idea of re-reading a book series of my favorite author, Karen Kingsbury. It's the Baxter Family Series. My dad gave me the first ten books of the series and my thought was to read them throughout the deployment, or throughout the first month before I went home to Utah. Well, I finished them already. All of them. It definitely helped me to be engaged in the books and to not be caught up in missing Scott 24/8! Now I just have to get the rest of the series at the library to finish them. But if you haven't read them, DO! They are amazing. Okay really, ALL of her books are amazing. Believe me, I've read every single one of them--and some multiple times.   

 

I also added Costa Rica sand to our collection! 

The highlight of this week was my Valentines Day present. Scott was able to message me!!! BEST VALENTINES DAY PRESENT, EVER. Even though it was only like ten minutes, I hung onto every single word. Here is part of our conversation, I really did marry a sexy dork! I love him so much!! He really makes me laugh, which was VERY needed! Oh! And I finally was able to talk with my parents and sister. They went on a mission trip to Haiti. I can't wait to see all of their pictures and hear all of their amazing stories. Thanks for everyone who was praying for them!

 

I spent Valentines Day with a few of my friends who's husbands are deployed with Scott. We had an amazing dinner, a movie, and our craft. We made a countdown in weeks until our men are back. It was a lot of fun and made it "look" like the weeks were just going to come and go quickly. *Crossies!* And then when I got home, Mallow had a surprise waiting for me. She had decorated the whole house with "white rose petals". Scott must have told her to surprise me for Vday with flowers... Greaaaat gift, Mallow Moo!    

This week is already much better than last. I went to church with my friend Liza and had lunch with her. She is doing a bible study for the deployed wives and it starts tomorrow! I am so looking forward to it. And then my friend Breann is coming to stay with me until we go back to Utah! We are going to have so much fun exploring NC and Virginia Beach (Staying with my Mama-in-Love).  

I'm hoping everyone enjoyed this little update. The next update will probably be when I am sitting in the living room that I grew up in, listening to the conversation & laughter of all my family! Soaking up every single moment. So until then, will you all pray for Scott to keep him and his guys safe and for all of the traveling that will be going on in the next two weeks. Thank you! :]

Ahhh and just as I was about post this message my doorbell rang. My Sweetheart sent me flowers!! Sailing in the middle of the ocean and he still finds a way to surprise me with a gorgeous bouquet of my favorite flowers! As the smell of roses & lilies fill our home, a bouquet of memories warm my full heart. The end of his card says, "Be home soon", my love for him will only make this eight months seem like a couple of days! I love you, Scott. More than you can ever imagine!!! Baby--another day closer! 

My heart hurts...

 My heart hurts. 

It is heavy, and it is literally broken.

Embracing Scott for the last time, tightening my grip when he softly whispered, "It's time" in my ear. Not wanting to let go.

One final kiss laced in equal parts of passion & sorrow. 

Staring into the eyes of my strong Husband, knowing how much he was struggling to leave me.

Our goodbye was something that will always stay in my heart.

But my heart is also strong. 

Strong enough to say goodbye to the man I love more than anything.

Strong enough to have that last embrace, that last kiss.

Strong enough to take care of our home, to take care of our puppy.

Strong enough to rely fully on God & letters.

Strong enough to be able to drive home through the tears.

Strong enough because I made Scott a promise that I would be.

I would be strong throughout this.

Yesterday was easily the hardest day of my life. 

The goodbye was so drawn out. I had to drop him off at 9:30 in the AM and then come back at 11:30. They didn't leave until 5 PM.

 Super long, super draining. Oh and freezing! 

And the worst part is that you have no idea what to expect.

No one can prepare you for the moment you have to tell your Husband goodbye for eight long months. Every time they called the guys to go do something, we wondered if that was our last goodbye. 

I think that the part that I hated the most, besides saying goodbye to my love, was seeing all of the couples and families embracing each other. Knowing that each one of them are feeling the exact same way as myself---- Completely, and utterly heartbroken.

Children crying, wives weeping, Husbands & fathers trying to be strong.

It was awful, but it also made me super excited about the homecoming and being able to see the happy embraces!

Now my countdown isn't when Scott leaves, but when he comes home. And that is a moment that is so precious. A moment that you don't experience unless there is military involved. 

I can't wait until I will be able to run and jump into Scott's arms. Have him swing me around & kiss me the way we are dying to. Us to walk into our home and Mallow go crazy because her dad is finally home! Be able to be mesmerized by my hero's stories and experiences. 

There are so many things that I am looking forward to while he is away. I am ready to begin writing my Husband letters again. While we were apart when I lived in Australia, I fell deeper in love with him through his words. 

His words to me are like water to a dying man in a desert.

 A breath of fresh air. 

I can't wait to see how we grow as a couple during this separation and how God will work wonders through us. 

I am able to attend my friend's bible study for the wives here.

I am able to go home for a few months and be with my family!!!!!!! I get to see my friends and work with kids. Be able to be there for so many big moments {birthdays, weddings, graduations]. 

I am able to have another Vernal, Utah summer! 

So his deployment is a bittersweet time. 

We will miss each other terribly, but we both have exciting times ahead of us! {Except I would love to be the one traveling Europe ha}

I want to thank everyone who is there for us and with me throughout this whole experience. Praying for us. Sending Scott care packages. You mean more to us than you will ever understand! 

Our last dinner date before he leaves. A Thai restaurant to ourselves! 

Hubby & I decided to do the "Open when" letters. I might have already read the "Open when you miss me" letter... which I think will be a daily reading! Scott gave me a bible verse in it and I am fairly certain that it will be memorized fast!

Happy birthday to my Sweet Husband!

 Happy birthday to my Hubby Cakes!

This past week was my dear Husband's birthday and this was the first birthday we have been together in person to celebrate! So, naturally, I HAD to spoil him! And I think that I enjoyed myself a little too much ha. 

His cake.

Birthday kisses.

His favorite meal growing up.

Homemade ice cream french toast.

Drinks with friends.

His Mama came to stay with us that weekend and we had so much fun showing her around our town and Wilmington. We had a military photoshoot with Hearts Apart there in the freeeeezing weather. But well worth it. Those pictures should be coming in a few weeks! 

This weekend we went to Mrytle Beach, SC.

It was very exciting for us to add another state to our list and see the beautiful South Carolina. We had a blast during our weekend, relaxing, doing whatever we wanted. 

Senior Frogs.

Scott being sung to.

Margaritaville.

Movies.

Wonderworks.

Hard Rock Cafe.

Brazilian Steakhouse.

Daiquiri bar.

Snow on the beach.

too.much.fun!

This week for us is just to take in each other, every single moment that we can. Scott is about to deploy, & I'm sure you guys will get a sappy/sad post sometime in the near future! 

Pray for us! :]