Heaven…I’m in Heaven…
This past week and a half has been simply AWESOME! We’ve been spending so much quality time together as a family, and as a couple, that I haven’t been focused on my weight loss and workouts….not surprising though. I have put back on another 3 lbs, but I’m okay with it. It has felt good this past week to just concentrate on being a wife who actually has a husband around her physically and not just mentally! The evening we picked him up on Monday the 9th, the weather was horrible. Rained so hard, and there was even hail and strong winds. We drove down to the base and sat inside a huge garage bay at the Motor Pool, where they had set out a lot of chairs, tables, and foods for the families as we waited for our returning Marines. The plan was for us to wait about an hour, to give all the families ample time to arrive before their loved ones. But due to the inclement weather, we waited nearly three hours. The kids and I were going crazy with anticipation! We were beginning to think that we had somehow gotten ourselves into the Twilight Zone, and that we might NEVER get out of there…that we would continue sitting in anticipation of Brice’s return for all eternity.
One kinda cool thing that I noticed about myself during the waiting….usually at these sorts of thing I feel like the fattest person in the room and am very uncomfortable with myself. Not this time! No siree Bob!! hehe I actually felt good about myself and felt that I looked like a million bucks! That was a wonderful feeling for me. Anyway, we got there at 4:45 pm and round about 7:30 pm they announced that our Marines were about 1-2 minutes away so they opened up the garage bay doors and we all stepped outside to watch the buses arrive. The rain had stopped, but the wind was still blowing quite hard and it was so very very cold. But, it was exciting!!! There were two bus loads of Marines and we weren’t sure which one held ours, so we tried to keep our eyes on both buses as the Marines came off of them. I missed my hubby coming off of his bus but quickly spotted him in the crowd. He was looking around, and I could’ve sworn he looked right at me, but he continued on through the crowd looking for us. I like to think that due to my weight loss he just didn’t recognize me in the dark right away hehe. I ran over to him real quick like though before he got lost in the crowd and grabbed at him. His face lit up and he said “You look GREAT” as he hugged me. Later on, in bed, he told me that I even felt different to hold…and I’ve noticed that his arms go around me more than they used to. And oh yeah - I DIDN’T forget how to…..well, you know!!!! :oP I will spare you all the details, suffice it to say that it was (and has been every night since then) WOW…it almost, yeah just almost makes the absence this past year worth it. We are in the honeymoon phase again and it’s been nice.
Perfectly normal to be in a honeymoon phase after such a lengthy deployment. We know that it doesn’t last…and the knowing helps keep us stable when the rocky patches return. I really do think that we’re going to be okay. Everything is starting to feel normal again, as if he had never left to begin with. And that is really cool.
We went to the mountains yesterday to play in the snow. We found a really good place with a ton of snow, and we had the area all to ourselves. We went sledding, built snowmen and snow angels…even had snowball fights. Thing is, I play HARD now since I’ve lost so much weight. Runing all around, playing like a kid. Sledding brings me such a thrill. I don’t know how many times I went downhill. We were on a somewhat tame hill the first few times around and then my 12 year old son found a steep hill with another smaller hill at the bottom for us to use as a ramp to catch some air. It was AWESOME!!! Except for what turned out to be my last run (sled) down the hill. Right before I got to that little hill at the bottom, my sled unexpectedly spun out of control and I went toppling. Well, I had went toppling many times yesterday…but this time wasn’t a good one. My left knee hit a rock and I was in sudden agony. I was laughing and crying at the same time. It was hella fun, but OMG did it hurt. Had to use my husband as a crutch to get to a table that was mostly buried in the snow so that I could sit on top of it with my leg stretched out while watching Brice and the kids get in a little bit more fun time while I formed some snow around my knee as a makeshift ice pack. When we rode home I rode in the back with my leg propped up along the seat and in my 7 year olds lap. Got home, propped my leg up on the chaise and have been using R.I.C.E. on it off and on ever since. Also taking 600 mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours. This morning it still hurts and is still a little swollen, but it has improved and I anticipate a full recovery before too much longer. I am the most concerned about it being healed in time for my blue belt test next Friday at the dojo.
Anyway, it was a good day and we made many new memories that will last a lifetime and I wouldn’t change a thing. It used to be, when I was 338 lbs., that I’d be sitting on the sidelines wishing I could play like that. Instead, I’d be the one taking pictures. Not any more! I love how active I am, which is VERY active, and I wouldn’t trade that for a thing. Yeah, I’m more prone to injury now. But, so what? For the first time in many years, I am enjoying my life and I truly feel alive!
Catrina! It is so good to hear from you! I’m so glad that things are going well and you are having a wonderful time
Sorry about your knee though…OUCH! Love ya!
I am so glad that you are enjoying your time with your husband. You sound so happy!!
Wonderful story! I am a romantic at heart so this was like reading a novel. I traveled all over every summer when I was a teen to visit my aunt whose husband was in the Marines. It was a wonderful experience. I can remember how much stress it was when he had to go away. Of course there was no major wars at that time but I have so much respect for Militar wives.
How wonderful he is home! I was separated from my boyfriend for 7 months last year, long story, and lost about 40 pounds while he was gone. He said the same thing, that I felt different to touch, and it was wonderful to get all the positive feedback from him
I’m so glad you guys are together and having a great honeymoon again!
oh such a brilliant blog… I’ve been looking forward to hearing that your husband got home safe and sound and that ye all had a brilliant time with him!!! and you know what… injuries are healthy. To not get injured is to not have lived…. or something like that! You dont get them from sitting on the sidelines, but from getting stuck in with the fun!!!!
catrina, i am so happy that hubby is back…when i was reading your blog i felt like i was reading a love novel….as well….wow what a great feeling to feel between the crowed good and not have that feeling of people talking behind your back….
Woooooo Hoooooo! Sounds like a wonderful time with the family…except the fall! Hope your knee heals quickly! Hang in there hun. Enjoy the time with your man
She’s back she’s back she’s back.
AHHHHHHHHHHH SO SPOOONING LED TO FORKING TO SPPOONONINGGG……….and the cycle continues!!
I will leave you in heaven!!! SO happy for you!! YAH YAH
check your in box hon!!
Crazy BS putting comments in moderation for no apparent reason.
I’m so glad your husband got home safe and sound! It brought tears to my eyes reading your blog…I could hear the happiness in your voice having him back with you.
Awww yay your Marine is home!! I love the fact that when he saw you he said that you looked GREAT. That’s a wonderful feeling when other people notice the changes and compliment you on it. I bet you did look like a million bucks!
Distance does make the heart grow fonder. BUT I know you’re glad to have him back! Keep on making memories together and enjoy every single second you two share.
Sooo very happy for you. Like Jen, it brought tears to my eyes. You sound like you are on “cloud nine” (make that ninteen). I will keep you in my prayers that your knee heals well before your test on Friday.
Catrina, so happy to read this blog! Love that you guys are enjoying each other, and that you can play with Brice and the kids!
Hope you knee is better soon!!
What an awesome love story! So glad Brice is back!!
Beautiful, you sound sooo happy ! I love it!! Take care of your knee!
Thanks so much for sharing hubby’s return with us.
How exciting.
The best part of your blog for me is you talking about how exciting it is to take part in all the fun.
I know EXACTLY how you feel.
NO MORE SIDELINES YAY!!!!!!!!!!!
Just enjoying life to it’s fullest.
AWESOME!
You really have changed your life. You, your kids and your hubby are all benefiting from that.
Take care of your knee, hope its all healed for your blue belt test.
How awesome! I new you would be in heaven when hubby got home!
Big HUGS!
I am happy that your husband’s back at home and you and the kids get to enjoy him! Did you go to Big Bear? I wanna go to the snow too!
I think about you a lot still when I am on my walks and I think about you challenging yourself to add more running and speed with each walk. I do this too now. I can actually run which is a miracle because I couldn’t even run to the driveway before.