So today marked the day I was sort of dreading. One year ago today I flew into billings and when I landed a strange sensation came over me. I took a deep breath and thought to myself "aww . .. I'm home!" strange because I had NO IDEA that my life was going to change that night. Brad picked me up and brought me flowers, which he never does. He opened the truck door for me ( which he does now ). He was calling me cute 'pet' names a lot more, which was strange for him. I thought to myself . . .what have you done with Brad? He had a few things planned for this particular evening but I was tired and wanted to go to his apartment and just go to bed. He was very adamant that we go to the rims tonight and look at the city. His plan already got foiled when my flight from Seattle for post poned in Missula or something for a plane malfunction. He wanted to propose at sunset! haha. that didn't happen.
Instead, he drove me to the rims where we walked and walked and walked. I hadn't planned on doing all this hiking up rocks and stuff. I wore slippers. He took me to this secluded spot where he wouldn't let me sit or hold his hand. We talked seriously about our relationship and where it was going. He then got down and I couldn't tell you what happened next. It's a blur. But judging from this pretty ring on my left hand, he proposed and I said yes.
One thing I do remember, is that he got the ring 2 sizes too small. lol. Minor detail in this wonderful story.
We went back to his apartment and decided who we were going to tell and not tell. We were going to fly back home to tell our parents in person the next day but spend Halloween together.
Today I missed Brad more than usual. I put on this great front of me not missing him, but on days like today, a minor milestone, I wanted him here. Or at least a phone call. :( It'll happen and when it does, I'll wish him a happy one year.
I want those of you who have your husbands at home right now to give them a hug and a kiss. Be thankful that you get to spend your evening with them and go through normal life with them for the next year. It's not that I'm jealous, because that's not the right word. Maybe it is. It's only a year though. But it's a year that I don't get to spend with Brad. So hug them, kiss them and tell them how much they mean to you. Imagine only being able to have 10 minutes to talk them every 3-4 days. The last time we got to touch each other was at the Newark airport and I was crying. We've webcamed since then, but it's not the same. So be thankful for them. Please.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
wake up call
So I was having a harder time with Brad being gone. I have my high points and my low points! All to be expected during any long period of separation! As it gets closer to our 1 year mark of when Brad proposed, I've been getting more and more depressed. Maybe depressed isn't the right word, but sad we can't celebrate these small milestones together! I have a great friend Tracy though who's going to help me through it on saturday!
Regardless of any of that, I was feeling low. I also haven't been getting very good sleep the last couple of nights. So then at 5am when I'm rolling over this strange phone number calls me. I ignore it. Then it calls back 4 times in a row! I am finally frustrated and get ready to be angry with the person on the other line! I answer frustrated "HELLO!?" On the other end "Hey babe!!" It was Brad trying to call me! Lol
Needless to say I am extatic that he called but now can't go back to sleep. So ashley, my pregnant other army wife and I are going out to breakfast!! But I wanted to share my amazing news before!
Happy thursday all!!
Regardless of any of that, I was feeling low. I also haven't been getting very good sleep the last couple of nights. So then at 5am when I'm rolling over this strange phone number calls me. I ignore it. Then it calls back 4 times in a row! I am finally frustrated and get ready to be angry with the person on the other line! I answer frustrated "HELLO!?" On the other end "Hey babe!!" It was Brad trying to call me! Lol
Needless to say I am extatic that he called but now can't go back to sleep. So ashley, my pregnant other army wife and I are going out to breakfast!! But I wanted to share my amazing news before!
Happy thursday all!!
Monday, October 25, 2010
surprise family trip
It's been a while since I've written. A lot has happened since New York. I had a hectic time getting from Newark to home in Billings, but had a nice quick stop at my parents house in Seattle. I got home late Wednesday night, went to school on Thursday and Friday morning and then I went back to Seattle for my secret visit home. My mom and I had kind of planned this when I had a major break down a week or two before. Things weren't going well at school, Brad was leaving and life just wasn't good at the moment. So we found a way to get me home for me to see my family. I thought that while I was there, I'd see my 'other mother' Judy Brough and my dear friend Nicole and her son malachi. No one knew I was coming besides my parents. My mom had arranged with Judy to go out for dinner that night and when I showed up with my mom Judy just sat there and was sooo very surprised. It was a pretty cool feeling to be missed like that. We had a nice dinner down in south center where we then went shopping for my cousin Rachel's wedding.
Saturday, I sat around and like the good student I am trying so hard to be, I did most of my online math homework while I waited for my brother to show up. On Tuesday, the 19th, my grandma whom I fondly refer to as Nonnie turned 90! My aunt and uncle were flying out to celebrate this milestone with my parents and brother. When Alan showed up he had no idea I was there till he put his things in what used to be my room and is now the guest room. He came upstairs and couldn't figure out whas was going on. I then walked out of the computer room and he got this big smile on his face and gave me a big teddy bear hug. :-) that was pretty cool as well. We sat around and visited a little till my mom got home where she then decided to treat me to a pedicure at a spa in Des Moines.
What a treat. :) we got home and changed real quick to then make the drive to auburn where Nonnie lives. I walked in after my parents and brother had walked in and no one was expecting me! Nonnie thought it was so wonderful to see me and have me here for the weekend!
We had a pretty good family dinner and then went back to Nonnie's to hang out for a little bit where we then took some more pictures! We did the family picture . . . the Smith family, the Aker family and then the representative for the Ireland family! lol
By this time I was pretty pooped. We traveled home and everyone else went to bed. I got online and was checking my face book and saw that Brad was online so we got to video chat for one the last times in the next few months! I am so thankful for skype and video chat technology. I think I'd go crazy if we didn't have phones, email or vieochat capabilities. It's pretty awesome.
Anyway, Sunday was pretty busy as well. I had some breakfast and my mom then took me to Costco where I bought a Costco membership and we walked around for a little picking up some items. After that, Alan and I met my dad down at the boat and we went on a quick ride around the sound. It was nice to be on the water again. I can't believe how much I miss being around water. Living in a land lock state has it's perks, but I do love my water!
After I had a wonderful boat ride with my brother and dad, I went to visit my good friend Nicole, her husband Peter and their son Malachi! I had a great, but quick visit with them before I had to run back home to pack my bags and then fly back to billings.
All in all it was a pretty nice weekend. A quick vacation from all of my other traveling.
Next weekend debbie and I will be driving down to Colorado for my cousin Rachel's wedding. Debbie is going to go Christmas shopping while I am visiting with family! Pretty awesome.
Update on Brad! He made it safe to Afghanistan and has been there for a few days. We have got the wonderful opportunity to talk on the phone twice so far. The first time being very quick, literally, a one minute phone call. I cried for 45 seconds of it! Tears of joy of course! The 2nd phone call was about 10 minutes and much better. I started to tear up but I stopped myself. I didn't want to waste our precious time crying. lol. I told him about our pet mouse that we have in the house. I've dubbed him Mickey and he lives under the sink. He isn't potty trained and he will be evicted sooner than he wants! lol.
The FRG ( Family Readiness Group ) Halloween event went pretty good too. A pumpkin patch just outside of laurel donated close to 100 pumpkins for our event. We had so many that we were telling the families who came to take a few extra home with them! There are still about 40 pumpkins at the unit waiting to be picked up!
That's pretty much it for now. Life has slowed down just enough where I can plan some Megan time or time with friends. I love traveling, but I also enjoy sleeping in my own bed and having my own schedule.
More updates on Brad as they become available!
Saturday, I sat around and like the good student I am trying so hard to be, I did most of my online math homework while I waited for my brother to show up. On Tuesday, the 19th, my grandma whom I fondly refer to as Nonnie turned 90! My aunt and uncle were flying out to celebrate this milestone with my parents and brother. When Alan showed up he had no idea I was there till he put his things in what used to be my room and is now the guest room. He came upstairs and couldn't figure out whas was going on. I then walked out of the computer room and he got this big smile on his face and gave me a big teddy bear hug. :-) that was pretty cool as well. We sat around and visited a little till my mom got home where she then decided to treat me to a pedicure at a spa in Des Moines.
What a treat. :) we got home and changed real quick to then make the drive to auburn where Nonnie lives. I walked in after my parents and brother had walked in and no one was expecting me! Nonnie thought it was so wonderful to see me and have me here for the weekend!
We had a pretty good family dinner and then went back to Nonnie's to hang out for a little bit where we then took some more pictures! We did the family picture . . . the Smith family, the Aker family and then the representative for the Ireland family! lol
By this time I was pretty pooped. We traveled home and everyone else went to bed. I got online and was checking my face book and saw that Brad was online so we got to video chat for one the last times in the next few months! I am so thankful for skype and video chat technology. I think I'd go crazy if we didn't have phones, email or vieochat capabilities. It's pretty awesome.
Anyway, Sunday was pretty busy as well. I had some breakfast and my mom then took me to Costco where I bought a Costco membership and we walked around for a little picking up some items. After that, Alan and I met my dad down at the boat and we went on a quick ride around the sound. It was nice to be on the water again. I can't believe how much I miss being around water. Living in a land lock state has it's perks, but I do love my water!
After I had a wonderful boat ride with my brother and dad, I went to visit my good friend Nicole, her husband Peter and their son Malachi! I had a great, but quick visit with them before I had to run back home to pack my bags and then fly back to billings.
All in all it was a pretty nice weekend. A quick vacation from all of my other traveling.
Next weekend debbie and I will be driving down to Colorado for my cousin Rachel's wedding. Debbie is going to go Christmas shopping while I am visiting with family! Pretty awesome.
Update on Brad! He made it safe to Afghanistan and has been there for a few days. We have got the wonderful opportunity to talk on the phone twice so far. The first time being very quick, literally, a one minute phone call. I cried for 45 seconds of it! Tears of joy of course! The 2nd phone call was about 10 minutes and much better. I started to tear up but I stopped myself. I didn't want to waste our precious time crying. lol. I told him about our pet mouse that we have in the house. I've dubbed him Mickey and he lives under the sink. He isn't potty trained and he will be evicted sooner than he wants! lol.
The FRG ( Family Readiness Group ) Halloween event went pretty good too. A pumpkin patch just outside of laurel donated close to 100 pumpkins for our event. We had so many that we were telling the families who came to take a few extra home with them! There are still about 40 pumpkins at the unit waiting to be picked up!
That's pretty much it for now. Life has slowed down just enough where I can plan some Megan time or time with friends. I love traveling, but I also enjoy sleeping in my own bed and having my own schedule.
More updates on Brad as they become available!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Concrete Jungle
So my trip to New York went wonderful.
We had a few small issues, but they got resolved in a fairly quick fashion. I am absolutely amazed that people LIVE in New York by choice. Just for Brad and I to get into the city, we had to take 3 different forms of transportation. Hotel shuttle to the airport, airport to the bus, the bus to penn station or another train station, then the subway to get to our destination. CRAZY! How people do it, no clue. And how those city people know which way to go and which way is uptown or downtown is beyond me. I can do Seattle . . . I can’t do a city bigger that.
I left Billings around 6 am to fly into Seattle where my mother-in-law surprised me at the gate and we had a cup of coffee and a bagel. There was a chance I would get on the 9 am flight out to Newark, but it didn’t look good so I was kind of hoping that I would get on the 3pm flight so I could see my mom and some other people. My angels were watching over me because a couple who didn’t want to be split up traveling, gave up there seat which in turn gave me their seat! So I had mixed emotions about that because I really wanted to get on the plane to see Brad, but I also wanted have a few hours with my madre’! I think the better option happened.
I arrived in Newark around 5, got to the hotel and situated. By this time, Brad was almost to the airport from the bus so I got into the shuttle and we went to pick him up. It was the best thing to jump out of that van to run up and get him!
Those reunions are the best feeling ever. It almost makes it worth being away from him. Just to have those butterflies till the next time we see each other.
The next morning was our first day in the city.
Took the bus to New York and the subway to the world trade center. I thought it would hit me harder than it did. Its pretty amazing how much they have rebuilt and are doing with the area since. Brad had told me that the last time he was there was 6 months after it happened that there was just a big fence around it. This time it showed what they were building and what it would look like when they were done. It’s going to be quite the building. They are only 30 stories up, but the finished product will be close to 110 stories. That’s pretty awesome.
As Brad and I were walking around, we came to the realization that THIS is the reason he leaves at the end of the week for Afghanistan. The reason these buildings aren’t there anymore is the reason HE is going over.We went over to the church across the street and experienced that. Once again, thought I’d have more of a reaction to it.
My good friend Erin recently moved to New York so when I knew for sure I’d be there, I text her and told her, so we ended up meeting up with her when we went into the church. We had a great little lunch/dinner at a local bar and then went to a comedy club that Brad and I got tickets for. It wasn’t an amature night either, so it was professional comedians giving their all. I am pretty sure Brad and Erin and I agreed across the board that the black man and the ‘one armed’ man was the best. Couldn’t tell you their names, but they were pretty funny.
We had a harder time finding our way through the subway station after we left Erin, but lucky for us there was a nice bum who showed us our way, for a small fee of course. But if it wasn’t for him, it would have taken us 3 hrs to get back to the hotel, instead of 2! I will admit, I was a bit scared. Maybe even a bit is an understatement. I was very scared while the bum was showing us through the station. It was obvious we were from out of town and its not like we were dressed in grungy clothes. From seeing all of the movies and SVU and stuff on TV, I had this idea of awful things happening to us. I then freaked out on Brad because I was scared. But what I need to do is trust him that things wont happen to us. Brad would never allow anything to happen to me, I just needed to keep telling myself that. lol
This was a lot of walking, so we stayed in Newark the next day and just hung out. Watched a movie or two and just enjoyed being next to each other. We decided to seize the moment and have our last nice dinner together at the hotel bar. It was a very nice time.
We got up early and started our realllly long day on Monday. We covered a lot of ground. I am a HUGE fan of felicity and it was based out of New York, near New York University. So we walked around over there, went into the FCUK store and then found this great Chinese place to have our lunch at. We tried to go up to the top of the empire state building, but we couldn’t justify spending close to 40 bucks to share that experience with every other tourist. So we continued to walk around. We got on the subway to attempt to get to central park but instead got on the subway to Brooklyn. It was a fun adventure because I got to see the statue of Liberty from far away. We eventually made it to central park and it’s not what I thought it would be. I thought it was a large piece of grass and trees, not filled with vendors and stuff. It was huge and very busy on such a nice afternoon. Brad and I joked that this is probably the closest that any new yorker gets to being in the ‘outdoors’ and being in a park. We quite frankly think it’s pretty sad, but that’s why we don’t live there, we live in Billings instead.
Re-reading all of this, it sounds like I didn’t have very much fun and it’s the opposite. I had a blast with my husband, just having us time . . . I just didn’t expect new york to be so busy or rude I guess. Ive experienced it now though and can say I’ve been there, done that. I would go back again but I would change a few things. 1. Id bring newer more comfortable walking shoes. 2. 1,000 bucks 3. About a week to do everything we wanted to do. I saw time square and it was amazing. There weren’t any street lights in time square, that’s how lit up it was 24/7. I made the comment to Brad “How much do you think it costs to generate the power it takes for time square to be lit up this often!?” we didn’t want to fathom that amount of money.
On our grand adventure, we found Tiffany’s on 5th ave, Sacks fifth avenue, Trump Plaza, Rockefeller plaza and the LEGO store!
We thought it would be bigger, considering everything is big in New York. We got to see the ice skating rank that has been in numerous romantic movies, our favorite being Serendipity.
All in all it was a pretty fantastic trip.
Tword the end of our day on Monday, we found a place to have a quick snack and were on our way our the door when we noticed it was pouring rain. I mean like seattle downpour kind of rain. We had watched the news that morning and were expecting the nasty weather, but we got side tracked and forgot about it.
So we stayed in our restraunt for a little longer while it died down. We then walked around time square again before it started to rain one last time.
I came to the conclusion that no two people in new york know the same way to get to the end destination. We asked a few different people how to take the PATH train or the subway to get back into Newark. One bum (because they are so friendly, right!?) told us to go up one block and make a right on a certain street and the entrance would be there. Another worker backed him up so we believed him. We got outside and discovered it was downpouring again. So Brad and I said "so what, we aren't scared of the rain!" and ran down the block in the pouring rain. It was probably the most fun I had the entire trip. Running through the rain with my husband. :) very cliche! Turns out, we were in the right place the entire time. so we ran BACK to where we had started through the rain.
If the Ireland families didn’t put this together, Brad and I wouldn’t have got this wonderful opportunity to see each other one last time and make these memories. I thought that at the end of this I might have some regrets about going through the heartache again, but its worth it. It was worth every moment to spend with Brad. It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to each other again, but it was considerably easier than before. It was also nice to have just Brad and Megan time before he deploys instead of trying to get him packed and make sure everything is alright on the home front. The week before he left was so hectic for us that it was a whirlwind. So it was nice to have just us time, even if we did spend a few hours with Erin. Although, she stressed that she didn’t want to infringe on our time because its so precious, so that was pretty sweet. But we did enjoy her company and had a few good conversations with her. Erin and I have known each other for years. She used to come over to my parents house after ballet, have dinner with us and do homework and then we’d go back to dance for hip hop. She was in the 5th grade when we started doing this and we are still friends to this day. I realize she is only 2 years younger than me, but it’s kinda cool to see her grow up into the wonderful and beautiful woman she is today. She has traveled to some pretty cool places and knows that she can’t live in New York, so that’s off of her bucket list.
Getting home to Billings has been another adventure in itself. I couldn’t get on the 7:30am flight out of Newark, but Don figured out a flight for me home to Seattle through phoenix . I got into phoenix around 7 and my flight from Arizona to Seattle left at 8 and arrived around 11. I got to spend a few minutes with my parents, get hugs from both of them and lovin from Sam the cat. It’s so nice to see them. Also had enough time to put in a quick load of clothes in the washer and dryer. This life of not having a washer and dryer at our house has made me take advantage of our resources. If there is a washer and dryer, I’ll be taking advantage of it.
I’m excited be home and sleep in my own bed. Have my quiet life of driving to school and back and not having to take 3 forms of transportation to get from school to home.
I wondered through this journey how much time new yorkers spend waiting for subways, buses or taxi’s. They must walk a lot, so why aren’t they the fittest city? Brad and I feel like we covered a lot of ground in these last few days, but in reality, we didn’t cover much at all. There is still so much to see and do that we never got to experience.
I coulnd't make it on to the 10:25 flight from Seattle to home so I took advantage of that and got to hang out with my very good friend Nicole and her little bundle of joy malachi! This is the first time I got to meet my 'nephew' and he is soo precious.
After spending the afternoon with them, I had a quick dinner with my folks and I was off traveling again. I am not sure how pilots do all of this traveling. It's so exhausting! I told my father-in-law this and he said "well megan, you have lived a day in the life of a pilot!" I sure have!
It felt amazing to sleep in my own bed and to be home. Although Seattle will always be my 'hometown' and the place I love the most, I enjoyed coming back to Billings, my new home to the place that Brad and I have built together!
We had a few small issues, but they got resolved in a fairly quick fashion. I am absolutely amazed that people LIVE in New York by choice. Just for Brad and I to get into the city, we had to take 3 different forms of transportation. Hotel shuttle to the airport, airport to the bus, the bus to penn station or another train station, then the subway to get to our destination. CRAZY! How people do it, no clue. And how those city people know which way to go and which way is uptown or downtown is beyond me. I can do Seattle . . . I can’t do a city bigger that.
I left Billings around 6 am to fly into Seattle where my mother-in-law surprised me at the gate and we had a cup of coffee and a bagel. There was a chance I would get on the 9 am flight out to Newark, but it didn’t look good so I was kind of hoping that I would get on the 3pm flight so I could see my mom and some other people. My angels were watching over me because a couple who didn’t want to be split up traveling, gave up there seat which in turn gave me their seat! So I had mixed emotions about that because I really wanted to get on the plane to see Brad, but I also wanted have a few hours with my madre’! I think the better option happened.
I arrived in Newark around 5, got to the hotel and situated. By this time, Brad was almost to the airport from the bus so I got into the shuttle and we went to pick him up. It was the best thing to jump out of that van to run up and get him!
Those reunions are the best feeling ever. It almost makes it worth being away from him. Just to have those butterflies till the next time we see each other.
The next morning was our first day in the city.
Took the bus to New York and the subway to the world trade center. I thought it would hit me harder than it did. Its pretty amazing how much they have rebuilt and are doing with the area since. Brad had told me that the last time he was there was 6 months after it happened that there was just a big fence around it. This time it showed what they were building and what it would look like when they were done. It’s going to be quite the building. They are only 30 stories up, but the finished product will be close to 110 stories. That’s pretty awesome.
As Brad and I were walking around, we came to the realization that THIS is the reason he leaves at the end of the week for Afghanistan. The reason these buildings aren’t there anymore is the reason HE is going over.We went over to the church across the street and experienced that. Once again, thought I’d have more of a reaction to it.
My good friend Erin recently moved to New York so when I knew for sure I’d be there, I text her and told her, so we ended up meeting up with her when we went into the church. We had a great little lunch/dinner at a local bar and then went to a comedy club that Brad and I got tickets for. It wasn’t an amature night either, so it was professional comedians giving their all. I am pretty sure Brad and Erin and I agreed across the board that the black man and the ‘one armed’ man was the best. Couldn’t tell you their names, but they were pretty funny.
We had a harder time finding our way through the subway station after we left Erin, but lucky for us there was a nice bum who showed us our way, for a small fee of course. But if it wasn’t for him, it would have taken us 3 hrs to get back to the hotel, instead of 2! I will admit, I was a bit scared. Maybe even a bit is an understatement. I was very scared while the bum was showing us through the station. It was obvious we were from out of town and its not like we were dressed in grungy clothes. From seeing all of the movies and SVU and stuff on TV, I had this idea of awful things happening to us. I then freaked out on Brad because I was scared. But what I need to do is trust him that things wont happen to us. Brad would never allow anything to happen to me, I just needed to keep telling myself that. lol
This was a lot of walking, so we stayed in Newark the next day and just hung out. Watched a movie or two and just enjoyed being next to each other. We decided to seize the moment and have our last nice dinner together at the hotel bar. It was a very nice time.
We got up early and started our realllly long day on Monday. We covered a lot of ground. I am a HUGE fan of felicity and it was based out of New York, near New York University. So we walked around over there, went into the FCUK store and then found this great Chinese place to have our lunch at. We tried to go up to the top of the empire state building, but we couldn’t justify spending close to 40 bucks to share that experience with every other tourist. So we continued to walk around. We got on the subway to attempt to get to central park but instead got on the subway to Brooklyn. It was a fun adventure because I got to see the statue of Liberty from far away. We eventually made it to central park and it’s not what I thought it would be. I thought it was a large piece of grass and trees, not filled with vendors and stuff. It was huge and very busy on such a nice afternoon. Brad and I joked that this is probably the closest that any new yorker gets to being in the ‘outdoors’ and being in a park. We quite frankly think it’s pretty sad, but that’s why we don’t live there, we live in Billings instead.
Re-reading all of this, it sounds like I didn’t have very much fun and it’s the opposite. I had a blast with my husband, just having us time . . . I just didn’t expect new york to be so busy or rude I guess. Ive experienced it now though and can say I’ve been there, done that. I would go back again but I would change a few things. 1. Id bring newer more comfortable walking shoes. 2. 1,000 bucks 3. About a week to do everything we wanted to do. I saw time square and it was amazing. There weren’t any street lights in time square, that’s how lit up it was 24/7. I made the comment to Brad “How much do you think it costs to generate the power it takes for time square to be lit up this often!?” we didn’t want to fathom that amount of money.
On our grand adventure, we found Tiffany’s on 5th ave, Sacks fifth avenue, Trump Plaza, Rockefeller plaza and the LEGO store!
We thought it would be bigger, considering everything is big in New York. We got to see the ice skating rank that has been in numerous romantic movies, our favorite being Serendipity.
All in all it was a pretty fantastic trip.
Tword the end of our day on Monday, we found a place to have a quick snack and were on our way our the door when we noticed it was pouring rain. I mean like seattle downpour kind of rain. We had watched the news that morning and were expecting the nasty weather, but we got side tracked and forgot about it.
So we stayed in our restraunt for a little longer while it died down. We then walked around time square again before it started to rain one last time.
I came to the conclusion that no two people in new york know the same way to get to the end destination. We asked a few different people how to take the PATH train or the subway to get back into Newark. One bum (because they are so friendly, right!?) told us to go up one block and make a right on a certain street and the entrance would be there. Another worker backed him up so we believed him. We got outside and discovered it was downpouring again. So Brad and I said "so what, we aren't scared of the rain!" and ran down the block in the pouring rain. It was probably the most fun I had the entire trip. Running through the rain with my husband. :) very cliche! Turns out, we were in the right place the entire time. so we ran BACK to where we had started through the rain.
If the Ireland families didn’t put this together, Brad and I wouldn’t have got this wonderful opportunity to see each other one last time and make these memories. I thought that at the end of this I might have some regrets about going through the heartache again, but its worth it. It was worth every moment to spend with Brad. It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to each other again, but it was considerably easier than before. It was also nice to have just Brad and Megan time before he deploys instead of trying to get him packed and make sure everything is alright on the home front. The week before he left was so hectic for us that it was a whirlwind. So it was nice to have just us time, even if we did spend a few hours with Erin. Although, she stressed that she didn’t want to infringe on our time because its so precious, so that was pretty sweet. But we did enjoy her company and had a few good conversations with her. Erin and I have known each other for years. She used to come over to my parents house after ballet, have dinner with us and do homework and then we’d go back to dance for hip hop. She was in the 5th grade when we started doing this and we are still friends to this day. I realize she is only 2 years younger than me, but it’s kinda cool to see her grow up into the wonderful and beautiful woman she is today. She has traveled to some pretty cool places and knows that she can’t live in New York, so that’s off of her bucket list.
Getting home to Billings has been another adventure in itself. I couldn’t get on the 7:30am flight out of Newark, but Don figured out a flight for me home to Seattle through phoenix . I got into phoenix around 7 and my flight from Arizona to Seattle left at 8 and arrived around 11. I got to spend a few minutes with my parents, get hugs from both of them and lovin from Sam the cat. It’s so nice to see them. Also had enough time to put in a quick load of clothes in the washer and dryer. This life of not having a washer and dryer at our house has made me take advantage of our resources. If there is a washer and dryer, I’ll be taking advantage of it.
I’m excited be home and sleep in my own bed. Have my quiet life of driving to school and back and not having to take 3 forms of transportation to get from school to home.
I wondered through this journey how much time new yorkers spend waiting for subways, buses or taxi’s. They must walk a lot, so why aren’t they the fittest city? Brad and I feel like we covered a lot of ground in these last few days, but in reality, we didn’t cover much at all. There is still so much to see and do that we never got to experience.
I coulnd't make it on to the 10:25 flight from Seattle to home so I took advantage of that and got to hang out with my very good friend Nicole and her little bundle of joy malachi! This is the first time I got to meet my 'nephew' and he is soo precious.
After spending the afternoon with them, I had a quick dinner with my folks and I was off traveling again. I am not sure how pilots do all of this traveling. It's so exhausting! I told my father-in-law this and he said "well megan, you have lived a day in the life of a pilot!" I sure have!
It felt amazing to sleep in my own bed and to be home. Although Seattle will always be my 'hometown' and the place I love the most, I enjoyed coming back to Billings, my new home to the place that Brad and I have built together!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
one more time
I feel so blessed to have such a great extended family. :-)
Brad leaves stateside here pretty soon, but before he does he gets what we are calling a 4 day. This gives them permission to leave base for 4 days and either come home or do whatever they want. We wanted to see each other, but financially, we couldn't do so.
This is until Brad told me that Greg ( his oldest brother ) wanted to get a trip planned for us. SOOOO . . . I leave very early Friday morning, fly into Seattle and from Seattle I fly to Newark, NJ. Brad and I will meet there Friday night (hopefully) and spend some great time together till Tuesday. New York City is right across the river, so I think we are going to wonder around for a day or two in the city. Yes, it's new york and I've always wanted to go, but seeing my Husband one more time before he ships off will be the best part about it. The traveling home to Billings sounds more difficult than getting there, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
Besides that news, nothing else is really new. School is school and it's keeping me very busy. I am loving doing zumba. I always get a big laugh out of doing it. Especially with Debbie. Oh man. :-)
Brad is keeping busy and from what I can tell is kind of excited about the 4 day pass. I think it's hard to be excited about something when he is in such a horrible place in life right now. :( But that'll change here pretty soon.
They leave sometime around October 15th . . . they wont know till probably the night before.
The weather here in Billings has been strange. Yesterday it hit 85 and clear skies, yet the leaves are falling and it looks like it should be fall. Today is a modest 65, which is better for this time of year.
Next month my beautiful cousin Rachel gets married. That is so very exciting. I will be driving down to Breckenridge with Debbie and while I am at the wedding, she is going to go shopping! It should be a fun weekend.
I am sure I'll be blogging about the trip in a week or so, pictures and all!
Thank you again Ireland Family!!
Brad leaves stateside here pretty soon, but before he does he gets what we are calling a 4 day. This gives them permission to leave base for 4 days and either come home or do whatever they want. We wanted to see each other, but financially, we couldn't do so.
This is until Brad told me that Greg ( his oldest brother ) wanted to get a trip planned for us. SOOOO . . . I leave very early Friday morning, fly into Seattle and from Seattle I fly to Newark, NJ. Brad and I will meet there Friday night (hopefully) and spend some great time together till Tuesday. New York City is right across the river, so I think we are going to wonder around for a day or two in the city. Yes, it's new york and I've always wanted to go, but seeing my Husband one more time before he ships off will be the best part about it. The traveling home to Billings sounds more difficult than getting there, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
Besides that news, nothing else is really new. School is school and it's keeping me very busy. I am loving doing zumba. I always get a big laugh out of doing it. Especially with Debbie. Oh man. :-)
Brad is keeping busy and from what I can tell is kind of excited about the 4 day pass. I think it's hard to be excited about something when he is in such a horrible place in life right now. :( But that'll change here pretty soon.
They leave sometime around October 15th . . . they wont know till probably the night before.
The weather here in Billings has been strange. Yesterday it hit 85 and clear skies, yet the leaves are falling and it looks like it should be fall. Today is a modest 65, which is better for this time of year.
Next month my beautiful cousin Rachel gets married. That is so very exciting. I will be driving down to Breckenridge with Debbie and while I am at the wedding, she is going to go shopping! It should be a fun weekend.
I am sure I'll be blogging about the trip in a week or so, pictures and all!
Thank you again Ireland Family!!
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