Emotions, Projects and Homecoming- Oh My!

We are more than halfway through deployment. How exciting right? I'm extremely excited.

Yesterday, I had the honor of photographing the USS Arleigh Burke homecoming for a client. Homecomings are SO exciting- especially when you know that in a few short months you will be where she is, waiting on him to walk to you (or you run to him) and the camera turned on you. Photographing homecomings is one of the most rewarding parts to my job. So much emotion and excitement.. sometimes, even tears (on my part too!).

I am now nearing the point where I might feel a little stress. We are on the home stretch and I'm determined to finish my to-do list. As I have mentioned in a previous blog, I'm notorious for making my list of goals and things to achieve far longer than I have time to complete them in. AND, sometimes things happen to change your schedule or add more must-do's to the to-do list (like having to cut out a tree and then buy a new shed, etc!).

I feel like my list is a mile long and I'm getting nowhere with it.

I just keep telling myself, "The day he comes home, he's not going to notice anything you have done to or around the house. He's just going to be glad to be home!". Although, he might notice the love seat is gone.. Oops!

Now, I'm at the point of prioritizing my list, and the "big" projects I was going to do, will now become projects WE are going to do together. I haven't told him that just yet- so, here's hoping!

In a few months, none of this will matter. I will be waiting on the pier to welcome him home and for my heart to be completed. It's at that very moment when the world stops and all that matters is that very moment. It's that moment when you know that the month's apart were worth it. Shaking, scared, excited, nervous and maybe a little nauseous- full of so many feelings, all leading to that one moment when you see him walking to you. It's all worth it.

But for now, my ass is kicking in overdrive!

I have to finish the back yard (have the shed and fence installed, patio, hammock, grass, etc), re-do our bedroom, finish my office, Find curtains for a couple rooms and put them up, organize, organize and more organizing- the list is about a mile long. I have LOTS of painting projects to start. I need to get busy!

Today= Project day!

Now I will leave you some Arleigh Burke homecoming sneaks :)

This was their first deployment, and the first time they had seen the ship in 6 months.
They were extremely excited and fighting tears. 

 

The moment that the world stops and nothing matters anymore.
He's home, he's safe  and you feel complete again. 

Halfway there!

Friday night was USS Enterprise halfway party. No, that does not mark the exact halfway point of deployment, marking the exact halfway point would be a violation of OPSEC.

I had a lot of fun. It was very well planned. The food was pretty good- although, the servers took the food away way too soon (this gal likes to eat!). The cookies made up for it though ;).

The FRG planned it wonderfully. Something like 50 items were donated for door prizes (I donated 6 items- 3 shirts from CRushGFX, A Print of the Ship and a Free session from Christina Rush Photography, and Sailor LEGO Keychain made by Boxhounds from this website, The Journey of a Navy Wife). I am unsure who all one my donations, but I hope they all enjoy them! I won a $25 giftcard from Lowes- which works out perfectly since we are closing on our house next month!

The gals and I danced the night away, just let loose and had fun. Great conversations, lots of laughs and me dancing like a chicken. Yea, I can't dance.

I broke it down to "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice- Yeah.. That I can do. I then dedicated "Jump On It" to a friend, and we got out there and did the Carlton dance. We had a blast.

Of course, I took a break to email my husband from my phone while catching a water break. Telling him about the party some and about winning the gift card. I'm sure he got a good laugh out of some of the emails.

A few friends had a little something to drink (alcohol) and they made the night even more amusing. I can't count how many times I was laughing so hard that I couldn't breathe!

They played a shout out video from the ship- it was nice. My husband wasn't in the video, unfortunately- but that's ok. He emailed me right around the same time the video was playing.. so We emailed back and forth for a bit.

We stayed at the party til about Midnight. We then decided it was iHop time. We went, ate and chatted. Before we knew it.. it was after 2. I was exhausted. I dropped off the gals and I headed home. I got home a little after 3am. I hit the bed and was out. I slept pretty good that night!

Now, We're getting closer to being with our loved ones again. We're on the downhill slope of deployment. We've got it on Cruise control, and it's going to be here before we know it. Get out, have fun.. and things will just fly by. They have for me! Seems like he just left, but he'll be home soon.

Here's a few pics!

Before the dress and before the party

All dressed up- Dress I purchased from Goodnight Moon! (Thanks Amber!)

I love this woman!

Hi! (Yes, completely sober- I don't drink!)

Dancing to "Ice Ice Baby" Old school!

One of my Absolute BEST friends!

Some of our group for the night