Gods Little Reminders!

For those who know my mom you know she has decorated her kitchen with chicken stuff for many years. Well she also has this almost exact door knocker that is a rooster on her front porch in Pendleton. But this is not her door knocker, its mine. The strange thing about this is that it was left on the porch of our new house in NC, coincidence? I don't think so. I hadn't really thought much about it at the time we moved in, but did say to Justin "look a door knocker like moms" and then went about my business. Then I had posted a picture on FB one day and my mom commented "you have a chicken door knocker like mine!" and then the comment next was from my aunt who put a whole new light on it. She stated something like this, "isn't it funny how God works, he placed an almost exact door knocker on your porch like your mama's to let you know that you are okay and to make you feel a little like home, what a special thing God did for you!" That comment stopped me in my tracks and made me realize that's exactly what God had done to help me feel at home in my new surroundings and that His hand has played a huge part in making our move smoothly. Isn't it amazing what little things God does for us to make us feel better and to remind us that he is working in our lives every single day. So now when I step onto my porch I think of my mom, and it really does feel a little like home.

Bringing It Back!

I'm bringing back my blog now that I'm 2,800 miles away from family and this will be a good way for me to share what is going on in the VanB's household.  First off I would like to share my experience up to this point....2 weeks now in Hope Mills, NC.

We had known for several months that we were destined for NC.  When I first found out Justin's job was stationing us in NC, lets say I was a bit in shock!  NC, that is FAR away!! Then I guess i just excepted our fate and went into survival mode, knowing that the day was going to come eventually....was I ready????  I'm not sure?  Still not sure what to think at this point....Having to leave behind family, friends, A Home, Tristin having to change Schools/Make New Friends, getting rid of my dog and lots  and lots of memories, I don't know if a person is ever really ready for this big of a change. I do know that everything happens for a reason, and I do pray a lot and just know that God has had his hand in orchestrating this move, do I know why he chose NC for us?? NO!!!! But I'm guessing there is a reason and a purpose, and so for me that is enough.  I'm not gonna lie, it's been a long and emotional journey for all of us, especially Tristin.  He took the move a lot harder than I had anticipated and that has been the hardest part, making sure he is okay.  I find myself wondering if we made the right choice and then again I just pray and know and feel at peace with out decision.  Nobody said change is easy, and that this was going to be easy, so I'm just trying to take it day by day.  It's frustrating when you don't have friends, and it makes you realize how important friends and family really are...I know we will all make friends, but when you realize you are in a town where you don't know ANYONE, it's very strange...even going to the grocery I think "oh I'm gonna run into somebody I know, or see a familiar face" but that doesn't happen.  So I know in time it will start to feel more like home, and we will adjust and I will look back at this experience and realize maybe what the purpose of this journey was.  

I'm also hoping that I will get some bites on the jobs I've applied for.  As of now, I've not gotten a single interview or phone call, and that has been frustrating since I started applying for jobs while I was still in Pendleton.  I know that will be a good way for me to make some friends.  I'm also looking into a few churches that I would like to attend and hoping I will find a church family while we are here.  

Tristin will be starting football next Monday, he goes to camp and then practices actually begin in a couple of weeks.  Justin and I are looking forward to that part as well.  We love watching him play sports and it will also give us something to look forward to.  His first game is August 17th, they are serious around here about football, and so are we so we should all be in good company!

So in all that has happened in the last couple of weeks, I can honestly say I like my house, I like where we live and I feel at peace with our journey thus far, am I homesick??? A little bit, mostly for my family and friends.  We are also trying to get used to the heat/humidity....there has been a heat wave over the south east and we are in the middle of it..the temperature with heat index has been around 115 degrees.  It's sticky, and just plain HOT!  I love the heat but not this kind of heat, it's been really exhausting actually, however; I sleep very well at night, which isn't common for me, so maybe all this heat and humidity is doing the trick!!!  

I'm going to try and blog at least once a week, maybe more if I do anything fun or exciting that is bloggable.  I know alot of you follow me on FB but I will try and be more descriptive and informative on my blog, so until next time TOOTLES Ya'll

5 Month Mark!

We've made it to the 5 month mark and it's seems like a million years have passed since I've seen Justin. It's going to be a glorious moment when we finally reunite again after being a part for a half a year...that seems so weird to think we will have been apart for a half a year, something we will never be able to get back. Justin is very anxious and says he wants to "just be home" each time we talk on the phone, I know it's been so hard for him to be away from his family. He said "Afghanistan isn't all that bad, but he just misses us so much," that makes me feel so loved! He is such a great guy...have I mentioned how much I love him???

Well Tristin is in Houston..he left a couple days ago, so I'm truly flying solo at the moment. It feels strange not having him home, but it's also such a nice thing for my sister-in-law to do, and it is giving me a break from parenthood for a little bit, I really appreciate all Leanne does for Tristin...she is an awesome auntie! She is making great memories that Tristin will remember for a life time, and I just think that is so neat! I remember being with my aunt Jackie a lot was I was younger and it was really fun...I will remember those memories for ever!

Well 1 more month and this will all come to an end and I cannot wait for my best friend to get home, I've missed him more than I would have ever imagined and I'm ready to get back to being a "normal" family again. I can't wait to see his face again, and to feel his touch and to know he is okay...it's been such a worry for me, but I'm glad things have gone so smoothly since his deployment, just praying his transition home will be easy!!!

Hurry up July 26th....I can't wait to see you!

Memorial Day Weekend!

For love of country they accepted death... ~James A. Garfield

Today we celebrate those who sacrificed their lives for our freedoms and for them I'm thankful!! Especially my hubby, thank you babe for all you do for Tristin and I, we love you very much!

I also had a great weekend with my family camping at Boardman. Justin says we don't camp we RV, but it's still a lot of fun. I got to see my aunts, uncles, cousins, brother, sister-in-law and my 2 most favorite little people Madison and Ryder!! Saturday was beautiful it was a 100 degrees in the sun, so I worked on my tan, and got a little sunburn. Sunday we decorated our loved ones graves with beautiful flowers. I of course ate way too much junk had awesome campfires, and lots of laughs with my family....

Families are the compass that guide us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our comfort when we occasionally falter.
-- Brad Henry

I heart my family so much, thanks everyone for a great weekend!!

I Heart The Ocean

!

This is one of my favorite spots on the Oregon Coast, HayStack Rock....just wishing I was there now....I love the smell of the ocean, the crashing of the waves and the relaxation that the beach brings, maybe when Justin gets back in July I will wisk him away for a weekend on the beach....sounds like a good plan to me :-)

4 Months Down!

Justin and I have hit the 4 month mark, and poor Justin is running out of steam. He still has not had a day off in 4 months now, I don't know how many of us could actually work 12 hr days, 7 days a week in 10o + degree weather with 100% humidity??? He is a stronger person than me, I'm sure that I would have been shipped home already due to my complaining...lol....

Our savings account has really soared since Justin deployed and that was one of the main reasons he wanted to go, I appreciate all he does for our family but I don't know if all the money in the world is worth having your spouse gone for 6 months straight? Like I've said before, it's been a harder journey than I had anticipated, and the stress of having him in a war zone has really started to wear on me...I just pray every single day and I know that God is protecting him, but it's still very stressful!

Tristin and I continue to truck along as best we know, but we sure miss dad, we have been able to talk twice a day, and email of course so that has been our saving grace, but there sure isn't anything to replace a persons existence on a daily basis. It seems our routine is boring too....but there is only so much you can do in Pendleton....

This weekend Tristin and I are going camping with family, so that will be fun. Give us something to look forward to and pass the time. I'm excited to see some family members that I haven't seen in several months, and of course my 2 most favorite little people, it's going to be fun, whether it rains or not...most likely will be raining but I'm going to try and make the most of it!

2 more months, I Think I can, I KNOW I can!

Half Way Mark!

Well we've made it to the half-way mark, 3 months down 3 more to go. I'm pretty sure Justin is ready to come home and I'm definitely over ready for him to come home, I'm grateful for our daily phone calls, but it's just not the same as seeing him and being with him, I'm really missing him a lot! I knew this was going to be hard, but it's been hard than I anticipated...

The weather has tuned extremely HOT in Afghanistan, A couple days ago Justin said it was 112 degrees, I don't even know how a person can function in that kind of heat. Justin has also caught a head cold, and said he isn't drinking enough water and felt he was dehydrated, so he is trying to keep the water flowing! It's only going to get worse he said, last year's high was 142 degrees, I mean really??? I can't even imagine.

I wish our sun would come out and stay...we've had one good day with the sun shining, but it was short lived, now we are back to rain and dreary skies....I'm looking for a little pick me up, come on Sunny Skies smile down on me!!!!

Happy Spring!