Things Are Looking Up

Good morning everyone! Well, I'm a little down-hearted because I just got finished watching the episode "Journey's End" on Doctor Who (the newer series). The Doctor should have just taken Rose with him...the 2nd Doctor be darned. Someone else could have watched him. The real Doctor and Rose could have flown away in the Tardis and lived happily ever after...until Rose got old and withered away, but whatever! Still a better love story then Twilight.

All Doctor-Who-ness aside, I've got some good news! My financial aid at BCTC has finally been taken care of! I accepted and submitted it yesterday, actually. Now I'm just waiting for the "pending" notification to go away; then my tuition and books are paid for and I'll get a refund sometime in the next month or so. Woot! Woot! God is good-all the time. : )

I've been thinking about starting another small blog on Tumblr. Something has been eating at me lately. I've got this blog all about my Marine and me...which is so, so important to me. It seems to take up a lot of my time...but I'm spending more time worrying and thinking about it then my God. And He should always come first. 

I've been eaten by condemnation and guilt though. How could something take place before my Loving Lord and Savior? So I've decided to start a blog about faith and love in the Lord on Tumblr. I don't have a name for it yet, and I'm not quite sure how it's going to go...but I think it'll help me keep on track more. I'll have something public I'm obligated to; which is embarrassing to say that I have to be obligated to work harder for God...but distractions have been all around me. I think I can get more focused on Him with something physical that I have to write about everyday. 

I'm still praying on it. I'm going to continue praying on it, and I'll let you all know if and when I get it up. 

Some side news-good new! 

I have the best most-likely-probably-yeah-they're-gonna-be-future-in-laws in the world. Yesterday I sent a text to Austin's mom telling her that my dad and I had decided to have a pizza/movie night (Avengers and supreme if you wanna know) yesterday night, so I wouldn't be a church. Well I got a phone call from her not even a two minutes after that. 

We chatted a little and then she said that her and Aust's dad were going to see Austin in NC around the weekend of July 4th. I think Austin gets a day or two of leave or something. Anyway...then she asked if I could take off work and go with them as my birthday gift!
Of course, I accepted and said "yes". How could I resist? 

However, I still have to see if I can get off work for five-ish days...I'll take it as my vacation or something. My boss can't say no (well she could...) it's my birthday! (My birthday is really June 29th but whatever...). I'm hoping and praying that I can get off. I'll work on my days off or something to make up for it. I can do that much at least.
The trip is just in the planning stage though...so who knows? I'm just excited at the thought of seeing Austin. I miss him. 

But I'm going to get some exercise before it rains...maybe go to mom's house for a swim or something. I haven't visited her in a while. I miss her too! 

Thanks for reading everyone, things are looking up,

My God's good<3

-Sarah

Fishing @ Green River

Oww. Oww. Oww. Ow.

I went fishing at Green River yesterday with my grandfather, Goable and my little cousin, Amber. It was really fun, but now, I'm really sun-burned. Bad. I look like a lobster who's got a sunburn. It's terrible. But anywho, here are some photos:

It was a great day. :)

-Sarah

Possible Career Change and I got Baptizd!

Maybe I'm crazy, and this is just one of those ideas that I'm just throwing out there about myself...(like I've done a couple times...) but there's something I've been thinking about lately (and it's NOT guy-related!):

Children + Nursing = Children's Nurse.

Yep. Out there, I know. It's another idea from the medical field, but this isn't coming out of some want for money like my pharmacy idea (that you can read about here). I know. It sounds terrible, but click on the link and read about it first before you judge me! I really thought I wanted that...but it turned out it was just a...faze. I hate those.
I really hope this isn't one. I mean, I really do. Which is why I'm thinking and re-thinking and giving myself time before I go jumping to conclusions about my future. I've been doing some research about being a children's nurse. I'll have to get a regular nursing degree (which takes 2-4 years), get 3-12 months time of internship (preferably as a pediatrics's assistant) and then I have to take a really long, difficult test.

So I really don't want to jump into this before I'm sure-sure-sure. That's three times as sure as normal.
But it all came about when I took a Disaster Relief Training Course not too long ago.

After the initial class, you had an additional specialized class that you could choose from. At first I was going to do food safety with Tanya and Jesse (Aust's parents-we all went together with our church) but something just stopped me. I really had a feeling about the Child Care Class, so I switched over last minute. I'm now "certified" to take care of children in an emergency situation at any Disaster Relief site.
The class was neat. The lady talking to us told us about all the kids and taking care of them. We didn't clean them up and bandage them (that was usually the Red Cross's job-they get to them before we do) but we would take care of them when the parent's weren't around or couldn't be found.

But the class just got me thinking. A lot. I get excited when I think about working with kids. In any situation. I was also thinking about becoming a social worker. I really do love children. I love to play with them and make them laugh! They're just so sweet and too cute! Everyone says I have the patience for working with children too, which I do.
I'm really just gonna look more into Children's Nursing and see if that's what I really want to do. I'm gonna do some major praying on it.

Speaking of prayer, I got baptized today! I've been baptized before, but never at the church I go to now (and am now an "official member" of even though I've been going there a year...). I was nervous, not gonna lie. I had to walk up in front of a bunch of people (which gives me willies anyway!) and trust someone not to drop or drown me while dunking me in water...did I mention it was in front of a bunch of people?! Then afterwards your all dripping wet...and most likely don't have a bra on 'cause you took it off so it wouldn't get wet...and you ladies know what I'm talking about! (So I'll stop there and stop feeding the imaginations of the men reading this) But my grandparents, Austin's grandparents, two of Austin's cousins, my dad and my sister all came to watch. To top it all off, I sung too! I'm now part of the "Valley Girls" (a small group of women that sing together) and am going to start singing with them! I work on most practice days, but Tanya said she could give me CD's or something...it'll all work out. :)

I'm stealing this photo from my sister's instagram! Thanks Rach ;)

 I've got a video that Tanya took, but ya'll aren't seeing that. Haha. Ha. Ha.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Day Out With The Girls

I love a good girl's day, especially when it's my family. We haven't had much time together lately, so we all just made the decision to go to Lexington and eat and hit the mall!
We left at 9:30 this morning (early-ish, but Rachael had to be at work by 3:00 sooo-), so I got up at 7:00. Thirty minutes early! Woot! (I'm actually really tired right now, but I'm texting Austin, so you can bet I'm not sleeping just yet!)
But we ate at the Olive Garden! I love that place, the food is so, so good! I love their endless soup and salad deal. I get so full! Chicken and Gnocci for the win! Who else is with me?

This is my younger cousin, Amber. She finally is old enough to go with us on our Girl's Days!
Yay! I love her :)

 The poor guy serving us was constantly re-filling our salad and drinks. We're veggie-freaks. And bread-stick freaks. And alfredo-sauce-freaks. (Well, the rest of my family is, I don't really like the stuff...the alfredo sauce. I love everything else!)
Then we got dessert. We NEVER get dessert, but I guess today was just...special.

I forgot the name; maybe it was Zoppoli. Anyway, it was really good! The squares are like doughnuts, except more...sugary...and then you had chocolate sauce to dip them in. I almost died, it was so delicious! I took great deal not to think about all the calories I was consuming...it was just so good!

Then we went looking around the Fayette Mall, which is always fun, because none of hardly ever get to go! We went into a few stores, nothing major. Rachael was a total shopaholic though. Going into every store...she sometimes wears me out when it's just me and her. I'm not as much as a shopper as she is. I like my hard-earned-money too much.
There was one thing that I was looking at though.  Just looking of course, it's not like I could get it for myself...well I could, but that would be freaky, weird and inappropriate.

Yes, it's a ring! Not just any ring, but an engagement ring! I know. I'm jittery just thinking about it. I was walking around in JCPenny's one day with Rachael and I remember seeing this one. It's so simple and small, and not the price that most girl's would be appreciative of, but I love it. It's not even really an bridal ring, it's a promise ring. I've been hesitant to say much about it, but Austin and I have talked about getting married. I mean, we're waiting until the right time, but we have talked about it.
I'll have to put the whole story in another post, because there's too much emotion and just...awe-ness in it to put in this one.
It needs a post of it's own.
But anywho, I think the ring is beautiful, even if it's not a huge rock on a gold band. I don't feel I need that and honestly, I don't like those. I feel like a ring with a big diamond would get in the way a lot. I want a simple ring, that's still equally beautiful, still with a small diamond (or my birth stone) that I can wear all time and be able to show off!
I think this one is beautiful and unique. I would love it. What do you ya'll think? I thought about sending the picture to Austin via text with a winky face. It never happened. I'm not bold enough for that. :)

These are pretty and I like them. More expensive too. I still like my cheap, promise ring better though.

And once my mom and mamaw saw that I had started looking at rings, they came over too. Had the lady at the counter take some out and let me try some on. The nice lady was just telling me all about them and said that it wasn't unfamiliar for a woman to come in and take pictures...said she's a few men come in and actually buy them afterwards. I should have gotten my ring size while I was at it ;) Lol.

It was a great day though. I loved it. I've said it a million times and you'll see it on here a million more; but God has blessed me. So, so much. I couldn't even begin to thank him. I couldn't even start to try.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

An Amazing Easter Weekend

Okay, I understand that I've been absent this weekend, but for a good reason!

Austin came in this weekend. Yes. Yes. YES! I had forgotten if he said he was coming in for Easter weekend or the next...so it was kind of a little surprise when he called me Friday morning and was all "Hey, I'm home. Wanna come over?" I had to work at four but it was only nine-thirty so I was all for it. I swear, it was the fastest I had ever gotten ready.

I met up with his family and him at his grandparents house and we went out to lunch. Goodness, I'd missed him. It was great spending time with him and his family all at the same time. They're all such cut-ups and so comfortable to be around. It's just a fun time with them all together.
After lunch we went back to Austin's house and him and I watched Family Guy and David Chapel (not sure I'm spelling his name right...) on Netflix.
Then I had to woooork. Blah. But Terry, my boss, let me off early, bless her heart : )

Saturday I had to work from eleven to four, which wasn't bad. Afterwards I met up with Austin and his little brother Matthew at his house. They were planning out some strategies for an online game...or something or another like that. I wasn't too sure. He's such a nerd, but he's my nerd, lol.
We just kinda lazed around at his house until it was dinner time. We went over to Aust's grandparent's house and feasted on lasagna, salad and garlic bread. It was so good!

Easter was fun. I got ready in the dress I got for the occasion. (If you look to the right, you'll see the picture of me I stole from my mother. She won't mind...hopefully.)
When I got to Austin's that morning, him, Matt and his grandparent's were waiting for me in the car...I was a little late. It was all good though, we got there at a good time. In fact, I probably did them a favor.
After the early morning service at mammi and pawpi's (what I call Aust's grandparents) church, there was a ton of food to eat! I got some fresh fruit and I home-made cinnamon roll. It was all soooo good.
We went back to house when we were finished and everyone ('cept moi) went to go change and get ready for the actual church service at our normal church (Vally Baptist).
I was goofing around with Matthew on the piano when Jesse, Aust's dad, yells out "Sarah, you're going to have to close your eyes! And not open them for the rest of the day! Don't look at my kid!" I was clue-less.
At least until Austin walked out.
He was in a brand-new black suit I hadn't seen before, complete with a greenish-teal colored tie that went beautifully with his eyes. He looked so, so amazing! Tanya (Austin's mom) took some pictures of us; I'll share them on here with ya'll when I get the chance. I mean, I'm conflicted to share them with you guys 'cause I don't want you staring at my Austin for that long...he looked so good. Just...ahhhhhhhhhh....

The church service was awesome. You could just feel God there. Tanya taught our women's class and I was just about in tears with her re-telling of God's arising. She put so much emotion into it. I felt like I was there. I felt like Mary, in confusion and heart-ache, wondering where they had moved my Lord's body. I was just moved. I felt God and I loved it. I wanted more.
Our pastor talked about how so many people get dressed up and go to church on Easter Sunday. Thousands of people who normally don't, go and sit and listen to the service, but don't ever come back 'til the next year. How can you love God only 1 day out the 365 in a year? (Not to say you don't love God if you choose not to go to church; that's your personal relationship with Him and I would never judge anyone like that.) My heart just aches for those lost. I want to do something about it.
Austin surprised us all by saying the opening prayer. It's stupid, but I just felt this pride-thing seeing him up there. It sounds stupid, but I did. Austin has a really good voice. I don't mean that sound-wise (well, good sound-wise too but that's not the point I'm making) but speaker-wise. He seemed so at ease up there...
He sat next to me the whole time and held my hand when I didn't need it to turn pages in my bible. I loved it.
I love him.
But I hated it when he had to leave. Which, of course, he had to. We left a little bit early from church because they had to be on the road by 12:30 to make it to his flight back to North Carolina. He was flying out of Louisville, which is about 3 hours away. His flight was at 4:15, so they had to get a move on. After getting teased for our goodbye kisses and sweet-nothings, Austin and I parted ways. I drove Matthew home and he made jokes and kept me laughing the whole way home. Maybe my defeated-mood was noticed.

After I dropped him off, I went over to my nanny's house. She was having an her Easter Dinner. We feasted and told jokes and laughed and just had a great time together. Everyone asked after Aust and wanted to know where he was going next and what he was doing. That's what I love about my family; all of them. They care.

And I special thank you to my sister, Rachael! When I woke up Easter morning, this is what I found. I have the most amazing sister in the universe and beyond and I wouldn't trade her for a thing. I named the teddy-bear "Austi". "He's supposed to keep you company," Rachael said.

Yeah, I had the best Easter weekend. I really did. I hope everyone's was as good as mine. I know I had real blessings this year.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Well Here We Go Again

Frustration. I'm sorry my posts have been filled with stress and down-trodded-ness...and I'm sorry this is going to be another one. I'm just so frustrated right now. I thought I had all of my schooling worked out; I'm even taking my classes already. It's all fine and dandy...or so I thought.
BCTC sent me an email saying that I had been picked for a process called "verification". I needed to get the "verification worksheet", fill it out and email/mail it in. Which I would understand completely, if I hadn't sent that form in via email months ago. (I even have the email saved that I sent!) This just gives me the answer to all my troubles.
Someone isn't doing their job.
I get paid to do my job right, even if it's just restaurant work. I thought it was a universal rule or something.

Do your job (right). Get paid. Simple.
 And with how much my tuition bill is, I know they get a slice of that cake. I hate the feeling that I'm paying someone to not do their job.

But there's another universal rule I'm forgetting.
When I was small, my father was the stay-at-home-guy. Still is. He broke his back in his last job and can't work anymore, so it was up to my mother to support the family. So, my dad is the regular "Mr. Mom". He does an awesome job at it. He's an awesome cook.
Anyway, when I was little, and I was crying and whining for what I wanted or I was upset. I would say the same thing;

"But, that's not fair!"

My dad would smile (this evil, I-know-more-than-you-parent-smile) and say;

"Well, honey. Life's not fair."

Hence, my life.

Thanks for reading guys! I'm hoping to get some more DIY's up soon. I've got the stuff, I just need the motivation, and the time. I have an 8-hour work day today and church tomorrow (then work). So please bare with me.

-Sarah

Welcome Spring and Stress

I apologize, I haven't written in a day or two (which means I'm behind on my 30 day challenge...) but I've been feeling yucky and it's been a stressful week. Thankfully, I'm feeling much, much better now. I was out of it, but now I'm back in my funk.
I had to pay all my bills yesterday. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.
Though, it was my fault for procrastinating and not getting them in early like usually...and missing work. That cut a lot out of my paycheck. Budgeting has come into effect.

My online classes are totally kicking my butt. I'm working through modules (which are specific parts of a class and not the whole thing and when they're all completed they add up to whatever credits the class is worth) and every time I finish one the starting date for another one opens up (sometimes before I'm finished with the first) and then I rush through it...my grades are doing fine. I'm just not soaking in the material like I should. Which is bad.

So please be praying on that for me and please be praying for a few un-spokens' I have. Life is just on the rocks at the moment. I hate uncertainty and I've been praying on this matter for a while now and though I know God is working and I just have to have faith...the wait is still hard.

So happy! Spring is here!!! But it's still only 15degrees outside...

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Visits to The Alsips'

So this Thursday I was blessed with the chance to spend time with one of my best friends Kaleb. She's one of the few people I've kept in contact with since high school graduation. We've been friends since middle school. We haven't gotten to hang out that much since she's had Lilly; her daughter.( Namely, as I like to call her, my god-daughter.) That, and she's been busy with college while I've been busy with work, work work! However, I found myself with a day off and she found herself in the middle of Spring Break so we both won!

I'm sad that I don't have any more updated pictures of the two of us, I should have taken some this weekend, but I didn't even think to. We look pretty good all spruced up for some high school dance though don't we? We did the whole watch-movies-talk-about-boys-stay-up-late-with-junk-food-girl-thing. It was nice; it was something I needed. I loved it.

I also loved the "junk food" Kaleb made! Both dishes were so good!

The green grapes were covered in lime jello (poured over the grapes still in powdered form) and the raspberries had mini-Hershey's-chocolate-chips shoved inside them! I had never tried either of them, but they were awesome-possum. Something I've going to have to make later.
I also had taco-salad for the first time. I didn't get a picture, but it was really good too. Julie, Kaleb's mother, is a really good cook.
When it came time for me to leave, Kaleb sent me home with some pictures of Lilly. I love that baby girl :)

Lovins' the UK skirt ;)

Until next time, thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Meet "Morgan"

This last Saturday my sister came home with a cat. Not just any cat, an indoor cat. Never before had we had an indoor cat, or any inside animal for that matter. (Except rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters, and a turtle. But you know-never a cat.) The cat was a surprise, at least for my father it was, who doesn't approve of little animals running around the house.
Fuzzy, he calls them. "They will get the house, fuzzy."

Alas, world, meet Morgan. Our new adorable house kitty.

Dismiss the clawing of my leg and the devilish look in her eyes-it's just the picture. I swear. She's the most adorable, lovable and the funniest thing, I've ever seen. Little Morgan was following me around the house all this morning while I was getting ready for my appointment with the doctor. The first day we let her explore around, she rubbed all over everything, no doubt claiming it as hers. It's okay though, she can have the house; I've already fallen for her little kitty charms. She's adorable, nothing can change that.

On another note, I'm so ready for summer to come. I'm uptown at my mother's house at the moment (which I love staying with my mom, but still...) because it was just too dangerous to drive all the way home. It's snowing, and the road was getting bad. So I stopped in at mom's and am staying the night here. Hopefully the road will be better by tomorrow.
I just want the sun. I want warmth. I just want my garden. Which, if you look to the right, will be right there. That big brush of weeds you see, yeah. That is going to be transformed into a garden this summer. By me. By hand, if I have to. With a hoe (the garden tool, not an actual...) and a shovel and whatever else I need. Man-power (woman-power) will always conquer over machinery anyway. It'll be good exercise, I say and I'll have some veggies in the yard. Yum!

Thanks for reading, 

-Sarah

Miss Sewing Monster

A sewing monster has been born. My mother (I love you mom!) asked me to write a list before this last Christmas. I, for sure she was only half serious, wrote one just soothe her. I wrote ridiculous things on that list (plane tickets, a new camera, a camcorder, a new car, ect, ect). I also wrote a few serious things (an easy-to-use sewing machine, a GPS for travel, headphones, socks, ect, ect)

My mother got me a sewing machine. It even had "easy-to-use" in the title. I've been hand-sewing for a couple of years. It comes naturally, and I kind of like the long time it takes. Makes everything I sew even more precious. However, this last project has me pressed for time, so I got out the sewing machine.
I've never used a sewing machine before in my young eighteen year old life. It was complicated but I'm getting the hang of it.

I read the directions at least 3 times over before actually preforming the threading steps.

I just practiced on a scrap piece of fabric I had. 

It took me a bit to get the hang of it though...

I think I did okay though. :) Hand-sewing just seems so less complicated, but even just sewing this little square together would have taken me about an hour with all the stitches put into it.
Sew,Mama,Sew! has a lot of cute, free ideas to sew I might use.

I can't wait to get started on some real projects now though. I have a few skirts I've been meaning to try, and a dress I found on Pinterest. I have to find some things I can sew up for Austin too. What I like he has to like, period. If I like sewed little trinkets, he has to...haha : )
But I've also got to get this first little project out of the way. I can't say anything about it yet, but I will when the time comes! Promise.

Oh, and in addition to the healthy lifestyle I'm adopting, I've decided that I will try a different tea every day; preferably in the mornings before exercising! Today's was "White Tea Berry" made by Mount of Olives Treasures.

It was pretty good, one of my favorites I've had so far. I didn't put anything in it, but I chilled some of it after I tried it warm. It was really good with some ice. I think it's the berry taste.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

I Wish Acorns Were Currency...

No seriously, I'd be loaded. My yard gets full of them...

Hello everyone! It's been a day or two since I've updated you all. I've just been so, so busy! As it's going, I just got my tax return back the other day, which was a blessing...til I had to spend it all on other taxes like the property tax. And then my car insurance bill. (Doesn't make it any less of a blessing.)

Oh, all of my lovely bills. Beautiful.

It's morning and I'm seriously craving some pancakes...or anything really. I'm starving. At my job last night, I got so sick and nauseous that just the smell of the food set me off. I was hot and dizzy. It was so miserable I finally went to the bathroom and did the old "finger down the throat" trick.
It helped for all of 5 minutes; I seriously paid for it. I threw up two more times, not of my own will. I seriously was considering going home, but I only had about two hours left until we closed so I did my job the best I could. (Of course, for all you health freaks, I washed my hands constantly and tried to stay away from the food as much as possible; just in case.)
I'm feeling good this morning though. And hungry. I'm thinking Chinese for lunch. That sounds amazing...I love the fortune cookies ;)

Yesterday morning wasn't so bad though. I went to church with Austin's parents like I do most Sundays (I'll call them "T" & "J".) and studied about the Lord. It was an awesome lesson; about not proclaiming to the world every good deed you do for attention. You won't get rewarded that way, at least, not in Heaven. All the kids were really active for some reason. They were running around and making such a fuss, you would have thought we just had an ice-cream party and they were all invited. 

After church, we had lunch at Aust's mammi's (grandmother's) house. I tried a baked potatoe for the first time. And corn on the cob. And green beans. 

Don't make fun of me. I'm a picky eater. (Or I was, until I met this family. I'll eat anything they feed me...) Mammi's cooking was amazing. I love her fried cornbread!

Then T called Austin and we all passed around the phone and talked to him. I've said this many times before, but it's amazing hearing his voice. He sounded so happy yesterday; I loved it. I love him. Apparently he got "blew up" looking for fake IED in the field. Got cut in half or something...(not really, they weren't real, it was just a training exercise...thank God) 

Austin might be getting some time off around Easter which is just a month away. 30 days or so. I think I can handle that. Maybe. :)

Not nauseous, very hungry and broke,

-Sarah

Thanks for reading!

Reality Check

Alright. I know, I had this big countdown and then I left you all hanging. I was in a bit of a funk for a day or two after I got back so I apologize. No, my trip didn't put me in a "funk" but returning to the real world did.
My weekend was amazing; I was in my own little piece of Heaven. Well, Jacksonville.

This is not my photo. I'm ashamed to say that I didn't get any pictures during my weekend.
None. And I'm sorry because I promised you all some. :(

My first plane from the LEX Airport started boarding around 12:20 Friday afternoon. I got stopped in security. Well, I got searched in security. (Patted down and everything...by a woman, thank God...I think) Apparently cord/wooden bracelets and purity rings don't do well in the X-Ray...thing.
My flight connected to the airport in Charlotte, NC and then a short 30minute flight to Jacksonville. I arrived around 3:40ish in the afternoon or something like that. After a short wait (and a few phone calls/texts to my parents and other adolescences and peers that worry about my well-being) I got a text from Austin telling me that he just got out from the field. (Which meant him un-packing, showering, getting re-packed for the weekend, ect)
He wasn't able to pick me up as planned because it would have taken too long, so I took a taxi ride(from a guy named "Bobby" who liked to call me sweetheart) and after a phone call and a hotel switch I found myself at The Quality Inn's lobby reading the Hobbit waiting for Austin to arrive.

(** For those of you poor, poor people who don't know what the Hobbit is, please take a moment to click here. Then buy the book. Seriously, the movie does none of it justice.)

One moment I'm reading, the next Austin is in the lobby and I've jumped up and flung myself in his arms. (It was like something like hallmark...I promised myself I wouldn't ever be one of those girls. I couldn't help myself.) The greeting was brief, neither of us being one for PDA, but...perfect. The weekend was perfect. We shopped around the mall and saw Warm Bodies. We went out to eat a lot. (Speaking of which, has anyone ever seen a Marine eat? God, it's scary-ish. Austin had his plate clean in like, 30 seconds, then all he had to do was sit and watch me eat. Which made me nervous and not-so-hungry...) He showed me around Camp Lejeune, which is like a whole town itself. It's so big!
Around Sunday both of us were just exhausted from running around the whole weekend, so we just chilled at the hotel and watched SouthPark/Family Guy on Netflix all day and lazed around. (Well, Austin played his new Pokemon Soul Silver version...I just kinda cat-napped the whole day) ((We're both just lazy people.))
 Monday was a sad day, the day I had to get on my plane and go home. Austin took me out to the Golden Corral for breakfast and then off to the Airport we went.

I'm not gonna lie, leaving was so, so hard. I felt my heart breaking in two on the drive over. What really got me was Austin murmuring "You're leaving me..." in the car on the way over. I already did my crying that morning in the shower before we went to breakfast in order to avoid making the separation harder. We parked and Aust walked me inside and we just sat in the lobby and waited. He said "he appreciated me coming to see him" and I told him "he was welcome". Our goodbyes are always like that; so polite and not-so-casual. Trying not to make a big deal out of it...it's a way of making it easier I think. (I didn't really help, I teared up anyway) Finally it was time for me to board. We embraced and I hugged him for as long as I would let myself.
"I'll see you soon." is what he always says. Even when it's not going to be "soon". He says time passes by fast. I guess.
Then the tears tried to start...it was so hard. I hated leaving him. He helped me get my stuff over to the security check and we kissed for the last time. A light, feather kiss on the lips, and then his signature kiss on my forehead. Bittersweet really. He said he'd stay until I got through security. I kept turning around and looking at him, I couldn't help it. The check went without incident...and I gathered my bags and turned to look at him one last time. I mouthed "I love you" and sent him an air-kiss. I caught his response on my lips before finally turning away for the last time and making myself walk away.

I know people thought I was crazy, or just...I don't know. I was crying so much sitting in that airport chair, waiting for my zone to be called. I only thing I wanted to do was walk out of there back to Austin. Which I know, sounds so selfish and unpractical. I mean, I come home and I have family that love me and missed me while I gone. My dad came to pick me up from the airport because I was so tired. I have my life in Kentucky, but (brace yourselves for cheesy-ness) my heart is in North Carolina.
The way home was hard. I just kept thinking how miserable it felt to leave him. The rest of the day was...harder still. I missed him. I still miss him. A lot.
Which is selfish because I actually got to see him. He has so many people waiting on him at home, and I got to see him and I'm complaining that I miss him...Gah.

Well, I'm blessed and thankful I got to go. Austin called me last night to tell me he'd be in the field all week and wouldn't be able to talk until the weekend. He helped get me out of my funk a lot. I told him how much I was missing him and complained a bit about how hard the whole situation is. I'm a lot better now, because he just pointed out something obvious that I kinda already knew, but...if he wasn't in the Marines, he would be in college for about four years. Our relationship would be the same then. Him being at EKU (coming home every other weekend) and me being at BCTC and working. The waiting would still be there. And honestly, I don't think we'd be as close as we are, if that makes any sense. I think the separation as made us...closer.
It's not the easiest situation, but its not the worst and it's something I'm willing to work through. It's worth it.
He's worth it. 

So I'm going to work hard and keep busy. Hopefully, time really will fly by.

Sorry about all the whining and the late update. My next post will be more upbeat and have more pictures.

Thanks for reading!

-Sarah

Our Trip to the Hollows

 If you guys haven't been updated yet, my sister (Rachael) and I went to Cincinnati yesterday-ahem-the Hollows yesterday to see Kim Harrison at her book signing. It was all the way in Crestview Hills but our drive wasn't too bad. About 2 1/2 hours. Honestly I find the interstate fun. We just put point totals on all the cars and added them up as I passed....I ended up with about 3,000 points if you're curious ;)

Since my narrator skills are a bit...well...newbish, I'll just go ahead and put the pictures up.

Waiting for Kim Harrison to arrive! The wait was the worst part!

Rachael posing with her book.

We got some coffee to pass the time. It was so good! Raspberry Macadamia Mocha Latte!

And then...she showed.

And there was much rejoicing!

Q&A time with Ms. Harrison. So many questions answered! So glad she didn't agree on a movie/tv series. They were gonna take Jenks out!!! :((

This is Guy. Taking pictures of Kim during her speech.

...he shook my hand :)

Waiting in line to see Kim and get the book signed...

Still waiting...

While in line, we were teased with a bunch of products you couldn't look at because if you moved you'd lose your spot in line.

I was impressed with Joseph Beth's ceramic cat army.

This is my soul-cup. We resonated. I almost bought it.

I need this.

This is Galileo. A philosopher and astronomer. I thought of Austin when I saw it. Almost bought it for him. Almost.

Then the fog lifted and the sun shown overhead. I was overwhelmed and in awe of such majesty...

Finally. My life is complete.

 Yes, and you can find a video on my YouTube channel of Kim explaining how to say Algaliarept's name correctly. Enjoy!

And...

Happy late Christmas to my best friend and sister.

It really was a perfect day.