The tornado that almost was

We had some nasty, nasty weather this last week, Wednesday in particular. One our way home from Bible study, the tornado sirens started going off. Surprisingly the T.V. satellite was still working so we could see exactly what was happening. We sat in the the living room watching the storm chasers on channel 4 news get off on our exit and head east...directly towards our house. Thankfully a tornado never touched down but this was the closest we have come to being in a tornado. Only 2 more years here, only 2 more years of tornado warnings! (We hope)

Life

I'm ready for a change...any ideas?

Quick perspective

The last few weeks have not really gone according to plan, well my plan, that is.  Every time Michael and I set out to spend some time together (outside of sitting on the couch watching T.V. "together") something comes up.  He is leaving at 5am tomorrow for a week.  I obviously was not pleased about this since he just got back from being deployed and has been in class for the last two weekends.  So we decided to go on a date tonight, nice dinner a movie, the whole bit.  After showering and spending 30 min drying my 20 pounds of hair, he informs me that he is not feeling well enough to do anything.  He started to not feel great last night and was trying to kick it all morning.  In true frustrated, over-emotional wife fashion I kind of threw a fit.  I felt bad that he is not feeling good so I don't want to force him to take me out when he just wants to be in bed, but I was actually really mad at the situation in general.  We decided to just go to dinner and rent a movie (still not a bad gig), but I was having a hard time pulling myself out of my selfish stupor.  So while I sat pouting, I came across a blog of a girl I went to college with who just wrote about her sister who just passed away last week.  I did not know this girl very well, but it still struck me, it is always hard to hear of someone so young, who has kids, passing away.  I can't imagine how painful that would be, and as a Christian I am supposed to be able to handle a situation like that much differently than a non- Christian.  I sat and thought about how this girl was dealing with this loss, she was praising the Lord that people came to know Christ from her SISTER'S FUNERAL.  

And here I am, perfectly healthy with an amazingly loving husband, with a family (and family-in-law) who love me very much and I'm sitting on the couch pouting about not getting my silly way for one night.  I appreciate and welcome perspective every chance I get, and thank the Lord that I am not (always) too blinded by selfishness to see it. 

My Babushka

No longer husbandless

So my sweet lovin' man is back home after being deployed since September.  The first week he was home we spent with his family in southern California. It was great to see the fam but we were both pretty ready to get home and just enjoy being together again.  So now I am back in school, Michael is heading back to work and we're just hanging out.  Readjusting really hasn't been too difficult, it's just nice to have him home!  

OK, I think I fixed my website. The new one is: 

web.me.com/tlkphotography

Lets see how long this one decides to work. 

Home Alone

So it is Christmas eve and I am sitting in front of the fire at my parents house all alone actually.  My sweet sister-in-law (including her husband and 21 month old son) have the flu.  Both of my parents have taken her to urgent care because my brother is in no condition himself to be driving around town at 8pm on Christmas eve.  And while it really stinks to be home alone with not much to do on Christmas eve while your own husband is deployed, I really don't want to be feeling sorry for myself because I know Liz (the sis-in-law) would rather be anywhere else than urgent care herself.  

So I decided to take a little time and enjoy listening to Dolly Parton's Home for Christmas CD.  I have to admit that I really do enjoy Dolly Parton, maybe I should visit her theme park, Dollywood.  Tonight has been pretty good, I made dinner for my Mom and Dad (Apple cider chicken, horseradish mashed potatoes, and roasted green beans and tomatoes, yes I am bragging a little).  And after I'm done with my ramblings here, I plan to make Almond roca cookies, dang I'm good. 

Anyways, we got some good news today.  Michael is supposedly leaving the desert the first week of January and heading back to OK before trying to get a flight to L.A.  I say "supposedly" because the military has a fear of commitment.  I won't believe they are sending him home until I get a call from my darling saying he is IN FACT back in the great state of Oklahoma.  From there we are planning on getting a hotel room somewhere close the the beach to do what is it married people do after being separated for an extending period of time (I'm sure you can use your imagination, but please, no visuals).  I think there will be much time spent with his family in So. Cal., along with seeing our friends as much as possible.  After all of the family time is over, we head back to Oklahoma so I can start yet another semester at OU (which I am actually kinda looking forward to).  I'm looking forward to driving home with Mike, we usually have a pretty good time road tripping across country.  

Now I'm going to call to see if Liz is still alive and then make cookies while listening to the timeless Dolly.  I should be good at being alone after the last few months, right?  Sure I am, especially when I have something to look forward to, I love being home in front of the fire, one of my favorite places in the world...and I love cookies.  Merry Christmas, I really hope everyone had an awesome year and an even better one coming up.