Humbled is me.

So many days, especially in most recent days, I think.....woe is me. I don't like to talk about how I'm having such a hard time with Elijah being gone, but it's there. I look on facebook at people who have their spouses with them everyday. I see people out on dates when I'm picking up dinner alone. I see couples sitting together in church. I think, daily, of how nice it would be to have one night with Elijah.....and all these thoughts.....it can get me down most days. Sometimes, I get so caught up in how bad I think I have it.....but really, I have it so good.

Last night, God showed me something that humbled me so much. I've been tearing up ever since....I even cry as I write. My girlfriends and I decided to go to dinner in downtown Savannah. We stopped at this place of entertainment (It's a piano restaurant)......There is two big pianos, two guys, and many different songs played on the piano for hours. After being there for about an hour, this large group of women showed up (about 15 or more). I immediately thought, deployed wives on a night out together- how cool!!! About 10 minutes into their stay, one of the entertainers stops and says...."I'm even prouder to be an American tonight. And with that, I want this big group of women down in front to come up on stage. I have something special I want to do." The 15+ women proceeded to the stage and spread out all across it, some were already crying. The entertainer says, "You are looking at a group of military widows up here." He started to play "Proud to be an American"......everyone in that place was crying/standing and the women on stage....oh, those women.....I can't imagine what they have gone through. They were singing and crying on each other's shoulders. It was hard to watch actually.

What a humbling thing to witness real-life women who have lost their spouses from war. I could see that some were so broken and some looked like they had it all together. Turns out, their husbands were all killed in Afghanistan and.......most of them had tattooed wedding bands on their hands- which was all cool to see. I starred at them the rest of the night. We actually talked to some of them and found out that they were just so happy to be surrounded by such great girlfriends (fellow widows). But these women had each other and that was such an encouragement to see the women wrap their arms around each other.....understanding what each fellow widow was going through and still find it in them to enjoy life. It made me proud of those women and thankful to be there to witness that moment. Even still, they will never get the chance to date their spouse, go to dinner, spend one night with them, or even do anything. My girlfriends and I talked about it all night.....and I'm still so humbled today. God knew I needed to see that.

Not only am I learning patience, but I am learning the beauty of contentment. That moment reminded me of my need to be content that Elijah is alive and well......and that God's got him in His hands. After all, I get to talk to my husband often and see him on Skype. It's not woe is me, it's HUMBLED IS ME.

My new addictions...

Wow, I haven't posted in quite awhile! I wanted to give you all a little update on my new addictions.....and things that are keeping me busy/focused until my other half returns. I'm so antsy for E to be home again. It's been way too long!
The Love Dare (40 days)....I'm on day 6 and learning sooo much!
Rock Climbing...my girlfriend and I got certified so we could climb as a team without an instructor. We now climb at least twice a week along with 5 day cardio/weight-lifting workouts.
McDonald's Mocha Frappes....I have to really limit myself (one per week and with no whip), but they are soooo good!
Substitute Teaching....for a private school in downtown Savannah, all grades. School starts this week!
The Marriage Builder.....great book for those who have yet to read it....I'm almost done with it.
Cooking/Baking new recipes.....my girlfriends and I cook together a lot, which has been fun!

Upcoming Events:
Sept.16-19- Momma H is coming to Sav!!
Oct.7-10- Maggie and Morgan coming in for family vacation?

Oct.22-24- Grace and Matt coming in for a wedding?

Oct. 31-Nov. 3- My parents are taking me on their anniversary trip to Los Angeles!!
Dec.- Guess who comes home?!!?!?!
My calendar is still open.....:)

House Updates!

Here is our new guest bedroom!!! Blue blue blue! With an orange pop! Thanks Momma K!

New custom cabinets- Made by Daddy K- Love them!

New office with much more space and 3-D flag!!!

I made the flag 3-D. Let me know what you think!

It's been forever....

Wow, what a crazy couple of months. My husband came and went, got promoted, and now has around 22 weeks left to go in this deployment. I just finished up my Master's Degree today!!! I wish I had Elijah here to share my crazy excitement with, but my girlfriends will do.

I wish I could say that this deployment has become easier over time, but it has done the opposite. I miss my husband more than ever. Some days are better than others. Some days, all I want to do is sleep and not talk to anyone...And some days, I can't get out of the house enough. It's funny because my girlfriends (who are also going through this deployment) seem to have the same ups and downs at the same time. Maybe that's God helping us encourage and help each other through this! Praise God for good girlfriends! I will say that Elijah keeps me going most days.....I'm so proud of him. He's working so hard....with no days off. He said to me, "It's not like I get weekends to look forward too. I have five more months of straight work- no days off." That makes me sad for him. My husband though, doesn't complain much about not having days off. I can see it and hear it over skype though. I know he loves what he does, but he and I both are tired of this deployment. Can I get an amen from my other girlfriends with deployed soldiers?!

I also quit my job with Wells Fargo. Summary=Not the job for me. New opportunities on the horizon......I'll keep you updated!

I should have more time to put updates on this blog from the last couple of months.....plus I should have more time to chat over the phone ;). And sorry, I know it's been forever since I posted!

Captain Elijah Harrington

Well, my sweetie got promoted!!! I'm so proud of him! Here are some pictures of my handsome husband getting promoted in Iraq.

Sneaky me.

So, my wonderful husband is in town for R&R still.....1 week left to spend time with him. So, he is currently hanging out with his brother and I thought I would sit and write a quick update. I'm sneaky ;).

So, we made it to my MBA graduation at Liberty University! I picked E up the Friday before at 9:22am- there was a jump and lots of hugs and kisses involved at the airport! Even so, I felt like I was bringing a stranger home with me ;)......that feeling wasn't for long though.

After graduation we headed to Charlotte for two days to hang out with my wonderful parents. My parents took us out to dinner for lots of celebrations and go-karting! so fun!

Monday we flew out to Colorado to see E's parents......we did a lot of relaxing and eating and more relaxing.....oh! and SHOPPING! fun.....my husband is so patient.

Now we are nestled in for the week in Sav......dinner with friends and a few nights home together will wrap up our two weeks. The fastest two weeks of this year. I love having him around. You have no idea (unless you are a military wife ;)).

What day is it?

Wow, time is slowly going by fast! yeah, that confuses me too....

So, I graduate in Va in three weeks. I'm totally excited......but will still have eight more weeks of classes left. I'm finishing two big projects right now- one of which is a start-up company and the other is a project on a large company. I feel like I'm writing two books at the moment, hah. I'm also finishing a large group project and trying to come out of this semester with mostly A's. Oh! and....Glenn Beck is speaking at my graduation for those of you who watch Fox news (Dad).

Elijah, my sweet other half, should be arriving in America at some point soon.....I'm hoping and praying he makes it before my graduation. This is a big milestone for me. I want him to be there.....so I can show him a little of how my life used to be and where I went to college for 5 years. After graduation, Elijah and I plan to spend some time in NC and CO with parents and family. We will try to relax and enjoy our time......but two weeks is so short! That's all we get together for 2010. Which is weird to think about.

I'm doing okay. I'm a little overwhelmed right now with school and the excitement of my sweet man coming home keeps me awake at night. My parents came to visit last weekend-we went to watch the Liberty Mutual golf tournament-which was cool. My dad built us some shelves! My mom taught me a few more things on the sewing machine and actually added length to a new dress that I love! I needed last weekend with them.

I've also been trying to go to the beach one a week with girlfriends. I can't tell you how grateful I am to be surrounded by supportive army wives and friends. I'm also excited about the church I'm starting to get plugged into.

And.....I'm still working out. My clothes are getting baggy again.....Anywho, I'll post some pictures soon. Thank you for continued support. I am so blessed.