Week 2, Day 1

Luke Update: 


Aced his first test (which some of the seniors says is the hardest one), is a contender for class president (I have mixed feelings about that), and is drowning in assignments! Saturday we were up well past midnight working on papers, memos, and case studies. He lost 4 pounds the first week and weighs less than he did on our wedding day (has lost a total of 27 pounds since March). Personally I like a man who is not skinny so I am looking forward to putting some meat back on him once this is over. My favorite part of the weekend was learning the defensive tactics he was taught. If I'm ever in danger of being arrested, I have a pretty good idea of how to get away since I know what moves they're gonna use....not that I'm planning on getting arrested anytime soon. He is struggling with time management and prioritizing his projects so he will have to get a handle on that, but overall week one was a great success! It's still a long, long road in front of him though and he still has doubts that he will pass everything in order to graduate. 


Did you Know:
Bullet proof vests have an expiration date on them and,
22% of rookie cops will wear sunglasses while it is dark outside. Cool dudes ya know..


Week two is starting out much harder than week one for me. My motivation and energy is way down. It took all my will power just to throw in a load of laundry this morning. I miss him much more this week and can't wait for Friday. Gwen is my little sidekick though and we have lots to do together, but right now that little sidekick needs to take a nap!

Saying Goodbye

Day 3, Week 1 - The Wills and Will Nots

Luke Update:


Luke calls at about 5:20 every day. They have to be done with training by 5:00 otherwise Luke and the other recruits get paid overtime and none of their departments want to pay overtime. He is doing very well. He sent me pictures of his room and some of the facilities whch unfortunately I'm not allowed to post. I was surprised how spacious and nice the dorms were. According to the seniors, yesterday for the new recruits was "Hell Day" and this whole week is called "Hell Week". I was so anxious to hear from Luke to see how he survived. I asked him to tell me honestly how it was and this was his reply: "It is SO Awesome!" Enough said.


Here is my little list of the will and will nots for my summer while Luke is away:

I will make the bed every day (a habit which I let slip while Luke was on swing shift. It's hard to make a bed while there is still someone in it).

I will not neglect my nails. Luke loves it when I've taken the time to give myself a pedicure and in the Summer time when flip-flops and going barefoot are the norm, I have to make sure I keep my nails looking pristine!

I will have the kitchen completely spotless before going to sleep each night.

I will not once feel sorry for myself that I am husbandless 5 nights out of the week.

I will get 20 minutes of exercise in every day. Most of the time it will be more than this, but it will be at least this.

I will spend an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening organizing and cleaning.

I will use the same plate, cup, and utensils, throughout the day. Rinse and reuse, rinse and reuse....

I will not burden Luke with anything while he is home. For the next 5 months he needs to be completely focused and I will be just fine.

I will take care of all car maintenance from here on out. He doesn't need to spend his valuable free time changing the oil and replacing break lights.

I will show Gwen pictures of her Daddy every day and tell her how wonderful he is.

I will take a picture of Gwen each day so Luke can see the cute outfits I dress her in.

I will not neglect my hair or makeup just because my husband is gone. That is a dangerous road to go down!

I will skimp on the mascara while he gone to save a little $$.

I will not hog Luke on the weekends. I understand he will want to see his family and friends sometimes.

I will not be stressed or guilty if I fail to meet some of my goals.

I will pray Luke multiple times throughout the day.

I will thank the Lord every day that I get to be a stay-at-home Mom to my little girl and future children (more on this to come).

Day One, Week One

He's gone. Left 9:30 this morning. Gwen and I stood on the sidewalk and watched as he was about to leave our sight. True to our tradition he pulled a U-turn and headed back up the hill for one last kiss (this was a tradition started while we were engaged; we would always turn around for one last kiss). When he did finally leave our sight I headed back to the house and let myself cry 10 minutes. The 10 minutes are gone and now it's time to pick myself up, straighten the house up, and get on with Summer! The next five months will be strange for the three of us, but I'm excited for them. I have this list of goals that I have been wanting to accomplish for some time now and this is my chance! Here is my list:

Redecorate our bedroom
Visit the seniors in church weekly
Lose the baby weight!
Take a kickboxing class
Re-memorize the book of James
Start up an account at Labels so I never have to pay another $ for clothes
Learn to bake my Mom's cinnamon rolls as well as she does
Dive deep into God's Word every day rather than just checking a box saying I read my Bible
Write at least two blog posts per week so I never forget this season of life we are in

Even with my husband gone, it looks like Gwen and I are going to have a busy, fantastic Summer! I refuse to feel sorry for myself when God has blessed us so much and has given us exactly what we asked for. I praise Him for his goodness to me and my little family.