Double Digits...What?!?!

Wow it's been a long time since I've been on here. Guess it's been a busy 2 months. Well that's right we are down to double digits until Aaron gets home. I'm getting very anxious. Everyone told me to stay busy and that's what I'm trying to do. I'll just mention some of the fun things I've been doing while trying to pass the time. One of the most recent events was a bunch of us renting a boat and going to the lake. We had so much fun. I will post some pictures up soon. We had so much fun spending the day out there and grilling. Oh yeah I and got to meet another new wife that day too. She seems nice. Like I said in past blogs families are moving in and out all the time. Wait I guess I met two new wives. Sam and Bre. They are both really nice and will be great in the "wives club." Everyone has been great inviting me to hang out, go out, or just have dinner at their house. I'm still working, that's always fun and a time passer. And most importantly I've had several vistors since Aaron has been gone. My sister of course was the first to visit me, we always have a great time. Maybe it had to do with all the food we ate but hey we had a great time! I can't wait til she comes back soon I hope. Aarons mom, my favorite mother in law came! She came here over Mother's Day weekend. So for her gift we went and got a pedicure. It was her first and I'm pretty sure she loved it! We had a lot of fun just hanging out and doing little projects around the house. Then my dad and Memaw! I was so shocked that she came but we had a great time. And she got us a new kitchen table. That's right friends we don't all have to crowd around that little breakfast table anymore to play scattergories! A little furry visitor came to stay with me for a while too and I loved her company. Trinity is the Carpenter's dog. She is wonderful. We have been bonding. She loves going for walks, and what they say is true, dogs are great company. I talked and cried to her and she just sit there and listened. I look forward to her staying more this summer! This week Debbie (Aaron's 1 of 6 sisters) is coming to visit me! I'm so excited about that. I'm trying to plan stuff for us to do. She will be here during the 4th of July so there will be lots of shop festivities going on I'm sure! And swimming will be a must. It's supposed to be over 100 degrees this week! Oh I can't forget, Aaron bought me a necklace! No, it's not from Iraq that's the first thing everyone asked. It's really pretty and pink. I'm sure you'll see it sometime. Well I think that's going to be it for now. I will try and post up pictures asap. I have so many!!! Well for now 96 days to go....

Lindsey and Casey's wedding!

Oh man almost forget June 6 Lindsey got married!!!! I was so happy for them. I flew down Thursday night and stayed til Sunday and had a great time. The wedding was beautiful of course. I got to see some old friends from college. It's great hearing how everyone is doing now! Yes I was a little sad during it....ok maybe a lot sad...but I miss Aaron. During the "first" dance of the bride and groom I was sitting at my table crying my eyes out and Casey said to Lindsey "ummm I think you should go check on your bridesmaid, she is crying and cried during the whole wedding!" Sorry about that. But I don't think anyone noticed, well except Casey but it's ok. Lindsey looked beautiful well you can see for yourself in the pics. Can't wait to see them again soon....

Me & Kaye

See I told you!

1 down- 5 to go

Well it's been one month. And I'm not going to lie, it is still really hard. People have told me all along, "oh it's gets easier after the first month. Once you get into your own habit." Well they lied. It's not any easier and honestly I don't want my own habit. I don't want to get used to being without him. I'm not going to! That's why I married him! So until he gets home I will live in my empty house full of "stuff" and count down the days til he gets home. I know I can do this. Sorry I don't have a lot to say. There's not a second that goes by that I'm not thinking about him. I see something and it reminds me of him everywhere I go...

Here's a really good song recommend by Christina.
The song is called Wait for Me
http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.artistalbums&artistid=12142970&ap=0&albumid=8803399

Sad

Well it's been a few days and still very hard. I'm staying very busy at work. And despite all the things that have broke since he has been gone I would say I'm positive for the most part. I have had some communication with him and I know he is ok. I just can't wait for October to get here! For now I will just write notes to him, send boxes, and prepare for when he returns!!!! I can't wait to see Aaron...

He's gone- But back in 6 Months!!!

Well Aaron left yesterday. I really don't have a lot to say. I'm having all the typically feelings. One minute I'm ok and then next I'm a wreck. I took off the last 2 days so I could spend time with him. But it went by so fast. We were at the shop at 4:00 am on Thursday to say goodbyes to all the guys. MOST of the guys were really nice and told me if I needed anything to call anytime. Terria was there and talked to me about somethings. And took some pictures, which I don't want to look at yet but when I do I will put them on here. After that it was off to Alexandria! It was hard, he kept telling me not to say "goodbye", just I'll see you in six months. So we did. I stood there and cried for a while then went back to Fort Polk. Where my friends, Jennie & Doreen were there waiting for me. They are great. After lunch I went home and took a nap. Once I walked in it automatically hit me. I saw all of his stuff sitting out (like always) and it made me cry. I know it's good to cry every once in a while. So for now I'm leaving everything out. It's not a bad thing to remember all the things that make you happy! OK I feel like I'm rambling and not making sense. Maybe I should go for now. I'm meeting Christina in Hammond and she is coming here for the weekend, YAY! So I'm going to try and take my own advice, I can't worry about things that haven't happened. Just looking forward to him coming home. I love him so much...

Madri Gras

Aaron & I learned our leason last year! Madri Gras in New Orleans was too crazy for us to go to a second year. So this year we decided to go to Galveston TX. There is an ok beach there and several things to do! We headed out early Saturday morning with Gary, Maribel and Brian. We got there in time for all four day parades but decided to go out to the beach and some of the shops and small fair. We did get rained on a little but we decided to make the most of it and stuck it out. Later that night we headed out for the Madri Gras parade which was fun. My favortie part was all the high school bands playing. Of course the floats are nice too and watching people fight over cheap beads.

I never really knew what Madri Gras was or how it got started. So I asked people here at work that are from Louisiana and got the same story from them all. So here it goes, a little FYI: Basically back in the day people (Catholic) fasted for 40 days also known as Lint. Obviously they didn't have a lot of money so all the food they had grown and raised could not go to waste so the weekend before they would eat and drink everything. Also known as gloutney which is a sin. I guess that's also where they got the name Fat Tuesday!?!?! Fat Tuesday was the last day before the start of lint. I'm not sure on all the facts I guess I should Google it! But thats where it got started and like most holidays has lost it's true meaning. I'm not sure where the beads, parades and drunks came in but they did. Some people just say it's a time to get out all your sins before you give up something for Lint, I'm not sure about that though!

So back to Galveston. After the parade we went out for a very nice dinner (something we don't get often being in Leesville). The next day we got up and headed to Rain Forest Cafe which was a lot of fun. We even went on the little boat ride and Maribel got scared by the snake that jumps out at you! Haha that was fun to watch! After that we went our seperate ways. Aaron and I went back to the beach and walked around and looked at everything. I think I mentioned in an earlier post Hurricane Ike, well that's the one that hit Galveston! It was crazy seeing everything. The little town we went through before getting on the Ferry was completly gone! There had previously been beautiful houses all along the coast and they were all gone! But there were tons of people out working cleaning up and ready to celebrate Madri Gras. Once we crossed over the Ferry you could hardly tell a hurricane had hit. Until we started looking for some of the shops we liked and realized they were gone too. But I would say the place was up and going very fast seeing how the storm was just a few months ago! Maybe because it was in Texas and Bush only likes Texas so he helped them! HAHA I'm joking! You can tell when people really care and aren't lazy, they actually get up and clean and build back themselves! They don't wait on others to do everything for them (New Orleans)! Man I like Texas more everyday! After exploring the beach we headed over to Moody Gardens and checked out the aquarium. It was fun. After that we started back to Fort Polk. And was refreshed and ready to go back to work....ok not really. Next week we are off to Ohio...

This is where the houses were!

On The Ferry

The Rain Forest Cafe

Moody Gardens ^

Happy V~DAY!

Normally I'm not one to celebrate Valentines Day but I thought I would festive and do it this year. Aaron knew from the start he better not buy me flowers or candy. I think that's part of the reason I dislike the "holiday" so much. It's always expected from the guys to buy expensive flowers (that will die in a few days) and candy in a heartshaped box. There's never really thought that goes into it. There are those few guys out there that will come up with something original like writing a song and singing/playing it, or maybe even a proposal! Aaron did very well this year! He got me a VERY pretty ring from Tiffany & Co. I was very excited. We spent the day in Lake Charles shopping and eating! Don't worry I didn't forget about Aaron's present. I'm waiting for some xbox game to come out!

The next week my parents came in from Florida and spent a few days with us. I was really happy to see them. Especially with all that's been going on with Aaron's deployment. It was good to spend sometime with them. Of course I had to work but they had lunch with me and I got off early to hangout with them. And my mom played Cinderella. She did some house work for me, that I really appreciated! The last night they were here they got to go to one of Aaron's basketball games, which is always interesting and enjoyable and meet the guys. That night we had a large crowd (for us anyway). Doreen and Jennie brought theirs girls out and Maribel and her son were there as well. I think all the Army people were shocked when we all walked in and they asked who we were there for. And we won again! It was a lot of fun and my parents really enjoyed seeing everyone. I'm sure they will be back soon!

Well

I don't even know what to title this one. There has been a lot going on here. Aaron just recently got back from GA for a TDY. I was so glad to have him back here. I stayed busy every night hanging out with friends, and yes even going to the gym!

We decided to go to Toledo Bend last Saturday and spend the day with friends. I'll get pictures up here asap. 17 of us went and had a great time! The little girls spent most of the time playing with John Wayne (Bartles new puppy) and I attempted to help watch them. I think I did ok considering I only lost Zoey once and she only ate a little sand ( the other girls made a "birthday cake" for Emma) and did I mention she squeezed one of the little fish?!?! Sorry Jennie. I think everyone else did some fishing. Gary was the first to catch one. I threw out the line maybe 5 times before I gave up. We also packed a picnic and played some frisbee. Overall it was a very good trip. We are planning to go to Sea World next month and I can't wait.

Saturday night when I got home it finally hit me that Aaron was actually leaving next month. I just got our tickets to go to Ohio at the end of the month and I guess I really haven't taken the time to stop and think about it all. It was a very long week when he was gone on TDY, but 6 months? How am I going to do that? It's easy to say "oh six months is no time, it will go by fast." But to actually be gone that long, am not too sure. I know I can do it, I just know it's not going to be easy. I'm sure there will be lots of lonely, sad nights that I will call our families crying. And you can bet that I will be making lots of trips to see them. So what will it really be like when Aaron deploys??? I guess I will find out...

One year down...

It's finally been one year since we move to Fort Polk. It really has went by fast. It seems like everything is moving so fast these days. We have met so many great people that will be long time friends. We had a little mourning period but then realized we should be celebrating! We had made it through one year here! We try to look at all the positives! At least we were not just moving in like most everyone here! People are coming and going and believe it or not the town is actually grown just a little. I work at a real estate company so I see all the people coming in and out. (Lucky ones going out!) We just had a huge group (Army) get back from deployment and around 800 more come in from Fort Riley in Kansas. So with all the people getting here we hope that more businesses will come into the area. BUT what we REALLY hope is that we only have one more year here. Hey one can hope, can't they? With married couples they try to keep them at a base for at least two years because of the expense of moving a family as opposed to one person. I'm sure year number 2 will go by somewhat fast. Aaron is coming up on deployment, you will hear lots about that in the future I'm sure. And he will also be going on several TDY's. I have decided to stay here throughout his deployment. We have both talked about it several times and it just makes the most sense to stay here. If I were to go home we would possibly not have a house to come back to and I would lose my job that I really like. I will be going home as much as possible and going to Ohio to visit the Kimmels! We would love to go to Germany, Hawaii, Italy, somewhere great! And Korea as a last option, but that would only be for one year! Hopefully we will be seeing everyone before he leaves. But if not we will when he gets back!

Happy Anniversary!!!

Wow I'm having a little trouble with this! There is so much to say! So it's been one year since Aaron and I have been married! It seems like it just happened yesterday but at the same time it seems like it has been forever! They say the first year is the hardest. Well I don't know who "they" are but "they" are right! You learn so much during this time. You learn how to live with each other, learn that is's not all just about yourself, find out each others' habits (good and bad), and basically grow up together. I can honestly say that it has been very hard but I wouldn't change it for the world! I know there are going to be many more rough times to come but we will get through them. It's been exciting, scary and the most wonderful time of my life. I don't know what I would have done without those late night calls to Christina! I save the day calls for mom and mom Kimmel! But what is even better, are all the good times to come. We have so much ahead of us, I can't wait!

Aaron and I spent New Years in Florida and had to leave the day before our anniversary so we decided to combine it all and celebrate both! Aaron picked out the condo and it was so nice! We met so many wonderful people, almost all were retired from the Air Force and had moved to Florida! We heard many interesting stories. We were at the nice outdoor mall and Aaron was giving blood (I know) so I sat out on one of the benches to wait. The man next to me starting talking to me and told me that he was retired from the Air Force and went on to tell me about all the places he lived: Japan, Korea, Italy, Germany, Hawaii. He loved it and so did his family. They got to see so many places and things that most would never have the opportunity to do. He told me it would be rough but to hang in there and support Aaron, because his job is not always easy. Stick it out twenty years and it will all be worth it! And that's what the plan is now anyway. The rest of our trip we spent a lot of time out on the beach. And in the heated pool! And we met another retired guy who talked to us about selling one of his condos to us! Hopefully next year we can do it! We got to hang out at almost all our favorite spots including McGuires and the Crab Trap! I can wait to go back! It was a wonderful trip!

New Years!!!

New Years...what FuN! We spent bringing in 2009 in Florida! We had so much fun. We left at noon on New Years Eve and got there just in time for all the excitement! And with no speeding tickets might I add! Between me, Aaron and Bartle I think we did ok! We tried to go to some of our favorites but being "snow bird" season most of them closed early. So we hit up Hard Rock and had a good time there. Then decided to head back to the condo to watch the ball drop and the fireworks over the ocean. I can't think of a better way to celebrate! We spent the rest of the weekend shopping, hanging out....well you will see in the next blog!

It's the most wonderful time of the Year...Christmas!!!

It's that time of year again. All the excitment builds up and everyone is ready to go home and visit family and friends. At least I was. It all started out not so good. We were supposed to leave on the 23rd but my car was not wanting to make the trip. On Monday the 22 my car broke, the exact same part that broke last year the exact same time! Well the first thing I did was of course panic and cry because I didn't know if I was going to make it home or not. It was after 5:00 and EVERYTHING was closed. I talked to my parents about all the possibilties, dad coming and getting us, flying, renting a car. But for some reason I thought it would be best to wait til Tuesday and see about getting it fixed. So first thing that morning Aaron and I got up and I called this small local car repair place right off post and told the lady I needed my car fixed because I just wanted to go home and see my family for the holidays. She was so nice and told me to get up there and they would take a look at it. So we jumped in the car and headed off. As soon as we got there her husband (the owner) took a look walked to the back of the shop and made a phone call. She came out only to tell us that it was defintely the part I thought it was and there was a new part but it was in Lake Charles and wouldn't be in until the next day (Christmas Eve) and they were going to be closed. See this is where you think it gets worse but it's the opposite! She said her husband said he wanted us to go home to see our family and that he would come back early the next morning when the part arrived and put it in for us! BUT that's not all, he only charged us their price, nothing extra AND he kept our car over night so he could take the old part out and have the car ready to be repaired the next morning. I asked for a phone to call a cab and she wouldn't let me. She put us in her car and drove us to our house. And said I will be back first thing in the morning to get you and take you to your car! Needless to say she made me cry. I asked her if she was always helping people like this and she said her and her husband felt like this was the right thing to do. Their older daughter was gone, maybe on bad terms I don't know the whole story. But they wanted me to be home for the holidays just like their daughter should have been. The next morning she picked us up and I could not thank them enough! She hugged me and said tell your parents how much you love them when you see them. And that's something I will NEVER forget! This was truly a Christmas Miracle!!!

We finally made it home on the 24th! Just in time for good (haha) food and LOTS of presents! First we went to my grandma's house and had dinner and presents there then headed to my parents to open even more! I loved everything I got and I'm sure Aaron did too! We ended up staying up most of the night into the morning playing RockBand with Micah. She got so many things, mainly games, Wii, RockBand, Nintendo DS! Then Christmas Day we got up and had a nice huge breakfast and of course nice HUGE lunch to follow. So we spend a little time eating when we go home! Nothing like mom's cooking! Later that night we went to the movies, it was a fun family outing. The rest of the trip was filled with hanging out with family, shopping, eating, and playing with all our new toys! I don't want everyone to think I forgot about the Kimmel's. Last year we spent Christmas with them so we decided to go to Missouri this year. Next year I'm sure we will be back in Ohio. It seems like every year gets better and better. It's so different from being a kid. When you're younger you think of everything you are getting and how excited you are to open presents but now that I'm older I love watching my parents and everyone else open theirs. I had so much fun this year and I can't wait til next year! I'm so thankful for my family and miss them so much already!

Aaron & I. We got so much!!!


The Mom & Dad

The Girls


She got everything she asked for and more!!!

The Boy and their toys!

Christmas Party!

This year the Christmas party was at Tunks in Alexandria. We had a lot of fun hanging out with friends and playing dirty santa. We got a movie and some kind of tool. It was "supposed" to be formal I guess you could say. Everyone looked very nice in there dresses/skirts and suits. Umm well some of the guys didn't have any so they made a trip to the store and got some fancy outfits!

Bartle, Collins, Lake & Cisco

Getting ready for Christmas

With only a few weeks to go Aaron and I decided to go to Shreveport to do some shopping and have some good food. haha that's hard to come by down here. We started out shopping close to Barksdale and ended up downtown with some of the guys and girl that he works with. We had a lot of fun and ended the night with a lot of craziness and caaa awwwing....haha! The next day was beautiful. We went down to the River Walk, had lunch and shopped some. After all that excitment we headed back to DeRidder where we went to the singing Christmas Tree. It was so cool. It was like 10 levels of people and the church was huge, we were on the 3rd balcony. The lights lit up and changed colors with the music. The next day we went to church on post and had lunch and went to get our Christmas tree. They give them away on post I believe they called it Trees for Troops! It was very nice and I love the smell. We got it stuffed in the car and went to the house to decorate! It was a lot of fun we watched Christmas movies, decorated the tree, hung the stockings (from the counter top) and put out the nativity scene.

Taa Daa!!!!

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving. Sometimes it seems to get overlooked. This year we decided last minute to go to Missouri to visit my family. AND we took along some friends! Tim & Jennie and the girls were planning on staying here but the holidays are times to be with family, friends AND go shopping haha. So the Tuesday night we called them up and the next day we were on our way to Missouri! It was such a good time! We left out around 3:00 Wednesday and got there a little late. Only running into what could have been a major accident. Some idiot lost his homemade looking trailor with beds on it! This is not a joke. It was 3 lanes of traffic going one way and Tim was driving all of a sudden we see metal and beds flying all over the road. Thank God no one was hurt and nothing was wrong with the car. We did pull over to check it and help another guy get a bed out from under his truck! So Thanksgiving day we had a HUGE meal of course. We hung out that night by the fire and played games. And of course the next day all the girls (me, Jennie, Mom, Christina, Leslie and B.) went shopping! YAY for after Thanksgiving Day sales. We had so much fun! Even if we almost got ran over trying to fix Jennies phone. And standing in line at Kohl's that wrapped all the way around the store. All that aside I had a wonderful time! I'm so glad my friends and family were all together. I think I take forgranted sometimes ok more then that, family. They are the most important thing to me, and when it's all over they are always going to be there for me. Thanks for letting us all come and stay Dad, Mom, Christina and Micah! Can't wait til Christmas!

Micah, Kailey, Alexis, Megan & Zoey

Zoey....being good as always!

Me & Jennie went for a ride...I think she was a little nervous!

Nothing like a nice campfire!

It was a little cold that night!

Riding the golfcart

My Parents back yard. I miss that place!!!

Where did Thanksgiving go?

The month of October flew by. And thank God the election is over. I don't want to talk about it right now. I do want to talk about Aaron's birthday. We didn't do anything too exciting, we both worked that day. I invited some of our friends over for dinner and of course cake! Thanks to Jennie for the delicious jello cake. And we played some games. I couldn't pull off a surprise like he did for me but I think he enjoyed it! I would like to know what happened to Thanksgiving. Do people not celebrate that anymore? I just went to Wal-Mart and there was Christmas stuff everywhere! It seems like people forget about it or something. Maybe they're just not thankful anymore. Sad. Aaron and I are going to my home next week to visit both our families. I can't wait! It's funny that Missouri is almost exactly halfway between here and Ohio. Which makes for a great meeting place. We will be celebrating birthdays and Thanksgiving! See you guys soon! Bye for now...

October

October is here but I don't think Fall is...at least it doesn't feel like it. Not too much exciting events to occur this month. I did have another birthday. Or as my friend calls it, the anniversary of my 21st birthday! It was just the big 2-3. Nothing too exciting. I did get a very nice set of pots and pans, and wedding picture of us from my parents! AND Aaron had a surprise party for me. Acutally Christina had a part in it too! He had Shera sneak around and get me to go coffee table shopping while he got everything ready. We had all our friends there. And the little girls. They are so cute. I really did not think about it until I walked in the door and everyone was starring at me. haha. I guess that's what's supposed to happen huh? It turned out really good. We had grilled out and had a very delicious cake thanks to Tim & Jennie! Then later that night, went to there house and played games until the lights when out. That's when you know they want you to leave.haha actually we never figured out what happened. Just another wonderful thing about living at Polk! It was one of my best birthdays yet! Thanks Everyone!

SURPRISE!!!

This is how Aaron will look in a few weeks for his birthday!


I had the best cake! Thanks Tim & Jennie

The Girls


Me & Jennie

Stay tuned, I think I'm caught up now. So everything will be posted by event! Hope you enjoyed!

September

The month of September has finally rolled around. It's time for nice weather, wait not here. We just got done with the hurricanes! September was another exciting month. We made it through Gustav and Ike! We camped out at the weather building for a while. Someone forgot to tell us there was a curfew so we drove home, but everything is ok now! Except Galveston. That's where we left for the cruise and we spent some weekends on the beach. They got hit hard. But are building back and we will be going back there asap!

Wait, Eat, Play Cards That's all there was to do.

Waiting...

This is what happens when you get bored.

It's here!

Aaron's new girlfriend...

Marian left this month. Throy is retiring from the Air Force and they just bought a home. I'm very sad they are leaving. But I'm happy for them. I'm going to have to find a new bowling partner. But on a happier note. I got Aaron's birthday gift early. He really wanted to go to his cousin Lexi's wedding in Ohio but didn't think we needed to spend the money. So I surprised him with tickets to go there and Cedar Point. The wedding and of course Lexi was beautiful. Oh yeah we surprised his family as well. We got to see Melissa & Gary's new house, which is really nice. I think they were all surprised! Even Lexi and Jeff! Cedar Point was amazing as always. We went with a couple of Aaron's friends. Then had the wedding Saturday. Then back to Louisiana Sunday. It was a short trip but very worth it. Can't wait to see the family again soon!!!

*Disney World*

Aaron has never been before and I don't know who was more excited, probably me. The mission was to surprise Micah. And it was completed. Aaron and I drove down or maybe it's over anyway, Micah thought she and Christina were flying to Polk to see us. So we met them at the airport and you could tell she was a little confused. We had my mom on the phone and she told her she was in Disney World...I don't think it hit her until the next day when she actually saw the castle. It was a great week, not too hot and not too busy. And I only almost hit one person. But she deserved it. There was a rude lady that tried to cut in front of everyone with NO kid by the way just to get on the bus. But this is a happy blog I don't want to talk about her. OMG I just remembered this guy at the waterpark...he had some weird toes. I wish I had a picture but I didn't have my camera at that park. Aaron almost punched him too. haha. We even had dinner at Cinderella's castle. Saw Tinker bell fly from the castle and lots of fire works. Mine and Aaron's favorite part of it all was the Fantasmic show at Hollywood Studios. It was a night show and they had videos and music and fireworks and water, it was just amazing. So much to do there. I can't wait to go back. Good idea Christina, I hope you are planning our next trip....