GUILTY!

Okay! So I'm guilty for not updating this thing as much as I said I was going to in the beginning. I feel like lately I haven't done much of anything, but at the same time I feel like I never get a chance to rest. Working all the time seriously drains the life out of me!

My last few blogs have been about Derrick's deployment. Update? Well were still waiting. That's what you get when you deal with the government I guess. His set date which was printed on the orders he received was for the 14th, which didn't take long to get pushed to this past Monday, December 19th. Well last Tuesday night, I took a surprise road trip to see Derrick in North Carolina. We were so sure that he was leaving on Monday, so I wanted to spend some time with him before we had to say good-bye. Well of course once I get up there, he gets told that he won't be leaving on the 19th. His new date is now the 28th, which we don't see that falling through either. I only have one feeling about this situation. What the #%$%#$%!!!! It's so irritating-annoying-stressful-confusing. It's ridiculous! I am already so over this military thing. I never knew it was going to be this way and it drives me crazy!

On the bright side! I'm so so SOOO happy that Derrick is going to be home for Christmas!!! After he got off work this morning, he packed his things and drove home! I was so prepared to spend our first Christmas as a married couple apart, but I'm so ecstatic to know that he is here, safe and sound, and with me! 

No matter how much I complain and throw fits, at the end of the day, I love my husband. He is worth every bit of annoyance and agitation that the military brings me and that will never change. He IS what keeps me going and I am so grateful and thankful to call him mine. :-)

A few pictures from my last minute trip to North Carolina, and I'll update this weekend with Christmas pictures!

I hope everyone has a great Christmas!

Army = Irritating!

Okay, so up until late yesterday afternoon, Derrick was ordered to deploy next Wednesday. His sergeants got an e-mail 10 minutes before final formation saying their date is being pushed back a few days. (For the 10th time!!) He is saying the new date isn't even 100% because the flight is already full and they don't know if it can be rearranged. Seriously?! I hate to complain about the Army considering I am joining myself in March, but they are so unorganized and unprofessional!! Don't get me wrong, I'm so relieved that I don't have to say goodbye to Derrick as soon as I thought I was going to, but at the same time I am angry about it. Deployment is a serious thing and I've been holding up the best I can to prepare for the time to come. He's for sure deploying, that's out of the question, it's just when?! I'm so ready to get this over with because it's the biggest headache in the world. I just wish I could tell him bye already so that he can get through it and come home. It's frustrating and I have so many different feelings about it, but it's ridiculous. Anyways! There's my venting for the day. :-)

One thing that is for sure, I love my soldier. No matter how hard being a Army wife gets at times, I will never give up on him. Love him to pieces!

I'm 20!

Today is my birthday and I slept until 2. I should be happy and celebrating but it's not that exciting for me. Things are getting really hard knowing that in a week I will be telling Derrick bye for a really long time. I know with time things will get easier, but it's going to break my heart having to watch him leave. I'm not ready for this but I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be. The holidays aren't going to be the same without him, but I guess I will celebrate with joy by building him the best care packages ever! :-) I've already started buying little things to send him overseas. It's really exciting because I never thought I would be one of "those girls". I admit though that even through it all, I love Derrick more then anything and I'm so happy to have him in my life. This is just a stepping stone for us and I'm just so ready for next September to be here! I will be counting down the days!

 

Life in North Carolina

I haven't had the time to update this in a while! A little over two weeks ago I drove up to North Carolina to visit Derrick. I have to say that I have had the most amazing time being here. Of course I miss my family and I miss "home", but being with him on a day to day basis has been the best! I was hoping that I would get to move up here, but I'm sad to say I will be going back to Georgia tomorrow. Derrick is in the process of completing his deployment training and getting his shots, and he will most likely be leaving early December. I hate the fact that he is leaving so soon, but I'd rather get it out of the way now instead of later. I want this next year to fly by so that we can finally have a home together. I'm so upset that he will be leaving before the holidays. Our first holidays as a married couple. I just try to keep my head up because I know there are many more to come in the future and I'm so excited! 

I love my husband more then anything in this world!

I hope everybody has a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

 

Yay!

So just a short and simple update before I go into a long day of work! Derrick left yesterday morning and I went back to work last night. I had a really good time with him while he was home and I hate that he had to leave so soon! Halloween is right around the corner and for the first time in the whole 5 years we have been together... I finally got him to carve a pumpkin with me!! It was so exciting and we had tons of fun. Although, it was very messy! We've come to the conclusion that the Army is dumb and doesn't know whether he is deploying or not. He keeps being given the run around about when and if he is leaving, so I'm happy to say that next Sunday will be my last day at work. I will be transferring to Olive Garden in North Carolina and I am moving in with him! I'm so excited and this is what I have been waiting for for so long! I only pray we don't get moved in and settled down right before he gets his orders. That would suck!

Anyways though! I'm off to work.

If I don't update again this weekend, Happy Halloween!!

 Derrick carved Mario and I did something actually in relation to Halloween! :)

I didn't take this picture, but I thought even as a tampon it's so cute!

October festivities!

Derrick came home last Tuesday and I have been doing nothing but spending all of my time with him. Surprisingly, time isn't flying by as we imagined it would, but I'm definitely not complaining! Fall time is here, Halloween is right around the corner, and it's become a tradition to go to a corn maze each year with my family. We spent our Saturday night riding cow trains, painting pumpkins and roasting marshmallows. Sounds like fun, huh? Other then that we have just been spending time together this week and hanging out. He will be leaving on Thursday and then I will go back to reality working 6 out of 7 days a week. Hopefully soon I will be living with him though. That's all I'm going to say about that for now ;-)

Be back soon!

The little things

My days have been completely DRAGGING by for the simple fact that Derrick is coming home late tomorrow night. I've been working like crazy all week just so that I could afford to take off this upcoming weekend. After his last trip home and the whole 5 hours we got to spend together, alone time is much needed. I'm in the process of looking for and getting a second job. Considering most of my money right now is going towards bills, I don't want to have to worry about taking time off from work to spend with him or anyone else for that matter.

Anyways! 

I'm so thankful that Derrick is being given this 10 day leave. I'm scared it's going to fly by, but it's sad to say that we both know it will. We haven't really gotten the chance to live the "married" life yet with the distance between us, but the arguing is beginning to occur every once in a while. I have to say that distance and fighting don't go together very well, however it opens my eyes a little bit more each time. I love that man so very much and I would do anything in this world to make him happy. We have a long future ahead of us and I'm more excited then ever. Being apart isn't so bad because it does make us realize how much we care about each other. Regardless if it's just waking up to a text message each morning, getting surprise phone calls while at work, or our silly little oovoo dates, I wouldn't change a thing for the world. 

Besides, it's the little things that mean the most.

Short & simple

Not too much is going on lately but I figured I would update anyways. Derrick came home on Thursday but of course I had to work all weekend. The only time we were able to spend together was when I got off work yesterday evening until he left at 6 am this morning. One thing I started to realize as he got out of bed and began getting ready to leave... the goodbyes are never going to get any easier. I will see him again in a week and I still bawled like a baby. That man means more then anything to me and it's so hard saying bye, even if for just a short period of time. All I can say is that I am so very thankful to have such a wonderful man in my life. Other then that, I will be dreadfully working all week long until he comes home for 10 days on the 17th! So many plans to be made for such a short period of time!

I just happened to think about it, 5 months ago today, Derrick left for his basic training! Going through all the pictures and looking back on all the memories in the process, I can't believe how much he has changed as a person and how much our relationship has grown.

  

I'll update again soon!

A much needed trip!

In my last post I talked about the shocking news of Derrick already getting deployment orders. I have no reason to lie, it kills me to know he is already leaving. Had we not already planned to get an apartment and live together, maybe it wouldn't be so bad, but considering things were the other way around, yes, it is hard to accept. I originally got off work on Sunday so that I could get all of my furniture moved to North Carolina. No furniture ended up getting moved, but I certainly didn't waste my day off work. As a last minute decision, I got off work Saturday night at 10:30, came home and packed and I was on my way to Fort Bragg. I finally arrived around 4:30 am and all I can say is that he's lucky I love him! :) Even though there wasn't much to do, I had an amazing time all because I was with him. He showed me around base and we kind of explored the town. We figured we might as well now if were going to be living there for the next 4 years. I'm actually more excited then ever to start our lives together now that I know where everything is going to take place. I'm one of the most impatient people and it drives me crazy. Besides going to and graduating from basic, I now have another countdown that is about to begin!

On a side note, Derrick will be on his way home tomorrow for his 4 day weekend! (Columbus Day) Not only that, but he will be home on the 17th for a 10 day leave! Oh I just love how things are falling together!! Maybe this whole separation thing won't be so bad after all. It only makes me appreciate him more with the little time I do get with him!

WHAT A DAY!

So on top of my stressful 10:00-10:00 work schedule today, I got some not so exciting news. It's final. It's happening whether I like it or not. Derrick will be deploying in November and it's killing me just thinking about it. I knew this was coming, from the beginning I was prepared for it, but not a month out of his training. Not this soon. My time with him has already been very limited since the beginning of May, and now they are taking him again for about 10 months. UGH! The worst part of it all, when I'm away at training, I have nobody to write me letters, nobody to make phone calls home to, nobody to even write to. It's the worst timing but I know in the end I will be thankful. If everything works out right, by the time I get out of AIT, he should be home within the next month. Now if only March will hurry up and get here...... :(

"Distance is not for the fearful, it is for the bold. It's for those who are willing to spend a lot of time alone in exchange for a little time with the one they love. It's for those knowing a good thing when they see it, even if they don't see it nearly enough..."

As much complaining and moping and crying I may do in the process, 

all I really have to say is one thing..

We are going to kick this deployment in it's ASS!

Every day is a blessing,

It's been a very exciting day, just to say the least! As horrible as waking up at 4:00 a.m. this morning was, I know 110% that it will be worth it in the long run. As of 1:00 today, I am now enlisted into the United States Army! Although I've felt very alone in the process, I know that my family stands behind me in their own individual ways and that's what means the most. I thank God every day for the life I have been given and for the people who have been placed into it. I have no idea where I would be standing today if it weren't for the people that I do have. I don't always show it the way I should, but a lot is about to start changing for the better!

Even more exciting news, Derrick and I have decided to get our first apartment together! We found one of the best deals on a beautiful complex and I'm more then excited to get the show on the road! Our move-in date is scheduled for this Saturday, on the 1st. The only problem? I'm in Georgia. I haven't even started packing and I'm already stressed to the max! First things first, I'm working on transferring to a restaurant up there just to make sure I have a guaranteed job. As soon as that gets worked out, I will be on my way to North Carolina! :)

As stressful and how nerve-wrecking things are going right now, I wouldn't change it for the world. This is what I've been waiting for and I'm going to make the best of it. I have no doubt that things will eventually fall into place, but each day is just a stepping stone. What ever the future may hold for Derrick and I, I am so very excited!

Another day, another good-bye

I woke up bright and early this morning to go get some breakfast with Derrick before he left for South Carolina. It was a easy, yet sad goodbye. Easy because I know I will see him again soon, but sad because I've gotten back into the habit of having him around. He got on the road at 9:30, and he was already in South Carolina by 11 am... Somebody was in a hurry?! I'm so excited though because I know a lot is about to change for the better, and I can't wait to start experiencing it! So many different emotions; happy-sad-scared-anxious-impatient, just to say the least!

On a side note, I finished all of my paperwork to enlist and I took my drug test today! At 4:45 tomorrow morning I will be on my way to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) to take my physical, sign my contract and do my first swear in. Is it weird that I'm not really scared at all? I didn't think so until everyone kept asking me how I was staying so calm. I'm actually really looking forward to it though, and according to my paperwork, I will leave on March 12 and head to BCT & AIT in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Ahhh!!

Well those are the two highlights of my day and it's only 12:30! More to come soon :)

Oh yeah, here's proof that I already have the most amazing man in the world! He's the best!

A new beginning!

Derrick finally graduated from AIT school in Fort Rucker, Alabama and he earned his wings! He's now an Aviation Operations Specialist in the United States Army! Words can't describe how proud I am of the man he has turned into!

As of 3 days ago, I am now Mrs. Hanaway! Yeah, that's right, Derrick and I finally got married! It didn't happen on April 21st as originally planned, or on 11/11/11 since we thought he may get deployed, but September 23, 2011 at 3:30 pm, we said "I Do."

A lot of changes are occuring in my life right now, but I thank God every night that they are heading in a great direction. One thing I never thought I would do in my life... I've decided that I want to join the Army. I go this Wednesday to MEPS to get my physical done and select a job. It's so nerve-wrecking but very exciting at the same time! The only thing I'm scared of is getting through basic and coming out alive. I know I can do it though :)

Derrick came home on leave last Friday, (September 16th), and will be leaving tomorrow morning to head to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This is what he has been waiting for and working for, and the time has finally come. After everything gets settled with my enlistment and job searching, then I plan to move with him within 3-4 weeks until I ship out for basic training.

Other then our marriage and his leave time at home, I've been doing nothing but working. I can say though that I am the happiest girl in the world. I can finally call him my husband and it is the best feeling in the world! I know it's not going to always be laughs and giggles, but what we have is worth it and I know we can get through anything. I'm ready to see what the future has in store for us.

 

It's been a good week and a half with him home, 

but now it's back to working my butt off!

I'll try to update again soon! xoxo

1 month to go!

My days are extremely busy and when I'm not in school or working, I'm sleeping or catching up on school work. A month from today, Derrick will finally be back home in Georgia for leave. I haven't mentioned that I am going to see him labor day weekend, but aside from that, I'm so excited for him to finally finish all of this training and to just be back at home! It's stressful on him, it's stressful on me and it's stressful on our relationship. We have both grew as a couple over the last few months and our relationship is stronger then ever, which makes me a very happy girl! So far, everything is going great. I only pray things continue to go the way planned.

1 month down, 1 month to go!

Catching up!

Since the last time I updated, I was still dealing with Derrick being away at BCT in Fort Leonard wood, Missouri. It's been a little over 2 months and so much has taken place that I decided an update is very much needed!

July 19th, we left around 4:30 in the morning for what turned out to be the longest car ride of my life! The whole not getting any sleep, 12 hours of uncomfortable sitting and seeing nothing but corn fields didn't really bother me. I knew that at the end of that boring ride, I would see the love of my life for the first time in 2 & 1/2 months! That same day we arrived around 5 in the afternoon. We got checked into our hotel and decided to ride around and check out the base. We wanted to get ahead and find out where Derrick's graduation was going to take place!

I have to admit, I was very shocked at how nice everything was when we arrived. I was still in my anxious-impatient-nerve wrecking stage, but at the same time I was so excited for the next day to arrive!

That Wednesday, July 20th, I woke up at 6:30 am and started getting ready for one of the most exciting days of my life. I can't express in words how much I missed seeing Derrick, and at that time, I knew in only 3 short hours I would be able to wrap my arms around him again. The time came around, and the minute he hugged me, I cried like a baby. Of course one of the first things I wanted to do was take a picture to show all of my friends and family back home.

Derrick was able to leave post and we got to spend the whole day together. He was so excited to be able to leave and eat real food, and of course he chose Taco Hell! It did upset his stomach, which we all warned him in advance, but that didn't stop him. We decided to go back to the hotel and we spent part of the day at the pool swimming and just hanging out. It was an amazing day, but it went by so quickly!

July 21, he became a United States Soldier! The day we have all been waiting for finally came around, and I can't even explain how proud I am of the man he has become. I watched him walk across that stage, respresent where he was from, and it put the BIGGEST smile on my face!

[In the picture is Kallahan, the one person he became closest with while at basic. It just so happens they were standing right beside each other during the ceremony!]

Another day that went by extremely fast turned into a very emotional one. Once again, I had to say goodbye to my best friend. Derrick is currently in Fort Rucker, Alabama for his AIT school which is a total of 8 weeks. He is scheduled to finish in mid-September, following his graduation and his 10-day leave to come home! As of last night, he received his orders and his duty station will be at Fort Bragg, North Carolina! I'm very excited for everything coming up in the future! Only time will tell how things turn out, but so far it's looking good.

I'll update again soon!

"& there you go, making me fall in love again"

Today marks 1 month since Derrick left for basic training and on top of that excitement, I received two very long letters in the mail! This whole process has been tough, but reading his letters on top of the weekly phone calls really makes me fall in love all over again. We have 6 weeks to go, and then I will be on a plane to Missouri! I'm so very thankful with how quickly time is passing by. It's the start of a new life for the both of us, and I couldn't be more ready! Oh yeah! Sundays are his days to make phone calls home. This Sunday was SUPER special because I got to see him!!

Ah, I love him so much!

As hard as being a military spouse may be in the future, I honestly believe that I am one of the luckiest girls alive. I love this man with everything I have!

Here's to the start of something new!

I'm a new blogger, but I want (and hope) to get good at this. Only time and practice will help, right? Well for anybody who visits my new blog, I will inform you of a few things in my life right now.

To begin with, let me introduce myself. My name is Niki and I currently live in Conyers, Georgia. I work part-time, I attend school, I have the most amazing family and the only thing missing from my life is my man.

Derrick and I have been together for 4 years. He recently enlisted in the United States Army and he is currently away doing his Basic Training and AIT School. We will be getting married in April of next year and it couldn't possibly come any quicker. As we move around and start our own life, this will be my way of updating people with exciting news, stories and updates in our everyday lives. I have already met an amazing group of Army wives and girlfriends, and I only hope for that group of ladies to grow! 

I'm always up for conversation or meeting new people!

Hopefully this blogging thing is a success! :)