Far From "Square"

Let me just start by saying that being home is amazing! All of the tears and changed dates and Army drama were more than worth it if we get to spend the rest of our lives just as we are now, surrounded by family and friends. I have never been so thankful for my home.

I'm also thankful to be home because now I can go to Michael's and Hobby Lobby whenever I want! No more limited supplies from the one tiny Hawaii craft store when I'm trying to make things from Pinterest! So in celebration of this blessed event, I decided to make a fall wreath.

Imagine my surprise when I walked into Michael's to find a Christmas explosion, with not a fall color in sight! Since I was not about the let Michael's ruin my craft store fun, I took Husband by the hand and forced to him to search high and low for fall crafting supplies. After Husband started to whine, I broke down and asked a Michael's worker where they all of the fall supplies were hiding. Her reaction was nothing like I expected. As soon as the word "fall" passed through my lips, Michael's worker got the most disgusted look on her face, as if she could not believe I had the audacity to even ask for such a thing. She then proceeded to tell me that I was crazy for waiting so long and if there was anything fall left, it would be in the clearance isle.

Husband and I tore through that clearance rack like there was no tomorrow and we managed to scrounge up just enough supplies for my fall wreath. And it only cost me $4.37. Not a bad reintegration into the crafting world if I do say so myself!

Here's how it's done:

Step #1: Get Dad to give you a board of some sort. Then make him cut it to the shape you want.

Step #2: Separate the weird package of leaves and iron down the crinkly ones.

{Do not put the iron directly on the leaves! Iron through a towel or you will be sorry.}

Step #3: Hot glue the leaves to the board, just however.

{Notice I'm working on Mom's ironing board, which happens to be older than I am.}

Step #4: Hot glue any decorations on top of the leaves.

{I got carried away and forgot to take a picture. Dang.}

Step #5: Hang it proudly on the door! 

Now in some cases, there may be a step #6: Get made fun of by your family for making a square wreath.  I don't mind it though, because at least I'm home. :]

It's All About Point of View

A little over a year ago, Husband and I moved out of our apartment, packed all of our goods into storage and checked into the Inn on post. That night, Husband would leave for deployment and I would spend the first of many nights alone.

That room tormented me from the moment I walked in the door. Just knowing that it was the last stop on the countdown to deployment would have been enough to make me hate that hotel room. Of course, with my luck, that wasn't all that made me hate it. Not two minutes after we had stepped foot into the room, a innocent bug flew from the corner toward Husband's face, causing him to throw his phone in defense. Sadly, his phone split in half upon impact, therefore keeping his command from contacting him if necessary. On a normal day, Husband would have cared less. But 4 hours before a deployment and he was a stressed out mess. Not wanting to miss any important information, Husband decided that we should head over to the Battery early, ending whatever couple time we had left.

I can't even begin to describe how I was feeling as we loaded his bags in the car and took that short drive across post. I do, however, remember every detail of that drive, from the street lights shining off of the newly formed rain puddles to the look in Husband's eye: a mix between pride for the mission and the devastation of leaving the one you love behind. As we pulled into the parking lot, all the strength I had left disappeared because for only the second time ever, I saw a tear run down Husband's cheek. Remembering that one tear and those last moments we spent in the car together before Husband had to walk away will always bring an ache to my heart, even if I'm wrapped in his arms. Thankfully though, we will never have to relive those moments again as we are now staying at the Inn on post for a different reason.

Husband is 5 days away from calling himself a civilian!! 

So now, for a very different reason, Husband and I have moved out of our apartment, packed all of our goods for shipment and have checked into the Inn on post. This time around, there is nothing sad about this hotel room because Husband and I are about to start a very exciting new adventure, together.