Funny Little Boyfriend...

My little sister asked Dylan if this holiday pertained to him, and he said "Well yeah, kinda... I am a wounded veteran."

I then said, "You cut your pinky finger opening a can of soup and had to get 2 stitches, DYL! DOESN'T COUNT!"
(He did that while in Afghanistan back in March, I think. What a goober.)
But what a nice try...

:)
Happy Memorial Day to you!

Unfortunately I have no pictures...

But I did a fun Memorial Day Weekend!!

Friday night, Dylan and I went to meet my cousin, Myranda, her husband Tom and their kids Luke and Laney in Eureka Springs. They had been out on the lake all day and then we met up to go eat catfish at some hole in the wall kind of place. It was yummy!

Saturday, Dylan's little sister, Shanley got married. It was a short, sweet ceremony and a fun little reception. So Dylan and I just hung around town that day and watched Dear John together that night... well... he watched it. I had already seen it so I wasn't afraid to fall asleep. :) Wedding pictures to come soon!

Sunday, we were at the lake in Eureka Springs by noon, out on the water tubing and sun bathing! Tom has a really nice boat, so we had fun driving all over the lake! Dylan and I stopped to do a little fishing but couldn't catch anything. We had a birthday party for Luke Sunday night at my aunt and uncles house which was a lot of fun! I bought Luke some "Silly Bandz" for his birthday, which are the very "in" thing with kids these days! They are just rubber bands that are shaped in different animal shapes and what not. Kids wear them on their wrists. Then they trade them with their friends. They are kind of cool :) I bought Luke the "cowboy" set. He loved them!

Today I'm just doing some summer school homework and getting my life organized again for the upcoming week!

Hope everyone has enjoyed their weekend!
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Remember Sasha?

SHE'S ENGAGED!!!

I just got a text from her earrrrrrly this morning. She said something like this

"So Justin took me out to dinner last night, and then we went to the drive in and saw this movie that I recommend you see because it was really good. Then Justin wanted to pull an all nighter and take pictures of the sun coming up, so we went to Lake Sequoyah but it was so foggy we couldn't get a picture... Oh yeah, and I'm ENGAGED... !!"

What a turkey. Like I didn't know that was coming. She never texts me and gives me a play by play of all her dates! ;)

Anyway, I'm SO excited for her and can't WAIT to help her start planning the wedding! I also can't wait to see her bling! ;)

CONGRATS SASHA AND JUSTIN! LOVE YOU BOTH!!

Meet Sasha. She and her boyfriend, Justin are responsible for the wonderful pictures taken below :) And I love her for that and for many other reasons! Thanks again Sash!








































There are a few more... But I'm tired of uploading!

Dylan has been home for almost a week now and it feels so GOOD. I've spent every single minute I could with this boy over the past 6 days and I'm not even sick of him yet! ;) So much has changed between us. He seems a little different, but not in a bad way.

I have noticed in myself, that I have 10 times more patience and understanding with him. Little things that he did that used to bother me, I now love. I laugh a lot more. I can joke a lot more with him.

I knew when we left that we needed a change in our relationship. We fought more than we got along. To be honest, we weren't on the best of terms before he left. But I had been praying about it and knew that the right thing to do was to be by his side through the deployment.

I've prayed so hard over the past four months for God to make a change in us. In BOTH of us. And over the past week I've seen it. I've seen the change in everything that we've done together.

If there is a silent moment between the two of us, one is quick to fill it with "I love you" We say that more than we ever have. We have laughed and joked and genuinely just CARED about each other more. I'm so thankful for that.

I'm SO proud of him. We go around town and we will run into someone I know and I'm quick to say "This is Dylan, he just got back from Afghanistan!!" I tell our waitresses, I brought him by the preschool I work at to show him off to all of my friends there, I would tell random people on the street... but that might embarrass Dyl :)

Everyone is so proud of him and that honestly just makes my heart happy. I'm so happy and SO proud.

Pictures to come soon... promise

Around 8:45 last night, (Ok, more like 9.. I was running a little late ;) my best friend Sasha and her boyfriend, Justin came to my house to start our Southbound adventure to go get DYLAN! I asked them to come and take pictures because both of them are SUCH good photographers and I knew I could count on them to capture the big day!

He called me FROM HIS CELL PHONE which was the greatest feeling ever around 6 that night. I got teary eyed when "Dylan's cell" popped up on my phone because it just made everything feel so real to me. Like it wasn't just something I was hoping for, it was really going to happen.

They had changed the flight times at LEAST 4 times yesterday. First it was 7:40pm, then 11:40, then 10:40 which it stayed until we were on the road for about 20 minutes after 9 and then changed back to 11:40 ... lovely, huh? And I didn't even see his face until 12:30! UGH! So annoying... but of course, like a good friend has been telling me... nothing else matters when you finally see his face. All those little annoyances fade away and it is like they never even existed :)

I was fine on the drive down there. (( I followed Sasha and Justin because I knew I wanted to ride back with Dylan alone, and that it would take him a little longer to get out of there so I didn't want them hanging around so late. They were SO good to come and stick around as late as they did anyway. I'm sure both of them are so exhausted today!)) I could just hardly contain my excitement while I was on the road. I had my music up loud and I just kept thinking "I won't be listening to music on the way home at all... I'll be listening to Dyl!!" I would literally squeal with excitement!

Things started to hit me when we took the Fort Smith exit and my palms got really sweaty and all I could think to do way pray. So about 12 Hail Mary's later, I called Sasha with tears in my eyes claiming how nervous I was. And I was. I had so many things running through my head and I was honestly just ready to get the night over with and start my summer with Dylan.

We made it on base, found a parking spot, fixed my hair and make up :) and then waited for what seemed like FOREVER. Seriously. I met up with Dylan's parents right after we all witnessed the plane land (There were about 1,000 people there!) And surprise surprise, I had tears in my eyes again. I remember grabbing Sasha's hand and saying "I don't know what is wrong with me" or something like that. (She is so good to calm my nerves though... best friend EVER!)

Then we waited... four or five buses pulled up, unloading all the guys and everyone would cheer and run around looking for their loved ones. I remember seeing a mom who just got off the bus and she was holding her 2 or 3 year old baby boy so tight with tears rolling down her face and she just kept saying "I love you baby, I love you" I lost it. Of course.

Dylan was on the VERY.LAST.BUS. So I witnessed a lot of sweet moments between families and other young couples that brought tears to my eyes before seeing his handsome self step off the bus :)

His mom pushed me towards him and I can't remember exactly how it went down after that except that I held on to him so tight. I think I may have said something like, "Don't ever leave me for that long ever again" :) I can spare you all the gooey details. But I will say that when he kissed me, it just felt normal again. Like nothing had changed. Like I had my life back, finally.

The ride home was exactly what I expected. I couldn't wipe the smile off of my face and he just stared at me and told me he couldn't believe he was actually there. We drove over a hill to see our town all lit up at 2:30 am and I looked over at him and he seriously had the biggest, most genuine smile on his face. I said "You're home, honey!!"

I feel like this is a long and unorganized post. So, bless you if you've made it this far! I will share more another day, along with pictures from the talented duo!

Thanks for all the support!

ON.MY.WAY.

I'm getting ready! About to hop in the shower to wash my hair. Followed by some blow drying and curling. Lots of mascara. Perfume. Dress. Flower in hair. Then I'm READY! Ha!

I'M GOING TO GET MY MAN TONIGHT!! CAN'T WAIT UNTIL 10:30!!!!!!!!!!

I have found myself thinking in the past week "Oh my gosh, I've got to hurry up and do that before Dylan gets home" Like my life will be over and completely devoted to him and making him happy with no time to myself.

Before he left I had the same attitude. "Oh my gosh, WE'VE got to hurry up and do this before he leaves!" Like he was never coming back and I'd never have the opportunity to have fun with him again. I guess that (in a way) kind of makes sense. But who likes to think that way in this situation?

He will be back in ONE. DAY. That's it. That is all I have left to wait. He is going to be here, and he is going to be happy.

He called me this morning (and woke me up) around 7:30-8:00. I was so excited to hear from him, because this will probably be my last time to talk to him long distance :) :) :) He said that his flight (of course) got pushed back and he should be in at 7:30 tomorrow night :) It really doesn't matter to me WHAT time he gets here... as long as it is TOMORROW.

So I'm ready. I'm prepared. I got my nails done and I have my outfit picked out. I know exactly how I'm going to wear my hair. I know what time I'm leaving here. I have his bag of goodies all packed up with bows and such. I'm ready. I'm so ready.

I am SO ready for him to come home!

Random Thoughts

I'm blogging a lot lately because I'm nervous.

I haven't talked to Dylan in 35+ Hours...

I have no appetite and almost got sick this evening when I got home from babysitting because I haven't eaten anything today except a sandwich for Lunch. I was craving grilled cheese and Tomato soup, and even after eating that at 10pm I still felt sick to my stomach. Still do.

I have been having really weird dreams that I can't seem to remember, but I will remember them randomly throughout the day, and it freaks me out.

Dylan is still supposed to be home on Monday night :) And I've asked my very best friend and her boyfriend to come with me to Ft Smith to capture some pictures for me! I'm so excited and SO thankful to have her in my life..

I spent about 45 Dollars on Dylan's welcome home basket ... I filled it with all (most) of his favorite things:

-a pair of black athletic shorts with pockets (He has some that he wears around his house that are YEARS old, so they are really short on him and even have holes in them... But he will ONLY wear those because they have pockets in them. So I will soon be replacing them and I can't WAIT to throw the other ones out! :)

-A Camelback reusable water bottle just like mine except it is blue instead of pink.. that way we can match ;)

-Gushers. He's a kid. He is seriously 6 years old at heart. Loves those things.

-Air freshener for his car (One of his guilty *girly* pleasures ;)

-A new tee shirt

-Body wash and a loofa from bath and body works (His favorite and the ONLY loofa he will use because I got him hooked ;)

-Deodorant and Shampoo (I don't know if he'll have these things once he gets home and I'm SURE one of the first things he will want to do is take a shower... and besides I want him to smell good. ha) I should've bought some toothpaste and a tooth brush. Dang it.

Anyway. There is my randomness for the end of the week. I'm sure there will be another post tomorrow!

Until then, this nervous nellie is off to bed!

Conversation with Dylan Today

Whoops!

Me: Dyl, I am out of windshield wiper fluid. I think it is time to get my oil changed.
Dylan: Please tell me that isn't what you let determine when you need to change your oil...
Me: Uhhhh.... :)

Lists

I'm sitting at my list right now and I have about 3 lists that I've had going for the past couple of days. Things to put into Dylan's "welcome home" basket. Lists of appointments I need to make, Lists of things to do before he gets here. Lists of people to call. I think it just hit me that... I don't have a lot of time before he gets here. I actually, technically only have about 2 free days to get things done before HE gets HERE.

And I'm nervous.

He called me at 1:15pm to tell me that he has to be at work at 5:30am (8pm our time... I think) To load up the plane and **Hopefully** Be out of there by 7:30. He will fly to Manas (About to google that) in 3 hours and stay there for 5 days until the ashes settle from the Volcano. There are apparently a bunch of scary things going on in Manas right now... Riots and such. I don't care to google that again.

I think that the 5 day layover is silly. I don't really believe that they will be there that long.. however I don't really believe that he will be home on Monday night like he says they will...

The military reallllllly stinks at staying on track with arrival times and take off times and such. So as long as he will be here sometime between Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th... I'll be the happiest girl in the world!

CAN'T WAIT!!!!

Gotta Love him.

So Dylan doesn't explain things very well. I just had a conversation with him via Facebook and it went a little something like this:

E=Emily
D=Dylan

E: Are you nervous?
D:Nah, I'm just packing and ready to be home.
E: You'll be fine, Dyl. So tell me how your day is going to go down.
D: Well, I have to catch the bus in an hour, then I get my bags checked at 1400 hrs and turn in my gun and ammo at 1600 hrs
E: Speak english. I'm not in the military
D: 2 and 3 o'clock
E: Appreciated. So, what time does the plane leave?
D: Oh I don't leave till tomorrow (Monday night for us, Tuesday for him)
E: No Dyl, you're getting your bags checked... sooooo you leave today :)
D: Yeah I get my bags checked but then they keep them until tomorrow when we leave.
E: You don't explain things very well...
D: Maybe you don't listen very well...

*But I know it wasn't my listening skills because he never explains things very well :)He explains it like I'm there and I know what he is thinking and feeling etc. I'll work on that with him when he gets back ;) *

So I've tried to do the math and calculate the hours, but it honestly makes my head hurt. So I've come to the conclusion that he will be leaving Afghanistan for Manas sometime on Monday night. He will stay in Manas for 5 days and then be home on Monday the 17th!

Then, my little boyfriend who is scared to death he will forget something (I'm SURE he has made a huge list of everything he needs to pack, complete with little boxes out in the margins that he checks off as he goes along :) Kept saying "ask me questions" in the middle of conversations and I had no clue what he was talking about, so I would just ignore it (ha) then about the 3rd time he said it....

E: Ask you questions about what?
D: Ya know.. Quiz me on stuff I need to pack.
(I smiled here because thats what he made me do before he left for Afghanistan. And because I just think it's cute :)
E:Ok, Do you have your ipod?
D: Check.
E: ipod accessories?
D: Check.
E: Tooth brush?
D: Check

and so on....

What a stinker. :) Can't wait for Monday the 17th!

Big Day!

In a couple of hours... actually maybe just one... Dylan will be waking up and packing his bags, ready to head out and

COME HOME!!!!

He will be here "Monday the 17th at 5:54pm"

(But I'm sure this will change a million times before he gets here, so I am not believing it just yet :)

I have ONE WEEK to get myself ready and to get that darn basket put together! Ah!! I hope it goes by fast because I can't wait much longer to hug his neck!

While I've been away...

These past couple of weeks have been C.R.A.Z.Y.

I have had 6 tests to take and 2 big projects due in the past 2 weeks. Plus babysitting. Plus afternoons at the Preschool. Plus friends birthday parties and dinners and outings. I've been a crazy busy person. And I apologize if I've come across that way :) I've tried to hold it all together ;)

Anyway, today is great for a few reasons:

1. It is FRIDAY!!

2. It is my very first day STUDY FREE/SCHOOL FREE/ WORRY FREE Day!!!!

3. I got to sleep in this morning

4. It is only 11 days until Dylan comes home!!!

I'm planning on putting together a "welcome home basket" or goody bag or something for him. He'll be riding back with me, so I'd like to have something in the front seat of my car, waiting on him :)

I was thinking I could put things in there like,

-May issue of his favorite magazine
-New swimsuit
-New loofa and body wash
-Movies that we want to watch together
-New (reusable) water bottle
-other little things like packs of gum, snacks for the way home, etc.

I'm so excited!!!!! I can't wait to put this together, but even more, I can't wait to hug his neck!!!! So excited!!!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!