3 years of bliss

So today is my husband and I's anniversary of dating.  I know that is a little silly but we like to find any reason to celebrate our life together.  We started dating June 6, 2008.  Everyone that knows us can tell you that it hasn't been all bliss with all of the long distance but I wouldn't change any of it for the world.  We have been able to work through some really tough things after being apart for months at a time.  It has made us stronger and I'm so thankful for that! God knows how long I can be away from Rico and he won't make it any longer!

At the mini golf course :)

Our first date we went to Benihana's and had one of the best meals I have ever had.  We will be celebrating my birthday this year there and I'm so excited!  Our first year anniversary we went to Tum Rup Thai for lunch and ended the evening at a body building contest with his dad and fiance.  And our 2nd we went to a mini golf and go-kart place in Coon Rapids then ended with my brother and sister in law at Macaroni Grille.  We have had many memorable dates and I'm so thankful that we have similar tastes so we can always find a place to celebrate.  Another part that's really fun is that we have incorporated family into almost all of our anniversaries (even though it hasn't been that many.  This year we will have a wonderful Skype date and our gift to ourselves is a headboard set that we have been talking about for a while and ending it by going to the movie bridesmaid by myself :) Honestly no hard feelings because movies by yourself can be fun sometimes! :)  I know Rico would LOVE to see bridesmaids with me (JOKE) so he will be with me in spirit! :)

I love y husband with all my heart and I long for his return.  I'm thinking about you and praying for you baby! Next month I get to hug you and see you in person! I'm so so excited! Thank you Jesus for a fast 2 months!

So Rico has been playing video games to pass the time.  He has been able to bond with some of the guys which has been really good for him! I'm still on the look out for a job but am still making some money in the mean time!  We're both so excited for his return! Keep us in your prayers!

So...I graduated and become an auntie all in one weekend!

Day 114/174

Well I graduated from Northwestern College with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing.  I'm very proud of my accomplishments as is my support system :) Especially my wonderful husband who sent me flowers and chocolate with a really sweet note :)

I'm so thankful for him and my family and friends.  Also, I'm so proud of all my fellow graduates this year!

I had an eventful weekend! My sister-in-law and brother had their baby on Friday morning.  Adeline Rose Plantage is a perfect little baby girl who knows she's loved because their are always arms to hold her.  She is content and cries very little; I know that might not always be the case but it was nice for the weekend.  

My family (mom, dad, sister, and grandparents) were able to come up and stay with me in our little apartment :) It was so sweet and we had such a great weekend!

I am now a college graduate who has employment looking for more permanent work.  I have a few possibilities but I'll be in prayer until God feels fit to open up some doors! 

An update on Rico: 

He just finished a week where he had to work over night and the last half normal days.  It was hard for his body but they got a lot done that they needed to be done.  Now he is back to his normal schedule.  He desperately wants to come home.  This last weekend was really hard for him because there were so many things happening.  The good thing is that we're almost to 2 months left.  It's hard to imagine it coming up but I'm praying that it goes by faster than slower! It seems to be going slow for Rico because it's getting more and more slow.  Pray for more work orders for him!

Keep us in our prayers as we will keep you in ours.  Thank you for all your support!  We love and appreciate all the love! :)

Over the halfway mark!

Day 100/174 about 10 weeks left!

So I want to apologize for not writing in almost a month! SO much has happened!

We had a baby shower for my beautiful sister-in-law, Easter with half of the in-laws, senior business banquet, a personal shower for one of my best friends and final presentations! So, so busy but happy to get everything done. Everything went well so what a relief!

So I only have a few pictures from the two events: business banquet and the shower :)

I just had a job interview with an insurance company that could be the start of a great career! I'm really praying that God gives us what we need and wants if it is His will! I am trying to find a good full time job so that I will be able to support us while Rico finishes his last year at Northwestern!

Rico is doing well, the news about Osama is great but hasn't affected Rico so we need to keep him and everyone overseas in our prayers!  He is still doing well but it is still boring.  I am happy that there isn't much actions but sad for him that it makes the time go by slower.  He recently started helping one of his new friends with working out.  He takes after his dad in that way.  It is really sweet to see him doing what he's passionate about.

He has been receiving packages from the pre-schoolers/kindergartners which is really sweet!  It's precious to see the little ones sending a troop their gifts they have some sweet questions for him too, next post I will include them!

When missing turns into longing

Day 76

Well I would love to tell you that it gets easier as time goes by but honestly, it gets harder.  I'm praying for my love everyday and for myself that with every passing day it will be easier than the last.  I am getting through this and I am strong enough to get through this but the fact of the matter is I'm lonely.  One of the greatest gifts God has given me is a supportive family and new friendships.  I have been spending time with some lovely girls down the hall from me and also with my two best friends :) I'm so thankful for them because they're the reason I don't sit a wallow! I have also made deeper connections with other wonderful women and could not have been happier that they were put in my life at this time.  Had Rico been home, it might've been harder to spend so much time with the girls.

But, one very exciting thing that happened with me is that my sister made it official that we're going to Europe in June! We're going to London and Paris and go to all the historical places and museums.  I'm very excited and grateful that Rico is letting me go :)

Well enough of me, on to Rico!

It hasn't been an exciting deployment but it has been an interesting one so far! Rico was able to go out on the city of Dubai and to a water park.  He had a great time off base but had a hard time with the group he was with.  Without giving out too much info: they were all over each other.  He hated being the third wheel.  Hopefully and prayerfully when he gets back, he won't have to deal with that much.  Especially with people he barely knows :) I am glad that there is no action but I'm sad he's bored out of his mind! He gets to go off base again soon which will be great! 

I'm really missing him and I know he is missing home immensely!

That's all for now,

His Wife :)

One more week under my belt!

Day 62

So this week has been bittersweet.  I've been getting little sleep and I've had a lot of homework  with late hours at work.  Not a good combination for health! But Rico is writing up a work out plan for me and I've been invested in some good food so that area of my life is going well! BUt I'm starting to get exhausted! :)

I GOT THE JOB!!!!! I am now the brand expert at Gap! Which means I get to manager which is the perfect transition job.  I only have over a month left of school and then I graduate! It was hard because Rico would have celebrated with me because that's his job :) I missed that but I was able to spend some good time breaking bread with his dad and fiance and Jada :) and His grandma, and one of my best friends and going to go out with the girls next week! So pumped!

I've been able to talk to Rico but it has been a little different after daylight savings so it's in the middle of the day rather than before school.  I'm definitely not complaining!! I've been getting a little tired of coming to no one but I know it won't be long until he comes home which might be earlier than expected! I miss him terribly!


I got bored and lonely one night so this is what happened:

I had a great time trying on Rico's clothes! :)

While my week was interesting, Rico had a good week.  He is still working on maintaining the buildings on base but has been putting up and taking down tents.  It has been getting really hot! Today it was 97 degrees and one of the guys told him it could get up to 130 degrees! It's normal over there but for Rico, no bueno! He hates working in the heat.  But he's getting a pretty great farmer's tan!  He has the opportunity to get off base for the first time in 2 months! He gets to go to a water park and the Dubai mall which has a caribou in it! He is sooooo excited! Thats all for now.  He is still missing home like crazy but that's a given :) LLove you Rico Etienne! Can't wait till you get home!

I'm so proud of you Senior Airman Roddy!

Thats all for now! We love all you guys! Thank you for your support during his deployment! If anyone wants to send him anything, let me know!

Where to begin

Day 53

So I spose I should give a little background on what I'm keeping you all up to date on!

a glimpse at the beginning of our fairytale (as realistic as fairytales are :))

First off my new husband and I just got married on December 31, 2010!  We are so thankful for everyone who helped and also everyone who braved the storm.  We were married for three weeks and then Rico got sent off to the Middle East to be brave! He is stationed in a non-combat zone and is safe.  He is basically doing what he did here on base overseas.  He is in the Air Force Reserves and hopefully this will be his only deployment.  There isn't a whole lot to report so I will only blog about once a week.

We planned on getting married before he left so we knew what we were getting ourselves into!   Nothing can fully prepare you for deployment but we knew what was coming.  He has a class of kindergartners that have adopted him.  They send him packages of goodies and letters and they all pray for him which is so awesome! It helps him get through this time.  He left for this deployment Jan 22.  He went with only two other guys and wasn't able to go with anyone in his unit.  He hasn't had any contact with a Christian so that has been really hard.  He did enter the military with a really good friend of his that got deployed to Afghanistan so keep him in your prayers as well!

Matt who joined the military with him!

Rico is sick so pray for him to get better quickly!

Also, it's starting to get hotter-high 90's!

I just got off of Spring break and have crazy senioritis! It's OK though I will graduate with a bang-as you would know that is my style!

I'm also planning a wonderful baby shower as well as a very sweet personal shower for one of my best friends! I have a busy next couple of months! Try to keep up :) As my other best friend would say :)

It's OK you can make fun of me, this is me and a good friend on one of our girls night excursions!

One more thing, don't worry I'm not becoming a hermit with my other-half being gone! I have a weekly girls night which is so so much fun with cute movie and some kind of food :) My favorite type of party! And I try to hang out with my brother and his wonderful wife so I keep busy rather than having pity parties for myself!

Thats all for now!

PS I haven't heard from Gap about the manager job yet :/

The start of a long deployment

DAY 45

So, it has been 6 weeks and 2 days since Rico left.  I thought I would let his family and friends know how he is doing.  We get to Skype quite a bit which is an answer to prayer.  He has been working out and working since he got there.  There isn't much to do on base so he is able to talk to family and catch up on movies.  He spent his birthday working but had care packages to keep him company and his supervisor gave him a day off!  He is missing home like crazy but he is safe and excited to come back.  He's been working around the base maintaining buildings and outdoor fixtures.  He's gaining experience and learning a lot of great life experiences!  I will keep you updated with him as I learn more about what he gets to do and experience!

For me, I just interviewed for a part-time management position at Gap which is very exciting!  I will be graduating in 2 months which I am ready to enter the real world and I am also nervous about it.  I know God will take care of me and will make a way where I didn't think there was one.  I am enjoying my free as will have little of it very soon.  I wanted to start a blog because I heard there's great enjoyment in it :).  Please keep us in your prayers as it continues to get harder and better at the same time.

I'm new to blogging so have a little grace :)