something to look forward to

six months and eight days into deployment, and the end of deployment number six is in sight. with homecoming just a few weeks away i should be working like a crazy person to get ready. now don't get me wrong, we're preparing... we've started making signs, pulled out the zillions of flags, purchased dresses and shoes... you know, the important stuff. lol. but oh the cleaning... i'm procrastinating on that! sometimes it feels so overwhelming just to think of all that i'd like to get done, yet i manage to piddle away my time on other little things... and the cleaning gets pushed aside for another day.

now, i am married to the most amazing man on the planet, and i know he would be happy to come home without squeaky cleanliness around every corner... but then, expectation is never the reason i want to get every last little detail in place for his homecomings. it's partly that he's worked so hard, and served so well, i want home to shout how much all that he does means to us. and then there's stan's little o.c.d. side... as soon as he gets home he sees all of the little things to catch up on, and for those first few days, i just want to make home feel like a retreat... away from the zillion things you have to do. and then... there is this, it just makes him happy. my wonderful husband knows cleaning is not my strong point, (believe me, we've had many a laughs over this weakness.) and he appreciates every little thing that i (or several of my VERY gracious friends) can manage to get done. it makes him happy. that's reason enough for sure. 

so here's to hoping for excess motivation over the next couple of weeks to think of the hundreds of tiny details that will make my handsome man smile inside. not because i have to, but because i want to. even if i don't want to till the last minute! :)

beside the homecoming prep, i've been thinking about all of the things that have changed since stan left... all the things that he hasn't seen or been a part of. i guess it's just one of those trying to put myself in his shoes type of deals. the girls have grown a ton, and changed in the little ways that one never notices when they are around every day. our church moved into their new building. they're almost done building an amazing park down the road. friends have had new little ones added to their families. i partially redecorated our room. i'm sure there are a thousand other little things, i've forgotten all about. 

to all the men and women of the military that bravely leave their homes behind to watch out for the welfare of others, and especially for my dear husband: i only understand a little piece of the sacrifice you make... but i am forever grateful for you. thank you, and God bless you!