"I can't wait to..." moments

So here's the plan: [You must have a plan when your boyfriend is coming home, as in back to the States..and no longer in Iraq, home.]


He arrives in 10 days, maybe 9 depending on when his flight departs Kuwait and brings him to Charlottesville. Anyone would be anxious, that's a given. But I am especially anxious. I become anxious over the most simple things, and this situation is not simple, so you can probably imagine the level of anxiety I am feeling right about now. It's been eight months in the making. Waiting. Counting. And many, many "I can't wait to..." moments shared out loud right in the middle of a conversation.

May I share a few "I can't wait to..." moments?

• I can't wait to go to dinner and talk with you long after we have finished our meal.


• I can't wait to see your face in front of my face and not on my computer screen (although, I love seeing his face every night on my computer screen. Trust me, I'm not complaining)


• I can't wait to hold your hand.


• I can't wait to ride in your truck (which is also now my favorite truck)


• I can't wait to laugh with you, in person.


• I can't wait to curl up on the couch and watch a movie with you.


• I can't wait to sit beside you.


• I can't wait to hold hands and pray with you.


• I can't wait to lay my head on your chest and hear your heart beat and know that you're safe.


• I can't wait to see you across the room and smile.


• I can't wait to go on our hot air balloon ride and a picnic.


• I can't wait to go shopping and get ice cream.


• I can't wait to go to church and worship our awesome God together.


• I can't wait to walk on the beach with you.


• I can't wait to cook you dinner in my kitchen, while you sit at the bar and talk to me.


• I can't wait to grill out and sit on the patio and talk about whatever, for however long we want.


• I can't wait for you to meet Macie girl.


• I can't wait for you to meet my family!


• I can't wait to dance with you.


• I can't wait to show you off to all my friends.


• I can't wait to listen to our favorite songs in the car.


• I can't wait to go to the movies with you.


• I can't wait to give you all the hugs and kisses I have saved up for you.


• I can't wait to.... well do anything and everything...because we'll finally be together...

...you'll finally be here...and not there [for two weeks...but then you have to go back. We won't talk about that right now though.]



Back to my plan. My plan is simple. My plan is... to stay as busy as I possibly can over the next few days. I want to stay so busy that the hours just fly by. So busy that when I get in bed at night and think to myself 'Wow, today is over. I could use another hour to get something done..." ....and then I fall asleep faster than humanly possible. I will listen to music, clean, plan outfits, pack, spend time with my friends [because they make me very happy] and keep my mind from counting down the hours until I am with him. It's hard to be patient when you are this close. Single digits, close. I can't even imagine how he feels right now. It's going to be great to wrap my arms around him and tell him how proud I am of what he's doing. He's been serving his country, every day, for eight months. Could you imagine going to work every day- seven days in a row- over twelve hour days- in the desert- with no vacation or time off? I feel like I barely survive my five day work week with my Thanksgiving-Christmas holidays off. I should not complain.



You should know that my plan has been working out well for me. I haven't even had time to post a recent blog. I apologize for those of you who read it. :)



A side note: It makes me smile when I have friends and cowokers counting down with me. I feel so loved and supported. It's all about the people you surround yourself with while the person you love is away. Your support system is how you survive, along with lots of faith and ofcourse, the dedication of the person who is away. Phil makes the deployment easier for me. I couldn't do this with just anyone. He is so dedicated to making me feel not-so-lonely. I love him for that. He's a great Army Captain, but he's an even better boyfriend-best friend-and person that I couldn't imagine my life without.

many wishes and lots of love on 3.13.10

So far, I have been twenty-five for two days and am still smiling from having such a remarkable birthday...

My birthday started off with mant texts from family and friends (even one from Germany from Tess and Ryan!) and my first phone call at 9 AM from Philip. Once he asked if I was awake, which I was, he asked me to sign onto my computer and he was going to send me a link. He informed me that I was to click on the link he sent me and pick out something on that page. The link took me here:

.com

After the page uploaded and I realized where I was, I got excited, but confused at the same time. "But you already gave me my birthday present!" I reminded him. I could tell he was smiling by this point and reassured me that he remembered, but he was taking me shopping for my birthday too. Was he serious? I wanted to talk him out of it and convince him that he had already done enough. Needless to say, a sweater in a beautiful color called "papaya", a blue dress and teal cardigan later... Phil had wished me birthday again with the help of Ann Taylor Loft. I enjoyed telling everyone that on my birthday, Phil took me shopping. How thoughtful is he? And sweet?.. and really good at surprising me! And he certainly knows how to make us feel close, even though we are separated by too many miles and seven hours. The distance could have felt longer on my birthday, but he didn't let it. I love him for that. I love him for just wanting to make me happy. Although, he had already accomplished that the day he walked into my life.

Did you "Spring Forward" your clock? Did you know that Iraq does not Spring Forward or Fall Back? Philip and I started our deployment being seven hours apart, then went to eight hours apart, and now we are back to seven. Luckily, we will stay only seven hours apart until he comes home this summer.


Are you keeping up with our countdown until R&R? ...19 days!


Even though Philip wasn't with me on my birthday, I was surrounded by close friends, which was helpful and exactly the way I wanted it. I went to lunch with Eric, one of my oldest and closest friends from high school. We talked about life and upcoming plans and Philip coming home soon. I also enjoyed a mid-twenties nap in the middle of the afternoon. Later that evening, Courtney, Lauren and Jessie came over to my house. I opened my birthday presents and loved every single one. I wanted to share what Lauren packed in my new picnic basket:

I would like to note that this picnic basket will travel up to Charlottesville with me in 18 days. It will then be packed with lunch and other picnic items for a beautiful, romantic picnic in the meadows with Philip. I can't wait!

A moose photo album because I love moose and pictures...

A children's book of "First Prayers" to add to my collection!

Also, not shown, but still loved very much: a perfect size jewelry box that was much needed for my dresser and a notepad for a Wedding To-Do List :) So cute. Even the wrapping paper was fun and happy. Ice cream cake, and homemade chocolate fudge cake...with twenty-five candles!

This is Court's puppy dog, Sophie (Macie wasn't with me for my birthday...) Courtney got me a gift certificate for a manicure/pedicure, which is #6 on my list!

Later that evening, we had a fantastic dinner at Waterman's...with Orange Crushes!

Lauren, Me, Court and Jessie

The day after my birthday, March 14th, I met one of the sweetest people I work with at Corporate Landing, Kristen Brinkman, for lunch at Red Robin. (One of my all-time favorite places to eat- go figure, cheeseburgers and ketchup!) I knew that her son, Conrad, who is one of my favorite SCA kids, and his little brother, Carson would join us. Little did I know, that Autumn would be there too! Surprise! Conrad and Autumn both come from amazing families and are the sweetest, most well-mannered kids you will ever meet. Not to mention, they make me laugh and smile on any given occasion. We had a great lunch and I really felt blessed to be having a lunch date with some of my favorite people! Kristen's husband comes home from his deployment on Wednesday. She reminds me a lot of my mother- very dedicated to her husband and family. She is supermom and does it all while dad is away... I hope I can be that rock for my family one day. For my birthday, she made me an Army blanket! I was so excited and fell in love with it. It helps to snuggle up with it while Phil is gone... but I can't wait to curl up and watch a movie with both of us on the couch. Go Army! (I'm glad Kristen's husband didn't see this, he's in the Navy and wouldn't have liked it too much) Did you know that I grew up Navy? I was a total daddy's girl and was very much raised to say "Go Navy...Beat Army." I guess I have to say the opposite now. I'm proud to be an Army girlfriend and a Navy daughter. Is that fair to say? :)

Here's the blanket Kristen made:

One last birthday gift, was from Autumn. She was one of my students last year and made such a huge impact on me as a teacher, and as a person. She's beautiful, inside and out and is such a joy to be around. Today, she came to my classroom with a big smile on her face (as always). She made me a blue and clear beaded bracelet. It's beautiful, and fits my tiny wrist perfectly. She also made me a card that brought tears to my eyes. She made the card from scratch and is such a crafty little thing, but what she wrote meant the world to me:

Can you read it? I will type it just incase you can't...

Ms. Daivs,

Happy Birthday!!! I think you are an amazing person. You are also very pretty. :) You are a great teacher and an awesome sca sponsor. You are one of my idols. I hope that one day i will be just like you. :) To me you like an older sister. Mr. Phil is very lucky to have you as his wife one day. I can't wait for your wedding and to be apart of it means a lotto me. Thank you so much for being in my life. Ms. Davis you rock!!! :)

Love, Autumn

So my birthday is over...but this year is going to be an incredible journey. I am blessed to have such an amazing man in my life and can't wait for our happily ever after to begin.

an almost birthday dinner and taylor swift

Tomorrow I will turn 25 and I'm looking forward to officially enter my mid-twenties. Maybe it's because it's an odd number, and I love odd numbers or maybe it's because there are many exciting and wonderful things about to happen while I'm 25...but I think this year will be pretty special.

Today, I got a head start celebrating with a fantastic dinner at Olive Garden with Gina, Mike, Jessica and ofcourse baby Jake! Jake slept the whole time while we were stuffing our faces. He is such a sweet baby. I had to steal a picture of him while we were waiting for our table.

He's growing up so fast already and is just over 3 months old. I can't wait to have a family with Philip. I can easily wait a year or two before starting on that journey, but when the time is right, it will be such a miracle.

I can't wait for my friends to meet Phil. They will love him, and I'm sure he is going to love my friends too!

I had a wonderful evening with great friends...it started with dinner and ended with a dance party on the way home to Taylor Swift with Jess. We love Taylor... The evening was...perfect :)

God Bless my friends who make me happy and not so loney while Phil is away...

twenty three and a fairy tale birthday card

Twenty-three days until he comes home...

and twenty-three things to do before he gets here...

1. Plant flowers and buy a new baby palm tree for my patio (hopefully it will be warm enough to do this...)

2. Plan a dinner or two to cook for him

3. Charge my digital camera battery (the night before I leave to go to Charlottesville)

4. Plan and coordinate my outfits with shoes, and jewelry (many of my clothes will be brand new from Ann Taylor Loft- compliments of Philip and my very generous gift card that he gave me for Christmas)

5. Get a haircut

6. Manicure and pedicure. Although, I have been, what I like to call 'sanding' my feet, with my pumice stone, nightly, just to make sure my little size feet are smooth.

7. Clean my condo

8. Celebrate my birthday this Saturday. My last birthday with my last name, and as a 'single' girl!

9. Wash Macie girl's bed (she comes home with us after our short trip in NC to see my family)

10. Stock my pantry with ingredients I need to cook and other fun snacks

11. Begin and finish the book The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. I am going to start it tonight. I'm excited because I bought it back in December and it has been patiently waiting on my coffee table for months.

12. Create a few playlists on my iPOD for our roadtrip from Charlottesville to North Carolina to Virginia Beach and back to Charlottesville...although I'm sure we will do more talking than anything. It will be nice to go on a little roadtrip together.

13. Switch my closets around and organize my spring wardrobe.

14. Set up a few appointments for wedding planning purposes.

15. Say a few extra little prayers for patience because I feel the anxiety and excitement increase every day.

16. Prepare lesson plans for the three personal days I am taking off work (this will be quite the task)

17. Finish planning a few surprises...( I would share those with you too, but Philip reads my blog, so that would not be a smart thing to do)

18. Can 17 and 18 work as planning the surprises...because it is plural-which is more than one?

19. Continue my work out routines and adding a few walks to the beach and back on beautiful, sunny afternoons.

20. Send Gran her birthday card (we share the same birthday month and the same last name-Davis)

21. Maybe I will buy a new pair of shoes?

22. Clean my classroom- he will be coming to visit me there too!

23. Fall asleep twenty two more times with a smile on my face, knowing that when I wake up it will be one day closer to seeing him.

Well, even though I didn't accomplish anything from the above list today, I was able to have a productive day at school, including a pregame pizza party for students before the home wrestling match. Being on my feet for almost twelve hours will make anyone exhausted...but I am especially tired tonight. I wish I could come home to Philip and we could curl up on the couch and he could watch tv and I could start my new book and I would trade him a neck/back massage for a foot massage :) Do you think he'd go for that?

I did, however, come home and check my mail. I had two sweet birthday cards in my mailbox today. One from my Grandma (who is my soulmate and I just love her dearly...) and the other was from my best friend who has had that title since 6th grade, and who is also currently flying across the ocean to Germany to spend a few days with the love of her life. Both cards brightened my day, well, night. I would like to share a little of what Tess wrote in my card. It was beautiful and perfect.

"Happy Birthday, Love! Do you know why you're getting this fairy tale princess card? Because you've found your prince charming and you're well on your way to starting your happily ever after! I'm so happy for you Heather! It's so wonderful to hear you absolutely beaming!"


It even came with 5 magic-special doors to open. It was truly a fairy tale card. And she is right. I have found my prince charming, Army Captain, best friend, grow old with him and drink lemonade on our porch when we're eighty three kind of fairy tale love in Philip. I really am the lucky one.

Also, I would like to share one more thing, and then I want to start my book...one of my previous students from last year, Hannah, noticed my necklace today and said, "Ohhh, that's a pretty necklace." I smiled and replied, "Oh! Thank you! My boyfriend sent it to me for my birthday." She simply smiled back and said, "I thought that was who probably got you that." I think even my kids know how special he is to me and how I light up whenever I talk about him.

happy birthday. with love. all the way from iraq.

Happy Birthday! With love from Philip.

Being patient paid off, and today, without any obstacles, I was able to make it to the post office to pick up my birthday present from Phil. After picking it up, and purchasing two books of stamps...I drove home, wondering what could be in the priority mail envelope... I got home and went for my laptop- because that's what you have to do when the love of your life is in Iraq and you want to open your birthday present with him- I woke him up from a deep sleep at 4:45 [US time] and 12:45 [Iraq time]. He is never grumpy when I do this. I'm thankful for that... because sometimes I'm selfish and just want to talk to him when I get home from work... he understands and always turns on his skype video with a big smile and a sleepy hello. I promise I don't abuse my skpying privleges..and he says he doesn't mind surprise skype calls.

When I got the okay to open it... I was ready. I tried to make slow movements so that the screen wouldn't freeze and he could watch me open it up. It was wrapped in black paper with a silver bow...the presentation of the box was beautiful. I took a deep breath as I opened the box and...I'll let the necklace speak for itself.

It fits my personality perfectly..and says this is a Heather-necklace. I love my birthstone and the design of the necklace is simple, unique and ...well, I just love it. Doesn't it remind of you of an engagement ring-upside down? So once again, Philip took my breath away-made me smile and giggle and get teary-eyed all at the same time. I am loved and I know it, without a doubt.

Here's the difficult part... if he gave me this in person, I would have jumped up and put my arms around his neck and kissed his face all over and looked into his blue eyes and said thank you. But, he isn't here... he's there [Iraq]. I miss him, especially when he surprises me with something like this for my birthday. No worries though, I am saving up hugs and kisses for him when he comes home for R&R. I like to think he knows in his heart how happy he makes me and how much I appreciate him [and my necklace]...but more importantly, I appreciate his tremendous efforts in shopping from Iraq for just the right necklace to say Happy Birthday and the way he shows me he's thinking of me and is with me in thoughts when he can't be here. [Thanks to Chris and Ashley Lyons for helping make this happen....]

Phil, Thank you for making my 25th birthday special... it's going to be a very exciting year. I cannot wait to go on the hot air balloon ride with you (the balloon ride is another birthday celebration he has planned for us...when he comes home in April). Soon....24 days, soon! It's going to be so nice just to be with you....

sunflowers waiting for me

What a beautiful March day. My students were awesome, my planning periods were productive, and I was home before dark! Philip had told me this morning that he thought my birthday present would arrive today (huge hint) and if you know anything about me, I get real excited about things and very anxious. On the way home, it took everything I had not to speed because I just wanted to get to my mailbox. There it was, tucked away inside my tiny little mailbox, the "redelivery" slip from the good ol' post office. Well, I guess another day to wait won't hurt. I can be patient. Besides, it's not even my REAL birthday yet (...5 days). So tomorrow, my plan is to leave school right away, get to the post office and pick up this package from Phil! I can't imagine what it could be... but knowing him, it will be something that is very special and something that I will absolutely love. He seems to know me really well and always surprises me with the most thoughtful gifts. He is so good to me and that is one of the many, many things I love that about him. I hope that when he goes to bed every night in Iraq, that one of his last thoughts before he falls asleep is "Heather really loves me." Because I do, and I seem to think about him all the time and I hope he knows it.

As I was walking through my front door, I happen to look up and see three beautiful, happy, sunny-sunflowers sitting on my kitchen bar. I was waiting for someone to jump out and say "welcome home!" I smiled because I thought to myself... "Lauren! she made my day again!" Sure enough, as I moved toward the flowers, I noticed a sweet note... (you can read it for yourself)

You must be thinking, what a great friend! You should be thinking that, because how many of your friends stop by your house, put sunflowers in a vase (she even knows where my flower vases are!) and leaves a note just because? I'm lucky and loved! I can't wait to share with you what my birthday present from Philip is... I will update you tomorrow! Maybe even a picture too!

PS- How do you like my countertops? That was one of the first decisions I made when I remodeled my condo when I purchased it last Spring. I love them. My dad says they look like fish eyes... I say they look like bubbles.

someone to countdown with me

I would like to share a text from one of the sweetest girls in this world-Lauren, and forgive me, I am going to use text language. "U looked soo extra pretty today! Maybe it's bc it's only 26 days :)" Wasn't that sweet? I love her. She is one of those people that you just need in your life for a million different reasons, but also the main one is because she just makes me happy and nothing is ever complicated when we're together.

This text made me smile for many reasons:

-Only a true best friend would be on my countdown with me and know the exact number of days until I see Phil!

-I love compliments from close friends- they aren't fake, and you know they are truly being honest and sincere

- I feel extra happy this week, like I'm walking a little taller (even though I'm wearing my flats) and smiling a little more (yes, it's possible-even for me) and I'm glad she noticed my head over heals in love glow.

So here's something to take with you- you should give someone you love, like a close girlfriend, an honest compliment because it makes them feel happy and loved. Every girl deserves that.

...and yes, Lauren was right- 26 days!

well, hello March!

Is today really March 7th? If it is, then I can gladly tell you that it is 27 days until I will be at the airport in Charlottesville, anxiously waiting for Philip to walk off of the plane. At that moment, I can't exactly tell you what my reaction will be... but I imagine it might be me running and jumping in his arms. It has been a long time coming... over 240 days, infact. That is a really long time if you think about it. I've never in my life been on such an extensive and large and important countdown. Usually, you count down the days until Christmas, or your birthday, or your favorite concert, but usually...you keep track of the days when they are less than 10 days away or 25 days away for Christmas :) Speaking of birthdays and another countdown, I will be celebrating my 25th birthday in... 6 days!

I didn't let myself begin counting the days until R&R until March 1st. I didn't want to be overwhelmed or sad about how many days I had to wait until I got to see him. When Marsh 1st gothere, I then started my counting. Here is what I came up with:

When I finally see Philip on April 3rd (possibly 2nd) it will have been approximately 240 days since we last saw each other (face to face). Here's my equation (a little over 8 months x 30 days = 240 days) But really, it is more than that. I rounded down. I should round up though, and give us as much credit as possible. We deserve it, right?

I have managed to keep myself very busy this past month. February was kind of crazy. I wish I would have blogged more about it. Let me see if I can remember some of the highlights.

1. My mom came to visit and we went on an adventure trying to find my wedding dress. We traveled to Alexandria and outside of Richmond to visit other bridal shops...

2. I found it!.... and like everyone told me, I knew the moment I tried it on. I fell in LOVE with it on Valentine's Day- perfect.

3. February was covered in snow for our country; especially the east coast this year.

4. Phil sent me a dozen beautiful roses, and chocolate covered strawberries. Sadly, I didn't get to enjoy eating them because they were delayed due to the terrible snow storms. and not so fresh after being on a delivery truck for 4-5 days. But they were amazing and made my mouth water just looking at them. Thankfully, the company refunded him. We will have some together when he comes home. Don't worry, I will pick them up myself so they don't spend too much time in a truck.

5. I went to Charlottesville last weekend and had a wonderful time with Phil's family. I learned how to make the famous sweet dinner rolls that Philip loves- hopefully I can keep the tradition alive. His dad also pulled out some classic home movies. Phil was too cute and still very sweet and had his great sense of humor at the age of 14.

6. Work has kept me extremely busy-planning, SCA and our behavior problem students. Our SCA lock-in was the highlight of my professional life in February. Such awesome kids...it was very refreshing!

7. The Black Eyed Peas Concert was so much fun with Jessica and Colleen. It was a much needed girls night out.

8. One interesting fact that I learned from Jessica, a few other friends, a couple of my students and Jessica's mother... apparently, I am much like Tenley, from the Bachelor. Or maybe Tenley is a lot like me? :)