Bittersweet Life

I didn't really like the way the new music thing I posted worked, so, as quickly as it arrived on our blog, it is now gone.  I'll wait 'til I can figure out a better way to share something like that with you.

Things here are going well.  I was able to share a wonderful Thanksgiving day/meal with some dear friends here in Colorado Springs.  We've celebrated Thanksgiving with them for 4 years in a row now -- seems like our own little tradition nowadays.  There were two things that I could hardly believe this Thanksgiving -- the first  being that we have actually been here in Colorado for four Thanksgivings, and the second being that this was actually Drew's first Thanksgiving away from home.  It will be the third Christmas that he has spent in Iraq of the 4 since we graduated from college, got married and moved to Colorado, but somehow the timing has always worked out that he has been home for Thanksgiving.  So, as most holidays and events are while he is gone, this Thanksgiving felt a little bittersweet in my heart.  I was thankful to be with good friends, sharing good food, wine, conversation and fun.  I missed having Drew with me, though.

And, as Christmas approaches, I seem to oscillate between two different emotions on any given day -- one being excitement that we are approaching the end of this long deployment, the other being sadness that Drew won't make it home in time for Christmas this year, and will spend yet another (his second of this deployment) Christmas in Iraq.  This isn't how we imagined our lives being just 4 years ago -- spending the vast majority of our marriage in different geographical locations, often in different corners of the world.  But, by God's grace, He keeps us strong, and he keeps our marriage strong through it all.  Drew is every bit as much my best friend as he was the day we were married, and I really do thank and praise God for the fact that it is His grace in our lives that connects our hearts to one another, even with so many miles between us, and so much time between our opportunities to see one another.

Well, the dog is barking for my attention, and there are plenty of other things calling for my attention today, so I better go get started on the week's long to-do list.  This time of year, the to-do list is a little more fun, though. :)  Christmas cards, planning gifts and visits with family and friends, etc...  So, I don't mind tackling this list at all.