Heavy Burdens

Thursday was my last day at work and since then I have been getting things ready to head back to Hawaii. It's really amazing how it didn't cost me anything to move home, aside from the plane ticket, but moving back has been costing a small fortune. Since airlines have decided to nickel and dime its consumers to death, it now cost $15 per bag to check and if it's over 50 pounds, $75 each. I weighed my options, overstuff a couple suitcases and pay $150 or pay to ship out excess belongings. I chose the latter. I have packed up seven boxes that need to be shipped to Hawaii via USPS. I have been hoping, praying that nothing gets lost. It has amazed me how fast the last month went by, it always seems that when you have a lot to do, there's no time to do it in. I have a 'to do' list about three pages long and even though I've been spending each day working on it, it never seems to get shorter. So much to do and so little time to do it in.

This coming weekend it pretty packed with friends, family and goodbyes. My friends, 'Blaze & Biscuit,' to which I have referred them, are throwing me a going away party on Friday at their house. It should be a lot of fun, our group of friends from high school, food and drinks, does it get any better than that? I am truly blessed to have found such great friends in them over this deployment. They both took care of me in a way that is hard to explain; they understand. They get what I am going through because they have done it before, more than once. I feel forever indebited to them for what they have done for me over the past 14 months. My sister is coming to town from New Mexico on Saturday for my grandmother's 90th birthday party. My cousin and I planned the party and I just know it will be wonderful. All of the grandkids will be there, Gram is so excited when she talks about it, truly something has been looking forward to for a long time.

With the excitement of Hubby coming home and heading back to Hawaii, comes a sadness and anxiety about leaving home. My family, especially my parents, have been so supportive during this, and I know I am lucky to have been blessed with such a wonderful mom and dad who love me unconditionally. Since Hubby has been gone, I've realized just how important family and friends are to me and while it is exciting that we'll be living in Hawaii, it saddens me to know how far I will be from my family and friends.

That being said, I am overjoyed that Hubby is coming home so soon, just about 20 days or so. We have been through so much in the last 14 months and I am still in disbelief that it is finally winding down and that we made it through. Since we've been married in July 2007, we have spent a total of two and a half months together. To have him home and know that he is here to stay is something that I cannot fathom, mainly because it has never been that way before. Our whole relationship has been long-distance and to not have to deal with that anymore will be such a burden lifted off of our shoulders.