At Home with Heather

Ok, I can tell this story, now that I have told Sam. So the other day while I was driving home from grocery shopping I got pulled over. About 8 months ago, Sam got pulled over at almost the same spot. I should have known, it is a speed trap. The speed limit changes from 45 to 35. So I get clocked going 50. I see the blue lights and the cop motions me to pull into the nearest open parking lot. So, I pull over. He asked for license and registration. I hand them to him. He then tells me to get out of my car and sit in the passenger seat of his car while he writes me a ticket. A bit odd, per say??? I don't quite understand why that happened. He was chatting it up as he wrote me the ticket. I answered his questions politely because he is authority, but I did not "chat it up." I felt very uncomfortable the whole time. I find it odd because they have cameras outside of their vehicles, so if he thought I was going to run, (which come on, do I look like the type that would run???) he would have no worries, he has all my info right there-in his camera...anyway, I thought this was odd. Is this standard procedure??? I am confident I could have gotten out of the ticket, but I didn't really feel comfortable trying to talk my way out of it.

Has this ever happened to anyone else??? Maybe you all are exceptional drivers that never speed. Anyway, I thought this was odd and I was wondering if anyone knows of this happening before....

Well it has officially been over 5 months that Sam has not lived at home. First, that seems crazy to me. Next, people have told me from the beginning that it would get easier. They were wrong.
Each day carries new challenges. Whether it's trying to fix a crazy problem, I know nothing about, or not hearing from Sam for several days.
Recently, it has been a bit difficult because we have not been able to communicate as much as I would like. It's hard not hearing from Sam because our entire relationship is communication. They have him running around like a chicken with his head cut off, I have been working a lot and we have to deal with an 8 hour time difference, so it is really no one's fault, but it is difficult none-the-less.
I can't tell you how many people tell me we have the ideal relationship. "He pays the bills, but you never have to see him." I am always insulted when people say they wish they were in my situation. It really is sad to me, that people do not put enough effort into their marriages to make their relationship work and happy.
I know that both Sam and I have been through our own battles in the time we have been a part. I feel that is has gone smoothly for the most part. But missing him is missing him, it doesn't get easier or less painful with time, I promise. I know we have both learned a lot, especially me it seems, and somehow I know that all this is suppose to happen, but I will be happy when it ends.

Honestly, sometimes I get so jealous of couples who have not had to spend significant time a part. It seems so unfair sometimes, but it's in those times when you feel like you can't control a situation that you really have to trust God.

Every relationship I have had in my life has been, or turned into a long-distance relationship. It's almost like God was preparing me all these years to endure the pain of being a part from the person I would love the most, my husband.

The thing that has made this bearable is A. Sam's constant effort at connecting with me in emails or cards or phone calls. And B. having people that care about us and make an effort to connect as well.

I am so thankful and lucky to have so many loving people around me in this time. Sam doesn't really have that. So please keep him and us in your prayers. Really if we didn't have God to depend on I'm not sure how we would make it through this.

All this to say, thank you all for being there for us and also never take advantage of the fact that you have your loved ones near. Give the people you love an extra hug today or a "thanks for being so great." Having people you love around you is the best gift ever.

On Monday night I went over to my in-laws house to help decorate the Christmas tree. I was really excited about it, because honestly it has been YEARS since I have decorated a tree. Ever since my mom passed away, Christmas has been kinda hard for my family. She always made Christmas amazing and it was hard to be motivated to take her shoes in the Christmas cheer. For years I have looked forward to being married and having a family of my own to start Christmas traditions with. The Chapins got a beautiful tree and all of us girls had a GREAT time decorating it. After the tree was decorated Rachel and I went on a "hot chocolate run" because you have to drink hot chocolate and listen to Christmas music while decorating a tree. =) We also started to get motivated to make cookies, but we didn't quite make it because it had gotten so late. I had many other pictures I wanted to post, but they were either blurry or the lighting was wrong. I can't say I am talented like BA AT ALL when it comes to photos!!!!!
I have a small tree I am going to decorate so look for that post too!
I can't WAIT to have Sam home to do Christmas together, but I am happy and thankful for the friends and family around me that have made this time a part from him so much easier. Thanks and love to all! =)