The fun began the week of Christmas. I was supposed to pick Allen up from the Tallahassee airport on Friday Dec 19th, he didn't land in FL until Dec 22nd. What a reunion. I had been dreaming of that day since I found out that Allen would be getting an R&R. After being here just a day, it seemed as if we picked up where we left off, June 1, 2008. We had been apart for 6 1/2 months...and we were finally together again. After two days, Allen and I made it up to GA in time to see Chad play in the Christmas Eve show at Revolutions which was amazing! It was the first time Allen or myself attended Revolutions. I look forward to attending their service next time I'm in town.
I was so glad we were able to drive up for Christmas Eve...I love Christmas! I got to be Santa's helper! How awesome is that?! I think Allen would have helped but his body clock was still on Iraq time. Santa brought Neena the coolest gifts! Three of her gifts are in this picture (bella ballerina, the Barbie masion, and the Barbie VW bug). 
Then we drove up to Alabama with the Elliotts on Christmas day. We opened gifts that night at Mom and Dad's and had Christmas dinner the next day at Mom-maw and Pop-paw Smith's house.
To be honest, I didn't think we were all going to be able to fit, but we did!! Everyone was there but Jeff...poor Jeff was terribly sick. Hopefully, he's all better now. The food that day was sooooooooo good. And it was just wonderful being with everybody. We had so much fun opening gifts and visiting with each other. We even created some holiday music! Chad played his mandolin and I played my ukulele and everyone gathered around us and sang songs. It was the first time over the break that I missed my family. They would have really enjoyed celebrating and singing and laughing with us all.
We all stayed in Alabama a few more days to visit, shop, relax, and put together puzzles (Christie, I think next year it will be hard to top our 1 1/2 day puzzle record). We even got to see Mom-maw and Pop-paw again for dinner at the Smith's. Mom made country fried steak, hubby's favorite.
When we returned to GA, Allen, myself, Christie, Chad, Neena, Mom, Jane, Amber, and a bunch of our GA friends met for dinner at Los Reyes. The service was terrible, but our time together was GREAT!! It had been too long since Allen and I had seen everyone. 
The next night Allen and I celebrated our 1st anniversary with Christie and Chad at Dante's Down the Hatch. If you've never been to Dante's, I highly recommend that you go. The restaurant is designed to look like a ship. The waiters and waitresses look like ship hands, the fondue is delicious, and they have live alligators and a jazz band!
We also celebrated New Years with the Elliotts...and mom! Allen and Chad set off HUGE fireworks in the front yard while mom and neena and I watched. On our way back to Tallahassee the next day, Allen and I visited with my brother at his KSU campus apartment and then with Griffin in McDonough. Allen stayed with me in Tallahassee until Wednesday of the next week. 
I did really well the day I took him to the airport but once I got home I quickly became a wreck...a sobbing mumbling wreck. The house was covered in our memories. I had to clean...otherwise every time I would come home would be a repeat of that day. As I was picking up his socks and various other garments he left everywhere, I would say between tears "you wore these." Somethings I wanted to get rid of completely like his coffee drinks in the refrigerator. Other things I can't bare to clean away...like his beard trimmings on our bathroom vanity. The worse part though is going to sleep. It's tough. I read, play my uk, search the internet, watch movies or tv...anything to take my mind off of Allen not being here. I feel like the princess and the pea in our bed without allen cuddling up next to me. 
I think Cali understands. I have woken up every morning with her curled up next to my head...which she never does...she's usually either under the covers or on top of my legs. With her next to me it kinda feels like Allen's still there. I just have to keep reminding myself that he'll be back soon...209 days and counting. I do feel super blessed that Allen isn't in the infantry and that I can at least email him and write letters and occasionally speak with him over the phone or skype. I just can't kiss him or hug him or feel his touch...or smell his Irish Spring arm pits, lol. I just have to stay focused on my research, teaching, and class work this year...which is a good thing because I'm trying to graduate with my masters this december, yay!
1 comment:
Wow! What a great summary of the Christmas season! Love the details :)
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