HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

It's finally here... 2010! I can't believe that we are on the downhill slope of this whole thing! We are counting down and could not be more excited! Looks like we are planning for a February homecoming! Daniel is waiting to hear a few more details before it's official... but it is looking pretty promising! :)

The last two weeks have been crazy! After my last day of work on the 18th, two of the most wonderful people we know were married downtown... and in the craziness of the rain... I dropped my phone in a puddle of water and lost EVERYTHING! So if I haven't been in touch ... that's why! :) The wedding was beautiful and everything turned out just perfect! Only thing that would have made it better would have been if Dano could have been there... but my stand in date (my mom) was a pretty good date :) I made it to my grandparents safely on the 20th! It was nice to spend over a week with my grandparents and family... and SNOW! :) Boogee and Fifi really weren't sure what to think of it all... they were too cute in their snow jackets trying to make it through the snow without sinking!

I just came home yesterday... and although I had a wonderful time visiting... there is nothing like being in your own bed! Being busy and gone helped time without Dano to go by faster - so that helped. Before I left I got my early Christmas presents from him so that made it easier, too! :) He sent me a stereo for my IPod, some new UGG boots, and a beautiful diamond ring! He couldn't have done better! He also got his goodies from home and his mini-Christmas tree... so he has seemed to be a little more upbeat than I had expected! :) We are going to have the rest of our Christmas when he gets home... tree and all! :) Hopefully in early February! :)

He made it back safe and sound to Leatherneck and I have been able to hear from him everyday since he made it back! It's so comforting just to hear his voice ... even if it is just for a minute! Things there are starting to wind down a little... He started up his Marine Corps Martial Arts Progam last week. He was already a Gray belt... and will have his Brown belt by the time he comes home! He'll only have one more belt to go... so he's really excited about that! He said that his body is sore but he can already tell a difference! They train for two hours a day so that has helped his time to go by quickly! I'm so proud and excited to see my buff Marine :)

Other than that, we are just counting down the days and starting to make plans for a vacation and things to do when he gets home! We are looking forward to cramming as much in as we can ... which is typical with Daniel! :) Not much longer before he's back home and we're on the GO again! :)

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers! We are stronger now than we have ever been... and we give all the credit and glory to the Lord! He has seen us through so much this past year.. and we know that He will continue to provide and bless us in 2010!

Hope you all had a VERY merry Christmas and wish you a VERY blessed New Year!

Last few days of 2009!

Well- I made it through this past week at work and I'm officially on Christmas break! YAY! I can't believe how quickly December has been flying by! It's amazing to think that we only have 11 more days of 2009!

This has been a tough week... I realized this week just how blessed and fortunate we have been throughout this deployment. Daniel does his best every day to touch base with me somehow... most of the time through a phone call but if not then definitely at least an e-mail. Since last week, Daniel has been away from Camp Leatherneck and has not had any access to computers or phones... he was able to call once from Payne and then another time Wednesday morning, from a different location, just to tell me that he was ok and to ease my mind. He was supposed to be back to Leatherneck by Tuesday evening my time... and he hadn't called... so he figured he should call on Wednesday morning to let me know that he was ok but that he was stuck there until there was another flight.. he said there wouldn't be another one until probably the 24th! I haven't heard from him since... so I'm assuming that he is still stuck wherever he is in this world. The only thing that has helped me through this past week or so is prayer... Prayer for protection from him and comfort for me... it's so hard not knowing where in the world your husband is (literally)... and I've been so spoiled by hearing from him daily! I know that the Lord has His hands on Daniel and will protect him wherever He may be... it's just very hard not knowing! I am hoping that maybe he will call sometime tomorrow just to check in again... PLEASE keep us in your prayers... His birthday (12/22) and Christmas are this week so it's going to be a tough week for us to be apart!

Other than all of that, things here have been hectic and crazy! My mom flew down Thursday evening and spent the last day with my kiddos with me on Friday! We were supposed to go to Richmond bright and early this morning... but all the snow kept us from being able to drive! Richmond already has a foot of snow.. and my grandparents in MD have 2 feet! We are hoping to be able to leave tomorrow morning and I am hoping to be able to get to MD tomorrow evening... please keep us in your prayers while we travel! I am so excited to have a white Christmas... but would be more excited if Dano was here to enjoy it with me. :(

As always, thank you for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers! Christmas day marks 4 months that we have been apart... it's been hard but we are stronger now than we have ever been! I am so thankful that the Lord brought us to this and trust and know that he will bring us through it, too! Can't wait to get back from Christmas break and start a brand new year and officially start our countdown to homecoming! :)

Hope you have a very merry Christmas and blessed 2010!

December is underway!

Just wanted to send an update on Dano! I had three packages waiting on me when I got back from Thanksgiving! I was so excited to get these packages! He sent my kids a bunch of beanie babies for Christmas... and sent home some uniforms that he has gotten while he's been there... and then a box of goodies for me! :) He sent a flash drive with a bunch of pictures... so I was VERY excited about that. When I see pictures of what he's doing, it makes this whole thing real to me. I was happy to get these pictures though... I love being able to put pictures to the stories that he tells me!

Later this week, he is going to be leaving to head south for a few days! He is going to take some other Marines down and get them set up to work with the Afghanistan Border Patrol. Hopefully he'll only be down there for a few days... long enough to get the other Marines set up and going... and to get a feel for the area and assignment. Please keep him and the others in your prayers... instead of flying like he usually does... he will be going on a convoy that will be about 9 hours... that's a little scary to think about! But, the Lord has kept him safe this far... I know He will continue to keep him safe and bring him back safely! Thank you for all of your prayers!

I can't believe that today is December 1st! It is amazing to me how quickly time is flying by! I can not wait to have my hubby back and for us to tackle the next chapter of our lives together! I am so excited about what the Lord is doing in our lives... and can't wait to see what happens once he gets home! Only two more weeks after this week until Christmas BREAK! YAY! I can't wait to head to Gram and Pap's and spend a long break there with them! I know that will help to keep me busy and keep my mind off of everything!

I'm sending out Dano's birthday and Christmas packages tomorrow! I know that he is going to be SO excited to get his things... Please send him a little note or card for his birthday if you have a second! I know that will make his day and help make his birthday as special as it can be without being here with me.

Have a great month of December! Enjoy it while it lasts... It will be 2010 before we know it!

Happy Turkey Day!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends! It was nice to get away and come to my parents for the long weekend. We had a wonderful dinner... just me, mom and dad! It was so hard not to have Dano or my brother here. It felt like we weren't complete... I love Thanksgiving... I am always thankful for the Lord's many blessings... but Thanksgiving just opens your eyes to everything you really are blessed with! I am so thankful for my family and most of all my husband.. I can't imagine my life without them!

Time is flying by! Wednesday marked 3 months since Dano has been gone... there are days when it feels like forever and then days when it seems like he JUST left and time is flying! We are crossing our fingers for a homecoming before March... there has been a lot of talk about it... but we aren't getting our hopes up just yet! I would be one happy girl if I got my hubby back sooner than expected!

He is doing great! It was very hard on both of us to be apart on Thanksgiving.. but now we have that behind us... we can mark that off of the countdown! We got to talk on Skype for a while on Turkey day so that helped! He seemed really sad... and it broke my heart! I can't imagine being alone and knowing what is going on back home... I know that Christmas will be another tough day but after that we are on the last stretch before he comes home! YAY! I keep thinking about homecoming and imagining what it will be like... I really don't think I can even wrap my mind around the excitement and feelings that we will have!

Here is a link to Dano's Christmas card that he recorded for us! I was so excited when he sent this to me! :) I am hoping to get to see this on TV... that would be so awesome!

Well, I hope that November was a great month for all! It feels like yesterday I was excited that November was here... and now we are in the last two days! YAY! December is going to FLY by! I'm heading to Disney, school will mostly be fun with crafts, etc., two of our best friends are getting married this month and I'm heading to my grandparents on the 19th! Before I know it, January will be here! I am so thankful to be busy and that time is flying by! I can't wait to start the next chapter of our crazy ride together! :)

Love you all! Thank you for your prayers and encouragement! Don't forget the birthday cards for Dano if you get a chance! :)

Almost turkey time!

I can not believe that next week is Thanksgiving! I feel like it was just yesterday in August when I was standing in LeJeune waving goodbye to Daniel... and Thanksgiving Day will be our 3 month mark! It's insane! I really can NOT believe how quickly time is going by... it will be January before we know it! YAY!

Dano is still hanging in there! It's starting to get cold over there so he is trying to adjust from the heat to the cold! Other than that... he is staying busy and counting down the days! He has been traveling back and forth a lot.. doing a lot of day trips... but the Lord has provided safety for him and the other Marines that are traveling with him! He had the opportunity to hand out blankets to children and elders the other day on one of his trips.. I know that this really touched his heart and he felt like he was able to reach out to them and fulfill one of their many needs. We don't realize just how blessed and fortunate we are... when he shares pictures and stories with me... it just amazes me how blessed we are... just the little day to day things that we take for granted are HUGE blessings! I am so proud of Daniel and thankful that he has been given this opportunity ... it definitely has opened his eyes and made him thankful for all that he has here at home!

Daniel's birthday is December 22nd... and I want to make it as special as possible for him while he is over there! If you get a chance, take a second to send him a birthday card... nothing fancy or special... just a note to let him know that you have been keeping up with what's going on with him through this blog... and that you wanted to wish him a happy 25th! (yes, he's a quarter of a century old this year... ) :) I know that it would make him smile and brighten his day! His address is:

SGT PEAL JOSEPH D 2526
2 MEB G-3 ANSF
UNIT 73010
FPO AE 09510-3010

I know it would make his birthday really special... and I would really appreciate it, too! I know that he is going to really want to be home that week with his birthday AND Christmas... so I am trying to reach out to him from across the world and make him feel special.. :)

Thank you again for all of your encouragement and prayers! The Lord has had His loving arms wrapped around Daniel since he left... and I know that He will continue to do that until he is back home again!

Happy 234th Birthday!

Today marks the 234th birthday of the Marine Corps! Even though we won't be at a ball this year celebrating, it still makes me really proud to have a Marine for a hubby on days like today! (and everyday, of course!) I know that he has enjoyed celebrating (and eating) with his buddies today! I was lucky enough to wish him a 'happy birthday' this morning before work! I'm so thankful today for my husband, and all of the other Marines, that have dedicated their lives to protect our country and our freedom! Semper Fi!

Ronald Reagan once said, "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the Marines don't have that problem." :) What an awesome quote!

Along with the Marine Corps birthday this week, we also have Veteran's Day tomorrow! My kids have been super excited about Veteran's Day this week with our school celebration tomorrow and letter writing to Veterans, along with a few Marines, this week! This is the poem that we will be working on this week... and I thought that it was too cute and wanted to share it!

Veterans Day
by Cheryl Dyson
On Veterans Day we honor all,
Who answered to a service call.
Soldiers young, and soldiers old,
Fought for freedom, brave and bold.
Some have lived, while others died,
And all of them deserve our pride.
We’re proud of all the soldiers who,
Kept thinking of red, white and blue.
They fought for us and all our rights,
They fought through many days and nights.
And though we may not know each name,
We thank ALL veterans just the same.

This poem, as simple as it is, brings it all back to why we should be thankful. We take for granted the freedom and rights that the veterans and service men and women fight for everyday. The sacrifices that they make... both big and small... often go unnoticed and unappreciated! Take the time this week to thank any veterans that you know or come in contact with! We need to show our gratitude and appreciation for these brave men and women that make these sacrifices so that WE don't have to!

On that note, Happy Birthday Marine Corps! and Happy Veterans Day, too! :)

Already November!

If someone would have told me that time would have gone this quickly... I would have NEVER believed them. I can not believe that we are already done with the first week of November! Thanksgiving is JUST around the corner... and we all know how quickly time goes between Thanksgiving and Christmas! It's hard to believe that we are 11 weeks into this thing! It's been hard... believe me... but I have been strong and stayed positive thanks to MANY prayers and depending on the Lord! Nehemiah 8:10 says: "The joy of the Lord is my strength"... this verse could not be MORE true for me... I have found strength to face this deployment because of the joy that the Lord brings me everyday... I am so thankful for daily blessings... things that we all take for granted that the Lord provides for us everyday! I am so thankful to have His peace and comfort!


Daniel uploaded a bunch of pictures the other day... here are a few that I wanted to share!

This is my Marine on the back of a truck that he uses to get around in... Not sure if it was raining or his camera lens was dirty... but it looks kinda fuzzy!



This is a picture of Daniel from one of his trips that he took with the officers that he travels with. I posted a while ago that when he travels with them... they insist on serving him fresh fruit and hot tea... this is Daniel being 'spoiled' in Afghanistan with fresh watermelon! :)

Here are few he posted from traveling around... I thought that the picture of the desert was crazy! You know they are in the desert and hear about it... but this was just crazy to me!

This is a picture taken from the sky.. looking down on the mountains he was flying over!

Other than that, Daniel is doing great... been VERY busy! He hasn't been able to call or e-mail as much ... but I hear from him every day in some form... either through e-mail or hearing his voice :) I am so thankful that we have been able to keep in touch so much! I am so spoiled now... I know that he is going to find someway to get in touch with me everyday.. I'm a lucky girl! He told me this week that they got a flight window for March... when it gets closer and we know that it's definite.. I will give more details... but I don't want to post something and have to change it once they decide to move it again! But for now... he is going to be back in the states sometime in early March! :)

The most amazing thing happened this week ... I was talking to Daniel on Skype (webcam) early Thursday morning before heading into work. He asked to see the dogs and I had already put them up for the day... so I went to get them from their cage... When I came back I noticed that Daniel was looking behind me... He said, " you are never going to believe this!" I was kind of confused because I didn't understand what he could have seen... He said, "I just had this feeling to turn around to see if David Paul was in here... " (David Paul is our family friend that left a week or so ago to head to Leatherneck) About that time Daniel moved his head to the side and asked me if I could see him... In the background, David Paul was sitting in line waiting for a computer to open up! They had not found each other yet... so Daniel got his attention and David Paul came over to the computer! so I got to see their reunion on Skype! :) It was the best moment... they were both so happy to see each other and you could tell that David Paul was relieved to see a familiar face! It gave me cold chills and I got all choked up.. I was so thankful to be able to see that moment... and thankful that they now have each other there for support!

Please keep Daniel in your prayers... he has been traveling all weekend and then will head back out to travel again in a week or so for about a week! It's hard when he leaves Leatherneck because he can't give me any details on where he is or what he is doing... just leaves me with a very strange feeling! I know that the Lord is with Him no matter where he goes and is guiding his every step... but it's tough not knowing where in the world your husband is!

Thank you so much for your support... please continue to pray and encourage both of us... we are getting ready to face the toughest part of this whole deployment with the Holidays coming up... We are both very big into Holidays... especially Christmas... and it's going to be very hard to be apart on those special times with family and friends. But with the way time has been flying by... it will be March before we know it and we will look back on this and be thankful for all the blessings that have come from this deployment! More pic tures to come soon!