I'm Back!

I'm finally somewhat back in the swing of the things.  I've been away for awhile and a lot has happened...the best of which is we are one more month down in this deployment.  :)  I feel like I'm reaching the peak and getting ready for the downhill slope...although not quite in the homestretch yet.

I have lots of catching up to do.  I have big plans for my blog & some really great new pictures.  Also I'd like to say welcome to any new followers!  I get so excited everytime I get a new follower!  I can't wait to get to know everyone.

AND I got an Sweet Blog award!...Thank you Marissa at Living the Life of an Infantryman's wife!  I will pass it on. 

Hope everyone is having a great Friday!

Slacking...

I've been a major blog slacker. I feel out of the loop. I even missed the military blog hop on Friday, I was so disappointed; maybe I can still get on that.  But I have been really busy, visiting family, in transit, combating jet lag, etc. Any time I've spent online in the past week has been writing my hubby. I meant to post earlier, but I abandoned that idea for my craft project making a “flat husband.” Yes…I made a paper-doll of my husband. I saw another unit do this and take pictures of the flat hubbies different places they went. I thought it was really clever and sweet. He’s with me everywhere I go; in my heart and in my thoughts, this way I can show him and send him fun pictures!  I think having it with me will also remind me to take pictures (I always forget to take out my camera).  I know there are companies that make large cardboard cutouts and pillows of husbands and daddies that are really neat.  However, I wanted it to be personal, creative and mainly have something that was easier for me to carry around.  I had a good pic of my hubby printed in a 5x7 for his face then printed a template for a paper-doll.  With a little artistic license, I constructed a cute paper-doll of my marine! Maybe if I can get my act together I'll post some photos.

Happy May!

Woohoo! Another blog award!

Thank you so much Laura from Diamonds and Dog Tags for The Circle of Friends Award!
Even though I've been a blogging slacker lately! 

The Rules:

1) Post it on your page

2) List five things you looooove to do
3) Pick five friendly bloggers and pass it on!

Five things I love to do....hmmm
1.  I love to walk on the beach.  The beach is about a 5 min walk from our house.  I used to go almost everyday but lately I haven't had a chance.  It's so calming and relaxing, but at the same time good exercise.  I always feel so refreshed afterwards.  Not to mention, the sand does wonders for the calluses on my feet!
 
2. I love to dance, dance, dance! Dancing is what brought my husband and I together (salsa dancing to be exact) and we've been perfecting it ever since. Dancing is one of the many things I really miss; dancing with my hubby that is...I still dance around the house by myself all the time.

3.  I love to watch movies.  I'd say I'm somewhat of a movie connoisseur.  Unless it's a really obscure, b-list movie, I've probably seen it and can rattle off the title, plot, and characters/actors.  Although lately I've been fixated on watching a full TV series on Netflix, my current obsession is Friday Night Lights (totally underrated in my opinion!)
 
4. I love going out to eat.  This isn't that unique, but I cook dinner every night so when my husband and I go out it's special!  Now that he is deployed, I literally never eat out, so right now the thought of that seems really fun!
 
5.  I love at home spa treatments!  I love to pamper myself in little ways, like facials, face masks or soaking my feet in a foot bath.  My favorite pampering item lately is the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque.
 
I'm passing this award on to these friendly bloggers:
 
Cheryl at Boots in the Doorway 
 
Wife on the Rollercoaster at Riding the Rollercoaster
 
Noelbelle at Devil Dog & Litigation Love
 
Hellcat Betty
 
Navywife24 at A Day in the Life of a Navy Wife ( I second this from Laura)
 
If you already have this award then I second it! Thanks again!

My first blog award!

Thank you Cheryl from Boots in the Doorway for the Sunshine award!

I'm new to the blogging community and just learning about awards, etc.  I think everyone I read and follow already has this award, but I'll list the blogs I enjoy reading so far in case they haven't!

In no particular order...

Diamonds and Dog Tags
Hellcat Betty
The Sand is Different Here
Riding the Rollercoaster
Living the Life of an Infantryman's Life
Deployment (Again)
[Briar} Designs
Blogs I just started reading:
Hard Corps Love
My Sailor's Mistress
A Day in the Life of Mrs. M
Semper Wifey
A Deployment Diary {in Hawaii}

I'm looking forward to following these blogs!
Thanks again Cheryl!

My Title

Just thought I would explain the inspiration behind my blog title “Requires Heavy Lifting.” When I decided to start a deployment blog, It took me a while to come up with a title. I brainstormed with my husband; thinking of all the effects a deployment brings to our lives while trying to tie it in with the Marine Corps. Finally, after many different titles were considered, a light bulb came on. My husband is in a squadron of heavy lift capable helicopters.
Heavy Lift… If there was a job description for a military spouse it would absolutely include requirements for heavy lifting; physically, mentally, & emotionally. Figuratively and literally, this military wife life “Requires Heavy Lifting.” I thought it was the perfect title.

This is it

This first blog post comes a few days after my Marine left for his first deployment to Afghanistan. Therefore, this is also my first journey through a deployment. I had wanted to start this blog prior to the departure but the weeks leading up to D-day just seemed too precious to spend on the computer.
As much as I tried to be prepared and "ready" for this experience, now that it’s here, I don't think anything could have prepared me for the rollercoaster, kick- in- the- stomach feelings I've been experiencing.

In the words of a fellow spouse “It sucks.” Yea, it does.
But I hope this will help & inspire me to find ways to get me through it.

So as part of a series of introductory posts…

Why I started this blog: Like many military wives do, I wanted to have an outlet/journal to chronicle my first deployment. This life of a military wife is a very unique experience that is shared only by others in the same position. As much as it may hurt, we do get through it. And we are lucky enough to have heroes for husbands!
What I really hope to get from writing: Comments, support & suggestions; maybe thoughts/advice/encouragement from other spouses going through or seasoned in the art of deployment.
Things are pretty hard now, but if it wasn’t hard everyone would do it, right?