Deployment thoughts

Birthday weekend wrap-up!

Movin' it with Michelle

Since this wrap up is focused on my birthday weekend, I wanted to start this post out in the most positive of lights. I took Friday off from work, because, well, I needed a day off to rest and regroup. I don’t take enough time off, and soon I will be on full time work AND single Mom duty. These jobs aren’t for the faint of heart, so I am doing what I can to take care of ME before I run out of gas.

We started the weekend out by going out for lunch to one of our favorite casual places, California Pizza Kitchen. We followed that up with errands to Costco, getting my Jeep’s oil change and the tires rotated, and picking up dog food for Sammy. Yup, I lifted that. LOL!

Aren't they pretty?
Aren’t they pretty?
Costco Churros, rock!
Costco Churros, rock!
hehe, feelin' strong!
hehe, feelin’ strong!

 

Friday afternoon, I downloaded the Tracy Anderson workout series on our XBOX and it totally kicked our butts. I took the rest of the weekend off from working out, but look forward to continuing with the series.

workout

 

Friday night was just spent cleaning, and putting together my youngest daughter’s American Girl doll high chair that I got her for Christmas, but forgot I got for her, so it ended up being a late present, LOL! My brain is obviously in a million places.

We got this!
We got this!
There is always time to be silly!
There is always time to be silly!

 

Saturday was more cleaning, and more errands and even better, a GREAT surprise from my tribe! They showed up at my door, 5 of my amazing friends AND my sister with flowers, food, wine AND cake. I was beaming with happiness. My husband even arrived home at around 7:30 to help celebrate despite being exhausted. It felt so wonderful to be remembered. I love my tribe.

We love being silly!
We love being silly!
My tribe!!
Several members of my tribe!! ❤

 

My birthday was a quiet day starting out with breakfast in bed made by my daughters, and I almost canceled my massage appointment with temps below 0 degrees, and a windchill in the minus teens.

Breakfast is always best when cooked by your daughters!
Breakfast is always best when cooked by your daughters!

I am so glad I decided to go, because my back that is full of more knots than my youngest daughter’s hair, was so relaxed afterwards. I spent the rest of the day with my daughters, relaxing in our jammies on the couch. The only thing missing was my hubby. Here goes the not so positive part of this post… He got home from training really late, and all he could do was hug me tight, apologizing for missing the majority of my birthday. I responded by burying myself in to his chest, and quietly sobbed trying to hold myself together. This was one of those moments where I question myself, and my ability to do all the hard things. Because at that very moment all I wanted to do was curl up in to a little ball and cry for hours.

So happy my hubby made it to the party!
So happy my hubby made it to the party!

 

But then I am reminded, by my parents, sister, and friends that they are here for me always. They SHOW me they are here for me, and I just can’t even describe how blessed that makes me feel.

My husband deploying (for the second time) is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and trust me, I’ve been through a lot of hard things. In 6 weeks I’ll have to say my goodbyes to the man I call my very best friend. The one I laugh with, cry with, act goofy with, and spend my life with, and for a year I will be without all of those things I love most about him.

But I’ve got my tribe. More so, they’ve got me/my back. And I need to remember that fact, always.

So here’s to the age of 43, and 2016. May this year go by smoothly, and quickly. ❤ I apologize for my lack of posting, but I am really trying to step back this year and focus on my family. For they are what matters most. I hope to continue to post at least weekly, but time will tell. Thanks to all of those who’ve joined me on my #keepmovinforward journey.

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia again, for the Weekly wrap up!

weekly-Wrapup

How do you celebrate your birthday?  Do you prefer quiet parties at home, or would you rather go out?

 

Cheers!

Michelle

Published by Movin' it with Michelle

My name is Michelle and I am a retired Air Force Master Sergeant. I have found a passion for running, cooking, writing, photography and all things that move my love for life! I've ran 3 full marathons, with a PR of 4:25, and 17 half marathons with a PR of 2:00:11 (yup-missed sub 2 by 11 seconds, lol). Thanks for joining me on my journey!

70 thoughts on “Birthday weekend wrap-up!”

  6. Happy late birthday to you! Sounds like you had a great time! I am so laughing at you forgetting to give her a Christmas present, because my mom and done it so many times and I have followed right in her footsteps and did it, ummm this year! At least I figured it out, sometimes it had been months before I ran across the forgotten gift! You have your priorities in line for 2016, I’m glad to see you linking up with us Michelle!

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    1. Thanks so much, Tricia. I had honestly thought about shutting down most of my social media for the year my hubby is gone, but then realized I have really come to enjoy (and rely) on so many of you!!!! Thanks for keeping me accountable at least once each week! ❤

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  11. Happy birthday! Sounds like it was a great one! I can’t get over how much your youngest daughter looks like your husband. You have amazing friends and family 🙂

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  13. Belated happy birthday and a big thank you to your husband and your family for his service. I volunteer at a local USO and find it heart wrenching to see the families at various holiday occasions missing one of their members who is deployed. I’m glad you have such a great support network, that can make a big difference.

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  16. Your birthday celebration looked so nice. You have wonderful friends and family for sure. I once bought my boys a movie for Christmas, hid it in a safe place, and didn’t find it for almost a year. I hope the year goes quickly for you as far as Brian being gone. It will be hard, but with your strength and support system, I believe you’ll be just fine. Love you bunches!

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  17. Happy Birthday! What a wonderful weekend, and I believe that you show daily that you are stronger than you believe (kinda like running). I will be praying you can find the daily blessings to keep you moving forward ❤

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  19. What a neat surprise to have your tribe show up with all the goods! I totally hear you with the time constraint and blog-posting. I am really having a hard time staying current, with my own stuff and all the blogs I’m trying to follow. Working 30-hours/week is tough enough (I can’t imagine 40+ hours/wk), and trying to keep the house (somewhat) presentable, the dog entertained, groceries in the fridge, and then blogging is a major juggling act. And, I only have one child left at home…and she drives herself most of the time. I don’t know how the real “active” bloggers do it LOL

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  22. What a wonderful birthday! Your actual birthday sounds so nice and chill – those days are a real treat!

    I am happy you have that tribe that is there for you. You are strong enough to get through this. It’s not going to be easy, but you’re strong, and you’ll have help if you ask! 🙂

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  24. I’m glad that you had, by and large, a fabulous birthday. I am sorry that you had a bit of a rough patch, but I think you can’t be hard on yourself–You are doing the best you can. It isn’t going to be easy, but you certainly have a fantastic group around you (including friends in the city!).

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    1. Thanks, Suz…and thanks for being a part of my journey. One (of the many things) thing I love about you, is that you really read my blog, and you leave such heartfelt comments. I look forward to meeting up with you this spring once our Chiberia weather is GONE for the year, LOL!

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  25. Happy Birthday #43 Michelle! Your daughters are very lovely, as are you. Enjoy your family time! The blogging will be there when you decide. Look at your tribe! What an amazing support system you have. This year will be tough, but I have no doubt you are tougher. Thanks for linking with us. I hope you have a wonderful week.

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  29. Happy Happy Birthday! You are so lucky to have a great support system and I have no doubt they will help you through this immensely! I’m not sure if I told you this before, and my apologies if I did, but when my hubby would deploy I would get a big jar and fill it with M&M’s or dark chocolate hershey kisses and put the correct number of days in the jar. Everyday I would take one out and it was a fun visual way of counting down until he got back!

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  31. Happy Birthday, Michelle! Glad you got to spend time with your family on your birthday! I will be praying for your strength during your husband’s deployment. My dad deployed not long after I graduated high school. It was a difficult time for me and my mom. Thank you to your husband for his service and sacrifice for this country. Also thank you to your family for your sacrifice and for loving and supporting him while he is overseas.

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