He's just a baby.

Here it is. The long awaited Elliott post! We brought him home on Friday night and wasted no time cuddling and playing with him. He's curious and energetic, and all the things kitties should be - including a troublemaker. But when he tires, which he always does, he's eager to cuddle up with one of us and purr himself to sleep. We are proud parents.

He's young now, constantly playing and seeking attention, affection, food and toys. He plays with all the cords he's not supposed to. He runs up and down the stairs. I have no doubt that Elliott will absolutely keep me occupied during this deployment, if not for those very reasons. I hope, however, as he grows during this next year, he'll calm down a bit and relax with me. But he's just a baby, so who can say?

Yesterday, Sean went to an FRG meeting. I wasn't able to make it, although I wish I could've been there. He brought home some more goodies for deployment prepping.

He leaves in just about 2 months. The weeks are going by quick now, far quicker than I had hoped. We've been going out on the weekends and having fun, but sharing our time with others. Not a bad thing, really, but we both know that we'd really rather be at home, alone, in eachother's arms. These nights aren't enough, these weekends aren't enough. I'm not usually such a selfish person, but I now find myself always wanting. Yearning for more time, just one more night, one more hour. I'm going to miss him so much.

Sunday morning, I've found you once again.

Ah, Sunday morning.

It's quiet, and Sean's still asleep.

It's been a beautiful weekend. We took care of some things we'd been putting off for some time now, but most importantly, we found a new friend!

Elliott. I've been anxiously awaiting the day we'd look at kittens with the intention of bringing one home. As soon as we saw him, the search was over.. he is perfect. He'll be coming home to us within a couple weeks, once he's received the rest of his shots. I expect he'll become a good friend to me while Sean's in Afghanistan. I feel some relief knowing I'll be coming home to someone every night, that I won't be living in an empty home. I think Elliott will be taking care of me as much as I'll be taking care of him. Pictures to come, once he's home with us.
I hate that it's Sunday already. These weekends, they come and go before I have the chance to breathe them in. And essentially, they are all we have. It's one thing to work for the weekend, to fall into it's open arms and let it whisk you away to some dance club or bumpin' party. Ours (and so many others) is a different situation. Come Sunday night, I'm already wishing it was Friday. During the typical work week, I see my husband for 2-3 hours each night. Sometimes, I don't see him until he's already asleep. It's very emotionally harrowing. And it leaves me wondering how civilian couples do this. I ask myself, 'if we were to get out, go to school, find normal jobs.. would it be any easier? Would we really be happier?'

I don't think so.

In fact, I'm of the opinion that life would be harder as a couple. Presently, and for the first time in my life, I'm paying bills with ease. We're living in a beautiful home and making more than enough money to get by. Sean can go through college, and it's all taken care of. He can retire at 40 if we stay in. It's true, you can't argue with the benefits of military life, you really can't. But, I say this as he sleeps upstairs. Ask me again in 6 months, I'm sure my answer will be different.

For now, we're happy. We're happy when we're together. It can get so hard sometimes, outside of the bubble we've created for ourselves. I just hope that we can find reasons to smile like this while we're apart.