So, I realized that it has been a pretty long time since I last blogged, and I feel the need to fix that. I would like to tell y'all about 5 pretty incredible girls in my life that have really been helping me out with this journey I am going through. These girls have really helped ease this deployment along for me, and I don't know how I could possibly get through this without them here to comfort and distract me lol.
First, I would like to talk about the woman that was with me on day 1, my Momma. She flew to California a few days before Eric had to leave because I did't want to drive home by myself after Eric left, and she wasn't really too keen on me driving all that way either. She helped us get all of our stuff into storage (which took days), she stayed in a hotel all by herself so that we could have one last special night together before he had to go, she went along with us FOR HOURS as we sat around base waiting for the guys to head out, she took pictures of our "see you later's" for me, and she helped me drive all through the night to get back to Muleshoe (we left around 7 pm and arrived at the Purdy's around noon the next day. Needless to say, she is a ROCK STAR. I know it had to be hard for her to see her baby as upset as I was, but she took over the wheel, changed the song on the radio, and steered our conversation in another direction every time she saw me start to tear up. I have only gotten to spend time with her a few times because we live so far apart, but she always finds something for just us girls to go do (which is usually shopping) :) and she has learned how to comfort me when I start to think about this deployment. As many of you probably know, we don't always get along (everyone says it is because we are so much alike lol) and I probably don't show it like I should, but I love my momma very much. I tend to push people away when I'm going through a rough time and she totally gets that. She knows that I love her, but also that I need time to figure things out for myself. She always tells me "I'm your momma, I had you and I know you better than anyone else" and I think it has taken me 23 years to learn that she is in fact right, lol. Thank you for all that you do for me momma, I love you so much and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have you in my life. I can't wait for our Children to meet you someday and for my daughter to learn all of the things only her Granny can teach her. You have done so well with Kayla and I and I only hope that someday my daughter will appreciate and love me as much as we do you.
My lovely Momma :)
Ok, the 2nd wonderful women I would like to mention is my dear friend Madison. Many of you may not know her, but you have definitely heard me talk about her. Madison and I were friends in high school, but nothing like we are now. When I got back to town, she was the 1st person to reach out to me. She has definitely been my rock these past 5 months. Sometimes I get mad at her because she has to hang out with her stinking husband so often lol, but when he's gone, she always invites me to take his place. Brett has been a pretty understanding man, he is always so sweet to me and my family and he doesn't mind that another woman is taking up so much of his wife's time haha. My first week here, we hung out almost everyday because Brett was away on business. We often have lunch dates, take trips to Lubbock, go to Shogun's just so we can have sushi, have movie dates, go to sonic just to get a coke, and get mani-pedi's on a regular basis. Every single time I see her the 1st thing she asks me is if I've talked to Eric lately and she gets super excited for me when I have. She lets me vent to her about everything (which probably gets pretty annoying lol), she gossips with me and always agrees with me like a good friend should haha. I recently started watching 2 pretty adorable kids for a family here in town and she has randomly called me at least 5 times to see if I want a cherry vanilla coke-zero from sonic, and it always makes my day :) She goes out of her way to make sure I'm doing alright. Anyone that has been in the car with me for more than 20 minutes knows that I always get down in the front seat with my kick ass dance moves ;) and she doesn't mind joining me. We don't mind looking like complete idiots together and sometimes thats all I need lately. She has welcomed me into her family, and her brothers treat me like a sister. They joke with me, make fun of me, and even let me ride in a limo with them and 10 other 15 year olds haha. Her parents are incredible, they have included me in family events, family dinners, and their couples' bible study (even though I'm the only one that comes without my spouse lol). She is always there to comfort me or give me a good laugh when I have had a bad day, doesn't matter if we just drive around Muleshoe dancing in the car and singing at the top of our lungs (which is pretty awesome considering we both have man voices lol), or renting a chick flick to watch to help get my mind off of whatever is bothering me. She is the true definition of a best friend and I know it is something that will continue for years and years to come.
See what I mean by being idiot's together lol. Love you Madison
3rd I'll tell y'all about the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen. My little Reesey Cup. This little girl doesn't allow me to be sad. I have never seen a happier baby in my life. She ALWAYS has a smile on her face. She is a little chunky butt, and has the most adorable dimples ever (all over her little body haha). I got to Muleshoe about a month before her arrival and I knew that when she got here, she would be a good distraction for me. She is 4 months old today and still as gorgeous as the day she was born. Kayla and Tyson chose not to tell us what her middle name would be until after she was born. On November 11th, 2011 around 3:30 pm, I found out that I was a namesake. As most of you know, they named their 1st born daughter Reese Lynn Purdy. I don't think I have ever felt so honored in my life, all I could do at that moment was cry. This precious baby girl always brightens my day, whether she is smiling (Which is most of the day), tooting and laughing about it, spitting up on me lol, or "squeaking", she always takes my mind of off everything negative going on. My absolute favorite time with her is bath time. Kayla thinks its funny that every time she is done taking a bath, I take over. I dry her off, lotion her up, brush her hair, and put on her PJ's. I like to think of it as "our time". It is our little ritual that I am going to miss when I have to leave. It will be a sad day when I have to leave my chunky monkey. I am going to miss getting to watch her grow, reach new milestones in her life, and most of all, her beautiful smile. I can't wait to see how she matures as a young lady, how she learns from her big brother Rylan, and how she annoys the crud out of her momma someday lol.
My BEAUTIFUL Reesey Lynn
4th Is my wonderful mother-in-law Lynda. I got incredibly lucky when I married into this family. I know many people think that in-laws are just people you have to put up with for your spouse, but mine I truly consider MY family. Lynda is a very down to earth person and will always tell you what she really thinks. I don't know if this is good or bad, but she has chosen me as her new shopping buddy (good for me, bad for Eric haha). She grew up in a house with 3 boys, and now that I am a part of their family, she lets me know that she enjoys having a daughter. I know she is going through just as much of a hard time as I am, and she seems so strong to me. I have only seen this woman cry one time, and it was when she hugged Eric good bye. She is silly, caring, and well rounded. She calls me on my crap while at the same time comforting me about it. She and Mark have been taking care of our 2 dogs this whole time, and have built multiple fences for them, a heated 2 bedroom doghouse, and even left work to look for one of them when she got out. I don't know too many people that are willing to do all of that for somebody, but they did it with no questions asked and a smile on their faces. They recently went on a business trip to San Diego, one that required Lynda to go shopping. One day while at their house, Mark told me that he offered to take her and she replied with "I think I would rather take Kyra." She may not know this, but that made me feel so incredibly special and welcomed. We have gotten along since day 1, Since Eric told her, I'm going to marry a woman that you've met maybe twice in your life 3 years ago, lol, and she didn't ask a single question. She simply congratulated us and helped out in every way possible. I just want to thank you for always including me, Lynda, and for always making me feel welcomed. You are a wonderful woman and I can't wait for our children to love you and learn from you someday.
My wonderful Mother-in-law, Lynda
Now this last one might make me tear up, so get ready. 5th is all about my saving grace, my wonderful sister, Kayla. Kayla and I are 5 years apart, and we didn't really become close until about 3 years ago when she became pregnant with my 1st nephew, Rylan. I was that annoying little sister that never wanted to leave her side, and she was that hell bent senior that couldn't wait to get out of the house. Like most people, after we had matured, we realized what was really important in life. When I was 19 years old, I learned that I was going to be having a nephew, and this changed mine and Kayla's relationship for the better. When I was 20, we welcomed the first baby since I was born into our family. It was in May of 2009, and that was the day I realized that I had found a best friend in my sister. This little boy has had my heart since day 1, and I truly believe he is the reason Kayla and I have such a close relationship. I was engaged to a man that she had never even met before, and she was nothing but supportive. I know she thought I was insane, but she also knew that I was happy and for that reason alone, she supported our relationship 100%. Let's jump to 2011. When we learned that Eric was going to be deploying, Kayla told me that I was welcome to stay with her and her family until her returned. Now when most people hear about this situation, they make a weird face and ask "So how is that working out?" "You live with your sister, her husband, and their 2 kids?" "Is that not weird?" NO, It's actually pretty incredible. Kayla is my best friend, Tyson is my brother, and Rylan and Reese are fighting Eric for 1st place in my heart, so it's not weird at all. We all get along and have a family closeness that most people could only dream of understanding. I don't think you could find a luckier person than me in this entire world. Sure we have our arguments, but we wouldn't be normal if we didn't. Kayla and I have dance wars in the kitchen, we pants each other on a daily basis, we play the "score" game every time we get in the car, we have burping contests, we bake treats with Rylan, and we have t-shirt time with the family every Thursday night. It may seem a little weird from the outside looking in, and yeah, you're probably right, we're a little odd, but I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. I love the fact that we are crazy and random, I wouldn't want to be anywhere but right here during this time. Kayla and her family have included me in their family morning Christmas tradition, she made sure that they were here to celebrate Valentine's with me instead of having a romantic night with her husband, she makes sure that her children always make me a heart felt gift for every occasion, and she has learned how to comfort me when I am having a bad day. She supports my husband while he is over seas by writing him letters, sending him holiday cards, and most of all, making sure her children know who their Uncle Eric is. She and her family are my support system, and I can't imagine going through this without her by my side. You truly are my saving grace Kayla, and I could go on and on about how special you are to me, but this blog is getting ridiculously long lol. Just know that I love you, you are my best friend, and I can't wait for my children to learn from their amazingly wonderful Aunt Kayla.
My best friend in the world, my sister, Kayla
