In Case You Were Wondering

I was grateful that this five month separation timed out to be over the summer, because there is a lot to do here in the summer. I also decided to help things along and signed Z up for a new community class every month. This month she is in tumbling, next month she has a martial arts class, in July it's swimming and for August, I bought passes to a place called Jumping Jacks, so we can just go whenever.

I have also been keeping a very close eye on community events. Yesterday there was free admission and half price passes to Jumping Jacks with free food and stuff. Today at the library, they had a book festival with puppet shows, readings, face painting, crafts, workshops, book signings and a free book for every child there.

The Farmer's Market is 4 blocks from my parents house. Last week they had a May Pole with live fiddling to dance around it as we untied the ribbons. (I've always wondered exactly what a May Pole entailed) It was so festive.

I've decided that I really love Provo. There are loads of things to do around here if you're looking for them. It's a college town, but it is a unique college town because a higher percentage of the students have started families, so it is also extremely family friendly. There are lots of trees, majestic mountains, old neighborhoods filled with homes full of character. I love Center Street. Academy Square, The Tabernacle and City Hall are all beautiful buildings. I could go on, but in short, I am glad I am here for now.

I set out to be extremely busy and that is exactly what I am. Almost too much sometimes, there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day. It's gets a little annoying sometimes, but that is what I wanted and I am grateful. I would much rather be too busy than not busy enough. Whenever things slow down my thoughts turn to Brent.

Being busy helps, but my Faith has helps even more. I had a very interesting experience the day Brent left. Up until that point, whenever I thought about Brent leaving, I was overwhelmed with tears. Early in the morning of the day he left, we went to the Temple. As we were driving home from the Temple I felt so incredibly peaceful and happy. It was strange for me because I knew in a matter of hours that he would be leaving me. I knew this event would be the beginning of a very difficult period of my life. I knew I would miss him to the point of physical pain. But despite all that, I was happy.

That is probably the best description of what it has been like since he has left. It has been EXTREMELY challenging, but I am happy. As I have focused on my dedication to the lord, my burdens have been made light. Not that they are taken away, or made any less difficult, but I have received strength and peace so that I may bear them well.

Brent has also been doing well. I am envious of all the new skills and information he is acquiring. It sounds fascinating to me and I can't wait until we have time to really talk so I can hear more about it. I get to talk to him once a week for about 2 to 5 minutes. As you can imagine, I don't get much information out of him in that amount of time. But he said that Basic Training is pretty much what he expected. He got into shape before he went and the physical demands have not been much of a challenge for him. He said he got into trouble a few weeks ago for showering early. He was afraid he had made the drill sergeant's trouble list, but the very next week he was given the privilege of being Platoon Leader. He also said he was amazed that they could be so busy and yet still spend so much time waiting around for things. I definitely don't envy that.

I bought a ticket to South Carolina for his Basic Graduation at the end of June. I will fly in on Wednesday night. Thursday is Family Day where I go to a bunch of Army programs designed to show families what their soldier has experienced. Then I get to spend the rest of the day with Brent on post. The next day, his graduation is at 9am and we should have the rest of the day together on or off post. He will probably ship out Saturday morning, but I purchased a ticket that won't bring me home until late Saturday night just in case I can see him on Saturday too. If not, I'll spend the day exploring Columbia or Greensville. I CAN'T WAIT. It is nice that we can break up his time away with a visit. It gives me a short-term goal to look forward to.