HERE.. to start with

I'm so happy to be able to start with a good story! Colin was granted his recruiters assistance (RA) to come home over Christmas break. Although that meant him working a job for a few days a week from 8 to 4:30 or so, we were very happy to have him home. We had lots of fun working around our families Christmas plans! With my family in Johnson City about an hour and a half away from knoxville it was great to spend time with him on the road. We spent Christmas Eve with my family opening gifts and participating in family traditions, luckily we were able to make it to knoxville for a Christmas eve dinner. Later we went to a Christmas eve service with the Rockwell family. That was my first experience going to Church for Christmas. I really enjoyed it even though it was late and most of us left with sleepy eyes. It was a great treat being able to participate in communion with the whole Rockwell clan. We- meaning all 12 of us gathered around one cup- I am blessed to have been a part of that! The next morning we had stockings and gifts! Its was a wonderful Christmas!!!

The Rockwell Family & me

We didn't take a picture but this was a family picture:

Jacob, Mom, Rebecca, Dad, me

Colin and I also got to go on a special date, just the two of us. We went to Bravo's in Knoxville. Its one of the first places we went when we first started dating. I love making memories. We also went to cafe 4 for some coffee before seeing our movie. 

We also went ice skating a couple times with both of our families- I hate to admit that Colin is much better than I am...                            with our little sisters....

We went to Nashville for New Years to celebrate with the older Rockwells at Patrick and Liz's condo near downtown. It was so fun to be a part of that! It was fun to hang out with the girls and also have fun with the guys later in the day. We spent New Years in downtown to watch the "guitar drop" it was really crowded and perfect weather for the fun. I'm glad to get to catch up with friends too. Devon and Karen showed us Love Circle which is the highest point in the city- you could see everything! 

 we ate at Maggiano's- great Italian 

 New years party at P & L's friends place- they were so welcoming and fun! 

Colin left from Nashville on monday at 6:15 am. Everyone got up at 4 to see him off and head back home. Goodbyes sure are hard! It's great to know that we can pick up right where we left off. IM THANKFUL FOR HIM BEING HERE. 

& then there is- THERE...

Colin is back in California. I a bit jealous that he gets to enjoy the warm weather when I woke up and there was half an inch of snow on the ground here in the east. He did get to rest some after his long travel back to the west coast. After making the trip there and back in November for Thanksgiving its not so easy to readjust to the time change! even though the day started early for him at 0400 this morning he was able to rest because there were lots of new guys entering MART ( marines awaiting recon training ) so they were being briefed this morning while the salty MARTers rested. After lunch he did prepare for a pool workout but it was brief itself. *thankful for rest* Tomorrow should start back to a heavy workout load. - Lets hope those extra calories over break wont weigh him down too much. 

this picture is from a while ago.. 

Im so thankful for family and friends and time we get to spend together. Distance is hard but so worth the wait! Im thankful for support and guidance, prayer, and peaceful places. UNTIL HE COMES BACK AGAIN.... thank you Colin for loving me better than anyone i've ever known! 

Prayers: 

readjustment (here and there)

patience 

communication

understanding 

not taking things for granted

motivation

& strength