A Week of "Firsts"

Thanksgiving week = crazy week

But it was also a week of many firsts in the Krueger household:

1. First good break from the craziness of school and homework.
2. First time making a new recipe of Poppyseed Bread (AMAZING)
3. First time burning myself on the oven
4. First time making Dill Oyster Crackers (DELICIOUS)

5. First holiday season being "married"
6. First major holiday without AJ being home
7. First time going Black Friday shopping in a LONG time
8. First time baking with the in-laws (MINT BARS)
9. First time getting to the Franz house on my own
10. First time going home since before the last time I saw AJ down in New Orleans
11. First time Charlie didn't get sick AT ALL for the hour drive either way!
12. First time setting up a Christmas tree in our apartment (will post later)

Married to the Military

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

Previous to meeting AJ I didn't exactly have much experience or knowledge about the whole military thing. But one thing I do know is that since we were engaged he was sure to remind me that not only was I marrying him, but also the military. And it hasn't been until his deployment that I more fully understand what he meant by this statement.

It has been 3 months and 22 days since he left, and it has not been easy. But I do know that God has been teaching me things I would have never dreamed I would learn through this experience. And for that I am extremely grateful. Along with this, God has constantly reminded me that he would not have a calling or purpose for my life in which he had not already prepared and equipped me for.

Sure, I sit and complain about AJ having to be gone and how badly I wish he could just be back home with me. But this is where I forget what my role is here back home. The role here back home is just as important and necessary as his overseas, and sometimes even more difficult. He knows where I am, what I'm doing, and that I am okay. Me, on the other hand, I cannot always answer these questions about him. But through our marriage we are now "one flesh" and that means we're working at this together. We are both serving to protect this country.

Being back on the homefront isn't always the easiest job. While I may not be the one out fighting the physical battle, I am fighting the battles the arise each day here at home. And the absolute hardest thing to do is to ask for help. My role here at home is to support and encourage my soldier while he is away, and I need to do such joyfully. But if I hold it all in to myself and never ask for help, how can I possibly accomplish this role?

I am so thankful for the husband I have been blessed with. I know I would not be able to make it through this experience without him. I ask that you continue to pray for his safety and health. I also ask that you would pray that I can remain strong and rooted in Christ to be the encouragement and support that he needs to get through this.

Care Package Requests

I've had quite a few people show interest in sending a care package to AJ at some point during the next 8 1/2 months while he is in Afghanistan. And rather than try to tell you all the same things over and over again, I figure I'll post a list of items AJ has requested, and I'll try to keep it updated as time goes on and he thinks of other things he could use.

So far he's requested the following:
-homemade goodies (cookies, brownies, chex mix, puppy chow, etc)
-any kind of junk food (chips, crackers, candy, beef jerky, slim jims, etc)
-air fresheners (no fluids)
-games (crossword puzzles, word search, sudoku, etc)
-magazines (guns, sports, outdoor)
-decorations to put in room (ISU and 49ers)
-iTunes gift card
-CDs or movies

Like I said, I will try to keep this as updated as possible as he is over there longer and can come up with more ideas! And don't worry about sending him something he won't like, because there are always other soldiers over there who could use these things too :) Thank you so much for everone who has shown an interest in sending him something. I know that he is excited to hear from everyone and we're both more than thankful for everything you have already done for us! :)

Update #6

I received an email from AJ earlier this morning letting me know that he and the rest of his National Guard soldiers traveling with him arrived safely at their destination! Where they are currently located is not where they will be staying for the duration of the time they have left in the deployment. They are currently 12 hours ahead of us (Central Time at least!) but once they move to their long-term housing they will be 10 1/2 hours ahead. (It was originally going to be 9 1/2 hours, but they don't observe DST over there!) Again, you can always refer to the clock that has been posted here on the blog (on the right a little farther down) to know what time it is there for him. Thank you for your prayers for safe travels so far, and we are truly blessed to have so many amazing family and friends to support us and encourage us through this challenging year :)

Shipment

The word of the week is Shipment.

To my surprise I received a surprise package in the mail from AJ. He had mentioned to me that he had ordered something for me, but I somewhat bypassed that thought and forgot about it. Until low and behold the UPS man is knocking at my door (and then running away like playing ding-dong-ditch...which I found weird). When I opened the package, inside was a sweatshirt. When I finally got it out of the plastic it was wrapped in, I just had to laugh. It was a 49ers sweatshirt. I laughed because the 49ers are AJ's favorite NFL team, and I had told him that because I didn't have an NFL team that I was a fan of, I would be a good wife and take his side to cheer on his team. So now that I have a sweatshirt to wear, I suppose the term "fan" is official! :)
The other 'official shipment' deals with AJ and the National Guard soldiers. They have officially been shipped out of the country, so now the 'real' part of the deployment will begin. Please continue to keep him in your prayers for strength as the 9 1/2 hour time change is going to be quite an adjustment, and patience as they will now be in new surroundings once again. I have placed a clock set to Afghanistan time on this blog page if anyone is curious. As always, your prayers and encouragement so far has been greatly appreciated! :)

Sewing Project FINALLY Finished!

A few months ago I had the idea that I was going to MAKE the coats for my 2 crazy dogs this year rather than try to find some sweaters that were ridiculously overpriced and extremely ugly. I found some fleece (camo-style to support our soldier!) and got to work on Tilly's. I sat down and completed her sweatshirt all in one afternoon. But after doing all of THAT, I haven't really been in the mood to sew as of recent. When I got up this morning to take the beasts outside I decided that because it was so incredibly cold out and I had nothing better to do with my morning, I might as well finish Charlie's. It only took about an hour and a half, but at least it's finished! And now my puppies are warm and stylish AND supporting AJ while he's away all at the same time! :)Charlie showing off his new sweatshirt! He likes wearing it, surprisingly, and it didn't even take him any time to get used to! He still runs all over the place like a total spaz as usual! :) Tilly and Charlie chilling out in their sweatshirts. They are such silly dogs! :)