eleven. days.

***Props to the power of the mind. About 70 days ago, I took Indi (our dog) to see Studley the stud (a very handsome yellow lab). She spent a week getting to know Studley, and then they decided to be parents. Since that time, Indi has exhibited every symptom of pregnancy: lack of bladder control (it runs in the family as well), hormonal moodswings, fatigue, ravenous appetite, and even cravings (BBQ and Thai food). She even lactated. So I prepared a place for the whelping to take place, and bought materials to build a small pen to keep the pups from pooping on the entirety of my *beautiful* back yard. She was due this past weekend. Well. I thought she was. Saturday came and went. Sunday came and went. No puppies. And if I'm not crazy, we're on Thursday now. Still no puppies. So this is what we call a false pregnancy. I am just amazed that a dog can convince herself she's pregnant, and be so persuasive in doing so that she goes so far as to let down milk 'til her teets are engorged and, from what I hear from her human counterparts, quite painful!! My dog is insane. And now she's depressed too. What are we gonna do with sweet girl.

***ONLY 11 DAYS until Nate gets home. We're on countdown!

***Kara, great idea about posting pics of the back yard, but you're right...I do want to surprise Nate, so it'll have to wait...but only 11 more days!

***Speaking of Kara, if you need a good laugh, or want to persuade yourself to have more kids, click on Kara's blog to see the cutest video footage in the whole world.

Did I mention he'll be home in less than three weeks?!?!?!

Still Here

I'm not supposed to say when this happened, but I got an e-mail from Nate a couple of weeks ago with this photo attached and cheekily captioned: "Still Here." Real funny huh?? This is the armored Suburban that Nate rides in all the time, and the one that took me on my few trips across the Red Zone. A mortar round slammed into it...while it was sitting empty thank God.

Bronze Star Medal

Someone asked me the other day why I haven't been writing much. I told her it's because the blog posts would be rather boring, and consist of the only three thoughts I seem to be capable of these last few months: 1. I miss Nate, and 2. I hope Nate doesn't get hit by a mortar round today. I've already mentioned those things, so I don't feel the need to write about them anymore.

BUT...now we're close enough to the end of this year that I can happily tell you that Nate is coming home VERY soon!! Three weeks or so, and I'll have my husband back, out of harm's way, and sharing my space again. Evidence of his impending return can be seen at my house, where I am in full "nesting" mode, completing projects I never thought I'd tackle so that everything will be just perfect for Nate. I've transformed my back yard (with the help of Sarah's oh-so-sweet boyfriend, Matthew, who undoubtedly cringes when he sees my number on caller ID), redecorated, painted walls, and put meals in the freezer. I am SO ready for Nate to be home!!!

On Thursday, Nate's boss pinned the Bronze Star Medal on his lapel. The ever trustworthy Wikipedia says this about the Bronze Star.

"The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration which may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the 9th highest military award (including both combat and non -combat awards) in the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations."

I'm proud. And I am so thankful that I married a brave, honorable man.