Turn of events.

Well once again, I am back in Greenville. This trip was overall a pretty successful trip! We found a potential apartment that we are literally in LOVE with! It is a little expensive, but so close to base and has everything we were looking for. We get a 5% discount for rent, so it is under $600 but we would still have bills. So literally the only way we would be able to afford it on our own is if we were married. This soo upset me because of the plans we had originally. If we would have stuck with our original plan then this apartment would have been a piece of cake, not saying that I regret our decision. Chris says that he is going to find a way to make it work. The only way I see is if we eloped. And, well that isn’t happening. So it is definitely a downer. I know that he will try whatever it takes but I don’t want to bust our asses to just make the bills. We’ll have this great place but nothing else. I’m sure we’ll figure something out! If not we’ll just stick to our plan and wait until PCS.

Friday I left at like 5 am and got there a little after 11. How I made that time I will never know! But I ended up waiting with Cristina for a good 4 hours for the guys to be released. We went over to the barracks to pick up her husband. He thought Chris was still at the armory. But sure enough we pull up and I see this guy....who looks a lot like Christopher. I recognized him immediately from behind. I said that is Chris! They’re trying to trick me! Chris had NO clue! He thought I was waiting outside the gates. He got this big smile on his face when he realized it was me! It was great! He was soo excited!

This trip was a little different than our other trips. We actually had arguments. We have never had more than 1 little spat that is usually a quick minute or two. This trip on Friday night, I walked out of the hotel and drove away for a little less than an hour. I blew up on his friend, who stole Chris for “5 minutes” aka an hour when we had plans. Completely blew up on him. During my hour away to clear my head I had 4 texts from Chris and 3 texts from his friend. Both apologizing and asking me to come back. While I was very mad that I had been ditched and wanted to just be a bitch and treat them like they had just treated me, I didn’t want to fight all weekend. So in attempts to be a good girlfriend, I got a redbox movie, bought him a tea and drove back to the hotel. When I walked in he wouldn’t even let me all the way in before he apologized and gave me a big hug. I was mad but it wasn’t worth it. I didn’t drive 7 hours, then wait an extra 4 or 5 hours for them to get off to be ditched. But at the same time, I didn’t drive 7 hours and wait 4 or 5 hours to fight. When I got back to the room we talked about why I was mad and then what happened with his friends. After 45 minutes of talking about it we were back to normal but I needed mashed potatoes.

Later that night, Chris got a text saying that there was a possible recall at 0600. This weekend the entire base shut down Friday night for a drill. The FBI was there and all. The only people that could get on had to have a specific badge, and no one could get off base. So I started freaking out. Chris reassured me that it would not happen. Well sure enough the next morning, at 8 am we get a text saying recall 1145 in the quad. The team leader told him that he probably wouldn’t get to get off base. I started crying. It would be a complete waste of day. Alone in kings bay. Yay! But he had no choice. This wasn’t a recall he could get out of. So at 11, I took him and dropped him off at a friend of ours who was taking him to base. I was soooo not happy! But wanted to stick with our plan for the day and go look for an apartment. I went back to the hotel about 30 minutes after I dropped Chris off. One of the guys from his section pulled into the hotel when I did. I just figured he couldn’t’ get on base. So I went searching for an apartment guide. I was gone an extra 20 minutes or so when I got a text from Chris asking where I was and if I was okay. I was like yeah I’m out looking for a book with apartments. He said ohh okay. Well can you come back to the hotel? I went to surprise you and no one was here....hahah poor handsome!

Overall the weekend was a success. We had a lot of fun on a tiny budget....thank you mr big spender :)
It made me realize that we can make it on VERY little money at all. We somehow made it work with only like $100. How we did that I have  no clue.

We window shopped a lot! We found a tv that we both love and made a deal of when we’re buying it. We found an apartment. Started talking about what we wanted in it and started talking details. I don’t know if it will really happen or not...probably not but we can definitely dream right? We have almost everything we would need to get started and survive. Which is great! I never thought we could start our lives and have almost everything. We’re taking donations for a microwave :)

If you asked  me a year ago where I would be today, I would have said married to Christopher, in Kings Bay, GA, and having a blast with him when he was off. I never saw myself in Greenville, going to school, and hating every minute of it. My life has definitely changed and taken a turn but I wouldn’t regret our decisions, and life for a minute. I love him and everything that has come out of this relationship.

The recall  Saturday was for a brief with Chris’s section. One of his friends was tragically killed in a fatal car accident. One of the guys in the car passed away and the other didn’t.  They lost control after going over a train track. I am praying for not only the Marine’s family that passed away but also the Marine who survived. That has to be hard. Definitely a wake up call to take advantage of the time you do have. Nothing is promised.

RIP PFC Tipton...

Tell me to try a deployment...

Here is my little vent, and I apologize if I offend anyone but this needs to come out. I hate what I have been hearing from people lately. The “be thankful he is not deployed” thing. Here’s the thing, Christopher’s job is NOTHING like any of the jobs in the Marine Corps. His job does not deploy but it does take him away for a month with random time off, usually a night off a week. He is not allowed to have his cell phone or laptop or anything. So he calls me when he can from the community phone, and he gets on the community computer to Facebook chat me when he can. What Chris was promised before he got there, is nothing like what it really is. Of course, this is the Marine Corps.

This is his job description “The MCSF guard will be assigned to duty with MCSF units. He will be physically fit and mentally capable of enduring the rigors of combat. He will have the requisite knowledge to safely and properly employ the service rifle, pistol and shotgun. As a member of a reaction force, he will conduct offensive infantry tactics in confined spaces, ashore and afloat, to restore breached security and provide the final barrier/element of an integrated security plan for the asset being protected. He also must possess skills in land navigation and patrolling. In the grades of corporal through gunnery sergeant, as a security supervisor, the Marine will plan, evaluate, and supervise the implementation of site-specific security plans to protect assets designated as vital to the national security. “

Basically he stands guard, and protects weapons. He stands post for about 6 hours then usually gets 6 hours off, not always. They are so short on people that he doesn’t always get those 6 hours off. Chris’s section is the shortest section in his whole company. That means they work more than any other section. They don’t sleep much at all, if any, and they don’t get time off. So when they get a weekend off they all go crazy. Usually those are the times I get to go see him. That is usually once every 5 or 6 weeks. However this tour will be 7 weeks since they have to do double since they’re short on guys.

And when I say off I mean they are still down at work but not on post. They work 24 hours a day when they are down at work. So they are working a good 160 hours at a time. What does yours do? 12-15 hours maybe? Not trying to be a bitch but you have no clue what that is like. Yeah a deployment they will be gone for 7+ months. I did over 5 months with getting to talk to him a few minutes every 2 or 3 weeks. The only reason I got to see him when I did was because it was a last minute random weekend.

No one understands this because it is rare. It is hard to get this MOS. The people that do understand it have been through it, or have family members that have. So for the people who tell me at least its not deployment, you have no clue. Yes he is states side and sort of “safe”, but no I don’t see him or talk to him much at all. It is not as great as it sounds. Having him so close but can’t go down to see him because he is working.

So yes I am allowed to complain about my 6 weeks. Because during my 6 weeks, I will be lucky to talk to him once a day for a few minutes. I hate people telling me that it is JUST 6 weeks. Yes deployment is hard. I have not been there but I can only imagine how hard it must be. But I will tell you one thing. This 2 year contract in Kings Bay, will make a deployment will be a breeze. This is making me stronger every single day. It tests every last part of my nerve, has tested our love and made it stronger, tests my faith that this will all be worth it in the long run. I know that no matter what people think that this is hard, and this is not fun, but this is MORE than worth it. I may hate every second that he is in the wire, because everything goes wrong when he is at work, but I know that this is making us more thankful and cherish the little time we do have together. We don’t take advantage of our random weekends, or our random phone calls, and breaks out of the wire.

Every one has it hard, no one is better than anyone. This is a hard relationship. Whether he is active and deployed, or states side. Or reserves and working all the time. It is hard.

Wait, say that again?

Last night Chris got out early and surprised me. It was great and totally unsuspected since he had just went down to work. He was soo excited for my trip down in about 2 weeks. Was talking about how he couldn't wait to see me in my dress and all. Left me on cloud 9!

I got my dress today. It's gorgeous! And perfect! I got so excited I posted the picture to Chris's facebook, and told him how excited I was. I thought this guy was just kidding. He said "I'm sorry darling but i would not get shoes or the dress hemmed but Christopher will be at work, we have the list and he is not on it... there is always next year ;-)" So I said how it really wasn't funny that I was excited to come down. He told me how he wasn't kidding and didn't want to be the bearer of bad news and Chris would call when he got off. My friend had commented saying I hope you are kidding her her sake. He said "see now i feel bad, i was just trying to let her no before she did anything else to the dress but think about the romance of wearing it next year right"

So freaking out I call down at work to talk to Chris. I start telling him what was said and he interrupted me and said yeah I know what you're talking about and we're not going. They apparently need people down at work and Chris got stuck working.

Needless to say I am not happy. I have been crying for an hour. This isn't fair at all. Chris will be on his training cycle and has to work now. We had the entire weekend planned. I really needed this weekend with him. I don't know when I will have another weekend with him before New Years. I don't know what to do. It's not fair, and I am so butt hurt.

Zebra shoes? Seriously Elyssa Renee??

So since my last post I have been so super crazy it isn't even funny! I decided Friday that I was going to wear zebra, yes you heard that right, zebra shoes to the ball! After calling Christopher that afternoon and telling him my idea he asked if I was serious?? I said of course I am! He said yeah I'm going to go with no on this one. I said really? uh oh :) He said do you already havethem? I said maybe (I really didn't but I wanted them soo bad!) So he said okay Ill think about it. He called me super early saturday morning, when I say super I mean 3 am! But he called to tell me that he was liking the zebra idea (I mean hey it's better to be somewhere that can be concealed than a clutch or jewelry right??) So I finally find a pair that I love! They don't have my size! So I found a pair that was my size and a good price! It says it will take 2-4 weeks to get here. So as of now I don't have shoes for the ball! Talk about going crazy!

So here is the dress! Obviously :) Here are the shoes! Too bad they don't come in my size anymore :(

Needless to say it has been quite a weekend! This was only one of my worries! If just the shoes were my problem I would be in heaven! But it's not.

Unfortunately I have had killer, and I mean killer, migraines all week. And of course stubborn me doesn't go to the dr for them but I have been taking my medicine. Which I guess is good. But I am still hurting. I know that it is time to call the doctor for preventative medicine but thats yet another pill I have to take everyday. And me being honest...I forget to take them on time. I'm lucky if I even remember that day! Horrible in the means of birth control. But I know that soon I need to call the doctor because I literally can't do these multiple naps during the day and going to bed early and not being able to study because my head kills. Just need that push I guess to go call her. So someone push me :)

Chris was having a rough weekend. There was no way for me to help him. Talk about miserable. He finally talked to me yesterday morning. It didn't go that well. So me being the worry wort that I am, wrote him a 5 1/2 page letter. Every time I write him a letter they are long....he calls them my novels. When he called he could tell there was something wrong. Not going into details but yesterday morning killed me! He asked me what was wrong because I had started to cry. I said do you not remember anything that happened this weekend and this morning. So I told him about the letter. Gave him 3 choices: I can read it now, email/fb it, or send it in the mail. He chose to read it now. So after countless tears and pauses so I could get it together, he understood and told me what was really going on. It didn't really have anything to do with me. Of course what he had said was true but wasn't why he was so mad.

But this got me thinking.....when Chris gets really stressed he usually takes it out on me. Which is fine because I do the exact same thing. But I feel like he gets stressed more often and more extreme. Which I feel bad for because I know that when I push him it sets him off. So when we started talking about what was wrong with him he said I don't really want to talk about it. All I said was you know I am here whenever you need me and I will always listen. So he spilled. I feel so bad for him because there is no real way for me to help him, especialy with me here. So I will have to wait for 2 weeks to be able to talk to him about it.

I won't put all of his business on my blog since it was super personal and if he didn't want to talk to me about it right away. But I just want him to know, in case he reads this, that I really am here for you. 24/7 no matter what time, or day of the week I am here. I share everything with him and him opening up last night was great. I miss him so much and hate that he goes thru this alone.

I leave in 15 days to see him for like 5 days! I am so excited! When we were talking last night he asked me to schedule a night photoshoot. Now let me give some background about Christopher and pictures. Chris and I have been together for about 2 years now. I have wanted pictures since before he went to boot camp, so about a year and a half ago. I am just now getting those pictures! 3 times in 2 days! We have one Friday for the ball, one saturday afternoon, and another saturday night. He has this obsession with sunset...I have no clue lol. ButI will say he is getting very excited! Now instead of 2 outfits to choose I have 4! I just decided on my 2 outfits lol. He apparently got a amazing jacket that matches mine so he said we needed an extra shoot since I had his outfits picked out already :) But guess that means he is taking me shopping that thursday to get an outfit :) He knows how to throw curveballs at me and make life interesting.

Ahh I can't wait! 15 days can't come soon enough!

Where Did The Romance Go?

Today I was determined to have a great day! Hadn't heard from Chris in a couple of days but wasn't letting that stop me. I had over 300 comments on 2 statuses today. I learned something today: when your man is being an ass or you can't talk to him GO TO YOUR GIRLS! They really saved me today! They had me laughing the entire time! I love it! Great times!

But they made me realize something...back when Chris and I first started dating he used to be so romantic and cute! Used to take me to dinner all the time, have movie nights, bring me random things that he knew I was craving and this may sound bad but catered to my every need. Now I'm not saying I want him to cater to me 24/7 or do all of that because right now I know that is impossible. When Chris was training he fell asleep on me one night when I was having a really bad night. The next day he felt so bad I had 2 dozen roses waiting for me within 24 hours. I attached a picture. Now all I get is a "I'm sorry" the next day. For valentines day, not only did he take me out on a date night but he also got Gianna baby roses and me a dozen roses to match Gia's. He used to be soo romantic! Now all I get is....nothing. For my birthday he was working so I got a phone call 10 minutes after my birthday for 2 minutes. I love him and I am very thankful for everything he does for me. Don't get me wrong here! But I miss those little things! Even miss boot camp letters, and emails. He used to send the most adorable messages telling me why he loved me. Now when I try to be cute and start it it gets blown off. Idk what to do anymore!

I think we hit that speed bump where all the cute, romantic things ran their course. We've only been dating for 2 years. We should still be doing the romantic things....

Where is the love Christopher Joseph?? I know your Daddy taught you better than this! I've seen what he does for your Mom! :(

Oh Oh Oh October please go away!

It has been 16 days since I last posted! That is nuts! Well a lot has happened in the 16 days that I have not posted. I went to Kings Bay, duh! Well when I got back I was in Greenville for3 days.My Friday class got cancelled so I got to leave Thursday afternoon! I was pretty excited for 5 days at home, in my ownbig bed, seeing my family as well as Chris's, and my puppies!

When I got home I was attacked with dogs! I had the dachshund up on my lap, and my two big dogs pushing back to get closer and get some love! I loveeee my dogs! They always l

ove you! The next day I took my brother to school at 7:

30 am! Very, very early :) Then came back and took a nap with my Mag-pie! She woke up as the flash hit her eyes but she was laying on the backs of my legs! I love

it! Chris was replaced during naptimes while I

was there!

Later I had lunch with my Dad wh

ere I spilled the beans about changing my major. He was soo not

happy. I still don't really understand why. I think my family thinks that being a nurse is so great and glorified? But it isn't what I want anymore. Like yeah I am positive that being a nurse would be great, for a while. I want a job that is fun, changing, and all that all the time! I don't know what is going on. However, I know what I want and that will not change. I have t

he biggest and best supporter!

He may be about 470 miles away but he will always support me! I thought my Dad might be a little weird about it but not as upset as he was. But it is my life. I will do what I want. Everyone knows that I have always been hard headed and nothing will stop

me. Not even unsupportive family. They will come around. It definitely makes me scared for the manyconversations to come in the future.

Later that day little brother and I went to his sophomore year home

coming! I met up and caught up with friends from grades below me and my graduating class! It was great! I froze my booty off and got stuck in a lot of traffic but had a lot of time to catch up with my brother. It was a lot of fun! Then he had his homecoming dance the next day. After a few altercations with my parents that morning I decided to shower and ignore them. Good idea right? Well I ignored my mom, and made sure she knew I was not talking to her. My dad? No I am a complete daddy's girl. I admit it is a problem. But we ended up having to bathe the dogs outside because they decid

ed they wanted to run all over Morrison Plantation.

Thank you Mom and Dad for picking a huge neighborhood to move into! So while we were bathing them we got to talk alot about it.

(They are fat beagles and beagle bassets so they get super dirty! Plus Libby decided to roll in the mud while she was soaked! Brilliant dog!) Then they got to sit in th

e driveway to completely dry off so that their hair looked hilarious dried! I ended up br

ushing them while my brother and parents went out (apparently I st

unk...). I had emptied a Walmart bag full of hair twice! It was nuts!

Dan(little brother) and his girlfriend looked quite spiffy at their homecoming! Might I just add Daniel doesn't dress up likeever! Rarely shaved,or showered for that matter before Tori! She has truly worked wonders for them! They looked so cute! She is gorgeous! And I guess Dan is kinda

handsome too! (

yuck :D) I love these 2! haha he is hilarious! I am pretty sure that he stole this f

ace from me! He is exactly 2 1/2 years younger than me but we round it up to 3! Just because he is younger does not mean smaller. He is a good 8 inches taller than me! Soo not fair! Even in super high stripper heels I don't come near how tall he is!

I remember when I lived at home, we shared a bathroom. He rarely used it. But almost every night we would end up brushing our teeth at the same time. He would just sit there and look/stare at me, smile, then look

at me again and start giggling! I couldn't figure out what he was doing! So I busted out laughing! He was looking at how short I was! But I will always remember our teeth brushing laughs! Goofball! I love that "little" guy and no matter what ends up happening he will always be my little brother and I know that

I can always go to him with anything. No matter how

bad it is. He is an amazing little brother!

The next day my mom and I had decided to go try on dresses, a last chance to make up

type thing. We tried on about every single non

slutty long dress in the store!

We found one that would be great but we were completely set on the red one....so we bought the red one! It shouldbe here next week! Then alterations. Then ball time! We're cutting it super late!I am so excited but completely and utterly stressed out beyond belief! I know that it will all work out. But these next 3 weeks might be the death of me! Hurry up November! I can't wait to see him in his blues! It has been a year! And 2 promotions later! Ahh!!!

Well I am back to Greenville. I have been back a week already. We went to the fair and well that was interesting! Ate enough fat and grease to last me a year! I met up with Kayla. And almost got into a pretty bad accident on the way back to school. People really don't know how to drive. They just randomly slammed on their brakes and the

guy in front of me pulled off the road so I wouldn't hit him, and I completely slammed on brakes and bottomed my car out. Great fun! Taylor and I took our first picture together haha we have lived together since august and just now took a picture. We had already been on one ride that made me want to puke! Those rides really do get bigger when you are older! It was a ton of fun though! We had funnel cakes, a ton of fries, tried nasty alligator on a stick (miss my real stuff :( ), cotton candy, and I saw a fried milky way! Totally weird! But I will definitely go again!

Chris was out of the wire for like 5 days! It was great! We had a bit of a rough weekend, but that was because of lac

k of sleep and just being rude to each other. But at the end of the day I still love my jerkface! He is the love of my life!

He went back to work on Monday. So I am used to a lot happening the day he goes in. Mainly because I can't contact him and all that jazz. Well this Monday the whole world collapsed on me! Nothing was going right! I didn't sleep well at all, thanks boyfriend for falling asleep and not answering to tell me good night, I was up early when he call

ed to tell me he was going to work and couldn't fall back asleep. Then a shit ton of drama went down. It was all day. One thing after another. And I just couldn't take it anymore. By the time he called I had literally reached my breaking point and am so thankful that he called. Within minutes of him asking how my day was I had completely lost it and started balling. When I am crying on the phone with Chris while he is at work (rare) I usually get silent and he asks questions and he can tell because it takes a while to answer. This time I just didn't care. I let him know how upset I was. He knows that all I need is to hear that everything is going to be okay and that he loves me. Well he did that perfectly this time. He said "baby go to your facebook. look at those pictures of us. do you see how happy we both were? remember those times and look forward to the next happy times. look at them when we can't talk and when you

are getting down to remember

that I love you and that it all is going to be okay! I love you and promise you that it will be okay!"

My heart melted! Truly Melted! He spent the rest of the conversation trying to get me to laugh, and succeeding!

I have never really been friends with girls. I guess we just clash? Idk. But I am usually closer friends to guys. Well I have found my best friend. And it is moments like that that make me realize 1. how much he really does love me. and 2. that he really is there for me for everything, thick and thin, happy and sad. I always saw myself with a boyfriend. But never a best fri

end and a boyfriend all in one! I will never forget that conversation. He completely made it all better! I love him soo much! I fall more and more in love with him everyday!

Sunday was a pretty big day for us! 2 years ago on Sunday I got "drunk texted" all night from a boy who doesn't remember half of what he said to me! Who would have known that exactly 2 years later we would be madly in love, best friends, still together :), and

making plans for the future! I looked back at a ton of old pictures! From the week we started "officially dating" to boot camp graduation to 3 weeks ago! I can't believe how much we have both changed. We have grown up physically and emotionally. We grew up together I guess you could say. A lot has changed over the past 2 years, and a lot has happened. It is crazy to look back at those times and see how happy we were, and to look at the pictures from my last trip down! We are still just as happy, if not happier than we were back then! I can't believe it! I love you soo much handsome!

Now I must go to sleep! I didn't get my daily "I'm alive" phone call! But oh well! He better call tomorrow! :)

Weekend in Kings Bay :)

So I just got back late last night from my weekend in Kings Bay. It was an amazing 4 days! Yes I said 4! Greenville was flooding Wednesday, like gross out! I had texted Christopher to see if I could leave early. I texted around 2ish? Still hadn't heard from him at 7? I had the car completely packed and ready to go, gas in the car and all. At 8:30 I got a super long text saying he had been in an accident he was fine and I could come if I wanted to drive that long that he would stay awake with me. I would get there at 4 am! I wanted to come really bad but knew I shouldn't have. So I didn't. I talked to him until he had fallen asleep. And told him I would leave first thing in the morning. So I got the email saying my school was running on a delay due to the flooding. I sat at the bus stop for about 45 minutes waiting for the first bus! Finally a transportation worker came and told me they were running on a delay as well. So I freaked out! Finally I found a friend who could take me to the car lot! Thanks Dani! :)

After what seemed like the longest 7 hour drive ever! I got to Kings Bay about an hour before Chris got off. So I went to see a friend and waited....and waited.....and waited :)

Finally I got the text message that said come to the gate without the sub and HURRY! So I left and when I got there I got the TIGHTEST hug ever! It was great! We got me all checked into base and into the hotel. By that time it was like 7ish and I was soo tired and had a headache! So he laid down with me for about an hour then had to go back to work for a few minutes! I had fallen asleep and hear this banging on the door like 10 minutes after he had left. I shook it off like it was nothing and fell back asleep. Yeah he didn't stop banging on the door until I came and opened it. He had a room key and all, just had to be difficult! It was 10 by the time we had gotten groceries, picked up some food, and got back to base. By 11 we were passed out! He had work at 2:45 in the morning. Do the math. Thats about 3 hours of sleep. A little less because he had to get uniforms ready. I had woken up with him and couldnt' fall back asleep. I got maybe an extra 30-45 minutes of sleep after he had left. It was around noon, I was doing homework, not expecting Chris back for at least an hour or two, and then this stinky man in woodlands walked in my door! IT was great! However, after he showered he fell asleep until like 7! I couldn't wake him up for anything! But eventually I did and we had a movie night :)

The next day he took me to the zoo, and to the mall, and the nex, and all that good stuff! Then had a date night that we got pretty dressed up for :)

Sunday was hard! We tried doing a normal day thing. Went to a movie, visited some friends, and lunch. I got stung by a wasp, to which Christopher told me to "suck it up" haha. But after leaving our friends house, we got halfway to base and I started crying. He saw me crying and told me not to start it and we weren't even to base and it'll be okay. By the time we got to the barracks and up to his room I completely lost it. I had a complete breakdown for like 45 minutes! He just held me, and let me cry, and was really good. After 45 minutes he old me it was time to go and he didn't want me getting home late. So unfortunately I had to leave. He walked me to my car, gave me kisses, told me he loved me, and off I went. And here I am back in Greenville. But I get to go see him in 5 weeks!!!!!!

So I am trying to find a dress for the ball. Chris likes this one. I'm thinking its the one. Plus it is on sale which is like even better :)

Opinions?

Very long eventful weekend!

Well I officially leave in like 36.5 hours. It is crazy how the time has flown! I have been so busy lately it isn't even funny! It all started Friday!

Friday at around 7 am my mom texted me saying see you tonight. That meant we were going to West Virginia to see family. That also meant I had a ton of quick packing to do, go to class, get my medicines for the month, and be ready for Monday. All in a matter of 4 hours! As I was getting ready to walk to my class, my teach

er sends an email saying that class was cancelled because she was sick. So I got to leave an hour early.

After 4 hours of freaking out that I had a flat tire, I got to Mooresville and got the air checked. Then ventured home! When I got home, I said hey to my parents and the puppies, and went to surprise my brother at his friends house! He pulled me out of the room he was in, closed the door, and gave me the TIGHTEST hug!

Here is a little background on my brother. He is 15 years old, way taller than

me, and has never hugged me! It totally surprised me! Needless to say you're never too old for a hug from your little brother. It was what I needed too.

So dad went to get the family food. When he got back, we all ate, dad took my brother to work and mom and I left for our trip! Well after stopping at Clinique for some much needed make up. Lets just say I have been squeezing the foundation out for weeks, and using purple for special occasion eyeliner for a while now....

After a long 6 hour drive, it was 2:30 am and mom and I were exhausted! The next day my grandma made buckwheat pan

cakes? I think that is what it is cal

led. Okay they are disgusting! Later mom and I went to the town she grew up in. It was really cool to see where she grew up, and where her parents lived while they were married. Then we had the party :)

Parties in West Virginia involving the Hanlin's are quite interesting! I think anyone who is not part of the family would be terrified of our get togethers! They're a blast and EVERYONE lets loose!

The hardest part of going there is hearing everyone ask about Christopher, ask when they'll meet him, etc. It kills me becaus

e I want to take him there! He just doesn't get time off to go! So my answer to them is eventually, one d

ay.

Eventually, one day is my answer to everything nowadays it seems.

So Sunday when it was time to go it was a long, gross 6 hours! When we got back to Mooresville, I still had 4 hours to go, I was starving, and tired of

being in a car. So daddy took me to Salsaritas, gave me Red Bull (even though he knows I hate it) and sent me on my way. About 2 hours into the trip I was exhausted, couldn't see, and giving up! So I called my grandparents, they live an hour from my school, to see if I could stay with them. So I got there at like 11, printed off lectures for the next day, and passed out!

I woke up at 6 am to be at school no later than 8:00. Idk if you added but that is over 20 hours of driving in 3 days! Boy oh boy was I exhausted!

Now I am back at school in my normal routine! Got my nails done today, and went to try on dresses for the ball and get color swatches. They called Chris my fiance and it totally tripped me out! I stuttered and told her what she was asking.

I see him in 2 days and I am soo excited! I can't wait! It's going to be great and definitely much needed!

Now I am off to pack and do yet another load of laundry!

It's a new day!

So this morning as I hit the snooze button for literally the 10th time, I finally decided to get up and face the day. It was a new day right? I had wiped my hands of the drama and problems. So I got up, put on jeans and a t-shirt and threw my hair up in a ponytail (my new look, no make up. don't judge!) drank my slimfast and headed out to my dreaded 9 am chemistry class.

I had a four hour break. It was great! I had a test at 2. Plenty of time to study, right? Wrong! Apparently when you stay up until 1am to talk to your boyfriend, and stayed up until 4 am the night before with no nap, you're REALLY tired! I had a 2 hour nap! Thats really long for me! I usually get an hour tops! Well I needed that extra hour. However did not need how I woke up. (He may hate me for telling you all this but im going to!) Christopher sweats in his sleep like bad! Well when I woke up from my nap, I was drenched! That may be gross, okay it is lol. But I swore I was sleeping with Christopher. When I woke up, he was not there. The zebra body pillow was as close as it got. It was horrible! I missed him soo bad!

Anywho! I took my test and feel really good about it! Thank goodness! who knows how I did though! So fingers crossed!

So I leave a week from tomorrow morning. Needless to say I AM SOO EXCITED!!! He's already making plans! It's great!

Tonight wasn't as great as I thought it would be. Until later that is. I tried calling a few times and he was working out. It irritated me like crazy! I was soo mad! I talked to one of his friends. Who really gave me the best advice. I can't get too overwhelmed too quickly. He is really stressed and he may never understand my stress. We both have stress. Different levels, and different extremes and types. That was just a touch of the advice he gave me. I truly am greatful for him tonight. He has no clue how much he helped me. Even got me joking about Christopher. It was great.

So when I finally got to talk to Chris I was calm and crying happy tears. It was great! As for his drama, I'm done being in the middle. End of story. :)

But we're good! Making plans for our trip and getting more and more excited! He promised me a beach trip since ours last time got rained out (Never listening to the boys anymore about the weather lol) and lazy, just us nights thursday and friday. So excited! Even though that means the guys will probably be with us it doesn't even matter!

So I'm going to go watch the Real World New Orleans, and boo hoo about how I miss my family!

I wish I could find a way to make this page look better! Any suggestions would be great! :)

A drama filled day

All day today I have been dealing with unwanted drama. Here's the deal with drama. I HATE DRAMA! It is soo uncalled for and ridiculous! I try to stay out of the drama unless it directly involves me. Even then I make my point and ignore the rest.

Todays drama was not mine but I got to deal with it. Story of my life. I love this life but damn does it have its ups and downs. I have tried everything. I have taken the drama and shielded it from Chris because he doesn't need that drama in his life. He doesn't need to know everything I deal with. But today I had a realization. I am done dealing with those problems. All I can do now is tell them to go to him. I've realized that I have stress too. It's not just him. Our stress' may be different and to different extremes but we both have stress. My stress is school and him. I'm taking 17 credit hours this semester when most freshman take like 13 or 14. I'm not drowning and I'm not complaining. What I am doing is saying that I have a lot on my plate too.

So no more Elyssa taking everything. I want to help him but I need to help myself too.

I almost called off my entire trip today. I can't believe that was even a thought in my mind. Canceling a 4 day get away with the one person that can make all of this better. That would be absolutely stupid! I'm glad my friends were there to tell me I was being retarded and I was going whether I like it or not. (Thanks btw wanna make the 7 hour drive for me??)

I leave in 8 days and I can't wait. Today was so slow but the rest have been flying.

I need a break. I need a vacation. But most of all I need my boyfriend. I need his comfort right now. And now its impossible to have that comfort.

At the end of the day, I do love him and will never let anything like this come between us. No matter how hard it gets, I am not going anywhere. So whoever thinks otherwise needs to get over it now because i'm here for good!

9 days!

Yesterday I called Chris at work when he told me to, they told me he was busy to call in an hour. So I called exactly an hour later, and he was getting out! I wasn't expecting him out until tomorrow at the earliest! It was great! He fell asleep an hour later, woke up, told him to go to sleep, and he stayed up 2 hours later! It was great!

Today, he stayed asleep until after 2. Got called into work before 3. He was soo not happy. He took it out on me. I felt bad for snapping on him and not letting him let it out. However I felt really bad that day and him not acknowledging that I was so sick I had to go to the dr set me over the edge.

Oh well. It's over now and he has to go to work in the morning. Poor boys don't get much time off at all.

The good news is I go see him in 9 days! I can't wait to see him again! It's crazy! This is a lot for us!

I have so much to do in 9 days but it will all be worth it!

One year Later: Stressful nights, college life, and plans :)

This is my first post in almost a month. A lot has happened in a month. I've been at school for a month, home once, and to my grandparents for food many times! Let's just say I HATE THE FOOD HERE! I also hate living in a dorm. Not only is there no privacy, it's constantly loud, and living in such close quarters is not for me. Like just now there are girls screaming down the halls. They do this all the time, at all hours of the night, doesn't matter if it's the "quiet hours" or not. Ugh I hate it. I can't stand it. Ugh! Chris always says well at least you're not in the barracks. I have been in Chris's barracks and room. It is sooo much nicer than this! It is bigger and they have their own bathrooms. Ohh and I pay damn good money for mine! So needless to say, I will not be living in a dorm next year!

Chris has been really busy lately and in an area that I have to call him at work to get ahold of him. It's definitely annoying. I just called, at the time he told me to call, and he is sleeping. That drives me nuts! When you tell me to call then why can't you be awake! So frustrating!

Anyway, he's been really busy and stressed and let's just say he's taken it out on me. Now don't get me wrong, I love him more than words. I hate being 470 miles from him when he is stressed out because I have no way of making it better. He basically blamed me for things that were out of my control. Yes, I know that I am the only reason he stayed security forces. I know that I am the only reason that he has not been deployed. TO hear him say that and blame it all on me out of haste is what kills me. I literally had to sit there and take it. I couldn't say anything other than I'm so sorry and I love you. That was the extent of what I could do. It killed me. That night was a weak moment for him. I knew none of what he was saying was meant to hurt me, or anything like that. But I really couldn't help it. After a few days of not talking because he was at work and I couldn't get through the line, I finally got to talk to him. He apologized for everything. I felt so bad for him. He said it wasn't meant to be be him blaming me he just needed to vent and that is how it came out. All I said was I completely understand, but don't ever go to sleep without saying you love me when you're out, it scares me. He is the one I take everything out on too. So it's normal for us to be mad at each other for a little while. But we always talk it out....

On a better note, he is happier now and doing much better! Thank goodness! He really scared me! We've gotten to talk to each other a lot so far this week! It's been great. I love weeks like these! He goes on training soon so in two weeks I will be on my way to see him! Depending on what day he says I can leave, I'll be there either the 29th or 30th! I'm so excited! Less than two weeks and I get another weekend with him!

I really am getting lucky with all of this time! I've seen him once last month and hopefully again this month! I love it!

I may complain a lot about the situation that he is in. His schedule absolutely kills. I feel so bad for him because even though he has been there for a while he is still pretty low on the totem pole. He gets stuck working the shitty hours and always working. I feel bad for him.

I can't wait until I go see him again! He told me to bring a nice dress :)

We still don't know when the ball is but we're still planning on going. Kings Bay is the worst base at making plans! Fingers crossed! I have no dress or anything!

It's been a year since I saw him for the first time in 13 weeks! It's crazy to think that a whole year has passed! I remember every detail of that day. I remember staying up late with Gianna while she was sick the night before. I remember not being able to sleep and finally giving up at about 4:30. I remember getting me and Gianna ready, and having her "help me with my makeup" and not being able to eat that morning because I was so nervous. I remember running down the bleachers trying to find him, and it turned out he was already up them so we both ran to each other. I remember that first hug and kiss, the feeling of being whole again. I remember it all like it were yesterday. I was so proud of him, of myself, and our relationship.

3 years ago if you would have told me that I would be with Christopher, he would be a Marine, and we'd still be together. I would have told you that you were crazy! I am so proud of him and who he has become! I do not remember what it was like to be in a "civilian" relationship. Well okay I do, but now my relationship with Christopher means so much more, it is stronger, and way more mature. I do not know what I would do without him. I do not see a life without him anymore. It's Chris and Elyssa. Not just Elyssa anymore.

We may be young but we know what we want! I hate when people say but you're so young! Yeah we're young but we've been together for 2 years, and been through more than most people have.

Spur of the moment trip to Kings Bay, Ga

I have been so busy the past 2 weeks! Last Tuesday, August 12, I had gotten a text from one of my friends who's boyfriend is stationed with Chris saying to call the wire because Chris needed to talk to me. I called down thinking that something was wrong and he was hurt. A million things running through my mind! After a good 5 minutes on hold, my heart pounding out of my chest, and butterflies flying circles in my stomach, I get to talk to him. He has the best news ever! He told me there was a pretty good chance of him getting the weekend off. Now at first I didn't get excited. This was not the first time I had heard this and gotten really excited. But this time was different. He had training the next week and couldn't be down at work work. Thursday night I asked my parents. I figured that was the end of it. No more Kings Bay trip for Elyssa. But my dad said If I fixed my headlight I could go. At this time I still had no clue if or when I was leaving on this trip!

That night I went to spend the night with his mom and niece. I had gotten there around 9? His niece stayed up to see me for the first time in a few weeks. I had gotten another text to call Christopherr again. So I did. This time I knew it had to have been good news! He still didn't know if I could go. So I let him talk to his niece and mom then told him I would call him after post change later that night so we could talk. I always hate talking in front of his mom. So i called him later that night. I said let me know asap because I could go. He said when you leave my house go home and pack and be ready to go around 12 or 1. So I was packed, had the car ready, had gas. All I was waiting for was the text saying go!

By 3 I was getting antsy thinking something came up it wasn't going to work out! 3:45 I got the text saying leave now we're turning in gear! I made it there in a little over 5 hours and got stuck in traffic a lot! But by the time I had gotten to Georgia I got off the phone with Chris so I could trick him!

He had texted me the directions on how to get to the hotel and had given me all the information. So I got to the hotel. My stomach had butterflies flying all over! My stomach was in knots and my heart was pounding! Knocked on the door with my purse and suit case and surprised him! I have never felt him hug and squeeze me so tightly in the entire time we've had a relationship. It was amazing! After 5 months of being apart, we picked back up like it was just yesterday! It was great!

He took me out that night to a restaurant and we rented movies. That night he woke up every 2 hours! Up and ready to do something! It was crazy! I would wake up to him giving me a kiss on my forehead! By 6 am I couldn't take it anymore! I really wanted waffles. So at 6 am he went out and got me waffles and coffee! I loved it! Then I fell back asleep while he played XBOX. By 9 his friends were there ready to go do something! So we went to the beach! It rained the entire way! But they swore it would be gorgeous when we got to JAX. Yeah they were wrong. Very wrong! Haha I did get to walk and put my feet in the ocean while holding hands with the love of my life! We went to the movies to see Dinner for Schmucks, had multiple date nights, went on base where he showed me where he worked. Got his hair cut, did his laundry, met his roommate. I had a blast! I stayed an extra night with him. We stayed up super late Sunday night talking all of our problems from the last 5 months out. After that we got 3 hours of sleep and had to get him up and ready for work. It was great. I got to see him get ready for work. From PJ's to Cammies. To walking to the car to leave. I wish I could have stayed longer. But 3 days and 3 nights with Christopher after 5 months apart and barely talking it was amazing!

When I got home from my weekend in Kings Bay, I had to get packed completely in 2 days for school! I was packing up until the night I left to come here.

Now I am all moved in to my dorm at East Carolina University. Still have a little packing to do but hey I just got here 2 days ago!

I can't wait to see Christopher again. I hope its for labor day. If not then maybe for my fall break or his ball in November! I can't wait! I miss you boo!

Past week or so!

So today a few of the USMC Gals got some heartbreaking news! And it truly opened my eyes to somethings! I truly am very lucky with Chris's job! We have a guaranteed 2 years no deployment. I don't have to worry about the next time he will be safe, and in the same country that I live in. I do take advantage of what I have. I have a guaranteed phone call at least once a week! I know that I can go see him when he gets time off. And even though I do not know when exactly I will see him next it's completely worth it! I know he is safe....well safe-ish! I do no know what I would do if I thought i had a month or so before deployment and it is bumped up to little to no time at all! They are very strong people!

Stay safe out there boys! And come home!

I can not wait until I see Chris again! Hopefully it will be this weekend. If not then hopefully this month! I miss him sooo much! It has been over 4 months. We're now working on month 5! I made a Donut of Misery. It's a great thing for military families! It breaks the time up from the day they leave until the day they are supposed to come home. My DOM is set for the day he left, Easter Sunday, to the day he should be home, December 28! I love checking it and seeing how it constantly changes! It is currently at 51%!!! We're almost halfway done! I can't wait for it to say 50%!

Lately Chris and I have been fighting like crazy! Well mainly me yelling and him ignoring me! Definitely a rough patch. But after this long apart, we're destined to have moments like this! Today we're good! Monday and Tuesday we were not good at all. He called last night after a few days of not talking...sometimes not talking does make everything better! But shh don't tell my boyfriend! He thinks that ignoring me and giving me space will in the long run help me get over it.....Well usually I would completely disagree! But for the past few times we've fought, we have given eachother space and not talked for a few days and it gets better as soon as we talk....I am sure in most relationships this would not work....for us it's perfect! Although I hate it at the time, thinking about it now I completely agree with him.

All I can say is I truly do love Christopher. He is my best friend and I don't know what life would be without him! I miss him more than words can say. I can't wait to see him again!

I love and miss you boo! Forever and always! No Matter what!

Hurry up and wait...

This is the first post that I have made so far. I have sat here for days and could't decide what to write. So here's the deal. I have decided to just bitch and complain about whatever I see fit. And if you have a problem with it don't read it.

I have been with my boyfriend to close to 2 years. During that time we have had a high school relationship and a long distance military relationship. I am a year younger than him so i experienced all of his senior year, my junior year, together. But when it was time for my senior year he was in boot camp, trainings, and finally his new duty station. So I didn't get a "normal senior year". Which is totally fine. It was hard, not only because my best friend was far away, but also because none of my friends understood what was going on with me and they all basically left. That was hard. I've now graduated and am going to college about 4 hours from home and 7 hours from my boyfriend.

I never saw my life turning into what my parents were. My parents were both Army. I had never thought that I would end up in love with this teenage boy turned Marine. I love him, and would do anything for him but lonely nights turn into lonely weeks, to lonely months. I haven't seen him since Easter, it was only supposed to be a week until I got to see him, and at the rate we are going it won't be until November or December. I miss him so much and with his job we never get to talk anymore. He goes out of communication for a week or two at a time. So while he is states-side, we never talk. This is hard to explain to other people who just get to call their significant other whenever they please.

I am just ready for a normal "civilian-life" with my boyfriend.

But we have years until that will happen....So for now its a hurry up and wait kind of life.