May 23, 2018

We’ve hit the two-month mark! I’ve been rocking deployment for two whole months. The days are so busy and the weekends are so jam-packed that I often feel exhausted. But it’s a good exhaustion. It makes the time go fats and it’s fun, too.

I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again. The key, for me, to get through deployment is having a strong support group. Having friends and family from home support me and whatever I need to do makes a huge difference. They accommodate me when I can come home to visit, visit me when I tell them it’s a good time, and just are there for me. Having military spouse friends here in Hawaii who want to cook dinner together and hang out all weekend makes deployment fun and fast. And honestly, having my blog and my blog friends gives me so much encouragement and support. I feel really lucky during this time in my life. I miss Nick but I have no complaints.

So here is my first goal update! I meant to update once per month but I got too busy!!

1. Do a pull-up. 

Progress: I still can’t do a pull-up. But I have been working out consistently for the past few months and I see progress. I have made strides in some areas, like a new PR in my strict press! I don’t know when I will get a pull-up, but I think it’s good to have fitness goals.

2. Crochet a blanket. 

Progress: I have made so much progress on my blanket! I think it will be done soon! And a soon as I finish this blanket, I plan to make another one!

3. Catch up on my scrapbook.

Progress: I got kind of sad when I looked through all of the photos that I printed out for my scrapbook. All of our pictures are from Christmastime and it just hit me how much of this year Nick is going to be gone for. I put the scrapbook away for now. Whenever the mood strikes, I will go back and scrapbook our trip to the Big Island, Christmas, and a few things we did before he left.

4. Save money for our move.

Progress: I am putting away a small amount of money each month for now. I decided not to worry too much about this right now because Nick is getting a raise in September, so we will have some extra money to put aside then. I’m planning to just save the extra money he gets until our move.

5. Project Life Deployment.

Progress: I have been keeping up with this weekly! It’s fun to look back on each week and see how much I have done. I think it’s more fun to do this as deployment goes then it would be to do it all at the end. It’s my way of counting up while also remembering to enjoy Hawaii and appreciate what I have.

6. Get outside/explore Hawaii.

Progress: I have been doing so many new hikes, going to new places to eat, and just enjoying every nice day that I can. I even went to Maui over the weekend with 9 of my girlfriends!! I had never been to Maui before so it was awesome to check that off of my bucket list AND to have time with my friends. It was an awesome trip and I’ll be posting more about it soon!! Now I only have one more island to visit before I can say I’ve been to all of them.

7. Email Nick every day.

Progress: I’ve been cheating at this but technically I guess it counts. To be honest, I don’t always feel like emailing Nick every night like I used to. I’m tired!! Instead, I have been sending him a “picture of the day” (or a few pictures) to his personal email. He can’t check that until he gets to port, but it’s my way of feeling connected to him. It doesnt’ take much effort to send him a picture but it will enable him to kind of see what I get up to over deployment, from big things like my trip to Maui to everyday things like what I make for dinner.

8. Learn vegetarian recipes. 

I have three go-to vegetarian meals that I can whip up during the week. I think that’s pretty good for 2 months! Especially when you consider the fact that I have been eating a lot of cheese and crackers and peanut putter sandwiches lately. So far, I made Honey-Lime Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Corn Tacos, a Southwest Mango, Kale, and Quinoa Salad from Half Baked Harvest (one of my favorite food bloggers. Seriously all of my weekday go-to meals are from her!), and a Spicy Black Bean Soup that I pair with this salad for a filling meal.

9. Re-read the Harry Potter books

Progres: I finished Prisoner of Azkaban and just started Goblet of Fire! Prisoner of Azkaban was always my favorite Harry Potter book growing up. I got so teared up while reading Prisoner of Azkaban. Like, every chapter I think I teared up. I think that it is such an important book to the series and I love Sirius and Lupin. I remember not seeing the plot twist coming as a kid and how much that just blew my mind.

I will be interested to see which book ends up being my favorite as an adult. Will my childhood favorite win out or will I like one of the deeper/later books? I am trying to read these books slowly but I just can’t!

10. A secret goal.

I have made ZERO progress on my secret goal. Part of me wonders if deployment isn’t the right time to pursue this. But I am going to try to carve out some time weekly to work on it. I’ll keep ya’ll posted!!

What goals are you working on lately? I’d love to hear your progress!

9 responses to “Deployment Goals Update #1”

  1. Jen says:

    Your blanket is turning out amazing! I’m so glad that you have such a strong support group. That can really make all the difference.

  2. Rachel G says:

    Way to go on all your goals! I love the colors you chose for your blanket, and I think it’s so cool that you got to visit Maui!

  3. You’re doing a great job! Your blanket is absolutely amazing.

  4. Audrey says:

    You’ll get that pull up 😉 And your blanket is gorgeous! It reminds me of a mermaid! I’m glad you’re not forcing goals- the creative and nostalgic urge will strike you at some point and you’ll pull the scrapbook back out 🙂 I love all your Hawaii pictures and adventures! And your description of reading HP gives me alllll the feelings! <3 You're doing great!

  5. That blanket is giving me major mermaid vibes! I love it!

  6. Sarah says:

    Love these goal updates… and I am still super curious about your secret goal, so get workin’ so you can share! lol! Also, I love your blanket and I am so impressed! It looks a little bit like those mermaid tail blankets that are super popular.

  7. Rachel says:

    That’s an awesome blanket! I’m very much into blankets at the moment what with winter drawing in here. Glad you’re making good progress with your goals, and I think it’s ok to put a hold on the ones that make you sad. As you say, that may not last, but for now it’s good to respect that.

  8. Julie says:

    Love your blanket! Feels like it’s got a mermaid pattern to it! You’re rocking your goals – you go, girl!!

  9. Casey says:

    I found your blog while researching for our summer trip to Hawaii and now I’m hooked! Glad you are doing so well while you’re husband is deployed. I applaud you and all military wives.
    Hawaii question, have you been to he Polynesian Cultural Center? Would you recommend it and seeing the Luau there or go elsewhere? We’re coming in July and I know it’s going to be HOT! Didn’t know if that’s too long of a HOT day with kids. Thanks for all of the great recommendations!

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