Our first Skype since he's been gone!

our week!

This week and weekend has been nuts!
I left for home on Monday night hoping to beat the worst part of the storm that had been snowing on us since Sunday. All of the roads were fairly dry and good until I got to Blackfoot (about 25ish miles aways from my house). It started to blizzard and when the big trucks and semi's passed they kicked up more snow  making it complete white out conditions. I have honestly never been so scared while driving in my entire life. I had a death grip on the wheel and was hunched over. I was so excited when I saw the "1 mile till Shelley" sign and as I got near the exit two huge semi's came flying by me, blinding me to everything and by the time the snow had settled a little I was blowing by the exit. I braced myself for a couple of more miles to the next exit and I made sure to get off of it. Though the bad roads weren't finished with me yet! I traveled down the road to my house, completely in the middle (I couldn't see any lines or where the road even really was, luckily I've traveled it a million times!) FINALLY I saw the familiar circle window of my parents house and i slowed down to turn into our driveway. As I eased off the road I started to slide right for the ditch, I got myself stopped and tried to start going and by golly wouldn't you know it I was stuck, in front of my own driveway! I ran inside and my wonderful father got off the treadmill and came outside to help. Finally I was home!


The rest of the week has blurred into one big giant relaxing day! I made my first ever apple pie, all from scratch, I cleaned, got Thank You notes taken care of, And in between it all I got to talk to Brandon a couple of times. It is always a treat to hear his voice and I love talking to him. I like that when we talk we don't necessarily always talk about what's going on over there. We talk about random things. It makes it seem more like he is on a vacation rather than in a combat zone. I don't know if it makes it easier on him (I think it does though!) but I know it helps me to not worry. 
Today I got the best surprise. My Christmas packages had reached Brandon (in less than a WEEK!) and he got his computer up and running and we got to Skype today. I can't even tell you how amazing it was to be able to see his smile. Just seeing his face and getting to joke face to face with him makes a little of the weight lift off of my heart. I can't wait for our next Skype date. 


All in all we are doing well. Happy with each day that passes because it means we are one day closer to homecoming! 


When times get to tough to stand, fall to your knees and lift your heart to the heavens. God will always be there to shoulder your burdens.

Brandon update!

Well, from what Brandon has said, when we get to talk, things are pretty boring. In my mind I'm overjoyed! But he's not too happy about just sitting around. He's said he wishes he could do more medical things. I have a feeling that will come eventually! So there isn't too much to report. I was very excited to get his Christmas packages all sent: two boxes and they were packed tight! I hope that he is excited to get them and is happy for some Christmas joy! I hate the fact we won't get to spend our first Thanksgiving or Christmas together but I'm praying that we will get to skype for Christmas so we will some-what be together, as much as we can! The time is still going by. The last little bit seems to have flown faster than before so I have hope that the rest of our time will too. That's about all that's been going on. Once I get more info I will post it for all to read! 

*don't forget! If you want/need Brandon's Address feel free to message me on Facebook or email me at jessie.s.clark@gmail.com and I'll happily give it to you!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving filled full of delicious food and thankful hearts.

This week of giving Thanks

This past weekend has given me some down time and with it, lots of reflection. I truly have so much to be thankful for.

First off, I have the grace of God looking down on me. I couldn't be the person i am without his glory and I am so very thankful for his love for me and for all of us.

Second, I have the most amazing husband. I could NEVER have even imagined a husband as great as Brandon is. He is always there for me. It doesn't matter if we are together or thousands of miles away he is always there for me. I love him so much and I know he loves me just as much. He has given up so much for our country and for our family and future. I can't wait until he returns. He is my love, my best friend, and my hero.

Third, I have the most amazing family. They are so supportive and I wouldn't trade them for anything. I'm so lucky to have my own family be amazing but when Brandon and I got married I gained even more amazing family members. I love everyone in my family and I am so thankful for the support and love they have given me and us.

Forth, as if i didn't have enough already, I have the world's best friends! They have been there through thick and thin. I hope that all of you guys know how much I love you! I've been so lucky in my life to always be surrounded by friends I will never forget. This year I've gained even more friends and still have all of my friends from previous years. I love each and every one of you and hope that you know how much you mean to me!

I am such a lucky girl and I am so thankful for everyone in my life. Thank you all for being such good examples. I love everyone of you!

I have Brandon's address!

Brandon finally made it to Afghanistan! It makes me a little nervous, who am i kidding... I'm terrified but I know that God is watching over both of us and will keep us safe in his arms. Whatever is to happen will happen and everything will be okay, it has to be =]

I did get his address and if you would like it just email me at jessie.s.clark@gmail.com. I am trying to follow the rules and not post any information directly about Brandon. All to keep him and everyone else safe. So please try and not post any address information after you get it or any dates if you know them. We just want all of our soldiers to come home safe, each one of them. 

I've gotten to speak to Brandon a couple of times, I'm sure you've all seen on his facebook that his first night of work was very eventful. Its stressful to hear his stories but when he's telling me them all I can think of is that He is safe, because he still talking to me. From our talks, he sounds like he is enjoying (I don't think enjoying would really be the right word but I can't think of a different one!) his time while over there. It's always a great surprise to hear his voice. And every time my phone rings i get those butterflies all over again. 

Life here in Logan has been cold, not too eventful but life goes on. School is winding down, Only three more weeks (plus like a week off for Thanksgiving) until finals week. I am so looking forward to the week long break next week! That's about all thats been going on, I know really boring but as long as I'm busy the time keeps on flyin! The time is going by maybe not flyin but its going! Over 2 weeks down! It's going to happen and we will get through it all. We love all of you!

Package to Brandon!

Hey guys! 
So right now I am starting to collect things to put together a package for Brandon. I don't know his address yet but I'm hoping to get it all ready and then when I get his address I can just ship it out. The reason I'm telling you guys this is if you want to write a note or send something little (I'm only planning on sending a flat rate shipping box from the post office this first time) to go to Brandon I would love to put it in the package but I will need it soon! I'm hoping to send it out Thursday, November 18, 2010 so if you want to add things to this first package then I need it by the 17th. If you can't get it in time don't worry I will be posting his address and I will definitely be sending more packages. Anything that goes will be appreciated. If  you have any questions just let me know! Love Jess 

On his way!

So this journey really begins. And I'm not happy about it at all. But I'm beginning to find out that being a military wife is much more than just living our life according to how the ARMY says we can and watching him go once a month and now for 6 months. It's about being strong when you don't have any strength left. It's about being disappointed and more happy than you ever thought you could. It's waiting all day for a phone call and missing it when you accidentally leave your phone in the car. The up's are so amazing and the downs are the worst. But in the end, that day when he gets off the plane and he's home all of the bad will go away and it will be the best day ever.

Brandon and his pal Nerdin in the Maine airport

Brandon left for Fort Benning in Georgia on October 29, 2010. He spent a week there doing everything and anything. He got the small pox vaccination (It was NOT fun from everything he told me about! luckily its almost over so hopefully he starts feeling better). Unfortunately he got issued everything he got in Utah again in Georgia so he had to ship everything back home. He had to qualify with both of his weapons on Thursday before he would be able to go to Afghanistan. Brandon passed on his first try, I am so proud of him!! He did all sorts of stuff to prepare him for his time overseas. This Friday, November 5, Brandon left Georgia, his final destination Afghanistan. His plane stopped at a small airport in Maine where the whole town congregates at the airport to shake soldiers hands and thank them. Brandon said it was one of the best feelings he's felt. We got to talk for a couple of min over facetime (a program much like Skype but we get to use our Ipod/Iphones to communicate) it was seriously the best I've felt since Brandon left. It was so good to see his smile and talk face to face (kind of!) From Maine the troops flew to Germany. I got to facetime him again in Germany for a while until it got really late and he had to get back to his job. Saying goodbye gets harder each time because I never know how long it will be until the next phone call, but its just one more thing about being a Military family. Today Brandon landed in Kuwait and tried to call. I wasn't expecting him to call my phone and I accidentally left it in the car during dinner and missed them all. I can't express how horrible I feel, much like a big black hole has formed in my stomach. I'm just praying that he will try one more time before he leaves for Afghanistan tomorrow (?). That's all we know right now. I know he's safe and i hope he knows that he is loved. When I find out more information I will be sure to let you know.