Time to Update

I know...it's been ages since I've updated my blog but things have just been crazy with moving back home; settling in; and trying to catch up with friends and family that I haven't seen in ages (and I still haven't seemed to accomplish that yet either)...and I can't forget to mention soaking up the time I get to be with my husband!!! I arrived home on Saturday March 3rd and started back to work that Monday (so there was no down time). Work has been going well ~ God is so good...what perfect timing. The following weekend Des and I headed up to Vermont for a little getaway. We stayed at the Inn Victoria and it was soooo nice!! Here are some pics:

Our room was called Princess Alice and we loved it. The breakfast served was absolutely delicious. And the best part of the the whole trip was the hour long horse drawn sleigh ride through the Vermont wilderness!!! That was the coolest thing ever...

Since we arrived back from Vermont we just really got stuck into getting settled. Des was finally eligible to send in his citizenship application mid-March which we have done and we are just now waiting on word back from US immigration. The last few months he has had to spend re-establishing residency. All going well it should take 6 months.

We spent a nice Easter Sunday afternoon with my family. The weather was unusually cold this year (it was actually colder on Easter than it was at Christmas...weird!!). The last few days I've been wondering where Spring went. I hope you all had a blessed Saviour's Day!

This weekend we are headed off to Dewey Beach in Delaware. It's just a much needed time away to just be together.

I hope to be better at updating this on a more regular basis going forward.

Take Care & Keep in Touch...We always love hearing from you!

Jessica (& Desmond)

Prayer Request

After a lot of time in prayer I've decided to come back to the States while Des obtains his citizenship. The separation is just too much to bear and it's not something we HAVE to do. My prayer request is for me on Monday when I give my notice. I'm actually going to initially ask for a leave of absence and see what the response it. Plans are still to return back to Ireland after Des' citizenship is obtained so it would be such a blessing to know I had a job to come back to. Thank you, Jess

What I've Been Up To Lately...

First and foremost...can I just say I miss Desmond terribly!!!! But moving on from that...

This week has actually been fairly busy which has in turn kept me occupied, so that's a good thing and I haven't had much time to really think. Someone from our church is getting married so a bridal shower was held for her. Most of the people I talked to hadn't experienced a bridal shower before as it's not a tradition here in Ireland. Brigid came along with me which gave her a great opportunity to just chat with other women, relax, and enjoy herself. I'm really glad she came along.

Saturday I went to the cinema with a friend to see Miss Potter. What a great story...but if you see it be sure to bring some tissues with you. We went in the morning and my only complaint is that someone brought a group of children with them (a large group of children) and we had a running commentary straight through the film of all that was going on.

I don't know what happened Sunday, but I woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and a sick stomach then ended up sleeping right through most of the morning. My nephews were over visiting for the weekend at Pat & Brigid's so I got myself together to go over and visit for a bit. We then wondered over to say hi to Uncle Des on the web cam and then it was back off to bed I went. It's weird how things can come on so suddenly...one day you feel fine and the next it's crap. Anyway...honestly this morning isn't much better, but I've found my way into work and am going to stick it out for as long as possible. It's not like I really have all that much to do, I can sit here and relax almost just as much as I could at home.

Well, I'm going to run for now...just thought I'd update my blog a bit and fill you in on a little of what's going on in my life. ~Jess

Winter in Ireland

Winter here is definately different. While I can't complain of too much snow (we simply just don't get any) or below freezing tempatures I can say that it is wet, gray, and cold. It rarely ever goes below freezing, but boy does the wet chill in the air go straight to your bones. If the skies are going to clear that usually doesn't happen until about 9:00-10:00 am and it starts to get dark around 4:00-4:30pm. Most days it seems to just stays dark and gray all day long. I've been told though it doesn't last too long. Spring is actually right around the corner (beginning of February) and the greenery of the daffodils are already starting to pop out of the ground. I also saw my first spring lamb just last week.

Below are a few winter landscape pics...

A Little Easier...

Okay, well it's getting a little easier, I guess. Now that I've gotten back into the routine of day to day life I don't have as much time to think about not having Des around. The weekends present themselves as a challenge, but praise God I have a couple busy weekends already planned ahead of me, so that should keep me occupied. In the end I know this can only make us and our relationship stronger. Maybe it'll even help us to appreciate one another on a deeper level. We actually talk more now then we did when we were together...I am really enjoying that...for those that know how we met it's almost like old times (LOL). I probably won't be home (Stateside) again until March. But at the rate that January is flying by, March will be here before I know it. It will be at that time that Desmond can actually submit the paperwork for citizenship and then it's all knees to the floor as we pray the paperwork through in a VERY timely manner. We've been told it could take up to 6-9 months (or even longer), but it could also me as quick as a few weeks too...it just all depends. We were told 3-6 months for Desmond's Permanent Residence card and it ended up arriving in the post 3 weeks after submitting the paperwork. But anyway... hope your January is going well for you and that your finding your resolutions accomplishable. God Bless!

The Holidays

My time back home simply came and went way too fast but I so enjoyed myself!! Nothing too exciting happened it was just quality time spent with family and friends. For those I didn't get to see I'm truly sorry...maybe on my next run home =) I don't have too much to say at the moment and am really jetlagged but below are some pics of my time spent that I'd like to share.

I would like to ask for prayer. Being home really got me thinking and I don't know if I want to continue doing this long distance thing. I know it's what we felt was the right thing to do at the time but I miss Des so much and being here on my own just isn't the same. I'm at a crossroads and I don't know what to do. Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated.

With Love~

Jess

It's Been Awhile...

I just realized I haven’t posted in ages and thought I should give an update. Things are going fairly well. I have my days where I miss Des terribly, but for the most part it hasn’t been too bad. Work has been busy enough and my evenings I usually spend with friends or on the phone/computer to Des. Soon I’ll be home for the holidays…have 6 days left to go…whaoooh!! Am really looking forward to that time!

Sunday is the children’s Christmas service at church and we are all preparing for it. I’ll be involved in the puppet show (a Wiseman and a Shepard). Should be a fun time. Afterwards is the church’s annual Christmas dinner which is held at a local Indian Restaurant.

I’ve gotten to watch quite a few movies in the past few weeks and now have a new favourite…Head Over Heals…it’s a great romantic comedy (if you’re into those sort of movies). Also, Just Like Heaven was brilliant as well.

Still have a few bits and pieces of Christmas shopping to do. Hope to finish that up on Saturday, but will have to see how the day goes. I may be doing it in the duty free at the airport at the rate I’m going…who knows =). Hopefully the carry on restrictions won’t be as bad as the last time we flew home (that was horrendous!).

I really don’t have much more to blabber on about. Without Des around life just isn’t as eventful, maybe that will change, have to get use to being on my own again. I know it was only 4 years ago, but it feels like ages for some reason. Plus, I think being a newbie in a foreign country has its disadvantages as well.

Till Later,
Jess