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