new blog address

i've moved my blog over to another blogger url.  new layout and all. and i've imported all my old posts.

so, please visit me HERE from now on! Thanks!

miss me?

I'm here and doing good. It's officially been 2 months since JP left - it honestly seems like it has been forever but I'm thankful that we're into counting down months instead of days & weeks. I'm looking forward to his EML Leave which is months away!

So, here's a little survey I saw online and here ya go:

1. Where did you grow up?

Spartanburg County, SC. Well, really I grew up in a couple small towns within the County. It’s in the Upstate of South Carolina. 20-something years ago it was a pretty small, boring place but it’s definitely gotten a lot better!

 

2. Do you consider your childhood a happy one?
Absolutely! Even though my parents divorced when I was 7 – they still worked together to make sure my sister & I had everything we needed.

 

3. Do you have any siblings?
Yes – Lindsey (18) is my full-blood sister and Kaleb (13) is from my mom’s current marriage. But I was an only child for about 7 years, it was heaven then but I don’t know what I’d do without my siblings, especially my sister!

 

4. Who did you think was the smartest person in the world?
Oh man, I haven’t the slightest clue who I thought was the smartest person then. It was probably my mom or dad but then again, who knows!

 

5. Did you ever run away from home?
Nope, I sure thought about it but then when I was about 16 I moved out of my mom’s house and into my dad’s house. Best move I ever made because it really helped with the relationship I had with my mother then.

 

6. What about being a child do you miss the most?
Hmmm, probably not having to worry about paying the bills on time (or at all) and cooking and grocery shopping! That and the simple, carefree “let’s play in the mud and make mudpies” attitude. I constantly had to be hosed off before being brought in the house.

 

7. Where did your family go on vacation?
Either to Pennsylvania to see my dad’s family or to Myrtle Beach, SC!

 

8. What is something you really wish you hadn't started earlier in life?
Shaving my legs is at the top. I could’ve waited – once you start, you just can’t stop!

 

9. Did you have any serious accidents or illnesses as a child?
Luckily, I was very blessed. The only bad things were constant strep-throat infections. Well, wait… that and breaking my arm. Oh and when I was a toddler, I feel down the porch steps and busted my chin/below my lower lip so I have scar… I guess you could say I was slightly accident prone. (lol)

 

10. Did you have any nicknames?
Nothing out of the ordinary, just the typical cutesy names from my parents like pumpkin and all that jazz. . .

 

11. Name 5 school days accomplishment

1. 1. Of course the standard Honor Roll and Beta Club and graduating with "honors".
2. Worked on the yearbook during my Junior & Senior years; co-editor my Senior year.
3. Played Volleyball from Grade 8-11 and Softball from 10(ish)-17.
4. Can I included college here? Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design – magna cum laude graduate!
5. Only got one “C” and that was on a mid-term report card! All A’s & B’s for this girl!

12. What stories have been told about yourself as a baby?

I loved climbing – on or in everything. Apparently I was notorious for emptying out drawers and climbing in them. I never stayed in a car seat – I always climbed out so my mom let me ride on console in the car until the law changed… oops!

 

13. Did religion/church play a part in your childhood social activities?

I didn’t start going to church until I was about 6 or so. I don’t think it was until several years later that church event and things started playing into my life.

 

14. What objects do you remember from your childhood?

My hot-pink Barbie car! It was one of the battery powered ones – I drove it everywhere!

 

15. What was the number of students in your graduating class?

I think like, 50ish. Lol – I did not go to a big school at all!

 

16. What is one thing that you never did in high school that you wish you would have done?

Not gotten so involved in the cliques – though then it was probably nearly impossible not to. High school was not my favorite time period…

 

17. Did you go to college and what was your major?

I did. I went to a 2 year college right after high school and graduated with my Associates of Science (no major). I then transferred to Converse College (all-women’s college) and within 3 years I walked across the stage with my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design! And I graduated with honors and Magna Cum Laude (I think).

 

18. What was the funniest thing someone wrote in your yearbook?

I have no clue – I haven’t looked at them in a very long time!

 

19. How has your hometown changed since you were a kid?

Yeah they’ve grown and added restaurants and such. The larger town is now a big shopping area – malls, target, walmart, etc… Nothing huge, but it works!

 

20. If you could go back and tell your younger self anything, what would it be?

“Chill out and choose your friends wisely!” High school was so dramatic all the time. This person did that or said something… in the end, does it really matter? No

 

Okay, that's all. Just a quick hello and to say I'm doing okay!

XoXo, beth ann :)

hi there.

So, I'm alive. Things have been rather crazy and yet I haven't really had a good reason to blog. I guess it's safe to say, I lost interest there for a bit. With JP being gone, there hasn't been much excitement in my life with the exception of the phone calls I get from him. It's tough, I didn't know you could miss someone so much - but I do. Like crazy. I'm missing half of my heart and I'm doing my best to get by.

JP is doing well. So far his days have been flying by and I pray that it continues that way for him. He's been on several really dangerous missions and everytime I hear those words I get really nervous. I just worry about him. I hate that he has to be in such a dangerous place but I know he's in the Lord's hands and everything will be fine. I've already sent him 3 care packages plus his big tuff-box and numerous cards/letters. I absolutely love sending him things, it keeps us connected! :)

I'm currently in SC for a visit. It's so awesome being home, but crazy at the same time! I wish JP could be here. He loves summertime in SC. I think I may be going to the beach with my mom and sister for a few days soon, I haven't been there since last October before JP began his journey with the Army. It is absolutely crazy how life changes in 1 year. And this past year has been such an awesome one for me. April 25 being the biggest - it marked 1 year since JP & I met and we started dating pretty much immediately. ;) Yeahh. I am so thankful to have him in my life and I have no clue what I'd do without him. He's my fairy tale Prince Charming, my Hero, my best friend and best of all - he's my husband! :)

Ok, I'm going to stop with the brag session for now. I'm just so in love with him - I can't help it! I need to start keeping up with the day-to-day or week-to-week events in my life. Sometimes I think, what's the point and I feel silly or like I'm tooting my horn. I don't know but I'll take it one step at a time. Maybe I should come up with a plan! :)

That's it for now. It was a long-ish day. Good night y'all!
xo.xo.

hiiiii

I'm alive, I promise. I've just been all out of sorts lately but I'm working on a routine... kind of.

At some point last week, I was feeling pretty crafty so I took a little trip to Michael's to pick up some things. I came home with 8x10 canvas', paintbrushes, a 12" straw wreath, yarn and some misc. other items. Eeeeeek. I started with a canvas and then I made a yarn wreath. I only have pix of the the painting for now b/c I actually have it hung up! So, I'm setting a goal for myself this weekend to hang up the wreath, 2 picture frames and a calendar/cork board. I have a hard time making decisions on where to put things, so I'm just going to have to "do it"! :)

 

And maybe, just maybe I'll work on the other canvas. I haven't any idea what I want to do but hopefully inspiration will strike! :)

lots of love. xoxo.
beth ann

i will be grateful for this day.

Couple of things:

Today has been one of the toughest and longest days in my life so far. In fact, I'm having trouble staying focused on writing this. Today, JP & I saw each for the last time until he comes home from Afghanistan for R&R. Our goodbye process started around 1am on Tuesday the 6th and ended at 6.30pm. Though as of right now, he is not in the air just yet but waiting at the Airfield for their plane to come. And I have no clue what time that will be at - I'm not sure they do either. Everything is kept super secret for security purposes. But since we've departed we have been able to chat on the phone off and on. // And just now, I received a text message from him saying he doesn't have any phone service and they are leaving soon (12.45am, April 7th). I think my heart just left my body. I am completely lost for words. I miss him already and being at home without him here is just strange. There's a different feeling at home now, his laughter and presence is absent and our home knows it. I have no idea on what to do, where to begin or whatever. I just feel empty. I know I'll get into a routine and the time will hopefully fly. I'm not one to wish away time but I'd really just like it to be Spring 2011.

AND, I'm coming clean. On December 21, 2009 I married my soldier, the love of my life. We have been keeping it a secret since then for the reason that we had our hopes set that we would've been able to have a small ceremony after he finished training in January. Normally he would've been given a temporary leave once he processed in at our duty station but because his brigade was deploying, no leave was granted. And so we hoped to have a small something here but that didn't happen either - we focused on setting up our home and just being husband and wife in secret (to our family and friends). So, now we're coming clean. :) We never wanted to disappoint our family/friends by not having the traditional celebration - but we will once he is home from AFG. And we'll be able to do it right and the way we want. The man wants me to have my dream wedding and we weren't willing to cut corners just for a quick show. So, hello I am Beth Ann Donnelly and I really miss my husband. (I'll do another post with some pictures and more information on how we did it).

I'll end with a few pictures of my favorite moments of the goodbye process. The picture of him with his weapon is my last picture of him before he got on the van to head to the airfield. He is just so darn handsome.
  

and here is the last picture taken of The Donnelly's for a while. I love you J Patrick. You are my Hero.


xoxo, beth ann

last weekend

i must say, this has been the most perfect weekend for it to be our last weekend for a very long time. it has been 80-something degrees with the sun shining and a nice breeze all weekend long. absolutely perfect for this south carolinian! :) and it was even better b/c jp has been off work since thursday since they are leaving
deployment.

we have done a lot of sleeping, last minute packing, celebrating, eating and spending time together. i have to say one of my most favorite moments was us playing basketball, well the HORSE game. we are very lucky to be living on a base that has great community features! so, about our game: i lost, of course. i absolutely suck at basketball. i played in middle school both years and made a total of 2 points the entire time. ahahahaha, it's okay you can laugh! i do. :)

and, let me tell to you - packing a soldier for a deployment and the unknown is an extremely difficult task! lots of rolling, stuffing and undo-ing then re-stuffing. it pains me to do it and i'm ready to have it over with. it's still pretty crazy to think about. one day at a time and lots of prayers!

anywho, i think i want to dedicate my next post to recent things or blog posts that have inspired me, so be on the lookout. it may take a few days or so to get it done and posted. but i'm going to do my best. these next few days are going to be hectic and very emotional, so please please please bare with me. but for now, here's a few cute pix from our basketball adventure! :)


all pix courtesy of the iPhone!

xoxo,
beth ann

happy things.

we went to best buy tonight to pick up a few things for j before he leaves. and on the way back home, the sun was setting and it was absolutely gorgeous. G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. period. see:

...and here, there are deer everywhere. i mean, everywhere. especially in our neighborhood community! they're beautiful and aren't really scared of people/cars. loveee it. so we're passing our community center and the deer are right at the road so i snapped a few pix with my iPhone's "not so great quality at night" camera. :) love it - it's so beautiful up here in the north country of new york. i'm a new yorker now, weird.

and jp's mom sent some fabulous yummy items for us before he leaves. edible arrangements and a basket with wine and cheese! score! :)

and now i'm off to continue watching millionaire matchmaker. i love patty! xoxo.