h.o.m.e.

Well, in case you didn’t know, MIKE IS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike has been dealing with some health issues for the past 2 weeks but I wasn’t made aware of it until 1 week ago. He was finally moved from Kielce to Warsaw so he could get some tests done and rest up so he could get back out there. But it didn’t turn out like we had hoped, so on March 28th I got a text from Mike’s mom saying that Mike would be coming home tomorrow. Oh man, did that take me by surprise. I happened to be at work at the time which was not a good place to take in that news. My first reaction to this was tears, lots and lots of tears, because I was scared. Scared because I didn’t know what would happen. Yes, I was happy that Mike was coming home but I was scared because there was a possibility of him going from the airplane straight to the hospital. And it was especially hard that I had absolutely no contact with him. Work was nice enough to send me home early so I could process all this information. I spent the rest of the day and into the night trying to get stuff ready that I thought I had another 2 weeks to prepare. I ended up going to bed around midnight and to my surprise I was out like a light!

Saturday March 29, 2014…todays the day…
Waking up that morning was…different. Mike’s flight plan was to leave Poland at 7am (11pm on 3/28/14 Utah time), fly 3 hours to Amsterdam and then take the long 9 hour flight to Detroit, land there at 2pm (noon Utah time), and then take his last flight to Salt Lake landing at 6:30ish. Basically what I’m trying to say is that Mike had a very VERY long day. Mike, or should I say Elder Raines got in on time and his parents were at the airport to pick him up. At first he wanted to go to the hospital but then decided that he wanted to go home so he could see everyone. I rushed over to his house to decorate and be there for when he got there! I was talking with his sisters when one of his sisters starts freaking out that MIKE IS HOME!!!!!!!!! She rushes to the front door and there he was. Standing there.In person. All I could do was stand there in awe. I had the biggest smile on my face. We all at to hug him softly because he was having abdominal pain. I let him hug his family first and then he looked over at me and walked over and hugged me. It was thee most perfect hug I’ve had in like two years ;) But seriously. It was amazing. We spent the night with his family and then the stake president came over and released him to officially being MICHAEL RAINES! I no longer had a missionary. And I was no longer a missionary girlfriend. I am now Michael’s girlfriend. And that makes me really happy. My family then came over and we all talked about his mission and just had a nice time being with Mike. It was so awesome to hear his Polish. He is so good at it and I could listen to him speak all day long. As everyone started trickling out, his mom, Mike and I were up in his room looking at his stuff. His mom finally left and Mike and I were just talking. It was amazing. Everything felt perfect. I know this sounds crazy but it honestly felt like he never left. I think about it now, and I’m like those two years went by fast! Haha. It’s gone by fast now that he’s home. I was a little afraid that it would be a little awkward for us and that he would still be in the “weird” missionary mode but honestly he wasn’t. I have my same old Mike back, but just a little better. It was awesome being able to have him in my arms again even though I wasn’t able to hug him as tight as I wanted to. And to top off the night, he kissed me :D It was an amazing second first kiss :) My heart could not be any happier.

First picture taken together after 2 years!
Man, we’re cute!

Last picture taken together before the 2 years. We’ve changed a ton.

We’ve spent the last two days together and it’s been absolutely incredible. How is two years comparable to eternity with this kid? It’s great getting to know each other again and being able to totally be ourselves around each other. The only thing that could make it any better is that if Mike were feeling better. So keep him in your prayers for a speedy recovery and hopefully we can get him out of the house moving around soon :)

He was so worth the wait <3

Since this blog is dedicated to being a missionary girlfriend and seeing as how I no longer am one, I am going to make a new one! About the adventures of Mike and I. I haven’t made the blog yet but keep checking in and I will have the new blog address up here.

Otherwise, this ends my Life While He’s Gone…and starts the even better chapter of Life With Him Home <3

Day 27

“Favorite Scripture”

It’s kind of a funny story how this scripture got to be my favorite.
I asked my parents for a new set of scripture for Christmas back in 2007. I wanted a small quad that could button up. So on Christmas morning I got just that! And I loved it. As I was just flipping through the pages I came across a page with a scripture already marked…Doctrine Covenants 19:23. That’s odd, I thought. So I asked my mom if she marked this scripture but she hadn’t. And the weird thing was that I opened it from it’s original packing…So I decided to take it as a sign that this scripture was supposed to be in my life. It’s been my favorite scripture ever since :)

“Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.”

This Gospel brings so much peace in my life as I continue to learn.

Day 26

“Friends”

Haha. You wanna know about my friends? Well. Basically all of my friends are either on a mission or married.

This is my favorite picture of my group of friends. It was taken back in 10th grade, So like…2008. Haha. It’s kinda old but I still love it.

Day 25

“Pajamas”

Day 24

“P-Day Emails”

P-Days are awesome. I love them. And it’s even better that I don’t work on Mondays so I actually get to have an email chat with the missionary! Sucky for me that with the time difference of us I have to wake up at 4 am to talk to him. He’s worth it <3

Day 23

“Dream Holiday”

My dream holiday would be somewhere warm. Somewhere with a beach. Somewhere beautiful. Somewhere that could be an adventure. Somewhere like Hawaii…that place was amazing.

3 more weeks.

Mike comes home in exactly three weeks. I don’t know how to explain it but it honestly doesn’t seem real that he’s coming home. It especially doesn’t help when I have a dream that he came home and then wake up and try to figure out what’s reality and what’s a dream. To be honest, I feel kind of…numb?…about the whole thing. How can my two year wait almost be over? How can Mike finally be coming home? How? How? HOW? I really don’t think that it will feel real until I am on my way to the airport…My friend today wanted me to practice my reaction of Mike coming down the escalator, when she said that my heart jumped. Haha. I just can’t wait. Keep these days rolling. And to answer your question, yes, time has been going fast the past month :) Haha.

Day 22

“Something of his”

The first thing that comes to mind that is Mike’s is a glass dolphin that he gave me Christmas of 2011. He got it when he went on a cruise to Alaska and it means a lot to him so it meant the world to me when he gave it to me :)

Day 21

“Nails”

So you know how people always have those super cute nails and they get them done like every other week? Yeah, well I’m not one of those girls. I actually think that nail polish doesn’t look good on me. Don’t ask me why. So rarely will you ever see my fingernails or toenails painted. They mostly look like this…

It’s almost like a french tip, right?

Day 20

“Breakfast”

I actually had a really delicious breakfast today because I don’t have to go into work until noon! So I made myself some pancakes, or flapjacks as my Grandpa would call them

Day 19

“Today”

Well this is my night. Snuggling up with my puppy watching American Idol.

23 Months Down!

So guess what!?! Mike’s been gone for 23 months!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah! I know! That basically seems like a lifetime, doesn’t it!?! I can’t believe it myself. I’m super super happy about it! It’s been a good month and I can’t believe where the time has gone! I will be honest, Satin and for sure been trying to get at me this past month. Putting thoughts and doubts in my head. But in the end, Mike makes me happy. He’s all I ever wanted. I’m lucky that I’m in love with my best friend <3

So for some reason my weekly countdown thing on my side bar isn’t working so I’ll do it here!

23-No. Flippin. Way. Like this just can’t be my life right now. My boyfriend is coming home in less than a month and I waited for him. I beat the statistics. For all the people who thought that I couldn’t do it. Ha. Don’t underestimate me. When I want something, I get it. My life would be incomplete and unlivable without him. He’s everything to me. I can’t wait to see his face in just 25 days. I love you Michael

ALSO! I just wanted to quickly mention a BIG HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to my friend Dakota!!! Her missionary came home and surprised her!!! I’m soooo happy for her (yes, a little jealous also ;) ) haha. But extremely happy!! She deserves the best and I hope that they have best time being together again.

YOU DID IT GIRL!!!! :)

Thanks for being my MG Bestie :)

Check out her homecoming surprise video here. It’s super cute!!

Day 18

Wow I’m behind! My laptop has been at GeekSquad since Tuesday because I got some stupid malware on it. But now I have it back so I’ll get back to my countdown thing!

“Favorite Movie”

I have a hard time picking a favorite movie because I love movies. But one that I absolutely love and can quote it like no other is…

UP

Day 17

“Missionary Countdown”

I have two countdowns and the reason is that I had the temple one first but always wanted the called to serve one but it was always out of stock. I finally got it and decided to keep them both. :)

Isn’t it beautiful? :)

26 MORE DAYS!!!!!

Day 16

“Favorite Color”

If you haven’t guessed, especially from my room, my favorite color is purple. :)

Day 15

“Where he is serving”

If you guys don’t know by now then heck, I don’t know what to say. Haha.

POLAND!

This is a cool collage I made one time in the shape of Poland

Day 14

“Shoes”

So I’m not a big shoe person. Basically the two types of shoes that I own are flip-flops and Toms. I LOVE Toms. Like obsessed. If you are ever wondering what you can get me. A new pair of Toms. So there ya go.

My new favorite pair and my cheetah print ones :)

Day 13

“Transport”

I absolutely love my car. I have had it since I was 15 years old, I am now 21. 6 years of driving this beauty. It used to be my sisters and now he’s mine. Yes, he. His name is Blake. He is a 1998 Plymouth Neon. He is also a manual which I love. I love the color of Blake and everything about him. I’ve put lots of money into this car so he’ll be around until he’s dead. Which hopefully isn’t for a very very long time.

I don’t really have the best picture of Blake…and I don’t feel like going upstairs to get a picture…

Him in the background :)

This is a picture of Blake and Sondra D (Mike’s old truck). We used to pretend that they were in love just like Mike and I…hahahah.

Mike made this sticker for me that’s on the back on my car. I just love it.

Basically, my car is awesome. And he’s really really easy to find when I’ve forgotten where I’ve parked. Just look for the teal car ;)

Uno Mas

Like, he comes home next month

31 days

Is this seriously real life!? Somebody pinch me.

Elder Michael Christian Raines comes home in exactly a month today…

1 more month…1 more month…JUST ONE MORE MONTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Am I excited for him to come home? Eh, maybe just a little.

Am I ready for him to come home? I’ve been ready since April 19, 2012.

Day 12

“My Bedroom…”

Basically the first thing you should know about my bedroom is that if I’m in my bedroom, she is in my bedroom.

This is my shadow. Her name is Sadie.

My favorite part about my room is my one big purple wall :)

 

This is basically my shrine to Mike. Haha.
(Look the “Called to Serve” is almost filled up!!!)

My book shelve that I mostly use for my knick knacks. And of course my space heater because I like in the basement and it gets freeeezing.

And my other favorite thing, my walk in closet :)

Whelp, that’s my room :) Nice and cozy

Day 11

“Best Friend…”

I have 2 best friends. Two of the bestest friends actually. And both of them happen to be serving missions currently which makes for one sad Ashlee but that’s okay. I miss them but it shant be long now! For either of them :)

My best friend is gorgeous inside and out. She is bubbly and the sweetest girl in the entire world. She can get on my nerves and makes me laugh until I cry. She is my person. She is the one that I can go to for anything and everything. She is my twin (we used to convince people that we actually were twins). She is the best and I’m so lucky that she has been and always will be there for me until we are both old grannies.

Janell Ann Snarr

We met in 7th grade band class. Yes, we were both band nerds. We both played the flute and we both really didn’t like it too much. Haha. We would talk in band but didn’t do much outside of class. We took band all throughout Jr. High School. 3 years being with this girl. We became pretty good friends in 8th grade but it wasn’t until 9th grade that we became, well besties. I’ve had a lot of “best friends” come in and out of my life. But for some reason, this girl won’t. And I’m okay with that ;)

Okay so I was about to just post a bunch of pictures of the two of us but then I just remembered the video that I made her before she left on her mission. I just watched it and it honestly made me miss her more than I ever have. But I just love everything that we’ve gone through together. I’m gonna post the video again and you can watch it if you want. If not, it’s fine. You’re just gonna miss a video of some really cute chicks.

Click here to see the video

 

My other best friend is the most handsome guy in the whole entire world. He has the best sense of humor and has always been the funniest person ever to me. He has the biggest heart. I’m so lucky to have him in my life and don’t know where I would be without him. He is my “special friend”. He keeps me on my toes and will always continue to help me strive to be a better person. He is my other half and he will forever be my always.

Michael Christian Raines

I met my other best friend in 8th grade. We awkwardly dated in Junior High but we barely spoke after we broke up. He dated another girl and we stayed friends through the whole relationship. Once in 10th grade, we had a class together that kind of sparked something in both of us. He realized he wasn’t happy in the relationship that he was in and he got out of it. We started becoming really really good friends. We started hanging out like all the time. And started really enjoying being around each other. We finally started dating, even though we wouldn’t admit it to people… we have now been dating 5 years. The best 5 years of my life <3

 

This is a very long post and I apologize. But these two just mean the world to me.

Day 10

Work…

My job is real tough…
I work as a vet tech at a spay and neuter clinic
(p.s. spay and neuter your pets)
I love my job. It has it’s days but when I can cuddle with a bunch of puppies, that makes for a good day :)

It’s hard to tell but this is 6 little puppies that fell asleep on my lap
Awwwwww…. ;)

Day 9

“Make-Up”

This one is a little silly. But I don’t really use too much make up. Just a little mascara and foundation…so here’s a picture…haha

Day 8

“What makes you happy…”

Wow. there are so many things that make me happy in this world.

But this kid…has made me the happiest girl on the planet…

p.s. t-minus 35 days :)

Day 7

Wow. I’m super lucky that this one didn’t land on a day where I actually had to go to work. Otherwise I would either by taking a picture of me in scrubs or pjs. Haha.

Outfit…

Day 6

Favorite animal…

I’ll let you take a wild guess…

This is what my room looks like

and this is a stuffed animal Michael gave me back in Christmas 2011

Yeah…my favorite animal is a zebra :)

Day 5

My plate…

Well…I’m really bad at taking pictures of my food because I would honestly rather eat it than take pictures of it…haha.

Day 4

The most important thing to me…

My Family <3

These people are my favorite.

I have the best siblings in the world. Each one has taught me something different and I am who I am because of them. I have so many good memories with each of them. I love each of you so much and can’t thank you enough for letting me be the youngest and letting me get everything I wanted ;)

We’ve turned into a pretty dang good looking group of people :)

 

I have the best family in the world

Day 3

In my bag…

Nothing too special. My wallet, brush, deodorant, my many many keys, extra chap stick, my camera, gloves, and bag that has contact solution and glasses cleaner and stuff like that. Haha. 

Photo Challenge Day 2

Morning Sky…

Can’t really see too much of the sky, just lots of clouds but it’s still pretty