The Start of the Semester

Wow! Only two days of classes have been completed and there is already a ton of things I need to get together before I can safely arrive at class again tomorrow.  So far, it appears as though most of my classes are going to be keeping me busy, but once I get into the swing of things, that could easily change. My favorite class is.. ASL of course! I did not realize how much I missed signing this summer, but boy, it is great to be back and talking with my hands. Before I got back, I did not think there would be any time for me to work/volunteer at Happy Hands. I have to say, that's not going to be an option. I must find time to spend there with those beautiful babies! They are so dearly missed!

This semester, Kayla and I have decided to take up kickboxing. Let's just say, after day 2, I have muscles hurting that I was quite certain did not exist. Our goal is to keep it up for at least this semester, but hopefully we will be able to go all school year. We will see and I will keep you updated!

Other than that adventure, there hasn't been too many exciting things happening around here, yet. But here are a few things that have been interesting!

I'm quite certain I need this.

I always feel like somebody's watching meeee

 Tonight, I got to meet up with Kristy the astronaut and Whimsical Whitnei again. I love those girls. Kristy actually made us pancakes for our infamous study nights that never seem to see any books or notes.

Kristy making pancakes!

Look! She made an "S" just for Splendid Stephanie

Mysterious Red Bag

Look at all the fun goodies it contained!

So many, in fact, the bag had to be taped together!

So, if you are wondering what that last picture would be of. Yes, it is a footprint on the windowsill. Now why is it there? Because I crawled through the window when I got back from kickboxing Monday night. That was much faster than walking around to the door. And yes, I am just as surprised as you that I fit.

I am excited and anxious for this semester to take off and really get going. I still absolutely love my decision to major in deaf education, and I am certain it is the right choice for me. Working with deaf children is more than just a job or career path for me, it's truly what I am passionate about. I can't imagine doing anything else with my life. Just working with the few children last year, proved to me that I had made the right choice. Now, I have chosen to graduate in three years instead of four, so I am technically considered a junior, which is just mind blowing. That was a decision that I took plenty of time to think over, especially considering all the people telling me to not rush through my school years.

The one thing that I am extra concerned about this semester that was not a concern last year is my Cody time. Last fall, I could go home every other weekend (which I basically did) or he could come see me. He also wasn't doing a whole lot, so when I wasn't in classes, he was generally around to talk to and catch up with. In the spring, he left for boot camp and I didn't have the option for Cody time. I just made sure to check my mailbox every day and send out plenty of letters. This fall, he is busy with Marine stuffs, and I have my own classes and schedule to attend to. It's going to be rough getting the two of us on a similar track that will allow us to talk and "see" each other as much as possible, but I have faith that we will get it all worked out (just in time for it to change).

Cody might not realize this, but he gives me strength that I can't pull from anywhere else, especially when I am away from home. He has always been one to support me and help me through things, even though he doesn't always vocalize this very well.
If everything goes according to plan, I will be in Florida over labor day weekend, getting some real Cody time in. I can't wait! And believe it or not, he is so pumped as well ;-)

All moved in!

Today was the day! After a summer that went by way too quickly, but was filled with so many adventures, I am all moved in and ready to start a new year at TU. I'm quite sure ALL of you are thrilled to death about this, and can't wait to see what my room looks like. So I'm here to give you a little sneak peek (because you MUST come visit and get the whole experience for yourself)!

Ooo!! Headed in!

Look at the precious prison living room!

Becca and my room.. dun dun dun!

Look!

It's my bed!

This handy little thing required no tools. But tools would have been easier.

I love Cody, Gaby, and stock photos

Becca's bed. No Becca

 

There's Becca!

And finally, a giraffe!

 I'm quite happy to be back. I love being here and definitely love the people. It's bittersweet though, because I am going to miss everybody back home. I am so lucky to have so many people there rooting me on and giving me strength.
Moving in went very smoothly and that's all thanks to my momma. She was so great to have here helping and making sure I got everything I needed for the upcoming semester (or at least this week). It would have been great to have Cody here helping again, but alas, he had other plans. On the bright side, no Duh-manda!
Next stop, first day of classes (where do I go, again?)!

Sticking Through It.

Maybe you don't understand, or maybe you think I'm crazy; I see the looks. I notice those people that look at me like I'm a fool. Their eyes tell me that they don't think for a second I could know what I'm talking about. They tell me I'm too young to know what I want out of my life. They're right; I am young. Quite young, really, but every day I don't fall, I am more sure of my footing. Let me tell you why (and how) I'm still here.

When Cody decided to join the Marines, it threw me for a loop. I'll be honest, I hated the idea, even his recruiter asked me what my deal was. Hated it. I was scared. Scared for him. Scared for us, even for me. I was certain he would go off and get himself blown up or our relationship wouldn't be able to survive the stress. These fears have not dissipated, they are simply not prominent right now. I knew from the get-go that there wasn't an option to quit. I couldn't walk away. He stuck with me when I left for Tulsa. How could I not at least attempt this? It was the only option. I love when people ask me if I thought about ending it. Of course the thought raced through my head. He chose something that was changing his life forever and as long as I was with him, it would change mine, too. I'm okay with that. For him, I am okay with the change.
The day Cody told me his ship date had changed, my body quit. I am still shocked that I didn't kill myself on that drive home. I wasn't even close to okay at that point. I was supposed to have another three, almost four, months with him and because some kid couldn't pass his fitness test, I lost my boyfriend to the Marines. I believe that was the best thing that could have happened. I had a total of 9 days to worry before he left and I was surrounded by people at school who helped me get through the days. Those three months were filled with so many emotions, but every letter I received reminded me why I was still there.
Graduation and family day were amazing. It was so great to actually be able to touch him and talk to him. He had changed. It took him a couple days to shake off the zombie, but it happened and we fell right back into place. A big adjustment had to take place for me at this point in time. I couldn't continue to pretend like I was accepting it. I actually had to do it. I had to be okay with it or it would never work. That was hard. A lot harder than I was expecting. With his help, I managed to realize that where we came from wasn't nearly as exciting as where we were heading. It was going to be one heck of a ride.
Cody left for boot camp over six months ago and every day since has been an adventure. We aren't perfect and I don't expect that; the speed bumps are what keep us interesting and on our toes. I see the looks I get from people when I tell them that my plans aren't set in stone, because I don't know his plans. They don't get it. They don't understand that when he signed those papers, he asked me to go with him on this journey. He didn't use his words to ask me, just by wanting me to show up at graduation still his, he asked. I didn't take my time and think about it, I threw caution to the wind, closed my eyes, and jumped.

How could you say no to this?

A Starting Place

In case you ended up here and you have no idea who I am, or how I came to be me, I'll fill you in. I'm Stephanie and I'm currently studying Deaf Education at the University of Tulsa. While I have always known that someday I should work with children, it took some time to figure out exactly what I should do with those kiddos. I have taken to Deaf Education with wings. I absolutely love it, but I still miss being home and around my family when I'm away, but the people I have met make up for it. I have grown as a person, and I have made plenty of new family. One person in particular gets missed more than others. That would be Cody. He's a Marine (jealous? Should be) and he's the boyfriend. I'm incredibly proud of him, but it means that he can't be in Oklahoma with me. Right now, he's in Pensacola, FL for some schooling.

This is my story.