enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

more.

Elisemore

When Paul deployed, I thought that maybe my life would be less.

But the almost seven months we have spent apart have made me more.

More patient.

More efficient.

More self-sufficient.

More organized.

More grateful.

More appreciative.

More willing to laugh at myself.

More willing to laugh through it.

More comfortable with being alone.

More brave.

More proud.

More respectful of the fact that everyone is currently facing a challenge.

More determined.

More creative.

More sure of who I am.

More sure of who Paul is.

More sure that choosing him to spend the rest of my life with was a good decision.

More thrilled that he chose me back.

have a wonderful Friday.

p.s. that photo is one of my new favorites and was taken using the ten second timer with the camera resting on a lifeguard stand. feel free to add "more crazy" to the list.

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44 responses to “more.”

  1. susan Avatar
    susan

    fantastic list – life is just one big learning, growing experience isn’t it – & that makes it so interesting & fun. Curious what is that island behind you ?

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  2. Vicki Avatar
    Vicki

    What a great post–and an awesome, lovely picture of you!

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  3. Betsy Avatar
    Betsy

    Lovely!

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  4. Kelsey Avatar
    Kelsey

    It’s so great to see someone take something difficult and to make themselves stronger, even happier, because of it. My husband and I did long distance for about 7 months when we first started dating and it was hard – so I can hardly imagine how much more difficult it is having Paul deployed is. So glad he’ll be home soon!

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  5. Funnelcloud Rachel Avatar
    Funnelcloud Rachel

    I love this photo of you, Elise!
    And as much as being apart from the one you love can totally stink, being alone can definitely make you stronger. Best wishes to you and Paul as his deployment comes to an end!

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  6. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny

    This post makes me smile. You have really blossomed through this. You should be proud of yourself. (OK – I totally sounded like a mom there.)
    And that picture is fantastic!

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  7. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I’m so happy that you report on how you embrace the good (and the bad) aspects of this time apart. I think my marriage has grown in ways it wouldn’t have because my husband and I have to spend lengths of time apart for work (granted nothing as long or as stressful as a deployment). I love that you write this stuff down here, because having an idea of what military families experience when a spouse is deployed helps the rest of us appreciate the complexities of the sacrifice and effort such families make.

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  8. ktmade Avatar
    ktmade

    Fabulous. It’s so nice to surprise ourselves in that way, isn’t it?

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  9. Giuseppina Lubrano Avatar
    Giuseppina Lubrano

    Super inspiring post, like usual. Thanks! And keep em coming 🙂

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  10. SKUnger Avatar
    SKUnger

    Beautiful photo and wonderful list! We should all be “more positive” about the things we are going through. Thanks for sharing yourself!

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  11. Liz Nelson Avatar
    Liz Nelson

    Love, love, love :)!

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  12. Melanie Avatar
    Melanie

    My family is riddled with servicemen, and you remind me so much of my sister. She lives in Virginia, and when my brother-in-law is out to sea, people are constantly asking her, “Are you okay?” And somehow, she is always better for it. It’s a tough life and one I’ve often thought I wouldn’t be able to commit to, but you show the better, often dismissed side of the other half of military life.
    Since discovering your blog, you’ve been such an inspiration for my own creativity and positivity. So thank you for that.
    xo,
    Mel

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  13. camille Avatar
    camille

    i was just gonna say, that is an awesome picture!

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  14. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    Elise, you’re so pretty! I also love your outlook on life and how you’ve not only learned from this experience, but documented what you’ve learned and how you’ve changed.

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  15. Molly Irwin Avatar
    Molly Irwin

    love it!

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  16. Kayla Avatar
    Kayla

    Great post and great photo!

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  17. Cecilia Avatar
    Cecilia

    Seems like you really created an atmosphere of growth these past months. You must be extremely proud of that.
    Love the photo 🙂

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  18. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    you are so welcome. and thank you. 🙂

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  19. creole wisdom Avatar
    creole wisdom

    This is great. It’s amazing what trials can do for our character. In my opinion, they can only refine us 🙂

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  20. Bella Casa Avatar
    Bella Casa

    it is great that you can see the positive side of being apart…very nice post today!

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  21. alexandra Avatar
    alexandra

    More… you have brought ‘more’ to my life through your blog… I look forward to reading it everyday. You inspire me creatively and spiritually.
    Love your outlook on life so much.
    Thanks for helping me see and live ‘more’.
    A.

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  22. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Wow what a fantastic photo!!! sssiiiigh I miss the ocean. I miss it, I miss it.

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  23. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    By the way I kind of stole your idea on my blog. I had a picture for my post, and I added text to it with PhotoShop. So much more fun than writing a caption. Loved it.

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  24. Dalyce Avatar
    Dalyce

    Wow. At your young age, you have such a grasp on the world. This post really touched my heart. Nice one.

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  25. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Awesome photo! I would like to add “more awesome” to your list. We’ve watched you grow and branch out so much this past year! Thanks for giving us a window to your world – and cheers to you!

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  26. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    that’s so awesome! so glad you became “more”!

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  27. cate Avatar
    cate

    I love the photo! I like this list too. And I have to ask…where did you get your shirt? It’s cute.

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  28. JayEssJay Avatar
    JayEssJay

    Love this! Keep at it! And just think how much “more” you’ll be once he gets home!!

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  29. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    Thanks! Jcrew factory

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  30. kelly X Avatar
    kelly X

    Great post, Elise. My word for this year is MORE so I think this is pretty cool.

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  31. suzanne Avatar
    suzanne

    Thanks for this post 🙂 Since my Dave has been deployed, I feel like I have a similar list and am feeling less scared of the “what-if’s” and getting MY head and life more in order. It truly makes you appreciate the relationship… and your own strength 🙂

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  32. racheldenbow Avatar
    racheldenbow

    I loved this post. I really admire your optimism and attitude in general about making the most out of this unique time in your lives. I was nodding my head through your whole list because even in three months I feel like a different person. More humble, stronger, more sure of my capabilities, more willing to accept help, less liable to wait for Brett to take care of something that I’m perfectly able to do, etc. I’ve been encouraged by things you’ve shared in your time without Paul on both my good days and bad days and felt like I could do it because I knew someone else was doing it, too. I am so excited that your time apart will soon be over and hope the finish is a strong one. You’re pretty incredible, lady!

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  33. Tegan Avatar
    Tegan

    happy photo. happy post. happy weekend elise 🙂

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  34. Amanda S. Avatar
    Amanda S.

    Another great list idea! Hope you are enjoying your weekend 🙂

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  35. October Bishop Avatar
    October Bishop

    I KNEW IT!!! I read this earlier and thought, “oh I bet he’s home soon”. How right I was!!! xx

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  36. JillT Avatar
    JillT

    OMG!!!!! The job you did not just maintaining but moving ahead with your life while P was gone was stellar. The job you did faking it the last few days. . .beyond belief. I wouldn’t have been able to put my finger on a key. So happy you have tons of friends to share the excitement with you and 2) don’t get on here for a week 🙂 Just hide away with your guy and enjoy! (SO RELIEVED! Beyond imagining how I’d feel if I actually KNEW you two 🙂

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  37. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    love you. xo.

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  38. anka Avatar
    anka

    I love your “more” list, looks like you have a lot to be more grateful about.

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  39. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    You should be very proud of yourself Elise. You are an inspiration!

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  40. melissa Avatar
    melissa

    You are so inspiring Elise! Thank you so much for sharing your stories and your creativity…… 🙂 So happy for you that your man is back safe and sound ~ Celebration!

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  41. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    So glad Paul is home. So proud of both of you. I am inspired to follow your lead and become more, especially as I enter my 30s.

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  42. nichole Avatar
    nichole

    You have this great self-sustaining ability to turn the time away from your husband into time that is super productive while using your creativity and self-expression to do amazing things. What could be better than that? I love how organized and efficient you seem to be also. You’ve definitely inspired me into doing instead of just saying.
    Thanks!

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  43. Katie @ Katie Without Restrictions Avatar
    Katie @ Katie Without Restrictions

    Elise, thanks so much for sharing this with us all. I’m relatively new to reading your blog, and with a crazy semester I’ve been a bit sporadic in keeping up with my google reader lately! So I haven’t been around for much of your deployment experience. I have so much respect though for the men and women who serve, and the men and women who wait at home ~ you’re serving just as much in a different way. Your words here are beautiful, and I’m glad for you that you were able to find this positive outlook!

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  44. Holly Avatar
    Holly

    I am a military wife and my husband is currently deployed right now. I just happened to find your blog tonight and have really needed to hear what you have said. This deployment will end and I too have felt that it has made me “more”. Thank you!

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