keeping busy.

People always ask me how I do it. How do I handle being away from my handsome man for months at a time. So many of you go through this as well, and I'm sure you know we all have our little tips, tricks, and methods of staying sane when our loved ones are away. I already did a post here on some tips for keeping a long-distance relationship strong. But this is different. That post was more about what to do as a couple. This is how to cope when you're alone.

Sometime, the loneliness and the longing to be with my handsome man is overwhelming. It's hard when there's nothing you can do. There have been so many times I wish I could just drop out of school and go live with him. But needless to say, that's not an option. I hate that we can't be together, but at the same time, I'm so proud of him for everything he does. He's so good about doing everything he can to make it easier on me. But sometimes, when I'm just sitting around, it's so hard to not just think about how much I miss him- and it hurts. Isn't he sweet?! I love him. So anyway, I try to stay busy.  Right when I came home from Germany (read about my trip here), I knew that it would be really hard. I went from spending every day for two months with him to not seeing him at all. So like the day after I came home, I went to Michael's (my favorite store on earth) and bought scrapbook materials. I LOVE scrapbooking, and so I thought it would be a fun way to display my trip!  I just used pictures and items that I collected throughout the trip and made it super cute :) I also put some of these in there. Before I was in Germany, I ordered these "I love you because..." notes from Paper Doll Printing. Aren't they the cutest?! So every day while I was in Germany, I wrote him a note- a reason I loved him- and stuck it somewhere in his house so he would find one every day :) They made him so happy, and he asked me to put a few in the scrapbook! He's so cute. So I've done about six pages in that scrapbook, and he wants to help me with the rest so we'll finish it when he comes home! (Hopefully soon- we still don't know) You can see the other scrapbook I'm making here. I also just started watching Army Wives. I'm addicted! I think I cried like 6 times in the first three episodes. Its a little dramatic and overwhelming, but I definitely think everyone should watch it :)

I can already tell this is going to be one of those shows that I lay in bed and watch all 7 seasons in like a week. Oh well :)

I also love to craft. You can check out the painted and distressed mason jars I love making, as well as LDR coffee mugs here.

School also helps keep me busy. I'm taking 18 credits this semester and it's a lot of work.

 

And it's only the first week. You can read about how my first week went here!

 A little wine never hurt, either. I LOVE this Barefoot Moscato. MMM:)

I also really love to cook. This is a green chile omelet with rosemary potatoes! It was so yummy :)

Cooking, crafting, school, working out, or whatever it is- I just try to stay busy. These past few weeks have been the hardest, especially because I don't know when he's coming home. It'll be in the next couple weeks for sure, so it might seem crazy that I'm so upset, but it doesn't feel real. Not having a set, for-sure date makes it seem like it's not going to happen.

But, I'm trying my best to keep my head up and stay strong- for both of us. I know it kills him that he can't make it easier on me, and sometimes I wish I could be stronger.

I know so many of you are going through the same thing, so does anyone have any suggestions? What do you do to keep your mind off of missing your loved ones?

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yummy homemade chipolte burrito bowls!

I love Chipotle. I would eat there every day if I could! I always get a burrito bowl and they're absolutely delicious! So to save a little money, I decided to try to make them at home.  I must say, they turned out much better than I expected!

I bought boneless skinless chicken breasts and just cooked them in a pan with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. I always make a ton, and then the rest I can whip up in just minutes whenever! I use one chicken breast per bowl. 

For the rice, you can really use any kind. I love jasmine rice, so that's what I used. You just follow the cooking instructions on the bag.  I usually make about a cup of uncooked rice, and that's enough for two or three bowls. I love Chipotle's cilantro-lime rice, so I take a small bunch of cilantro leaves, chop them up and mix them right into the cooked rice! For the lime, I use the zest and juice of about half of a lime (It just depends on how much rice you make and how much lime flavor you want!)

I always add black beans to mine, but you can use whatever kind of beans you like too! I just take some from a can, but of course you can cook your own. 

Then we get to the to good stuff! The guacamole and salsa! My absolute favorite. I didn't like guac until this year, and now I can't get enough of it! I just make a simple guac with this recipe:

2 ripe Hass avocado

1 clove garlic

1/4 of a white onion, chopped

Zest and Juice of 1/2 lime

Cilantro, to taste

Pinch of salt, to taste

But you can also find a really yummy recipe here. 

I use store bought salsa.  I like Tostitos salsa, but I'm not picky.  If you want to make your own, I recommend this one.

And it's that simple! It's so easy and so yummy, we make them all the time! Also much cheaper than spending $8 a Chipotle every time! Enjoy :)