Chugga Chugga WOOHOO!!!!

This year, in the aftermath of the basement flood, I forgot to bring my advent calendar to Oregon with me. I was a little disappointed, but got a great idea from my friend, Beth, and we did a 12 days of Christmas version of the advent calendar. Every day after nap, Lawson gets to open his envelope and see what kind of goody awaits him. So much fun! He look forward to his "aprize!" every day. Well, the last few days have found us opening the 8 and 7 days til Christmas envelopes, which means that we are officially at the end of our last deployment this tour and that tonight, at midnight, I get to go pick up my man from the train station! We won't be in a pumpkin carriage when the clock strikes 12, but it will be magical and as "happily ever after" as real life gets. We are very excited for daddy to come home, because he is bringing Christmas with him. The holidays are all about family and being together. The magic of the season lies within our hearts and with all of us under one roof, that magic will come alive! Lawson is minutes from going to bed and he is well aware that after this "one more nigh nigh" he will awaken to his daddy in the very same room as him! I cannot wait to see his face light up with love for his father. And Naomi just added the word "dada" to her vocabulary yesterday, so she's on board this "woo-hoo train" as well!!! Who knew a six month old could have a vocabulary, by the way?! I'm scared! And yes, I know I just said "woo-hoo train"... we also have a "diaper depot station" around here that we chuga chuga poo poo to when we need a clean caboose. That's a whole other story though.

Dustin, we are so unbelievably glad to have you home with us this Christmas. Proud is an understatement for how we feel about the service you are giving this country. Our kids have a hero in their dad and flight suits don't have to be ironed, so it's exciting all around. Kidding! Kind of. I love you so much and am so glad that you are my big present this year!!! Here's to a new year, full of bittersweet changes as we continue on this amazing journey with the Navy!

Perspective

This picture was only taken two months ago, but it already feels like an old picture. They've changed so much since then. Especially Miss Num Num! It's strange how children make time feel different. A photo of myself taken two months ago would be considered recent, but this photo is already outdated. It puts things into perspective for me.


I woke up a few mornings ago with a strong sensation that moments are fleeting. This time spent at my mom's house is half over already and the holidays will be but a memory sooner than I'd like. This time next year we will have been in Texas up to eight months already! That blows my mind. I know I sound like a broken record going on and on constantly about how quickly time is going, but it never ceases to amaze me. I also find myself being reminded, in so many ways, to slow down and enjoy the kids while they are little. To enjoy this time of staying with my mom, even with Dustin away. To enjoy the process. It isn't a race to the finish or to the next step. This is life and it doesn't slow down and wait for you. Days happen, events happen. If I am not prepared to take it all in, then I miss out. And it isn't just me that misses out. The kids miss out, as well, if I'm too caught up in my mind to enjoy their little triumphs each day.

The quote I put below the picture is so fitting for them. They adore each other. They like to play and snuggle and laugh together. They even like to cry together. Lawson wants to go "nigh nigh" as soon as he wakes up in the morning just so he can hang out under the covers with Num Num. They are each others' world. But, I am also their world. Especially when Dustin is away. And that truly puts it into perspective. We may not be home as a whole family, but we are family and because we are together, we are home.

Sunishine in a Vase

During lunch today, a rogue vehicle turned into my drive and left me guessing what the deal was. What day is it? Am I expecting anyone or anything? The more I wondered, the more curious I was. Finally, the driver got out of her car and got something out of her backseat. I was holding my breath, wondering what it could be. She turned around and it was flowers! My sweet, thoughtful husband sent me a gorgeous vase full of beautiful flowers just. because. JUST BECAUSE! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now. Not because I got flowers, but because he was thoughtful enough to have a sweet thought about me on the other side of the world, and send it to me in a vase for me to smile at every time I see it. That is happiness. Thank you, Dustin. I love you, too.

Comforts

There is a crispness to the air as I wake up each morning to find myself deeper into the fall season. Halloween is around the corner and leaves are beginning to crunch beneath little feet shoved inside colorful boots. I love this time of year as the coats rotate back into the closet and smoke starts billowing out of chimneys. Something about this season draws me to life's "comforts". Crackling fires, warm cups of coffee in my favorite mug, roasts in the crock pot, and snuggling under a blanket together on the couch. This fall will bring all sorts of changes around our home. We'll be moving back upstairs to enjoy our newly finished wood floors that Dustin has been working so hard on, for one. But that leads me to number two, which is that by "we" I mean Lawson, Naomi and I. Dustin leaves on Tuesday for his final detachment with VQ-2. It's always hard to say goodbye and this is no exception. We'll have to enjoy the finished floors and playing in leaves and drinking coffee under a blanket to the tune of a crackling fire all by ourselves. Seasons bring change and so does being in the Navy. Luckily, this is our last detachment this tour and the next few years will be sans detachments!

So, while I'm not looking forward to the "big bye bye", as we explain it to Lawson, I am looking forward to all the fun this fall has in store for the kids and I. And I'm looking forward to the end of our final detachment! No more goodbyes sounds pretty good!!!