The Virginian Rhapsody Cont'd

It's been a whirlwind of a month. 

I again find myself staring at a blank computer screen and searching for the right words to not only describe my heart, but also to express the gratefulness I feel for the strength and support Jody and I have received from loving friends and family, and a faithful God.

 

I won't be able to accurately illustrate with words the safety and peace I feel to be back where I belong again:  with the man that I love so dearly.

I also won't make this into a vomit-inducing ballad to my handsome Jody (Note that should you ever change your mind and want to hear me fall all over the goodness and goodlookingness of you-know-who, let me know.  I come prepared).

We are eternally grateful for so many people in our lives who have supported us through prayer and action.  For our friends in Hampton who not only looked after and took care of things for us while we were away, but welcomed us back with happy hearts and willing hands by moving me out of storage and into a new home before Jody was able to arrive. 

I feel so at home and loved here that it blows my mind to think that this was the same place, and I was the same girl almost two years ago when I joined Jody in Virginia after our wedding.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  My God is so good!

I'll try to recap the last three weeks through some photos and limited commentary.  One day, I'll catch up with full posts on Jody's return, our cabin adventure and what's in store for us in the next year.

Let's start here:

I packed up my little Mazda...suitcases, yoga mat, boots-and-all, and hit the road with my mother in law.

Chris and I spent four days on the road, stopping only for limited bathroom breaks and work meetings on her part.  I had the opportunity to spend a full day playing in Chicago with Chris...we saw the Sears Tower, ate at a fabulous hole-in-the-wall pizza place, drank cocktails on Navy Pier, and watched firedworks from a boat.  Needless to say, I wasn't treated badly in the least.


Honestly, the trip was long.  I was anxious to get back, to find an apartment and most importantly to put the cap on another six month deployment, but I can truly say that I enjoyed myself, and the time I spent with Chris.  We each learned a lot about each other, probably thought about killing the other once or twice, and had some really great talks and revelations together. 
Not many people can say they would enjoy a cross-country road trip with their MIL...but I'll be so bold as to say
that I did.

Anyway,
moving on.
With the help of some friends, Chris and I found a place for Jody and I to live.
We unloaded our storage space.
We moved into the new apartment.
We unpacked.
And unpacked.
Unpacked some more.
And then we waited, swam, waited, ate sushi, drank wine, ate more sushi, drank more wine, waited, swam, etc. until the following Saturday when Jody came home.
Photos:

These. People. Are. Awesome. Our amazing friends really showed up and worked late into the night helping me unpack our storage unit, then loaded everything up into our new apartment. I cannot thank these people enough..but I'll certainly try by bringing up their awesomeness again and again and again...
Did I mention they're pretty awesome?

Have I ever mentioned how much I love vacuum marks?  I love vacuum marks.  And open spaces.  And new-smelling-apartments.
And Jody.

Ah, my buddy!  The very first thing I did the morning after arriving in Hampton was hop into my car and head over to the Bozungs to see my (yes, awesome) friends and the meet their sweet little Ayden.  Remember Ayden?  You know, the babe I baked three dozen cupcakes for while he was still in the womb, the fella who chose to take his time cooking up in mom's belly and decided to arrive into the world the very same day that I left Hampton and kissed Jody goodbye?  The kid I get to nanny for the upcoming school year?
Yeah, that kid.
Anyway, I love him.

I 'hosted' lots of 'pool parties' for my friends and their adorable babies.  I have...um, very few friends now without children, but I love it.  All of my friends out here are incredible mothers and wives and I love learning from them and watching them do what they do best.

Next, my husband came home.
No big deal.


We spent a few blissful nights together in our 'new' home, then headed out the our favorite place:  The Cabin.

Ahh.  Remember The Love Shack?  This was the cabin we went to after Jody's eight week deployment last fall.  It was (again) amazing.  There were campfires, front-porch-sittin, booze-drinkin, music playin, love-makin, and good times a'brewin'.

There were also no wine glasses.

 Ahh.

We took an impromptu 9 mile hike along the AT and stopped at something-cow shelter to read the log books and daydream about our own hiking adventures next summer.

Hiking + Cigars = Ow.
Lesson learned.

Weird little orange-fungi-thingies.  So of course we had to lick them.

So, that's that.

I'm happy.





Hold your horses!

I'm not finished yet.

Jody's boat pulled in today and although that meant Jody had to go back to work, it also meant that I was able to run around and snap photos of special homecomings for special people in my life. 
Neat, no?
Here are just a few, and then I'll zip my fingers.

Sister, girlfriend and mom waiting patiently for Daniel.

Who's that guy?

We like to party.

Beautiful Josie and Addison waiting for husband and dad.

Olive and Roman waiting for dad with mom (Ana) and aunt (Selena).

Anxious sailors spotting their gals.

Oh...who's that guy, again?

I happened to turn around right as my friend Kayla was embraced by her husband.  So, of course, I creeped and snapped some shots.  What a beautiful moment!

The End.