Homeward Bound

I mentioned earlier this week that our time in Virginia is coming to an end. It is, and all too soon! I have said it before and I will say it again: Virginia is the only duty station I haven't initially been excited about. When I found out we were moving here almost four years ago, I was like ehhhh. I didn't know anything about the state other than the fact that it was far from Texas and cold in the winter. That was enough to make me write it off. 

Four years later, I can't believe we are actually about to leave. Four years in the same location is basically a lifetime in military terms. The people we do life with here have literally become our family. It's hard leaving people that really know and get you, and that's exactly what we are doing. It breaks my heart to say goodbye, but I am filled with joy at what we are saying hello to. 

We are headed to...

TEXAS!!!

We are going back to Kingsville, TX (where we lived for 9 months in 2013 while Parker was in flight school) so Parker can be an instructor. We are over the moon! I mean, we get to live in the motherland! We will be 4 hours from my family and about 7 hours from Parker's family. We really couldn't be any closer, and thinking of a quick 4 hour drive to go see my nephew on the weekends has me doing the never ending happy dance. 

Virginia will always have such a special place in my heart. It is where I loved and lost our baby girl. It's where I became a mom to the baby boy that is the center of my universe. It is where Parker and I bought our very first home together. It is where I survived my first deployment. It is where we met friends that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt will be friends for life. Virginia has been the biggest blessing, and I thank God for knowing what we needed when he sent us here. 

It's been real, Virginia. Texas, we're coming for ya!

Family in Virginia (One Last Time)

A couple of weekends ago, we hosted 10 family members in Virginia for a very special boy's first birthday! Our time in Virginia is coming to an end (more on that in another post), so this was our last time having family visit! How in the world is our child already one? I could go on and on about how time moves too quickly and it seems physically impossible for our baby to already be one. Instead, I thought I'd keep things light and slightly less philosophical and just share some of our favorite moments from that very special weekend.

We were so grateful and blessed to have so many family members fly in for Preston's first birthday. I get that a first birthday is really for the parents because, let's face it, Preston won't/already doesn't remember it, but it was so special for Parker and me to celebrate our baby's first year with the people we love. 

I hope to write a post soon on the party theme and decorations (again, he won't remember or care, but a kid only turns one once, so we went all out!). For now, here are some of my favorite pictures from the party. 

All pictures were taken by my wonderful friend Lea at Loraine Marie Photography! Check her out here. 

One year of this sweet boy! I can't tell you how much Parker and I have learned about each other and how much we have grown over the last year. Parenting was a whole new ballpark for the marriage, and I am so grateful we get to do it together. 

I love this picture. It doesn't have everyone, but these are some of the girls who got me through the first year. They say it takes a village. This is part of mine!

The grandmothers and great grandmothers who made the trip! This boy is so lucky!

Family picture! Not pictured was cousin Emmett, who was upstairs napping. We love our people!

Preston, you better turn that frown upside down! These are the people that dropped everything anytime I needed someone, like the time they took care of you/me when I had eye surgery solo. Super grateful for these friends of mine!

My people. Love my mom and twin sister so much. Nobody endured more parenting-inspired Facetime rants this past year than these two.

It was such a special day celebrating the boy who changed our lives forever. I cannot believe I've been his mom for a year already! There is no greater job in the world to me!