Saying 'See You Later's

The time finally came for me to learn one of the hardest parts of being a military family. I knew the day would come eventually but I definitely didn't see it coming this soon with one of my dearest Charleston friends.

Moving to a new town is never easy. Moving to a new town with a husband that deployed within a month of moving, that is even less appealing. Thankfully, within a short time, I met a small handful of ladies from our deployed squadron that made me feel at home even while our husbands were away. One in particular, Alison, we quickly grew close sharing stories of our young daughters over coffee and shopping.

With a few months notice, the day finally came to say our final 'see you later's.  There are no goodbyes with us military folk, yall. Alison, her husband Kevin and daughter Kalina have been stationed at the Pentagon, and I couldn't be happier for them. Still sad but very happy for them. I will miss them dearly.

I guess this is just part of what we signed up for. It takes a little getting used to the idea that everyone I grow close to will sooner than later leave, but so will we as the 'game' continues. I am grateful for the friendship that I gained with Alison and the others that have formed since being here. I'll get used to saying "see you later" at some point.

More importantly, wow who will I drink Starbucks with?! Ali I sure will miss you.

Early bird

With the clock ticking on time left with the Hubs, we've been making the most of it the last few week.

We've got the house "finished" (for the time that he's away). We've painted all that we can paint. We've got chair rail up in the family room. All pesky pests have been e.lim.in.ated!!! The carpets have been cleaned. The Maids have even come and made the house sparkly bright.

All this means one thing. Time for our family to get together one last time before saying "see you later." ::In case you didn't know by now, our family of three has expanded in the last few months since moving south. We've picked up a few boys along the way::. Since Sunday is our usual family dinner night, we decided to do it BIG and make it family thanksgiving night with the whole gang. With half of my family leaving for deployment (the Giant and two of his friends Mahoney and Graves), I made it the biggest thanksgiving dinner we could handle. Sad note- its hard to believe that it will be a full year before we're all together as a family again since my guys in the 15th are leaving for _blank_ months and then the our other guys in the 16th will be replacing them for _blank_ more months before they all come home.

The Giant and I cooked all night and day before the big dinner. We had everything my Giant could dream of since this will be two years in a row he'll be missing the holidays with us. Turkey. Ham. Green bean casserole. Sweet potato casserole. Heavenly squash that he made all on his own. Cherry cheesecake. Pumpkin pie. Pumpkin bread. The list goes on... and on... and on. I told you- all the food he could dream of.

It was all so delish. I think its safe to say we moved a little slower after that ridiculous meal.

I know I'm not the best at taking pictures (of things other than Cheyanne) when I need to, but I did manage to grab a few before the feast began.

My elaborate fall decorations. Boys just don't care about these kinds of things.

The feast

For some reason this post was very hard to write. Since when is writing about food hard? I've got to get it together before tomorrow... I'm going to miss my boys. I am going to miss my Giant even more. I feel like I should be more ready than this. Ugh, that's for another time and another post. 

So blessed

I just have a short post that I feel compelled to write. I am so blessed. I am naturally sometimes a pessimist, as my sweet husband likes to remind me when I'm really in a mood. I have been working really hard at fighting nature and changing this about myself but these added hormones haven't helped recently. I really strive to be more like my mom who has the sweetest spirit of anyone I have ever met. Apparently, on most days, I didn't inherit that gene... However, today I would like to remind myself that I am blessed with some amazing friends! In the last few days, I have heard from quite a few people (we'll call them my long lost friends) that have been a part of my life for years but I am not the best at keeping in touch with. Just for a quick congratulations on the news they've heard through the grapevine or to just check in and say hello. I usually shove the lack of communication guilt off by saying to myself "Well so-n-so is someone I can just pick right back up with because we're just like that." And usually this is true which helps me justify putting off calling another week because of my "busy" schedule. Well I just want to shout out to my friends and say that I love you- no matter how much I call you or text you or email or whatever. I love you. And I am thankful for you in my life! You are such a blessing. Thank you for putting up with my horrible communication skills and call me anytime. (Well I thought this post would be shorter).