Most of you guys know that Justin is home! He surprised us late Saturday evening, and I am so glad to have my honey back. I couldn't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions seeing him hold Ava. He was only gone a couple of weeks (and some change), but it felt like so much longer. I don't think it's fitting to say I was a single parent, but I was definitely doing all of "the work" by myself. I have never had to experience the baby workload without daddy around. Although I got through it just fine, some things were harder. It's during times like this, that I'm reminded what kind of sacrifice goes into being married to a service member. The time apart is definitely the worst part of it all. He's been home over 48 hours now, and it's safe to say things are back to normal. Ava took right to daddy just fine. I don't know why, but I had this complex about her not being familiar with him, when he got back home. Thank goodness, we didn't have any issues like that, but there was always a possibility of something like that happening. Since returning, Justin insists on doing everything for Ava bug. Waking up in the morning, I didn't have to get out of bed, daddy had her. Feeding her breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, you name it, daddy did it. He even decided to bath her and get her ready for bed all by himself. Before he left, I was still co-showering, so he didn't really help a whole lot with the bathing process. During the day, he randomly picks her up and gives Bug about a zillion kisses before he leaves a room. I think it's safe to say, he missed his little girl. Last night, I took about a million photos of my two love bug's together. I got this picture of Justin and Ava dancing. Her little toes were on Justin's feet. I just started bawling. I'm just glad we are all together again for a little while. I can't believe we have to do this all over again next month. I'm grateful that Justin will be local, and hopefully home every night.

Ava dancing on daddy's toes.

Happy Tuesday all!

♥- Leilani

Bright, Sun Shiny Day

My entire morning has been glorious. With Justin clearing, he's exempt from certain things that he'd normally be doing, like physical training. I guess the time interfered with a briefing he had, which gave me a whole 4 hours with him this morning, and for three of those hours, our daughter was sleeping. We never usually get time in the morning together (unless it's a weekend), and it has made me even more excited for forty days of leave. I was even able to do some yoga from home. I usually don't prefer to, due to all of Cooper's dog hairs covering my mat.

Today marks the start of a four day for Justin. Veteran's day is around the corner, I really can't wait to celebrate that! I think for part of the day we may explore a museum, monuments, something historic in Savannah. One thing about the South that I enjoy, is all the history. I took a trolley tour at the beginning of this year, and I learned SO much about almost every street in downtown Savannah. With Justin being such a history buff, I think it'll be a perfect way to spend our Saturday.

I think we are going to start buying boxes this weekend; We've received all this information about the dity (do it yourself) move, and now I'm overly excited to get started. I can't believe how much money there is to be made by moving ourselves. Not to mention the glorious feeling of knowing that our things won't be lost our damaged. Thanks to our trip to New York this summer, I'm not worried about driving with Ava in the car. She's such a good baby, I know this trip will be a breeze. If Fort Lewis, Washington is our next destination, I really want to take the road trip. Justin wants Ava and I to fly out, rather than road trip it with him. It makes sense, I just wanted to stick together, as a family.

Oh, I almost forgot! Day 7. I am thankful for online universities. If I weren't able to obtain my degree online, I don't think I'd be going back to school for awhile. I'm fortunate and very thankful that I get to stay home with my daughter, care for my home, and FINALLY get my BA in healthcare administration.

Looks like I'm off! Ava has been in a "don't put me down" phase, so I'm off to baby wear my bug, maybe take a walk in, enjoy this fresh air! Happy Thursday all!





♥- Leilani