Prayer answered....lets DO THIS!

I learned today that my best friend, partner and father to Georgia is......COMING HOME!

He's coming home nearly 5 months earlier than we thought. He'll be home in 3.5 weeks from now and I can barely stand it. He's coming home to accept a job on a contract in Fayetteville, NC. Fayetteville, an 1.5 hour away from home, is much better than a gazillion miles from home in Afghanistan.

My heart is filled with excitement and anticipation.

I LOVED having your dad home the first year of your life. Don't know what I would've done without him as I don't feel NEAR as confident as I do now as your mom. But it's as if that has moved to the background quickly...because I'm equally as excited about each and every new day with you. I can't WAIT for him to come home and see your daily antics and entertainment pieces. And the best? Your hugs, expressions of generosity and compassion.

I woke up to you this morning playing "baby" in your crib. You must have sat up there contently for 30 minutes patting her back, putting your blanket over her, talking to her about mama, mimi and papa. It gave me time to get a shower and get ready for our day; and I loved seeing you so content.

When I brought you down to eat breakfast and get dressed you eventually came out of my room with a short-sleeve onesie and insisted on wearing it. I put it around your neck and let you walk around thinking that would suffice. When it was closer to time to get ready, I went to put a long sleeve shirt on you. It IS only 46 degrees for the day, after all. You screamed and pulled your arms down. You weren't having any of it. So guess what? You wore your shirt sleeve onesie (thankfully it fit) that had a darling turtle on the front. I'm pretty sure you talked about the turtle all day. :)

And when it was time for 'night night'? I ask you during the evening and sometimes you say "no". However, a little later when asked again, you nod your head and walk to the stairs towards your room. What more could a mom ask for?

GA you're such a wonderful child growing into your own personality. Your expressions are priceless and at the same time..I love trying to give you more (by example). I love nothing more than trying to entertain you with my expressions, my dancing, my conversation, my silly sounds. I have no concern of who is watching or overhearing. I LOVE when you laugh. LOVE. YOUR LAUGHTER.

You are my sunshine. My Georgia sunshine. And what I look forward to most is your dad coming home and sharing in your sunshine...real time.

Welcome home Daddy (around March 6 or 7, 2014).

GA can't wait for more "kiss sandwiches" :)

My treasure...

Treasure means: "keep carefully (valuable or valued items)." Synonyms: cherish, hold dear, prize, value greatly.

What do I treasure most about my love?

I cherish his smile. I hold dear his laugh. His love, and his commitment to me, is my prize. I value greatly what he's doing for our family...of 3 (well, 5 if you count the beagles). :)

You see, my husband works overseas. He isn't here in person. However, one of the many things I treasure is that he is here daily in thought and conversation.

I treasure his commitment to make sure I know how much he loves me and our daughter. I cherish our daily phone calls that I can almost set a clock by. I hold dear when those phone calls are video calls and we get to stare into each others eyes as we talk of the day's happenings.

When a love can last the distance - it TREASURES substance and our love is substantial. We dated for 2.5 years long distance, have done one 18 month deployment as a married couple, and are now on our 2nd and hopefully final deployment...6 months into one full year.

I love knowing he loves me as much, or more, than I love him.

Treasures are rare and I have no doubt of the value of mine.