This adventure started on a Wednesday with yet another road trip. Home to Texas once again.
Although I wouldn’t go so far to say that I enjoy long drives alone with two littles, I do so love the part when all is calm (two sleeping babies in the back) and I am alone with my thoughts. My mind is allowed to wander, to muse over huge things and trivial things. To marvel at the beauty of wide open pastures trimmed in barbwire fences and filled with oceans of vibrantly colored, gently swaying wildflowers. In these peaceful moments I am truly relaxed, not distracted by chores, to do lists, or children. It’s just me, myself and I. Honestly, it feels like catching up with an old friend. It was much needed for this Mama. A blessing in disguise. A small, surprising revival.
This was an especially exciting trip to Texas for several reasons.
One, we closed on our first home! Or I guess I should admend- I closed on our home. Sadly, Dash just couldn’t get away from class this week in order to close on Thursday. With the help of the trusty old friend of many military wives (my power of attorney), I signed both of our names about 300 times each, and then it was official. We are homeowners! I am disappointed, because I didn’t get any photos yet. There were tons of cars out front as the builder had workers there doing last minute touch-ups to paint, ect, and I was so focused on our walkthrough and the surplus of information that I was receiving that I really didn’t have a moment. I’m so thankful to my Dad for coming along and helping me with everything. Even though it wasn’t as I had imagined it (Dash and I holding hands, smiling, and signing together on this momentous occasion), it was a great memory. We will be packing up life here and moving down in just a few short weeks!
The second exciting part of the weekend was that my best girlfriends would all be coming down for the purpose of throwing Jen a bridal shower. Getting to see Casie, Desiree, Jen and Shara + bridal shower for Jen = awesome. Casie and I were able to spend a little quality time together and Des was able to join us for an afternoon/evening as we tried our best to squeeze in some of our favorite bits of Austin. Whole Foods, drinks at the Driskill, delicious texmex (and mexican martinis!) at Z Tejas. And if there is anything that really tugs at my heartstrings (well ok, they are easily tuggable, but this one really gets me) it’s watching my dearest friends love on my babies. And these gals, well, there are quite dear to me. Let’s just say that we spent a good amount of our teenage years doing things like belting out Mandy Moore songs as we cruised around town and planning our senior prom together. We go back. Way back. And there is nothing like watching the ones I love, love on my babies.
I’ll be so happy to live close again. Especially to family. Although it was a busy weekend for them, we got to visit with Lolo and Lola and Uncle Kyle and we all got to meet Kyle’s special friend Allison. Thursday night was a big family dinner up in Georgetown- another thing I look forward to enjoying more often.
The bridal shower was great- delicious quiches and pasta salads paired with fresh sparkling mimosas, celebrating Jen- the beautiful bride, and sitting around laughing with girlfriends that I truly love and miss. Luckily Dash was able to catch a ride down with a friend on Friday night, so him and Asher went and saw a movie while Amelia and I were at the shower. Towards the end all the boys returned home, and of course we had to give Asher and Jordan a little time to play together. Even after getting plenty of time to play and an ice cream bribe to chase away goodbye tears, Asher still went out blazing in all his three-year-old-tantrum-throwing glory. Who was it that said the twos were so terrible? No my friends, even though we are only about a month into it, I fear that the threes are going to be “that year”.
Prayers for graceful parenting are always graciously accepted.
I love you girls!
And of course, like always, we spent the moments in between the big stuff just enjoying Nina, Poppy, and their beautiful home. Our old home. The backyard is beautiful and teeming with life right now. I rolled out of bed early in the mornings just to have a few quiet moments to traipse barefoot around the quiet, dewy yard with my camera, capturing my favorite bits. And the upstairs balcony was the best hangout since the heavy rains made everything so squishy and I didn’t have time to bathe Asher after every trip outback to play. The kid is like a magnet for mud. But then again, aren’t most three year old boys?
By the time we move back, beans, tomatoes and cucumbers should be well on their for harvest!
The road trip home was even better than the one here- always so when my other half is with me. In the quiet moments of our drive, we talked about the heavier things on our hearts and mused about silly and random thoughts. It was good. Something we don’t get often in our busy life in our tiny apartment lately. And with this long conversation, and looking at parts of my life through Dash’s eyes, I realized again that God couldn’t have created a better other half for me. I am so blessed.
I never really thought about what a blessing a long drive could be until this past weekend. But alone or with someone you love, there is beauty and peace to be found in one.
I definitely think this family is destined for more road trips.
by mamabrit
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