welcome home uncle marine!

Two weeks ago, we packed up everything we thought we would need for a baby going on a 6 hour road trip and staying 4 days in a hotel. We got up at 6 am that morning to get the truck packed, get everyone ready, and get on the road by 9 am. Our truck very closely resembled a moving van. Not kidding. We had that much stuff.

Good thing I am a Facebook stalkeraddict occasional checker. I just happened to jump on real quick to see what was going on in the world and saw a message from the Marine telling us not to leave just yet. His flight had gotten delayed (again) and he wasn't scheduled to get home til that Monday now.

Grrr.

That was a Thursday. We stayed packed as best we could until we finally left on Saturday. Mr. Perfect was super happy about having to unpack all that and then repack it on Saturday. Like giddy.

On Saturday morning, the 22nd, we gave it another go. We got the car all packed, met up with my grandparents, and hit the road. We stopped for lunch in Small Town, SC, to eat with Mr. P's family. Then Mr. P, Baby Girl, and I stayed for the night while my grandparents continued on to North Carolina.

That night we got the call that he had been delayed again. He was supposed to be coming in on Sunday (the next day), but now it looked like Monday possibly Tuesday. We decided to head on up there and see what happened.

We got up bright and early (oh how I miss sleeping in), and hit the road to finish the trip to N.C. BG was not feeling it. The day before she had done awesome in the car. She slept the whole way, but not that morning. She was restless and cranky and though we tried our best to stick to her schedule (traveling during stops for feeding time), she was still all thrown off. We got about 20 minutes down the road and had to stop.

*Side note: I can't tell you how many places we stopped that did not have changing tables in the rest room. Seriously?! Off the interstate and no changing tables? I swear I saw those things everywhere when I didn't have a child. Now? Never.

End rant.

After giving her a small feeding (not at feeding time, I was trying to be flexible!), we got back on the road. For an hour and a half. Then she slipped back into meltdown mode. We stopped at ate and then she was good until we pulled into Marine Town. I honestly think she was just over being in the carseat. I know I would be.

We checked in to the hotel and then met the grands for dinner. After dinner my parents came over to our hotel and gave us the glorious news that the boys had been delayed again.

Are you kidding me.

I'll save some time and tell you that we got that information MANY more times while we were there. But we tried to enjoy ourselves as best we could. Marine Town is not a resort town by any means, so basically we ate out a lot and played on the beach.

Good times.

BG was of course the center of attention most of the time. We just can't stop loving on her!

Mr. P and BG chilling out in the hotel. He thinks this is funny.


We rode out to my parents RV one day since they were staying at the beach. BG enjoyed the beach.. until we put her feet in the sand. She freaked out! She's going to have to get over that. I kind of love the beach.

Her new sunhat. Cute!

Dad, BG, & I out on the beach.

Trying to calm her down after putting her feet in the sand... Drama queen.

The fam out on the beach.

On Tuesday, my parents and I attended a memorial service for the guys that were killed during this tour. My brothers company lost 9 men while they were over there. Nine. Most of them were about 19 years old. I thank God everyday He brought my brother home..



After the service, I met back up with Mr. P and BG to get some lunch. This is how she gets so chunky...


On Wednesday we got word that the boys were back in the States. They landed in Maine, then flew to Charleston where they got stuck again. Finally, Thursday morning we headed to the base for the Homecoming.

Mr. P and the grands.

Baby Girl in her Homecoming outfit.

Welcome home Uncle Marine!!!

Me and my best friend and my best girl. Yes. I was crying. Sometimes it happens.


Finally meeting his niece. I think he loves her...


Needless to say we are all BEYOND excited to have him home. We went to eat lunch before the three of us had to head home and when we went to leave I saw this..

She wouldn't let go of his finger! Cue heart melting...

Fortunately he headed down to Coastal Town the next day and we've been having a blast with him since. I think BG and her Uncle are going to be the best of friends.

Welcome Home Uncle Marine! We are so proud of you!

Memorial Day

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! We certainly are because the Marine is down here with us and I can't even begin to describe how excited and thankful we are to have him home!

Memorial Day really hits home for me this year, because while my brother just got home, 9 of the young men in his company didn't make it home from this last deployment. Sitting at their memorial service last week really hit me hard. These boys are people's family. They are sons, fathers, grandsons, husbands, that are out there giving everything they have for their country. For our freedom.

So just take a moment tomorrow to remember our soldiers who've made the ultimate sacrifice. And pray for the ones still overseas. Because this war is still going on, and these soldiers are still giving everything they've got.

just hangin' around

We are still in North Carolina. There is still no word on when the Marine is leaving. Things here are ridiculously unorganized at least that's how it appears from where I'm sitting.

We've been here since early Saturday morning. Friday we headed up to Small Town, South Carolina and spent the night with Mr. Perfect's parents. Not too bad a trip. I managed to stay awake the entire 3 hour drive which is HUGE. Usually I'm the worst road tripper ever. Start driving = start sleeping to this girl.

We hit the road early on Saturday morning to get up to NC. We were told that the Marine would more than likely be heading out sometime late Saturday night or early Sunday morning. That did not happen.

It's been nice though just hanging out up here with the fam. My parents have their camper down here that they're staying in, so we've spent night watching movies and just hanging out. The Marine has a dog that's going overseas with him (part of a group), and we've gotten to go see him work the dog and stuff. We've even managed to help out with their care and walk a few of them (almost killed me). I've got a few pics that I'll put up once I get home.

Anyway. His departure date is now looking like sometime next week. Of course Mr. Perfect and I cannot get back up here. I'm pretty bummed that it looks like I won't actually get to see him off, but at least we had these few days with him. Hopefully they'll get whatever they're waiting on taken care of soon and these boys will know when they're headed out.

Headed home in a few hours. Guess I'll catch up on what you ladies have been up to when I get back to 'ol Georgia.

memorial day.

I don't care what your stance on the War in Iraq is, or what you think about if our troops should be here or over there. I don't care if your not even a fan of the military or if your one of those people who cringe when you see the yellow ribbon on someone's car.

What I do care about is people who have given their lives for me and for you.

I hope today we can all take just a minute and remember the men and women who've made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.



(c) flickr

And for those still fighting for our freedom... you are much appreciated and I can't thank you enough for what you do.

My family. I am ridiculously proud.

Baltimore- The Rest of the Time

So back to my trip to Baltimore and then I'm done, because I can't even really remember now what we did.

We got up the 2nd day and headed to a few antique shops. We were told they would be open. Most were not. Plus it was raining. Not cool Baltimore tour guide.

My parents on Antique Row. Check out my Dad's cool new "Samuel L. Jackson" hat. Yea.. he's rocking it.



Mr. Perfect in the ridiculously uncomfortable, over priced, antique chair..


We then walked down to an older section of Baltimore that was supposed to be pretty trendy and cool. Maybe we didn't find it...? We did happen upon some pretty obnoxious drunks. At 2 in the afternoon. On a Sunday. Hmmmm... But I did find a pretty cool consignment shop. I do love anything old!! I can't help it. I find some of the coolest pieces.

Today wasn't one of those days. Oh well.

Lunch was delish. It was in an old house on the Harbor. I had oysters. Shocker.

The whole day was just rainy and gross so we headed back to my parents house and ordered in Chinese. Then cuddled up and watched Desperate Housewives and my fave Brothers and Sisters.

The next day I actually felt like boo. The cold and rain had caught up to me. Blah. We still managed to meet my Dad when he got off work and headed to Annapolis. So glad we did. I wasn't a huge fan of Baltimore (hope no one gets mad!!), but I loved Annapolis. It was such a cute, quaint, little town. We walked around the downtown area but as is usual with my family, we had to head to the military attraction in the city; the Naval Academy. Just in case you don't know, both my grandfathers and both my parents have served in the Air Force, and the little brother is in the Marines, so I'm a sucker for anything military.




For the Marine who's actually stationed at Camp Lejeune


Gorgeous..

The Tomb of John Paul Jones, basically the father of the modern US Navy.


We got to tour the chapel and crypt and all. We were one of like 10 people there and unfortunately the Seamen were on Spring Break! Oh well...

Us. And one of the last pictures of those diamonds.. =( One fell out at my last soccer game when I got knocked in the head. So of course I took out the other one and then left them. I didn't even get to say good bye...



It was a great trip. We crammed a lot in just a few days. I hate that it was so cold because I just don't do cold well (aka: I complained a lot!). But it was fun and oh so good to see the parental units!