Spring Trip to VH

 

Well, I was super grateful to get to spend 6 days at home (after a delayed 3 hour flight, of course) this April. While the original purpose was for Bridget's and Brian's baby shower, it was nice to stay a bit longer and enjoy being at my parents'- the first time in a long time I was there solo without Shane and the pups. He actually started training for MARSOC on the day I left, so he was unfortunately unable to join. 

As always, time went by quickly, but good news is I will be back in a few weeks for over a month, so I will get to spend more time with people then. I’m very much looking forward to that.

As pictured above, we headed to Aunt Sue's to visit more with her and to see Grandma after the baby shower on Saturday. We ordered Rosati's Pizza (yum!) and just hung out as a family.

I had some other plans lined up to see more of my people, but plans unfortunately changed. Timing wise, it was an absolutely perfect weekend to be home, and I am forever grateful for being home when I was. 

I’m so beyond appreciative for all my support, family, and community there. In particular, my mom, dad, Nickie, Sam and Stephanie were so special to me this particular trip- and they mean more that I could ever say. My life and unfortunate events definitely call for seemingly endless support, and my close friends more than deliver time after time. 

I can't even get started with what my mom did, Nickie was so kind with a surprise visit and to drop off a g free smoothie, Sam surprised me with a massage gift certificate (She is always so generous!) and offers of so much more, and Stephanie sent a cozy blanket, an Elin Hilderbrand book, and some dog treats to keep them occupied once I got back to NC. So blessed for them to help make the hard days easier.

The dogs were in the best of hands with our friends Rebecca and Blake, their two pups, and their two kids- especially with Leah who really helped out with the dogsitting!

The dogs, Cash especially, were the most excited to see me that they've shown in a long time. These resilient military dogs, I tell ya...they were at Rebecca and Blake's when I left for a few days and when Shane was at training, Shane was then able bring them home for a little over 24 hours over the weekend but I was obviously MIA, and then they went back to Rebecca and Blake's for a few days until I could get them. 

This one was attached to my hip the rest of the night and kept checking to make sure I was still there. After another 14 hour day of travel, it was so nice to cozy up with them, my Kindle, a "bad" dinner (chicken nuggets and mac&cheese), and a cozy show on.

I don't know if it's just getting older, or if it's me spending the past 2 years in a place with minimal community, friendships, and connections, but I so savor every person I get to visit whenever I'm home now. Can't wait until the next visit!