Home

Military life isn't always easy. There may be lots of travel and adventure and new friends along the way. But, there is also extreme bravery and sacrifices. There are lots of new bases, new people, new towns to learn your way around. New cultures, new challenges, and new houses to fit into.

While most of the time I really enjoy, in fact love (more than my husband) our life in the Air Force, there were times, like this summer, where I took a step back and realized I'm missing other things as well. Family.

Not the family you make in your home with your spouse and children, or the friends you make along the way that become like family, but the good old fashioned people who where there as you grew up. The ones who watched you blossom over the years. Who helped you up when you stumbled, and cheered you on when you were on top of the world. The family that's always waiting "back home". Wherever "back home" may be. The family that's always got a piece of your heart no matter where the military takes you.

We spent most of our time in Florida this summer, but that's not really home. Georgia is home. It's where we grew up. 

We only had a short visit to Georgia this time. My mom and sister in Florida, and my friend in South Carolina took precedent. But, we did get to stop for a day and a half in Georgia. We planned a dinner out and all those happy faces where there. All that family. All that love. 

As I looked around the table that night I felt overwhelming love and support. I needed that. I didn't even know I needed that until that night. I felt like I was soaking up the love from all around to carry me through this next year in Germany.

"My home is not a place, it is people."

Lois McMaster Bujold, "Barrayar", 1991

So, while I cherish our time in the military and all the places we go, sometimes, there's nothing like "home".

Love, Love, Love!

I'm so in love with this Dutch Doll quilt that my Grandmother made years ago before I was even born.

It's on my bed here at my Momma's. 

Each dutch doll is made with scraps of fabric upcylced from their old clothes. I think mostly her old dresses.

This quilt REALLY inspires me!

I love this old picture of my Grandmother and Grandfather from when they were young. I think my Grandmother was only 16 in this picture, and they had just gotten married. She had the prettiest red hair, and he was so handsome in his uniform!

They are both long gone, but their memory lives on in this picture that I have in my living room ,and in my dutch doll quilt!

xo's

Cat

♥♥♥

"Practically perfect in every way"

I have been having the BEST time here with my family! It's been a great vacation so far! I have so much to share but not enough time! I'm enjoying every second with my family since I don't get to see them much.

Ariana was PERFECT on our flights here! She really amazed me how good she was even though I had to wake her up at 5:30 that morning. Everyone on the flights kept telling me how good she was and how cute she was. On the second flight two people in front of me actually turned around in their seats and told me how great she had been and that they didn't even know there had been a baby behind them until we were taxing in and she was chatting away with the lady next to me! I was beaming! I was such a proud Momma! Now, let's hope she's that good going back!

I have been taking tons of pictures but I'm not going to share them all tonight. Since yesterday was Mother's Day I decided to share what I did with a few pictures. It was a lovely relaxing day with my family.

The day before Mother's Day we had a cookout and had some friends and family over. In the middle of the party, these beautiful flowers were delivered from my sweet husband! Everyone oohed and aahed over them!

He totally made my day! He had them put lots of Gerber Daisies in the bouquet because he knows that I really love them! My babe does so good! I love him! He's the bestest!

The next day was Mother's Day, and me and my mom and sister all enjoyed a brunch outside on the patio. I got some super sweet cards and of course lots of snuggles and kisses from my little angel. As always my husbands sweet cards bring tears to my eyes.

We played a little bit of piano in the morning.

Ariana walked the cat (Kylie) around the backyard. Kylie loves walking outside but wasn't a fan of Ariana walking her. She mostly wanted to lay down and enjoy the sunshine.

After seeing some pretty paintings on Riverstreet, Sarah and I were inspired to paint on wood, so we did just that. We got some plywood and did some painting! It was so fun and it was fun to share my new love for painting with my sister! As for the artwork we created that day, you'll just have to wait to see it!

We got out the baby pool for Ariana

With her "sun shades" on hehe

She loved hopping in and out and making the water splash. In the end she scooped out 1/2 of the water from the pool with her little bucket. One bucket at a time haha!

And played in the water hose.

It has been so nice to have some heat and sunshine. The first 2 days I felt like I was suffocating because of how hot and humid it was here. It was 96 degrees the other day. 96 DEGREES!! I just came from 60 (MAYBE 70 degree weather) so that was a huge change! It's been nice though and we are soaking up that sunshine!

Tomorrow we are taking Ariana to the beach for the FIRST time ever! I can't wait!

I hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day weekend. I made the mistake of watching Army Wives (emotional already) on Mother's Day (extra emotional) with my husband gone (over the edge emotional!) Bad idea! I was holding back tears the entire time!

xo's

Cat