Hurry Up and Wait

So I haven't posted in a few weeks in hopes that I would have big news to share.

I thought for sure by the last day of February (Happy Leap Day) we would know where we would be headed this coming summer.   But the USMC has decided to keep us in suspense.  Waiting and waiting and waiting.  Ah, the waiting.  God is working on me with this waiting.  His timing always proves perfect, but my humanness says "but I want to know now." 

 This move will be a big one if we are headed to CA or Hawaii (which are the most likely places for Chris's next job).  I am a planner.  I like to make plans, make lists for the plans, check off the list, and then plan a little more.  But I can't plan when I don't know.  And you know what, I am finding much freedom in the not knowing.  Instead of spending my energy on tomorrow or the next day, I am spending time and energy on today.  Yes, I drive Chris crazy asking him, "So any news today?"  But I actually sigh and almost feel relieved not to know. 

So while we wait, we enjoy our time left here in VA.  We celebrated Valentine's Day with a special breakfast like we do every year.

Chris and I had dinner together after all the kiddos were tucked in tight.  We have had this Valentine tradition since Luke was born.  Since we can't really go out to celebrate, I make something special for us here at home.  While the kids were upstairs taking showers and getting ready for bed, I was busy preparing our steaks, spinach casserole, and loaded potatoes.  Yummy!

Hayley made her way down to check things out before Chris tucked her in and she saw the candles lit and the dining room decked out for our special dinner.  She grinned and said, "Oh, Mommy it's beautiful!  I hope you and Daddy enjoy your special Valentine's dinner, you love birds."  It was so cute. 

And we have had company come to visit with us.

My sister and brother in-law, niece, and nephew came to visit us for 5 days.  We had such a wonderful time I barely broke out the camera.  It was one of those visits where I just enjoyed every moment and now I could kick myself for not pulling out the camera more.

Here is one of the only pictures I took of the cousins (minus Hannah) at the USMC museum.

Oh, my heart be still.  I can't even fathom my baby boy really standing on those yellow footprints at Boot Camp.  But if he chooses to serve his country in this way, the Marines would be lucky to have such a wonderful young man.

Reading has really taken off for Hayley. She was so into reading EVERY word at EVERY exhibit.  So exciting to see the words come to life for her.

And Aunt Holly came to visit us too.  We had a great time playing, going to Target (of course), and just hanging out.

Here are the girls just being silly.

Holly and I even got to sneak away one afternoon and head to Sephora where we had our eye make-up done and we made some fun purchases.  We spent a couple of hours just playing with make-up.  Such a fun treat.

Maybe sometime soon I'll be able to fill you in on our adventure for this summer.  But until then, I will enjoy and relish in the moments today.