Well, our time in Virginia is drawing to a close. My Coastie will be Petty Officer Stewart in just three short days and then we're outta here!
It's crazy what a life changing five months it has been here. I have learned so much and we have grown so much as a family. It has been a time to set new goals, and make exciting new plans for the future!
When we arrived, Mason was just short of two months old. He still had that newborn smell, and was just starting to smile and track objects with his eyes. Now he is a giggly, chubby baby. He sits up, and rolls over, and grabs at toys, and eats solids, and mimics sounds. He is a different kid since we came to Virginia, and I'm grateful to have had military healthcare so close to keep my little boy growing strong during these first fragile months of his life.
Riley has worked so hard in school. He stayed at the top of his class the entire time, and got 100% on every single one of his exams except two. And those two scores weren't below 80%. Genius. He has grown to love his job even more, taken opportunities to share the Gospel with others, and made some significant sacrifices for our little family. Most notably selling his beloved truck. That white Chevy Silverado was Riley's trademark since his sophomore year of college. It drove us on our first date, to the temple when we got married, and all the way to New Jersey to start our Coast Guard adventure! I know it was hard for Ri to see it go, but it was the right decision for our family, and Riley did it willingly. I am thankful for his strength, selflessness, and support of me as a mother. I know he has my back no matter what, and our time in Virginia has just reaffirmed that time and time again. And we have gotten to snuggle up in a double bed, instead of our queen! Score!
I feel like I have grown quite a bit through this experience too. I had a great community of Coast Guard wives in New Jersey. I miss and think of them often. Here however, we were placed into a huge military community. Our ward is full of service men and women from every branch of the military and at every rank and rate. The woman here have taught me what it truly means to be a military wife (and a sister in the Relief Society for that matter). Regardless of our situation in life, whether you're a new mom, seasoned mom, single, widowed, divorced, we are in this together. While no one can truly understand what you're experiencing, why not let these women, who are as close as you can get, support and buoy you up? My new friends have fed my family, snuggled my baby, and taught me that there is never a bad time for a visit or a phone call from someone who cares. That is something I hope to take with me to Washington and our new base. Reach out. Call the new neighbor. Invite her to whatever you're doing. She may need your support as much as you need hers.
Finally, I have learned to trust The Lord. He has a plan for each of us. And while it may not be our plan, it is the right plan. I will admit that there were lonely times in this little studio apartment. Many of them. Times where I felt isolated. Times when I questioned my abilities as a wife, and a mother. Times when I wanted nothing more but a shower and a Redbox. But in those times, every single one, a quiet whisper came that there is a plan. The Lord is aware of each of us. He knows our situations and our needs. We just need to stop whining and trust him!
These past five months have brought me closer to Him, and closer to Riley. I am thankful for the memories we were able to make as a family, and look forward to the next batch of memories coming! Onward to Washington folks!
Xoxo
