7.17.2011

The Next Chapter ...

Early this morning I heard the soft tap, tap, tap on the hotel room door. A sound I was anxiously awaiting. An arrival that was long overdue. I knew he was coming. I just didn't tell the girls.

The flight landed an hour earlier than expected. It usually does. Though this time it was bittersweet, as with our jet lag, I knew there was no way I could get everyone up and dressed and dragged to the airport hours before the sun rises.

It's been a year. A year filled with change. With challenges. With accomplishments. With love. There were moments when it felt like the year would never end. There were days and weeks when it felt like it was flying by so fast my head was spinning.

I answered the door this morning to the weariest of travelers. One who has spent the last thirty hours making his way home. To his new home. And family. Who couldn't be any more excited to finally have him back.

It has been equally tough for him to be away from his family. Long hours. Seven-day work weeks. Months in between R & R trips. Everyone concentrated on how I was doing, yet often forgot that it wasn't exactly a picnic for him either.

For the first time in 364 days we don't have to look at a calendar and worry about a count down or missing a moment. Instead, we have the final walk through and inspection on our brand new house. We have the opportunity to finally relax for a few days before the the chaos of the movers, the boxes, the mess sets in. We have new memories to build together in Virginia.

Today we are closing one door and opening another ...

42 comments:

Robin said...

Hurray!!!!!!

Welcome home, safe and sound, and welcome all of you to your new life!

Mrs.T said...

Welcome home, Matt! Hooray! I'm so happy for you all!

Ms. Sarah said...

Welcome home Matt Welcome home!!!

Christy said...

HURRAH! So happy for you both that you're finally reunited. FOR GOOD! xoxo

Z. Marie said...

Yay! Glad he's back, glad the house is on schedule, glad you'll soon have every cookie sheet you've owned over the past zillion years reunited under one roof ...

Connie said...

This is the most important part of all the moving you have endured! Welcome home to ALL of your family... even if you aren't quite into your new home yet! :)

Donna said...

You made it! Enjoy your family time - you've all earned it.

Managed Chaos said...

So incredibly excited for you as you start your next chapter...TOGETHER!

Anne said...

Oh happy day!!

Shannon said...

SO very happy for y'all!

Kate said...

Congrats! So happy for you all.

Kat said...

Makes me cry happy tears for you. What a reunion! Enjoy and relax and love it all. Even the chaos of the move will be okay now that you're all together again. :)

amy said...

Blessings on this new chapter of your family life. Many great thoughts coming your way and remember to take big deep breaths when it gets a little hectic

mosey (kim) said...

I'm weepy with happiness for you all!

Kristen said...

Congrats to you guys! Enjoy this sweet sweet time together!!

Emily said...

I am so excited for your family! What a fantastic day.

Sadie said...

Welcome home Matt! What a wonderfully happy day for you all! And your post made me tear up a little - enjoy this blissful (last!) homecoming.

Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovement said...

A GREAT BIG Congratulations to all of you! And a GREAT BIG Thank you to your husband for his service!


Take care,
Pam

Kirsten said...

I got a little choked up. So happy for you guys. Welcome home to Matt!!!

Laural Out Loud said...

Yay! You survived! It's going to get fantastic from here :-) Enjoy your time together as a reunited family and your new home!

Issa said...

This made me cry. I'm so happy for you. So very happy for all of you that Matt is home.

AMS said...

Wow, just got chills reading this. Congratulations to you and your family.

Maggie, Dammit said...

Welcome home to him, and thank you both for your service.

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Welcome home, Matt!!!!!!

I can't find my blog said...

Congrats on a long year being over. Enjoy!

anymommy said...

Such joy. Wishing you a year of togetherness and quiet. (And many more.) I can't believe that I remember when he left. Such long-time friends I am making in blog world.

Unknown said...

Congratulations in having everyone back together again for good. Enjoy!

Becky said...

Welcome home! I hope everything goes smoothly with the move. So happy for all of you!

Daniela Swider said...

So thrilled that he is back and you are together again! This has been a tough year for you guys. You all must be in heaven! Enjoy!!!

Mom24 said...

Yay!!!! I hope the transitions ahead are easy and wonderful. You all deserve the best.

Kelly said...

{{sniff}} made me tear up!! Congrats on surviving this year apart and wishing you guys the best as you start your new lives in VA!! :)

Bfiles said...

tears over here, too!
Welcome home to your husband and congrats to all of you for making it through! You are an inspiration.

Nomads By Nature said...

Awesome! Smiling big for you and wishing you a smooth start into your newest chapter. You've earned it!

Sadie said...

This week’s State Department Blog Round Up is here, and you're on it!

http://sadieabroad.blogspot.com/2011/07/state-department-blog-round-up.html

Please let me know if you have any objections and would like to be removed. Thanks for the submission!

Domani Spero said...

Welcome home to Matt! Glad you're all together again.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful news! Congratulations on the new home and getting to stay together again. I'm sure that year went much more quickly for the rest of us than it did for you!

Jen said...

So glad he's back safe and sound....now we need to celebrate!!

Anonymous said...

late to the party -- WOOT WOOT for Matt being home!

C and H Romenesko said...

Congrats! Enjoy the next adventure!

Brooke S. said...

AAHH!! How exciting! What a sweet thing to be together again as a family :)

fsowannabe said...

So happy for you that this is over with. How's the new digs? Getting settled?

Lisa said...

that gave me chills, Jill. So happy for your new chapter to begin!

Blog Designed by: NW Designs