1 down, 4 to go.

Well, we officially made it through our first week with Daddy away. It was significantly more difficult than I had anticipated. Largely in part because we lost a very sweet family friend (Matt D.) last Saturday morning, the morning Mitch flew out to Rhode Island. Matt D. was Mitch and I's youth minister in high school. He gave me my first opportunity to sing for the vocal team at our high school worship service. He was an amazing man who loved God, his family and people... all in that order. I feel very blessed to have spent a year and a half under his leadership in the staff position I held at the church we belonged to in Lexington while Mitch attended dental school. As our "boss", Matt set up one-on-one meetings weekly with each staff member where we could discuss our personal walk with Jesus and discuss how our roll was playing out in the church. I remember numerous conversations during that time that shaped my view of the body of Christ and my own personal faith. Matt D. will be sorely, sorely missed. To read more about the amazing legacy Matt leaves behind here on earth, go here. Many have come to Christ after Matt's tragic and very unexpected death last weekend. Please pray for the very sweet and very young family he left behind. So thankful that they can rejoice in the hope of a future reunion with him. 

Needless to say, the loss Matt's family experienced this week has really put a lot of things in perspective for me. Mitch has been without any communication privileges this week. I finally got to speak with him for 10 minutes yesterday and a little less than that today. Boy oh boy did I cherish those moments. He is doing well, but has a pretty rigorous schedule right now. Let's just say apparently sleep is not too important for Naval Officers. I am particularly thankful because it sounds like his room mate is really nice, that is something I really prayed for. 

Now, as for little miss busy bee over here... this momma is exhausted at the end of every day. I don't know what the deal is, but it seems like ever since Mitch left SJ has been in hyper speed. She is literally into everything.... and I thought she was "busy" at 7 months when she was just starting to crawl. Ha!

 Scarlett found this darling little, antique pram when we were out shopping at a local consignment shop and she just fell in love with it. My mom and I did too, actually. Ha! She has been pushing her babies around in it ALL the time. She LOVES her baby dolls. I love that about her. She is very nurturing and is always concerned about others. For example, if I get her a cheese stick (or anything!) out of the fridge she will always look at me and say, "Mommy, you want a cheese stick too?" 

Here she was letting her babe say "cheese" so mommy could snap a pic...

We walk up and down Nonni and Boo's driveway a lot. Here she decided to sit down in the shade with her babies. We always sing this little song about it being "cool in the shade" whenever we do find shade... that is something Daddy always does so we have to do it too :) 

The amount of popsicles we can consume in one week's time is near ridiculous....

Miss Callie is living it up at Tara! Here she is being offered some dolls to play with... Wonder who was making that offer?

Great news on the homefront, we secured a house in the neighborhood we were hoping to be in in Beaufort. Thank you LORD! We ended up sort-of doing it site-unseen.... I just saw interior pictures. A little risky, but we had no other choice. If it looks at all like the pictures, I think it will work out really well. I ended up leaving some things in our house after we moved, so I am on the hunt for some pieces of furniture, rugs, etc. I am trying not to fret, but I would love it if our new house in SC could be all set-up and decorated by the time Mitch comes home. There is just something about having him come home to a home, not just a house. You know? 

I will update more later. Thanks for reading and please do pray for our precious friend Matt's family. Aren't you so thankful that this life is not it? 

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

John 14:2