Housesitting at Traci's. Couple weeks before we left Kentucky.Beat sobs and tears leaving Kentucky. All the way to Nashville en route to Alabama. In Alabama, we met Ryan, in chik-fil-a, and my heart cried some more. Because even though it had left a place, it had found it's home again. (not chik-fil-a, but Ryan, thank you. and Chik-fil-a was the only thing with a playground in site, out of the humidity)
It cried proud tears during Air Force Graduation (and I have said, if you get the chance to ever attend a military graduation. Go. Without hesitation. It was moving and reminded me that this country is grand and that it's people are good. )
Ryan upfront. Squadron Commander. Part of his group of 130.
One week later my heart left dang Montgomery (sorry, but it was not a place I would need to visit again) and drove to Paduka, Kentucky, through St. Louis' Arch, then onto to Independence Missouri, where it was touched some more. By the early saints. And the Prophet Joseph. And all because of our Savior.From there we went through corn fields and small towns where my heart felt the beauty of our country. From sea to shining sea. It is beautiful. We stayed over in Nebraska and then Wyoming. 2 cars carrying 1200 pounds all the way west.
My heart met neighba-lady in Salt Lake for lunch. And then travelled up to Mountain Home. Where it cried tears of love for seeing family again. The truck unloaded us and then my heart traveled back down to Salt Lake to see a sweet baby blessing and to be reminded that good friends have made my life much richer. We came back to Mountain Home for a couple days and then traveled onto California. To meet more family and cousins and be reminded that 3 years away from a grandparents house was too long. My heart got back to Mountain Home last week.
And my heart teared up in church at our new ward yesterday because it misses the old. And at Tanner's school today. Because I watched him play by himself. And I know. Adjusting to a new place takes time.
My heart beat contentedly at Sunday Dinner with grandparents and family because that had been missed all these years. And it laughed at Ryan who has been pulled over three times in the past month (twice on base) and once in town here. Because everyone drives 10 under the speed and he was driving 5 over. Get it right Captain.
And so my heart goes on. Trying to get set back on the same beat as before. Back to the daily routine. Laundry and grocery shopping. Watching kids. Figuring out this military wife thing. Taking care of my home. Where my heart beat means the most.
And so my heart goes on. Trying to get set back on the same beat as before. Back to the daily routine. Laundry and grocery shopping. Watching kids. Figuring out this military wife thing. Taking care of my home. Where my heart beat means the most.
22 comments:
You have seen more change than anyone I know and I am in AW of your strength sister! Love you guys tons!!!
I love you. Your post made me cry, not only 'cos you have had so much goin' on but also 'cos you are able to handle things with such grace. Im glad you made it up to Idaho with the fam safely. :)
Your a such a trooper. A strong mom and wife. We miss you here in Kentucky, but I'm sure your real family is just as good as the kentucky family. :)
We.miss.you. It's interesting how you can know someone for such a short time period, yet still be touched by their example and friendship.
Come to Bakersfield someday for an extremely long visit!
My heart totally misses you! What a whirlwind experience that I think only you could handle with such grace and strength. Your post was beautiful and I have been waiting to see life from your blog for quite some time (so lonely). Tell Tanner that Dylan misses him tons and I'm sure he'll be the most popular kid in no time. Congrats to you all for completing training and driving across the country. We love you guys. I'm glad everything has worked out so well. I'm jealous of your family but happy you are reunited! We love you!
Beautifully written post . . . if you wrote books, I would buy them the day they were released.:) Just a warning, it took "my heart" about a year to finally switch over to the rhythm of Colorado after Kentucky. That darn Louisville is just too good of a place to let go of over night. Enjoy your family, they'll help that year go by faster. Congrats on surviving your journey, it makes me tired just thinking about it.
I have missed reading news about your family, but knew that you had lots going on. Wow- you have been keeping busy. How nice it must have been to be with family again and spend some quality time together. Someday we may be a little closer too. The family pictures are beautiful and I especially loved the one where you were all dressed in red and blue-very patriotic. I wish you a wonderful life in Mountain Home.
Lacey-You are such an amazing example of strength and perseverance. I know all about the military...my dad spent 24 years of his life in the Air Force and I married a man who spent 6 years in the Army-after I said I was done with military life and would NEVER marry anyone in the military.
After all you've gone through being a military wife will be a breeze!
We have been thinking about you and wondering how your family is doing...even Dave will ask me occassionally, "Have you heard anything from the Williams? They OK?"
Yes Lacey...you're heart has been throug the ringer...my goodness. I hope you find so much happiness out in Idaho. I sure miss having your beautiful influence in my life regularly. Love you.
lacey your post left my heart feeling so much. thank you. you are such an amazing woman! next time you are down in salt lake you HAVE to come for dinner and visit...it has been waaay too long! love ya girl :)
We just drove past Mountain Home last week on our way home from Utah and I thought of you and wondered if you'd made it there yet,and my heart pounded a little harder, remembering how hard the transition to Idaho was for me, and then smiled when I thought that a year later, the heartache, while not gone away completely, is softened by the joys of a years worth of family experiences. And I felt for you, knowing how overwhelming it must all seem right now.
You can and will do a marvelous job at transitioning, of that I have no doubt. Just take it one day at a time!
And PLEASE, when you feel like you are on top of the unpacking, or just need a break from life, COME AND VISIT!!!!! I would LOVE a visit from my old Kentucky friend!
It's wonderful to hear from you dear friend. We are very glad that you are at your new home safely. Keep us posted :)
Thanks for the update- I know that you have been beyond busy... It is so great to see picture of your family- Ryan looks so handsome in his uniform!
We miss you too! Glad you made it okay!
And I totally feel for Ryan... I am a huge "5 over is okay" believer. Especially around the 55MPH limits here on the freeway!
It was so good to see you after so many years, it made my heart happy to sit and chat with you about life and family. I'm glad you made it back to Idaho safe and sound but I definately think you need to plan another trip to Fresno soon so we can do lunch. You are such an inspiration to me, I so admire what a fabulous wife and mother you are. Please keep in touch! I promise I will post my fondant recipe soon!
its not hard to believe that Ryan was a good squadron commander, being the oldest, he was always commanding us around!! we love and miss you guys
you'll be missed forever...
Ryan looks so professional in his uniform! You must be so proud of him, I get a bit teary just thinking of it myself.
I hope for some reason you pass this way again.
Melissa
I love all of you so much! I love all of those pics at the graduation. Wow am I a lucky Grandma
Glad to see you back on. Welcome "HOME" to where ever that may be the next few years. Consider the moves, the new friends and new places an opportunity to only stretch and strengthen your "poor ole'" heart muscles. You will be amazed at how big and strong it will be become - isn't that what it is all about?
Lacey You so amazing and so are all of your kids! Don't worry about Tanner he is such a loving little boy he will have a ton of friends in no time! You already know how I feel about you, I stand in AW every time that we talk at what an amazing person you are. And very soon your life will be full of new friends that I won't have time enough for all of them. I love you and your family so much and can hardly wait to see you again!
What a beautiful post. You're such a strong woman. I can't believe all of the changes you have had in your life just since we left USU. I love all of the red white and blue in the graduation pics. I bet you're so happy to be closer to family and of course out of the humidity. Can't wait to see more updates.
Congratulations to Ryan! I miss you and our nursery talks!
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