Peace

This is my favorite post to write.

TJ is home.

I've been pretty quiet these past few days. It's been incredibly wonderful to just take a break and enjoy my family...my whole family.

TJ had arrived in the states about a week before he was able to come home.  As most of you know, he's in the Reserves, which means there isn't much fanfair when his unit returns {although he did mention there was a bit of a celebration when his unit arrived in Baltimore}.  His unit was comprised of fifteen other sailors from all around the country who were also reserves.  They served in northern Afghanistan, and boy am I glad they all made it home.  

If ever TJ  is away {and he has been a few times}, we make a point to have a night to ourselves before I bring him home to the kids.  The kids were so excited to hear that Grandma was going to watch them while I went to go get daddy.

I picked him up at the train station, as he rode in from San Diego.
We stayed in Newport and had a fancy foodie dinner date in Costa Mesa.
I can't say enough about how peaceful I feel with him here.

The next morning I brought him home to the kids, who jumped and screamed and cheered.
They were beyond excited to see him, hug him, and laugh with him.

Here are a few updates from the last four days.

We enjoyed a sunny California lunch at In N Out.

I rode shotgun for the first time in six months as Caleb catnapped on the 55.

Glorious sunset on the 5.

We headed straight to Downtown Disney for what else but Mexican food, lollipops, and Monorail watching. 

Sunday morning we treated ourselves to Aquarium passes and enjoyed the day.

Showing daddy the jelly fish {that you can actually touch} was his favorite.

Lilly just wanted to stomp around by the tank that made waves.  Adventurous girl.

Did I mention that Lilly turned THREE??

We had a small celebration at Grandma's during Sunday dinner.

Super Lilly is a new staple around here.

Celebratory dinner at Rubio's for LC on her birth day.

Three looks good on her.

Store bought cake.

Make up messy mouth.

Cheesey.

And finally the Screamin' Serpent has been completed...
Five hours, six feet, ten bruised fingers and four broken nails later, it's done.

I still can't believe he's home.
Give me a million dishes, a day full of meltdowns, two weeks of sick kids {which is still rollin' over here}, endless loads of laundry.  I don't care.  I'm so at peace doing all of it.  My best friend and partner is home.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.