From One Sunshine State to the Other...

West Coast is the best coast, they say. Well, I guess we'll find out if that's true because S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E!!! Team Cote just got orders to move to the great state of CALIFORNIA!

No, you don't need to adjust your eyes. You read that last paragraph correctly. We're moving. To California. THIS JUNE. Cue panic and shock and all of the freak outs.

Have we been keeping a secret? Nope. Was this in our plan for 2016? Not a chance. Were we supposed to move this year? Negative. Are we excited? Welllll...yes and no. Is this the most ridiculous thing you've ever heard? YES, DEFINITELY. Here's the skinny on life as of two weeks ago:

Back in January, D got word that he had been selected for a very prestigious list of 60-some top-vectored officers in his career field. Big deal, super proud, he's a rockstar (for real). From this list, a board of important higher-up, big wig-types had the task of placing select officers into spots for 26 different jobs around the world. Long story short, we thought it was a long shot that D was get chosen for a spot. I should stop thinking anything is too crazy for the Air Force because lo and behold, D was selected for a job at a base in Cali and now here we are! Preparing to move to the West Coast for the first time in either of our lives.

To say all of this is blowing my mind would be a serious understatement. In fact, I did lose my marbles the morning D broke the news to me (as one would expect from a hormonal pregnant woman). I'd really washed my hands of the idea that we might even have the slightest chance to be selected for a new job. I know that seems like I don't think much of D and his stellar Air Force performance as an officer, but there were so many other factors involved in selection that I didn't give it a second thought. Probably why I feel so blind-sighted by it all! For the record, D is a bit shocked, too. Also for the record, even though this was totally not in our plan, I'm so darn proud of that man o' mine! He's really the cream of the crop in more ways than one.

Where does that leave us now? Well, for one thing, we've got a house to sell in less than 3 months time. So, that's fun. I'll be 7 months pregnant traveling 3,000 miles cross-country...also SUPER fun. And we get to do all the other typical "moving with the military" appointments and paperwork and pack-outs as with any other move (plus a slurry of doc appointments for yours truly). Needless to say, I'm pooped just thinking of all that we have to do in such a short amount of time. BUT we've done it before and we'll hike up our bootstraps and do it again! If I can move to Europe for 3 years, I can surely handle moving to California, right? RIGHT, YOU GUYS?!

If I could drink wine right now, I'd need ALL of it.

Having an extra layer of stress because our pending bundle of joy isn't ideal, but it's also not the end of the world. I have to keep reminding myself that hundreds of women/families do this each year, so it's not like I'm reinventing the wheel here. It is, however, more than I wanted to handle during this special time in our lives. I'm slowly trying to let go of the romantic ideas of a perfect nursery, seaside delivery, and spending the next year sharing mornings by the ocean with our little beach baby. I hate the abyss of unknown that will be the last few months of my pregnancy. There's only so much we can do from here in Florida, so some important baby-related details will have to wait until we finally make it to Cali. Feeling a bit out of control (and me no likey), but onward we march. 

From the research I've been feverishly doing these last few days, I think I'm really going to like the medical facilities/hospitals in our soon-to-be new home city. I'm thankful that I'll be able to stay with off-base OB care since the base doesn't have that (much like our current base here in Florida). So, that's a bright spot in all of this. Not to mention, the base we'll be moving to is a hop, skip, and jump away from insanely gorgeous destinations like Napa Valley, San Francisco, and Lake Tahoe (yay!). We've always wanted to venture out west and explore, so the travel opportunities that are about to be afforded us are endless and so exciting! Even with a little babe in tow! Can you tell I'm clinging to all the little silver-linings I can find? I am. And rightly so. This is a major life change among some already major life changes happening for us this year, so we need all the little bright spots we can get. Is Tuck going with us? That's an issue still to be determined. He's an old fart that doesn't do well with change and I'm a pregnant fart that is slightly neurotic and we're worried how those two will mesh so far from our lifelines (re: my parents). So, we have some pros and cons to weigh out, but it's likely he'll be back with his grandma and grandpa. That KILLS me, but he'll be a much happier (and less neglected) pup living with them.

Truth be told, we are excited. I'll be even more excited once we start making big check marks on our "to-do" list, but excited just the same. If you have any California or moving cross-country tips for us, please, we're all ears! And if you have any prayers or words of encouragement to spare, we could use a few (or a lot) of those as well. While our world seems totally upside down at the moment, we continue to trust in God's plan for our growing family. His plan is always much more wonderful than ours, I just need to get outta my head and get onboard! 

Cali, here we come!

Air Force Ball 2013

Since so many of you left super sweet comments on the Air Force Ball instagrams I posted last weekend, I figured I'd share some more photos from our night out dancing and celebrating the good 'ol Air Force. Before moving to Germany, I'd never been to real true Air Force Ball. D was in ROTC all through high school and college, so I attended "mock" military balls with him on numerous occasions. In the spring last year, we attended our very first official Air Force ball while stationed here in Germany. Come to find out, these "mock" balls are actually identical to the real thing. This year's ball was no exception. Thanks for all the years of practice, D! 

As I mentioned in a previous post, I really hate the whole hair and makeup song and dance that goes along with these shindigs. Especially here in Germany where I can't find a single hairstylist I'd trust turning my hair into an up-do. By the grace of the hair gods, I somehow managed my own up-do and got complimented on my hard work all night long (BIG thank you to Kate of The Small Things blog for this tutorial! I have WAY more hair than she does, but I think I nailed it!). I also have to say thank you to America and their plethora of formal dress options during my visit home. NOT!!!! I had THE HARDEST TIME finding a formal dress for this ball back in the states. Every store I went to had slim (to no) pickings. I was shocked. Apparently no one in North Carolina goes to any formal functions other than prom...and if it's not prom season, no dresses for you! I did, however, find my beautiful lace sheath dress at Belk in the way back corner of the women's section hiding behind a ladder and a few neon hootchie dresses. Story of my life. While it wasn't exactly what I was wanting in ball dress, it turned out to be pretty darn comfy and fabulous. And as always, D was looking mighty handsome in his mess dress. I can't resist a good man in uniform! Needless to say, while the hype and dress-up was a bit of a hassle, a great night was had by all. :)

I'm Thankful For...

...My AH-MAZING husband. He's the peanut butter to my jelly. God broke the mold when He made D, and He made him just for me. I'm quite sure I'm the luckiest girl in the world. Postitive, actually. I couldn't imagine spending one second of this life without him...and we've built an awesome one together. 11 years, never wavering, and he still gives me butterflies. Talk about some good, good lovin'. I love you more today than yesterday, D...until my forever ends.

...Our wonderfully loving family. D and I are so blessed to have the most caring, thoughtful, and close knit bunch of knuckleheads we've ever met to share our lives with. You guys keep us grounded and remind us of the blessed life we come from. You're absolutely the bees knees and I thank my lucky stars God choose you to be our family. All of you. Even you, Wendy. :) Though we can't be there to share in all the food eating, Christmas decorating, and Catch Phrasing that's sure to happen this evening, just know we're there in spirit (probably kicking your butts too!). The most important thing in life is family and we've got a great one!

...Our ever-growing gaggle of friends. You guys are so supportive and so understanding of what this crazy Air Force life has thrown our way these last 4 years. You cheer us on and keep in touch no matter the circumstances. I freakin' love that. Each of you are important to us in your own special way and I hope you know your friendships are cherished, so much, and we're grateful you deemed us worthy of sharing your lives! I know we don't get to see most of you often, but with friends like you, when we do get together, it's like no time has passed. That's true and beautiful friendship.

...Our sweet Tucker dog. He melted our hearts forever when we brought him home (a week before Thanksgiving) 5 years ago. OMG...that sweet puppy face. I tear up just thinking of him! We miss him, terribly. Every. Single. Day. But we both find comfort in knowing he's very loved and well taken care of with my parent's back home. He gets all the belly rubs and soccer ball throwing sessions he could ever want living there with Grandma & Grandpa! We are so grateful to you for taking care of one of the most precious parts of our lives, Mom and Dad!

...Our health. So many people take that for granted these days. I'm glad D and I have had no major medical problems (thus far). We continue to treat our bodies with respect and hope to be able to use them for as long as God will allow us. I know that sounds so weird to say, but other's aren't so fortunate. I'm also thankful for the health and well being of all of our family and friends.

...Technology. Yep, another strange thing to be thankful for, but without telephones, Facebook, Skype, and this very blog, I don't know how D and I would ever make it out here. Keeping in contact with the those we love is SO important to us. With all these avenues of communication, we don't have to miss babies being born, hilariously themed parties, Thanksgiving dinners, or weekly calls with girlfriends. We love keeping up with every joyous occasion as well as tribulations in all of your lives and we're thankful we're able to share the same with you!

...D's job. While military life can be chaotic and ever-changing, it's provided us with a steady income in a messed up economy, a sense of pride that can only come with serving a purpose greater than ourseleves, and a number of outstanding opportunities to experience a life we never thought possible...most notably living in Germany and traveling Europe! As much as we both miss home, miss the holidays with family and friends, and spending time with each other when the Air Force calls...I wouldn't change a single thing.

...Our gracious and merciful Heavenly Father. Without His constant love and guidance, D and I would be two hopelessly lost people. We may not be the best Christians in the world, but our God is forgiving and patient. He loves us unconditionally, faults and skeletons aside. No matter the day, the hour, or the minute, He is with us. That brings me peace. God always provides for D and myself. He never ceases to amaze us with his many blessings on our family. I find so much comfort in knowing He knows everything about us, every fiber of our being, and He created us in His perfect image so that we might find joy and happiness among the trouble and despair of this Earth. I know He has great plans for our lives and I'm so thankful for His teachings and His presence in our family. I'm also thankful to both of our parents for instilling the need for God in us and for taking us to church every Sunday's to learn His Word. We are lucky to have parents who care about the well-being of our souls. We are also blessed to have such wonderful examples of Christian marriage. Our cups runneth over!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. -Psalms 118:1

As you can see, even with life's uncertain and hectic nature, we all have SO much to be thankful for. In addition to each of these things, I would also like to thank our United States military for all their sacrifices throughout the year. I know many of you are without your loved ones and missing holidays to fight for our great country. That never goes unnoticed in our home. Thank you for all you do to defend our freedom!

Happy Thanksgiving, to each of you! May your bellies and heart's be full today and everyday! Lots of love from Germany!