When in Virginia…

On Wednesday evening, after I put Felicity down for the night, Samm and I went to Starbucks for some coffee and a chat. It was really nice to have this little private moment with Samm because we usually do all our visiting via facebook chat or in person with all sorts of random distractions. So, we went out for a few hours and talked a little ’bout everything from RCIA classes and where life had taken her that lead her to the point of finding in her heart that she also wished to receive the sacraments to random family moments and funny memories. You might have also guessed we talked a little bit about a certain Raymond as well ;)  It was nice for the girl time and for a short break from being a mommy since I don’t get too many of those in New York.

On Thursday, Raymond, Samm, Ruth, her boyfriend Chris and his brother Alex, Domonique, Grace, and Fran Gallaher & her roommate, Amelia, loaded up and went to D.C. for the March For Life. I heard it was a great day and am glad they ventured out into the chilly weather for the sake of the unborn. I took Faith and Felicity south to Newport News to see my friend, Angela, and her family for the day. It was a 2 hour drive, not too bad at all, and it was well worth it too! I haven’t seen Angela since May when her hubby, Jason, was restationed after graduating the Nuc Program the same time Lowell did. She and I were pregnant together, Felicity and Jonathan are about 3 weeks apart. They also have a 3 year old daughter, Austynne. So we had a nice day of visiting inbetween cranky kids and breastfeeding. Faith and Austynne are just far enough in age that they don’t get along super great, but I’m sure that will change as they get older. I really enjoy the Eckel’s and have missed them terribly since they moved. Angela and I have alot in common so find it very easy to talk about everything. They are supposed to move to San Diego in 2010, so it is even more incentive for us to really try and get stationed there too. I left their house around 7:30 and got back to Manassas to see Lowell for the first time in almost 2 weeks. He was supposed to get home on the 24th, but the class ended early so he got a flight into VA that afternoon I was in Newport News. I knew he was coming as he’d called to let me know what was happening and wanted to know when I was due back, but I didn’t tell Faith until we were almost home. It didn’t quite register for her until we were walking toward the door and she saw him. She said real quiet, “Daddy?” Then a little louder, “Daaaaaaddy???” Then at the top of her lungs, she screamed, “Daaaaaaaaaddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!” all the while squeezing me super hard. It was definitely the cutest thing I’d ever witnessed in my whole life!

Friday was another great day. Lowell and I went on a double lunch date with Clare and her boyfriend, Brian. First we went to a deli type place called Potbelly and then we went to a Starbucks store Clare worked at last year. It was so nice to visit with each other and get to know Brian. Lowell and I both really like him alot, and we’re looking forward to spending more time with and getting to know him better down the road.

We headed home yesterday morning around 10:00 but we didn’t get home until 8:30. It was an emotional goodbye for Dom and me. I was a little teary all day actually. I don’t know what I would have done without her. She was such a great help and super enjoyable to hang out with during all hose times Lowell was working and whatnot. I also had fun ambarking on the new driver adventures with her! Anyway!! The girls were both grumpy about being strapped in their seats for long periods of time, so we pulled off pretty frequently to let them out and stretch. We were all settled, unpacked, girls bathed and put to bed, by 9:45. I hopped on facebook for a short while before turning the keyboard over to Lowell who chatted with Joseph who has just been stationed in Japan, and a few of his other friends he knew in highschool. So, even after a crazy day, it wasn’t so bad getting settled in. We won’t be settled for too long, though! On Saturday, we are loading up again and flying to California to see my family!

Sorry for the long blogs. I will try to post things as they happen rather than clumping ’em all together :)