Nutshell

WOW. Seriously, time does fly. I haven't posted in over a year. ONE YEAR. 365 days. Ridiculous. The ironic thing is this may have been the busiest year of our lives, thus far. I am disappointed in myself for not documenting more of this past year; not only on our blog, but in every way. The question is not "what happened this past year," but more "what didn't happen." We have been through some crazy times, and now that it is all finally settling down, we are realizing the implications of being so distracted. We are now re-adjusting to just living life and enjoying every minute we have together. We are discovering things we didn't know about ourselves and actively working on the things we want to change.

So in a nutshell...

• Ian deployed to Iraq for 5 months.
• Willow Anne French was born October 2nd at 6:30am, just a measly 5 hours before Ian got back. He was at DIA on a lay-over and he didn't believe me when I told him I had already had the baby.
• We decided to not re-enlist in the Air Force. This was a very difficult and trying decision, as there are many pros/cons being in the military.
• Ian was hired by a new civilian company, as well as the Air Force reserves in Alamogordo, New Mexico (who actually lives in New Mexico, right). The separation from the military and moving to a new city/state happened in the blink of an eye!
• We bought our first home, in the freaking sticks. And a puppy. 

I would love to say life is perfect -- as it may look on paper -- but we have been through some of the top stress-inducing situations and I'd be lying if I said we haven't been effected. It has been a challenge to just sit back and let life happen. We have been in the new house/new town for about 3 months and we are slowly adjusting to life here in Alamogordo. It is a HUGE change from Las Vegas. I'm talking 2 million people, to 35,000 people. A 24/7 lifestyle to 9-5 lifestyle. A Starbucks on every corner to no Starbucks at all. Amazing friends who made the time in Vegas feel a little like home. And last but not least no Target or Chipotle. GASP. So I sound superficial as all hell, but we all get used to comforts such as these. Not all is lost though. We have a Walmart and a Rue 21 (Gag me with a spoon). 

But more seriously, this last move has brought things up that had been dwelling inside. Insecurities about ourselves that we didn't want to admit, communication issues and fears of starting over. Sometimes it takes a shit-load of crap to remind you what you actually have. I have always struggled with negativity, seeing the muck before the sunshine. I'm putting that in the past and actively focusing on the beautiful life we have made for ourselves. I am focusing on loving my family with all of my heart and starting every single morning fresh.