Best send off ever! (May 2014)

The weekend before my family and I flew back to Germany, we spent the weekend in Atlanta. We stayed with Chanda's sister again. I was super excited to see Chanda one more time before leaving The States for three more years. But Chanda had a scheme in mind. She invited Mary Anne down from Fayetteville. It was the best surprise in the world. I cried when I saw my wonderful friend.

The three of us survived much of a deployment together in Germany. I just love these girls so much. We talked. We laughed. We shopped. It really was the best send off I have ever had. I love you Mary Anne and Chanda! Thanks for a perfect weekend.

TJ's special day (10 may 2014)

TJ chose to be baptized. I am so happy for him! It was a great day. We did it on his birthday. Grandma and Grandpa B came out for the event. We had lots and lots and lots of support from our church family. It always makes me a bit emotional to think of the many ways we have been blessed even though we live so far from actual blood relatives.

I sure love TJ and the young man he is becoming.

After the baptism, we came back to our place for TJ's birthday celebration. Grandma and the girls created an awesome Minecraft sword cake for the birthday boy.

It's great to be eight!

Andersonville with the fam (may 2014)

We decided to take Grandma and Grandpa and the kids to Andersonville. We had a really nice visit. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for joining us! 

Read about my first visit here.

Trying to get the kids to stay together and get along for a photo was a little difficult...

Martin Luther King and Antico Pizza

Grandma and Grandpa B came out to visit us in Georgia. They flew into Atlanta, so we decided to check out the Martin Luther King memorial downtown while we were there.

Next we headed over to Antico Pizzeria, where they make authentic Italian pizza in huge wood-burning ovens. The kids loved watching the guys make and cook our food. Grandpa saved us some good seats outside. It was a beautiful day, and we loved spending it with Grandma and Grandpa.

Stone Mountain, more than just stone (may 2014)

Erick's parents came into town for TJ's baptism. We took them to Stone Mountain:

Diena is always happy to pose for a photo. I promise we did not write with chalk on this beautiful old wood. But it was fun that the letters represented me and my love.