Almost there...

I can't believe this deployment is coming to an end. I remember how I've kept on saying it feels like forever, and here we are, at the end of it! It has been such a journey, but a good one.

I remember how HARD it was saying good-bye when he left in October, with me being 36 weeks pregnant, nervous and anxious about the labor & delivery and whether or not he could come back to see us when Sophie was born.

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 I remember how THANKFUL I was that he was able to get a flight back just two days after she was born to be with us for 10 days and for us to be a family of 3 (plus Angel!). How great it was that we could share, even for a moment, the hardships and fulfillment of parenthood together. 

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I remember how SCARED I was as a new mother, unsure of how best to raise little Sophie, but with the help and advise of family, became more confident in my decisions and myself. There were many challenging days and nights, but God provided in so many ways, from my mom being willing to stay with me in Oceanside to encouragement and support from friends and family.

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I remember how EXCITED I was when we had visitors! Sophie got to meet a TON of family! Great-grandma and grandpa Gowan, Grandma and Grandpa Gowan, Auntie Katy and her kiddos, Uncle Neil and Laura, Great-Aunt Joan, Tania & Genilson, and cousin Ezra, to Uncle Josh and Abi! It was a blessing that so many people came by to visit! It made the time go by that much faster by giving us something to look forward to! 

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I remember how BLESSED I felt by having my family so close in San Diego who loves and dotes on Sophie every day. I'm sure it would have been SO much harder for me if we weren't here in Oceanside with family so close by, and am thankful that God directed us here. She sure does love all the attention, especially from Aunti Ni-Ni! 

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We are so HAPPY that Caleb is coming home and I can't wait to share our reunion pictures. I have grown so much as a person, realizing the love and sacrifice it takes to be a mom, yet wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you all for your love, support, prayers, texts, encouragement, advice, phone-calls and well wishes as we are finishing up this 3rd deployment.  We are so so blessed.

XOXO