Homecoming #3 and life after as a family of 3

Wow! Where to begin...I feel like time has flown by since the last time I blogged. My last entry was my anticipation of Caleb returning home and it's been almost a month and a half since he has been home now. I've been meaning to write about his homecoming, life as a family of three and how we have learned (and are still learning) to adjust, and how our precious little girl is growing so much everyday...but have just been so busy, so I apologize!

I'll start with the homecoming. I still remember that day like it was yesterday.  My sister and my two aunts came over to pick up my mom and to help pass some time throughout the day. When they left, I was still in pajamas, waiting for Caleb's text that they had landed. I was expecting him to land around 3:30 pm or later, (his unit would land at an Air Force base in Riverside) and from there, I would wait an hour before I left to meet him on base at Camp Pendleton since they were arriving on buses that would take an hour and a half to get there. I received a call at 3:30, and was shocked when Caleb said that he was on the bus already waiting to depart. He had text me when they landed an hour ago, but for some reason, I didn't get his texts!!!!  HOLY COW! I was still in pajamas, still had to do my hair and make-up, and still had to get Sophie ready. It all hit me at once and I thought I was going to have a panic attack! My husband was coming home!!! When I got on base, there was a professional photographer who so graciously asked me if I wanted her to take pictures of our reunion. I was so touched by her kindness and I will forever cherish the pictures that she took for us.

On our way to pick up daddy! Not the most excited face, but I know she was on the inside =)

Buses parking...he's on one of them! 

Meeting Sophie again after 5 months!

She's a daddy's girl 

My turn!!!! 

The Gowan Three...Reunited at last! 

It has been a humbling experience having to reintegrate again as a couple and as parents. The last time he deployed, we really had no difficulties adjusting when he came back home. I guess we underestimated how much more different it would be with this homecoming! Adding a child into the mix sure does change everything! We realized how little we really did get a chance to communicate with each other during this deployment, with the time difference being the main culprit. Because of that, we have had to work really hard to communicate the way we did before, being honest and open with each other and giving the other person the benefit of the doubt. We realized how hard it was for me to let him parent Sophie as well, as I was the one who always made the decisions while he was gone. We realized how much of ourselves we needed to change instead of expecting the other person to change first...and we realized how much we needed God to help us through this time of adjustment. Deployments sure do take a toll on relationships, but with God, nothing is  impossible and because of this deployment, we are learning more about each other, growing and leaning more towards God, and loving each other more each day. 

In two weeks, we are packing up our bags and heading to Virginia Beach, where Caleb will be in school for two and a half months. We decided it would be best for the family if Sophie and I also came along, as Caleb will be gone for a month long training exercise a week after when we return in August. We definitely want to spend as much quality time together as a family and we are really looking forward to this summer where we actually have the chance to do it. The military will be paying for our hotel room and they are even paying for a rental car for us to use out there! It might be challenging staying in a room with a very active infant, but I'm sure we will find things to do while Caleb is at school during the day! I really want Sophie to learn to swim so I'm eager to enroll her in a class, and might I mention that where we are staying is right next to the ocean?! We will definitely be spending a lot of time outdoors and are even planning on taking a trip down to North Carolina to visit old friends as well! Our motto is, "we would rather be miserable together, than comfortable apart." =) Yup, that's love! 

And what about Angel? 

Angel will be staying at Caleb's friends house who lives on base. He and his wife have a German shepherd dog named Mack, who Angel absolutely LOVES. They kindly said they would watch her and we are so happy that they have a dog that she can play with throughout the day and a huge yard for them to play in. 

A glimpse into our new normal...

Angel's new boyfriend, Mack

Daddy reads Sophie a bedtime story every night. Her favorite is Good Night Moon

Favorite place to nap!

They were dancing so I told them to stop for a quick second for a picture!

Out doing some grocery shopping 

My love

At a friend's wedding at Point Loma

Sophie loves her dada

And dada loves her!

At Oceanside beach enjoying the day

Today Sophie is 6 months old. The little one is up and needing my undivided attention so my blog stops here today! Will try to update later!

"4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails" 1st Corinthians 13:4-8