Vacation Recap (Photo Style)

Today marks the end of my 2 week 'vacation' which included a week spent in Illinois visiting friends and family and a week of my mom visiting us here in Alabama. It has been a busy but enjoyable two weeks.

Looking back on it all I can see that I really needed the time I spent with my friends and family who I rarely get to see now that the Army has us. Living so far away from them all can be really difficult, and I really miss them all. It was especially difficult after losing Hailey and my dad. Besides Josh, I've had none of my friends or family close by - most of them are 1000 miles away from me. I had made several good friends here in Alabama, but the military, with its impeccable timing, took them all away from me in the time between Hailey being born and passing away. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely alone, my friends and family did what they could, and there were still a few friends who helped us through here in AL - but essentially, during the most difficult time of my life, I have not had my family and friends near me. It had been about 6 months since I had seen most of them. So going home to be with them and being able to spend some extra time with my mom was a huge blessing and something I really needed.

So I wanted to share the joys and blessings that have occurred during my 2 week vacation with some pictures...

I was able to visit with my bestest friend, Ilea, and her fiance (now husband - not pictured) at their pre-wedding BBQ.

Sunday, June 20, 2010, I witnessed and celebrated with my friend as she got married! (And read a beautiful little word on marriage during her ceremony).

The happy bride and groom tying the knot! Love this picture of her dress and veil!

I was able to spend an evening with my brother, my nephew, and my sister-in-law. This is a picture of my brother giving my nephew an underdog! Love them and wish I could have spent more time with them.

I was also able to spend some quality girl time with Josh's mom and sisters. This is a picture of one of his sisters and me at The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Love them all!

And of course, a picture from my mom's visit this past week - this is us at St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach, FL. We had a wonderful time together at the beach, eating out, shopping, watching movies, etc.

So all in all, I enjoyed my two weeks spent with family and friends and filled with lots of joy and lots of love. Miss and love them all!