More than half way

8 weeks down, 5 more to go here in South Carolina.  My mom asked me the other day if Daniella has picked up a southern accent yet.  The fact that she says "pawty" for "party" and "dawggie" for "doggie" makes me think her NY accent will hold out!

2 weeks ago Dan began Phase 2 of his Chaplain Course.  From a family perspective, this second phase has been much easier to cope with as there's more of a routine to each day/week.  He has lunch with us almost every day and spends every evening with us.  The weekends are ours now, too, which was different than our first month here.  He still has to wake up at 4:30am every morning to get ready for PT (which means we're both up), but I think that's just our new way of life now!  Dan was given the responsibility of Platoon Leader over his platoon which has been an overall positive experience thus far, as well (there are 4 platoons that make up the entire class of chaplains or chaplains-in-training, his is the 1st Platoon).  

At this point in the summer, we're not wishing away our time here at Fort Jackson but we are looking forward to settling into our home and finding community up at Fort Drum.  It's hard to let my pregnancy nesting instincts loose here in our hotel suite :).  At the same time, it's become extremely obvious to me how important this summer has been for our family here.  We've been learning so much as we prepare to truly start the next chapter of our life as Army Chaplain and family.  It has been a blessing to be poured into by the army wives in my PWOC bible study and for Dan to have an awesome Chaplain instructor over his platoon that he can gain experienced perspective from.  God has been preparing us for the road ahead in so many ways.  For me, it's daunting to think of mothering 2 little ones in a brand new setting... but I'm trusting God's perfect faithfulness and calling.

So our countdown has begun to starting life in the real world, in a real home, with real ministry responsibilities, real friends (hopefully) and neighbors, and no more daily housekeeping (darn!).  5..4..3..2..1.. Fort Drum.

"My Dad is in the army and he loves me!" We got her little sister one too :)

We're having a...

GIRL!!!

Daniella's going to have a little sister!!  We are thrilled knowing we're getting the gift of another beautiful daughter, and glad for the positive medical report from today's ultrasound!  Thanking God today for His blessings and perfect plan! :)

Meet our 2nd daughter...

 

and her cute left leg...

 

 

Feel free to send name suggestions our way! ;)

Moens invade Fort Jackson

This past weekend we welcomed our first visitors -- Moen family members!  Dan's parents, younger bro, older bro, wife and 3 beautiful daughters stayed here at the Fort Jackson Inn for the July 4th holiday weekend.  It was a wonderful time of fun, sun and family; I don't think I could've imagined it going any better!  Daniella LOVED being with family, especially her cousins... especially Julia, her cousin closest in age & size :).  This video shows the cousins playing together before we all headed out to experience the Water Park on post together!

At one point in the weekend I said to Dan I didn't feel like we were in the army in SC anymore, but felt transported to a random vacation destination with family.  We didn't do anything super glamorous, just swam, ate (a lot), played together and laughed a ton -- it was perfect!  Having people close to us catch a glimpse of us in our new army surroundings (although still quite temporary here in SC) was important.  They attended the chapel service we go to on Sundays, stayed in identical suites that we're in and met classmates of Dan from the Chaplain School.  One highlight was Dan baptizing his oldest niece, Marissa, at Weston Lake here at Fort Jackson; what a beautiful morning and memory that was!

The last night of the weekend, the girls played together before bedtimes in our suite.  Daniella was having the time of her life!  Check out this video of Uncle Dave trying to teach her to catch a ball... about 30 seconds in you'll hear a loud gas-passing - that would be Daniella.  The hysterical laughing afterwards would be me (some people never grow up!).

I felt refreshed being around people who have known us all/most of our lives and beyond just the last 6 weeks.  Their visit reminded me of the importance of our families as well as the blessing it is to have a shared faith in Christ and encourage one another just by being together.  The biggest compliment I received came from my loving mother-in-law when she told me I'd come a long way to be able to discuss the realities of potential deployments down the road.  I was reminded of how that possibility seemed unthinkable just a year ago.  For that I praise/thank God as He continues to work on my heart and is stretching me for His glory. 

Another Moen cousin to add to the mix, coming to a Moen household not too far from you... November 2011!