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 :)