Hope for the Spring

There are a thousand and one things that make Texas and Louisiana so amazing during the spring: Crawfish Season, rodeos, bluebonnets, warmer weather, evening cookouts, motorcycle rides, and the list goes on and on.

Needless to say, Spring Fever has brought on a bit of homesickness for our little household. 

Even after almost 6 months of being at Irwin, I still feel like we are slowly settling in.  As always, my sweet and amiable hubby has had a far easier time adjusting to our new surroundings by making friends through work and joining every sporting activity that he can: football, bowling, and softball.  I envy his ease at making friends and acclimating to our new surroundings.

I have found this move to be a bit tougher.  Normally, moving to a new place would mean a new job and finding my niche there.  Not working, combined with the occasional weeks alone when Joe is out in the field, the fact that I am huge, pregnant, (a bit) hormonal, and don't always feel like my old self... well, it hasn't necessarily been a cocktail for success.  Don't get me wrong, friends, I haven't been throwing myself into the desert, weeping my eyes out because I miss humidity, grass, and Happy Hour with my girls.  I have definitely been trying to adjust, even though there are times when it is hard and awkward as hell: joining a military spouses' club, volunteering to help with Joe's unit, inviting his coworkers and their wives over every chance that we can, and attending each and every event that is provided on post.  It hasn't been miserable but feeling settled here is coming very slowlllllllyyyy.         

And to top it all off, I feel like I am missing so much back at home.  There is, of course, the little stuff and I think that this is what Joe has been missing as well (which kinda makes me happy that I'm not the only one): seeing on FB our friends back home attending the Houston rodeo or enjoying boiled crawfish on a Friday night.  If I yell one more time, "I just want some damn crawfish!!!" I am pretty sure that my neighbors will think I am nuts (if they don't already).

And, then there is the big stuff.  Both my best friend and my cousin had babies and I know it will be quite a while before I meet these sweet punkins.  While Skyping with my mom and godchild, my little Ira was so shy and looked at me with such uncertainty because he had no clue who I was (heartbreaking).  And then there are my own changes: my expanding belly and the dances and kicks from Adaline that my family and friends will never get to witness first hand.  It all seems so little and silly but it sure does make me miss home.

So, how does one get over homesickness?  I have no frickin clue and if anyone can answer this question for me, I'll be eternally grateful.  The thing that I am learning, however, is that the moments that I have been feeling dreadfully nostalgic, God has thrown me a bone and made life a little brighter.  For instance, Friday night I was mopey and bored and just about ready to pull out my hair... and woke up Saturday with the same feeling (thank God I have a man who is understanding).  Just when it felt almost too overwhelming and I seriously thought about throwing a tantrum in the middle of the desert, we were invited to the home of one of Joe's coworkers and it was seriously the most fun that I have had since we moved here.  Sunday was exceptional and spent with my love, exploring new areas in the desert and taking maternity pics (more to come on this later).  Both days weren't extravagant but they were just what I needed to lift me back up and keep me going. 

I knew from the beginning that this move wouldn't be easy and that plenty of adjustment comes with moving to a new place... but I am hopeful that Spring will not only bring the new little life that we have been waiting for these past 9 months but will also bring a sense of peace and contentment with our new life here.  Today, I am feeling incredibly hopeful about this. 

Now, if we could only figure out this lack of crawfish problem, I am certain that everything else will work itself out! :)