Peace

Since the beginning of summer it has seemed a lot like life has been happening around me.  There were moments where I just felt at the mercy of what was going on around me.  Don't get me wrong, there were many wonderful days and celebrations- but there were lots of days where it seemed like I was just getting by a day at a time.   Fortunately for me, summer culminated in an indescribably, much needed 10-day get away, complete with a week to the outer banks (a yearly tradition that has been missed for the last 2 years) and celebrating my Momma's 51st birthday.

The only word I can use to adequately describe our week at the beach with my in-laws is peace.  I felt completely at peace.  No house-hunting, no appointments, no (very little) work.  I slept in, I ran (!!), I walked, I ate (a lot), I sat my butt in a chair everyday and read and tanned.  I spent an entire week of uninterrupted time with my favorite person on earth and my pretty awesome in-laws.  I am feeling so re-charged and ready for the next 2 months of work before my next, much shorter break.

I'm looking so forward to finding a house again.  I was getting so frustrated searching everyday, multiple times a day.  I know we are moving into the slow season as far as purchasing real estate is concerned, but right now I am just looking forward to buying a home and filling it with lots of wedding pictures-which remain in digital form only, wedding gifts- which remain stowed away at mine and T's parents, memories and traditions, and someday soon, a family.

I'm looking forward to doing some more running. T and I are planning to run the Wounded Warriors Project Race Around The Lake.  Its a short- 4.7 mi- race that I think will suit us well right now, considering that we haven't considered ourselves runners since last October's Army 10 miler.  I'm really looking forward to this race because I'm confident I can conquer this distance after almost a year off and because the Wounded Warriors Project has done so much for Tory's family in the last 2 years.  Maybe this race will become a yearly staple for us and will help to prepare us for future ATMs that we plan on conquering starting again next year.

I'm looking very forward to seeing family again this fall and celebrating my cousin's marriage.   I'm really excited for the temps to drop a little and to start feeling the warm and fuzzies of fall and the Holidays waiting just around the corner.  With any luck, we'll have a house of our own to decorate for Christmas.

Clearly tonight, I am feeling so at peace with life- even with the impending 10 hour work day ahead of me tomorrow.  I am feeling ready to take on the world.  I can not believe how severely I underestimated my need for a break from life, work, and responsibilities.  I will never ever let myself or my family go 9 months without a break ever again.

Goodbye Summer, I'm welcoming this new season with open arms and a big, joyful smile.