July 2022 {Our Last Days in Texas}

Over Fourth of July weekend, Jenny & Bret were in Del Rio so they were able to come to SA for a quick visit! It is always so good to see them, and we pick up right where we left off like no time has passed at all. It is not lost on us what a rare blessing it is to have friends that have known you and loved you through it all and just get it--high school, college, and every wonky stage of this military journey! With our life on the brink of such a big, unexpected change, time with them was just what we needed! And what an added bonus to have our kids become friends, too!

This next bunch of pictures was all taken on the Fourth of July. Jenny & Bret headed back to Del Rio that day around lunch time, and then it was time for us to start prepping for the move. (Brady's birthday was the 5th, and the packers were scheduled to arrive on the 6th.) We spent some time purging/organizing, and then Derek cut the grass and we did smores, swimming, and fireworks in the backyard! One of our favorite things about our backyard was being able to see all of our neighbors' fireworks from our pool.

{crocheting poolside}

Then things started to get really real, really fast!

Derek had our route/travel plan completely mapped out before we even knew this move was official. He randomly brought these maps home one day, and they essentially lived on our countertop for weeks. The kids would look at them almost every single day and talk about the trip, where we would go, and what we would see. It got them so excited for the adventure and really helped them grasp what was about to happen. 

The night before our last night in Texas, we had a family date night to one of our very favorite places--Cheesecake Factory! {Restaurants aren't exactly plentiful in Anchorage, so I'm so glad we went when we had the chance!} 

And we spent our very last night in Texas doing our very favorite thing!

Our last morning waking up in Helotes before hitting the road!

I'm literally tearing up looking at that last photo. So many memories in that sweet house. And so surreal to think that as I sit and type these words, it is September 12th. We took that picture on July 12th. Whew. A lot of life has happened in these past two months. Just thinking about it all is enough to make my head spin. It wasn't always easy, but we did it. I'm so proud of us.