Happy Times

The past three months were really just wonderful. Here is what has gone on with the Holts during this lost time in the Holt Herald.

Remember how I wanted so badly for Jack to make it home on the 4th of July? Well, once he made it back to Kuwait they moved up his company to an entirely different flight group, the one that was going to make it home the evening of the 4th of July! I couldn't believe it that my wish was granted! Jack's ceremony was at 10pm and just in time to celebrate one major holiday during our first year of marriage. 

I can't believe three months has already gone by! It feels like yesterday and forever ago that I saw Jack lined up with all of his soldiers across the gymnasium. The feeling of being in his arms again! Indescribable. All I can say is that it felt like home.

It has been so wonderful to have my husband back. Without him for those nine months, life definitely felt like it was on pause. I was in a perpetual state of waiting. It's like I was living with all of my breath constantly sucked in. And now I can exhale. 

He's home. 

This picture was from the first week that Jack was home. We had a hail and farewell go to. Because his battalion is deactivating, the commander had to "farewell" every. single. soldier. The thing would never end! But we had fun and I got to meet the leadership from his company. Since Jack had become a part of Bravo while he was deployed, I had never met them.

We went camping the next weekend up on the back of Pike's Peak. We found the most extraordinary place. A creek literally bubbled next to our campsite and I washed all of our dishes in it. We love this state.

We went back to Kansas for part of block leave. I said goodbye to my lovely Justine, who is now a missionary in China. The two other troublemakers, Jessie and Sara, are coming to visit this weekend and I couldn't be more excited!

My mom and brother Matthew at the much beloved lake house. Jack and I had the most amazing time there. We can't wait to go back! Matt turned 21 on Sunday, which blows my mind. I remember visiting him at the hospital after he was born. 

My big sister and I.

Jack had lots of fun driving the boat.

My little sister, Sarah. I was her Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters for over three years in college. We still keep up and I go see her whenever I go through Lawrence. She had just turned 5 when we were matched and now she is 9! She is becoming such a little lady.

I don't have any pictures of us with Jack's family, but we stayed with them for half the time and celebrated his sister's engagement. She is getting married in June!

Jack and I traveled to Rocky Mountain National Park during block leave. This was the beautiful drive from Estes Park to Grand Lake. Google maps said it was only 7 miles to drive there, but it took about 2 hours. The town was settled around a beautiful mountain lake, with giant, snow-capped mountains jutting out around us. 

After our trip to Grand Lake, we celebrated our first anniversary together by having Sunday brunch at the Broadmoor. Our most expensive dining experience ever, at $50 a plate! Even though we had only spent three months together (minus one day), we definitely earned the anniversary.  I was hoping we would feel like newlyweds when he came home, and although finally being together was amazing(!!!), we were definitely past the newlywed stage. After all, I had been managing all of our affairs and finances, and we dealt with struggles of a deployment together for nine months. Yep, definitely earned it.

The final part of Block Leave was visiting Gabe and Ariel in Jackson, WY. Here is Ariel and Jack having a tea party. ;)

Just 6 weeks or so before their wedding!

This happened. Our car was parked in the back of the parking lot at Ariel's apartment, and we noticed a couple days later that some water had pooled up... I had to climb on top of the car to get in the car and back it out of the water.

Proof that Jack and Gabe are friends, even though they wouldn't smile for a picture. Dummies.

We visited Yellowstone! These steam pools were pretty awesome but I was getting a little bored after like the 400th one we saw. Jack was ever fascinated of course. ;)

This was my favorite part of Yellowstone. A huge canyon with a river and a ginormous waterfall behind us.

We also saw a grizzly bear and were 100 yards from it. That was cool.

A view of the Tetons from Jackson, WY. Yep, go visit.

The rest of these pictures are full of genuine happiness. Jack and I had just found out we were expecting. Although bittersweet to me now, life at this point in time was just so wonderful.

Our favorite camping spot. This is why you need to come visit before we move.

Emily has quickly become my best friend here in Colorado. And there's my husband photobombing us.

Jack and I being photobombed by Luke. Again, we couldn't get the guys to take a picture together. Dummies x2.

Our little Luna bean.

Puppies galore

Ariel's wedding!

Look at how happy they are. It makes me so happy.

Their last dance.

More puppies, a kitty, and a husband. I love them all so much!

Well, this is everything that transpired before my last post. The last three months were genuinely one of the happiest times in my life. Now is a new chapter. I am hanging onto my faith and my husband and allowing myself to grieve. And giving lots of hugs to my puppies.