Stateside in a Week

Boss: "You're moving to Luke [Phoenix, AZ] in December. But don't pack up yet, we are trying to keep you until March. Ok you can go. No, you can't go. Maybe you can go."

Then two weeks of no news whatsoever.

Now, the movers are scheduled for Thursday. As in the day after tomorrow. And a one way flight from Italy to D.C. is booked and paid in full by the United States Air Force. Unbelievable. I really have to catch myself and realize what I'm saying when I say, "Will is coming home next week." For good. He's going to live in America for at least the next three and a half years. We were living in limbo for so long, not knowing for certain whether he would be moving home next week or in the spring for so long, that all of a sudden it's here and it's really happening. It's as if we've been holding our breath for the last month waiting to find out if some higher power was going to revoke the freedom we were so desperately counting on.

We told each other that it didn't really matter when he came back to the states because we would still be long distance until the summer, but I know that he is so excited to watch American television, have pizza delivered and learn how to use cell phones again. And of course I'm thrilled that he will be a much shorter flight away which means more visits this spring without the hassle of customs, immigration and keeping track of a passport.

Ding ding. You are now free to move about the country.

My nephew David turned ONE year old on Friday. Now I understand when all of my parents' friends say "you were only this big last time I saw you." Although, at this point, I would question their dedication to the friendship if they actually said that out loud. Thanks to the wonderful world of facebook and blogging, I can stalk my friends' babies throughout their childhood so I will never be surprised when I actually see them in person. But watching them grow up as a "grown up" myself comes with a completely different perspective than it did when I was a kid. I was there when David was born. I remember every second of the labor that would culminate with the birth of this tiny, perfect, little boy. At one minute shy of "full-term," he entered the world with an audience that could fill Oprah's studio. There couldn't be two more deserving parents of such a sweet child than Amy and Alex. From the moment he was born, they have looked at him with incredible love and adoration. Every second with him brings them unmeasured joy. It's heartwarming and inspiring to watch. And as his proud Aunt, I have treasured every milestone he makes. I cried when I saw him using a sippy cup for the first time. Real honest to goodness tears of pride. I nearly lost it when he (perhaps coincidentally) responded to me calling his first name out loud. And I couldn't stop showing everyone the photo message I received of David eating his birthday breakfast on Friday. I hope one day I can love my own kids half as much as I love this one.

 This is the look that must be on my face 80% of my day. I know David, it's a "what in the heck" kind of world.

 He hates it when we make him look silly

 I love this one. It looks like he is motioning the waiter for some birthday cake. How polite.

 And there he goes

The cake above was a "bug" cake from Aunt Lindsey. And the little one below was his personal "smash" cake

Time for presents. Cards first. He is so well-mannered.

More Pictures!

My camera's memory card was recovered! A tip of the hat to you, Photo Craft in Burke Centre. Venice, Villach, Salzburg, Florence, Pisa and Munich will now live on in pixels forever.