The rush to Maryland

From the night Grant found out he got into endo, we started planning what the best course of action for our family would be. Saturday he talked to the program director to make sure this was in fact happening, Monday he talked with the detailer, and by Wednesday he had orders. I'm pretty sure this may be the fastest thing that has ever happened in the history of the military ;) They are usually quite slow in matters like this so we were grateful to have orders and be able to start actually planning the move!

We went through several scenarios including me staying in San Diego to deliver baby #3, etc. knowing that Grant would be crazy busy with school, but in the end we decided we'd rather be together as much as possible, especially through these huge life and family changes, so I would stay as long as a I needed to be able to get movers and then spend a week at the beach house with my family, a trip that had been planned for months already. The fact that we were supposed to be home base for Holly's San Diego wedding in October definitely threw a curveball into things (and the idea that I would now be flying home without Grant, but with 3 kids, including a 3 week old). I was also devestated that Rowan wasn't going to get to go to the preschool we were so excited about him attending. I didn't like the idea of being pregnant and away from Grant and single parenting from 6+ weeks (I know that's nothing for many military families, but it's long for us), but I had faith that although the timing seemed terrible, that he was given this opportunity at this time for a reason and it was going to turn out for the best! I know in 2 years I'll be so glad he's done instead of having another year left (or still applying to the program). 

Grant cancelled all of his patients from that day forward (he didn't even get to really savor his last day practicing as a general dentist) and took the next 2.5 weeks off to get things ready to move (mostly his car that was NOT in any kind of shape to move). The Volvo was still in a million pieces, didn't run, had no wheels or tires, etc. There was a lot of work to be done, so we tried to help him get that done, mostly by staying out of the way as much as possible, but trying to spend time together also knowing that we wouldn't get to much for the foreseeable future.

 We hung out in the yard enjoying the bit of the garden that we could before we left...

 Grant sold the "little blue truck" which was kind of sad...mostly for Rowan (and me beacuse of that although besides my sentimental tendency I really won't miss it at all ;)

 We had some lunch dates to get out of the house...

 We did a LOT of swimming with the Finlaysons, because swimming is the best summer activity for the kids who have become little fish this summer, but also because we knew we'd be having to say goodbye to them in a few weeks too :(

 I became increasingly pregnant ;)

Grant officially checked out from Miramar and had a little going away and got his first Navy paddle, yay :) Everyone was so excited for him and supportive and encouraging even though they had to pick up a little extra work because of his absence. It was such a great clinic with the best people!

 We had some beach trips with friends....look at all these Okinawa BOYS in San Diego :)

Grant's last Sunday in San Diego was Father's Day. We were glad that he was able to spend it with us despite it being a busy time of packing and trying to get ready for him to drive across the country! These boys adore their dad and I was so sad to see them say bye to him. It was probably better that they didn't totally understand how long it would be until they saw him.

And then Monday morning it got real...Grant picked up the moving truck and the tires for his car (the wheels showed up over the weekend luckily or there would have been no way for him to get it on the trailer).

And then Tuesday around lunchtime, he took off with the Penske and Volvo. He picked up his dad in Tucson and they made the drive to Maryland! Grateful Ron could drive with him. I worried less, it gave Grant time to get some things done while he drove and it was good bonding time for them.

Maybe it was good that we only had 3 weeks to prepare for this...any longer we may have realized how crazy it actually was. He loaded up most of the garage in the truck as well as a few things we wanted to make sure weren't lost/stolen/broken, etc in the move. Grateful for a husband who knows how to work hard and get things done. We missed him like crazy while he was away. However, I was glad to have had a few more weeks in San Diego as I wasn't quite ready to say bye to "home" yet.