Adam's 2009 Homecoming

Hello everyone! It's been way to long since I've posted anything on here, but since we will be continuously packing and moving over the next 6 months I will try to be much better at documenting our lives - last days in Cali :'( , road trip to San Antonio, new home in Mississippi, etc.

Since our life over the past two years has pretty much consisted of deployments after deployments, I feel it necessary to post Adam's last homecoming and our reunion (and hopefully the last for a few years!).

Adam's Homecoming 2009

-Adam flew the plane in, landed, and taxied

to the hundreds of waiting wives and kids-

-They start filing down the stairs.

Everyone seems to hold their breath until they actually see their husband-

-Finally I see him!-

-No words can describe how we feel in this picture...-

-...or this one-

-I usually cry like a baby, but this time I did pretty good with the tears-

-All smiles-

-So glad to have my Love back-

-Home: Adam and Emmit reuniting. Emmit had to sniff him out for a few minutes-

-And just like that, I lost my favorite furry cuddle buddy-

As Adam requested, photos of us pre-engagement

Leading up to love...

Watching Adam fly a simulator... I'm obviously extremely entertained.

Adam quickly became one of the fam...

At the one and only Will Swillie Crawfish Boil!

Lawrence's Halloween party...

Adam, my soccer coach, and I got to meet Bob Barker that night!

This was at dinner, the night of Adam's graduation from USAF Pilot Training. Later that evening, Adam and I confessed to each other that we "just knew." The very next day, we started talking wedding plans.

Less than a month later, we were engaged!

Adam makes fun of Kim all the way from the desert...

Why doesn't it surprise me that the first pictures to show up on our blog are of the cat. It could have been pictures from our wedding, our apartment or even our new couch, but no we have to show the world our "crazy cat person" side. Love you. -Adam

Okay guys, I promise the next pictures will be of "our wedding, our apartment or even our new couch." (But Emmit is just so much cuter!) -I love you too Adam (and I would say Emmit misses you, but I'm really sure he's enjoying having me all to himself!). More pics to come. -Kimberly

Emmit

First off, I should introduce you to Emmit. Emmit was (and still is) the only addition to our little family. We got him at the Berkeley Animal Shelter when he was only 12 weeks (he's the liberal one of the bunch). We named him Emmit after our hometown hero (Emmitt Smith) and the Dallas Cowboys just to remind us a little bit of home; that and because he's black and also likes to dance. This little kitten has saved my life. He got me through Adam's first deployment when we had only been married a month and a half. Now, he's still my little baby that I can't wait to come home to.
Even Adam likes this cool little dude. :) (Sorry, Dad and Mike!)

Adam swears that I love this cat more than I love him, and he's probably right. I mean look at that little face!
Unfortunately, all kittens grow up so fast and turn into cats (that destroy shoes), but we still love him all the same. This is the pic that gets him back for tearing up my shoes. Emmit loves boxes... apparently any kind.

Somebody's about to get in trouble...

I also immediately taught Emmit where to help Adam pick out his gifts for me. Adam's not too pleased the only store Emmit knows how to say is Neiman Marcus.

My two favorites in the world. :)

Oh, Emmit! We love you!

Welcome!

Welcome family and friends! I thought Adam and I should start a page of pictures and insights into our new home and lives out in California. For Christmas, my mother- and father-in-law gave us a digital camera in hopes of turning us into "picture" people; unfortunately I am originally a Holash and admittedly awful at remembering to document the events of our lives. BUT, I'm going to give it a whirl. (Debbie, I hope this makes you proud!)

Adam is currently depolyed again somewhere over in the Middle East and his departure this time was very different from the first one now that we have actually become used to seeing each other on a daily basis! The highlight of both of our days has been the evenings when we would get to come home to each other (that and my husband will always have dinner ready!). I am doing just fine and trying to keep busy. I tend to either be in San Francisco, completely submerged in work and trying to keep the Gap in style (well, at least the Canadians), or riding BART and reading, which I have committed to reading 27 books this year. So far 7 down and several hours to go! And of course there is our sweetheart Emmit who consistently keeps me entertained. (Though last night he surprised me and chewed up my favorite pair of mary-jane heels... needless to say, Emmit and I had our first fight.)

Adam and I tried to make it back to Texas twice so far this year and both times to no success, so I am currently soliciting any visitors who would want to come stay with me (seriously) and keep me company while Adam's away.

I also should mention I thought it a good idea to start this webpage to use as a bulletin board so anyone who wishes may leave Adam notes of encouragement as he continues to serve our country, proudly, far away from his family and friends and those of us who love him the most. I promise to post pictures of our little home and newfound friends to keep him (and you!) current on what Emmit and I do daily at "home" in Concord, California. Hopefully, this will make the world seem just a little bit smaller when he needs it to.

We both look forward to hearing back from you all! (People now give me funny looks when I say y'all!)

Much love, Kimberly