London Times

Here are some photos of us in London: Buckingham Palace, Westminster Chapel, and London Bridge.

Oxford

We hit the ground running Monday. The best part of the day was meeting up with our good friend Jacqueline. It was so good to spend time with her. We have lived together for the past 4 summers, and she stayed in Scotland this summer, so it was really special to reconnect. Here are some pictures of us walking around Oxford. These photos show the last sunshine we would see for almost 4 days... England is gloomy... Check out Jason's English breakfast - we hear it separates the men from the boys...

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We are off on our final work trip together. Oh, we have had such a good job...

The picture on the left is our pre-departure photo in front of Dulles airport. You might see our semi-strained faces. Jason was going through our pre-departure checklist at home 20 minutes before we were supposed to leave for the airport. I was a little annoyed when we had to go through every detail - of course I wouldn't forget anything. Military Orders? Check. Passport? Check. Military ID? Military ID? Where is my military ID? We ended up running to work and found my ID card in my computer. My husband has the coolest head in the entire world. He is so calm even in the most stressful situations I subject him to. Praise the Lord for his checklists!

The photo on the right is the bleary-eyed "we just arrived in UK" shot.

Maternity Camouflage

Alas - I am finally in my comfy maternity BDUs (camouflage). For the last few weeks before transitioning to the new uniform, I would just unbutton buttons in order to accommodate my evolving stomach. The last week I had all my buttons open and I tried a rubber band to keep up my pants. Unfortunately I was sagging pretty badly, and I just don't think I looked like a professional Air Force officer. It looks like I wear a tent to work every day, but wow... is that uniform comfortable...

Moving Day

We successfully moved Maria down to the first floor of our townhouse. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to lift much, and so Maria and Jason carried about 700 lbs worth of furniture down 3 flights of stairs. And they did it without making a mark on the white walls! :)

Endorphins

The third trimester began today. It is 9:30pm and I am still awake and feel energized, so I hope this lasts for a few more weeks. I am not looking forward to the infamous energy drain in the last month or two of pregnancy. So far, I have felt great. I pray it lasts! :)

I am still really enjoying running (jogging). It hasn't been uncomfortable yet. I am running easy 10 minute miles or slower and the endorphins feel so good. I just don't feel the same way after swimming or walking. It is funny because when I am running I feel like I'm not really as big as I am. I did a 5-mile run on Saturday and I got some pretty funny looks. One woman cheered - "go mommy, go!" I had lots of encouragement so that was fun. I would like to run until 9 months, but only if it feels right - I *will* listen to my body.

Home Improvement

Jason and Papa Chuck are currently working vigorously on the new door downstairs. We are excited to give Maria some privacy (and quiet) in the basement, meanwhile we will take over her room and convert it to the nursery. Yea!






We also enjoyed having Mama Joyce and Papa Chuck visit us this weekend. We went on an enthralling tour of the Chancellorville Civil War battle sites. The day was 97 degrees that felt like 104 degrees with the humidity. Praise the Lord for an air conditioned car! It was all worth it to visit the location where Stonewall Jackson met his fate... Sorry mom we didn't get to pay homage to his buried arm.