Mississippi Moments + My Not So Big "Secret" About Staying Calm While Preparing to Move Abroad With an Infant

Our time in Mississippi is rapidly coming to a close. As soon as this little one arrives we can literally start counting down the days on our fingers and toes of when we'll pack our bags and start our newest adventure as a family of three in a foreign country! It's still all a bit unreal imagining how much life is going to change practically overnight.
I am three days past my due date now, and this week at a crafting night (aka a Super Saturday hosted by my church) a woman I had never met approached me and asked, "How are you so calm?"
I assumed she referred to the quickly expiring due date of my belly, but she quickly rephrased and said,
"No. I just don't get it! You're having a baby any day, and in a few weeks you'll be moving to a foreign country with an infant! How are you not freaking out right now?"
I'm pretty bad at hiding my thoughts so I'm sure she knew my response before I even voiced it. "Why do you ask?"
It turned out her husband wants to move and work in Germany, but she is very nervous about the idea. She told me how her relatives view her as the "black sheep" of the family because until her recent move to Mississippi none of them had ever left Utah. Her story continued and ended with wanting to know how I, a newbie military wife and soon to be mom, could be so calm with so many big changes.
 I felt a little out of place as she threw these questions and compliments at me. I didn't have a big secret to my level of calmness or a post conveniently titled, "10 Tips on How to Stay Calm When Your Life Suddenly Decides to Do a 180." (Perhaps I'll try to create that post in the next few months when I'll see if I'm even remotely qualified to write it.)
Truthfully though, I'm a lot like this woman. I too am from a small town in the West and I too am a bit of the "black sheep". Neither I nor my family ever imagined I would travel abroad, marry an airman, or move to a foreign country. So what is it? What makes me so calm?
I think it boils down to this. Despite my doubts, my lack of knowledge, and my inadequacies on all forefronts, I have one thing that I can cling to. Trust. I have complete trust in God and his plan for me and my family.
When my husband and I talked about joining the Air Force, I felt uncertain and hesitant. Would I be strong enough to face and cope with the challenges of being a wife in the military? In prayer, I poured out my worries and excuses as to why I couldn't be one, but received strong reassurance that not only could I handle this lifestyle, I had been prepared for it. I received an odd and strong confirmation that my experiences prior to the military would guide me and help me feel prepared for the unknown challenges ahead and while I didn't see them at the time, a few are making themselves known to me now. For example, I know my time studying abroad in Meso America and the Mediterranean are really going to help me and my transition in Germany. Those two experiences taught me that I can handle change and they gave me a first hand knowledge that I love learning and exploring different cultures.
So does this mean I have absolutely no worries or stresses about being a new mom or starting a new life in a foreign country? Of course not. I'm no superwoman, but luckily, when you know all you have to do is focus your energy in trusting God, you don't have to be.

This being said, things are about to get pretty busy around here and so I want to share a few photos from our time in Mississippi before we leave it behind. It's been a lovely and HOT six months Biloxi. While here I missed the mountains, cool brisk mornings and the colors of Fall terribly, but you in return graced us with beautiful sunsets, abundant beaches and good ole' southern lifestyle. Thanks for the adventure!


A few of my favorite stills from the area, and yes, a quote by me because I'm vain like that sometimes. Feel free to Pin it if you agree! ;)




Scott and I loved going on walks and little kayaking trips. It turns out I'm not much of a skilled kayaker, but luckily Scott was strong enough to pick up the slack for both of us! These are pics from our little kayaking trip to the stretch of island across from the casinos on Beach Blvd.

Some of the fish you find in this area are HUGE! That scary one in the middle would reach my waist if it could stand!
































 I really loved playing with night photography in this area, hence the three images below.

A little firework show after a nearby Darius Rucker concert!

A day trip to Ship Island with Tech School buddies. They thought it'd be funny to see who had the biggest baby bump at the time. I was 4 months pregnant here.



A little abandoned dock that Scott and I stumbled upon while exploring one day.

Our day trip to New Orleans! Seven months pregnant here.

Scott participating in the Mini Triathlon on base!

At 38 weeks, I finally walked the bridge connecting Biloxi to Ocean Springs! It's a 2 mile walk in one direction, but I had to turn around half way. My body was feeling great, but my bladder was threatening to cause a scene.

Here's a shot of the full length of the Bridge. That was such a beautiful sunset!