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Stephanie Howell

reading, organizing, shopping, momming too close to the sun. Home is wherever the Army sends us.

a joy,an honor,and a privilege

i get a lump in my throat when i try to explain how special our time in savannah was to me.

i start to type and i backspace…and try again. then the same thing happens. type,backspace,try again.

i simply can’t verbalize how much i treasured our time here.

type..backspace..try again.

it was a gift. i had the privilege of getting to know (and completely fall in love with) the most amazing group of women i’ve ever known. smart,beautiful,witty,accomplished,strong as hell. and saying goodbye to them makes my heart ache.

and that’s just the women.

not to mention the men…the heroes. the bravest of the brave,strongest of the strong,best of the best.

and the city…oh the city. i will love it as long as i live. savannah has a piece of my heart.

on tuesday i attended jimmy’s change of command. it is,quite simply,exactly what it sounds like. he handed over his company to a new commander. it was a day full of tradition,somber moments,funny moments, and speeches.

with that being said…i didn’t think it was appropriate to bring the babies. that’s why you won’t see them in these photos.

it was a joy,an honor,and a privilege to be a ranger wife. and next year i will be a student’s wife. and i am ready. ready for a break. ready for us to be together for every day for a year.

but as i left savannah i had tears streaming down my face. because everything about my time in savannah was a blessing.

i thought i’d share some of my photos from the change of command….and i thought it was a beautiful way to say goodbye to the town and the people who won me over.

love to you all-

S

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Comments

  2. THANK YOU, to J and to all the honorable, brave men and women who serve our country. I teared up looking at those photos. What a beauiful family, Stephanie!
    May your next adventure be full of happiness, friendships and love.

  3. How SWEET are those flowers? 🙂 You all look gorgeous and you, esp., look like you couldn’t be happier! Enjoy your next year! xoxo

  4. Beautiful photos Steph, you all look amazing!!! Good luck with the move – you’re only 13 hours away from me now :)(driving, that is) I’m sure RI will be ‘home’ in no time…

  6. What a beautiful post! You and your family are truly inspiring! We loved Savannah the short visit we had there. Best wishes for you next year together!

  7. Lovely photos. I know leaving places and people is bittersweet. You will keep those good friends I know — I just spend the weekend with a friend from just such an experience and a place that will always be in my heart. We hadn’t seen each other in 3 years and it was as if we’d never been apart. Looking forward to getting together with you once you’re in Rhode Island!!! Best wishes.
    ~Beth

  8. Beautiful pictures! Enjoy the last wee while in Savannah & I’m sure you’ll treasure all your wonderful memories there.
    I hope your move goes smoothly & soon you will be laying down new memories to last you a lifetime.
    I wish you all joy & health in your life in Rhode Island.

  9. Once again, the way you share your heart is just beautiful, and brings tears to my eyes.
    I am so thankful for the selflessness of military families such as yours.
    Beautiful pictures. You look like a southern belle in your pretty green dress alongside Jimmy and the girls.
    Many blessings on your new as you settle into your new home, and begin a new chapter.

  11. Oh! I love changes of command! Love, love, love them! The ceremony, the speeches, the traditions, all of it! SO glad you got to be there for this one! (I’m also a big fan of sugary bakery cake … it’s not an Army event without cake, right? LOL! Just another reason to love changes of command!) Everyone is pretty as a picture!

  12. Love this. So happy and excited to read what your next year brings. Beautiful pictures.

  13. Thank for sharing. Look forward to hearing about all your adventures in the northeast.

  14. Beautiful post…My hope for you is that you make as good or even better memories during your time in Rhode Island…good luck with the move.

  15. What a beautiful post Steph, you had a lump in my throat girl, and i feel for you but i also know like you do that this is going to be an amazing chapter in your life. The first time in EVER that you will all be there as a family. best of luck with the move, my thoughts are with you

  16. Such a sweet post. I was sure you would be sad to leave and I will miss hearing about Savannah. (sniff) But I am so looking forward to hearing all about your new adventures and gazing at more photos of your sweet family. Together. Under the same roof. For the NEXT. ENTIRE. YEAR. Woo hoo! xoxo

  17. So happy for you all and yet, I can’t even begin to imagine the emotions that go along with being a Ranger’s wife. You must so so so proud!!!! Best wishes as you enter a new chapter in your lives. 🙂

  18. Beautiful post! I will miss hearing about Savannah from your perspective. Best of luck in your new home.

  19. I love reading your blog – it gives all of us a glimpse into the life of a real Army wife and mom. Your scrapbooking is gorgeous – your journaling always touches my heart! It is so clear that family is your priority and you share that with your readers with an open honest heart! So happy that Jimmy is back safely with his family. I admire his service and your family’s sacrifice.
    Looks like he will be home with you guys for the next year – that is such wonderful news! And I believe you mentioned something about being a student? Is he leaving the Army? I’m sure you mentioned it – I just don’t remember reading.
    Have a safe move – many blessings to your family!!

  20. Gorgeous pictures, you will have so many wonderful memories and I cannot imagine how hard it must be to move so many times!
    I wish I could get Harper’s dress in an adult size – it’s very cool!

  22. i think one of the great blessings of the military life is how many people and places we learn to love. how many people become family and how many places become home. these are precious pictures steph…and you know i’m so excited for y’all as you move on to this next adventure! hope you’re enjoying the trip!!!

  23. It looks like it was an incredible way to say goodbye to a beloved town and post. So happy for you and your family to enjoy a year together!

  24. S, you represent the BEST military wife. You pack your bags and move to an unknown place and embrace every bit of life. I am sure you will explore nooks and crannies in RI and beyond as this year flies by. The best thing about the military is the lifelong friends you meet along the way!
    maggieb!

  26. Beautiful photos! Good luck in your new home. So happy for you all to be together again. Thank you to you and J for your service to our country!

  27. beautiful! as someone who has moved more times that I care to count, I know what it’s like to leave friends and a town that you adore…heartbreaking…I always tried to think of it as an adventure, and new wonderful things await you…lovely photos, thanks for sharing…and green is good on you girl!!

  28. Beautiful!! I’m looking forward to seeing Connecticut through your eyes….and so happy for your little (ha!) family and this upcoming year. It’ll be a cool experience for you all!

  29. Hello Stephanie!! I have never commented but have been following you for several months now … found you through MME. After reading this post I just had to comment … as it (your pictures especially) brought tears to my eyes and I wanted you to know how much I appreciate all that your husband, as well as all of our other military personnel, does for our country. In addition to my thanks and appreciation to the military personnel I would also like to express it to you, your family and all the other wives, children and families that sacrifice so much for our country (my nephew is in the Air Force). You are all a true inspiration. Thank you for sharing your family and your piece of Savannah with us, your readers. I can’t wait to follow you to Rhode Island for all your newest adventures. Good Luck!!!

  32. Oh, Newport. My favorite, favorite assignment yet… And we are in Europe now! You will fall in love, I promise. Looking forward to seeing it through your eyes. I am sure it will be magical!