Reasons to like/hate the military

Reasons to Love being in the Military1.) You get to live in interesting places (Germany, Japan, Australia,England, Italy)2.) You get to move after a couple of years3.) If you don't like your supervisor, wait a year or two and you'llhave a new one4.) Making new friends5.) Unique and interesting jobs6.) You don't have to live at home with your parents7.) Guaranteed healthcare and paycheck8.) College tuition paid in full9.) You don't have to figure out what to wear every day10.) All Federal Holidays off11.) Retire after 20 years with a paycheck
Downside to Military Life1.) Long deployments2.) You have to leave your friends3.) You have to move every couple of years4.) You can't quit5.) Early hours6.) Assignments to Korea7.) Long duty hours8.) Inspections9.) Rules for EVERYTHING10.) Congressman decide our pay
Ok, these aren't inclusive, and they are purely my opinion, but I had towork to get some of the downsides. If you have any suggestions, let meknow and I will add them.
We are now fully ready for Halloween, Oh, except for the flower forMercedes costume. Instead of a bride (no veils), we got her a black,cream, and gold cat mask. It matches the dress pretty well, so I thinkshe will look cute, and original. Alexis got the makeup and jewelry forher Burgundy slayer outfit, so she's happy. I am not even going toattempt make-up for Mason with his Itsy Bitsy Spider costume. He'd bethe Itsy Bitsy blob.
Derek invited the neighbors over last night for brisket. I think it wasa nice night and went well. The kids seemed to have fun, though theyended the night yelling and jumping on one of the beds. The food waspretty good, particularly the sugar cookies. There is something reallyaddictive about sugar cookies, you know? The house still looks prettygood too. We got it to the point of being presentable over the weekend,and it does look pretty good. Mason's room is destroyed though. Andours is in desperate need of help. I am going to work on that thisweek. There are boxes that still need to be emptied, so I am going toTRY to do that.
Tonight is my bowling night. Yea?! I am already beat, so there is nottelling how I am going to be by this evening. I have a conference to goto for the next three days, too, so that ought to be fun. No rest forthe wicked I suppose.
Tomorrow is the official 12 week point for Baby number 3 (8). Sigh - Iam having the usual anxiety. Why am I not feeling disgustingly sick?Did I lose the baby again? Why are my symptoms not the same as theywere yesterday? Was that a pain in my abdomen? I really try not tostress, but I don't do so well with that most days.
Derek is doing better with school, though he's still having troublegetting motivated to study like he should. Maybe after the XMAS breakthings will be better. We aren't planning to travel anywhere, so wewon't be stressed about that. He should be able to relax a bit, and bythat time, maybe his leg will be doing better. I think he's pretty muchdecided to hold off from the neck surgery for a while since the kneesurgery has really been a bear to work through.

Busy Weekend

We had a busy weekend. We went bowling on Friday and Saturday night, and then on Sunday spent the day trying to work around the house. I found the couch beneath the three weeks worth of laundry that I needed to fold. I am now down to the last few loads of this weeks laundry, so I am feeleing pretty good. We also found the kitchen counter, so that was also good.

I took the opportunity to sleep in this morning, since for me this is a holiday. It was a nice thing to not get out of bed until after 10. Mason generally has me up before 7 or 8. If I can sleep until 8, it's a "late" morning. I guess that's why I go to bed so early. I know I will be up early.

I think we are finally firming up our dates for our Disney trip next year. The baby is due in late April/early May, so he/she will be several months old when we finally go. We plan to go with Michelle and Brittney and it will be Derek's graduation gift.

Derek made the decision to slow down and stop stressing himself out with school. He would have to take 4 classes a term (including this one). With everything else going on that was just too much stress. He's now going to plan on graduating at the end of the summer term.

I caught a cold when I was in DC last week and I am still trying to get rid of it. Having the cough and the accompaniying crud is really annoying when I have so many other things to worry about. I think it's going away though, just slower than I want.

We are enjoying the new Durango, but I am hoping it is worth it. I still believe the truck and car were going to end up costing us more than the truck Durango does now. Sigh - decisions decisions.

And that's the gist of our information. I know, the same things over and over, but it sure keeps us busy : )

I think everyone has their Halloween costumes now. Alexis is going to be a Burgundy Slayer. Mercedes is going as a bride, and Mason is the Itsy Bitsy Spider. Very cute. Hopefully it will be a nice evening out so I don't freeze anything off since I think it's my year to take them around.