Phew! Can we have a break now?

Well, Christmas is over now. We are celbrating BD's birthday tonight, then New Year's in a few days. Boy things have been crazy! I need to write a paper and take a final for one class before I go back to work on Wednesday. The boys go back to daycare then as well.

Now we get to spend the next five months being broke : ( Oh well. We will survive. It's not the frirst time. The cost of living, the drive, and the number of people we support makes it more expensive. I think the cost of living is one of the biggest things throwing us off, but I will get used to it in another month or two.

Lots going n and I will try to sit down and write it out for you. For now, know we are thinking of you and wishing you well.

Oops, didn't post this

OK, at some point the grocery bill needs to mellow out. This last one was HUGE. Part of that, I think, was due to the move, but more so because of the holidays coming up. I am grateful that we won’t have that again for a while. We are going to smoke our turkey, whose name is Bocephus (sorry Hank). Ms. Lala and Bubbles got the girls into naming their turkey’s, so we decided we would have a redneck turkey. No real reason why, but it was kind of funny to listen to the naming process. Do you know how many hick names for guys start with a B? It’s weird. Try to think of a non B hick name for a guy. If you come up with a good one, let me know.
We are also going to do the ham (which is especially important in case Bocephus doesn’t turn out well). Along with the standard holiday fare, I expect to have a nice meal. We are hosting one of the single people from work also, so that will add some variety. Unfortunately, he has no idea how crazy it will be. Oh well, I expect it will be fun. We will break out the board games and the Wii and stay up late. Of course, the kids will have their new toys and stuff, so they will be in hog heaven I imagine. I have the week off as well, so I intend to use it to work on a paper for class, and to work on getting the house cleaned up. I need to find a place to stash my photo albums as well. I have a LOT of photo albums.

I have completed most all of the requirements so far for the online instructor course. I am hopeful that I will be teaching by May, if not sooner. I expect to be graduating with my Master’s in Security Management in March, so that will bolster my prospects as well. I also found out that Derek can take classes at the school for a reduced rate if I am accepted. He even mentioned the possibility of working on a Master’s. No, he hadn’t been drinking. I can also pursue another degree, if I choose, for reduced rates. I am waiting to find out if that also applies to my children. That might be a good way for the kids to get some college done. It would allow them to work and take classes at home, though I am not sure I want them to stick around forever. Still, it would be nice, and so much cheaper. (Note – family also get the reduced rate).

We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks this weekend. The girls, Derek and I wanted to see I am Legend, but that wasn’t a good one for Mercedes so we compromised. I was not disappointed. It was a cute movie and I laughed a lot. I want the soundtrack too. It was a definitely worth going to see in the theater, especially for the kids. We also went out to eat at IHOP which most of us were happy with. Mason was flirting (outrageously) with a little girl who came in. It was adorable. Micah got to eat grits, which was not my first choice for him, but he seemed to be alright with that, oh and the pancakes I let him have. It was how we spent our Christmas money from Grandpa. We thought that would be the best way to do t. We all got something out of it and it got us out of the house. Right now, that is a big deal.

We saw a play at church yesterday morning. Christmas According to Scrooge. It was pretty well done, though there were the usual problems. Overall though it was a good message and made the sermon so much easier to listen too. I think, overall, we are still feeling this church out; however, it’s got some nice amenities like children’s church and a nursery for the little people. If we keep going, I am going to have to volunteer in the nursery to help with the little ones since I have two in there. I think I can deal with that though. I don’t mind holding babies, or playing with little people. I am just too busy or tired most of the time to enjoy it.

I now have a pretty good idea of what I need to do to pass my PT test. I need to add another 10 crunches, 5 pushups, and take 2 ½ minutes off of my run time. After the first of the year, I will be getting up two mornings a week to get on the treadmill and work on the run part of it. I also have PT 3 days a week with the squadron, so that should help also. The situps, I think I can work those in before bed or before I take a shower in the morning. It’s not going to be fun, but it’s necessary to get where I need to be. It would be stupid of me to screw my career up because I didn’t do something relatively simple. Granted with all of the other things going on its not going to be easy, but I will just have to make sure I do it.

We went to Alexis’ band concert recently. She really hates the uniforms. It would be funny if I thought they weren’t too bad, but, well, they are awful. It would be alright if it at least fitted her, but it doesn’t, and that just makes it worse. She’s saying that next year she would like to be in jazz band, which I think would be great. She also wants to be on the newspaper staff, so we will see how that goes. I think it would be neat for her, but I want to know what the outside commitment will be. Everything here requires a LOT of time on our part, and we just don’t have that much.

I think we are doing alright overall. I think the Christmas holiday will give us a chance to unwind a bit and enjoy some family time (I hope).

Getting Promoted

I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!
I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!
I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!
I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!
I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!
I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!
I MADE MAJOR!!!!!! I MADE MAJOR!!!!!!

This week in the news

OK, we finally got our XMAS lights up. It wasn’t so bad, but then again, Derek and Alexis did all of the work with Mercedes supervising. That’s the way to do it. Next year, I imagine we will have more “stuff” to put up. It’s not so bad putting lights up here since it’s not terribly cold. However, I am not sure that I am willing to make a major display of my house. I heard someone say they had lights into the hundreds of thousands or something like that. I don’t think that’s me. Then again, it might be Derek. He’s been wanting to put lights up for years. I just wanted a white Christmas tree. Of course, I wanted to decorate it in one color, which hasn’t happened yet. Next year we are getting a palm tree Christmas tree. Won’t that be fun?

With the boys in daycare now, Derek is finishing getting the house in order and starting to job hunt. He is finding a lot of helping agencies to provide conduits to jobs, but he is not very confident which tears it all down. I am very stressed about money because this move has really killed us financially. Plus adding Brittney to the household has also changed things along with gas prices. It costs a lot more for gas when you have to travel 45 minutes one way than if you go 5. We will survive though. We have food to eat and a roof over our head. I have a steady paycheck, so I don’t have to worry along those lines either. Yes, it would be A LOT easier if Derek were working, but if he doesn’t he will get plenty of bonding time with the boys.

I am now working regular hours though we are waiting on some paperwork before I can start the actual job. Yep, typical military hurry up and wait. I am going to PT three days a week which is not too bad. I am formulating a plan to get in shape which is what I need. I don’t particularly LIKE to work out, but I know I have too. I lost some weight during the move but it didn’t come from any of the areas where the fat was hanging out so I need to work on that. Derek says he is going to start working out too, but I’ve heard that before (I’ve said that before {snicker}). I guess we are going to have to accept that we are getting older and our bodies aren’t going to return to the “perfection” we enjoyed 15 years ago. I think I can live with that. Honestly, I don’t really mind getting older. Yes, I miss the lean 20 year old body I had, but this 34 year old body I’m sporting now is not bad.

I am now down to my last class for my Security Management degree. Then I take the comprehensive final and I’m done (as long as I pass). I will know by then whether or not I made Major. If I do make it then its Air Command and Staff College for me, otherwise, I will do the correspondence course for ASCS, and possibly get the Master’s they offer. Hey, why not? It doesn’t cost me anything, right? Oh, results for Major come out next Tuesday (11th). Everyone seems to think I am a shoe-in, but until I have it in my record, I won’t believe it. Even then, I will have to wait 9 months or so to pin it on. Of course that is a NICE pay raise. I definitely will be looking at a new vehicle (Saturn Vue) if I get promoted. Something that gets much better gas mileage. We don’t need a family vehicle, we have the Durango, so I can choose something that I like (though it won’t be what I WANT) that can get me back and forth from work. As far as this class goes, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be too difficult. I have a paper to do, which is ALWAYS fun – not! But the actually class is interesting and I only have one test. The discussion questions are every other week also, which is also good. In fact, I already took care of the ones for next week. I also think I will try to do my report on cyber terrorism. Even though I can’t find the paper I wrote previously, I have a good idea of what is available and I can use that as a foundation to the rest. It shouldn’t take as long if I do that. Of course, that’s if the instructor is OK with it.

I think all of the kids are settling in. Brittney had her first run in with us as authority figures yesterday and I think we did alright, though I am not sure about her. She was saying she wants to stay with us, but we are not taking it as a given until after the first of the year. That gives her a chance to get used to everything and figure out where she wants to be. I know her Dad is having his own issues as is her Mom so we aren’t going to jump into anything. We are just trying to be supportive while enforcing rules and structure. It’s hard since neither of us like to be the bad guy. Plus having five kids to worry about wears us down pretty fast.

Derek is not doing so well physically. He definitely needs to have the neck surgery though he really doesn’t want too. I can’t really blame him, but it’s got to be done. He gets debilitating pain in his neck and back that is not good. It’s hard on everyone when it happens, and I know it scares the little ones. I find that more and more falls on me these days and I am not always graceful about accepting the responsibility. I get tired and cranky and I know I take it out on Derek and the kids. I am hoping as we get settled in that things will get better. Unfortunately since we found out about this assignment, things have been fluctuating. We had the baby, we had to prepare for the move to Italy, then we had to prepare for the move to Florida, we added Brittney, and then we actually moved. That’s a lot for anyone (family) to deal with. It could be worse though, it could always be worse.

We really miss our friends in Ohio. I know Alexis really misses her friends but I miss mine too. I really enjoyed having Laura and Melanie next door so I could just run over and talk to them, or they would drop in to chat. I miss that – a lot. Especially when I need something : ) (You know I’m kidding, right, Laura?) Anyways, I don’t make friends so easily and it’s even harder for Derek and Alexis. Mercedes I don’t worry about since everyone is her friend. Mason and Micah aren’t an issue either. Brittney has done well, though I think she is finding that she needs to branch out a little more. For me, I am still that weird, little kid who no one liked in school. At least that’s how I feel around people I don’t know. I hate to push myself on people too, though I know I do that sometimes. I am hoping that over time I can build some friendships. I know I was starting to with Julie when I left, so that’s another one gone.

Political Thought

Watching the news today made me shake my head and wonder, “Don’t we have better things to worry about?” And you ask, why do you say this? Well, one of the Presidential Candidates is being forced to justify his religion. I personally am a Protestant, which makes me part of a large percentage in the United States. However, being Protestant has not stopped me from making friends of other religions or other versions of my religion. Being a Protestant has not made me make decisions, but it has given me a context in which to direct my acts and choices towards what is good/right. I expect anyone who embraces a religion to depend on that religion for guidance. However, only religious zealots or fanatics try to justify all of their decisions and actions with their religious beliefs. I think the majority of people who believe in a God or Gods does not advocate that all people believe as they do. Nor do I believe that the majority of those with religious beliefs feel compelled to let their religion be their sole guiding principle in all actions. I do think that the religion we believe in has helped mold us. Almost all religions teach good concepts that are not a threat to the population as a whole. I definitely do not understand why one man’s religion justify’s an attack on him as a person or his candidacy. If I feel so threatened by his beliefs then I am not very solid in my own. If nothing else, he can’t do that much damage in four years. If he does show signs of making decisions based on what his religious leaders expect or want, we have checks and balances in place to control him, as well as the ability to NOT vote for him in the future. What really scares me is a candidate that is not honest, hardworking, or morally upright. I would rather have a person of a different color or religion that someone who can be blown by the winds of change and will lie to your face.

Hi

Well, life for us is even more chaotic than usual. Having a 16 year old will do that to you. She made the varsity basketball team so now we have been shuttling her back and forth from practice and games.



Alexis is not doing so well, but I am hoping that will change. She is in concert band and we are reccommending that she start in with the softball team. Try outs are not until after XMAS but they are having some training camps and I thought she would benefit from those.

I start work tomorrow and NO, I am not ready! I am scared to death. Oh and I am now within a month of finding out if I made major and what will I do if I didn't?

We went to church this morning. That was a trip. It was an Assembly of God church and there was a lot of action. We are going to go back though we are not all completely sold on it. We are a lot quieter, so it will take some getting used too, but I think we liked it overall.

Micah is now eating solid food and overall he seems to be doing well. He's a talker too. Quite a character.

Derek doesn't think he got the job he applied for the other day and he's completely depressed about it and its REALLY bringing me down.

We got new furniture (more bills). Hope we like it because we will be spending a lot of time at home for a while : )

We have arrived

This is just to let you know we have arrived and Florida is not too bad! It even has a Logan's!

I got my wish

After 16 years of trying to steal her, she was given to us last Thursday. We are now the proud owners of one 16 year old, with all of the joys and issues associated. It might only be until June, or it might be longer. We don't know, but we are happy with the situation. Though it increases the stress and chaos factors exponetially.

Free Rice

Yes, Thumper, it was fun to feel like an idiot. Some of those words were unbelievable, and I know I am well read. http://www.freerice.com/index.php is definitely worth a stop.

Impending doom...move

I admit it! I am being lazy! I don't want to write another paper and Idon't want to read 300 pages of text and I don't want to writediscussion questions. But I DO want to finish this degree, so I will doall of these things. However, I reserve the right to whine and complainthe whole way through. OK, Derek thinks I am crazy, but I am very insecure. Anyone who knowsme well knows this. I am up for Major this year. I did get aDefinitely Promote on my promotion recommendation form. I have neverdeployed (this is a negative in officer terms). The board was inSeptember so I can't change anything now, but I won't hear anythinguntil December. I know that over 90% of the people who were eligiblefor promotion made it last year and that over 98% of those with adefinitely promote made it, but what if I am in the 2-10% that don't?That is pretty scary. Even scarier, what if I do make it? I don't seemyself as a Field Grade Officer. Then again, I've never really wrapped my brain around being an officer : } And yes, I am whining and every single one of my insecurities are showing.

Ok, another whine - I HATE MOVING! I know I have mentioned this in the past (like last August). It is painful in SOOOO many ways. And moving with 4 kids, two of whom are under 5 is even worse. I know, its part ofthe job, but I still don't like, no not one bit! The only good partabout it is that I don't have to pack everything up OR lift the heavystuff. Woo Hoo! I am all about professional movers!

So, I am going to a conference for three days this week down town. It actually ought to be kind of fun! Some major movers and shakers in theAir Force are going to be speaking and I kind of want to hear what theyhave to say. I am also looking forward to the TOYS! Because you knowthe vendors always have great TOYS!

Is it possible to have too many books? I have been unloading the booksfrom my office in preparation for move and I have a lot of"professional" books, plus I have oodles and gobs of personal books,some of which I haven't read yet, though I mean too. And what's up withmy four or five favorite authors not keeping up with my readingappetite? I need more books! My mind is hungry for more dirty sexscenes and vampires drinking blood muhahaha (evil laugh). Seriously though, now Harry Potter is Done, Mercedes Lackey is not longer writingabout Valdemar, and I am completely caught up (ok, read them three orfour times) all of the series from Ward, Feehan, and Hamilton that Ienjoy. Granted, there is a new Merry Gentry book due out tomorrow which I will be going to get TOMORROW, but that will be finished by Friday at the latest, then what? I am even eyeballing the books for class with hunger (they are about Extremism though so they are kind of interesting, but don't tell anyone I said that). And, on top of all of that, I am addicted to Sudoku. Oh yea, I am, very much so.

I am not crazy

I am starting my XMAs cards. Those who know me know I start them early to get them out on time. I am cheating a little this year though, I used the computer for all of the address. NICE! Should save some time!

Derek and Alexis made it back safe and sound. Yea! We now have an address in Flroida. The house looks nice too. Here is a site that shows some pictures and details (http://www.realestatebook.com/propertydetails.aspx?hid=536487789). We are happy with it, though it's a bit farther than I really would have liked, but I will survive. The schools look like they will be good, and the home itself is nice, or so I am told.

Now we just have to get ready to move, oh yea!?

I just finished two papers due this week for school. I didn't get them done earlier and I should have. I am going to spend time tomorrow and Tuesday getting several more done so I am ahead of the power curve when we move. Sigh, that month off threw me off, big time!

Home Alone

Derek and Alexis are in Florida for the next few days house hunting and visiting the orthodontist. The house we really liked and wanted was leased last night, so now we have to find something else. Sigh! A lot of places have pools in the backyard. You know, I never thought I (we) would be the type of people to have a pool. Odd!

Can't beleive we are within 3 weeks of leavinhg. It's still not quite real. I am looking forward to it (overall), but I still have some concerns. I can't do anything about them right now though, so I am trying to keep everyone happy and calm. Derek is having issues with the calm part.

He's focused on househunting right now, but once that is over, he's going to start seriously job hunting. That's not exactly a fun thing, but it's gotta be done. I just want him to find something he can be happy with, you know?

And I am mostly done with XMAS shopping now. I have four boxes in the entryway ready to be mailed (next week). That just leaves Derek, Micah, the last of Cedes and the last of Mason's. I also have Derek's birthday covered. Yea! Go Lisa!

So much going on

Well, we have orders now so we are going through all of the necessary steps to get out of here. The packers are coming on Nove 1 and will haul our stuff away Nov 2, so we go into billetting on Nov 1. Won't that be fun? All of us in a little apartment-like space for 4 days! I won't kill anyone, I promise.

We got a call on the Amigo today, so hopefully it will be gone in the next two or three days! We were getting antsy about that. We plan to use the money from the sale to put the deposit on the house in Florida we intend to rent. Derek intends to go down next week if he can. He will take Alexis with him to see an orthodontist. I have no idea how that's going to work out. This is the only orthodontist who contacted me back, so if it doesn't work out, we will have her braces removed before we leave!



Lots of different things going on, but nothing really to share. Everything we have going on seems to be move related. Derek and I are stressing about everything. Money, the move, the kids, the house, jobs. We'll get through it though.

Also hoping to make Major, but not much I can do in that department at this point. I will know in December and can work it from there.

I start two more classes tomorrow for my degreed. I am on my last four classes now. I expect to be completed in March 2008 since the school screwed up. It's all good though. If I do make Major I expect I will be starting another Master's probably in political Science, so it's keeping me in practice.

As the stomach churns

I did it! I walked the 5K at a pace of 45:40. Yes, my legs hurt! But I did it! Now I am thinking I will be walking the 1/2 marathon next year! Alexis said she might be willing to walk it with me. I think it would be cool to do. I have a training regimen already, so I can plan for it. Anyone who wants can join us, I am sure we could find plenty to gossip about : )

We should have orders in the next few days. I heard form my sponsor today as well. My orders will say I am taking a flight commander position, but I won't be doing that for at least a year or so. Overall though, it sounds like it won't be too overwhelming, though you never know. My first order of business is to get back into shape. Derek intends to start working out at lunch 3 days a wekk, so that will help. I have to force myself to do the rest. I had the pulmonary function test today and the tech though I did well, so that doesn't look like it will be a limiting factor. I just have to get back into shape.

I have been helping Derek job hunt. I think he has a decent chance, but you never know. I really hope he finds something he can live with though. He's not stressing out (yet) so that's good, but if he doesn't find something, he will probably start getting worried.

Derek working will change our lives quite a bit. I hope we don't go too crazy as we get used to it. We might have to hire someone to come in and clean the house once a week to help out, but that's something for future. For now we need to focus on finding a place to live, getting rid of the truck Derek bought to go to Italy, and getting Derek a job. Moving is SOO much fun - NOT!

I've accepted it

Now, I can move on. We are going to Florida. This WILL be a good assignment. We are going to make the most of this move. On the way down we are going to visit the Jack Daniels Distillery and eat lunch in some crazy southern place. It WILL be fun. We will stay in hotels and use the pool. We will eat at restaraunts every night and do all of those fun things we don't do the rest of the time.

I started working out again today. I can run again, at least a little ways. I think I can pass my PT test if I had to do it right now, but I would hate life! I will get back into some semblance of my previous fitness level. I have almost lost all of the baby weight, so that helps. I am eating healthier too, even though I don't WANT too. C'mon, who wants to east veggies?

Derek is going to have to find a job now. Anyone know of any jobs near Eglin? He's not very happy about it, but it's got to be done. I just hope he finds something he can live with, otherwise I will hear about it for the next 4 years. Not nice!

And that's most of the news here. More to come as I find it out : )

Way too much going on

Now we aren't going to Italy. The base can't support us based on Derek's medical needs, so now they (the assignments people) are scrambling to find a replacement for me and a new assignment for us somewhere in the states. No telling where we will end up. I gave them a list of bases, but there is no telling what will happen. I just hope it's some place we can live with. Derek is really NOT happy about the whole situation. I can't really blame him, but I am hoping we can work everything out.

Everyone is doing well right now. Mercedes likes school. Mason and Micah are healthy. Alexis is doing well, and Derek is through with school. I am still on convalescent leave, though I am going to try to go back to work part-time. I need to get back into the routine. I haven't worked much since April and it's going to be really hard to get used to work again, though I am still spending a lot of time there. I go in to check e-mail and stuff.

And that's about it for us. Once I know where we are going, I will make sure to tell everyone. In the meantime, sigh, I am waiting, again.

Where things stand - today

Surgery: I had the surgery for the torn internal muscle last week and the pain has been minimal and I feel great, though I am trying not to overdo it. But that's easier said than done with me : ) I am supposed to be on con leave for 6 weeks, but am going to ask it be cut to 2. That won't happen until next week though : ) IN the meantime, I am busy and enjoying the time off.

Derek: Is now done with school and got all A's for the summer. Yea Derek. Next week he gets to start working on getting us ready to move. Yea Derek! He's also going to get to pain. YEA DEREK!! The boys are in daycare through September, so there is no reason he can't get some things done around the house.

Move: We are now in week four of waiting for our medical clearance. I was told it only needs one more signature and its done. I think I am going to request a departure date change to give us another two weeks. Not because I am so enamoured of this place, but to take some stress off of us. Hopefully we will find something out this week.

School: Mercedes and Alexis are now back to school. Mercedes is thrilled with riding the bus and even has someone from her kindergarten in her class. She's easy to please though. She's also doing well wiht her glasses and has been wearing them like she's supposed too, so that's good. Alexis is fine with school though alittle bummed that her best friend is not in her class anymore. I guess it will make it a little easier to leave when the time comes.

I had to get new glasses this year due to a change in prescription. Nothing drastic, just something that needed to be done. Unfortunately, the cost of glasses gets painful very quickly. Overall tho, things are fine here. Keeping busy with friends and the kids.

stress

I will not stress, I will not stress, I will not stress! Maybe if I say it enough it will be true :-) With trying to get the kids ready fors chool, having visitors, and preparing for the move, I am a bit overwhelmed. Plus I have work and health things going on, all of which has a shorter time frame, due to the move. I will get through this too. I got my lazy self out of bed this morning and worked out, which Ithought was a real breakthrough. I only walked for 20 minutes, but I was worn out and sweaty so I must have been doing something right. I plan to get up tomorrow morning and do an Abs workout. The Abs and glutes class was just too much. Those people are crazy. I feel guilty for not sticking with my workout routine better, but at least I amtrying to start back before a year has passed.

This is Derek's last day of school so he will be stress-free after this week. At least he should be. There's no telling. He's going to have to start focusing on the move though, which will probably stress him outeven more. His graduation present is scheduled for Friday. It's a man's spa package. He gets his hair done, a massage (the part he really wants), and a manicure. Hee hee hee. The manicure kind of threw him. He will probably like it though. I am trying to get him to apply for government jobs at Aviano, but he's not gotten that far yet. He's had the suggestion made several timesthat he should be a teacher. That is not a career path he wants to pursue though. He might be ok teaching martial arts or something, but teaching school would probably not work for him. He would kill someone or himself. I don't think it would be a bad idea to post his resume onthe site where they have Air Force Civilian Personnel. At least it gets him in the system.

I will be having surgery next week, followed by two weeks ofconvalescent leave. After that I am limited to walking and light activity for 6 weeks. Basically until we leave. The surgery is supposed to be pretty easy to recover form with minimal side effects, sothat's good. I am not into the pain thing at all. This will fix the damage done from 3 children, though, which I am really happy about!

I ordered all of the kids Halloween costumes, so we can send them toItaly so they will be there for the holiday. Mercedes wants to be a Diva (how appropriate), Alexis asked to be a pirate, Mason will be a vampire, and Micah gets to be Roo from Willie the Pooh. They will look so sweet.

I am finishing up my last two classes until October. Unfortunately, theschool screwed something up with my September classes, so now I have to wait. It slows me down by a month and I won't graduate until after January, probably March. As long as I finish, I think I will be ok. Bythe time I finish I will know if I made Major, so that will determine what my next step is. Overall, it's not a bad deal. I've bought all of my books, so I just have to keep them where I can find them.

Well. . . .

You know, I always say how we live in chaos? We really (REALLY) do. But you know something, I think I like it!



The last week or so has been non-stop! Mostly, it started last Saturday, because that's when we started celebrating Alexis birthday! And let me just say, if she does not appreciate turning 13, it's not for our lack of trying. We started Saturday morning with my present to her. I took her for a teenager facial and a professional make-up application. From there we went and got her ears (re) pierced. After that we went home to get ready for the evening. We went and did family pictures and then we all went to eat at Sake, followed by a movie (Ratatouille - very cute).



That was just Saturday. On Sunday, we got up and went to Ihop (about 40 minutes away) and Sonic, then headed out to the stables to go horse riding. Mason rode a horse for the first time, he was SUCH a big boy! That evening Derek and I went to the Alison Krauss concert while Alexis got to have a sleepover. BTW - Alison Krauss was GREAT! It was like going to a jam session with 1,000 of my closest friends vs one big, loud party. I liked it!

Yesterday was my last day of leave : (, bummer! I still wish I could just stay home with the kids, at least for the first year! I don't feel like we got nearly enuf cuddle time! Poor Boo!

Brittney leaves this next Tuesday. I know all of the kids will be sad, but it will let us get back into our routine, such as it is.It will also let us get prepared for school. The girls have all of their school clothes and Cedes has all of her school supplies, but we don't know what we need for Alexis. So much fun!

Derek is now only two weeks away from being done! I know he can't wait and I know it will relieve both of our stress. He's considering a Master's, but that would be next year before he starts. It would give him something to do while we are in Italy, too.

I need to go to work now (Sigh!).

Still too busy for words

I took a one of my fainals last week. It wasn't due until this week, but this week, I have a mid-term and a paper due, so I didn't want to stress myself. I think I have a decent chance of getting an A, though, it's all subjective. I hope to take care of the test today so I have the rest of this week to work on the paper.


I am going to try to go to the doctor today as I seemed to have developed a UTI. It's really not a good time for this, but hey, at least I am trying to take care of it. I figure I will be on antibiotics for ten days and it will go away. I am hoping to avoid another bad kidney infection like I had in 2003.


I have slacked off working out a bit this past week. I am trying to gert back into it a bit more. This morning was supposed to be a gym morning, but my partners didn't show up. I don't think I will be going back to that class. In the meantime, I can use those days to do practice fitness tests. This morning I did the pushups (not so good) and crunches portion. I can do the crunches no problem, but 30 pushups is going to be hard, so I need to work on that. I think I can get the mile and a half in 18 minutes, though it might just kill me. I need to work on that!


Derek goes to the doctor tomorrow to get the paperwork signed off for the PCS. Such a hassle. They want to make sure they can provide treatment for himthough. Too bad they don't do this earlier. The assignment selection date was back in April. If they would have given us a little heads up, we could have had all of this done rather than scrambling at the last minute. Ok it's not really the last minute but it feels like it.

Derek is almost done with his school stuff. He's taking a mid-term in one class this week, and the other class he's doing a project. It doesn't look like there will be any problems with him graduating, though you never know what will come up between now and then.

The kids are all doing well. Alexis is excited about her birthday this weekend. She's going to have a couple of her friends sleepover, so that ought to be fun. She's also working hard to test for her next belt in August. She wants to leave here as a brown belt.

Cedes is having issues with talking back and fighting her bedtime. Other than that she's fine. Her leg seem to have healed up, and she not had any other health issues. She's having alot of fun at school since they are going on field trips almost every day and she gets to take her lunch on Mondays.

Mason's continuing to develop his vocabulary though we don't always understand him. He's a little character, that's for sure. He's still Mommy's boy though.

Micah is doing well, though we think he's getting ready to cut teeth. That will be fun for everyone. He's going to daycare on a regular basis and that seems to be working out well also. He doesn't cry unless they wait too long to feed him, so he's a good baby. Speaking of crying I can hear him now, so I better go.

What we are doing

We have been busy, which is not unusual for us. This last weekend we took the family to the Zoo in Cincinnati. I was pretty happy with it, though I had heard form other people that it was not that great. We went later in the day so we missed the higher temperatures, but we got a lot of walking in. That wore us out pretty quickly. We turned in everything for our passports yesterday. Yea! Now we are going through a pile of medical paperwork for Derek mostly. The medical people are saying we can't get our orders until it's done. What? I don't think so. We are also being told that our passports could take up to 10 weeks to arrive which is when we are due to leave. Add to that two weeks to get visas and we might not leave when we planned too. Sigh! We are going to be flexible though! We have too. I have been working out 3 days a week but I have pretty much given the Abs and glutes a pass. It's just not easy for me since I hate going to the gym and working out in front of other people. I have been walking on the treadmill 3 days a week, plus the regular walking I do, so I think I am getting some good workouts. I just need to lay off of the sugar cookies form Sam's. Those are SOOOO good! I have a busy week for class this week. I have a case study to work on for one class. For another I have a paper to start and a discussion question. I forgot to take a quiz for one class but I did it this morning. I expect I will lose some points for timeliness. I have another paper due next week, so I need to get that started too. Plenty to do. In August I go back to two classes and by the end of August I will be done for a week or two. I start two classes in Septemeber again, but that's only for two months. In November, I start the final course abd I will be done in December. Yea! I am up in the air about whether I want to do a third Master's in Business or Criminal Justice. Unfortunately, the Majors board has been moved back three months, so I don't expect to hear anything until March. I was hoping I would know by January that way I could decide whether to go start a degree or whether I will be starting professional military education by correspondence. I have to go to small arms training on Monday. I don't really mind, in fact, it's kind of fun, but it's one more thing I have to do. I have to adjust my leave though because I was suposed to be on leave. Fun stuff. I went through quite a few boxes from storage this last weekend. It was not an easy experience since a lot of the stuff was Mom's, but I whittled down form 7 boxes to one. I found a lot of pictures so that was nice. Mom was a packrat though. I really miss her right now. She would have loved Micah.

A week in our lives

So, Monday we picked up Brittney and Alexis, and the fun started : ) We have been out to eat and to see Transformers. We got our hair cut and the girls went bowling. We had a bar b que with water war and fireworkds for the 4th, so what's left? Things are going to be a bit quiter for the next few weeks. I think we will go to Old Navy this week to do a little bit of school shopping. Alexis desperately needs jeans. Brittney just wants a few things here and there. I'm figuring out the money situation but I think I can swing it all. I will do the bulk of Mercedes and Alexis school shopping next month. Mercedes also needs new jeans, and new shoes, and a new bookbag, etc. Alexis does not need quite as much (thankfully).

Derek is having some serious issues with his surgery. I think a big part of it is that he is not taking his arthritis medicines so everything is magnified. I think he's going to hit the ER today to see if they can help. He sees the arthritis doc tomorrow.

Brittney is off to see the doctor tomorrow as well, and then tomorrow evening we are going to see a preview of the new Harry Potter movie. Of course, we are going to have to stand in line for two hours to get a decent seat. Sigh! It better be worth it. I am looking forward to the new book coming up, though I know I'm the one who will have to read it all. I might need to invest in the CD's.

School is going well for me. I finished my second case study and did much better (though not great) on it. I think it would have been loads better if I had not LOST the first one. THe e-mail ate it. Yep, that's my exucse. I had to re-do it and I know it was not nearly as good. It doesn't help that the book for the class has not arrived either. And I take the final in two weeks! It is supposed to be hear any day now. The other classes are all goign well. I got an A- on one of the mid-terms, so that was great! I started a new class last week, which is going to be interesting. No paper, but a project. Yuck!

I'm starting to get taskings for our move. We have to go get our passports soon, which is going to be fun!? We are also starting to go through our closets and get rid of stuff. Derek now has room in his closet for clothes! Wow! I need to go through my junk as well. Unfortunately, I also have uniforms that take up a lot of space, so my closet will stay full.

I think we are going to try to go to Sunwatch this week. We haven't been there for a few years, so it might be fun. Next week we are doing pictures with all of the kids. I need to get Micah's babtism outfit so he can have a picture taken in that. I have a pastor I like who I would like to Baptise him, but I haven't hear back from him yet. Hopefully that will happen in the next month or so. I want to do it before we leave.

And life continues to be crazy for us.

Off schedule

I usually do this on Sunday mornings, but this last Sunday that didn't work out. So, here I am on Tuesday morning playing catch up. Micah is on my lap cooing and sticking his tongue out. Cute, huh? Can you believe he's 10 weeks old today?

Brittney and Alexis got here yesterday. We have many plans for the next few weeks, but we also have a variety of things we have to do to get ready to PCS. We have to go get passports, etc, as well as go through boxes and closets. I am starting to get rid of things already, just to make life easier on us.

I have to go start the process of getting passports for everyone. We have to get no-fee passports and tourist passports so that will be two sets of documents to maintain. Just one more thing tpo take care of.

We turned in our paperwork with a departture date of 1 October. With the way the rules are changing, I couldn't be sure they would be willing to extend me to December and I wasn't willing to take the chance, so I decided to just suck it up and go. It's a 3 year tour so we should be back in 2010 or so. That's not too bad. I am hoping that I will be able to get San Antonio for that assignment and ride it out to retirement.

We are all doing well. Derek is doing pretty good in his classes. I finished a class last week with an A1, which brought my GPA up to a 3.33. I start a new class this week, which is always fun. I need to go to the library today to pick up books for classes also.

We had a new experience this last weekend. Mercedes had an abcess, we don't know from what, but the ER doctor had to make a small incision to drain it. We are being seen at the wound clinic, so we are getting a variety of visits in these days. Cedes doesn't like it a lot either. She threw some really good screaming fits. I

We are going to bar b que with friends for the 4th of July. I imagine it will deteriorate into board games or card games by the end of the night. THat can get a bit out of hand, but it's fun.

I am still working out, though I am not sure it's helping me a lot. I think I have lost maybe an inch or two and a pound or so, but nothing drastic. I was hoping that the loose areas would be noticeably firmer. I guess I just have to keep a it. I am doing good about getting up and doing the walking routine. I don't really like going to the gym for the ABS and GLUTES class (butts and bellies), but I have been going. I have a couple of friends going so that makes it easier to force myself. Otherwise I would stick with teh Ab Lounge and hope it made a difference.

I am considering going to the martial arts classes with Derek and the girls once we get overseas.
I think it would help me stay in shape and flexible. It would take a while to get uo to speed though.

The girls and I are getting ready to head out for errands. Oh, the joy! Guess that's it for now. More to come though as things heat up for the PCS.

Got an assignment

Italy! Yes, I said Italy, ad in overseas. Shocked is the only way I can put it. We were not expecting to go overseas at all. We are going to make the best out of it though. We will try to travel some and make memories for everyone. The kids wil get to do a lot of things they would not experience here. We have already found a martial arts center for them, though it's a different style, and the school has band, so Alexis can continue with that. We are most concerned about housing, cars, and Jack. A lot of places do not allow big dogs, plus we have four kids. I am going to try to take out a loan to cover things for us, but there is no telling if it will work out. We are a bit scared.

In other news, I got a 95% on my paper that I turned in last week. I think the teacher was imbibing in alcoholic beverages when he was reading it becuase I thought I was pretty incoherent. I have a final and a mid-term to tke this week, so wish me luck.

All of the kids are healthy this week. Small miracles. We are also through with softball, THANK GOD! It wasn't the kids so much as the parents, though the girls could have issues too. The season was not great for us, but losing can teach a lt more than winning, though it's not as much fun. I'm hoping to keep Alexis in softball next year, though I have to see what they have available.

Alexis is not pleased about the upcoming move, and I can't really blame her, but I am hoping that at some point in the not too distant future she will be happy about it. I know it's a HUGE change, and Alexis dos not care for change usually.

We are also going to try to get the girls on a bowling team. We were going to do that here, but I don't think it's going to work out. My date to leave by is late October. I don't think they will let me extend out to December like I want, so I am probably going to leave the first of September to get the kids inschool there as soon as I can.

I am going to be a FLight CC, which is not as important as it sounds to non-Air Force people. I am curious though about how long I willstay with the job and what else I will do while I am there. I am afriad I will end up as an exec again. It's going to be busy enough as it is. At least I am using the bulk of my leave now, rather than waiting.

I am hoping to pay off bills while there as well. Wouldn't that be nice? There are a lot of credit things I can't use, so that's good. I think we can do it.

It also looks as if Derek will not be able to work while we are there, so he will be a stay-at-home Dad again. I am going to try to put Mason into daycare, at least part-time just to help him out. He needs the routine, and he would drive Derek bonkers.

Derek should be graduated before we go, so that's good. So far, the classes he's got have not seemed overwhelming. I think he will get passing grades and be done, which will be a relief for all of us. I know he's more than ready to be done.

I am going to have to finish up after we leave, which kind of sucks! I only have 3 more classes to go, but I can't add any more on right now. I am already struggling with 3 classes. I have two more papers due as well, so I don't want to add to my stress. It makes it a bit more interesting for me though. I fully intend to finish this degree.

In addition, I won't find out (here) about Major, which kind of bums me out. I really (REALLY) hope I make it. I don't know what we will do if I don't. Probably ride out what time Ihave left to me, the move to TExas. I would pay off as much as I could before coming back too.

ENough about us. I guess this means family and friends will have to use our blogs though.

another weekend gone

We celebrated our 12th anniversary on Friday, though we actually went out on Saturday. The restaraunt we chose was MUCH more expensive than we thought, but the food was good and it was a nice atmosphere.

Sunday I made Derek breakfast and we went bowling after we ALL took naps. That was nice. Mason has been sick with what looks like an ear infection but the Drs are saying its viral. Poor little guy, he has been miserable. We were fighting fevers for a while, but there has also been a LOT of pain and drainage. The drainage actually has his ear clogged so bad we can't use the drops the drs gave us. Add to that the fussiness, and we have not been having a lot of fun.

I started working out last week on Monday. I went to the gym on Tuesday and Thursday for an Abs and gluts class which KICKED MY BUTT, but I think it will be worth it longterm. On the other days, I have a fat burning walking routine I am trying. It's a four week program, so I will have to let you know in four weeks : ) Wish me luck! The amazing thing is that I got up again this morning to do the workout, for me that's huge!

I had a paper due last week, thankfully I finished it, so now I am hoping to get a PASSING grade on it. This week I have a couple of things to accomplish as well, but I am not stressed.

Derek is on his last set of classes and so far so good. He passed all of his last classes (B's and a C). That relieved a lot of stress. He was afriad he might have failed one. He's thinking of trying for an internship after graduation, which would probably be good. Right now his focusing is graduating, though.

Once he graduates, he's going to go house hunting for us since I should know where we are going by then. At least that's my hope : ) I'm almost afraid we won't get orders since we have all begun preparing ourselves to leave.

Work on Friday was really busy. I had a lot of little things to handle, plus I was trying to finish that (^%#$)^ paper. I guess that's how it's going to be. Working one day I will have to get all of the nit noid things done that need to be accomplished.

Softball is almost over. Thankfully! It will be nice to have things a bit less hectic. Thursday is the last night. It did remind me of how much I miss softball. I think I will make a point of playing next year! It will also be good exercise! I think I am sick, thinking of how much exercise I can get from things.

I am getting ready to go grocery shopping. It will just be Micah and I, I think. Derek has something to do for school, so he's going to take off. that's ok. Boo and I can go on our own! We don't need anyone else : )

Speaking of Boo, he's about 12 lbs now. Growing like a weed. Mercedes has been growing again too. She has been on a growth streak since around November, at least that's how it feels. Mason is not growing a lot, but he's put on a LITTLE weight and height.

Derek tested for his next belt on Friday. As far as we know he made it, so that's good. He's a little bummed that he got so far behind becuase of his knee. He's also been trying to do my walking workout, though he's not been doing so well.

US

I did it! I got my lazy butt out of bed (after hitting the snooze twice) and went downstairs and worked out! I am trying a fat burbibg walking thing I got out of good housekeepng. Wish me luck! Tomorrrow, I am going to an abs and glutes class, so I'm hoping to have a well-rounded workout regime. I must be abe to run in 4 1/2 more months. It's not really even about the weight.

Mercedes seems to be going through another growing spurt. I am hoping to get through the summer without having to buy her a lot of clothes.

We got family (just the 5 of us) pictures yesterday. I figured since Alexis was getting family pictures with Michelle and Brittney, she would not mind us getting one with the five of us. I still feel a little guilty, because Alexis is a part of our family, but if she leaves and it goes back to the five of us, I want to be able to show us.

I go back to work on Friday. Yea? I think it will be ok, I don't know that I have a whole lot to do, but you never know. Still waiting to find out where we are going. From experience, when they say they are giving you orders, they generally give you orders, so I am fairly sure we aren't staying. It's just a matter of getting the opfficial notice. For all I know, they have chosen where I am going, they just haven't loaded it into the system.

Derek started his last (we hope) term today. Hard to believe, isn't it? He's kind of excited, though a bit worried too. He's going to try to get an internship so he can get some job experience before we leave. I don't think that's a bad idea. We'll see what happens though.

Friday is Derek and I's 12th wedding anniversary. Hard to beleive we have made it this far. Neither one of us are the easiest people to live with.

Jack's Back!

And I am not talking about the movie with Jack Nicholson!

Someone founf him and through the animal shelter he was brought back to us. We are thrilled, Jack is spoiled, life is good!

It happens

First, I had a paper due this week for one of my college classes and I hadn't realized it, so I was up until 2 or so last night writing it. I got a C+ which is not good for a Master's level paper. But I got the paper done, so that's good. I need to do better though. I have two more papers I need to write, so I need to get off my butt and do those now, vs later. Still, I am doing better than Derek about not waiting until the last minute. Yea me!

Next, I read Karen's blog about her friend and euthanaisa. It brought back memories. Mom had a do not resucitate order on file and she had made her feelings about being on long-term life support clear. So, it was not assisted suicide, it was making a life or death decision for her. And yes, it still hurts, and I still have guilt, and sometimes, I question myself, even though I KNOW it was the right decision. And you know what, I miss her! Almost every day I think of her and what she would have said or how she would have reacted. Having Micah without Mom was really hard. She loved the Grandkids! And while she was living with us she went to a lot of their things that she had to miss while Michelle and I were growing up. I know she enjoyed that.

Lastly, we made the decision to find homes for the two small dogs, and that went well. Rufus went to his new owners last weekend. So, we had Jack. Jack, who we got as a puppy in 1997. Jack who the doctors told us was going to prone to sickness and have a shortened lifespan. Jack who had become a GREAT dog. Jack ran away on Thursday and we have not found him yet. We are all sad and upset over that. We keep looking for him and hoping. . . , but we don't think he's going to come back. Before when he got out we found him within hours, it's been days. Jack is an old dog and entirely too friendly. He's never lived outside on his own. We can only hope some nice person has found him and taken him in. He's a lovable guy and so sweet, so I can only imagine that's the case. In the meantime, we are berating ourselves for not finding a vet to microchip him, and not transferring his tags to his new collar right away. We are human and took it for granted he would always be there, but we failed him by not taking those preventative measures. For now, there will be no more dogs. We will discuss the possibility of getting another dog AFTER we move, but that's months in the future. In the meantime, I pray Jack comes back.

Derek has now scheduled his surgery for the end of June. He's not completely happy about it, but I think he is resigned. He just doesn't want the doctor to slip. Men are so sensitive about these things. Him getting fixed can't be worse than me having a baby. I mean, C'mon.

Boo is almost five weeks old. Can you believe that? I sure can't. He's put on weight so he's doing well. He is sleeping better for us too. He has longer periods between feedings, and he is more willing to sleep in the bassinet for more than 20 minutes, so that's good. I'm feeling more coherent, though still not fully ready to function in the adult world.

Derek is coming up on finals in the next week or so. He's not ready, but he never is. Right now, we just want for him to pass. He's so close to graduating that the grades, as long as they are passing, are not important. Just getting done is the big thing.

Cedes came home with head lice, AGAIN. Sigh. I am now feeling like I am itching my head constantly. I think that's mostly a psychological reaction. Still, it sucks. We are treating Cedes again and will treat her again next week. We REALLY want to be done with this.

Alexis finishes up school this week. For now they are pretty much cleaning up and closing things out. She's looking forward to being done with school, though I am not sure we are ready for it.

Mason is still doing well. I think he's getting taller, though he's not putting on any weight. I guess he's just going to take after Daddy. As long as he's healthy, which he seems to be, I am not worried. I would like him to eat a bit better, but I can't force that. He's definitely being rebellious and going through the terrible twos. Sigh! Patience is not something Derek or I are known for.

We are now down to one dog. Rufus went to his new owners on Saturday. I think he will be happy. He was a good dog, we just aren't a good family right now. We are always on the go and never have enough time for ourselves, let alone the dogs. Jack is old and not interested in playing a whole lot, but Rufus and Precious were full of energy, so I am glad we found them new people to love them. At least we think we did.

Still no assignment news, but I don't really expect anything for a while. I was hoping for something, but I really can't expect anything for a while. I really hope we get something decent though.

And I did this. . .why?

Ok, I understand that parents are protective of their kids. Believe me, I am! But c'mon. Do you think for one minute that your little angel can do no wrong AND that they are never going to be yelled at? And, oh by the way, the softball field is a LARGE area of land, so to be heard a coach kind of HAS to yell to be heard, whether they are "yelling" at your child for doing something wrong or just trying to get your child to move 3 feet to the left to cover the hole in outfield.

Well, yesterday, the parents were out in full force, either trying to "help" or making an ass of themselves becuase "their baby" might have gotten yelled at. Oh yea, I'm glad I am only the assistant coach. Becuase if this is the way the season is going, it's not going to be a lot of fun. Especially since a couple of the parents aren't the understanding types. They want their angels to play whatever base they think best and if they screw up it's not nearly as bad as the "retards: (yes, that was also said by parents about other kids ont he team). Why do youth sports turn nice people into complete jerks?

So, softball has started. And Derek and I are both trying to avoid schoolwork and housework. The dishes are piled up and the laundry is overflowing. Today's gonna be fun - NOT!

3 weeks

Micah is now 3 weeks old, can you believe that? And I really don't feel like i have been convalescing? I know, it's partly my fault. I really should not have volunteered to be an asst softball coach for Alexis team. Not that I don't enjoy it, but just due to the time factor.

Derek has decided (again) to buckle down and do homework BEFORE it's due rather than the same day. We'll see how that goes. He gets distracted, or rather he lets himself get distracted.

Cedes came home with head lice on Friday and with her long, thick hair it has been painful. We still aren't sure we got all of the noits, but we know we got most of them and we intend to treat her again on Friday just to make sure they DIE! We had to cut her hair. At first she was upset, but now she likes it- a lot. We need to take her to the hair stylist to get it cleaned up, but it's not too bad. Derek thinks it makes her look older. I was just amazed she sat for as long as she did. We did this onthree different nights, so you know she was NOT happy. And of course, we are all itching like crazy.

I guess that's about it for us. We have a softball tournhey this weekend for both girls. It's going to be a long weekend.

I need a break

Yep, motherhood is wonderful, but I am exhausted from lack of sleep. And Micah is definitely ours. He wants to be touching soomeone to sleep. We are getting him past this, but it takes time, and when it's 3 AM and I am exhausted, he wins! Every time!

Alexis and I are making pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Yummy! We are having pancake issues, so it's taking a while. We're almost done though.

We are going to go out to celebrate Mason's birthday tonight. I have to pick up the cake before we go. It's a Spiderman cake.

Speaking about Spiderman, we went to see Spiderman III non Friday. Yes, it had several cheesy parts. Yes, it was long. Derek liked it a lot, though it was not great. It was entertainment. I suppose we will end up buying it when it comes out on DVD.

I need to get laundry folded today, as well as get this weeks laundry washed. Sigh, it never ends. We really need to get the house cleaned up. I was having trouble keeping up before Micah was born, but it's even worse now. Half the time I have a boob attachment, the other half of the time I am not home because of softball or something else.

I did get logged on to work e-mail last night so I can keep up, kind of. Most of my work has been passed off to someone else. My replacement came in March, so he's catching a lot of my jobs. I will still be here until December (I think), so I will try to make myself useful. I have a couple of projects that I want to stay with to see where they go.

I am feeling fine, though I have an issue I have to get the doctor to schedule surgery for. My guess they will want me to wait for 3-6 months.

Mason is not getting any love right now. He's being a little bit of a bat. But he's two so it's to be expected. We all have to re-learn things now that there is another little person inthe house. The kids have to figure out their places, and we have to try to give them all attention while taking care of Micah and ourselves. So far, we are surviving, but the kids are trying our patience at every turn.

Micah

Well, after 9 months, he's here. The last regular appt (which I whined about last week in this blog) showed my blood pressure going up. So, the doctor ran MORE tests. Basically, I went through the weekend with the same symptoms. I went to work on Monday and as the morning wore on my headache got worse. The Tylenol I took kept it from getting out of control, but it did not reduce it. I went in to have a blood pressure check around 1330, and from there started the journey towards Labor and Delivery. They admitted me that afternoon and put in a Foley Bulb (no, I will not explain that!). I spent the night waiting. Tuesday morning they started the Pitocin. I developed another headache that would not quit so they gave me Nubain (good stuff). I was dilated to 3 by noon, and the epidural went in. It was what they call a wet tap, so I got an instant migraine which subsided once I laid down. I am glad this is the last baby! I was progressing slowly, so one of my coaches went to get the little people. While she was gone, I went from 6 to 8. By the 1630 I was feeling urges to push off and on, around 1645, I told the nurse I needed to push and Micah was born about 15 minutes after it all started. I vomitted several times which they said really helped, though I would not recommend it as a way to push the baby out. There was a minor tear, but nothing too bad. In fact, aside from some incontinence (enough said), the labor and delivery are not bothering me at all. However, the tying of the tubes on Thursday is painful! I am getting past it as well though.

I have dropped about 20 lbs and need to drop another 10-15 before I am back to pre-pregnancy weight. I am breastfeeding which will help. It just doesn't go as fast as I would like.

Micah is doing well. I am going to start his blog as well to share how he is doing. Pictures will be put up soon, just have to get them developed or downloaded.

Derek is now catching up on school and I have a final to take this week (tomorrow). I also have several things I HAVE to do tomorrow. Like drop off convalescent leave paperwork and get a laptop to work from home. Oh the joy.

Overall, though, we are doing well. Thinking of going for a walk shortly. Weather is gorgeous.

All the news

Drat! I just lost all of the post I was working on.

Long and short of it, we are budy, I am still pregnant. Hoping to be induced on Wednesday.

For the week

I am still pregnant. I amnow in week 37 though, so anytime now. Micah is definitely getting ready to join us. I am having more serious contractions and he has dropped so I can feel it coming. I would prefer sooner rather than later, but not my call. I am staying active, so that's good.

I have not been able to register for August classes and as things stand now it doesn't sound like I will. Something about taking classes that cross over semesters when on financial aid. Kind of a pin, but I think I can make up for it. I still think I will be able to graduate in December, though it might be a bit painful. As for the one class I am in right now. I just turned in the paper, but have not gotten a grade back yet, hoping in the next few days. THen I take the final and I'm done. I expect a B. I have had some issues with the quizes which are hurting my grade.

I was requested (by-name) for a job at Ft Belvoir, but the assignments guy for my career field said no. It seems that someone else was sending my name out wihtout getting authorization first. After a heart-to-heart with my assignment God, I have completely changed my preferences, etc, so that they sound better to the powers that be. However, it means putting an assignment as an instructor on hold for now.It's npt really what I want but I have too many years left (if I make Major this year) to not do what they recommend. If I am there for four years, which is a strong possibility, I will then ask for Texas to finish out my career. I do not think I am going to go much past Major in terms of career, just becuase my mouth tends to run-on, and I am not able to keep it shut when I should. I understand it's a huge shortcoming in myself, but I never have been able to stop it, though I often bitterly regret the consequences.

The allergy season has hit our house again. Mason and Alexis are doing fairly well, But Derek, Mercedes and I are defeinitely having problems. Mercedes doctor has put her on Zyrtec to try and help control it. He's concerned that we might need to take out her tonsils since all the drainage has them very swollen and inflamed. She also has to get her eyes checked, but we new that would happen sooner or later. Both Derek and I require glasses, so we expected the kids to need them at some point. Derek is fairly miserable with his allergies as am I. I am living on Sudafed, which does help, though I can't take it all of the time. Between the three of us, we go through a LOT of Kleenex. Maybe we should invest in stock :)

Softball starts next week. I am an asst coach for Alexis team, which I hope works out.I think the mix of kids will work out well, though there is no telling. I think Alexis is not going to be the worst, but she won't be the best. I just want her to try, though if I say it it can't POSSIBLY be right. Yep, she's a teenager. She's just at that point.

Work has been pretty low-key. I am trying to not get overwhelmed, and so far am doing ok. I have three or four different issues that I have been working, but they are all in someone else's hands right now. I have done my part. I am now thinking long-term on how to pass the projects off wihtout dropping them on someone. My replacment is in place now, so I think we can make it work.

The weather has been normal Ohio this past week. It started raining today, but the two previous days were sunny and fairly nice, though a little chilly. I will be glad to get past this part of the year. Summer's are much nicer.

Mason's life insurance came in this week, so he's no fully insured. I don't expect to need it for a while, but this way, he's covered, and we can buy more along the way to set him up as an adult. We have been doing the same for all three girls. We are also putting money into their college funds, though it's not going to be enough to pay for their WHOLE college. Sigh! We are also trying to fund our own retirement, so there are a lot of issues to deal with.

We got Mason a potty, but he's not really wanting to use it yet. He's more interested in flushing becuase it makes noise. At least he's introduced to it. Potty training is not one of those fun things : )

I need to go fix dinner. Sigh! A mother's work is never done. . . .

Life in Ohio

We have been busy as usual. Alexis has been home for Spring Break all week. Unfortunately, on Wednesday the weather got cold, so a lot of stuff she had planned didn't work out. She was going to do some yard work, but that went by the wayside.

Life has been pretty busy this week. Doctor's appts and stuff. It looks like Alexis will be getting her braces off before we leave in December. She's pretty happy about that.

I have a myspace account now (http://www.myspace.com/AKansasCowgirl ), just to keep in touch with a few people. It's not too bad a deal. I'm going to "give" it to Alexis so she can use it and I can monitor. Yes, I am an overprotective parent.

No baby yet, still waiting. Not very patiently, either.

We picked up the pictures, btw. Click the link on the right to check them out. They look GREAT!

And life just gets more interesting

Well, last week was interesting. I found out that I am on the VML (Vulnerable to Move List) for Fall 2007. Wait a second, weren’t we moving in Spring 2008, then they moved us to Spring 2009? What’s going on here? Well, it appears that since we arrived in August 2003, they feel that I have been here long enough, so I need to move for the good of my career. We are not upset by this, just a bit shocked. Nowhere in our short-mid term plans was a 2007 move planned. We were not expecting it, so had not made plans. We are not upset though, if anything, the timing works for Derek. He will graduate in August and rather than having to get a job right away, he will work on getting us ready to move. The hope is that he will get a job after we arrive at the new base, wherever that may be. I did go in and change my bases of preference. I took Texas off since we want to retire there and this will not be a retirement assignment for me. I have had a call from an Agency in Virginia wanting to discuss a job. I am still hoping for the AF Academy, though that is not looking bright. I have Hawaii down, so maybe we will get lucky : )
That was our big news. In other news, Derek got two A’s and one B last term, so that was good. I am still waiting for the instructor to grade my research paper and Final from my second class, so no news there. Derek started the new term last week and is already complaining about the reading : ) I am working on my research paper for this class and hoping to pass since I failed the first quiz (miserably). I am not starting any classes this month which is probably for the best. I need to a breather from papers during maternity leave.
I have “scheduled” the surgery to “get fixed”, so that’s good. Micah has been pretty active and the signs of impending delivery are starting to appear. I think he’s dropped, among other things. I’m trying to stay active so that I don’t think about it too much. That’s when I notice every little twinge.
I am mostly caught up at work now, which is also good, especially since I have become a complete ditz. Between the baby and the assignment, my mind is not focusing. I also have two new guys that I have been working on getting up to speed. Unfortunately, I am not the most organized person in this regard. We have so few people transition in that there is not a set spiel like most places have. I am muddling through it, though.
We broke down and got a new lawn swing and a new lawn mower this weekend. Our old swing was falling apart and the fabric top had been torn to shred by the winter winds, so we found one that was within our budget and got it. The mower we’ve had for three or four years also decided to flake out, so we found one that fit our needs and budget as well. I hate not being able to get the old one fixed, but from past experience, once you start having major maintenance done, it snowballs and by the end of the summer you’ve spent enough in maintenance costs to buy a new mower. Hopefully this one will last longer for us. Derek is going to try it out this week and see how it does.
That’s about it for us. We ran around with the kids ALL weekend, so we are pretty worn out. I am still bowling on my league, so that takes up one night a week. Derek and the girls have martial arts which keeps them busy and the girls are going to start softball in a few weeks which will add to the chaos : )

The week's happenings

As usual busy. Derek had the week off from school and didn't get accomplsihed half of what he wanted too. Isn't that how it usually works? He did get all of his grades back. He got two A's and a B and he still wishes he had done better. Jeesh - I am just glad he's passing right now : )

I turned in my research paper for class number 2. I hope the instructor gives me a decent grade. He's a hard grader so I am expecting a B in the class. I have to take the final this week, so it's almost over. I have to write a paper for my third class before the end of April, but I am not real worried about that. It's not quite as tough as the other class, so I expect to finish with no major problems.

I am now 8 1/2 months pregnant. Yea! I am feeling the extra weight more and more these days, and Micah can be pretty rough. He kicks my ribs and bladder at the most inconvenient times. I have now put the instructions for what to do with me on my white board at work too. One of my co-workers is terrified that I will go into labor at work and she will have to deal with it. I've been considering a practical joke to mess with her, but she might kill me.

I have been really busy at work. I am managing a project for our research that runs out soon, so I have been getting the background necessary to continue it. I also have to write a business proposal for it, so there is a lot of details. I am also working on a research project which requires putting a proposal into the human subjects board. This is the first time for me, for anyone in my division actually. It's a "Flagship" project so it's not something I can get behind on. And then there are two new people I am "sponsoring" in to my division. On top of the day-to-day things, and school, I am pretty busy.

On top of all of that, I am up for promotion this year. I have gotten most of the paperwork together and written the outline for the promotion recommendation, but I still need to do the references. That's a couple of hours worth of work. Yes, for those of you in the military, that's my bosses responsibility, but no one else is going to watch out for my career as closely as I will. That's just a fact of life in any organization.

Derek broke a(nother) toe a few weeks ago and it's still not healed so he's going to have to go to the doctor. He's also going to stop taking the prednisone and try to get the doctor to refer him to another specialist. We've tried that before, but it didn't work so well. We'll see what happens though.

I have been missing Mom a lot lately. I guess it's one of those things that will happen through the years. I just wish she were here to share things with, especially with Mason developing so quickly and Micah on his way. I know she would love being a part of it all. It's hard for both Derek and I when we do something that Mom was always a part of. Maybe that's why we don't go to church as much, or spend as much time doing things we did with Mom.

Done Travelling. . .for Now

I went to Montery, CA for an Academic Conference this week. Yes, it was work related! Jeez, I am not a complete scammer. And do you really think, at 8 months pregnant, that I would choose to spend 9-12 hours travelling?

The trip itself was good. However, the plane travel was painful. My flight out left almost an hour late. They said that shouldn't be a problem as most of the flights we were connecting too should also be late. It didn't work that way. Imagine a woman, 8 months pregnant, trying to get across Chicago O'Hare in 10 minutes to connect. Thankfully, the connecting flight opened the doors back up for us to get us. There were 3 of us connecting. From there it was not too bad, but that part was a real bummer. Coming back, I tried to get out early, but that didn't work, and I ended up getting home almost 45 minutes late due to my flight out of Chicago being delayed. So, air travel was not great, though I did have Cinnabon for breakfast yesterday. (I travelled through the night to get home, so I arrived here around 8:45 yesterday morning).

The conference was truly international. I met people fromthe UK, Greece, Australia, Finlans, and South Africa. I think there was another nationality or two through ni though I am not sure. It was a small group, so we had a chance to really chat. I was eating lunch with a variety of interesting people every day and having Academic (try not to laugh) discussions. It was GREAT! I think I learned something, and definitely enjoyed the experience.

Derek, on the other hand, was completely frazzled by the time I got back. The kids had stressed him out, school had stressed him out, and he had sressed himself out. I'm almost surprised they didn't all run out and attack me with "Mommy's home, THANK GOD!".

Derek is in the midst of finals, so he's not happy. He's trying to work through studying for finals and two big projects. I'm glad he's almost through this as it really sresses him out. Especially when he has to work on teams and one of the teammates is Type A anal.

I am plodding my way through my classes. I started class 3 last week, and it's not too bad. I got all of the points for the first post, so I am pretty happy. The other class is a pain, as the instructor is anal, but I will get a B and go on. I have to finish a paper inthe next few weeks, so that's the big issue for that.

The girls are now registered for softball and will be starting in a few weeks. I hope it works out for everyone, though I imagine it will be tiring for us. I still thinks it's important for us to get the little people involved in outside activities, so we will suck it up.

We have family pictures next week, hopefully that will go well. We have everyone's easter outfits, so they will look adorable. They got haircuts on Friday so they will be cleancut and "pretty".

I am coming up on 33 weeks of being pregnant and am getting tired and ready to have this one. He's got a knack for beating up my insides, more so that Mason or Mercedes. I'm glad this is the last one, as I am getting to old and tired to go through this again.

I am looking into some post pregnancy get-in-shape options. The base has a glutes and abs class 3 days a week, and two days a weeks there is an American Kempo class on base. I wouldn't have to pay for the class, so they meet my budget constraints : ) It's really going to be a matter of getting my lazy butt there. I hate the gym. I know I HAVE to do it though. On days I am not taking classes I have to get back into running shape and build up my upper body muscles. Yea, no big deal, right?

I need to go do laundry and clip coupons, but I wanted to share the fun I had at the conference and how grateful I am to be home again.