I suppose some people may think it odd that I have begun the process of packing for my deployment when I do not leave until May, but it is hard to decide what is worth the space when you are going to be gone for a full year, but are living with 1-3 other people in a dorm room. It was so much easier when it was college. Now I have to make sure I pack everything the Air Force says I require along with the things I feel are important.
Which movies do I want to take? I only want to have 3-5 with me, so which ones will I want to watch. Which books will I take? I must have my laptop with my DVD player, which also means an adapter. I will need my digital camera, so I can share everything with the family as I live it. Chapstick, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner.... Some of those things will go in later, but the space is rapidly filling up. And the bags themselves are big enough to carry both Mason and Micah in them relatively comfortably. I have to carry all of this through I don't know how many airports in how many countries.
There are boxes to prepare so they can be sent as I leave here for training. They will be waiting when I arrive so that I have decent bedding (not Air Force or Army issue), towels and a few amenities I want.
So many thoughts on what to take and what I need. So much time spent preparing. In a lot of ways, this is how I combat the fear of the unknown. Gather information, try to make sure I have planned for all contingencies and just stay busy. Less than 3 months and I am leaving everyone I love to spend a year in the desert. It's a little scary and very overwhelming....
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Saturday, February 06, 2010
What's Going On
Things have been busy and I have also "moved" to Facebook. No, it's not an excise, and I will try to do better.
As you can see from the kids Blogs, they are all active and keep things interesting. Derek is officially a stay-at-home Dad again and seems happier with it overall. There are some kinks to work out, but that's always the case.
I am preparing for my upcoming deployment and trying not to lose my mind. Things are really (REALLY) busy at work and I never feel like I have really caught up! Everyone is well (no major health issues recently).
I got my eyes "fixed" a few months ago and it seems to have been a success. Looking forward to the Super Bowl tomorrow and hoping the Colts win!
As you can see from the kids Blogs, they are all active and keep things interesting. Derek is officially a stay-at-home Dad again and seems happier with it overall. There are some kinks to work out, but that's always the case.
I am preparing for my upcoming deployment and trying not to lose my mind. Things are really (REALLY) busy at work and I never feel like I have really caught up! Everyone is well (no major health issues recently).
I got my eyes "fixed" a few months ago and it seems to have been a success. Looking forward to the Super Bowl tomorrow and hoping the Colts win!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Glorious New Year
So, here we are, its a new year! I did not make any resolutions, just wishes that I hope to accomplish!
The kids are all healthy, Derek is happier than I have seen him in some time. I have major changes occurring this year, and I am actually quite excited about the challenges they present.
Derek is now a full-time stay-at-home spouse and seems to be embracing the new role. Yes, he has done this before, but not with the level of responsibility he's got now.
Kids are back in school. Lex has martial arts, part-time job, and is trying out for softball. Cedes is in dance and she and Mason are going to start martial arts in February. Brittney starts her second term of college and is working hard at Whataburger. Micah will be in swimming lessons once they start which should be cute. Mason might do that too. He's scared of the water.
Derek, Brittney and I will be playing softball again this spring, looking forward to that. I think I will play volleyball too, if I can.
The kids are all healthy, Derek is happier than I have seen him in some time. I have major changes occurring this year, and I am actually quite excited about the challenges they present.
Derek is now a full-time stay-at-home spouse and seems to be embracing the new role. Yes, he has done this before, but not with the level of responsibility he's got now.
Kids are back in school. Lex has martial arts, part-time job, and is trying out for softball. Cedes is in dance and she and Mason are going to start martial arts in February. Brittney starts her second term of college and is working hard at Whataburger. Micah will be in swimming lessons once they start which should be cute. Mason might do that too. He's scared of the water.
Derek, Brittney and I will be playing softball again this spring, looking forward to that. I think I will play volleyball too, if I can.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
Life Never Slows Down Here
I know you have heard it before. We just never seem to slow down...ever!
I finished my third Master's a few weeks ago and am just waiting for my final grades and diploma. The last two grades were passing but not as good as I would have liked. Oh well, with life being what it is, I have to accept I can't get all A's.
Derek is considering quitting in December to stay at home with the kids. He misses them like crazy and feels that they are suffering with how busy we are and that we are never home for them.
Brittney is in college now and so far things are working out. Due to some adminsitrative issues we have decided to adopt her, so that will obe complete in October. Yea! She's also taking a cardio class several days a week to stay in shape, so she's busy, since she also works a two jobs in between school.
Alexis is now in High School and is also very busy, moreso than she's ever been and I think it's getting to her (see her blog). She's working a few days a week, taking driver's ed, trying to maintain A's and B's, softball conditioning, and maartial arts. She's a busy girl, plus she's got a long distance boyfriend.
Mercedes is doing alright. She finally got to start dance classes and she's thrilled. Unfortuantely, she is going to have to work to catch up with her peers. She's not got a lot of "rhythm".
Mason and Micah are still witht he same daycare provider. She's started preschool programs with them so they are starting to get ready for school. It's hard to believe that Mason will be in kindergarten next year! He will probably start martial arts (along with Mercedes) in January too). Micah isn't old enough yet, and I am really not sure he needs to be taught how to hit anything! He's violent enough as it is. He's in full-blown two year old mode. Mercedes and Mason were nothign compared to them.
I am still working part-time (though it seems like more sometimes) at the online school. It's not a bad deal, though there are times I feel overwhelmed. It's helping me to pay off bills though so that's nice. Hopefully, I will be 1/3 less in debt by this time next year : )
We are still planning to go to Disney in November for the holiday. I think it will be a nice family trip. We need somerthing fun, away from here. I think we are all too wrapped up in our schedules!
I finished my third Master's a few weeks ago and am just waiting for my final grades and diploma. The last two grades were passing but not as good as I would have liked. Oh well, with life being what it is, I have to accept I can't get all A's.
Derek is considering quitting in December to stay at home with the kids. He misses them like crazy and feels that they are suffering with how busy we are and that we are never home for them.
Brittney is in college now and so far things are working out. Due to some adminsitrative issues we have decided to adopt her, so that will obe complete in October. Yea! She's also taking a cardio class several days a week to stay in shape, so she's busy, since she also works a two jobs in between school.
Alexis is now in High School and is also very busy, moreso than she's ever been and I think it's getting to her (see her blog). She's working a few days a week, taking driver's ed, trying to maintain A's and B's, softball conditioning, and maartial arts. She's a busy girl, plus she's got a long distance boyfriend.
Mercedes is doing alright. She finally got to start dance classes and she's thrilled. Unfortuantely, she is going to have to work to catch up with her peers. She's not got a lot of "rhythm".
Mason and Micah are still witht he same daycare provider. She's started preschool programs with them so they are starting to get ready for school. It's hard to believe that Mason will be in kindergarten next year! He will probably start martial arts (along with Mercedes) in January too). Micah isn't old enough yet, and I am really not sure he needs to be taught how to hit anything! He's violent enough as it is. He's in full-blown two year old mode. Mercedes and Mason were nothign compared to them.
I am still working part-time (though it seems like more sometimes) at the online school. It's not a bad deal, though there are times I feel overwhelmed. It's helping me to pay off bills though so that's nice. Hopefully, I will be 1/3 less in debt by this time next year : )
We are still planning to go to Disney in November for the holiday. I think it will be a nice family trip. We need somerthing fun, away from here. I think we are all too wrapped up in our schedules!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Just Catching Up
Ok, I have gotten addicted to Facebook and MySpace. I am sure it will pass, but I have been spending WAY too much time on those sites!
I found out today that we are ready to start the second phase of Brittneys adoption. It should go fairly quickly fro here. I will pay the remainder of the attorney fees so that will prevent any legal hold-up. In the meantime, we are still trying to work through Brittneys problems with the college. If I didn't know better I would think they are doing it on purpose.
I will be done with this last Master's degree next week. Yes, I sped it up and added to my stress, but I am vulnerable for a career move in the next few months and the last thing I need is to be in the middlle of a degree. This one is military studies, so not good for much outside the Air Force, but it's a degree, so I won't complain (too much). It has really been stressing me out, so I will be very happy to be done.
I am also teaching four classes. I have taught up to six which can really kill me. As much as I enjoy the upper level classes, it is more than I can take. The amount of work is doubled and I am already feeling guilty about not spending more time with the kids, though I am trying to make a point of breaking away from the computer earlier to hang with them.
I am ready for school to start back up. We are trying to keep things quiet until Derek quits working. That should be next year, though I am still secretly hoping he gets a government job (Sigh!).
I found out today that we are ready to start the second phase of Brittneys adoption. It should go fairly quickly fro here. I will pay the remainder of the attorney fees so that will prevent any legal hold-up. In the meantime, we are still trying to work through Brittneys problems with the college. If I didn't know better I would think they are doing it on purpose.
I will be done with this last Master's degree next week. Yes, I sped it up and added to my stress, but I am vulnerable for a career move in the next few months and the last thing I need is to be in the middlle of a degree. This one is military studies, so not good for much outside the Air Force, but it's a degree, so I won't complain (too much). It has really been stressing me out, so I will be very happy to be done.
I am also teaching four classes. I have taught up to six which can really kill me. As much as I enjoy the upper level classes, it is more than I can take. The amount of work is doubled and I am already feeling guilty about not spending more time with the kids, though I am trying to make a point of breaking away from the computer earlier to hang with them.
I am ready for school to start back up. We are trying to keep things quiet until Derek quits working. That should be next year, though I am still secretly hoping he gets a government job (Sigh!).
Sunday, August 02, 2009
So so busy
You know, our life isn't very interesting or exciting, but there is always a lot going on.
For example, Derek and I are in the process of adopting Brittney. Why? Well, since her Dad never got us the custody paperwork, the scholarship she earned is not valid until she becomes a state resident. Yea, it's a loophole, I think a scam actually. However, the adoption solves several problems, and we are all ok with it. In the meantime, she starts college in a few weeks and we think we have everything covered.
Alexis has been going to volleyball conditioning since they cancelled softball conditioning. However, she does not think she really wants to do volleyball, even if she were to make the team. She says softball is where she wants to focus, and she also wants to get back into martial arts. Oh, and she wants to get her Learner's Permit so she can start driving. Frightening, isn't it? We told her she has to maintain a 3.3 GPA or higher to get her driver's license next year. Harsh, aren't we?
Mercedes started a dance class on base a few weeks ago. it's really convenient since the instructor can pick her up from daycare and then I stop and pck her up from there. She's loving it too. She says it is what she wants to focus on versus martial arts or softball. We are going to try to support her with it and let her continue at a school here in town once school starts in a few weeks.
Mason is doing well. He's quite the little engineer. He likes to take everything apart and try to put it back together. Very cute!
Micah is just sheer hell! He's feisty and violent and fussy, but then turns around and is so cute. He's got quite a vocabulary too, when he chooses to talk. Quite a character.
Derek has made the decision to quit working in December. He's fed up with his job and really wants to have more time with the kids. With as busy as we are, I am just not keeping up. He is also considering starting a Master's online, but he's not sold on that yet. We'll see!
I am finishing up Master's number three. I have three weeks left and I will be done!!!! The big pain right now is the research paper. The instructor is anal and I can't seem to please him, at all. Oh well, as long as I get an B, I will be fine.
For example, Derek and I are in the process of adopting Brittney. Why? Well, since her Dad never got us the custody paperwork, the scholarship she earned is not valid until she becomes a state resident. Yea, it's a loophole, I think a scam actually. However, the adoption solves several problems, and we are all ok with it. In the meantime, she starts college in a few weeks and we think we have everything covered.
Alexis has been going to volleyball conditioning since they cancelled softball conditioning. However, she does not think she really wants to do volleyball, even if she were to make the team. She says softball is where she wants to focus, and she also wants to get back into martial arts. Oh, and she wants to get her Learner's Permit so she can start driving. Frightening, isn't it? We told her she has to maintain a 3.3 GPA or higher to get her driver's license next year. Harsh, aren't we?
Mercedes started a dance class on base a few weeks ago. it's really convenient since the instructor can pick her up from daycare and then I stop and pck her up from there. She's loving it too. She says it is what she wants to focus on versus martial arts or softball. We are going to try to support her with it and let her continue at a school here in town once school starts in a few weeks.
Mason is doing well. He's quite the little engineer. He likes to take everything apart and try to put it back together. Very cute!
Micah is just sheer hell! He's feisty and violent and fussy, but then turns around and is so cute. He's got quite a vocabulary too, when he chooses to talk. Quite a character.
Derek has made the decision to quit working in December. He's fed up with his job and really wants to have more time with the kids. With as busy as we are, I am just not keeping up. He is also considering starting a Master's online, but he's not sold on that yet. We'll see!
I am finishing up Master's number three. I have three weeks left and I will be done!!!! The big pain right now is the research paper. The instructor is anal and I can't seem to please him, at all. Oh well, as long as I get an B, I will be fine.
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