| Your Career Type: Social |
 You would make an excellent: Counselor - Dental Hygienist - LibrarianNurse - Parole Officer - Personal TrainerPhysical Therapist - Social Worker - Teacher The worst career options for your are realistic careers, like truck driver or farmer. |
Last week the base had this picnic, sorta like a "Let's celebrate Katrina" thing. Well, when the kiddos heard the word 'picnic' they were all about it. So, Friday afternoon we picked Daddy up from work and checked out this shindig. It was at the Marina Park. Well, that is on the back bay of Biloxi which was real flooded and all. So, where there used to be grass it was all like dried up sludge/mud/muck, whatever you want to call it. A bit gross to me. We ate our hot dogs and hamburgers (which made my stomach hurt like nothin' else), and of course the kids wanted to play. They were going all out at this picnic- they had the blow-up climbing things, bouncing things, etc. They had a few different local bands. It was pretty decent. I guess we did it more for the kids than anything. Something different to do, something that seems a bit 'normal' to us all. BUT their feet got SO dirty from that nasty ground. I mean, I have NO idea what was all sitting on that ground from Miss Katrina. I wasn't going to take chances. Not when it comes to my children. So when we got home I threw them all in the tub and scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed. Like I said, I don't know how 'safe' that was. I feel like I am so darn picky and weird. Last week we also played at McDonald's and they had been running around bare-footed. Gross. I'm not big on indoor play places to begin with. So when we got home from there I scrubbed their feet and washed their hands. I'm not taking chances when it comes to my precious children and keeping them healthy. Who knows what may be breeding down here as far as germs and all. But sometimes I feel like I am utterly too picky and take the fun out of life. I will include some pictures from our times of playing (minus the clean-up).
Here is another thing I found at Beth's site. She seems to always be doing neat things like this so I thought I'd try it. Pretty funny. Here's what you do. Google your name needs (like Jamie needs, only type your name instead of mine). Then blog the first 10 things that come up. I went to 15 only because it was pretty hilarious. Have fun! Here's my crazy results...
1. Jamie needs your vote (vote for what?).
2. Jamie needs Kelly's backing (I'm unsure who Kelly is, but sure, I'll take her help!).
3. Jamie needs a kid (well, that would add to the dozen that Zach wants to have, so why not;)).
4. Jamie needs amanuensis (I don't even want to know what this is...and it refers to a cat...do I really need it? I am not too fond of cats).
5. Jamie needs a nap (FINALLY, somebody sees the need for mama to get some rest!).
6. Jamie needs the Spur of a goal (yeah, sure, bring it on).
7. Jamie needs to find a witness (I didn't do it. I swear I didn't do it. It was the butler.)
8. Jamie needs a kid (Wow, another one!!!).
9. Jamie needs a liver transplant (Gee, I hope not).
10. Jamie might need security (Yeah, I need some emotional security at times).
11. Jamie needs our help (Are you sure you'd like to elicit my help?).
12. Jamie needs to radically improve (And you just asked for my help...).
13. Jamie needs a new home (Oh please, in a different state!).
14. Jamie needs to be the only or oldest child in the family (Weird, I am an only child).
15. Jamie needs to uncover the truth (The truth about what? I'll work on that and get back to you...).
H:
Yesterday while at Wal-Mart H asked me why some people were brown. Keep in mind we live in the South so there are many brown skinned people, one of which was in hearing distance. I explained to her that we all come in different colors...Then she asked if brown people go to heaven! I then told her Jesus was probably not white like we are and that it doesn't matter the color of your skin, what matters is a relationship with Jesus. Then, last night we sang some praise songs together and read a Bible story. We read about David and Bathsheba. We read about Nathan telling David a story about a rich and poor man. The rich man had many sheep, the poor man only one. We read how the rich man took the poor man's only sheep that he loved so much. After finishing the Bible story we prayed. H asked Jesus to give the poor man another sheep! It was too adorable!
J:
I have decided he is the BIGGEST wimp. That boy is afraid of everything. Last weekend we went to the mangled bridge to take pictures. He was afraid to go anywhere near it, much less on it. I thought he was going to wet his pants! Yesterday I took him to get his pictures taken (only 5 months late) and he freaked out about sitting up on the table. I never did get 2 year pictures of him because he hates to get his picture taken. Well the day before I had done G's so I thought for sure J would be ok with it seeing his little brother do it. Oh no! He sat at the very edge of the front of the table. I don't know if he thought he'd fall back or what, but nothing could convince him to scoot back. I sat on it, I had H sit on it, I went behind it. Nothing worked. Finally I told him Princess Leia was in the camera and to smile for her. I told him he was going to marry her. That got him to smile. I also had to tell him forget it, that I would just get H's pictures taken, and he was like, "NO!". Then I had to tell him Darth Vader was in the camera for another smile. We got about 5 pictures, but I only wanted the one for the package. It turned out well, considering. I don't know why he hates pictures so much. I was ready to cry trying to deal with it, especially after waiting for a half and hour. Today we went on a field trip to the post office. He was SO freaked out again, once we got behind the big huge door. I'm not sure what he thought, but he was crying about going home and not being there. Luckily it didn't take too long to get through it and I told him we were going to McDonald's afterwards. I am not sure why he is so scared of things. I hope it is just a stage he's going through. On another note, last night when we were singing he actually sang a bit too. It was SO cute that I started to cry. Lately he has been singing little phrases from church songs and it is so precious. Daddy gave him a hair cut the other night and he looks so handsome and clean cut.
G:
He has been really interested in books lately. He likes the board books with animals. He thinks every one of them is a dog. Then if I say cow he thinks I say car and he goes "Vroom, vroom". Many times a day I catch him sitting on the floor browsing through a book. He has to try to do everything his brother and sister do. Yesterday they were both sitting in their desks and so G went and sat on this one toy so he'd have somewhere to sit too. He likes to try to eat crayons and he bugs J like crazy when J tries to color. He's been doing this funny thing with his bottom lip after he says a word and the face it produces cracks me up.
Also, we made the paper back home this week. Front page too. They put an article and a picture of us about the hurricane. Such a small town...For they only go to press once a week! This is the family picture they used.
Beth had this on her blog and I thought I would try it. Hope I can figure it all out! I've never tried to put pictures from the web on here before so this may take me awhile! You should try it too!
Go to Google and click on the images link. Type in the following and post the first (or your favorite) picture the search engine finds.
* The name of the town where you grew up.
* The name of the town where you live now.
* Your name.
* Your Grandmother's name. (Pick one)
* Your favorite food.
* Your favorite drink.
* Your favorite song.
* Your favorite smell.
I grew up in a small town called Hancock and this picture on the left was the first picture that came up for Hancock, General Hancock.
I now live in Ocean Springs. The first pictures were maps and things relating to the hurricane so I bypassed those and picked this one on the right. This is a picture of the main street (called Washington St.) downtown, way back around 1903! I love our downtown area. Many of those trees are still there and even today when you drive down there you feel a bit pulled back into history. 
Let's see what comes up for my name...I figured I'd find Jamie Lee Curtis. I was going to go with the first image but the model was a bit scantily dressed for my taste;) so I stuck with the famous Jamie.
I am going to pick my Grandmother named Gloria and see what I get. The other one is Mary and I'm sure I'd get many pictures of Mary, Jesus' mother. Hmmm...Sorry, grandma. Not sure if that is supposed to be a rabbit, a dog or what!
My favorite food is chocolate...pretty much anything chocolate. I know its not much of a healthy food, but I can't get enough of it. So, here's to chocolate.
My favorite drink is Cherry Pepsi or Cherry Coke.
It is really hard to pick a favorite song. There are SO many good ones. I guess I will choose "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. That song makes me cry every time I hear it and it gives me goosebumps. And lastly, my favorite smell is babies. I love the way they smell. So fresh and clean (usually). 
Well, that wasn't too hard to figure out. Took out naptime for the day and gave me something to do.
The setting: The kitchen
The time: 8:30 am
We just finish up breakfast.
H: I like white milk. We get milk from cows. I like cows milk.
Mommy: Some people drink milk from goats too.
H: Where does chocolate milk come from, chocolate cows?
Mommy tries to stifle a laugh and smiles sweetly: No, they come from the same cow as white milk. We add chocolate to make it chocolate milk.
One of those priceless moments with our children. Sometimes you just have to love those questions they ask;)
Here is G before his first hair cut. I finally broke down and got it done! His hair was growing in so weird. It was long by his ears and in the back but on the top of his head it wasn't very long and he had a hard time growing any hair on the sides. He reminded me of an old man! He did SO well. I took him to my neighbor who works at Regis. He sat still and didn't make a peep. He is the most well-mannered baby I have had and he listens so well. I was a bit sad to see his little locks being snipped off but I knew it was time. I did manage to save some of those locks though. Now that his hair is cut he looks so different to me. Like a totally different boy, a much bigger boy. H just asked me today when I'm going to have another baby. She must think he's growing up too!
Well, things have been a bit quiet here. Nothing to write home about. I thought I broke my toe the other day. Somehow I hit my middle toe on the washing machine the wrong way (gosh, I am SOOO clumsy). It hurt so bad, but I always stub my toes or run into things so I didn't think much of it. But, it wouldn't stop hurting real bad. Then it was swelling up and bruising on the side. Then the back of the toe started to bruise. I knew there was nothing a doctor could do so didn't do much about it... Yesterday I asked my neighbor about it (she's a doctor) and she doesn't think its broken, thankfully! It sure is bruised though. It doesn't really hurt too bad anymore either. Then she commented on the callouses on my feet! How embarrassing! I never let people see my feet! I know I don't wear the right type of shoes though, I always wear sandals (its still 90 down here). Well, at least my toe isn't broken...
H has had a fever for the past couple of days. Must be what J had last week. He had no appetite though, and she's been eating so well lately. Her two bottom teeth are loose. She is reading really well and doing great in school. Here's what she read today: "In the Box. The candy is in it. The lighthouse is in it. Here is the box." The words box, candy and lighthouse had a picture of it with the word underneath it, so she read the picture. I am so proud of how well she is doing! It is such a joy teaching her!
G has had a runny nose too. When I am trying to do school he's been real clingy, but otherwise he's fine. He says so many words now! Dog, dada, mama, night, bear, no, stop, car. He seems to copy everything we say. I forget he's only 13.5 months because he acts so much older. I need to get his hair cut. I have been putting if off for so long because he's my baby and I can't imagine getting it cut!
J sometimes sits and listens to the school lessons. Sometimes he likes to write while we write. The only letter he really knows how to write is H (for H, his sister). But he has fun listening to the stories and songs we do. He was SO easy to potty train and is doing great with that! It already feels like eons ago that he wore diapers. He seems like such a big boy. He copies EVERYTHING his sister says and does...That gets annoying.
Other than that life has been pretty quiet. There's not much to do around here so we haven't been up to much. Finally our friends are starting to return to the area. Last week we went to Mobile, Alabama (it's only like 45 min. Away) and shopped there and ate at the Olive Garden. Other than that...Life is a bit like normal.
We took our first homeschooling field trip to the fire department. J was pretty scared and asked right away to go home. I think maybe he thought we'd be in a fire or something! He wouldn't go near the fire truck for the longest time. We got to see where the firefighters sleep while they're on shift, and see their kitchen/living area. Fireman Tim showed us the fire truck, explaining its many different parts. H & J were too scared to sit up in the seat! H asked some questions and liked getting her picture taken sitting on the bumpers of the truck. J had fun helping Fireman Tim squirt water out of the hose! H was too afraid to try this at first, but finally made her way over there! Overall, it was a fun time and even I learned a few things! The best part was that we actually got to see them leave for a call (somebody at Taco Bell smelled gas so they had 
to 
respond to the call).
Well, today I am feeling so down in the dumps. It started this afternoon when G woke from his nap so crabby and its just been going downhill since. I think the weather may be affecting it. After all, there is another hurricane brewing out there. That is the last thing I want to deal with. I am not wanting to run away from home again. Oh, why can't I move??? Yesterday we drove down by the front beach in Ocean Springs. We saw the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge up close and personal. Crazy. And to see these remains of houses...did I mention the hole's in the ground? It looked like a big crater had dropped and left a hole in the ground in numerous places. And forget grass, the sand is all over. Boats parked up next to houses by the marina. It is unreal to see it for yourself. And we went to one of the many donation spots and got water and I also got this huge package of diapers. I felt so blessed. Yet we feel like we could be doing more to helping people out who have nothing. So, I baked muffins this morning and brought them to the workers where I got our diapers and water from. I think I need another good cry...it has been awhile. Usually things seem fine, in my home I try to put it out of my mind. But, driving around and seeing it...and now with Rita threatening (maybe not here, but still I know what feelings people have that are in its path)...just let the tears come...
Wednesday evening my friend, Sheila, (the one I was staying with), our children and I went out to dinner at Applebee's. We were 'celebrating' the fact that things seemed okay for us. She was finally feeling better also, as she had been pretty sick since the day we had gotten there. Thankfully the Lord has watched over us in that area also, as we haven't gotten sick! Due to some 'complications' we only paid $10 for our meal which consisted of 2 adult dinners and 4 children's meals! She was pretty sneaky and had the workers come and sing their 'Happy Birthday' song to me and bring me a free sundae. I could have cried! It was embarrassing, but I know she did it out of love:)
Thursday I was able to meet with one of my friends that also lives in Ocean Springs. Our children played together and we talked of the way our lives had changed. She was in Panama City staying with her parents, but was going to be heading to Pensacola the next day. Hmmm... I wanted to go to Pensacola too, to stay with my friend Diana and to be a bit closer to home. I wanted to run the idea past Zach first though. So, I was able to talk to Zach and plan to leave the next day to Pensacola. Meanwhile, there is so much talk about the base- is it going to close? turn into an army base? remain open? All I knew was that I wanted to move! I never wanted to go through another thing like that!
Friday we drove to Pensacola. It was nice to see Diana again, even though I had just seen her the weekend before! Our children play so well together and H says she wants to marry Alex. Diana, Sheila and I were all stationed together at Minot, North Dakota. It's funny how we all made it to the south:) We were all pregnant together with our first child, although we didn't meet Sheila until the end of the pregnancies. Diana and Sheila lived next to each other and I lived across the street. Diana and I were such close friends, but she moved shortly after our babies were born:( Sheila and I had fun going to playgroups together with our little babies and were pregnant together with our second child.
I stayed there through the weekend. The kids had a blast playing outside with all the other kids. They live in base housing, so there are kids everywhere! They got to swim and jump in one of those bouncy things, ride a Power Wheels jeep...They had it made! I also got to visit another friend, Tracy, who I was stationed with in North Carolina. Through the weekend the news kept coming that water was being restored to different areas. Zach was able to come home frequently, but still had to sleep on base. One of our friends was going to be staying with us because their house was only 2 blocks from the water and didn't quite fare so well. Finally on Sunday Zach called to say we had power and the kids and I could come home! I couldn't believe it! I was only gone for a week, but it felt like ages. It was too much drama and emotion for one week!
So, hail Labor Day, Monday, I drove home. I missed the Jerry Lewis Telethon. Rats. It was that telethon that inspired me to become a social worker. Well, to at least get the degree. I wanted to work in a Children's Hospital with children. Well, the degree is under my belt, but I'm blessed to be working at home with my own children! Anyway, as I drove home I was nervous as to what I would see. The further west I drove the more I wondered what kind of emotions were going to be stirred in me. Mobile, AL, had some trees down and signs down. I kept driving. Pascagoula, MS the bridge driving east was out. There was a big barge that had hit it! Big billboards had been blown over, trees were down and the air stunk. It was unreal to see these huge billboards sawed in half! Some of the smaller signs were fine, but many of them lay in the median of the road. Finally, my exit. What would I find as I neared home? There was no working stop lights. Each car had to stop individually. I passed some neighborhoods where a ton of siding and shingles had been blown off. Some looked fine. I turned onto the road that leads to my house. To the right is a neighborhood. Looks like a pretty expensive one, although it sits right next to the railroad tracks. Many of their fences were blown right over. "Wow!" I thought, "I didn't know those people had a pool!". The thing that really hit me the hardest was seeing the National Guard driving all over or sitting on the corners! I felt like I was living in a war-torn country. I felt safe, but at the same time I felt invaded. It still amazes me that our house did so well. Ones next to us or 3 or 4 houses down had much more siding off or shingles down. Some neighbors had trees that just escaped hitting their houses, but damaged their fences.
I got home. There was Zach. I just clung to him with tears in my eyes, so thankful that we were together again, thankful he was ok. The kids were bouncing around happy to see their daddy again. I just walked through the house, constantly thanking God for sparing us. I couldn't stop staring around, amazed that my house made it. I went outside and assessed the damage. Wow, the screened-in porch looked like something came and cut the screens right out. The glass from the door was smashed into pieces. That door sits pretty much right next to our back door. How is it that the windows on the back door stayed intact? I saw the water line on the fence. What??? It was HIGH! How in the world did that water not come into my house??? I had heard that the two neighbors to the south of me had about an inch of water in their houses. My house sits back further on our lot, closer to the swampy area behind the fence. How is that possible that I didn't' have water? And about the fence...Portions of it were lying on the ground. The swingset looks mutilated.
We didn't stick around home long. We obviously had no food. Zach had worked hard to clean up much of the yard and to throw away all the spoiled food from our fridge and freezers. We first drove down the road toward the coast. It was unreal to see. Where were all those beautiful big houses? There was nothing left of them! Maybe some clothes in a tree. A toilet here, a couch there. Cars overturned. Trees along the road. Finally, we went in search of food. Of course, nothing much was open. Zach said he heard there was a McDonald's open. It wasn't. The traffic was crazy in some areas. People coming home to assess what was left. We drove to Biloxi, to a Dominoe's. I couldn't believe driving through some of the places! My mouth was hanging open. It is so unreal to see it in person. Stuff strewn everywhere. And the stench. Man, driving through some of those places you had to block your nose good! Houses completely gutted out. Houses completely gone, only a cement slab left. It was so sad. At the same time I couldn't even comprehend what I was seeing. The magnitude of it was too great. I just stared in disbelief. I felt like I was dreaming.
Since then we have driven around in different areas as well. There used to be this store called Sharkheads in Biloxi with a big shark head sticking out of it. All that is left is the structure. Right down the road from it was Ruby Tuesday. You'd never guess there was a Ruby Tuesday there. Down by the mall McDonald's is gutted out. Ronald is still standing though, and waving. In the parking lot of a shopping center is a toilet. One house I saw was torn in half. One house would be gone, but the house across the street looked ok. It is so unreal. I still can't get used to it. When I sit at home, life seems almost normal. I try not to think of things. But, once I'm outside I'm reminded of the tragedy. It is so unreal to see National Guard and relief workers, donation centers set up all over the place! It is amazing to see, but sad also. And the stench still remains, in some areas worse than others. Our water is still unsafe. We can bathe in it and that type of thing,b ut not drink it. When I do laundry I feel like my clothes stink from washing them in that water. Yuck. How safe can it truly be here? Why do I have to be here, exposed to this? I feel so bad for people that have lost everything. It is amazing to see people who are determined to get on with life, to rebuild, to stay. I would just want to move away! That is what I want!
Speaking of moving, after we heard many rumors, I guess its decided we're staying here. The medical people are leaving since the base hospital is pretty bad. They decided to start the training again and it was supposed to begin today, but now they're saying next week. I can't understand how they can do that when many of their workers lost homes! Families are still displaced, the active duty member here, yet the family away. Our friend, Matt, that was staying with us barely had a day off. He probably didn't even have time to deal with his loss. The things he owned fit into our garage! Are people like that supposed to care about teaching? Who would have the willpower to do something like that! It is unreal! I'm so bummed that we're stuck here. In a way I know it must be what God wants...I don't want to doubt Him. But, I don't want to be here another 3 years. I don't want to see this place rebuilt. I don't want to deal with hurricane season ever again! Just move me to Alaska for all I care!
Thursday we went to Houston for a few days to get away. It was a nice vacation. The ride took longer than anticipated, but it was so good to not be in the midst of this tragedy here. I got my first pedicure and a manicure! We went to this huge mall. The stores were too expensive for our budget. Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue...whew! It was nice to lounge in a hotel, swim in the pool, eat some real Mexican food and go to a museum. It was nice to put the reality of our lives on hold for a bit.
Now I wonder what the next corner will bring. I see there is a new tropical storm. Part of me just wants it to come and wash away what's left here so they'll move us. I just can't see dealing with this hurricane thing anymore. I try to make life as normal for us as possible. But how can it be? Wal-Mart has limited hours. We went to eat at Applebee's last night only they closed at 5!!! You try to do the normal things to keep on moving, yet sometimes you can't! I am still homeschooling and trying to at least keep life normal in the walls of our home. We're enjoying the homeschooling and the normalcy it brings to life. Even though I struggle with some of my thoughts about it all sometimes I know that God's hand holds me. He sustains me. He is watching us, guiding us and protecting us. He cares about my family and I more than I can comprehend. He is BIGGER than a Category 5 storm. He is God and I will put my trust in Him!
Here is an account of how Hurricane Katrina affected our lives.
On Friday, August 26 I received a phone call from my friend Diana in Pensacola. She said they were told to evacuate the Navy base there and they would come to the birthday party on Saturday and then head to Jackson, MS. I had told her she could always come and stay with us. Then I called my friend in Panama City and told her if she evacuated that she could come here also. I went to my first Stampin' Up party that night. Not many people showed up due to the storm that kept moving nearer to us.
Saturday, August 27 was somewhat of a normal day for us. It was the day I was having a birthday party for G, to celebrate his first year with us. Our friends were coming from Pensacola, plus we had a few families from our area coming to celebrate. It was a busy morning as I was trying to prepare for the party and prepare for school, which was to start on Monday. So, life seemed normal on this day. We kept checking the internet for the latest stats on the storm. Zach had a busy day as he had to call students and tell them when to check into the shelter. Being on the shelter management team, he had much work cut out for him and didn't get to partake in much of the birthday party. Only our friends from Pensacola and a family from our area showed up as everybody else was hunkering down for this storm and trying to figure out what they needed to do. At this point I think it was still a Category 3. My friend from Panama City called and told me if I needed to evacuate that I could go and stay with her, as it had moved more east and didn't look good for my area. I was uncertain what to do, but I finally decided I would weather (no pun intended) it out in the shelter with Zach and see how that went. I couldn't imagine life in a shelter with 3 children under the age of 5, but I didn't want to leave Zach either. So, I packed up some food Saturday night and tried to sleep, wondering what the next day held in store for us.
Sunday morning Zach had to leave early to prepare the shelter. I decided I would go there after dinner, about 5 pm. I woke up real early, not able to sleep well anyway. Who can sleep when they say the eye of the storm is coming straight for you? I quickly checked the computer and saw the number 5. My phone was ringing off the hook and it wasn't even 7 am! Friends and family were calling and telling me how bad it looked and that I needed to leave. I was frantic. I just remember seeing that 5 and feeling doomed. I tried to call Zach but the lady wasn't sure where he was. I wanted to ask him if I could just leave. I did not want to stay where a storm that bad would hit. The building I was going to be sheltering in with him was built to maintain a direct hit from a Category 4 storm, but a 5? That spelled one thing for me. Make that two. D-E-V-A-S-T-I-O-N and E-V-A-C-U-A-T-E. As I waited for Zach to call me back I answered the many phone calls and was throwing things in laundry baskets. I was gathering pictures, important papers, things I didn't want lost or forever gone. Finally, he called. I told him I wanted to leave, to go to Panama City. He got a bit upset that I was changing the plan and told me to just go to the shelter, that we would be fine. I was upset and didn't know what to do. I certainly wasn't going to drive 5 hours away without his consent not knowing if I'd even see him again. About a half an hour later he called back and said he'd be home in about a half an hour. I didn't know what that meant. He wasn't very happy with me for 'freaking out'. Maybe it was his way of dealing with the situation. He didn't seem worried in the least bit though, and it irritated me. I just kept seeing that 5 and hearing that we were doomed and I just knew I needed to protect my children and get out of town. Finally he arrived home and asked me when I was leaving. He packed up the van and we said a not-so-good good-bye. I don't think he really wanted me to drive that far by myself, and then with traffic on top of it. I don't think he wanted us to be separated or me to have to leave alone. It was not easy to leave him behind and wonder if I would even see him again. I kept thinking 30 ft. storm surge and how his building would be wiped out. I cried and prayed as I drove. I was tempted to turn around and go back to him, especially with all of the traffic. But I kept on driving east. I kept on talking to God. At one point I saw this clear picture in my mind. It was my house and it was surrounded by a huge wall on all sides and above. It was the type of wall that they built in Bible times to protect the cities. Around the outer parts of the wall were huge angels, they looked like giants, protecting the wall. It was amazing how God gave me that vision.
I arrived in Panama City and called Zach to let him know I was there. We only got to talk for a minute. It was so hard being so far from him and knowing this huge storm is headed for him. I barely slept that night and kept checking the TV. My friend didn't have cable, but that's probably a good thing. All day Monday I kept checking the internet and TV. I was a wreck. I couldn't think of anything else besides this storm taking place right where Zach was. Right where our home is. It looked awful. Being on the eastern side, I knew it couldn't be good for us at all. I was devastated. All day I wondered if Zach was ok. He was right off of the coast on the base. Did the water rise so high from the storm surge that his building was wiped out? I can't even imagine storm surge or 100+ winds. What was he doing? When would I hear from him? Surely there was no power. Had we said our last good-bye the day before? That was probably the longest day of my life. Finally, FINALLY in the evening he called. He could only talk real quick. He was ok. Their building was fine. I didn't know whether he was just saying that so I didn't worry or if it was true, but at least I got to hear his voice, even if it was for a minute or two. I had no idea when I would hear from him again.
Tuesday I woke up. It was my birthday. Some birthday. I knew my husband was ok, but what of our house? I was seeing devastation in Biloxi and Gulfport but nothing of Ocean Springs. What did that mean? Was it so bad that they couldn't' get in there? I even saw Pascagoula. We are sandwiched between Pascagoula and Biloxi. The bridge from Ocean Springs to Biloxi was gone. What of my house? I decided to try to make the best of my day. I took the kids to IHOP. I normally don't go to a sit-down restaraunt like that alone with 3 children, but they love IHOP. They did great! As I got them buckled in the vehicle to leave this elderly black lady tapped on the passenger window. I had seen her in the restaurant at a table near us. I didn't think she paid us any attention. I rolled the window down a bit and this is what she said: "I just want to tell you how well-behaved your children are and how blessed you are". I was floored. I knew that that was only from God. I mean, it was my birthday and here I'm going through the biggest storm to hit the U.S. That was not a coincidence. I don't believe in luck. Zach thinks maybe it was an angel. It just made me break into tears and thank God for my children. I thanked Him that my family was ok. I knew that no matter what else I had left, I had my family and that is more precious than anything else. That afternoon I visited with a different friend that happens to live in P.C. Her dh and Zach graduated from high school together and I met them in N.C. The downer was that I had missed a phone call from Zach. I was devastated. I at least wanted to hear his voice. Meanwhile, I'm getting all these emails from friends stationed in Mississippi with us. Rumors are flying every which way about the base and what will happen. I just know that I want to get out of Mississippi. I will go back to North Dakota at this point.
Wednesday Zach is able to drive to check on the house. He calls me. The house is okay. Our privacy fence is down (we knew that would happen as it happened last year with Ivan), our back porch is no longer screened in, we're missing 2 or 3 rows of vinyl siding on the garage and we're missing a bit of shingles. That is it! How is that possible? You all must have seen the footage on TV just like I did. I cried and thanked God. I just couldn't believe it. I couldn't even put into words the miracle God had given us. All I knew was that just like that vision, He protected us. Why me? Sure, I love Him. I try to be faithful to Him. But, I feel I fail miserably day in and day out. And yet He is SOOOOO faithful to me! What a loving Father! I just couldn't believe that our home was okay. And yet, I felt horrible for all those people who lost so much. People I know. People I probably see in the stores. People that may wait on us at a restaraunt. One of the first things I said was, "That is not my house. It is God's house and it will be open to those who have nowhere to go." He was able to protect it and I needed to give it to Him. To let Him use it as He desired.
Stay tuned to Part II of my account of Hurricane Katrina...Coming soon...
Ok, Just wanted to let you know I'm back. Internet is now up and running. I will try to update a bit more in a couple of days, but we are totally fine. Praise the Lord as He has protected us!
Ok, I will be gone for a bit. Not sure how long. Katrina is headed our way. Going to shelter on base with Zach. Not sure when I'll be back. Will go to the shelter sometime tomorrow (Sunday) and the storm is supposed to hit Monday. My birthday is Tuesday, so what a wonderful birthday present. Just pray for the safety of my family and I. Pray our home will be unharmed. Looks like we'll be on the eastern end of it and that's the worst side.
I thought I would give a quick update. We finally bought a new garbage can. To me it looks smaller than our old one (maybe because its not round like the other one was), but we agreed on it. I have yet to do the garbage;) Thanks, honey:)
You were woven together inside of me,
A secret place, only God can see.
It took some time, nine months in fact,
To mold you together, all in tact.
At last the day upon me arose,
I held you, kissed you and counted your toes.
Instantly I fell in love
With my new babe sent from the Father above.
How can it be that a year has passed?
The time has flown so utterly fast.
I have watched you grow and watched you learn,
Yet vividly remember that day you were born.
Thank you, dear Jesus, for this year with my son,
It has been a year of learning, laughter and fun.
His cuddles, his antics, his giggles, his cries,
His 'woof, woof', his 'mama', his 'hi', his 'bye-bye'.
I watch him nestle against my breast,
I smile and am awestruck at how I am blest.
As he depends upon me as his mother,
May I depend upon You, Father, and not on another.
Lord Jesus, I ask for patience and gentleness,
As I mother my son, Lord make me selfless.
May I be an example of humility,
May I obey You and may he see You in me.
I pray he will come to know You, Lord,
To study your Bible, to make it his sword.
May all that he does reflect your face,
I pray that he is led to your saving grace.
Lord, thank You for this gift, my son,
Thank you for this day he's one.
Guide him each and every day,
To be a holy man, to pray.
May he serve You and obey,
May he walk in Your steps and never stray.
Happy 1st Birthday, my dear son, G. I love you so much!
Mommy
Well, today I decided to take the little ones to a playgroup on the base. This is not an easy task, especially when they meet at 9:30 and I live about 20 minutes away from base. I decided to go because I know the lady who 'runs' it and she has invited me numerous times. They were also supposed to be having some sort of 'lessons' on knitting or crocheting and I'm trying to learn how to knit. So, I decided I would drag my butt out of bed early, fight with the kids and be out the door at 9! I'm usually not even showered by then! But, it was a fairly smooth morning.
I almost get hit by some old people on my way there, not once but twice. I haven't been to an actual 'base' playgroup in awhile. I went religiously in Minot when H was a baby and would sometimes go in North Carolina. I was feeling a bit apprehensive but was excited, if nothing else, to get some pointers on knitting. Plus, my friend Canaan was going, so I would know two people- her and Robin, the lady who 'runs' it.
I am making this quite long...sorry:) So, I am walking in and there is another lady with her baby walking. She says hi and holds the door for me and my 3 children. I walk into the room and there are mostly little toddling babies all about. No problem, after all one of mine is a toddling baby. So, I stand there, as other ladies are, waiting for somebody to introduce themselves or something. I stand...and stand...let the baby out...stand...plaster a fake smile...talk to my children...fake smile... By this time I am wanting to know where the nearest phone is to tell Zach to come and rescue me on his lunch break (his lunch is at 10:15). Finally Canaan and her children arrive! Phew. Now that there's 2 of us somebody will surely come and say hi. Well, we stand, fake smile...You get the idea. Normally I am one to just start talking to somebody, given their body language or something about them is inviting, but they were not even acknowledging that we were there in any way! It didn't take long for us to decide to just head to the nearest playland with our children. They must be officers wives and I must have ENLISTED written all over me or something. It was pretty rude and ridiculous. We won't be attending that playgroup again!
As we were getting our things together to leave (meaning gathering our brood of children), Robin walked in. I don't think she saw me, otherwise I know she would have said hello. I didn't stick around for her to see me, but tried to squeeze out before she could and before I was more embarrassed than I already felt (and she is NOT an officer wife!). And dear Canaan gave me a few knitting pointers as we watched our brood get all full of germs on the playland;)
But, what a way to feel like chopped liver...
I have always had this 'struggle' with the trash. In my mind it is a man's job to take out the trash, so I always harp, nag or get frustrated when its well overdue and I can't stick another thing in the can. For the past year, at least, I have struggled with wanting to be a help meet to my husband by doing the trash myself (I have struggled with being a help meet since Day 1 of marriage, in this I'm referring to the trash). I know that it would be a great help to him. And I know that I am his help meet, not the other way around. But knowing this and acting upon it are two entirely different things. I have this good book called Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl (www.nogreaterjoy.com). It took forever for me to read it as it was very convicting. I recommend it, but be careful! It will change you, even if its little baby step changes, like with me. One of the first chapters dealt with the trash issue and I knew if I was convicted on that 'little' thing that I was in trouble for what was yet to come;) I have many areas that need work, as we all do, in regards to being the type of wife the Lord is wanting me to be. Anyway, this is about the trash...
Zach has never cared for our garbage can. He wants a big hefty size one. We had one once, when we lived in North Dakota. It was nice. We put in the the basement-way, so it didn't look hideous in our kitchen. Well, we have three additions to our family since that garbage can, and no longer do we have a basement. Yesterday the spring on the lid of the garbage can fell somewhere inside of it. Now it doesn't close all the way, although it mostly does. Zach thought this was a great time to get that big hefty garbage can he's been wanting. I fussed and cried. I said there is no way a garbage can like that is going in my kitchen! He said he'd put it in the garage. Not a bad idea, but every time I need to throw something away I don't want to go to the garage! I like the convenience of my garbage can in my kitchen, especially when I'm cooking. We went to Wal-Mart to see what was available and couldn't agree so walked out empty handed. Zach hates having to do the garbage pretty much every day or every other day. He thinks that with one of those big ones he won't have to take it out as often, but it stinks bad enough now at times (poopy diapers), imagine letting it sit for a day or two longer! I keep saying that with 5 of us in the house there is going to be more garbage, and wait until we have 14 in the house (he wants 12 kids)! The garbage will need to be changed daily! But, by that time it will be one of the children's responsibilities.
So, on our way from Wal-Mart I broke my anti-trash barrier. I told him if we could get one of the dainty, regular kitchen garbage cans that I would take the trash out. I did it! I guess if that is what its gonna take for me to get my act together and do the trash like I've been convicted to do to help my husband (and also to get a regular garbage can), then by golly I better just shut up and do the trash myself!
Note: I am not saying all you ladies need to take your trash out:) This is something that *I* have been convicted upon and I'm not saying all ladies need to do this!
Well I was finally able to have my garage sale today. I did considerably well. I didn't really advertise besides on some groups I'm in online and I put a few signs out by stop signs. I was worried I would get no business, but I did. It was a bit frustrating though, because after like 9:30 or 10 I rarely had any business. I sold alot (about $60 worth), but I still have LOTS left! I am thinking of trying ebay or something. One egroup I'm in is having a 'garage sale' this weekend so I'm trying to sell some things on there. As far as clothes and baby items like blankets I will probably try the ebay thing. I'm a bit nervous as I've not sold on ebay before, but I have certainly bought plenty:) I had alot of toys and kids books. Thankfully I was able to sell some of those. We'll just see what happens from here... At least I made a bit of money. I had things priced so cheap, otherwise I probably would've made more. Anyway, it was so hot while doing it. And, it seems some cute kitten tried to adopt us. As I moved the van this morning he darted out from under it and followed me all around. He ventured into the garage and backyard and when I would come in the house he would cry at the door. He really is a cute little thing but we all HATE cats (plus Zach's allergic to them). So, I had a bit of company in my downtime out there:)
While I'm on the subject of sales, I printed this coupon from the net for Bath & Body Works (buy 5 hand soaps for $10). I was wondering if it was legit and headed there last night. They had a sign that said buy 5 hand soaps for $15 but the coupon was valid! What a great deal! If you're interested let me know and I can email you the coupon. Expires 8/21.
Well, we found out the other day that we're here for a year longer than what was originally the case. I guess the Air Force changed something or another and instead of Zach's tour here being 3 years it is 4. I am indifferent about the whole thing. At least we bought a house, so it gives us more time in our own home to do what we want with it. At least I like it here and don't mind having to stay. I sure hope we find a church home by the time we leave though. I don't think I'll feel completely at home until I find a church family. I have to admit there are things I don't like about living down here, but obviously this is where the Lord wants us.
Speaking of being here, tonight we were eating at Ruby Tuesdays. They're located right on the beach and we got to sit outside and eat tonight. Well, a storm started coming in and before we knew it it was lightning, thundering and pouring. When it rains here it pours. I don't think I've ever seen just a drizzle here- it rains buckets! So, we're finished with our meal and getting ready to leave and I see this huge streak of lightning and the next thing I know I hear the LOUDEST boom of thunder I have ever heard in my life. I must have jumped a mile in the air and left streaks in my drawers;0 The kiddos started to cry- they were terrified. It was quite freaky and I'm not quite sure I'd like to hear thunder that loud again. And that reminds me of the fireworks here...they are so LOUD. Now, I grew up by a HUGE lake (Lake Superior), but our fireworks were never that loud. I'm not a scientist so I'm not sure if its got something to do with the water or not, but it makes me wonder. I think maybe they ricochet off of the big casino buildings too, but boy they are loud. I even hear them all the way at my house and I'm not ever near where they go off. It's pretty weird.
But, there's something about this place that I love. It is where God has my family at this time and I will accept it and make the most of my time here. It is the place where G was born, where I will first begin to homeschool. It is the place where we own our first home and where we will continue to make lasting memories. I thank God that He has me right where He wants me. And that is why I love it like I do- because He brought me here and I am right smack in the center of His will.
After much thought, prayer, research, prayer, thought, research, prayer I FINALLY have decided which homeschool curriculum to go with for the year. For awhile it was between two, Bob Jones University Press (www.bjup.com) or Christian Liberty Press (www.christianlibertypress.com). I know my sister-in-law, Amie is going with Christian Liberty Press and I really like the beliefs and all that they teach (plus they are cheap), but my first instinct was Bob Jones so I stuck with it. However, with Bob Jones you only get Phonics, Math and Bible for Kindergarten so I did buy History and Science from Christian Liberty. I know a Kindergartener doesn't need History and Science, but I thought it would be fun to throw it in one or two days a week. I finally decided we'd start school August 29. The schools down here started yesterday, but there is no way I was starting this early! It is hard to know when to begin with G's birthday and my birthday at the end of the month. But finally, the decision is made and I feel a huge burden lifted. I am so excited to begin our homeschooling venture, or should I say adventure!
One of the many things that annoys me the most is when people fail to tell you that their children are sick and here you all are sharing the same air, meal, room, etc. To me it is plain common sense when my children are sick to let somebody know before I meet with them. Chances are we will postpone our time to get together until the children are better. But how some people totally fail to mention their sick child is beyond me! We have some people that we get together with from time to time and it never fails that every time afterwards one of our children gets sick. And I happened to notice one of their children with a bit of a runny nose after awhile... I am so tired of it! Just had to vent a bit...
HELP! You would think by having three children that I would have this parenting thing down, right? Wrong! We have been doing things with G a bit different than with the other two. We co-sleep, nurse on demand, etc. Well, it is REALLY wearing on me now. He'll be a year at the end of this month and I feel like all I've done for the past year is hold him! Lately he's been attached to me all night long it seems. I feel like calling him 'Booby Boy'. I really love the bond we have but I am tired of sleepless nights. I am so ready to put him in his crib! It is in our room though! It is so hard to let him cry for very long- and much harder for Zach than for myself! I am at a loss of what to do with him! For naps he sleeps on the floor in my room and he doesn't go to bed at night until I do. Well, I NEED some time at night for me- without him clinging to me! He slept in a playpen for naps while in Michigan. Any advice???
We are finally back home. Boy, I never thought I would be so glad to be home but I sure am! Being gone for almost a month and a half was too long! We had such a nice drive back down though. We took a different (much longer) route, but at least we got to visit some family along the way. I was gone for so long that I forgot where I kept certain things! Now that is bad! I felt a bit disoriented in my kitchen. I am already unpacked and the house and van are clean, so now I just gotta grocery shop and then I can kick back and chill in my own home. The kids are so happy to be home too. They went to sleep so early last night and when H woke up this morning she said she slept so good! I have to admit that I slept better than I had in a long time! I had a great time in Michigan, but it is great to be home again. I am really looking forward to getting back into my own swing of things. I can't wait to catch up on blogs, emails, egroups, etc.
As I sit here waiting for the minutes to tick by when I can leave to pick up Zach from the airport, I reminisce about some of my times here in Michigan thus far. I have had a fabulous time.
Last week we had our 'family reunion'. My uncle and aunt that live in Washington and their two daughters and their children all came to the U.P. to visit. My cousin from Indiana and her family also came up. My uncle from Washington was in the Army, so we never really grew up around them or saw them often. I think I heard somebody say it had been like 15 years or something since we'd seen them. It has been a LONG time! So, I spent the week up at another cousin's house so that I could be around all week to spend time with everybody. What a fun time it was! It was so neat to have our children get together and play. We had a huge family picnic at the beach one day and that was a blast. One night us 5 older cousins and spouses (besides Zach) went out to dinner. We had our parents baby-sit. There were 12 children under the age of 6 and there were only 5 or 6 adults! I bet they had fun;) We sure did as we talked about everything from being kids and driving our grandma nuts to boobs and balls and the likes:) I guess that is what happens when you get parents together. I was bummed that Zach wasn't able to be there to meet all the family and be a part of a fun week with me. Seems he always misses out on things like that. I had my school reunion Saturday, but I skipped it. I had only went to that school for a year and a half so I didn't really have many strong ties there so I decided not to go. I had had such a busy week running around that I decided I better take it easy at least one day. Sunday I was able to go to Marquette and go to church there. Our old campus minister is pastoring a church and it was neat to go and see him. Reminded me of His House all over again in a way. We had a little get-together at one of our college friends' houses with about 5-10 people and their families there. That was super fun too. Even my kids had fun playing with all of their kids. Again, Zach had to miss out, but today is the day he comes home! I can't wait to see him! Until next time...
I have been SO busy that I haven't had any computer time. We have visited with many family and friends. I got to see my friend, Rebecca from high school that I probably hadn't seen in like 8 years and her two kiddos! That was a good time. I also saw an old college roommate and her two girls. We have seen most of our family now, but have yet to see my dad. One of these days we'll make it there.
We had a good 4th of July. Took the kids to the parade in Baraga and they got to see Grandpa Larry marching for the Legion. Then we went to the campground where Aunty Cindy was camping and had a fun time. Another U.P. thing occurred that day- it was about 100 degrees at the parade and about 2-3 hours later the temperature dropped 40 degrees and it was only like 60! It got so cool we could see our breath! We were going to watch the fireworks but H & J were so tired they just wanted to come home and sleep. So, we watched about 2 and drove off:)
The weather has been messing with my sinuses and allergies. I feel like I've been coughing since before we came up here! I think today the kiddos will finally be able to swim in the little pool I bought them. It is a hot one. Speaking of weather, hurricane Dennis is on the move. Zach will have to go and stay in a shelter tonight. At least it looks like it will be east of us. I just feel SO bad for those people in Pensacola as it looks like they'll get hit AGAIN! That is the only thing I hate about the south is the hurricanes.
I am really looking forward to when he can come up and vacation with us. Although coming home isn't much of a vacation when you gotta try and squeeze everybody in for a visit in a limited time. I also can't wait to go back home- to my own home. I am hoping that it is intact and clean when I get back:) I'm hoping maybe we'll drive through lower Michigan so we can stop and see some family along the way. I'd love to meet our nephew when he arrives!
Anyway, just a quick update...It will be nice when life returns to normal in Mississippi in August!
Last night and the night before G took one or two steps here and there. It is over...He is going to walk so soon. Daddy is sad because he's missing out on G's first steps. I don't blame him, I would be sad too. I am sad because my baby is growing so fast. It is amazing to see him do this and I can tell he is excited about it, but where is my baby? He will be the earliest walker out of all 3 children. I couldn't imagine knowing that he was my last baby and seeing it fly by before my eyes. It's like I can't blink because he is growing so fast. Pretty soon he will be chasing his brother and sister around.
Onto a totally different note I am finally going digital. My aunt is supposed to give me a digital camera. I am hoping then I will be able to post more pictures on here and capture more pictures. I love my camera, but I am excited to try a digital one also. I feel like I will need a class to learn it though- it is all so foreign to me.
H's been reading many words now. I am amazed at how quickly she is picking up on it! I shouldn't be amazed because she is a bright girl, but who would think in like 15 lessons she would be reading words???
J is STILL not potty trained, but he tells me more and more often he has to go potty. Only thing is that he tells me when I have no potty around, so I have to tell him to go in his diaper. I thought maybe being here it would be easy to potty train him, but I have yet to try. At least he is realizing more and more when he has to go.
Zach is learning to fend for himself in his lonely state. Of course, he always can, but he is so used to us being around, helping out and doing the household tasks. He's taken over the house by leaving out work clothes, the ironing board, etc. He's washing clothes and dishes and he is so lonely! I guess it gives him time to work on things he otherwise isn't able to. I am trying to convince him to paint the hallway while we're gone. We have the paint already, so what a breeze, especially with no children around.
Why do they make car seats SO difficult to install? I mean we are parents, not rocket scientists. I feel like I need to go to Car Seat Installation 101 to understand how to get the seats in. Normally Zach does the installing of the seats, but today I cleaned our van and now I can't figure out how to get the baby's seat tight enough. Our seatbelts don't lock like most do and we don't have anchors in our van for the LATCH system. I think I will eventually take the van in to have them installed (if you have a vehicle without the anchors they are required to install it for free). I heard they'll even fix your seatbelts in your vehicle it they're all twisted and crooked. So, that is just one more thing on my agenda. And who knows if anybody way up here in da woods knows how to properly install a car seat!?! For now I just need to figure out how to make his seat tight enough with the locking clip.
Oh man, I fear these children of mine will turn into Yoopers before we head back south. Today we spent some time with my cousin and her 3 little yooper babies. All of our children are the same ages and they seem to play together well. Her boys like to play outdoors and have some of those Power Wheels 4- wheelers. They also have a real 4-wheeler, a small one. So, my cousin's boys like to take my two older children for rides. By the end of the day my 5 year old could drive one of the small Power Wheels by herself! I was nervous as I watched her but she had a blast (she was also wearing a helmet)!
Another time while they were playing outside we hear the two 5 year olds laughing. My cousin's 5 year old pees outside sometimes. He is a boy, so he is able to do that. Somehow he got my totally feminine daughter to pee outside too. They were underneath the deck in the backyard and H had taken off her shorts and underwear to 'Pee like Nathan'. So, I had to explain that boys and girls pee differently and that she needs to keep her clothes on. Just another Yooper way- peeing in the bush:) I did it many times growing up!
My cousin's husband was on the riding lawnmower and had a trailer on the back of it. My 3 year old little man hopped into the trailer for a ride and before we knew it he was trying to take a nap while riding on it! It was so cute.
The baby loves dogs. He had to follow the dog all over. He was pulling the tail, eating the tail, kissing it... He played with that dog more than anything else!
Just a bit of ramblings about our time in the U.P. I am certain they will come away talking like these Yoopers!
Ok, I admit it- I am addicted to Little Debbie's Devil Squares. Not a good name when you try to tell your children the devil's a bad guy, but they taste so good. Well, I had to go over a week without one of my squares! I didn't buy any while still at home because I wasn't sure when we'd be leaving to come up to Michigan. Then we traveled here and I didn't eat any. When we finally went shopping I searched for my D Squares. Wouldn't you know the measly grocery store here didn't have them???? Isn't that just like the U.P.!?! Then I went to Wal-Mart (which is finally in the process of being turned into a Super Wal-Mart) and found Little Debbies, BUT they didn't have the D Squares! By this time I was aghast and wondering if I'd EVER find them while up here. Finally, when my mom stopped at a grocery store on the way home from work (another small grocery store) she found my D Squares! What a Mom! Isn't she great? So, today I finally had my first one in a little over a week! Thank you Little Debbie:) What do you crave???
As mother's we teach our children many things. We teach them to walk, use the potty, identify shapes, colors, etc. I have been teaching H how to read for about 2 weeks now and it is the best feeling to see my daughter reading right in front of my eyes! She is still a bit unsure of herself, but she is reading words like am, mat, sat, rat, ram, eat, see, and me. It is so proud of her! With the majority of the population sending their children to school, how many mother's can say that they are the ones to teach their children how to read!
On the other hand, G has been "barking" like a dog whenever he hears a dog bark. He sure likes dogs and gets real excited whenever he sees one. He likes to copy sounds and faces we make too. He is getting better about walking holding onto just one of my hands and he stands in one place without holding onto something for much longer periods of time.
J is getting better at knowing his colors. He is asking to go potty more often now, so I need to find a potty seat for him to use and take advantage of that! It is hard since we aren't in our own home, but if he is ready I am willing!
The accomplishments of my children never cease to amaze me. I am proud of the things they do!
With all of our traveling I forgot to mention some great news. No, I'm not expecting again, although that would be great too. My dear, wonderful husband has once again blown me away! He is going to be promoted! Back in March he tested for Technical Sergeant (Tech Sergeant) or E-6. In the Air Force it is the hardest rank to test for. You hear that NOBODY makes it their first time testing and you have people that have been in for like 12+ years that can't pass the test! After all, they are very hard tests. When 'grading' them they also look at how many years a person has been in the service, their EPR's (performance reports), decorations and all that. Well, Zach has been in for about 6.5 years and it was his first time testing. He came away saying the test was so hard and that he'd have to study harder next time. He was certain he didn't make it. I didn't think he made it either, just knowing some very smart people that haven't yet made it. But, lo and behold the results came back last Thursday and he was given his stripes!!! He was at the very end of the list, barely making it so he won't be able to sew on his stripes for about a year. I am SO proud of him! God has been so faithful to us. Zach has put up with a lot of garbage with his job, but God has been so good to us and rewarded Zach for his perseverance. This is truly a sign that Zach will more than likely make a career out of the military. After all, he'll have about 8 or 9 years in once his time is up, so what's another 10? It is a bit scary in a way, but hey, one day we could call him Chief! Anyway, I just wanted to 'publicly' congratulate him on this huge achievement!
Well, we are in the U.P. I can't believe we are here. I don't think it has sunk in yet. I have anticipated and wondered for so long if I would make it here and here I am. It was quite a drive. Not only did we have to drive through the WHOLE state of Mississippi, but through a bit of Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri. That was day one, which went pretty smoothly. We ended our day on the border of Missouri and Illinois. I was surprised how well the baby did on the drive. I need to admit that I have started kneeling on the seat still buckled in, leaning over G's seat so I can nurse him. It beat stopping every time he wanted me. I nurse him on demand so I wasn't sure how it would go. I did buy him some baby food to eat, but he wasn't too keen on it. He likes 'big people food', but not really baby food (can I blame him). It was nice to get out and stretch our legs for a few hours and catch some zzzzzz's.
Friday we woke up and drove through Illinois...wow that was just as long as Mississippi. After awhile I got pretty tired of seeing farms and I wondered if I were heading back to North Dakota! Then we hit Chicago. We got pretty ripped off and ticked off about the stinkin' tolls we had to pay. We never left the one road we were on (I-94/I-294) and we had to pay at 5 or 6 toll booths. We had JUST enough change! It was unreal. The thing that really bothered us was that the roads were crap. They were so bumpy and full of holes. Made us wonder where on earth the money is going that we are throwing into their machines. Chicago seemed like a whole state in and of itself, what with the time it took to get through it. At least it wasn't rush hour! Then we hailed into Green Bay and Z was excited as a little boy. He hoped we could swing by Lambeau Field, but there was no way. We just wanted to arrive home!
You never realize all the little differences between the U.P. and anywhere else until you are back near the U.P. Back to a two-lane road. So much for an interstate or a four-lane highway. We saw some slow drivers and felt like we were crawling as we drove 63 mph trying to obey the 55 mph speed limit. You know you are in the U.P. when you see some dude with his chic in his big ol' loud truck with its big ol' wheels. You know you are in the U.P. when everybody is wearing pants and you have been wearing shorts for the past 3+ months. You know you are in the U.P. when you can't drive faster than 55 mph and when the deer run out into the road in front of cars. You know you are in the U.P. when it is 10:30 pm and you can still see the sunshine! It is a different way of life, but I am so glad to be here for awhile. It is so nice to see family again.
To top off our drive as we drove down one of the hills to get to my parent's house Lake Superior looked like glass or a diamond, it was so clear and calm. The sun was setting behind the trees across the lake and was reflecting on the water. It was God's way of telling me, "Welcome home, dear daughter. Enjoy your time." I said a quick prayer of thanks for that breathtaking view.
The kids were pretty excited to see their Nanny and Papa. We stayed up late just burning off some energy from 2 days of driving. Today Z and J are gone to visit with his dad and H is enjoying time with Nanny. I am enjoying some quiet time with my mom and on the computer while G explores his new surroundings. The weather is actually nice. It is a perfect way to start a vacation. We may get to visit with my cousin and her family later tonight and that will end the day perfectly.
I will be sad to see Z fly out tomorrow. I know the kids and I will really miss him. He will be pretty lonely all alone. Hopefully he can catch up on some sleep and some time to himself to do all those things he wants to do that he never gets to do. I can't wait for him to come back up in July so we will all be able to visit people together as a family. I certainly hope that even though he has to say good-bye to us tomorrow and won't see us for a month that he has a blessed Father's Day!
Well, things are looking up around here. We have FINALLY come up with a date to travel home! Miss Arlene, the first Tropical Storm, decided not to hit so hard and was to the east of us. We saw very little wind and rain- it was just like a normal rainy day. I finally made up my mind to have a garage sale and have gone through the entire house getting rid of things. I have much to get rid of, but most of it was tucked and hidden away so really I don't see any difference anywhere. I still feel like we have tons of stuff lying around. It is always hard trying to eliminate the kids toys and figure out what to get rid of. Yesterday I stayed home from church because I have some sort of cold and had lost my voice on Saturday. Z took the 2 older kids and so I had the chance to go through their things with them out of the way. Made for an easy time! I am not sure if H realizes all that is missing in her room. She must, but she has been pretty good about not saying anything about her stuff. Those kids just have SO many toys!
So finally I feel much is lifted off of my shoulders with resolutions to many of my 'issues'. It is a good feeling. Now to price everything...I never know how much to charge!
Well, even though it isn't quite the middle of June yet, hurricane season is upon us. It only officially began 9 days ago and already there is a tropical storm headed this way. I am not sure I will ever get used to this type of weather phenomenon. I have to admit that I do NOT miss all that snow they get in the U.P. You know, the kind where the wind howls and blows and the snow swirls around so much you can't even see out of your window? Everything is cancelled and the snow is up to your waist. I don't miss that. But at least with those nasty blizzards you are not forced from your home. You know you will be safe, warm and snug in your own home. Maybe for a longer time that you'd like, as you are stuck indoors until you can open the door, but at least you can stay where you are comfortable in a familiar surrounding with your family.
With this tropical weather it is a whole different ballgame. I haven't even been here for a year yet, but was forced to evacuate with Ivan. We had just bought our first home, had a baby and Z had to stay behind while I left. And let me tell you, trying to find a hotel at the last minute this side of the Rockies, well that is impossible. Ok, so I'm exaggerating a bit today, but really I don't like leaving my home. The base has hurricane shelters, but I would much rather leave town than stay in a nasty shelter with who knows what kind of people. Especially with 3 kids under the age of 5. That's asking for a breakdown! Well, of course Z got chosen to be on the hurricane shelter team, so if there is an evacuation he has to go to the shelter. Lovely to choose the guy with a family. Just make the wife deal with the kids and find a safe place alone. Like I said, I could go to the shelter but that is the last thing I'd want to do. Z would be there, but he would be dealing with all those student's issues he wouldn't have time to help me out with the kids. And do I want G crawling all over a place like that??? NO! So, as I sit around watching the satellite pictures of this storm, watching as the wind picks up and waiting, I wish for just one day of another U.P. blizzard that will keep me in my cozy abode and not take me from it.
There is nothing like waking up to your sweet chubby cheeked baby smiling and cuddling with you. This morning sissy came into bed before he awoke and when he finally arose he laid his head on her and said, "Oooohhhh". He then turned to me and laid his head on me doing the same. Then he tried to give me some slobbery kisses all over my face. We then had an unnamed culprit who passed some gas rather loudly. I will protect the innocent by not giving any names. G is to the point where he will copy noises and sounds, so the next thing I hear is him going, "PLLLLLLLLBBBBBTTTTTT". He was copying the rather obnoxious sound of flatulence and it was hilarious! I decided that waking up with such a chuckle surely must bring forth a blessed and wonderful day.
I am so tired of this whole fiasco of me trying to get back to the U.P. for a visit. Nobody wants me to drive alone with the kiddos. I don't really want to, but I would. It has been almost 2 years since we've been back to Michigan and I am SO homesick. Z is only able to get 2 weeks off, if even they let him take time off. I want to go before his scheduled time because I have family and school reunions and because I would not do that long trip for only 2 weeks. We originally thought maybe my mom could fly down and drive up with me and then Z fly up later and we could split the ticket and change the name but we just found out you can't do that. We don't have stinking' $300 to buy a ticket (well, we do, but then it would be my mom paying $300 for her own ticket, us paying $300 for Z's ticket plus the money it will cost for me to drive up)! And the one-way tickets are way more than round-trip, so we would just buy a round-trip ticket. I would consider flying up with the kiddos alone but tickets are so expensive to fly into the U.P. And then I wouldn't have a vehicle while there either. I am SO tired of dealing with this and wondering if I will even make it 'home'. It is stressing me out so bad as I am SO homesick! I just had to vent...
Well, living down here we usually always have sunny, warm weather. Finally this weekend I have been able to lay out and enjoy some of it. We have a blow-up pool, the kind that is big enough for an adult or two to sit in. Yesterday we all had a blast in the pool and I got a bit of sunshine! Today while the children napped I went out in the pool and caught some rays. Ohhh, it was so relaxing. There is something about laying out and tanning that just relaxes me. I have been doing it since a wee child. I remember my baby-sitter from when I was about 5 years old. She would pack up me, herself and her children and head to the beach every day. That's probably why I love the sun so much. What I would give to go back for one of those carefree days as a little girl playing on the beach with my best friend and Barbie dolls. Oh, but it is a delight watching my wee ones enjoy the water (granted, its a pool) as much as I did.
Life without children. We recently met a couple that have been married for 6 years just like us. They have no children. They haven't wanted any. I just try to comprehend that and I can't even imagine what my life would be like. I think it would be so empty and boring. I know I would still have God and Z, but without children, what would I do? Work outside of the home? And what would that accomplish? What kind of reward would I receive? I know I don't get 'rewards' for being a mommy, at least not in the way the world thinks. They are rewards though. They are blessings. Every day they bring smiles to my face numerous times. The things they say and do. What other type of job could bring me such joy and satisfaction? Of course being a mommy isn' t always easy. I struggle every day. But to have J walk up to me in his little football clothes and say, "I love you", or to have G reach for me and say mamma, or to have H come and give me a big hug out of the blue. These are priceless. To me other types of 'jobs' in the world are meaningless.
We currently do not live in base housing, but we did at our other two bases. We were blessed to buy a home this time. The house we were offered made me cry, literally. I have a friend here who lives in base housing. She told me about a month ago about herceiling caving in and the housing not doing a thing about it. Today I went to her house. This poor woman has two children and you should see her ceiling! In the living/dining area part of it is starting to come apart and sag. You go upstairs into her bathroom- there is a HOLE in the ceiling. Housing maintance has been there many times and has not fixed it. She has 'yard Nazi's' come and give her lawn tickets for her grass being an inch too high (no joke)- yet her ceiling is caving in! As I was driving to her house through housing you should have seen the number of vacant houses. Now tell me, why can't they move into a house that isn't falling apart????? There is NO reason ANYONE should live in conditions like that- much less somebody serving our country!!! Prisoners live better than that! Just a rant about my poor friend and how she's living.
