The waiting...

is the HARDEST PART!

Oy! We thought we might know where we're moving next year by this weekend. Now, it's looking like maybe the first of the year.

I'm so ready for our new adventure! I want to know what kind of climate we're going to. We have primarily hoodies and jeans here, and no clothes for warm weather. I want to know what kind of schedule Stuart will have so I can prepare myself. I want to know whether I need to be looking for somewhere to live, or if we'll have military housing.

Do I have friends nearby? Will I have friends in driving distance? How far will family be?

Are the schools good? Can we find a church home? Should we invest in a new car before we move?

How much of my stuff do I need to get rid of? Will we have 2 bedrooms or 3? When will we report?

If Stuart makes first off the May servicewide, then what? How will that affect our duty station? Will we be moving just to move again in a year? (NOT unheard of in military life.)

Have I mentioned that I REALLY don't like surprises? I don't like waiting!

For those of you that don't know the process, we've submitted a list...a "dream sheet" to the powers-that-be to let them know where we'd like to go. In the end, it boils down to the needs of the service and yadda yadda yadda.

This is likely to be the first of many blogs as we await the big announcement.

My "little" {big} boy

They broke the mold with Chase. If you've met him, you know it's true. He's a protector, he's full of love, he loves to give hugs, and he goes a mile-a-minute all day long.

Last year at his 4 year old check up, Stuart mentioned to the pediatrician that we were concerned that Chase had no interest in coloring, drawing, etc. I guess in the back of our minds, we were concerned about a developmental delay or something. The doctor's response was simple and reassuring. "Did you think maybe he just doesn't like to draw or color? Give him some time."

We have given him time. It's been so important for him to discover some of these things on his timeline. In the last few months, though, he's gone from scribbling one color over the whole page to humor me to coloring. REAL coloring.

He's got a little Leap Frog game that he plays with and he's started spelling 3-letter words. He knows Dad, Mom, Red, Cat, Pig, Pea, Dog, Ame (my sister), Zap, Cow, and a few others. (I just asked him which words he knew how to spell and he said, "Mom, I'm busy.")

He went in the kitchen and sat down with crayons a couple of days ago and wrote Dad on a piece of paper, and Zap on the other side. No coaching...just did it on his own. He also wrote Wii on the bottom of one of the pieces of paper.

He has come a long way in the last year. I'm so proud of him, and excited to watch his enthusiasm to learn.

Seriously...

Let's talk about rules for a minute. And respect.

Rules are established for a reason. In fact, let's see what good ol' Webster has to say about rules:

1 a: a prescribed guide for conduct or action b: the laws or regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for observance by its members c: an accepted procedure, custom, or habit d (1): a usually written order or direction made by a court regulating court practice or the action of parties (2): a legal precept or doctrine e: a regulation or bylaw governing procedure or controlling conduct

Now, respect:

3 a: high or special regard : esteem b: the quality or state of being esteemed

It is beyond the grasp of my brain to understand why people have such a hard time with rules and respect. Individuals that are at least 18 years of age, all the way to who knows what, should be able to control themselves enough to maintain a grasp of RULES and RESPECT.

I'm hoping that the proverbial storm cloud passes by soon.

Humboldt Redwoods 5K

Yesterday was my big run. I was all gung-ho about 6 weeks ago to train really hard for it, but between Stuart's work schedule and my bellydance festival (and the drama that ensued) I didn't have the time or energy to train like I needed to.

I had to modify my goals a little. Instead of going with the intent of running the whole time, I went with the goal of at least jogging the first half. It was an out-and-back course, so it was easy to determine the halfway point. ;) I also allowed myself to walk in 5 minute increments if I needed it.

It was the most beautiful course! We started at the Dyerville bridge and ran past Founders Grove, over 101, and into another grove of redwoods. There was a heavy fog that lifted as we ran. It was cold...I don't know for sure, but I'm going with upper 40s/lower 50s. It was the first morning in about a week that it didn't rain, so that was really great.

Now, for my goals: I did jog the first half without stopping to walk. I'm really proud of that. I couldn't jog a mile and a half in high school, so I'm really excited that 2 kids and 3 major abdominal surgeries later, I'm able to do that. As for walking? I walked about 3 times on the way back, but only for 2-3 minutes at a time. I averaged a 13.5 minute mile, which isn't too bad. I certainly don't profess to be an athlete, I just want to challenge myself a bit.

My new friend, Cirrus, came with me. She and I have been walking in the evenings so that she could walk the 5k as her challenge. She carried her little boy in a pack and did such a great job. I was standing at the finish line waiting for her when I see her jogging down the road! She's been so adamant the last few weeks that she's not a runner, but I think the adrenaline, the clock, and the competition brought a jogger out in her! She and I are going to be jogging together to train for the Trinidad to Clam beach run in Feb.

My new goal: a 10 minute mile. I think if I can condition my lungs a little more, I can do it.

Here are a few pictures:

Us before the run

Ugh! It's cold!
After a jog well done! (corny, I know)

*sigh*

Someone please convince me that at some point I will feel good about myself. Even for a minute.

It is gloomy, rainy, and cold outside, and it's pretty much how I feel inside, too.

:(

Just another Manic Monday...and Tuesday

Wow, yesterday was definitely Monday. It feels like it stretched into today, too!

We had a mishap with our phones (read: keep the "family plan" in one household), and had to unexpectedly get a new cell phone plan. As a result, Stuart was out and about all day, and got no rest before work. We got the privilege of spending over $150 that wasn't budgeted this pay period. Oh, joy. *sigh*

Of course the kids don't ever want to follow their bedtime schedule when Daddy's not home, so that whole process was nightmarish at best. I ended up getting Lo to go to sleep in my bed and Chase to fall asleep on the couch. Moving a 45 lb, almost 5 year old child is getting tougher every day! He's so tall that I probably won't be able to pick him up much longer.

Heck, the kids aren't the only ones that have trouble going to bed with Dad not home. I have a really hard time winding down. I got the toys in the living room all gathered together to move to the toy room, when I heard a sound. Not a mouse this time. One of the toys in the toy room was randomly going off. This doesn't sound like a very big deal...maybe a short or a low battery or something. Well, it freaked me out. We've had "activity", coincidences, whatever in this house for the last couple of years, and the last thing I wanted to think of before bed was a ghost.

I was up until 1:30. Slept with almost all the lights in the house on.

Today has been the l o n g e s t day! Daddy slept all day and is gone for the night. No belly dance for me tonight. Instead, I'll be home waiting for Dancing With the Stars to come on while mediating fights over toys, requests for more milk, and taking care of the seemingly ever-present full diaper.

Neat, huh?