Another Birthday Missed

This past week we had state testing.  I had a full day of school on Monday then we got out at 12:15 the rest of the week.  I had plenty of time to grade papers and work on lesson planning while students were testing.  I was also able to start cleaning out my classroom.

Monday started out a little rough.  The kids were use to waking up just a little later because Grandma was here and she was able to take them to school and daycare so they were a little grouchy and not cooperative with the time schedule we are on during the week.  The morning got progressively worse but I didn't realize it until after school...  I was walking out to my truck and digging through my purse to find my keys.  I didn't find them there so I walked back to my classroom to look in the draw where I put all my stuff.  Nothing.  I walked back out towards the parking lot.  I couldn't bear to look in the car so Caitlyn (a student, awesome babysitter, who will be a lifetime family friend) went to look and sure enough they were laying on the middle console.  Lucky for me I have awesome neighbors.  I called Amanda and she was able to get my spare key and bring it to me.  I love her!!!

Tuesday, I took Zuhro prom dress shopping.  Marie, one of Zuhro's friends and exchange student from Belgium went with us.  Zuhro was lucky and found two dresses she really liked, one was long and one was short.  After agonizing over the decision she went with the short one because in Tajikistan she would probably never be able to wear one like it.  The dress is really cute and I can't wait to post pictures later.

Carson earned his second orange tip in karate on Wednesday.  He learned and showed the kicking test all in one day.  I am so proud of him.  Since I (and my mom when she was here) am getting the house ready to sell I am always cleaning and picking up after the kids.  I need a Roomba just to follow behind Cooper.  He is a tiny tornado that does as much damage as a full size one.  From juice to crayons, everything ends up on the floor by the table or in the kitchen.  In addition to that, I was outside trying to clean up the dirt from the planter that my mom and I had just planted and my dog dug up when Cooper decided to try peeing outside.  He got his pants down and began to aim but instead of pee he pooped.  Awesome!  Poop all over his shorts.  I stripped him down and let him run in the backyard naked because I was covered in dirt and water and didn't want to go inside to get him clothes. While I was watering plants, he snuck in through the dog door and pooped on the floor of the bathroom.  Even more awesome!  Poop all over the bathroom floor.  All of this happened after I got off work and got my oil changed.  Needless to say Wednesday was the worst day of the week!

Thursday was busy with a trip to the pediatrician for Cooper's two year old check-up.  He is way above average in height and just above in weight and, thankfully, he has grown into his ginormous head.  

On Our Lunch Date

Friday, I was able to pick Carson up early and take him to pick out the cake he wanted for his birthday party.  We also got party boxes filled with goodies to give away to the kids.  We had another day of Karate. I had to take Cooper with me this time and that is just frustrating.  I ended up going to the grocery store a few doors down from the karate studio to occupy Cooper.  They have the baskets with the cop car or fire truck in front.  He loves to "drive" the car and I love that he quietly sits in the cart and I don't have to chase him!  Cooper started crying around midnight.  I went to his bed and he was whining and grabbing his ear.  He said, "Ear Owie."  I gave him Motrin, held him for 20 minutes so the pain reliever could do its magic, then put him to bed.  We slept until 5, which is when he started crying again.  He got out of bed and we watched Toy Story 3 for about an hour.  I gave him another dose of Motrin and he went back to bed.  Thankfully, Carson is old enough to watch tv and grab yogurt for breakfast, so I was able to get a bit more sleep.  

Saturday was another karate day.  Cooper went with me again.  Cooper likes to yell and play on the mat with the students in the studio, but it causes them to focus on him instead of the teacher and that's not good; so we ended up at the grocery store again.

Today is Carson's birthday.  I got up early to pick up his cake.   We went to Adventure Park for his party.  I took Cooper to Ms. Sylvia's (daycare provider) so I didn't have to try organizing the party and keeping an eye on him at the same time. 

Opened up his first present a long awaited 3DS!

He found the other stash of presents later in the day

The Pokemon Cake and some of his friends

The ticket machine

Get'em! Get'em!

Another picture, Mom?

1256 Tickets!  Supterstar!

Week three down!

Big Decisions!

Being a military family is not easy. The hardest parts are not the deployments, crazy-ridiculous work schedules, being away from family in places you don't really want to be, single parenting or new friends getting transferred to other locations with their husbands; it's not knowing what's ahead for the future, immediate and distant. You are able to plan ahead in short bursts. For the immediate you can plan, at most, a month ahead, but even then your plans should be flexible; your spouse will most likely have to work the weekend you plan to do something. For the distant future you know you will be living in one location until the next set of orders, at best. Every three years or so you go through the agonizing anticipation of duty station selection and awaiting the all too important official orders. Your life is in limbo for a few months as you wait each month for a decision to be official.

As proud as I am of my husband, I'm excited to say that we will be done with that soon!  Hopefully, Jerry will be retiring in the not too distant future after this deployment, so we finally made a decision that is best for our family. We are moving to Oklahoma this summer! The kids and I will be making the trek across half of the US with all of our stuff including a Great Dane, two cats, and a turtle or two.  Of course, we won't be doing this alone; my family and family friends will be with us along the way (I truly have the best family!).  

I know. I know. It's Crazy for this southern California girl, who loves the ocean and wouldn't mind going back, is wanting to move to Oklahoma permanently. I want my boys to grow up with lots of cousins, aunts, uncles, and, especially, grandparents nearby.  My boys need open space and fresh air, which the San Joaquin Valley does not have.  We will be close to the Tulsa airport and plenty of military bases to get flights to just about anywhere in the US and abroad.  Flights to Phoenix are less expensive and it will be much easier to visit Jerry's side of the family and my cousin Laura.

So What Did Jerry Miss This Week?

Carson earned an orange tip on his karate belt!

Zuhro and Carson playing in the pool

Cooper getting ready to go down the slide

"It's kind of cold, Mom.  I'll just sit and splash on the side."

I needed to get an oil change so I took the kids with me to Walmart this morning.  Why Walmart?  It's the only place I can grocery shop, get an oil change, and feed my kids breakfast in one stop.  While we were in line there was a display of pillow pets.  We definitely don't need anymore stuffed animals, but Carson made an excellent case for getting one.  He said he needed the blue camouflage dog because that is what Daddy wears to work everyday.  OK.  I was sold.  I definitely couldn't say no to that!

After Walmart, we went to a new friends house on the base.  Her husband is deployed with Jerry so she is surviving the next several months as I am.  Carson had fun running around with a bunch of kids and Cooper just kind of hung out with us.  She sells Origami Owl Jewelry which is where I got this adorable locket.  I will be adding two charms later (little boys with the April gemstone, not diamond) when they come in.  I can't wait for it to be complete!  Thanks, Heather!

Two (almost) weeks down...

Cooper's Birthday!

One week (almost) into deployment.  

What has Jerry missed this week?

Our baby, Cooper, had a birthday on April 6.  Here's a glimpse of the last year.

Summer 2012

Summer 2012

Fall 2012

Summer 2012

Spring 2013

I can't believe he is 2 already.  I love watching him grow and his personality shine.    He is inquisitive, stubborn and determined to figure things out on his own.  I really have no idea who he gets it from?!?!

Oooooh... Balloon on a stick!

Cooper, Carson and Zuhro.  Not sure what's going on with Carson's creepy look.

Today was a semi-relaxing day at home.  Here's one of the boys.  Carson is playing Skylanders Giants and Cooper is playing with the tag on the bean bag and sucking his fingers; this usually means nap time is quickly approaching.

My mom and I went to Lowe's this morning to get flowers for my planter in the backyard.  Hopefully the dog stays out.  She tends to dig wherever I don't want her to.

My parents friends from Bakersfield came up to visit and we sat outside watching the kids playing.  We barbecued dinner, kids are sleeping and its quiet now.  

Only 5 months 3 weeks to 9 months 3 weeks until Jerry comes home... Give or take a couple months.

Last Week Went By Too Quickly

Since last week was my spring break, my mom and I cleaned out the garage, the house and the yard while Jerry continued to work his ridiculous hours.  

I got to walk by this pile every day as if I needed a reminder that "D"day was rapidly approaching. We did get one unexpected half day together.  The ship was delayed from leaving its homeport.  Unfortunately, Jerry had to work on that extra day before deployment. 

Today was difficult.  Its hard to say good-bye when I have no idea when I will see him again.  
Carson understands that Daddy left, but I don't think he grasps the concept of the length of time. We are use to Jerry leaving for two-four weeks at a time, but 6-10 months is new to Carson. Last night was difficult for him, so I emailed his teacher to warn her about the situation in the event he was a little moody today.  Thankfully he did really well and, hopefully, continues to do so.

Jerry and I thought it would be fun for the kids to see Woody on deployment too.  So, Woody's first adventure... Getting Comfy in his rack on the Ship.

Here's Jerry in his digital blue cammies... to ensure he can't be found when falling off the ship or to blend in with the steel on the ship...  Not quite sure of the purpose.

We love you and can't wait for your safe return!