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!

And So It Begins

Nine more days until deployment; it really started sinking in yesterday.  Are we ready?  

Things have changed so much since his last deployment.  The baby we had then is almost 7, we've added a baby (he's almost 2 now), an exchange student, and we are now planning for my hubby's Navy retirement sometime in the next year or so (if all goes in my favor).  I'm still teaching high school full time and trying to maintain our house in some sort of order, unfortunately it is usually disorder.  

Jerry, my husband, has been working the hours of two jobs.  I think we have spent 5 full days together as a family and he is working again this weekend.  He leaves for work before the sun (or the kids) comes up and gets home after the sun sets and the kids go to bed.  We've been living life this way for almost three months and  now a 7-8 month deployment looms over us.  I just wish they would have left in January and returned sometime in September as originally planned.  We are all tired and frustrated already.  

Thankfully my mom is coming today.  She is an amazing woman, mother, grandmother and friend.  Just having her here to talk to makes everything better. Hopefully, my batteries will get recharged enough to pull through the next few months without going insane.

As if I don't have enough things in my life to keep me busy during this deployment, I am making a deployment bucket list.  I figure if life gets so hectic that I can't accomplish everything on my list before Jerry returns, then I can extend it until March of next year.  By no means is my list complete.  I will add to it, but not take away any of the items. So here's what I have so far:

1. Start a journal or blog and continue until deployment is over.
2. Lose weight (I think this is on most people's to do list anyways)
3. Join a dance or exercise class... and actually go!
4. Finish scrapbooks for the kids
5. Make a digital scrapbook
6. Clean out the closets... all of them!
7. Clean out the garage
8. Take a road trip

I welcome any suggestions or ideas for my list.  My next post will have pictures.