A letter from the USS Nimitz

It's been 7 1/2 weeks since Jerry has been gone...

We got an envelope on May 5th from Jerry.  I had a letter, Zuhro got a letter, and Carson got a letter.  Carson was so excited that his Daddy wrote to him and sent a patch.  He wouldn't let me read it because it was for him not me.  He read it in the kitchen, then he quietly walked to his room.  I heard sniffling so i peeked down the hallway and found him face down crying in his arm on his bean bag with the letter and patch in his hand.  I walked in and sat beside him.  He said, "I just miss him so much."  I told him that it was OK to cry because we miss someone, but I was always there to talk and give hugs whenever he needed them. I then suggested we write a letter tomorrow and maybe draw a picture or something to go with it.

 

We put a box together to send to Jerry and mailed it off on May 1st. I was curious to see how long it would take for the box to get to him; two weeks was all it took.  I plan on sending another in a week with the hope that it gets there before Father's Day.

 

  My AP Biology class took their AP Exam on Monday May 13th. I was worried for them since it was the first time any group of students took the newly designed exam.  They said it was difficult and they needed more time.  At least, my students weren't the only ones that said that.  The AP Biology community website has complaints from all the other teachers reporting that their students said the same. 

One Month Closer!

I haven't had time to post this past week so I'm either late on this one or early for the next.  It's been a really busy week and a half!

One month (4.5 weeks) down and we are all still alive, including the dog!  Time to take a look at my Deployment Bucket List.

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) - I've lost 25 lbs so far!
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 - just need to load boxes into the moving truck
8. Take a road trip - Looks like our road trip will be moving to Oklahoma
9. Sell the house - Hopefully soon
10. Move to Oklahoma (two kids, myself, a Great Dane, two cats, two turtles, all of our stuff plus Jerry's) - Just added to the list

All of this accomplished in one month; I'm sure I can finish off the rest before he comes home anywhere between October and February.

Our house officially went on the market last Friday (http://www.londonproperties.com/search/detail/443471).  
If you have ever sold or bought a house with a Power of Attorney, you know how horrible it is.  If not, here's a little bit of the pain and agony... So besides signing my own name and initials on the places I have to sign, I also have to sign Jerry's full name and sign my name once again, along with the words as his attorney in fact.  I had to do this traumatic signing of the paperwork when we sold the condo in Port Hueneme and bought this house.  I told Jerry over and over that next time it was going to be me that leaves him with a Power of Attorney.  I guess the pain of doing all that is nothing compared to the stress and hardships I deal with when he is gone and not having family around.   

As much as I want it to sell, I hate keeping it SUPER clean.  With two mini tornadoes (Cooper and Carson), I feel that I am constantly walking behind them cleaning up.  Its not so fun.  This week we have spent the little time we spend at home outside.  I figured it is easier to hose a patio off than clean up the house. The weather is definitely cooperating with my plan.  We have been in the pool and playing in the sprinklers every day the past two weeks.  Of course all this outside time and keeping the house clean doesn't come without a price.  I actually like cooking but between work, keeping the house clean and the kids activity schedules (track practices and karate) I simply don't have time or the energy.  We've eaten lots of Lean Cuisines, frozen grilled chicken sandwiches, and sandwiches.  I can't wait until I have time to cook dinner again.

Kevin's Pizza Oven

So we put the house on the market last Friday.  I was able to take the day off from work to completely clean and organize the house to make it presentable to potential buyers. I got a call saying people were going to look at it that night.  Fortunately, for us we got invited by some awesome friends (Brandy and Kevin) to come have dinner at their house.  Dinner at their house is always amazing.  Kevin built a pizza oven and makes absolutely amazing pizza including dessert pizza.  They have two kids one is Carson's age, in fact, they go to school together and that is how we met.  Their daughter will be three this month.  Visiting them is such a treat for my family.  I barely notice the kids are there, I actually relax a little and, again, the pizza is delicious!

Bacon Flavored syrup. Why? 

On Sunday we went shopping for Zuhro's prom shoes and to waste time since buyers were going to be walking through our house that day.  We went to World Market in Visalia first.  I found this bottle of Torani syrup and had to take picture and send it to Jerry.  The cashier said its great in milkshakes and smoothies.  Gross. I was able to buy a bunch of stuff for Jerry's care package.  I'll take a picture and describe that when it is complete.

We continued our journey to discover that Visalia does not have a different selection of Formal dress shoes than Hanford.

So this week in karate, Carson got to use nunchuks!  He was pretty excited and so was Jerry when he found out.  Cooper learned a new trick, also, this week.  he has always sucked his middle two fingers on his right hand.  So it looks like he is rockin' out or giving the I love you sign.  Well, he took it a step further this week.  He figured out that he had a convenient place to put his index finger... his nose.

For me, school is just work.  I love my students, but I am just ready for the school year to end.  I'm tired.  Cooper had a stomach bug Sunday night that got me up twice to clean up the mess, but by morning time he seemed fine.  Then, you guessed it, Carson got it on Wednesday.  I was up at 1am completely changing sheets.  He said he was feeling well enough to go to school, so I dropped him off at daycare, but I got a call 30 minutes later because he had an accident...  Carson's explanation, "I just thought I had to fart."  Such a boy.  I had to wrangle up subs for the rest of the day because his tummy was still having issues and he couldn't go to school.  He is much better now though, thankfully.  

OK, that sums of the last week and a half.  Hopefully, I have great news about my house in the next post.  Also, my mom and dad are coming soon to help start the move!

What's Jerry up to?
Nimitz Strike Group Enters 7th Fleet AOR | Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet

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!

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.