Today had been a pretty awesome day. By Tuesday morning Okinawa time it's Monday evening on the east coast and I've come to LOVE Tuesday mornings.
It seems every Tuesday we wake up to something new from our Realtor, Broker or in today's case, Broker and NC DMV.
Everything is now on track to re-plate & register our Jeep. Now we're good to pick it up in Texas then drive on through to NC. Woohoo! We received a response from our broker with some great news too. But the best thing about today is the call I just received.
The nurse from my medical clinic just called to let me know my most recent tests have come back NEGATIVE! A year or so of craziness, a few months of serious stress, uncomfortable tests and worry of cancer followed by months of waiting & I got the all clear, no regrowth!
Still have to do the annual checks but my 6 months recheck was fantastic & I'm over the moon!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Reminiscing
I was chatting with my neighbor today, talking about Derrick and I and 'our story'. I told her that I wrote a blog with all the details a few years ago and I'd try to find it. Well, I found it.
It was hard not to completely rewrite it, I can't believe some of the spelling errors I had (I did fix those). I think I left most of the grammatical ones though. That way, if you take the time to read this little novel you can laugh at my uneducated self between all the "aww"s and "What were they/he/she thinking?"s.
Leah, and anyone else who'd like to hear most of how Derrick & I found our way back to each other- here it is as I remembered it just about 3 years ago.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Happily ever after
Current Mood: grateful
Okay so I know I should be at the BX right now, but I just finished talking to a friend and sharing a little history and just feel really cheesy and amazed and well just grateful I guess. Tell me this isn't the cutest happily ever after story EVER.
My high school sweetheart, we date for about a year before ending things. We moved apart and shortly after I find that I am pregnant. We live our separate lives 1500 miles away with little contact through the years. Four years later I decided to call the last number I knew for him- his moms house, and sure enough he's home on leave. He's since started his adult life in the Marine Corps. After regaining my composure, because I never thought in a million years that he would be there, let alone answering the phone, we talked for a good 2-3 hours. He was flying back to San Diego the next day and he told me he would call. I didn't expect to hear from him again, at least not anytime soon. That evening to my surprise he called and we talked again for hours. He was supposed to leave that Tuesday but his flight was pushed back to the following Monday. So we planned a weekend meeting midway between the base he was at & the city I lived in for the upcoming weekend. I was in Sacramento and he was in San Diego. One of his friends had just gotten married and his wife lived in Bakersfield. So the next weekend we (my mom, Melanie and I) drove down and met and he came up. As we parked the car I saw two people coming towards us, but couldn't see their faces. I knew which one was him just by his walk, and when I saw him, I was lost. That was the first weekend he saw Melanie and it was perfect. Maybe a little too perfect. She immediately knew who he was and attached to him as if he'd been in her life all along. And for us, he and I, it was like time had stood still. Everything that was there back in high school, all the emotions came flooding back. The next morning we sat at breakfast at Denny's I think. My mom joked with us about when the wedding was. What she didn't know was we had been talking about it almost all night, I don't know that we slept at all. Honestly, I think we were both thinking more along the lines of when he returned from his deployment.
It was hard not to completely rewrite it, I can't believe some of the spelling errors I had (I did fix those). I think I left most of the grammatical ones though. That way, if you take the time to read this little novel you can laugh at my uneducated self between all the "aww"s and "What were they/he/she thinking?"s.
Leah, and anyone else who'd like to hear most of how Derrick & I found our way back to each other- here it is as I remembered it just about 3 years ago.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Happily ever after
Current Mood: grateful
Okay so I know I should be at the BX right now, but I just finished talking to a friend and sharing a little history and just feel really cheesy and amazed and well just grateful I guess. Tell me this isn't the cutest happily ever after story EVER.
My high school sweetheart, we date for about a year before ending things. We moved apart and shortly after I find that I am pregnant. We live our separate lives 1500 miles away with little contact through the years. Four years later I decided to call the last number I knew for him- his moms house, and sure enough he's home on leave. He's since started his adult life in the Marine Corps. After regaining my composure, because I never thought in a million years that he would be there, let alone answering the phone, we talked for a good 2-3 hours. He was flying back to San Diego the next day and he told me he would call. I didn't expect to hear from him again, at least not anytime soon. That evening to my surprise he called and we talked again for hours. He was supposed to leave that Tuesday but his flight was pushed back to the following Monday. So we planned a weekend meeting midway between the base he was at & the city I lived in for the upcoming weekend. I was in Sacramento and he was in San Diego. One of his friends had just gotten married and his wife lived in Bakersfield. So the next weekend we (my mom, Melanie and I) drove down and met and he came up. As we parked the car I saw two people coming towards us, but couldn't see their faces. I knew which one was him just by his walk, and when I saw him, I was lost. That was the first weekend he saw Melanie and it was perfect. Maybe a little too perfect. She immediately knew who he was and attached to him as if he'd been in her life all along. And for us, he and I, it was like time had stood still. Everything that was there back in high school, all the emotions came flooding back. The next morning we sat at breakfast at Denny's I think. My mom joked with us about when the wedding was. What she didn't know was we had been talking about it almost all night, I don't know that we slept at all. Honestly, I think we were both thinking more along the lines of when he returned from his deployment.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
365 days later.
A year ago today both Derrick in Afghanistan & the boys & I here faced some pretty stressful situations (to say the least). What a difference a year makes. So thankful to have come through it unscathed.
We've spent the weekend together doing things as a family. Not so much forgetting the fact that it's Valentine's Day but focusing on us as a family (& very much missing Melanie) rather than focusing on Derrick and I as a couple.
After last year, and a Friday night spent going through video footage and photos we were reminded of how precious our time is together. I don't want or need diamonds or precious gemstones. I don't need a [holi]day to remind me to appreciate everything I have been blessed with. I have my husband healthy and for now he's home and I have three beautiful (sometimes wild and crazy) children. There's not much else I could ask for.
(For a recap of last years Valentine's you can click here to read that blog.)
We've spent the weekend together doing things as a family. Not so much forgetting the fact that it's Valentine's Day but focusing on us as a family (& very much missing Melanie) rather than focusing on Derrick and I as a couple.
After last year, and a Friday night spent going through video footage and photos we were reminded of how precious our time is together. I don't want or need diamonds or precious gemstones. I don't need a [holi]day to remind me to appreciate everything I have been blessed with. I have my husband healthy and for now he's home and I have three beautiful (sometimes wild and crazy) children. There's not much else I could ask for.
(For a recap of last years Valentine's you can click here to read that blog.)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
What a difference a day [or month] makes
Every new year you hope for better things to come. For us, January came crashing in with a vengeance, or so it seemed. We were hit with a pretty intense blow that shook us pretty good. Not that there is ever a good time for bad news but the timing was off, or it was off from what our plan was.
I've always been a person who believes 2 things: Everything happens for a reason, and God won't give you more than you can handle. We're an awesome family (if I say so myself) and I knew we could handle it all, and even do it with a little bit of grace. What I seemed to forget a few times is the first one.
It's all making sense and not just for the obvious reasons. This, this change is what we needed now. It made us realize things about ourselves, and each other. We were reminded of the strength we have, individually and as couple and as a family and we realized exactly where our priorities are and where we need to be to be our best.
January was a tough month, but we pulled through. I can even look back and say it was a good month in spite of all the uncertainty.
As chaotic as January was, we never would have expected for February to blow in so gracefully. We're only 5 days in and the changes we've seen are so drastic. The blow we took last month was reduced to a small bump in the road and we received a wonderful prognosis. Add to that, this unexpected change in plans has turned into a huge blessing in disguise.
It's a little scary how smoothly everything has fallen into place and we're still very cautious, but the idea of a little bit of smooth sailing sure is a pleasant thought.
I've always been a person who believes 2 things: Everything happens for a reason, and God won't give you more than you can handle. We're an awesome family (if I say so myself) and I knew we could handle it all, and even do it with a little bit of grace. What I seemed to forget a few times is the first one.
It's all making sense and not just for the obvious reasons. This, this change is what we needed now. It made us realize things about ourselves, and each other. We were reminded of the strength we have, individually and as couple and as a family and we realized exactly where our priorities are and where we need to be to be our best.
January was a tough month, but we pulled through. I can even look back and say it was a good month in spite of all the uncertainty.
As chaotic as January was, we never would have expected for February to blow in so gracefully. We're only 5 days in and the changes we've seen are so drastic. The blow we took last month was reduced to a small bump in the road and we received a wonderful prognosis. Add to that, this unexpected change in plans has turned into a huge blessing in disguise.
It's a little scary how smoothly everything has fallen into place and we're still very cautious, but the idea of a little bit of smooth sailing sure is a pleasant thought.
Monday, January 25, 2010
The good, the bad and the ugly
I'm going to see if I can stick with that order. Something tells me that as I write more, more good, bad or ugly may come to mind. So bear with me and my possible all-over-the-placeness. (yes, I'm creating my own words for this blog. Is that really a new thing for me?)
Good. adj. 1. being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
*We have orders, and we got a coast. Good for about half our friends and family.
*We'll be leaving Okinawa soon. How soon? See below. I'm still debating if that's bad or ugly.
*No more DoDDea schools. We have had some wonderful (AMAZING) teachers but the schools are so other than desirable 95% of the time.
* It's a type of unit he's been to before so we know the hours, routines and have an idea of the schedule.
*I'll be in Okinawa long enough to finish the class I picked up yesterday Almost wish I would have enrolled in one or two more classes now. Nah!
Bad. adj. 1. wrong; acting against the law; not good
The bad is all about perspective. Some of these things are good for some, bad for others.
*Location. Not our first choice and bad for about half our friends and family.
*The timing is wrong and SLOW very slow. We're down to one car, paying month to month insurance. Paying for both a Stateside cell phone and a local one. We can opt out of the contract for the one here but I want it still and we're stuck paying for the one in the states (that won't work here) whether we use it or not.
*To add to the timing issue, the time frame we're given, the boys may run into some issues with transferring schools before the early withdrawal date here. We might not end up at our final destination until after the school year has ended there. DoDDea runs through June and if I remember correctly stateside schools (on either coast) wrap up in May.
*It's a type of unit he's been to before so we know the hours, routines and have an idea of the schedule.
Ugly. adj. 2. disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable (definition 2 works best for this blog)
*The timing. Clearly it's all wrong. Derrick made a phone call to see about getting the dates pushed earlier and was told no for two reasons. 1. He extended on Okinawa until May so we can't leave until closer to that date. 2. his new unit is currently in Afghanistan.There's one possible loop hole but it requires a lot of time, efforts, and talking to all the right people and still the possibility of being shot down, and while Derrick doesn't officially have a job here anymore, they're still keeping him pretty busy.
*Yes. I did just say Afghanistan. With everything he's been through and the teasing of a non-deployable unit so he can recover, they send him to an artillery unit, ARTILLERY? Yeah, those good ole days of never seeing him because he's in the field training, doing deployment work ups or is simply deployed. If it's anything like his first 4 years, we're in for some serious adjustments and plenty more quality mom and kids time. Because 40 months of deployment just isn't enough... (sorry, unnecessary sarcasm).
*I'm going to hop to a good(ish). At least they'll just be returning from Afghanistan. Derrick won't deploy again until their dwell time is complete. I'm guessing another 6-9 months before they'd go again.
I think that's it for right now. I'm sure I'll have more to add to the good, the bad and the ugly but for now I think I'm done. So the gist of it all is, we'll be heading back to the States within the next 3-4 months and Derrick will be returning to an artillery unit.
Anyone still scratching their heads? Clearly there have been some changes from the original plan. I'll save that for another blog.
To our friends in Okinawa, you're stuck with us a little longer. (We wanted to leave within the next 3-4 weeks).
To our friends and family in the states, we'll start making our rounds once we get settled, most likely starting from the east and heading west. ;)
Have I left you all in enough suspense?
Love ya'll. :)
Good. adj. 1. being positive or desirable in nature; not bad or poor
*We have orders, and we got a coast. Good for about half our friends and family.
*We'll be leaving Okinawa soon. How soon? See below. I'm still debating if that's bad or ugly.
*No more DoDDea schools. We have had some wonderful (AMAZING) teachers but the schools are so other than desirable 95% of the time.
* It's a type of unit he's been to before so we know the hours, routines and have an idea of the schedule.
*I'll be in Okinawa long enough to finish the class I picked up yesterday Almost wish I would have enrolled in one or two more classes now. Nah!
Bad. adj. 1. wrong; acting against the law; not good
The bad is all about perspective. Some of these things are good for some, bad for others.
*Location. Not our first choice and bad for about half our friends and family.
*The timing is wrong and SLOW very slow. We're down to one car, paying month to month insurance. Paying for both a Stateside cell phone and a local one. We can opt out of the contract for the one here but I want it still and we're stuck paying for the one in the states (that won't work here) whether we use it or not.
*To add to the timing issue, the time frame we're given, the boys may run into some issues with transferring schools before the early withdrawal date here. We might not end up at our final destination until after the school year has ended there. DoDDea runs through June and if I remember correctly stateside schools (on either coast) wrap up in May.
*It's a type of unit he's been to before so we know the hours, routines and have an idea of the schedule.
Ugly. adj. 2. disagreeable; unpleasant; objectionable (definition 2 works best for this blog)
*Yes. I did just say Afghanistan. With everything he's been through and the teasing of a non-deployable unit so he can recover, they send him to an artillery unit, ARTILLERY? Yeah, those good ole days of never seeing him because he's in the field training, doing deployment work ups or is simply deployed. If it's anything like his first 4 years, we're in for some serious adjustments and plenty more quality mom and kids time. Because 40 months of deployment just isn't enough... (sorry, unnecessary sarcasm).
*I'm going to hop to a good(ish). At least they'll just be returning from Afghanistan. Derrick won't deploy again until their dwell time is complete. I'm guessing another 6-9 months before they'd go again.
I think that's it for right now. I'm sure I'll have more to add to the good, the bad and the ugly but for now I think I'm done. So the gist of it all is, we'll be heading back to the States within the next 3-4 months and Derrick will be returning to an artillery unit.
Anyone still scratching their heads? Clearly there have been some changes from the original plan. I'll save that for another blog.
To our friends in Okinawa, you're stuck with us a little longer. (We wanted to leave within the next 3-4 weeks).
To our friends and family in the states, we'll start making our rounds once we get settled, most likely starting from the east and heading west. ;)
Have I left you all in enough suspense?
Love ya'll. :)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Bursting that bubble
My blogs here have changed a little with the new year. They're coming fewer and farther between, not so much because I'm writing less but because the nature of what I'm writing. Over the past few weeks there have been some changes and they've caused me to be a bit selective in what I publish publicly. So for now, what you'll find here are my funny moments and random or everyday encounters. The blogs where I really open up about what I'm feeling and such, those are now reserved for my private blog.
Enough with the explaining, time for the funny stuff. :)
For a few years now Derrick has told the kids there is no Santa Claus. That he doesn't think it's fair that some magical fat man who plays with elves and rides around on flying reindeer gets credit for all the gifts that really came from a years worth of hard work. Ironically the more Derrick jokes about it, the more they don't believe him.
Knowing this about him, I shouldn't have been surprised when I heard what I did last night.
Yesterday when Brandon came in from school he told me that he woke up around midnight the night before just long enough for his tooth to fall out. He bagged it and tucked it under his pillow, I guess. He didn't specify.
Last night after the boys were in bed I was talking to Derrick about the alarm situation for the morning. I asked him if he'd be sure to swap out the tooth for some money before he left. He said he already took care of it.
"How did you do that? Brandon just went to bed."
"This afternoon. I told him you know the tooth fairy doesn't exist, right? Yeah, so give me your tooth." Then he handed him a dollar.
I was beside myself. I couldn't believe this just happened, so nonchalantly at that. I laughed, it was all I could think to do.
That's when Derrick reminded me that Brandon is eleven, and a boy at that. As if gender has anything to do with this. But I suppose he is getting old enough to realize something fishy about a fairy giving him money for teeth. It doesn't help that Duane Johnson (a.k.a. the Rock) is prancing around in a pink tutu and fairy wings on TV promoting his new movie.
I know kids grow up and they grow out of fairies but it's bittersweet. Just means that I've got one more that's grown up too much. How can I keep Luke little just a little longer. If eleven is the (un)magical age then I've only got 2 more years of magic left.
Enough with the explaining, time for the funny stuff. :)
For a few years now Derrick has told the kids there is no Santa Claus. That he doesn't think it's fair that some magical fat man who plays with elves and rides around on flying reindeer gets credit for all the gifts that really came from a years worth of hard work. Ironically the more Derrick jokes about it, the more they don't believe him.
Knowing this about him, I shouldn't have been surprised when I heard what I did last night.
Yesterday when Brandon came in from school he told me that he woke up around midnight the night before just long enough for his tooth to fall out. He bagged it and tucked it under his pillow, I guess. He didn't specify.
Last night after the boys were in bed I was talking to Derrick about the alarm situation for the morning. I asked him if he'd be sure to swap out the tooth for some money before he left. He said he already took care of it.
"How did you do that? Brandon just went to bed."
"This afternoon. I told him you know the tooth fairy doesn't exist, right? Yeah, so give me your tooth." Then he handed him a dollar.
I was beside myself. I couldn't believe this just happened, so nonchalantly at that. I laughed, it was all I could think to do.
That's when Derrick reminded me that Brandon is eleven, and a boy at that. As if gender has anything to do with this. But I suppose he is getting old enough to realize something fishy about a fairy giving him money for teeth. It doesn't help that Duane Johnson (a.k.a. the Rock) is prancing around in a pink tutu and fairy wings on TV promoting his new movie.
I know kids grow up and they grow out of fairies but it's bittersweet. Just means that I've got one more that's grown up too much. How can I keep Luke little just a little longer. If eleven is the (un)magical age then I've only got 2 more years of magic left.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
My first blog of 2010
And it's simply because I'm grinning from ear to ear after watching a clip from the Colbert Report and I have nobody to share the smile with. By default, YOU win!
I just love Colbert. He always cracks me up. This was just one more of his moments. I really liked the song before, but he makes it awesome. That and his suit and hoodie combo, made it all perfect. :)
I just love Colbert. He always cracks me up. This was just one more of his moments. I really liked the song before, but he makes it awesome. That and his suit and hoodie combo, made it all perfect. :)
| The Colbert Report | Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c | |||
| Alicia Keys - Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down | ||||
| ||||
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