I'm Eeking Back....

Well, I am tired of opening my browser to have that previous ugly post staring back at me. It was a difficult year, and I'm hoping that I can put an end to it.

At the time, I had decided that some things had to go to ease the stress in my life. So, I took a break from blogging. I should have posted about my decision...for both of you who read my blog(wink). I decided to spend my free energy fostering local and online relationships, translating to less pressure and more rewards for me. Writing on the blog has always been too much of an ideal for me to live up to.

If you know me well, you know I don't do anything I'm not going to be good at. I read some wonderful, amazing, inspiring blogs. I have always worried about my consistency. Plus, I wanted to make sure I was sharing a variety of uplifting news. So, when we don't reach these benchmarks we sometimes set for ourselves, it can make us feel more failure. I didn't need that at the time, or now. So, I'm trying a fresh start with a new outlook in a new place--figuratively and literally.

We recently moved from one side of the US, actually from the furthest West in Hawaii, to the east coast, in South Carolina. It's been a BIG move, a huge ordeal, and the toughest move of all for our our family. We're finally in a home, still no belongings yet, but I need to get on task. Each week is getting a little better. In a few weeks when our home is in order, and I have a better routine, this will hopefully all be a distant memory.

But, today, I need to live the quote I have at the top, "Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." All the good. All the bad. All the moments. And there are some really good ones in there. I should have chronicled them this past year, instead of rushing past them. This year will be different...better. It's up to me, right? Just be patient for me. And I'll try to be gentle on myself.

So, a little recap from my November 2011 post to now:
The holidays went off without too much of a hitch. Carols were sung, presents were gifted, merry was made. I did spend most of Christmas day with a migraine, but we got to skype with my whole family and speak to Dennis's on the phone.

The rest of the school year was a struggle for one and a breeze for another. That online K12 program certainly is easier on some personalities than others. For my oldest, Sabrina, she missed making friends and worked hard every day to stay caught up, cutting into any social life she may have wanted. For Hayden, he was in his element. He loved finishing his work mid-morning so he could have computer free time. He would minecraft with his friends in the afternoon and spend some days with his best friend doing school work, then playing. McKenna's school year went off well. She had a great relationship with her teacher, enjoyed school, and had some great friends.

We were able to take a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii during spring break, amazed at how much more untouched it was than Oahu. We had a fabulous week and saw another amazing part of this world. Maybe I'll do another recap post of that some time. My mom was able to come out a couple of weeks later, during the worst storm weekend we had our entire time on Oahu. It was such a disappointment to not be able to show her more of the beauty of Hawaii, but we were able to spend time together, and that's what really matters anyway.

My middle brother and his family came out at the end of May and spent 2 weeks in our home. They allowed us to be tourists and do all of the fun things Hawaii has to offer for one last time. The kids really enjoyed hanging out with their cousins since they don't get to often.

About April, we had started preparing to move off the island, knowing an assignment would come in May. The options of location weren't great, and we did get an initial assignment to Cannon AFB, NM. This base is so remote that after a process involving a medical board, the assignment was cancelled due to lack of facilities to support Sabrina's diabetic needs. Then began the waiting game...9 weeks to be exact, before we would get the new assignment.

The second week in August, we receive an assignment to Shaw AFB, SC, followed by a mad rush to get out of Hawaii before the end of the month. We started packing up on the 10th and cleared our house on the 20th. We flew out of Hawaii on the 21st and, 3 flights later, into South Carolina on the 22nd. The south definitely has a learning curve. But, we're adjusting. The kids all started school last week, and so far are holding their own. Now to see where this new adventure takes us!

Belated Holidays Report

Ok, so I was "justly" chastised, that Christmas is over, spring will soon be here, and I have neglected my blog....again. (Thanks Kristine, for the kick in the pants all the way from Texas!)

So, here is a December wrap-up. I decorated early...just to get it out of the way before our fabulous Relief Society Christmas Social, for which I was in charge. It always amazes me that we can transform a basketball gym into an evening of twinkling lights, amazing food, and festive music.

So, this is the month for performances...all of the kids had great stage time...

We enrolled McKenna in a Showtime Performers group. They spent time every week learning holiday songs and movements and put on a show for friends and family in the base theater. She LOVED it...Rockin' Around the Christmas tree...

Then, there was the school program. Each grade did a different song or two. That's my little wreath down front...again Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree...

Hayden wasn't so pleased. Sixth grade did a song I've never heard about how Christmas is "No Time to Diet"??? Ok, so take the oldest, coolest kids in school...and put big yellow bibs on them...I feel for you, babe. The boy next to him, however, obviously thought it was the best thing ever!

Sabrina has been spending the semester practicing every Friday with her Glee club for a holiday performance. She really loves going, but she stands in the back and is still a little stage shy...she's working on it. It has been slowly helping her confidence.

Then, there's the kids' program at the Ward Christmas party. Poor, poor baby...from yellow bibs to fuzzy hats...I know you're still cool under all those accessories.

At the start of winter break, we headed up to the north shore to the Laie Temple visitors center to look at all of the trees decorated by each stake on the island. It was a great family night, with some beautiful family pictures.

Of course, it wouldn't be Christmas without my table covered in plates and plates of chocolatey goodness...yum...wish I still had some of that fudge about now...or the peanut butter kisses...or the raspberry jam logs...or the...moving on...

McKenna was up to all kinds of antics, like climbing furniture to feed her sweet tooth...got caught "hand in the cookie jar" style.

I got this chocolate fountain for our RS dinner, and it didn't work right. So, before I took it back, we tested it out at home afterwards...McKenna LOVED it! Why dip fruit and marshmallows in when you can go straight to the source by sticking your tongue in it?

And, while the rest of America was buried in the "snowpocalypse", we had sunshine and rainbows...of course the grass is always greener, right? McKenna decided she needed some snow, so she spent a half hour chopping up paper, and the next 10 seconds throwing it up in the air, to "make it snow", then the next half hour picking up each and every tiny scrap of paper.

This Wii commercial was, hands down, my FAVORITE of the season. Did you see it? The mom that played Wii to get chores done? The losers have to do the housework. I love when she slides the laundry basket over to her son right after he loses the game. It's hilarious. I also LOVED her hair. So, I took a picture, and when I finally decide to go and get my hair cut off... I hope it ends up like this:

I really enjoyed getting the decorating done early this year, and setting a pretty holiday table. These are my new Christmas plates I got for a deal at Ross...they remind me of our time in Germany.

It took the whole month to get our family picture done...the Sunday before Christmas, Dennis was working 12 hour shifts due to world events. So, this was staged post-Christmas...one camera timer, two trippings over the tripod running back to take my spot, and 15 pictures later, this is the Terry family 2010:

And a good "Charlie's Angels" pose for good measure. These are my "Lisa's Angels":

Hope you all had a full and bright holiday season. We are so blessed to be together and enjoy all the memories we made...next stop...2011!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

As it got closer and closer to Christmas, we all commented that it sure didn't feel like Christmas...may be the 80 degree summer weather, may be the still unsettled feeling that's lingering, or may be the fact that last Christmas was probably the hardest we've ever had.

So, I think it all just made me try harder...decorating, baking, planning the perfect holiday. And, it has been a perfect holiday, spending a ton of fun time together, hundreds of cookies delivered, and such a strong spirit filled the chapel during the Christmas program Sabrina and I participated in. Truly a magical Christmas.

Beyond all the stress. Beyond the fact that my grandma's not doing well. Beyond the fact that we are missing family and friends this holiday. True spirit and true love has been felt in the Terry home this week.

We've done tons of baking together...

Took a little time out from slinging flour to fight for the spotlight:

Watched a little reindeer sing a song...

Took our annual family photos...

Set a festive holiday table...

Ate lots of yummy, sweet things...

Started some new traditions, but kept some old ones, like cute matching pajamas...

On top of all that, we made new stockings to replace our missing ones, enjoyed cards and greetings from loved ones, gave and received lots of thoughtful gifts, and laughed more than we have together in a long time. I am grateful that, for this holiday, the memories of time spent together will last far longer than the gifts.

I miss the Christmas markets, our family and friends, my dearest Christine, but this year we pulled together and remembered Christ's love in our lives and found joy in each other-- and in making this season special. A beautiful end to a tough year.

One week to go!

So, what's been going on this week? Last week was the Big Eddie, a seldom run, invite-only surf contest on the North Shore. There is all this criteria for it to run: the waves, height, barrels...lots of other conditions that mean nothing to my lack of surfing knowledge. We drove up there after the kids got out of school one day...missed the contest, but marveled at the fierocity of the waves. They had closed some of the beaches, including this one. This picture doesn't even do it justice...I mailed out ALL my cards, and ALL my packages, and got to baking. I had little helpers this year...

10 batches of cookies later...Hey, where did that extra cookie dough go?

We have been enjoying actually getting cards in the mail. Used to be we'd cover an entire door, now just about 1/2 a door the last couple of years...either we're less loved, or not as many want to do the mail thing anymore. Oh, well, I still make the majority of ours...and love it.

Coming home from shopping this week, seeing why we are SO grateful to live on base. While the rest of the area are leaving Hickam and Honolulu, we are coming home, on the right side of the freeway...

Dennis and I had a date night and went to the flight Christmas party...

Saw the coolest sunset while out delivering cookies tonight...

Came home and took the big, bad teenager's door off. (Long story, lots of drama...) Hayden thought it was funny and wouldn't stop taking pictures, so Dennis took his off, too...

What will the next week bring? All preparations are done, tomorrow's the last day of school until winter break, and the weather is beautiful...so, hopefully, lots of peace and fun family time. Who can ask for more?

Welcome the holidays!

I think that the ushering in of the holidays may help me feel more settled here. We had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving...I decorated for fall, Sabrina helped me cook (although next year we'll put SUGAR in the pumpkin pie...), and I even braved the Black Friday crowds. Those price matching policies at the main stores and the BX saved me some money and a ton of running around.

It's the 1st of December, and while I was worried that being in Hawaii would hinder feeling the holiday spirit, we are all decorated for Christmas, and feeling a bit jovial. I've spent the past week or so getting ready for a holiday craft fair. I haven't started my Christmas cards yet, but I'm making some for the fair, so hopefully will get them all knocked out at the same time. I even have nearly all of the Christmas shopping done and everything wrapped. Way ahead of past years...That's how this post was supposed to go...all gingerbread and holiday glee...yeah, right...

Then, I headed out yesterday to finish some last minute errands, mail packages, exchange some items. First, my morning took way longer than I had planned to get out the door...

Then, at the post office...I had put 3 packages in flat rate boxes that the helpful clerk informed me were going to cost more than if I had used regular boxes. So, he handed me some so I could repackage them. I had also apparently used the wrong customs form...yes, the same form I used for the last 6 years to send packages FROM Germany was not allowed to send packages TO Germany. When all was said and done, I nearly ran out of there...on to the next stop.

Braving the mall, I spent almost 2 hours in Ross, scouring the racks for specific items, including a costume for Sabrina for her role as Mary in the nativity at the Christmas party (they don't sell very many long, humble, tunic-type dresses these days), standing in line, then getting to the register and realizing my credit card was gone. Having used it at the post office, I HOPED it was there.

I rushed out of Ross to check my car seat where I had put the post office receipts and try to track it down. It wasn't in the car and, of course, they weren't answering their phones. So, I had to call a head office, in a different building, where a woman took my information. Still unsettled at the possibilities that I left it there or could have dropped it, and a random stranger was finishing his Christmas shopping on my dime, I called Dennis to head over there....5 minutes til they closed. He called the post office first, spoke to the same employee I did, who assured him that none of the clerks remembered anyone leaving a card.

At this point it is 2 hours until our church Christmas Party, where Sabrina was Mary, both Hayden and McKenna were singing, and I was charged with providing part of the dinner...

I called the woman at the post office back, got her voicemail and proceeded to give detailed information on the clerk, time of day, how he kept my card in front of him, and "handed me my receipt, but no card, as I rushed out the door." After leaving this message, I decided to AGAIN scour around the car seat, dump my purse, and tear apart the center console, where I noticed...yes, here it comes...the card had fallen flat against a CD. Relieved that it was secure, I made yet one more phone call to that poor woman at the post office and left the most apologetic message that all was well, and profusely thanked her for her time and service.

Next, I made one more stop before heading home where I handed out the items from Ross and noticed I was missing a bag. I checked the car...no bag. Really...no bag. I know what you're thinking, but it really wasn't there. So, I called Ross. They were still slammed, and she said there wasn't anything around the customer service desk, but if I called back in another hour, they might slow down enough for her to look around.

So, I rushed my family to get ready, dropped them off at the church, and headed back to the mall. 20 minutes later, after circling the parking lot for a spot, having stood in the customer service line, and saying multiple prayers, I was the reunited with my shopping bag, which had a huge note on it, "CUSTOMER LEFT IN SHOPPING CART." Yay! I was so grateful, and took a moment to thank God and promise I would slow down...this is the message I received loud and clear! Again, all was well.

I made it back to the party before anyone performed, even before dinner was started. McKenna was a little warm, and a little clingy, but all in all, it went well.

Today, we were all ready for church relatively on time...not too much hassle, everyone looking good. We get to church and I noticed that McKenna barely touched her pop tart. She said she was full...whatever. We are just about 3 minutes late, still making announcements. I barely put my rear end in the pew (of course, nearer to the front than I normally sit), sit her on my lap, when she turns to me with her hand up by her mouth and starts to cry.

I KNOW that look...we make a bee line for the bathroom, my hand in ready position by her mouth just in case, and barely make it to the trash can in the hall...I say barely because none made it to the floor, but my hand and the front of her new black velvet dress weren't so lucky. Yes, most made it in the trash. I now had to go back into Sacrament to collect my kids and belongings, where Sabrina decided she'd stay, so I had to find her a ride home. I hope they were all thinking "that poor mom" and not "I wish that lunatic would take her seat and quit walking up and down the aisle."

McKenna seemed to be ok by dinner time. I don't know if it was too much from last night, or what. I took the kids out just before dinner to take pictures for our Christmas card, and they turned out pretty well. This one looks like it is in front of a picture, but this ethereal sunset background is very real. And, I'm typing on here instead of finishing my Christmas cards...

So, that was my weekend. What did I say? Welcome the holidays? What was I thinking? If it continues like this, I might have to Bah Humbug!