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!

Week 2 of unpacking and getting on track...

Ok, so I thought I was smart...Isn't the unaccompanied shipment supposed to be the one that is flown over with the stuff you need up until the last minute and the first stuff you'll need when you get there? I put in our silverware, pots and pans, sheets, the kids' soccer cleats (for the season that started this week), our tennies, hampers, the kids' computer, the bulk of Sabrina's diabetic supplies, plus more necessities. And, it's STILL.NOT.HERE. Our main shipment was delivered 12 days ago. What's up with that?

We did get to our new ward this past Sunday, though. We were welcomed with shell lei's and big smiles. It looks like a smaller ward, but I think it's a larger ward, just about 1/2 active. Sabrina is one of only about 6 young women. McKenna is the only girl in her primary class. A woman sat next to me in Relief Society and said her son thinks Sabrina's pretty, said he was being obnoxious to get her attention...she said it twice. So I asked Sabrina about it after church. Yes, apparently Jason was acting silly in class...she noticed. And, DAVID passed her a note that indicated he thought she was cute. Two boys, in 2 hours. Not bad...are we in trouble here?

Sabrina has definitely started to feel at home. She likes school (although the fact that homework has been all but non-existent could have something to do with it). She's made friends. She has boys following her. She has been doing really good getting out the door at 6:40am for the bus. Her attitude has changed, and she has been doing her chores without fail. We just found out that she's been getting lazy with checking her blood sugar and taking insulin...not a good thing. I guess it was getting TOO good...

Hayden is a new kid in school too. I told his teacher he likes to get up and help other kids when he is done with his work, and she said he just cracks open a book and reads! That's not like him. But, he does like his teacher and his class. He's doing well and started soccer this week. Boy, is that a workout...1.5 hours and hard core running and work in 88 degree weather. He is working hard.
McKenna started Kindergarten this week...she didn't even miss me! She's having a blast and loves to walk to school with Hayden. Her teacher is so sweet and McKenna is really taken with her. She starts gymnastics today and has been enjoying coming home from school and playing out back in the blow-up pool.

Dennis is working long and hard. He leaves for work before 6:30am for meetings and had some pretty physical, not to mention hot, PT several days in the week. He is exhausted when he gets home and, frankly, not really excited to be still putting furniture together. I don't blame him. Apparently, bolts and screws to two things are MIA.

I have been living at Walmart and Target getting curtains, returning curtains; getting a can opener, returning a can opener; getting a hose holder, exchanging for another. It's getting old. And, I'm down to the last few things to really finish setting up HOME. A few pictures left to hang, the other shipment to arrive, and I'll be happy. I am, however, knee deep in putting away the craft supplies...but have made quite the progress there, too. I'm loving the space. And, happy to have somewhere to put things away and pull them out when I need them.

We had our first Gecko lizard in the house last night. And our first Hurricane warning...that didn't pan out, thank goodness. And, we have had little crickets alot. Man they are fast! I can't figure out where they are getting in. And earwigs...but that's about it. It can be worse...we've been warned about centipedes and cockroaches and other tropical loving pests. I'm listening to the housing lawn crew take care of our yard right now. How awesome is that?! Even if it's a little disconcerting to have strange men with weed wackers outside your front door, I'm sure I'll get used to it.

As a family, we have been spending lots of time together, although Dennis says it's not quality family time to be out shopping. Not fun for who? ha ha. But seriously, with one car, I have to run errands when I get the chance. We have been preparing dinner together, jamming to IPod music, sitting down for family dinners (sans bench...one of the missing screw pieces), and gathering in the living room to watch Shark Week on the Discovery channel. (I love HGTV and watched 3 episodes of Clean House on the Style Channel yesterday.) No car, so I'm most productive in the mornings at home. Eventually when Dennis's car gets here, I plan to go out and get a part-time job. Lucky me.

But, we are getting on a schedule and feeling at home. It's a feeling I've missed.

Getting settle update...

Here we are, moved in to the new house on Wednesday, and we had a call on Thursday that our household goods are here! What luck! Also, they couldn't get us an appt to install phone/internet/cable until Aug. 13th, but called us on Thursday and will be able to fit us in this week. Yay! I'm severely in withdrawals from my lack of internet...it's killing me not to be able to get on when I need to. No email. No blog. No digital scrapbooking downloads....UGH! Right now I'm grabbing some free internet, just to get this done.

We did finally get the kids registered for school. There were issues with the TB tests...not showing on their records, so we had to do it again. Hayden was supposed to start on Friday, but both him and Sabrina were throwing up during the night before, so he missed his first day. McKenna starts on Wed, then goes again the following Monday, then full-time on the 11th.

Sabrina starts on Monday. I have to take her in to take all of her diabetic supplies, but after that she'll be riding a bus....at 6:45am! It's a crazy system...they pick up the kids on base, drop them off at school, then go out for another run at another base. So, she'll be at school almost an hour early every day. Did I mention we have to PAY for that service?

They have a short day here, 7:55am to 2:05pm. On Wednesdays it's even shorter, getting out at 1:15pm. I guess Wednesday will be my stay-at-home, get-everything-done day. No point running out to rush back.

The house is really nice...only opened up in November. The family that lived here before us was a forced move, lived in old housing but PCS'ing soon, so they only lived here 5 months. The kitchen is really large with, get this....22 cupboards and 9 drawers! (To all my friends in Germany: I'm loving returning to the land of cupboards!) I'm really at a loss with all the space! Lots of counterspace and a bar the length of one wall into the dining room. It's really a good layout. The utility room with the laundry is large enough to put my sewing table in. So, it will really work out well. I can't wait to get our things and play around with putting everything away!

I was also able to connect with another family that moved here a few weeks before us from Ramstein. She ran into Dennis in the housing office. They haven't been as lucky to get the new houses and their stuff isn't here yet. So, I'm feeling really grateful. We still need a few things...a TV, mattresses, etc. But, we're getting there.

We have been spending lots of family time...running around together. Lots of opportunities for funny things out of my kids' mouths. Last night, Sabrina picked up a rather large cutting board that had markings for rolling out pie dough and measurements etched on the right side. She said, "Hey, I can used this to measure my liquids!" I think she was referring to the conversions all listed on the side, but it was super funny....being a flat cutting board, and all.

Then last night, McKenna asked for a cheeseburger and cinnamon melts from McDonalds for dinner. She has never finished an entire cheeseburger, so I was skeptical that she would eat both, but I thought maybe the treat would be a good incentive to eat the entire burger. I was right and with a little prodding she finished the cheeseburger. Of course, I had to pack the melts in my purse because she was full. When we got to the car, I handed them to her, she put them between her legs. I then turned around about 5 minutes later, and they were half eaten. I asked her, "McKenna, wow! I don't believe it, where are you putting it all?" She said," In my lap." Isn't it funny when they take you so literally?

Homeless no longer!

Talk about a roller coaster ride!

We purchased a Grand Caravan last Saturday, mostly because we couldn't rent a car...everything was booked due to a ship coming into port the same day we flew in. It was so nice to finally have some wheels. We spend the weekend driving around the perimeter of the island, a little exploration, and trying to get our bearings. Dennis did most of his checking in the first part of the week, and by the end of the week, we had compiled a list of 14 possible properties for us to move into. The military housing office was giving us a 6 month wait for on-base housing. We registered with Navy housing, and were looking at anywhere from 3 months to a year for their housing. Although with several subs coming in at this time, it wasn't looking good.

So, we spent a day driving by properties, weeding out bad areas, etc, made a couple of appts and had it narrowed down to only about 3 possibles. In between our appts on Friday, housing called and offered us a house! It's a pretty new one, too...we are only the 2nd family to live there. We move in on Wednesday. That is such a major relief! Here is a picture of the house...

We will register the kids for school on Monday, sign a lease on Tuesday, get the keys on Wednesday, and the kids start school on Friday and Monday. Crazy, huh? It's going to be a hectic week, but hopefully by next week, we'll be a little settled. None of our shipments are here yet. I'm not too hopeful that we'll see any of it before mid-August.

But, the kids are fully taking advantage of the hotel pool...we're all getting tan and mostly getting used to the heat. I registered Hayden and Sabrina for soccer today. McKenna chose gymnastics instead.

We are getting used to the differences from what we're used to in Europe...more customer service, more options, faster pace...but we miss a little, too...especially our friends. We have phones, now too! We are on Verizon...boy was that complicated...a little homesick for our simple O2 plan. We even did something we said we'd never do...got Sabrina a phone...on a trial basis. She'll be locked into calling other Verizon customers, though, and using her allowance for the monthly fee. The phone was free on a promotion, so we'll see how it goes.

Dennis and I are laughing about the weather forecast...tomorrow: High 88, low 77, chance of rain. Sunday, High 88, low 77, chance of rain...about the same the rest of the week...Monday might be 86.

I visited Target...the pineapple on the end panel was funny, but even funnier is the sale on the SPAM they have...it really is true...they LOVE their Spam here!

Well, I'll hopefully have a new update the end of the week with maybe some interior pictures of the house. Until then! Aloha!

Aloha! We made it!

After a grueling 2 days of sitting on a tarmac in Denver, deplaning, waiting hours for news, gate/plane change, cancellation, 2 hour line for hotel/meal information, back to the airport at 6:30am, and an hour layover sitting on the plane in San Francisco, WE HAVE ARRIVED! Leis and palm trees awaited us, along with several members of Dennis's work center.

It was a tiring trip, but we were greeted and welcomed, unpacked and picked up some groceries...all by dinner. And boy, do I feel better. Not settled, but better...It's 4 hours behind Denver here, so we will be trying to stay up, then head to bed for some much needed rest. Trust me...we ALL need it...you should have seen these kids in the commissary. Completely at the top of their obnoxious game...making a grand impression, I'll tell you.

Why is it that just when you really want your kids to make a GOOD impression, your youngest picks her nose and hands it to you to clean off the "booger" while you're swiping your debit card at the checkout? Or your son has diarreah of the mouth, telling your ride, whom you've known for all of a 1/2 hour, that you crashed your van 2 years ago, were arrested for talking on the cell phone, etc.? And, when you try to correct him (it WAS only a ticket, after all), he proceeds to pursue it, trying to make you look unfit?

Plus, we found out that they start school here on July 30th...not August, like I thought. So, to add pressure, we have to have somewhere to live soon, so we can get them registered. I guess summer is over...We had to break the news to Sabrina.

At least we had a great trip, and visits with everyone the past few weeks. It will have to tide us over until fall break when we can take a good family vacation, unless we can get around on the weekends enough to explore our new home and environment. Aloha!

Currently homeless...

Goodbye Germany! We had such a rough time getting out of the country, all our paperwork done, , I's dotted...T's crossed...that I've just been fully enjoying being on "vacation".

Here's a not-so-short summary of the past couple of weeks:

Our flight from Germany to Indiana was mostly uneventful...all except the lugging of the carry on luggage through each leg of our journey. We're living out of 8 suitcases for 3-4 months...Really. Normally, we probably would have had 2 less suitcases and 3 less carry-ons...really.

Boy, we got off the airplane in South Bend, and were hit with a wave of humidity, that didn't let up until we got back on the plane a week later. I don't know how those farm boys do it...out on those tractors in that heat and humidity...no shorts or tank tops. I'd melt, I tell you.

Dennis's mom and sister were able to come out and meet us those first few days. That was really nice for the family. We tried to stay cool and have a good visit. Breakfast each day and walks through the park and the mall...giggling in the library. It ended much to soon.

We spent the rest of the week visiting Dennis's hometown friends and family. It is amazing to see the kids all growing up and families change. Dennis enjoyed catching up, and the rest of us were treated like family as well. Sabrina even had a couple of admirers...

I also got to walk through Walmart, all out of sorts because of so much stuff and not knowing where to find anything. Hayden ran back from the toy department, amazed at the size of the section "just for kids, mom!!" He found his elusive Bakugon and added to his collection.

Then we flew out for Denver, so glad to be back in the drier air and beautiful mountain range. We had a nice weekend with my dad before Dennis had to renew his Colorado driver's license and we headed to Utah. FYI, his USAREUR license transferred too, so it was extremely painless...

I thought that I'd implode if I didn't hit a Target within 24 hours, but I just made it...again, lots of walking around aimlessly, overwhelmed by all the stuff I'd want if I had a home...or 6 more suitcases.

Our trip to Utah was a fun one...relaxing, with lots of time spent with my family. We stayed with my brother, Chuck, so the kids got to spend lots of time with cousins. We spent a day at the Hill AFB Aerospace museum, had a BBQ for 4th of July...fireworks in the street, swimming with the cousins, dirt biking with Jason's family, and more shopping. The girls and I spent evenings doing hair, pedicures, and makeup. I finally got used to the time zone changes. The kids are glued to the Disney channel and fell in love with Arby's and Wendy's.

We were able to spend some time every other day with my grandma in the nursing home. It was good to see her, yet hard at the same time. It was hard to leave not knowing if I'd see her again.

We are now back in Denver for the last leg of our homeless journey...visiting my dad, and my mom flew in for our last few days. We leave this week, and it will be bittersweet, leaving family again. We are sad to be leaving, but excited to be moving on, getting settled and setting up a new home. The offer's out to come visit us, though...I mean, it's Hawaii, really!!

Pure pain!

Ok, from the pure joy of Dennis coming home, to this:

This picture about sums up the last week.

McKenna (and I) needed shots...ouch!!

Dennis finally got his orders, then we were able to get in the "system", but we spent 1 hour and 45 min in SATO making travel arrangements.

We waited two days for a phone call from the packers, only to offer to move us THE NEXT DAY!

Furnishings Management Office have no dates available to pick up our loaned furniture and appliances.

Billeting (on base hotel) is full.

I went to cancel our cell phone and was told our contract is through 2011...now every time I call their customer service, I get transferred 4 times and disconnected.

But, the bright spot in all this, though, is that through the kindness of friends, we do have air mattresses to sleep on, camp chairs to sit in, help to clean the rooms, a truck to move our trash and recycle, and even a loaner cookie sheet...which I had to use along with a plastic spoon to brown some hamburger:

After that experience, I decided to not cook any more...I have some food in the house, but am missing either spices, a crucial ingredient, or a cooking utensil.

Oh, I also found out Sabrina is the bomb at cleaning! She wiped out and cleaned out the kitchen cupboards and refrigerator. Who knew?

We will certainly miss Germany, but the last couple of weeks trying to get everything arranged and out of here, has definitely made me excited to get on that plane!

My baby's overdue...

I'll tell you, it's been a rough couple of weeks. We did get Hayden's ID...and I had a PCS class to find out how to get all the boxes checked to leave here. But, tensions have been high at the Terry house. I finally had to take a night off and go to the movies with some girlfriends.

So, I won't bore you with the sordid details, but I think I'm finally pulling out of it. Yesterday's Mother's Day doesn't rank up there as one of my better ones, and Christine's family left the country last week. I was finally able to motivate myself to work out today....yay! I accomplished everything on my list today, and hope to keep the momentum for the whole week.

I have been praying to relax about the whole move (Did I mention that Dennis still has a week or so before coming home, and he won't get orders until a week or so after that? That will leave us with 2-3 weeks to get everything packed, shipped, turned off, paid, and get on a plane!) So, I had a revelation last night...

Those of you that have ever gone past your due date with any of your children...that's exactly what I'm feeling right now. I had expected Dennis home already. He isn't. It's only going to be a couple of weeks more, which in the scheme of things and longer deployments, really isn't much. BUT...when you are counting on that deadline, and that baby hasn't come yet...is it not the most miserable time of your life? I was overdue by 2 weeks with both Hayden and Sabrina, and, I'll tell you, I've never spent a longer 2 weeks of my life...until now.

McKenna has been using her "wishing flower" wishes...Come home soon, Daddy!

Get Everything in Line!

I just realized that this weekend Dennis will have been gone for a month. Already 1/4 of the way done! The scary part is that it went REALLY fast. And...that's only 3 months left. If you count the 3 weeks or so that he'll be home before we actually leave here...that's barely 4 months.

Four months to clean out the basement.

Four months to get rid of unnecessary toys and clothes.

Four months to get medical clearances, orders, schedule move dates, sell the car.

Four months to give notice to utilities, cell phones, landlord, schools, family...

I'm freaking out a little. So, in my already busy week, I met yesterday with a group of friends who all want to help each other get more organized. We are going to meet twice a month at each other's homes to discuss ideas and actually put our ideas into practice. I am beyond excited about it....and a little sad that I only get 4 months with them. (shouldn't we have started this last year?) It's the 3rd party thing, I'm convinced, that helps us have those "light-bulb" moments. What I need is an un-emotional attachment to my stuff....

I have done the first go-through in my craft room...I know it will need another...and another. But, that, and the scrapbooking project for Christine, have really gotten me excited to do my own scrapbooking...when will I find the time? I don't want it to have to wait 6 months til we are in our new home, but, I guess if I can clean out now...set-up will be easier. Then, I'll have all the fun time...right?

In the meantime, I have a menu system to implement...thanks so much GEL girls!