5 N Guam

The Next Blog

2010-06-24T12:14:00.000+10:00

For more stories about Kelley and her family, please, visit:

www.5withfamily.blogspot.com

Last Post From 5nGuam

2010-06-07T13:45:00.000+10:00

Moving. So many thoughts and emotions. This is our eight move with the Air Force, so in a way it's "old hat", but each and every move has its own quirks. For the most part for every move we were ready to move. The one exception was our move from Japan to California. I was not ready to leave Japan in any way.

Especially at 35 1/2 weeks pregnant. But that's another story for another time.

I'm ready to move....ready to leave Paradise....ready to be back in a first-world/develop country. Don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed living here in Guam. Enjoyed the friends I have made here....enjoyed seeing a different part of the world...learning about new cultures. But ready to leave and be closer to family. The closest to family in the past was 15 hours by car. Being in the same state is just amazing to me.

Leaving here I'll take the sheer beauty of the island. In many locations it is just so incredibly beautiful, words are hard to describe it all. But there is a down-size to the island...maybe in most islands. The poverty...the hopelessness some of the people have. After all, when living in the States, its easy to relocate and start anew a few towns or a state over. Here a place ticket the mainland is out-of-reach for most workers. Then there's the corruption and greed that abounds in the island government.....the carelessness of the people toward the beauty of the island as well as the value of human life.

Just this morning there was an article in the paper about a nine-year-old boy being killed because he was riding the back of a pick-up truck and fell out then hit by another car. While its legal for a parent to allow a child to ride in the back of pick-up truck, they are trying to discourage it by an ad campaign with the slogan of "Your family is not freight".

Amazing that people have to be told that....sad really.

The locals have a love/hate relationship to us in the military. They are totally appreciative that the Marines in 1iberated Guam from the Japanese in 1944 (Liberation Day is a bigger celebration than July 4th here) and so, are very patriotic with many joining the Armed Forces. But at the same time they are deeply jealous of what we military families have - from our houses on base to our schools to the military access only beaches on the bases to our base stores. Many do what ever they can to have what is part of our benefits for being in the military.

There's also a deep resentment that foreigners are on the island at all. All children - even ours in the military base schools are required to take Guam Culture classes. There I have seen how the teachers talk about the "invaders" who came and stole their lands and made the Chamarro's a weaker by intermarriage. It was little uncomfortable listening to those lessons....seeing the look of disdain on the face of the teacher....But with all parts of history, both sides can and should learn.

With Guam now a part of our personal history now, I hope to leave more grace....compassion.....love. It's been a wonderful three years. I pray the next part of our adventure will be as enlightening. You can read about our next adventures at my new blog - 5with family here.

Homeless

2010-06-04T14:01:00.000+10:00

I'm homeless. Again. But it's a planned homelessness.

So, far the move has gone well. The last of our things were packed yesterday in the express shipment (this shipment will take 14 days instead of the 60 for the rest of our things). This morning Drew checked out of our military house - very relieved that we didn't have to do any major cleaning or yard work! Last night we spent our first night in the hotel.

All's going well....

We still have a car to sell. While it'll be nice to sell it and be done, it's also nice to have a car these last few days. I'm actually borrowing a friends car, so I'm not stuck without one while Drew finishes up things.

And he still have several things to finish up. His replacement comes in tonight and so he'll spend more of the weekend with him briefing him on how the office runs. The kids were disappoint that Dad wouldn't be around to play at the hotel's water park, but they'll get lots of daddy time in the next few weeks.

Me? I feel so less stress right now. Yesterday...lots more stressed. While Drew was at the house with the movers, I went on field day with Benjamin's class. It was a great day at Tropical Fruit World and Jeff's Pirate's Cove, but in the back of my mind was all the things that needed to be done....our TB test read ( a requirement to leave the island)... meds to be picked up...cleaning the house...getting rid of the food that the movers would not pack.....

But it's all done now. The kids and I will play for the next few days....three and half days left in Paradise.....then onto our next Air Force Adventure.

Almost there...

2010-06-02T07:02:00.000+10:00

Its less than a week now until we leave....my mind is overwhelmed at times with it all. The house is empty, but yet at the same time a total mess. How can you have so few things scattered everywhere?

Last night was my last evening Bible study and I'm now getting ready to walk out the door to my last morning study. I will miss these ladies. For the last three years they have prayed for me, entertained me, feed me, and up-held me. As usual while a location maybe easy to leave - the friends never are.

Long Weekend

2010-05-31T18:48:00.000+10:00

Drew was to be home Friday night, but ended up not making it in until Saturday night. Melissa was finally fever-free for 24 hours by mid-day Sunday - and the best part? So, far no one else is sick.

Although, William has complained of a headache....which is normal for him....praying it's his normal and not getting her germs.

Sunday we went to the Haputo Beach - one of my favor places in Guam....pure white beach...nice green jungle surrounding it....very much un-touch by people. Usually, when we go the tide is in and the waves very high - much too high to enjoy the water. One friend almost lost her mother-in-law! She got swept out with a rip-tide. She was very lucky that she only had broken ribs, but still had her life. This weekend the tide was so low we could walk out all the way to the reef.

So incredible beautiful!!

I would have pictures but my camera cord got packed up with the movers and our lap-top is in the process of crashing....Drew is trying to save it....but it's not looking good at all.

Today was a day to get a few things done around here before an office party.

Then I ready the invite again.

The party was on Saturday.

Opps.

This will be a busy short week....we leave the house on Thursday.....fly out a week from tomorrow....still hard to believe it's all coming to an end and we get to move home......yeah for us!

An Ill Little Girl

2010-05-27T19:39:00.000+10:00

Whenever you hear a voice at 3:30 in the morning that says in a very sad way, "Mommy", you know it's not going to be a normal day. My poor little girl had a horrible headache, sore throat, and a temp of 102.7.

Yowza! Poor thing.

And even worse was after she got settled into my bed (Drew's gone), she then said the other words we parents hate to hear, "Mom, my stomach hurts...I think I'm going to throw up."

Never does a mom move faster.

So...we spent the day watching TV....those toddlers with tiaras need a good butt spanking...as well as the moms for spending that much money....

But by the end of the day she was able to keep some food and drink down. She'll be home again from school tomorrow. And I'm praying that she keeps these nasty germs to her self.

Oh, The Possibilities....

2010-05-26T13:30:00.000+10:00

I've been thinking about my next life.

No, I don't have a dreaded disease (other than being human). But Drew, the kids, and I are getting a new life soon thanks to the US Air Force. While living on an tropical island for three years has been enjoyable, it's time to go.

After all - it hasn't been all suntans and beaches.

I'm thrilled to be closer to family.

Almost equally thrilled to have close access to normal American shopping! And not just a better selection when it comes to clothes. I'm really looking forward to fresh fruits and veggie. And bread.

Yes, bread. The bread here has been frozen to be transported here and thawed out. It's not the best. No matter what brand I buy, within a day or two it has this smell....there's no mold that I can see, but there's this smell that makes me not really want to eat it.

No wonder Melissa refuses to have a sandwich in her daily lunch.

I'm also starting to wonder what our day to day life will be like...will we like our neighbors....will I work as a substitute teacher again....what church will we go to.....who will be our friends...what ministry will be serve in....how many times will I eat at Chick-fil-a without getting tried of it....

Just so many possibilities....

Big Red

2010-05-24T14:50:00.000+10:00

I love my coffee mug. I don't like anyone else using it. It's mine. All mine. It's nice and big and fits perfectly in my hands. I like the thickness of it. The color. Everything. Its mine...whether it holds hot chocolate....hot tea....coffee....I got it from a friend our first Christmas here in Guam. She used it along with lots of other coffee mugs to decorate the tables. We were celebrating our last Bible study day before Christmas. She did a wonderful job. Everything looked so festive. And I came home with a coffee mug to beat all mugs.

Spring Happenings

2010-05-23T10:38:00.001+10:00

Children's Quizzing Sunday School Class...I lost....Melissa won, though!

Ben's Field Day

Blue Star Fish hunting at Asan Beach - we found 7! So lovely!

A very happy Melissa at a school play

William at running for cross country - Run, William, run!

Locked In

2010-05-22T10:22:00.000+10:00

Drew is always trying to get me to lock the door after I leave the house. He laughs that I lock the door when I'm home by myself, but seem to forget - or refuse to - lock the door when I leave. It's just not a priority to me. I hate having an arm full of grocery and having to set them all down to dig my keys back out. Besides, I live on a military base with armed guards at the gates....sort of like a gated-community, don't ya think?

But Drew reminds me that it's a false sense of security. There are still bad guys around.

So, I try.

Just the other day as the kids and I were leaving for school, I yell at William who was the last one out the door - "Hey, William - lock the door!! Dad's always getting on to me to lock it , so lock it, okay?"

So, he does - good little boy that he is.

Then Drew comes home from PT (aka"physical training" or better known as "mandatory exercise"), and he finds the door locked. And he didn't have a house key!!

Since my car is on a boat to our new home, I'm driving Drew's "boonie" car. He's driving a friend's car....with the friend's key ring...that doesn't have our house key.

Drew had visions of going to the school to track me down....but first...he thought he would try the front door.

Sure enough. Its un-locked! After all, his wife and kids NEVER lock the doors!

Spoilt

2010-05-19T20:16:00.000+10:00

Last week I was subbing in one of the 5th grade classes. After they finished their work they were able to watch some of the movie, Wrinkle In Time. I had to laugh at the kids - they really are spoiled by all the technology we have now.

Every classroom in the school has a TV mounted in the corner. All are place nice and high for all to see. This class was upset that I wasn't using the teacher's lap-top and had it projected onto the large screen. (They didn't seem to understand that as I sub there was no way I was going to mess with the teacher's lap top. And oh, yeah. We subs? We're treated like the red-headed step-child: we have no passwords for said laptops.) One boy even gave me a sob story of how he can't see and has to wear glasses, so we really needed to use the large screen.

Yeah, right.

I'm sitting across from the room and I can still see the TV fine.

But all the kids moved their chairs and sat right under the TV with their necks all the way back.

I just laughed. Spoiled kids.

Cast-Away

2010-05-18T21:04:00.000+10:00

As I was driving home from Bible study tonight, I noticed a small cast-away. A gecko was crawling across my windshield wipers....shaking a little from the wind!

He should have stayed tucked in the wipers...he got blown off.

Poor thing....yes, I like the geckos....as long as they are NOT in my house!! If they are in my house, they just might have to have to relocate via a vacuum cleaner!

Survivior

2010-05-17T21:26:00.000+10:00

So, happy to see the Survivor Finale. Sooo incredibly good! Love the winner!!

But sad to see another season end.

I look forward to the next season Survivor as much the season of college football!

It's all in the Timing....

2010-05-13T20:32:00.000+10:00

The movers have gone. The house is mostly empty. So empty it echoes at times. But its a good kind of empty. There's very little clutter. It feels like I can breath. It's nice to know that most of our things are on to our new life.

Until about 5:30 this evening.....in the middle of me cooking dinner....the power went out.

And our generator is on it's way to a new house.

Thankfully, the power was only out for about two hours. I feed the kids sandwiches and then packed them up for the library. Thankfully, they had power.

We kept calling the house - so happy when the answering machine answered.

This is one part of living in Guam that I won't miss.

Heartbroken

2010-05-12T10:51:00.000+10:00

For the last week I have been praying for one of my friend's marriage. She shared with me that her deployed husband told her he didn't know if he would allow her and the kids to move to their new base or not...he may send them to her family in another state. She was just heartbroken. She wasn't denying that they had issues - she's known for years they did. But she also thought they were working on them and that things were better.

I see her spending time with the Lord and I see more and more of Him in her. I know how much she wants her marriage to work. And now this. Makes me mad at the devil and his wiley schemes.

This morning she stopped by the chapel to say she wasn't staying for Bible study...she was just too upset. She had gotten a letter/email from her husband saying he had not been in love with her for the last seven years of their fourteen years of marriage. He didn't know what he wanted. He did agree to counseling when he returned from deployment.

My heart just breaks for her and three children.

Then in Bible study another friend told us she had given her husband an ultimatum: clean up your act or I'm gone. She did not go into details, but some type of addiction is involved.

Once again my heart hurts and breaks for her and makes me mad at those wiley schemes....if he can get our marriages, he can get to our children.

I'm praying for them both - that the Lord's wisdom will abound...His Love shine through.....and restoration and reconciliation proceeds.

Over and Done

2010-05-11T10:55:00.000+10:00

My time as PWOC president is over. I feel relief....joy....sadness....expectation....so many things. I have thoroughly enjoyed my year of being a leader for this wonderful ladies group. It's been a good year. Not perfect. There were a few bumps or "growing times" along the way. But that how the Lord works so many times....we grow stronger in the rough times in life.

I've happy with the new board - I think they will do an excellent job. They all are wonderful ladies that truly love the Lord. Some of them will be stretching their wings and will be living out of their "comfort zone". But that, too, is how the Lord works.

I'm looking forward to seeing what type of ladies group the Lord leads me to next.

Controlled Clutter Chaos

2010-05-09T18:05:00.000+10:00

I hate clutter. I like things nice and neat and in it's place. Not really possible during a move. The movers will be here in the morning and the last week has been spent getting things ready...

...all the pictures off the wall....half the kitchen on the counter-tops.....suitcases open and full of clothes and books.....

It's going to be a long three days... but I'm looking forward to an empty house....not so much to the boonie furniture.

"Boonie" meaning island - it's really loaner furniture. Just image bad hotel furniture.

Yeah, it's really that bad. But it's good, because it means we're that much closer to flying home.

Amazing Dedication

2010-05-07T06:40:00.000+10:00

This past Monday I attended the base's National Day of Prayer Luncheon. The Air Force Chief of Chaplains spoke - General Cecil Richardson. He has such an amazing story.

He did not become a Christian until he was in his early twenties. Soon after, he was moving to Turkey (he was an enlisted guy at the time) for an 18 month rotation. While he was on the plane traveling there, he looked through and began to read the Bible for the first time in his life. There on that plane-ride he promised the Lord that he would read the Bible every week he was in Turkey.

When I first heard that I thought, good...a new Christian should read something in the Bible at least once a week.

Then he clarified what he meant: He would read the WHOLE Bible through each week.

And he did. Every week for 18 months (that's 72 weeks!!) he read the Bible completely.

Wow. And I have trouble reading just a small portion every day let along 170 chapters per day.

But by doning this, he learned about the Lord and his life was changed.

A Done Deal

2010-05-06T21:26:00.000+10:00

It's a done deal. We now own a house in Louisiana. It's big and it's beautiful and I can't wait until I see it. But more importantly, Drew is a plane that's in the air returning to island life.

At least for awhile.

What's also a done deal is our canceling our Florida vacation. We were going to spend a seek after leaving here in FL with many of Drew's relatives. We did this about six years ago and had a great time. But with the oil spill along the Gulf, we decided to cancel while we could still keep our money. We're all disappointed...and praying that the Gulf won't be totally destroyed.

What is That Smell??? Oh, yeah. I have kids.

2010-05-05T20:18:00.000+10:00

Drew is currently in Louisiana house hunting....yes, without me. I have had several friends totally shocked that I would even consider this, but yes. My husband is picking out a house with me and I have full faith that he will pick out a beautiful house. Can't wait to see which one he buys! After all, anything after this military house will be the real Paradise.

The week has been good. I must admit, I've had to still pray a lot about the lady who gave her end-of-the-year report in not so flattery terms about me. Pray for her...pray that I truly would forgive her....pray that I would quit thinking about it.....I'm there...for the most part.

Right now I'm listening to the kids take baths and get ready for bed....hopefully, three little puppy dogs will turn into sweet smelling children....one even had to take two baths...yes. The smell was that bad.

Welcome, puberty....but please - can you leave the smell outside??

The Book of James

2010-04-29T20:53:00.002+10:00

This week started the Spring Bible study session that's sponsored by the ladies group at church. It's a short session - only six weeks. And for some crazy reason, I'm teaching one.

Well, actually two. One Tuesday night and the next on Wednesday morning - same class just being offered at two different times.

I wanted to teach again. I haven't taught a class in a year and I miss teaching. I also, wanted to make sure we offered a class that would help the ladies learn how to study the Bible without buying a book. While there are some great and awesome Bible studies out there by some amazing writes and teachers, we all have the ability to learn.

I picked the book of James - I'm very excited!! I'm using one of Rick Warren's study methods. For each chapter (we'll take one each week) we'll ask these questions:

i. Sin to confess? Do I need to make any restitution?

ii. Promise I can claim? Is it a universal promise or do I need to meet conditions?
iii. Attitude I need to change? Am I willing to work on a negative attitude and begin building towards a positive one?
iv. Command to obey? Am I willing to do it not matter how I feel?
v. Example to follow? Is it a positive example for me to copy or a negative one to avoid?
vi. Prayer to pray? Is there anything I need to pray back to God?
vii. Error I can avoid? Is there any problem that I should be alert to or be aware of?
viii. Truth to believe? What new things can I learn about the Lord – Father, Son, or Spirit or other Biblical teaching I can carry with me this day?
ix. Something to praise God for? Is there something I can be thankful for?

I'm so excited to see what all the ladies and I learn!

Easter Pictures

2010-04-28T20:43:00.000+10:00

Ready for me to be done....
Looking so grown up....

Proud of his basket he won at church.

Just Life

2010-04-27T10:51:00.005+10:00

Already, this has been quite a week. We enjoyed seeing Drew - if only for about ten hours..most of which was in the middle of the night with us all sleeping. But I'll take it. Sharing a bed for a few hours is better than no time at all. He finished one trip, came through Guam to clean his clothes, and is now in the States for a conference and house hunting. When I see him again, we just may be the proud owners of a house in Louisiana.

Sunday I did one of the things I hate most: going to church without Drew. For some reason I feel his absence most at church. Worshipping on Sundays has always been a family event for us as much as it is serving the Almighty. Of course, being an an Air Force base, I wasn't the only one who was without their spouse....it's good to have friends to sit next to.

Sunday afternoon the boys (Melissa was with friends) and I attended a graduation for the son of some friends. He has been home-schooled his whole education. It was a neat ceremony - very personal. He leaves soon for his summer job in the States then on to college. It was a glimpse of where we will be in five shorts years.

Monday I spent most of the day dealing with moving stuff and preparing for my last board meeting as president of the ladies' group at the chapel. One of the traditions of the group is to have a board retreat early in the year to plan and to get to know one another. As much as I like to get away, I didn't feel that a weekend retreat was right for us. I hosted luncheons every few months here at the house. Just a time for us to come together to break bread...to relax....to visit...to share with one another about our lives.

I'm sad to say that I missed the last one. I was to host one in February or March, but life was busy. I knew I wanted to do one last one, but once again - looking at my calendar and everyone else's I knew times were busy. Instead, I hosted this last board meeting here at the house (instead of the chapel) and had a dessert bar for everyone to enjoy.

If was fun to bake desserts that I can't make for my family (due to food allergies) -yes - most were chocolate and peanut butter! Soooo yummy.

Over all the meeting and dessert went well. One small issue. One lady has had issues....problems. with me. I don't do things like others. One example is the lack of that weekend board retreat in exchange of the luncheons. There's been a few other things as well....I just don't think like she does. I know she has tried to hint at how things "should" be.

Hints I have ignored. I feel that is she - or anyone else - feel strongly about something, then she should have laid things on the table instead of saying things like "I have some concerns, but I'm going to pray about them before I talk to Kelley or the rest of the board about them."

Okay - fine with me. But she never came to me.

All this to say that last night she gave her "end of the year report". All her frustration was there. I personally felt like I had been thrown under the bus. In front of many of my friends. In my own home.

But I understand where she is coming from. So many times we think...feel...we know best based on what we have done in the past. But I have learned that tradition for tradition sake is not worth anything. New ideas may not always work out, but it's worth learning the lessons. I am very comfortable with what this group has done and accomplished in this last year under me.

And I think my Lord is pleased as well.

Another Week Down

2010-04-23T21:48:00.002+10:00

And so with that, another week closer to the big move!

Yesterday was big day for the kids - more freedom! When I got home from work about 12:30 I could not stand the pain anymore and so, I took my migraine meds.

Then I went to bed. Pretty much for the rest of the day.

I did drive to get the kids from school, but petty quickly decided that I probably shouldn't drive anymore until the meds wore off.

I basically laid on the couch...I didn't even want to sit up. A friend came over to go through Ben's old clothes and I couldn't even stay sitting up while she was here - I just had to lay down.

So. Dinner. Yeah. No way I was going to be able to stand up and cook. I gave the kids a choice: Cook some rice and pull out frozen sweet and sour or ride their bikes to the base Burger King and bring back burgers.

They chose the burgers.

Easy choice.

I think they all got a kick out of the small adventure. They did great - worked together great.

Ben stayed out side to keep an eye on the bikes, Melissa ordered, and William said that he "stood guard".

Melissa has this dream that she's president of the United States and her brothers are her Secret Service.....apparently they were practicing.

(I woke up this morning pain free and no drug haze - yeah!)

Once again, I Hate the Dentist

2010-04-21T21:02:00.004+10:00

I may have said this before once...or twice...but I hate going to the dentist. And going to the dentist in Guam is even more of a joy.

Not.

Today was the boys and my bi-yearly check-up and exam. (Melissa will go in a few weeks...for some Guam reason she's few weeks behind us.)

All in all it was much better than other Guam dentist visits...no one yelled at my son (I don't think I posted about that, but yeah....don't yell at my son! That's my job, thank you very much!) or yelled at me. And all three of us were in and our within an hour. Nice.

Very nice.

Of course, it wasn't totally smooth sailing....

As I was checking out, I was told by the receptionist that the insurance company didn't pay for Benjamin's sealant and that I owed $145. Well, of course, they didn't pay! This dentist was re-doing the work another dentist did - and got paid by the insurance company.

So, I had to fork over my credit card and pay. And guess what??!! Just before this the dentist told me that one sealant didn't take and it needed to be re-done.

That'll be $45, please.

Surely, I won't have these kinds of issues with a dentist in the States....I pray...

Orders Have Arrived!

2010-04-19T15:52:00.002+10:00

Early Friday morning Drew received his orders for us to move. We rushed to the "TMO" office that handles the movers and were able to schedule that, we went by housing to notify them of the date we're moving out, made tons of copies of Drew's orders because it seems that every office needs ten copies, and we were even able to do the paperwork to request our airline tickets out of here.

Basically, it was a few hours of rushing from one office to another all before driving Drew to the airport to catch a noon flight.

And no - he did not make it two hours before his flight...but hey. This is Guam -it's a small airport. He did make it to his flight and he is currently enjoying his trip.

He's especially glad to be gone this week because the base is in the middle of an exercise - he gets to miss 12 hours night shifts. I think he was giddy with relief.

Today I dropped off my car at the port. Soon it'll be on it's way to the States. Who knows...maybe it'll even make it there before we do.

Still Waiting....

2010-04-14T12:03:00.002+10:00

One part of being a military family is waiting. It seems that we're always waiting for something...Drew to leave....Drew to get back home.....the list of possible jobs....notification of a job...deployment list....household goods to be packed up....households to be delivered. Always something.

Right now we are waiting for Drew's orders in writing. He has completed all the paperwork and has signed on the dotted line that extends his commitment to the Air Force, but still no hard orders. With the orders, we can schedule the movers to come, "boonie" furniture to be delivered, ship our car, and even buy a house! It all hinges on written orders.

We really thought they would be in his email box today. But no. Now we're hoping for tomorrow. He starts to travel soon, so if they do not arrive before he leaves, I will need to schedule everything. Today we got a power of attorney just in case.

While we won't have household goods packed up for a few more weeks, we do want to ship our car now. We are to plan for it to be on a boat for 60 days and we want it in the States when we arrive.

In two months.

Waiting.

Just a normal part of the military life.

Spring Break

2010-04-10T08:22:00.002+10:00

Spring Break has finally started for our school system. I honestly think we are the last ones on Earth to have it. And it is much needed. Yesterday was a teacher work day, but the kids enjoyed it as the first day - and it was perfect - nice and sunny.

I was able to meet my friends at the base track for our exercise time, then I went home to cook for a lunch meeting I had at the chapel. The meeting went long....much longer than it normally does, but it was productive. I went home and veggied for the rest of the day.

Until date time with my husband. We had Japanese...ooohhh - so yummy!

Today dawns nice and cloudy. With rain. Not sure what we'll do.

We did give serious thought to taking a trip this week - China!! We really wanted to give the kids the experience of standing on the Great Wall. But when we sat down and ran the numbers....and thought about what all we need to buy this summer....we decide to stay home.

We do have a few things planned....orthro check-up for William, asthma check-up for Ben.....hopefully some snorkeling at Spanish Steps or some other fabulous beach here....maybe even one night at a resort here that has a water-park.....sleeping in is also high on the list.

Mainly, just enjoying one another. We have eight and half weeks left here...Drew will be gone for five of that....then we're off!

Dreaming...

2010-04-07T21:50:00.003+10:00

Today the kids and I were looking on the Internet at houses in Bossier. Ah......so nice. Of course, since I live in a military house, anything is better than this.

Not that I'm not grateful for this place. It could be so much worse....like some of the houses off base.

Drew maybe able to go house hunting later this month...if we get written orders.

Anyway....it's been nice to dream. And it's still a little unreal that we get to move in a few months. Two to be exact.

We're ready.

Tonight

2010-04-05T22:09:00.002+10:00

Tonight was the monthly fellowship of the chapel ladies group I'm in charge of. The theme of the night was "Don't Worry". My friend, Cindy, spoke on how the Lord has taken her through life lately. Last month just a few days after her husband left for an over month-long trip, her OB called to say a test came back not so good and she needed to have an amino done. And no, it could not wait until her husband came back.

Tonight she talked about how hard it was to make the decision to have the test, then to have the test all without her husband there. But, that's normal in our military life. It was a long ten day wait until the results came back to say that all was fine. She would be blessed with a healthy boy.

But one thing several of us who knew what she would be speaking on forgot was there was one lady there tonight that didn't have such a happy ending. I knew her story, but totally did not even think to warn her about what Cindy would be saying. It hit several of us when she got up and walked out crying.

Broke me heart.

It was amazing how similar the stories were. Both were told that that they needed more testing when their husbands were gone. Both had to go through the testing without the husband present. But this second friend got the horrible news that she wasn't carrying a healthy child. The little girl was still born several months later. But now this friend IS carrying a healthy child due first of June. But tonight?

Tonight just brought back the memory of all those days when life was not so good. Several of us cried with her. But we also rejoice that this child is healthy as is Cindy's.

During the fellowship we also were able to announce new board for next year. I have one more month of being president then I get to hand it over to my friend Erika. I have enjoyed this year. I really have. But....I'm ready to move on. The next adventure is calling.

One funny event that happened also....as I was going through the food line, I was asking the lady behind me when our friend Kaia would return from her deployment. Kaia had been gone since early fall - it just seems like forever! I was ready to see her again and know that all is well with her.

I meet Kaia the first summer we arrived here. She was in my Bible study group then she helped me with AWANAs before she deployed. Kaia is a sweet, sweet lady. She's also a single mother whose heart is broken when she has to leave her kindergartner son at her mom's house for these long six month deployments.

Anyway. As I was done getting my food, I turned around and guess who was standing there with her precious son?!! Kaia!!

I may have made a scene hugging her neck.

Just a small one.

Okay - a loud one. As they were trying to give away door prizes.

But it's so good to see one return from deployment. Safe and sound.

Back to Normal

2010-04-03T21:33:00.002+10:00

We lost Internet for most of the week....do you know how much I missed it??? And yes, I felt very much out of the loop.

But! The repairman actually came at the appointed time. Yes, that's a big deal on this island where people and businesses have what we call "hafa adai" mentality.

"Hafa adai" is hello in the local language, but when spoken it sounds like "half a day" and that's about how much work some do around here.

If that.

It's really the same island attitude that a lot of islands have - oh, so cute when you're on vacation. Not so much when you live here and need things done.

But not today. Today the repairman showed up and fixed our poor corroded wires and tips.

Yeah!

And it seems one of the biggest things I missed was the possibility of our island capsizing. Yes, I know. Boats capsize not islands, but some congressman from GA seem to think that we could capsize when the Marines move from Okinawa to here in a few years. Amazing to think this man was elected to the United States Congress! (clink here to see the video)

Where there are many concerns about the Marines moving to Guam, capsizing is not one of them...but if it was -at least I won't be here!

It's Hard Being 13

2010-03-29T19:16:00.003+10:00

Dear William,

It's hard being 13 these days. You start your 13th year being sick and your father out of town. Then when you do get well enough to return to school, you lose your thumb-drive - with all of your science fair project work on it.

Having to re-do all of that work was no fun. But you stuck in there and work hard to get it all down before the due date.

On a good day you got to go to the local water-park with a friend that was celebrating his 13th birthday. Oh the fun you had. Until you realize that you went with no sun screen or a swim shirt.

Your first sun burn was bad. Really bad. You even had to miss another day of school because you couldn't handle clothing touching your shoulders.

And just when your life is getting back on track you open a cabinet to put away dishes and the glass craft to the blender falls out and breaks.

Lovely.

The next day surely will be better?? Right??

No. You left two ink pens in one of your shorts' pockets. Yeah not lovely. Not better. Yeah....lots of clothes ruined. Ink all over Dad's pants and a favorite shirt, two of my shirts, one pair of shorts. Lots of uniform shorts for you, your sister, and your siblings...yeah it was a big load.

But you know I love you. You know I forgive you. I know it was an accident. And that the clothes can be replaced.

But can you, please, take the pens out of your pockets from now on???

Love,
Mom

This Week to Come

2010-03-21T19:52:00.002+10:00

The weekend is coming to a close. We're all sitting in the living room watch Modern Marvels. MM is actually one of our favorite shows...it's one of the few shows that we all can without Drew and I having to cringe or explain things that the kids aren't ready for.

We've had a good weekend.....William could have used a little more wisdom, though. Friday night he spent the night with a friend, then on Saturday the spent the day at the local water park in celebration of his friend's birthday. William forgot to wear his swim shirt...or ask for sunscreen. Yep. He's red. Very.

And now smelling like aloe vera.

We're hoping he's learned a lesson...only time will tell....but after three years in Guam and being only burnt bad this one time, I guess it not too bad. But on the other hand, after being thee years in Guam, he should have known better.

Also, as we sit here Benjamin has the sniffles. So far, no fever, so just another cold. Hopefully, he'll be at school tomorrow. I really need to get him healthy and stay that way - he has his yearly asthma check up next week. But h has to be healthy for the check up.

The other issue taking up some of our weekend, we the ladies retreat I'm helping plan for this coming up weekend. It'll be a great weekend learning more about Jesus, but man! It's a little stressful!!

One of the great things about this weekend was the naps....Drew and I got one in on Saturday and Sunday....now that's a great weekend!

Here Vs There -Part 2

2010-03-20T10:23:00.002+10:00

I know without a shadow of a doubt I will NOT miss the master bathroom in this house. While I'm glad it does have a bathtub unlike the other military master bathrooms we have had, this bathroom has got to be the smallest bathroom. Ever. It's roughly five feet by seven feet - one sink, very compact. On days that Drew and I have to get dressed and out the door at the same time, it's interesting to say the least.

There's a cabinet above the toilet that I house my toiletries and all most of girly stuff. It's just not big enough. And I'm tired of things falling.

I'll let you to your imagination as to where they land most of the time.

One thing I can say about a small house, is that it seems to brings us closer as a family. With only one living area, we all are usually there. And with only one TV, we usually pick kid-friendly shows.

We watch a lot of Food Network....which is great unless it's 8 o'clock at night and it makes you hungry.

I will miss the palm trees in my yard. I love how when they drop leave - or fronds - its one big item. Very easy clean up. Unlike an oak or pine tree that drops loads of leaves and needles that have to be raked up. My kids will be in shock next fall!! I don't think they remember how many leaves there can be!!

While I don't have any in my yard, I will also miss the "fire trees" and the plumeria trees - so incredibly beautiful. Also, the plumeria trees smell so sweet when in bloom. There's one on the corner of road where I pick the kids up from school. I love being able to pick up a blossom and stick in my hair.

Makes me smell sweet for the rest of the day!

Getting out the Door

2010-03-17T20:27:00.002+10:00

Wednesday nights we go to the chapel for AWANA - a Bible club thingy for the kids...sort of like Sunday school with games instead of crafts.

Which Ben is very happy about.

He hates crafts...just not the crafty kind of child...boy...at all.

But games? He loves the games. And I'm assuming that he and his siblings love learning Bible verses as well.

I work with the kindergarten class. The last two years I did more in which I had to do lots of paperwork, but this year I just have to show up and work with the kinder class for a while.

Should be easy, but man. Some weeks it's not. But once I get out the door and actually get there with the kids (and around my friends!) its a lot of fun. I love seeing the kids learn their verses and make progress in their books. Even if there's a very boys that we...well...shall we say active?? Loud, also comes to mind.... Nerve-wracking would be another....

I am looking forward to Spring break....I need the break....I need spring....I know. I actually won't get a spring until next year....so....I'll take the break...even if it's weeks off here in Guam.

Here vs. There (Part one...I'm sure there'll be more...)

2010-03-15T18:35:00.003+10:00

I've been starting to think of things that I will miss when we leave Guam. Yes, there are things I will miss.

For about ten and a half months of the year, the weather is great. I really don't like the heat between Thanksgiving and the New Year - it's just not right to be in tank-tops and flip-flops during the Holidays! But other than that, we have gotten spoiled with the weather. It's nice not to have to deal with coats, gloves, and scarfs.

I will also miss my walks here. I love being able to walk out the door even if it's still dark and not have to worry about my safety. There are advantages to living on base, and safety is a huge one. But I love my walks not just knowing that I'm exercising in a safe place, I love watching the stars disappear and the sun rise...all the colors from dark to light putting on such an amazing show. All with the temperatures just about perfect! (Unless I wait until after 8:30...then it's a little too hot, but early in the morning or after 4 pm - perfect!)

One thing I won't miss? I don't think I'll miss this house. Even William talked about how this hasn't ever seemed like "home". Knowing that we would only be here for three years, it was hard to sink too much of us into it. We have pictures on the walls - even bought posters for the kids and "wallies", but still. Not home. I think it has to do with the wall color. Every military house has the same drab, boring off white. Yuck. I wanted to paint, but Drew did not - so we didn't. (You have to paint the walls back to the off white before you move out - even though they go behind you and paint before a new family moves in.....can't just put up some primer! Oh, no. You have to make it look great - just so they can paint over it. Makes. no.sense. at. all. But that's how it is in military housing.)

But he has been given notice that our next house will have color.

Sardines

2010-03-12T20:40:00.004+10:00

I ate sardines today.

For the first time.

Ever.

And they were actually good! I followed an Alton Brown (of the Food network 's Good Eats). I was really surprised at the taste. Well, first was the smell - not nearly as "fishy" as I thought it would be - much less than canned tuna.

Then there's the health benefit - it's loaded with Omega 3's. And it filled me up. That's always nice.

The recipe can be found at Food Network's website - under Sherried Sardine Toast.

Smashed

2010-03-10T21:43:00.002+10:00

Today I got smashed.

Squashed.

Flattened.

All in the name of medicine.

Yes, now that I'm Fabulous Forty I have to have a mammogram.

But at least the tech was a friend and very gentle...well...as gentle as she could be.

Andersen PTO's Twilight 5K/1 mile Fun Run

2010-03-08T19:05:00.000+10:00

Melissa with her friends. Her time was 33:02 - about

what she did at the December's Ho Ho 5k run.

Melissa: Climb all the Way Up

2010-03-07T18:58:00.000+10:00

Melissa's class had a reward of rock climbing - she was thrilled - she loves rock climbing! Of course, she made it all the way to the top with no problems at all. The last picture is her with one of best friends, Zoe.

The Teenage Years Have Begun

2010-03-06T18:19:00.002+10:00

Last Sunday was William's birthday - he's 13th birthday. The teenage years have begin in our house....hopefully, he'll live through them. Yes, already there was some doubt....he lost his school thumb-drive with lots of work on it...but...I let him live on.

With him being sick for so long before his birthday, we decided to post-phone his party until tomorrow. A big plus to that plan is that Drew will be in town and can help me corral everyone. Another plus is that another friend ended up having a party last Sunday so that would have been a problem. It's a good thing we decided to wait. William is especially excited since he this is one of those special years and he gets a party with his friends. Of course, there's not much of a choice here on Guam...so...it's a bowling party. Maybe not very imagitive, but I know he'll have a great time with his friends. (We probably would have gone with a swimming party, but the pool here on base is closed for renovations and I didn't want to ask anyone to drive down the island.)

While we did not have a party last week, I did let William open his cards he revieced in the mail. One of the cutest card is pictured above - it has a picture of a pea pod full of eye balls -an "eye-pod". So cute!!! (Thanks, Dan and Cindy!!)

A friend of mine is doing the cake - I'm excited to see what she had come up with.

Friday Girls Evening Out

2010-03-05T21:17:00.003+10:00

Tonight a friend (Jocelyn) and I had a meeting downtown at a hotel about the chapel's ladies retreat we are planning. She was already downtown, so I packed her daughter (Ashley, who's the same age as Melissa) and Melissa in the car and away we went. After our meeting we walked across the street to a Japanese restaurant for some yummy gyoza!!!!

It was nice spending time with Melissa, Ashley and Jocelyn- it's been awhile since I've had a relaxing evening out....with sick boys and a traveling husband....

Jocelyn and I meet within a few weeks of us moving to Guam. They arrived the same month as we did and will also move soon (but they don't know where yet). Jocelyn was also one of the ladies that went to South Korea with me. She's great fun and I will miss her when we move. This is the down-side to move....leaving friends behind.

This move will be different. Just about everyone I know here will move away. In a year or so, there will be very few people left that I know. That makes leaving easier.

Of course, moving close to family will also makes this move easier!!

Exactly.

2010-03-04T07:47:00.002+10:00

On the way home from jump-rope club yesterday, Melissa complained that several of her friends instead of jumping-rope and practicing, just sat around and flirted with this one boy. I asked her what she thought the purpose of flirting and dating was.

"To be popular?"

"No. The purpose of flirting and dating is to pick out a husband."

"Aren't we a little young for that?!?!!"

"Exactly."

Tuesday

2010-03-02T19:22:00.003+10:00

I had such a hard day at work today!! I had to be there at 12:30. First thing was to take a class of second graders to the computer lab and watch them play on the computers for 45 minutes, then I walked them a few doors down the hall for their special of the day. While they were learning all about Guam and the Chamarrow culture, I went back to the classroom and sorted through some coupons. After forty minutes, I went back to the Culture room and walked the children outside to the buses and parents.

And I got paid for it all. Too bad every work day can't be like that.

Granting Desires of the Heart

2010-02-28T08:10:00.001+10:00

Back in the fall of 2003, Drew volunteered for a job in Mississippi. When he was selected, not only were we thrilled but our family was as well. . This job uncovered a hope and a desire that neither Drew nor I talked about much: While we have loved this nomadic life of a military family, we missed our family deeply.

Drew and I both grow up with family around. He grew up in the house that his mother grew up in. He comes from a huge family - there was always someone around to play and hang out with - siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and tons of friends. While I grew up in a much smaller family, I was close to those family members I did have. One of my cousins was a close friend of mine all through out high school and college. We both love family. Even if we don't talk about it, we both deeply feel the loss of not being around them. We love being able to give our kids literally the world, we miss for them growing up with family.

That's why we all were thrilled at the possibility of living close to family. And that's why we were utterly devastated when it fell through at the last minute. I remember walking around our Virginia house weeping for two days. I felt the loss as deeply as I did my miscarriage. In fact, we call that loss our "spiritual miscarriage".

This past fall the list of possible jobs came out for Drew's organization. He was disappointed that the one he was hoping to be there was not. It would have been close to family. An hour and half from my parents and three and half from his. But no. The job wasn't even on the list.

Ah, family.... It would have been so nice.

Because of what was on the list we were excepting to return to the "National Capital Area" - Washington, DC. In fact at one point Drew was told that he was penciled in for a job at the Pentagon. The kids and I were happy. We still have lots of friends there and several more have moved to the area just in the last year. If we couldn't move close to family, then these friends who are like family was a great consolation prize.

But Drew? Happy? Not so much. In fact, not one little bit. The job was not what he would have wanted. And the commute? Oh, yes. The commute. Nasty is one word for that commute.

Secretly, he was hoping for more. We know from past moves that some jobs become available, but aren't on the list at first. He was still hoping for one close to family.

On February 1st Drew received a call from his boss. Apparently, pencil can be erase. The job close to family? On the list on. And now it's his.

Wow. Family? Really?? We could barley contain our joy!!

But we didn't tell the children nor our family. We knew from past experiences - such as my opening story - things change. We were not about to tell our families we were coming, only to have to tell them once again that the assignment was cancelled.

Several weeks after the phone call, Drew had a conversation with the General of his organization. Yes, the job was his.

And our family? Beyond thrilled. I first called my parents during my father's birthday party. What a great gift! I have been so looking forward to telling them all week!! I also most let the surprise slip several times. Then I called my mother-in-law. Thrilled, thrilled!! We're all so stinkin' excited!

We are probably one of the few families in the Air Force that's excited about Barksdale AFB in Bossier City/Shreveport, LA!

We'll be leaving our piece of Paradise the second week or so of June.

Instead of 5 in Guam, we'll be 5 with family.

A New Day

2010-02-27T20:38:00.002+10:00

By mid-afternoon on Thursday, Day 12 of the mystery-Guam-virus, William turned a corner and started to really irritate his brother.

A sure sign of him getting better.

So. Friday his butt was sent back to school and I actually got to go to work. It'll be nice to get a pay check with at least one day of work. A pay check with lots of zeros is very depressing thing.

Ben also returned to school -he still "off" some...not his best. In fact he's still blowing horrible numbers on his 'peak flow' test and is still on his asthma meds. He'll be going back to the doctor on Monday for a check up. It was to be his yearly exam and test out new numbers for his 'peak flow' test, but we'll be doing more of a follow-up visit instead.

Last night was a 5K sponsored by the school's PTO. We all were going to participate, but the boys didn't feel like and I agree - I didn't think they were ready for that much activity. But Melissa and I had a great time! Melissa ran the 5K in about 33 minutes - pretty close to her time at the Ho Ho 5K in December. I didn't run or walk the 5K - I stayed with the one mile group - and walked with a friend. It was a lot of fun.

Today we stayed around the house most of the morning as the kids played with friends. This afternoon we did some errands then went to see the movie "The Tooth Fairy". William and Melissa really liked it. Ben? Not at all.

There was one part where people were arguing and a teen throw down and broke his guitar. Ben really got upset at that. After that he sat in my lap and said he was ready to go...he did not like it! Poor thing.

But I guess the good side of that was that he doesn't like to see families argue.

Hm....too bad he can't like...stop arguring with his sister.....

Day 12

2010-02-25T21:12:00.003+10:00

Day 12 brought William staying home from school again - and still lots of coughing. But by the end of the day the coughing was significantly less and seemed more like himself. Will tomorrow bring about school?? We'll see!

Ben also stayed home today. His class went on a field trip that included a three to four hour hike. With his asthma still acting up, I didn't think this hike was good thing for him today.

Even though both were home together I didn't let them play with their DSs games, but instead both did school work.

They weren't overly thrilled with that decision, but oh. well. They'll live.

Day 11

2010-02-24T20:15:00.002+10:00

Most of my week has consisted of keeping up with the sick boys. Benjamin did go to school today - he did better today than he did on Monday. He won't be going to school tomorrow because his class is going on a field trip that involves hiking for several miles along the beach and jungle. I just don't think he's up for that. He is still wheezing some and so he is still on his asthma meds.

Day 11 is coming to a close and William is still coughing....we'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm hoping he can go to school tomorrow...he's been out for a week an half....that's a lot to make up...

ER: Round 8...I think...lost count....

2010-02-21T15:30:00.004+10:00

Saturday morning I woke up to Melissa screaming,"You broke it! You broke it!!"

Not what a mother wants to hear...at any time, but really doesn't what to be woken up by that.

I raced into the front of the house and was greeted with Melissa say, "He broke it! He broke the no ER streak!"

Deep relief that this is what Melissa was yelling about. And yes. Our 'no er streak' has come to an end after about 22 months.

As I said in early post William has been sick all week with one 911 call Wednesday. By Friday evening William and I really thought he was on the mend. Then as he was getting ready for bed he started to cough. And could. not. stop.

For well over an hour he coughed and coughed. Since it sounds like croup, I tried all the croup home remedies....breathing in cold air...breathing in moist air....nothing worked. He was so weak and had a hard time catching his breath.

So, I called 911. Again.

This time the ER doctor (whom the med techs were in contacted with) said he needed to be seen. I had called a neighbor to come over when I called 911, so Irene (thank you, thank you Irene!!! What a great friend!) stayed at the house with the sleeping Melissa and Benjamin.

Within about ten minutes of driving William quite coughing and fell asleep. I gave serious thought to turning around taking him back home. But I kept driving.

Since the med techs called ahead, they were excepting us and so we did not wait very long before we were taken to the back. After hooking him up to all the monitors the doctor came to check him out. The first thing out of his mouth?

"Is he up to date on his vaccinations??"

"Uhh. yeah. I think so."

"Well, there's white matter in his throat and that could mean pertussis. I never seen a true case, but lets check it out." Totally shock on my part.

Checking it out meant a trip down to x-Ray. I was sort of surprised that I had to take William myself - not with a nurse or orderly. And we were given the widest wheelchair I had ever seen. I mean there was room for William and I both to sit. I actually had a hard time getting through one door.

Since the x-Ray showed some swelling in his neck, the doctor decided to look down his throat with a scope. ooo. yuck.

To prepared William for this they gave him a nose spray, then sprayed lidocaine down his throat. After they did that, the nurses left the room to get the doctor and William asked me, "What are they fixing to do??"

"Uh....oh...um...." Then the nurses and doctor walked back in, "I'll let them tell you."

But William was a champ. He sat very still. While the doctor was not able to see as deep as he wanted, he did see enough to see that it was mostly drainage. He ended up giving William a different type of cough medicine (since what he was given on Thursday was not working). This cough medicine actually makes your throat numb so you don't feel the tickle or the urge to cough. He was also given antibiotics.

Saturday brought William still very ill - now with a sore throat - which could have been from the scope. Sunday morning he was still feeling bad, but by the end of the afternoon he turned a corner and has started to feel better. Finally. I'm praying that it will stick this time.

So. glad. I'm done with the ill. The ER doctor did ask for William to be seen on Monday as a follow-up, so he'll miss at least some of school tomorrow, but I'm hoping that he'll get an early appointment in order to be able to attend school most of the day.

One of the funny things about this is when William and I walked in the door Irene told us that Drew called to see what was going on because he had been noticed (he in Hawaii for a conference). Really? They called him???

deep sigh. Yes, that's what it means to live on an Air Force base.

Viral. Of couse.

2010-02-18T16:57:00.003+10:00

We made it through the night without any other mishaps or 911 calls. But we did get in to see a doctor (well, PA) at the clinic.

"It's probably just viral. And they can last 5 to 7 days."

"Yes, I know."

"And some last 10 to 14 days."

"Yeah."

"And some up to 21 days."

Deep sigh on my part.

But I am thankful that it's not something worse....I'm not cleaning up vomit which would ruin just about any day you can think of. But also, it's not something sinister....its just virus.

There are so many worse things they could have.

Two Sick Boys and One Sassy Girl

2010-02-17T20:48:00.003+10:00

The boys are sick. William's been sick since Sunday, Benjamin since Monday. I ended up taking Benjamin into the clinic yesterday because he was wheezing - and his asthma meds were expired. While he did have his yearly asthma check up this coming Monday, I didn't want to wait - I know how quickly he can take a turn downhill.

He did get some new - not expired- meds but also a breathing treatment. Even while he was in the mist of it, I could tell some of the side effects were starting to kick in: the jitters. All at once, it hit me, "oh, yeah...I forgot about that part....great."

When we got to the car, he said, "Part of me wants to run a marathon but the other part of me wants to just lay on the couch."

His response when I asked which part he would follow, "My brain." He just cracks me up.

Then there's William. As I said he's been sick since Sunday - coughing and very weak - just no energy at all. Late in the day he started to feel worse - rapid breathing and he said his hands were tingling and the tingling was starting to go up his arms. He just did not look well at all. He was freaked out, which freaked me out some. After talking to a friend, I ended up calling 911. After evaluating him, they (and the ER doctor they conferred with) felt he was not an emergency case. They did offer to take us to the ER, but I declined. The tingling eventually went away. I'll see how he's feeling in the morning, but I have a feeling we'll be making an appointment.

Sick since Sunday? Enough.

And now for my Sassy girl. I tried to take a picture of her and I. Well, I did take the picture, but she told me I could NOT post it.

Such a sassy thing.

She and I slipped out for little while this afternoon for an Ash Wednesday service at the chapel that ended with us receiving the sign of the cross with ashes on our forehead. The service was not well attended - it wasn't at a very good time. But it was a very nice service. My first Ash Wednesday service. Hopefully, it won't be my last.

It's All Down Hill From Here

2010-02-16T20:48:00.000+10:00

I learned that in the aging process you start to loss your balance at the age of 40. Hmmm.

I've never had the greatest balance...so....I don't think that's a good thing for me....

Long Weekend

2010-02-15T19:24:00.002+10:00

I love long weekends...especially when I don't work on Friday. So nice. We didn't really do a whole lot. Just stayed closed to the house...play games with the kids...so nice.

Drew and I actually celebrated Valentine's last weekend. Most all of the restaurants here double their prices for holidays. I just didn't see the point in paying double when it's already expensive. So, we went out last weekend and just enjoyed life at home.

William has had a cold yesterday and today. He didn't even feel like cutting the grass. Not that he gets a huge kick out of cutting the grass, but he does like being paid for it and he does like the fact that he gets money and his sister does not. But not this weekend. This weekend Melissa did the grass and got paid.

For that to happen William really didn't feel well. ( It's really just a sore throat and a cough...no fever.)

This week looks normal....a few appointments so I won't be working a whole lot...not that I'm complaining at all.

Give a Shout

2010-02-12T11:03:00.002+10:00

This morning I was part of a conversation about laundry. Several of the other ladies had not heard about the best thing in laundry - Shout Color Catcher. I don't do laundry with them. They catch any color that's trying to run out of one piece of clothing and into another.

No more pink underwear.

Drew is greatly relieved.

Spanish Steps

2010-02-10T20:09:00.000+10:00

Melissa & I at the top on the way back to the car.

The view from the top.

William getting ready to make the climb back to the top.

The limestone islands

more limestone islands

My new favorite place in Guam: Spanish Steps. It's located on Big Navy. It's about a mile from the parking area to the water....with a drop of 160 feet straight down.

The hike is not for the faint of heart....several places along the trial its a straight drop down. But so worth the hike. There's ropes and even old stairs at places to help you make the climb. While the beach is total coral - no sand in sight - the snorkeling is probably the best I have seen on Guam. At no other place on the island have I seen so many different kids of fish....even got to see a few Nemos! Cute little things!! One purple fish stared at me for the longest time....I guess he was trying to figure out what type of fish I was.

While I didn't have an underwater camera, I did take several pictures of the limestone island (which reminded me of Palau - lot of limestone islands there).

Speech

2010-02-09T19:36:00.004+10:00

One of the cute funny things about Benjamin has been the way he talks. It's like he's from Boston. So cute. Just apart of Ben being Ben.

While I knew that at times, I had to translate what he said to others or I had to ask him repeat himself, I never really thought it was a problem. But early in second grade last year, his teacher recommended him for speech therapy. After talking to her and the school's speech therapist, I began to see that it was a problem.

Some of the speech sounds do come later in life - like the "L" sound typically doesn't present itself until around the four or five years of life. Ben's issues were the "th", "L", and "r" sounds. He began to go to speech two times a week for thirty minutes each time.

In the year since he has done remarkable. He has mastered the "th" and the "L" sounds. The only thing that is left if the "r" sound. He has trouble especially with the blends - "er", "ir", "ar" etc.

Last Friday I helped in Ben's classroom as they had a celebration of learning their multiplication tables. Towards the end of the celebration (yes, celebration because you can't have a party in the school...yeah....I know) it was time for him to leave for his time with Mrs. Davis.

After walking him over, I asked her if I could stay. After all that I have done in the school, I have never been apart of the speech therapy and wanted to see how she worked with Ben and the other students. I was very glad when she had no problem letting me sit in on the session.

Benjamin first listened to a computer program where it modeled words with the "r" blends. He hates to do this. He claims that it's boring. He just sits there. But deep in his brain - it's working. Then he was able to play Go Fish with the other students all of which had the same speech issues. Now this was different kind of Go Fish.

The deck of cards they used had pictures of words with the "r" blend such as flower, bird, sister. I hope whomever came up with this idea is making some money - what a brilliant idea! They students couldn't just show the picture. They had to say "Do you have a flower?" What made it ever better was one of the students name is Cameron - there's that "r" blend! So, Mrs. Davis had them say his name a lot. Also, if they were the second to answer then they had to say "I don't have a flower, either."

It was fun seeing Mrs. Davis working not only with Benjamin, but also the other students. One of the students there I had known since my early subbing days. I was amazed at how much he has grown in the two years.

Ben is doing great. No one is asking him to repeat himself anymore - that has lowered his frustration level greatly. Mrs. Davis thinks he'll master this "r" sound by the end of the year - as she says -"he'll graduate".

Valentine's Day Early

2010-02-06T14:10:00.002+10:00

Tonight Drew and I will go out to celebrate Valentine's Day - yes, a week early. Most nice restaurants double their prices for Valentine's weekend. So...we're being cheap and going out tonight. It's sunny outside, so I'm hoping it say that way and we'll end our date with a walk on the beach.

Wednesday

2010-02-03T16:11:00.002+10:00

Today was such a beautiful day. Lots of blue sky and sunshine. And the tradewinds have clamed a bit, so it wasn't nearly as windy as it has been.

Great day to sit outside with the kids while they do thier homework.

Need to enjoy it now....in a few months we'll be all packed up and back in the States. This time next year, it probably won't be as nice to sit out side.....cold times are a'comin'.

The Rest of the Week

2010-01-31T20:25:00.004+10:00

I worked Tuesday as well as Monday - I was in 4th grade. Because of the bomb drill none of the students were allowed to bring their backpacks home. It was a little odd on Tuesday to see no backpacks and most of the students carrying their lunches in brown or plastic bags. All in all, Tuesday was a good day of subbing. Wednesday was my normal Bible study and errands. Thursday consisted of my continuing Thursday first grade job.

Friday was a day off from the school by being a teacher work day. I took the kids to the beach. I was hoping some friends could join us, but most everyone had dentist appointments or other errands to be completed.

Friday night and Saturday we had good family time by just hanging out and playing cards with the kids.

Of course, it helped that I won both rounds of "Shanghai"....that's always a good thing! (Shanghai is a version of rummy that we have been playing since our first base....so. much. fun!! And we are thrilled that all the kids can play and are actually good at it!)

Saturday was a good day to stay in and play cards since it rained on and off, but we did go out for a family dinner.

Today was a gorgeous day in Paradise...but....sad to say, Drew worked. In fact its after 8:30 pm and he is still working. Not a great day for him.

The boys played together all day, Melissa was with friends, and I watched several good movies.

Not a bad day...just wished Drew had been able to be with us.

It looks like a good week for the first week of February. I am working two days...but not tomorrow....tomorrow is going to be filled with a few things around the house.

Bomb Drill

2010-01-25T20:51:00.003+10:00

Today our base school did a bomb drill. Like a fire drill everyone is required to leave the building. But unlike a fire drill, we don't just get to stay in the parking lot until the "all clear" sign. Oh, no. We get to take the students to a "safe haven".

A safe haven - that's about a twenty minute walk away from the school.

But today was a beautiful day in paradise for a walk. A perfect day for a walk, in fact!

The first grade class I had did a great job. They kept walking and didn't complain too much.

After we arrived at the safe haven (a conference center on base), we sat and waited for parents to arrive to pick up the children (buses still went as well as the CDC was still open).

This has been an interesting event for us here in Guam. Every year the school here is required to practice either the bomb threat or an intruder drill. The intruder drill involves a "lock down" - everyone has to hide and lock the door - which they did last year.

All trying to prevent another "Columbine" - now this we did do at our previous school.

But at our past schools if there was a bomb drill, they did not evacuate and move over 1,400 students to a new location. (1,400 - that's the elementary and the next door middle school)

Quite ambition if you think about it. Of course, not every school will have a "safe haven" that will hold all the students and is in walking distance. And I'm still not sure of the safety of walking that many children through base housing. I mean - if there's a bomb at an on-base school, then were are in serious trouble....so do we want all our children out in public like that??

I'm glad it's over. No more speculation.

Of course, if the powers that be really want to test the schools readiness - they would do the drill again next week- this time with NO ONE knowing in-advance!

"Lovely Bones"...Not So Lovely

2010-01-22T20:08:00.000+10:00

A friend offered to switch books with me. She borrowed my "Blind Side" while I got her "Lovely Bones". I had briefly seen the trailors for the movie and thought it would be good to read the book then see the movie.

So glad I borrowed the book and had yet put any money down on the movie.

What a depressing book.

Yes, I knew in the story a young girl was raped and murdered. But from the movie trailor I though the story was of how she as a ghost helped her family find her killer.

No. Not at all. It's basically about this girl being a ghost in a heaven that's no where near what I believe heaven to be.

You have been warned. Stay away. Far away.

Chef Melissa

2010-01-21T20:19:00.002+10:00

Earlier this week Melissa went through one of my favorite cookbooks (America's Test Kitchen) to pick out a recipe that she could cook for dinner one night.

Tonight was the night!

She picked teruyaki beef.

Yummy. She did a great job.

Of course, with a so may great cooks in the family and a home economist for a mother - was there any doubt?

Travel Season

2010-01-20T21:19:00.002+10:00

Drew's travel season has begun. He'll be gone a good bit for the rest of our time here in Guam.

On the bright side: he's earning sky-miles!

A thought I had earlier today....when we move, we won't be five in Guam anymore. So. I need a new name for a new blog.

Good thing I have months to think about this.

Rainy Tuesday

2010-01-19T20:17:00.002+10:00

I love it when I don't have to work the day after a long weekend....makes the weekend even longer. But I didn't work for a reason - I had a doctor's appointment (just a check-up), then later in the day I babysat for a friend that also had doctor's appointment.

So I got hold and ooh and ahh over the twins. Fun!

But not enough to want any for my own.

But fun....and very thankful that they are not mine!

Sunday

2010-01-17T19:37:00.002+10:00

Not much going on this day. We went to church this morning. Benjamin tried a new Sunday School class. He was in the class for his grade, but he wasn't so much into the crafts they did.

He's not a crafty boy.

Today he tried "quizzing" - its the class that Melissa is in. This year the class is studying Joshua, Judges and Ruth. They read the passages and then have a quiz. Every quarter they have a larger quiz time where they challenge the chaplains. Melissa is telling me that for the end-of-the-year quiz they are considering challenging the parents.

Great. While the end-of-the-year is not for several months, I probably should start studying now.

The Blind Side.....Again

2010-01-16T21:51:00.002+10:00

Today Melissa and I went with a friend to see the movie, The Blind Side, again. So stinkin' good! I also, read the book - for the 2nd time as well - last week.

So very good.

If you need a good book to read - get it - it's worth the money. If you need a good movie to watch - get it -it's worth the money.

Good stuff.

Christmas

2010-01-15T09:43:00.003+10:00

These paintings were apart of my Christmas. I just love them! They are very popular here on Guam - most people though have the larger version. Drew did not like the larger version at all. This was our compromise. I can lay on my couch and look at them. Simple things in life are great, don't ya think?

X-Rayed

2010-01-14T20:37:00.003+10:00

Friday during Benjamin's soccer game he got kicked/stepped on. Drew and I knew he was hurt but he got up and played the rest of the game. Saturday or so he said something about his foot hurting, but he didn't complain too much about it.

Then Wednesday he came home from school saying his teacher was going to email me because his foot was bothering him in class.

Oh...okay - exactly what hurts and how much? Oh. And this has been hurting since Friday and it's now Wednesday?

Hm....grrrreatttt.

So, I called for an appointment, but the clinic closed early. I tried to get an appointment through the on-line system.

No luck, so I did it the old fashion way and just wanted until this morning to make the appointment.

I did have to get off work an hour early, but that wasn't too big of an issue.

So, we had the foot X-Ray-ed.

We were relieved to find no breaks.

Just swollen and pain.

This would have been our first broken bone. Let's keep our 'no broken policy' going, shall we?

HALT!

2010-01-13T18:09:00.001+10:00

A few days ago a friend posted on Facebook: "When are you weakest? Satan never plays fair. He always attacks when you are down. Just think of the acronym HALT, and be on guard whenever you are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired."

Wow. So true.

It reminded me of a confession a friend made to her husband and later shared with our Sunday School class....

She was having a very hard time dealing with life. Her husband was in the Navy and deployed a lot. She did not sign up to be a single parent. This was not the life she wanted. To ease her loneliness, she searched and surfed the Internet. One day she came across an old friend from high school - and old male friend. As days went by she and he began to exchange emails and talk more and more.

It came to the point that she felt led to leave her husband and kids....she would be so much happier with this old friend - he wouldn't leave her for months on end to take care of two small children. He would be home. He would truly love her.

Before she could tear her family apart, something stopped her. She just couldn't stop that nagging feeling in her heart that maybe she was suppose to stay. Finally, she confessed all to her husband. And its his response that blow me away. He told her, "You are being deceived by satan."

Wow. That truly sent me reeling. I knew if I ever confessed an on-line relationship to Drew he would indeed say something about satan, but it would be more along the lines of how I could just go live with the devil!

But this husband didn't tell her that. He understood what I so frequently forget: We are at war and the enemy will attack because he wants to destroy anything that brings God glory.

The H.A.L.T. post reminded me once again: we are at war. The enemy wants to tear apart your family and your life. We need to be prepared. We need to spend time with the Father -for in Him we will find protection from the enemy.

Over the Top

2010-01-12T18:00:00.004+10:00

Just a normal day here in Paradise. I was off this morning and worked in third grade this afternoon. I wish I was in Benjamin's class, but I was not. Still, the class was a great class.

Even if I did make one boy cry.

But after being told three times to get a book and sit down! JUST GET A BOOK AND SIT DOWN!

After telling him for the third time, I also added that I would be leaving his name for his teacher to talk to him tomorrow about talking in class. He totally fall apart.

I was amazed.

I don't think I've ever seen an eight year old cry like that.

I'm so glad that my kids don't have this habit.

Movie Weekend...Sort of....

2010-01-09T20:46:00.002+10:00

I tried to see the Blind Side (for the 2nd time) at the base last night with a friend, but for some reason the base did not receive it on time and ended up showing some other movie. My friend and I decided to just go home and try again next week.

But today Drew and I finally saw Julie and Julia...or it is Julia and Julie??? Which ever - it's a good flick! Well worth the "on-demand" price we paid. I think I would have even enjoyed it paying full price a the theater! Very good!

Afterwards we went downtown to an Italian restaurant for dinner - also, very good!! I think we'll even take the kids next time!

Giving Everyone a Good Laugh

2010-01-06T16:16:00.002+10:00

Today I was meeting a few friends for coffee, but before I left I went over to meet a new neighbor. They actually moved in before Christmas and I had yet to meet them. So day was the day. She was very nice with a cute five month old Elizabeth finishing up her breakfast.

After I chatted a few minutes I returned to the house to get ready to meet my friends. I had planned to bring some fresh blueberry muffins and all the fixings for peppermint coffee.

And that's when I realized it.

The door locked behind me.

And I had no key.

I walked around the front of the house, hoping that one of the front doors would happen to be unlocked.

No such luck...thanks to my safety-conscience husband.

I walked over to a different neighbor to borrow the phone. I further embarrassed myself by not remembering Drew's office number correctly and had to use her phone book.

Drew was in a meeting and I had to ask for his cell number because apparently I can't keep any phone number in my head. Of course, the meeting that Drew was in required him to turn off his cell phone.

The agent that answered the phone promised to let Drew know when he returned to the office.

I went ahead and walked to my friend's house...good thing everything on base is close by. I had a great visit with my friends and got to meet two of the cutest newborn twins you can ever see. It was a great visit...even if we didn't get to have my treats!

And yes, my husband did get the message and opened the house for me....laughing all the way.

Starting the New Year Off Right

2010-01-04T20:23:00.003+10:00

Today was the first work day of the New Year and I started it off right: by not working. I was so very glad that the phone did not ring at 6:15 am. I was able to exercise, clean, and even got an errand done - all while the kids were back in school. There was very little talking as they were getting ready for school - lots of groaning and grunting though.

Like the rest of the school - they survived!

We enjoyed a nice weekend - we continued to just hang out and enjoy being together. Saturday night we did attend a concert on base, Tops in Blue. I think we all agreed that it was not nearly as entertaining as last year, but the performers are very talented. Sunday we had a nice time at church, then enjoyed a wonderful meal at a local Japanese restaurant.

I will admit at how pitiful it is that my kids are better with the chop-sticks than I am....after all these years, I'm still at the "stab and shovel" method. But hey! The food still taste great!

After our delicious lunch we went on a submarine.

And no. It was not yellow. It was white...but that just doesn't sound the same does it?

Anyway. It's call the Atlantis Submarine - and it gave the kids and I a taste of what Drew sees when he dives. We saw several large fish that I have totally forgotten the name of and one very lazy sea turtle that seemed like he was sleeping.

The New Year is off to a great start for us....hopefully, it is for you as well.

Makin' Good on a Threat

2010-01-01T20:14:00.002+10:00

For quite awhile now after Ben's bath time, we have had a conversation. Mainly it's me reminding him that baths are for getting clean - which not just water but soap is required. And water needs to be on his body not just all over the bathroom.

So. I told him that he couldn't remember how to bath with all the correct items, I would put my swim suit on and show him.

Tonight was the night.

The boys came in from playing golf and they were...well...stinky to say the least. I told Ben to go ahead and take his bath while I finished cooking dinner. At the dinner table a little while later, I asked him if he used any soap. Melissa leaned over and took a sniff, "No, I don't smell any soap!"

He had that guilty look.

I asked if he remember what would happen if he kept forgetting. He was not happy. He asked if he would be wearing his swimming suit as well. I said, "You'll be wearing your birthday suit."

"Birthday suit? What's that?"

"Well, what were you wearing on your birth day when you were born?"

"Umuhmmmmmm." (Translation: not a happy boy.)

I told him later that I had given birth to him and that anything he had was no surprise to me.

After he took him sweet time eating, he and I went back into the bathroom. Me in swim suit and he in his birthday suit. We proceeded to have a discussion and a demonstration with the water and soap.

Hopefully, he won't be forgetting how to use them together.

Of course, now I have created another problem. Drew says he is now having problems remembering how to bath and maybe I should help him as well.

Without my swim-suit.

Sun-Kissed Day

2009-12-31T17:25:00.002+10:00

We spent the better part of today at the water-park, Tarza. And for Guam, it's not a bad park. I like it because it's small enough that you can't really lose your children.

And the lazy river.

I really like the lazy river.

I did go down one water-slide. It was fun, but not enough to walk up that big hill again. Maybe I had felt better....but we had a beautiful day! Full of sun! Not even a small rain storm. The perfect day for a water-park.

Of course, like anything else here in Guam it was full of tourist from Asia....mostly Japan and Korea. I really wish someone would explain to them that Speedo on middle aged men are not attractive.

At. All.

I did feel bad for the red-tinted Japanese....some one needs to explain to them how to apply sun-block. One lady I saw will be in lots of pain tomorrow.

It was a wonderful way to end 2009....now on to 2010....Happy New Year's, everyone!

Happy Anniversary to Drew and Me

2009-12-29T21:09:00.004+10:00

Today Drew and I celebrated our wedding anniversary - 19th in fact.

Which I was told by my wonderful husband is the year of bronze. So glad I did not get a bronze gift.

We made the kids watch our wedding video. Melissa loved it....the boys? Well, they paid more attention to their DS games. We had not watched the video in a long time. It was nice to see again.

It was also nice to see family. Drew stopped the video at one point so we could name the family members for kids, but I couldn't name them. I had tears running down my face. It was so nice to see my grandparents again. It's amazing how grief can raise it's head...even after many years.

Tonight we watched the sun go down over Tumon Bay then had a nice dinner at a Thai restaurant. Nice...very nice.

May God grant us more than 19 years more together.

Question (this could be a trick...)

2009-12-28T21:39:00.004+10:00

Out of all our presidents, what number was George Washington?

If you said our first, you are wrong.

Yes, wrong!

He is our first constitutional president - that is the first president under our Constitution.

We actually had 14 before him. Let me explain....

Each year the Continental Congress elected a president that served one year. There was 14 of them.

So.

Technology, George Washington was our 15th President.

Oh, the things you learn on Pawn Stars.

Thoughts of Chrismas

2009-12-26T19:21:00.002+10:00

Christmas was nice. Christmas Eve we went to the Candle-light Service in the evening, then we toured a bit to see Christmas lights. This little tour is a tradition....we do it mainly to irritate the kids...they are ready to be home so we can open presents....we like to prolong it as long as possible! We did make it home to open presents before it was too late.

The kids seemed to enjoy their gifts....clothes, robes, games,books.... I got a nice Guam pendant, vases, a dress....We woke up early Christmas morning for stockings and the kids' "big present": Ben received a new bike, Melissa two DS games, and William the Wii Music along with a real ukulele.

After we played with all our toys a bit and attended the beach-side service and Benjamin's baptism, we went to the USO for lunch. They did a great job! Guam's USO is one of the best - very large, great food...steady volunteers...great location downtown. Most of the food on holidays are donated by the local hotels - very nice.

Then we came home and Drew and I took a very long nap.

A great Christmas Day! Happy Birthday Jesus!

Only a Few Can Say....

2009-12-26T19:06:00.003+10:00

...that they were baptised in the Pacific Ocean....

The Day After Christmas brings us lots of sunshine. We could have used a little more yesterday. We were concerned that our beach-side service would be cancelled along with the baptisms, but the clouds parted and cleared at the last minute. The service was short, but nice. And the baptisms were wonderful.

Benjamin's voice was loud and clear when he repeated the chaplain's words in declaring Jesus as his Savior.

Merry Christmas Eve

2009-12-24T09:51:00.002+10:00

Merry Christmas Eve from Guam!! The kids are so excited!! We open our presents on Christmas Eve, so they are counting down the hours. I actually have a few more gifts I need to wrap.....and yes, the hours are dwindling down.

We are actually not at home. Last night we have a party to attend downtown, so Drew decided to just get a room at the hotel. We were hoping to spend the morning in the pool...but no. We are in the mist of a storm. Which is one reason I'm glad we didn't have to drive home last night - the winds were very strong. So strong in fact that a few friends had their canopies to be destroyed. Glad we didn't have to drive in that.

We won two door prizes last night! One $25 gift card from a local mall and then a $50 card from a local store. YEAH!! I think I will skip the mall a few days before I spend that money, but we do plan to try to find the local store to see what all they have to offer.

For our Christmas Day we are planning to attend the chapel's beach-side service, then we will celebrate Benjamin being baptised in the ocean. Later in the day we plan to eat our Christmas meal at the USO - they offer free Christmas dinner for the military. We've heard good things about their events, so we're excited.

Merry Christmas to you all .....we miss you all...

All's Well...

2009-12-21T18:22:00.002+10:00

All is well on this end of the Earth. The kids are very excited about Christmas - especially since there are now presents under the trees. I had all the presents hidden in my closet until after our office party Saturday night.

Which went fine - I think everyone had a good time. Part of our office party is to walk down Rota Walk. Rota was all decked out - the Griswalls would have been so happy! The kids came home with more candy than they know what to do with! (Rota Walk is a tradition here on Andersen - Rota Drive is the street with most of the commanders and they all decorate their houses - and I do mean decorate. Even heavy machinery....its' great, really. I promise. And they hand out goodies. This year was lots of candy as well as cookies, cupcakes, small toys....lots of stuff! Also, groups from the Chapel as well as the high school perform.)

And as soon as I find where they hid the loot, I'll get rid of it for them! Waaaay tooo much sugar!!

The only thing great and exciting we have planned for our Christmas vacation is Ben's baptism on Christmas Day. Drew and I are very thrilled!

And a little jealous- he'll be baptised at in the ocean at the beach on base just after a beach side Christmas Day service.

How cool is that!!????

It Was the Week Before Christmas....

2009-12-16T20:42:00.002+10:00

...and all through-out the house not a Christmas card was written.

Yeah. Not here. Writing and sending out Christmas cards is just not in me this year. So. If you have gotten one from me in the past, you won't be getting one this year.

Maybe next year.

Maybe.

No promises though.

So.

Merry Christmas. Have a wonderful, blessed New Year. And keep Jesus in your life. He's very handy to have around.

Love you all.

Reality Check

2009-12-13T20:17:00.003+10:00

I have to admit that tonight I watched some of the "Real Housewives of Orange County". What a train wreck. I just keep thinking that these people can't be for real.

One lady took her toddlers for a "mani/pedi"....toddlers? really?

Another lady had a face lift...with her 19 year old daughter who had a nose job. A nose job at 19? When there was nothing wrong? And the husband/father? He said yes, he knows the economy is bad and they need to watch their money, but he doesn't put a price on his family's happiness.

He needs a reality check!

Yes, you do need to put a price on your family's happiness! Because, if you wake up one day without a house to live in, then they really won't be happy.

The sad thing is that people watch these shows and think they need to spend money like these people....probably just one of many reasons the economy is in the state its in.

Traveling: Singapore Pictures

2009-12-12T07:45:00.003+10:00

I'm finally posting at our desk-top where our photos are stored. Here's a few from our Singapore trip....enjoy! (More at my facebook page.)

Here's Benjamin getting wet at Water-Works water play area at the Science Center. You would never guess that just a few hours before this we were at a Snow City where all the kids were sliding down an icey hill.

Keeping all our balls in the air.....

Kelley....shopping....of course.

Kelley and Melissa in front of the Momma "Merlion".

(The Merlion is the symblom for Singapore - you can read about it here.)

The Singapore Flyer....not to be confused with the London Eye....this is taller.

Amazing views!! Probably the favorite for us all.

Walking On Sunshine

2009-12-09T20:49:00.003+10:00

Even though there are several reason why I'm looking forward to moving away from Guam, there are, also, several things I will miss. One is my walks.

No matter if I walk early in the morning or late evening, it's a great place to walk. The temperature is very comfortable. I love seeing the the stars disappear during the morning walks and the stars start to shine in the evening walks.

Also, I love the safety of it all. No where else, but on a military base would I feel safe to walk in the dark. Here I just strap on a reflective belt and head out.

(Okay...not just a reflective belt - I am full dressed in shorts and a tee and my shoes!)

But I have no concern for my personal safety as all - I can't say that when we live off base.

It's just a great place to go for a walk. Any one up for one?!

Traveling: Impressions of Singapore

2009-12-07T20:41:00.002+10:00

Our first impressions of Singapore was that Singapore were impressive. The airport was large, clean, very modern - lot of stores and it seemed that the security was actually up-to-date.

We had a driver meet us at the gate and take us to our hotel. We loved all the Christmas lights that were up already. Everywhere we looked was decked out in lights. Since we arrived at dark, we got the full effect of all the lights in the trees. Apparently, every year they have a different color scheme -this year the colors were gold and silver with the theme of "Glitzy Christmas". It was all so beautiful.

Our hotel was equally beautiful. It was downtown close to several malls and the river. It was so nice to have stores and restaurants - and real Starbucks!! - within walking distance.

Also, close to our hotel was the "Fountain of Wealth" with five buildings around it. The buildings and the fountain were presenting of a hand - the building the fingers - and the water of the fountain wealth pouring into the palm.

Much like the Chinese, Singaporeans believe in luck. It was said to be lucky if you could touch the water of the fountain. Several times a week, they allowed people to walk to the middle of the fountain to touch the water - while they took your picture in which they would sell to you for a nice price.

We chose to skip the "lucky" ritual and just trust Jesus for a good life.

Singapore really is a beautiful city - very clean. The buses and subway were also very clean and were easy to use. It's a very easy city to get around. There were also water taxis. Many of the buildings were nice looking - very few "run down" buildings. We never saw any abandon buildings like we do in DC or New York. There's lots of "green space". In fact they are building several new gardens. By the end of next year, it'll be an even more of a beautiful city.

But would I ever want to live there? That's the question Drew wanted to know. He would love to get a job there once our military life is over. But me? I don't know. It's even farther away from home that Guam. Maybe in a few years...right now I need a good dose of an American life.

Traveling: Getting to Singapore

2009-12-05T20:25:00.003+10:00

On our way to Singapore we had a lay-over in Manila. A very long lay-over. Seven-to-eight hours were not the best, but could not have been avoided as it's the best way to get from here to there....we lived through it.

When you have such a long lay-over, you have time to look around....take things in....like the security. Hm....let's just say that it was...well...interesting.

When they built the terminal and jet-ways, they built all the walls with glass. On one hand it was nice to be able to see all around - very nice. Even the doors were glass - very thick - heavy glass. But....as I said security was interesting. They locked these glass doors with a chain and a pad-lock.

No. I am not kidding. A chain and a pad-lock. Really? It's 2009. You would like that they would have something more high-tech.

Then there was a the security line itself. They had you walk through the x-ray machine, then you had to step up on a wood-block to be padded down.

As I have never been arrested, I've never been padded down before. Glad I can say that I still have never been arrested but padded down?

Yeah. I have now been padded down. In public. With my family watching. At least it was by another women.

As I was sitting during our overly-long lay-over, I watched others go through the x-ray machine and step-up to the wood block to be padded down. And it was soon clear why every one was being padded down.

There was no electricity to the x-ray machine.

None at all.

As I said earlier, it's 2009. You would like that would be able to work the high-tech equipments.

If you can, I would avoid Manila Airport...and not just because you'll be padded down. It's just a crazy place. What saved us, is we did not have to go to a different terminal. Had we had to, it would have required paying an exit tax and a taxi. It's just crazy.

But if you want to be padded-down...go right ahead - get your cheap thrill!!

Come on Weekend!

2009-12-04T17:56:00.003+10:00

It's Friday night here and we have a houseful of kids. I'm babysitting a friend's five year old and Melissa has a friend spending the night.

A few observations.....

Five year olds are so cute.

And exhausting.

It's great to see a ten year old that actually eats....a lot!

More about Singapore later, I promise!

Traveling: Singapore

2009-11-30T22:59:00.003+10:00

Over the years Drew and I have been lucky with our children over traveling. For the most part they have stayed healthy and have traveled well. They seem to enjoy seeing new places - which is a good thing if you are in this family.

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Singapore - and it seemed at first that our luck of healthy children had run out. As we were checking in at the airport, I could tell Ben was more than just tired like the others. While is was early-early-thirty, he was not himself. He did have a runny nose and had the "blah's" but also could have been running a fever. I was not looking forward to a "drug and drag" vacation (that would be pouring drugs down the child and still dragging them around a tour). Out of all of our kids, he would be the one not to do well with that at all.

But, thankfully, after a nice long nap at the Manila airport, he woke-up bright eyed and more like himself...ready to irritate all siblings in sight.

He was generous though....no matter how well Drew and I tried to avoid it, we caught the cold and we were the ones being drugged and dragged!

More to come on our Thanksgiving in Singapore.....

The Magnolia Bowl

2009-11-22T12:19:00.003+10:00

This Sunday I woke up early on this side of the world to watch my favorite football team play one of our most heated rivals. Even missed church. When I attended Ole Miss, the game against LSU was not titled, but now it's called the Magnolia Bowl. "Back in the day" it was always played Halloween weekend. But years go by and times change.

But the essence of a crazy game, apparently, never does. I remember us winning the last few minutes....or losing in the last minutes. Maybe instead of calling it the Magnolia Bowl is should have been called "Crazy Bowl" or "It's Not Over Until it's Really Over." It never seems to matter what the polls say - or bookies - and it's a toss up. I don't think I can say how happy I am that today the toss-up ended up in our favorite. As in many times in the past, the winner wasn't obvious until the last second...or in the case of today the few seconds after the time clock stopped.

Who would have ever thought LSU couldn't get a kicking team on the field fast enough?

What ever reason, I'll take the win.

In the last few seconds of the game I was on the phone with my mother -both of us yelling. I'm sure if my kids ever thought I was crazy, any doubt they have is now gone.

I've posted before of growing up Ole Miss. At still, Autumn is the season I miss home the most. I still wish I could give my kids the opportunity to experience an Ole Miss game in person - not just their crazy mother yelling at a TV. (Yes, Drew is usually there watching the game as well...he's just not a vocal as I am.) I wish they could fall in love with the game, the campus...the atmosphere as I did.

But I don't miss the heated rivalries turning ugly...where heated words turns to hatred. Fun-loving teasing turns into dead-serious verbal and at times physical attacks. That....I'm glad they don't know anything about.

And yet at the same time, I'm glad they are growing up military. Sacrifice for something bigger than you are and giving all your is still very much alive. Drew is so close to retirement we can taste it on some days, but we both know there'll be times when we'll miss this life.

We are planning a trip to that small beloved Mississippi town the next fall we are living in the States. Let's just make sure it's a game that Ole Miss will win....without giving every fan in attendance and watching TV a heart attack.

Breathing Recommended

2009-11-19T20:33:00.002+10:00

Even with the change in my allergy medication, I'm still having problems. I slept better last night and did not wake up with an attack in the middle night, but did sneeze from the time I got up at 6:15 until about nine.

So, I broke down and called for a doctor's appointment.

Oh, feel the joy....you know that government health care??? Yeah...I have it....and you really may not want it.

When after stating that I needed an appointment for my allergies, I was asked if I had seen the doctor for this before. Oh, yeah. Many times.

"Oh, okay. Then it's considered a follow-up appointment and we have a twenty-eight day wait for those appointments."

"Hm...so should I not breathe for twenty-eight days?"

"Uh...no....that wouldn't be recommended."

Well, now...that's good to know.

Instead of using the words "follow-up" she ended up putting in some different words in her magic-schedule-computer and I have an appointment tomorrow just before lunch.

Hopefully, the doctor will also believe that breathing should be recommended.

Benadryl Daze

2009-11-17T20:10:00.003+10:00

I'm seriously thinking that I'm allergic to this house. I have been waking up for months early in the morning with a full-blown attack.

No fun at 3:30 a.m.

This morning I took a child's benadryl. Within twenty minutes I felt some relief and was able to get some sleep. But....then I felt drugged all day.

Lovely.

But tonight I'm trying some new meds...hopefully I won't wake up with another attack...instead I get to wake up ealry to get my wonderful husband from the airport!!! YEAH! Now that's a good reason to wake up ealry!!

Monday Once Again

2009-11-16T21:16:00.002+10:00

I have survived another Monday....at work...yes, I know. Late last night I said I wouldn't work today, but it's hard to say no. And it was for the Guam Culture class - an easy day. I really did want to get at least one day in this week. I doubt I'll work the rest of the week since we have half days because of parent teacher conferences.

So, it's been a busy day. Work did go well - but it's a good thing I didn't need to be with the same kids all day long because I just didn't have that much energy! After school we had several things to do - Melissa had running club, all the kids and I went to the library, and Benjamin had his first soccer practice.

Busy. I ended up just doing drive-thru for supper. But I did get the kitchen floor swept and mopped. And visit with two of my favorite ladies here that I don't get to visit with often.

And now? Bed. Really. Bed before ten...which is good for a night without Drew around.

Late Night

2009-11-15T22:13:00.004+10:00

It's late - after ten. Yes, I know that's not late for some of you, but for me? That's late. Why am I up? Basically, because Drew's not here. He'll be home early Wednesday morning. I do know I'm not alone with sleepless nights. Many of us military wives talk about what a hard time we have getting use to sleeping alone.

It's been such a busy week...I really should have been in bed after the kids....

Yeah...I don't see me working tomorrow.

Deep Sigh of Relief

2009-11-14T19:48:00.004+10:00

It's been awhile since I have been so glad that a week is over as I am tonight. This has been a stressful week where I have tried my best to keep my joy. I just wanted all to go well and not to embarrass anyone - like Drew or our chapel. Two big events were planned - one at my house and one hosted by the chapel group I'm in charge of.

Drew's boss' boss - a one-star general in the Air Force came for a visit this week. Drew has spent the last few weeks not only making sure his office was looking nice and clean, but had to plan out a two day visit and tour of the island as well as meetings with various counterparts. Sometimes a husband's stress is felt by the wife. We both wanted the visit to go well. We both think a lot of this general. I have known him for about ten years and Drew longer. He's genuinely a nice guy. He pinned on Drew's last rank promotion.

The big event for me was hosting him along with all the office and spouses here at the house for dinner on Friday night.

Can you feel my stress???

But I did cut the stress way down when I made the decision to hire a maid to clean my house and a caterer to cook the meal. Life did get easier some what after that decision.

And let me just say that was one of my best decisions - E-V-E-R!

Over all, the party was nice. We were disappointed that several of the spouses did not attend....not sure why. But the house looked great, the food was delicious, and a neighbor entertained my kids - what more could I ask for???!!

Deep relief was felt when it was over though, that's for sure.

Then I had to make it through Saturday. Saturday I hosted and sponsored a motherhood conference through the ladies group I'm president of at the base chapel, PWOC. Now, this is where a lot of my stress came from.

Because it was held at the Club on base, we had to promise and pay for fifty ladies. We did not have fifty ladies sign up. Or pay. Or attend.

Stress.

But the day went beautiful. The room and the tables were just so nice with a soft green table lines and my friend, Cindy, had just the right centerpieces - each table had a different theme toys. So stinking cute! One was balls and baseball gloves, one was Barbies, another was tech toys. She's very creative.

I used three DVDs of Julie Ann Barnhill. She spoke on her experience as a mother and gave some great tips of dealing with anger, how to be a "tough mother", and how to let go of the guilt that we have as mothers - as she said several times - we aren't alone and we all are messes - and that's okay! The Lord is with us and guides us.

At the end of day I was exhausted but at peace. While I wished more ladies had come out to learn about being better mothers, I do know the ladies that did attend enjoyed themselves and now know that we can only do our best....God's not asking for perfection...just to trust Him.

Re-Make

2009-11-12T19:39:00.002+10:00

We (okay - the kids and I - Drew's at work) - are watching the CMA Awards and some new band has re-done "The Went Down to Georgia".

Hm....not bad, but some things just can't be improved upon!

Learn Something New Everyday

2009-11-10T19:10:00.002+10:00

As Melissa was tell me about the book she was reading, she said she knew it was a sad book because the grandmother gets sick at the end of the book.

Me: "Um....how do you know she gets sick at the end of the book if you're only on page 99?"

Melissa: "Oh, I always read the last two pages of any book I read, so I know what happens."

Me: "Really??"

Melissa: "Yes!"

Me: "Hm. I think my grandfather did that."

The Good and the Bad of My Day

2009-11-06T20:46:00.004+10:00

In some ways today was just an absolute great day. I went to one of our favorite beaches, Gab Gab, with several friends. The kids had a blast! I snorkeled a little, but the waves were up and crashing where I normally go.

I didn't want to smashed up against the rocks...that would have taken all the fun out of it.

But for others in my military family, today was not a good day. Some good friends, Paul and Lenore, left here last April for school at an Army base - Fort Hood. Many of us on this base on this side of the world were thinking and praying for them today as we heard of the horrible events that happened there today so far away from us. As of right now none of us have heard from them.

Even if they are okay, I'm sure they know of some one who is not. And it just makes me sad to think of what they went through today.

Since the base was on lock-down, so were the schools on base. I know the children of Paul and Lenore go to a base school. When a school is on lock-down, no one leaves or enters. The shootings happened around 1. The lock-down was in place for over five hours.

That's five hours teachers had to entertained students while trying to keep them calm. This five hours went into supper time - I'm sure the students were hungry and tired. I can just imagine the melt-downs the teachers had to endure. How many movies can a class watch happily??? What did the teachers tell the students? How did they explain why they weren't allowed to go home today? How did the students react? How many tears fell?

And I can just imagine the chaos of parents rushing into the school as soon as the lock-down was lifted. I sure it took well over an hour to deliver every child to a parent - and to make sure a bus rider was still a bus rider and a walker had some one to walk them home today. Total chaos, I'm sure. If you have ever worked in a school office, can you imagine the phone calls? While all the parents knew their children were safe at the school, I can still imagine the joy of them being able to finally see their child.

But I can also imagine the pain of a child when they realize their parent was not okay. 13 people have died. While it's possible some of those had children at one of the lock-down-schools, all 13 have families....families receiving the incredible horrifying news of a death.

And the saddest part of all of this? It's a base on American soil.

We military families think - live - that we are the safest on a military base on American soil. How tragic that the enemy was one of our own.

Lyrics

2009-11-05T20:52:00.002+10:00

Here's the lyrics for the song I posted the link to yesterday. This is now my favorite song....love it!

How Many Kings by downhere
Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we've projected,
A child in a manger?
Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -
Just a child -
Is this who we've waited for? 'cause...

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe.
Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we've waited for?

All for me...
All for you...

New Music

2009-11-04T21:57:00.001+10:00

Go here for a new band with some new music.

Have a great day!!