still here!

Well, we made it to New Mexico! (which most of you guys already know, lol)


We miss Florida, but we really do like it here. It's not as bad as people make it seem. No matter where you go, you'll always run into someone who absolutely hates it.


As we crossed the Florida/Alabama line, I said outloud "goodbye Florida, hello Alabama!". Kyle seriously started crying. Not just sobbing. CRYING LOUDLY. Which of course made the tears start flowing down my face. He kept telling me that he did not want to leave Florida and he wanted to go back. It took about 10mins, but he finally calmed down. After that, every time we crossed into another state he got excited about it.


We stopped in Fort Worth, Texas to spend the night at our friend's house. During the night, the Penske truck that we were using to move ALL of our belongings, got broken in to. It was such a shocker, still is. I never thought something like that could happen to us.. but it does. Thankfully, the dumb criminals didn't empty out the truck. They took mostly lawn equipment, but the worst part was that they took Leah's suitcase of clothes and some of Kyle's toys. Kyle's heart was broken. He was upset when he thought it was just Brandon's stuff.. but once he found out that his stuff got taken, he was a mess. Thankfully Kyle is pretty much over it now. Brandon has a handgun now, so I think he feels a lot safer knowing that if someone tries to steal his stuff again, Daddy will shoot them. I know I feel a lot safer!


I always said "no guns".. and now we have two of them! Never say "never", right?! =)


Well, the day after we got to NM it started snowing. We had so much fun in it. The kids had a blast seeing snow for the first time. I guess the winter this year is unusual because we've had about 17 snow days so far. It doesn't bother me one bit! I haven't seen snow in 3yrs, before that I saw snow every winter since I was born.. so I have missed it!!


We found an awesome church and can't wait to start serving in it. Nothing like having a great church home to make this season of our life better!


We're living in a 2story, 4bdrm military owned house that is off the base, and we are only about 4mins away from wally world! No complaints here!


That's about it, folks! I can't wait until we are completely settled in. Pictures soon to come!

mooooooooooovin

Yep, that's how I've been feelin' since Monday. It's official, we are moving to New Mexico. I was already prepared for that, but what I wasn't prepared for is that we are leaving in January. We were praying for June, but it didn't go through. So, we only have 5 months left here in Florida.

Leah's birthday is in February and Kyle's birthday is in April. This will be their first birthday's that they won't have any family around! Such is the life of a military child!

It is going to be so hard leaving our church and our friends here. I don't allow myself to think about it too much, because the tears will start coming and then they won't stop.

Phew! I know this is God's plan for our life, but it definitely isn't easy!

He did it!!!!

Remember this test that I had asked you guys to pray about??? The one my hubby had to take earlier than he was supposed to? The one that is super duper hard to make?? Well, my smart husband made it! His first time trying, too! Brandon made Tech!!

Sometimes I get these deep down strange feelings.. and most of the time they are right. I got the feelings when I was pregnant with both my kids. I just KNEW what sex they were. I was right! Last night, before Brandon and I fell asleep we were talking about the results coming out tomorrow. I just KNEW he made it. I just had that feeling. Of course, I didn't tell him that, just in case my little feelings fail me one time, haha.

For those who don't believe in the power of prayer... here's my tongue sticking out at you! LOL. Okay, maybe not, but prayer does work!!!!! Thank you all for praying, it means a lot!

I just want to scream I am so excited!! I've always been proud of my husband, but him making Tech. his first time makes me even more proud. I love you, Babe, and I am so, very proud of you. And so very proud to be your wife!!!

News

We're going from this...

and this.

To this...

and this.

We're moving!!!!!! Oh, and if you think those <-------- exclamation marks are out of excitement.. they aren't! We are definitely not happy, but what can we do, right? It's pointless to whine and complain about it. The military decides where we are going to live and for how long. This was unexpected. We thought we were moving to New Mexico a few months ago, but we got out of it. This time they are sending 50 families and not just 2! We don't have the official paperwork yet, who knows when those will appear. The only nice thing about this move is that we will be 13hrs away from my sister and brother, compared to 20+ hrs. Oh, and if you are wondering when we will be moving.. it will either be January or June of next year (we are hoping for the latter!). A wonderful 5 year anniversary gift from the military! LOL.

Thank you, thank YOU

My hubby got the job!!!!!

I can't thank you enough for praying for him and his work issues. My hubby used to work on the F-16's, but in his career field he can also work on the CV-22 (what he has been doing for almost 2yrs now) and he can also work on F-22's and UAV's (which he has never touched before). He really wants to go back to working on the 16's, but that won't be happening for at least another 2yrs, if not more. All that to say, this spot as Security Manager was a way to get out of working on the CV-22. He is very excited and probably a little nervous as he has no idea what to expect. He has been working out on the flight line every single day for the past 7 years that he has been in the Air Force. And now he's doing an office job. So you can imagine what a change this is going to be! If you could remember to say a little prayer for him, that would be great. I know I seem to be asking you guys for lots of prayers recently, but God still answers prayers! Anyways, he starts tomorrow!! And, the best part is that he's on day shift (7am-3/4pm)!!! No more workin' nights! Yeah!

prayer

Life has been going in fast foward these past couple of days. I haven't had time to blog or even read blogs this past weekend. I just wanted to get on here really quick and ask for your prayers. My husband is testing for his next rank tomorrow. He wasn't supposed to test for another 2wks, but his date got pushed up. This rank (Tech) is, I guess, the hardest rank to make in the Air Force. A lot of people have to test two to three, or sometimes even more, times to pass. So, if you can, please lift up a prayer for him. Pray that he remembers everything he has studied and, of course, that he passes! The worst part of testing is that you don't find out for a few months if you passed or not! If my hubby makes Tech Sgt., it's about another $600 a month! ;) Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers!

Yes, we are home!!

We made it home Monday evening. It was a long day and a bit stressful, but we made it! Since landing, we have been really busy and things won't calm down for a few more days. My hubby tried surprising us by not telling us he was coming home early, but I am too smart and figured his plan out, hehe! We had planned for our friend to come pick us up at the airport, but Brandon was going to surprise us by being there. A very sweet idea, but I am not a fan of surprises, so I am glad I knew about it before hand.

Here's a small, little scene from the airport..

Walking out of the airplane towards the waiting area..

Me- "Okay, Kyle, we are gonna see Daddy!"
K- "k, Mama!"

walking some more..

K- "k, Mama, run to my Dada!
Me- "Baby, Mama can't run, ok?"
K- "me run my Dada"
Me- "Okay, you can run to Daddy"

walking some more..

Kyle spotting Daddy..
Kyle taking off at full speed towards his Daddy's arms! =)

I seriously was about to start crying, but had to keep my composure in the airport. Kyle even got teary-eyed!! We are so happy to be reunited as a family. It feels great! Oh, and as if it wasn't enough to just come home.. but it was great coming home to a clean house! Yep, my hubby surprised me by doing his own five loads of laundry and cleaning up the whole house. *sigh* I love my husband! :)

You know, it's hard being away from my hubby. I miss him a whole lot. But over the past, almost 4yrs, of being together, I've kinda just gotten used to it. It's not as hard as it used to be. Don't get me wrong, not every day is just fine and peachy, it's just gotten a little easier. Thanks to this new base we are at, he's gone more than I would like. But I think the hardest part of Brandon being gone is having Daddy gone. Kyle is getting older and realizing that Daddy is really gone. He doesn't understand that Daddy will be home in a week or in a month. He just knows Daddy isn't with us.

While we've been here in California visiting family, Kyle has asked me numerous times to go home to Daddy. Once, he even told me that Daddy was mad at him (I guess he was thinkin' since we left first, Daddy made us leave or something!). Last night, the family was watching a movie and, of course, I was sitting on the laptop internet surfing. Kyle came to me out of nowhere and said "Mama, I miss Dada", I did the usual "I know, Baby, Daddy will be home soon, ok?". But I guess that didn't cut it for him. He started crying! It wasn't whimpering either, he had tears rolling down his face. And then he wanted to go to bed. Aye! That little boy sure knows how to make my heart hurt.

Thank you, Babe, for working and supporting me and the kids. I know it isn't easy being away and having to miss out on so much, but we definitely appreciate you! You take great care of us, and we love you so much. Time can't go by soon enough!!

Thoughts

Brandon posted this in a bulletin on MySpace, I thought it was great so I wanted to share it here.

Since the Democrats are taking over the White House and Congress the military probably wont get a raise for the next 8 years or more. Inflation will continue to go up, but we will get next to nothing for an annual raise. So I will be standing next to some of my military buddies in the welfare line in the next few years. Dont get me wrong, I think its great that America was able to elect an African American as President, but to me it has always been about the issues. If it would have been a conservative republican African American I would have gladly cast my vote for him. I am just curious to see how many of the Obama Movement hopes and dreams will actually come true. Maybe the redistribution of wealth will work out for me, but I sure would be ticked off if I worked hard my whole life to become wealthy only to find out that this wanna be Robin Hood character is going to take my money and give it to the poor. Call me crazy, but I am still hoping that some day we can ban abortion all together and that is never going to happen under a Democratic Washington. There are more reasons why I didnt want Obama to be our next President, but this ranting has gone on long enough.

Unforgettable Moments

I saw this idea a long time ago, and now that I have a blog, I figured this would be a good place to share just a few unforgettable moments. Of course these are in no particular order.

1. The day I came back from Christmas vacation, and Brandon surprised me at the train station. My Mom and brother came to pick me up, and deep down I had a feeling he would be there, too. We weren't dating yet (we had been talking about it though), but the feeling I had when I saw him is unforgettable!

2. The night I trusted Jesus Christ to be my personal Savior. I was spending the night at my K-5 teacher's house and we were going through the Bible story picture cards when she asked me if I was going to heaven. After explaining Heaven and Hell, Jesus' love, and that I was a sinner I asked God to forgive me and was saved.

3. The day my Mom and sister came to "steal" me and my brother from my Dad. My parents were going through their divorce and we were still living with my Dad. My Dad was at work and I was at T-Ball practice when my Mom came and told me to get in the car. We went and picked up my brother from the babysitter's, left Tokyo and drove up to Misawa. Every time I hear any of Madonna's old songs like "Like a Virgin", it reminds me of that long drive home. I was only 5yrs old, too.

4. The day my best friend and her brother sneaked me into their house. Their Dad came home early so I had to jump out of the house through their shower/bathroom window!! I remember Arlene throwing my shoes out the window and running so fast. I looked back and her Dad stuck his head out the window and yelled at me. Funny now, but it wasn't back then!!! LOL

5. The moment Brandon held Kyle for the very first time. His eyes watered and it melted my heart. It made me love my husband even more, if that was even possible. =)

6. The day we found out that baby #2 was A GIRL!!!

7. The day Brandon and I went to go on a cruise for our friend's wedding. We had Brandon's Aunt and Uncle watch Kyle for us. It was so hard waving goodbye and leaving him for the very first time. I cried so hard on the drive to Miami. While on the cruise, every.single.thing reminded me of my baby boy!!! We had a GREAT time though. It was a vacation/honeymoon (we didn't have a honeymoon after our wedding) for us, and I would go on another cruise again. But the next time we do it, I will wait until the kids are a little older.

8. The moment I heard my niece's first cry. I had walked out of the delivery room to call my Mom and Kylie's Dad to let them know that Kylie was about to make her grand entrance. As my friend and I were walking back to the door, we were debating who should open the door (hey, I was only 16yrs old!!) and as soon as I put my hand on the door knob I heard Kylie cry. I opened that door, oh-so-fast!! I will never forget the day my niece was born. I was ecstatic!!

9. The day Kyle locked us out of the house. Leah was just a few months old, sleeping in her crib and we were outside cleaning up. Kyle walked into the house and when I realized he went back inside, I walked over to the door. But it was already too late. Brandon and I stood at the door begging him to unlock the door. There are two locks on the door, and once we got one of the unlocked, he turned the car alarm on! He had gotten a hold of Brandon's keys that were right next to the door. Brandon closed the garage door, I don't remember why (probably to avoid a scene), but when he did it got extremely loud. All I could do was stand there with my hands over my ears tryng not to go into a panic attack. I was about to start crying my eyes out when Brandon had me go to our sliding glass door and yell for Kyle. I banged and banged on the door and finally he came and looked through the blinds. Kyle was able to open the sliding glass door for me. Of course he was crying the entire time because he thought we were locking him out of the house! I never want to go through that again!!

10. The day my hubby came back from his 5wk TDY to Nellis AFB in Las Vegas. It was our first "homecoming" and it also happened to be the day he asked me to be his wife!

Do you have any unforgettable moments you'd like to share?! If you do, I'd love to read them. I'm just nosy like that! hehe

Wordless Wednesday - St. Louis Arch

When Brandon went up to Illinois this past weekend, he didn't realize how close he would be to the St. Louis Arch. One afternoon after the airshow, they went by to check it out. I had to post the pictures because I think my hubby did such a great job taking these photos! Beautiful, isn't it!?

For more "Wordless Wednesday" go here.

and he's gone

I was going to post a picture of our lonely bed that only has one pillow on it.
Or a picture of our key holder that only has one set of keys hanging down.
Maybe even the empty bathroom counter with only my deodorant sitting there.
But then I remembered my hubby took the camera with him.

He left the house super early (before 5am) and he is on his way to an airshow right now. At least this time he is only gone for 4 days. I think I can handle that. I mean, Kyle is only going through a small phase of "terrible two's" and Leah is ONLY teething (we have decided she is definitely teething.. she woke up at midnight screaming.. and wouldn't eat or take her pacifier.. definitely teething!). I'll be okay. It'll be a long weekend though!