It's ALL RIGHT

What if, when we are asked how things are going, instead of saying “It’s alright”, we say “It’s all right”?  Wow.  Think about that for a moment and what a profound difference it could have on ev-er-y-thing.  Now, I’m not a very religious person… I don’t understand a lot about God’s word.  But I’m guessing this is similar to what religious folk mean when they say that it’s all in God’s plan.  

Sometimes, it’s damn hard to recognize that everything happening in your life is shaping and molding the person you are and that those things are happening for a reason.  I often think back to things that happened to me when I was younger and know for a fact that I would not be the person I am today without those things.  For better or worse.  I’m a strong, independent, funny, honest, kind, sensitive person.  I am those things because I was raised by one of the strongest single moms in the world who dealt with unimaginable tragedies while raising a teenage girl, because my dad was silly and danced while singing “your momma don’t dance and your daddy loves rock-n-roll” to wake me up on the weekends I spent with him, because my grandmother is honest to a fault and because I’ve known what it feels like when people aren’t kind.  But, it’s all right.  It’s all exactly the right stuff that transforms me into each phase of life.  

I’ll be thirty this summer and while I don’t love everything about my life, everything is really all right for this phase.  I have two beautiful children and a loving husband.  Those children keep me on my toes and don’t allow my mind to ever quit.  And that husband drives me up the wall sometimes and is gone way too often as he serves our country.  I often ask myself “where the hell has Chrissi gone” but I know that at this phase in my life, that is all right.  As a momma, I’m supposed to sacrifice for my small children.  As a Navy wife, I’m supposed to have these feelings because I chose to follow my husband’s career and keep the candle burning at home.  Of course, realizing those things don’t make it any easier to deal with though.  So, even realizing that everything is ALL RIGHT, it’s my duty to myself and my soul to make it FEEL ALL RIGHT.  

And that’s where it’s starts to get a little blurry.  How do I focus on myself when the big kid needs his milk cup filled up one.more.time, or when the baby is waking up every three hours at night, or when the husband comes home and the first thing out of his mouth is “what’s for dinner”?  Honestly, I have no idea.  But, I know that’s all right.  It’s a common struggle for moms.  For wives.  For women.  We do it all for others and often forget about ourselves.  As we service others, we are doing a disservice to ourselves.  So, let’s make a little pact with each other, ladies.  Even if we don’t actually do anything for ourselves, let’s all just recognize that it’s alright to need it.  And that could really make things ALL RIGHT.  

photo cred: thatkindofwoman.tumblr.com

Writing for me.

When I used to have all the time in the world, I wrote.  I would write letters, emails, stories, I had a poem published when I was much younger and I even tried my hand at song writing.  Writing has always been a form of release for me.  Nowadays, when I write, it’s usually an angry email being sent to my husband who is overseas because Skype isn’t working well enough for me to effectively express my anguish for this God-forsaken military lifestyle.  Obviously, I need more of an outlet.  Thus, I’m starting to write for leisure again.  With two small children now in the house, I haven’t had time or energy to write for myself in over a year but the time has come for me to take on the challenge again.  I love to write and I miss it.  I miss that my mind gets taken on a little vacation when I’m writing.  

My husband returned a couple weeks ago from about two months overseas and sent me out for a massage and facial at a fabulous spa.  As I laid there on the massage table and then to get a facial, my mind WOULD NOT STOP and that pissed me off.  My mind needed a vacation.  I was the sole provider of my children's well being for those last two months and I was mentally and physically exhausted.  I made it through it but I was scarred and I let myself get that way.  I knew I had to do something to bring myself back to me.  Writing is that something.  Now, would I love for my writing to take me far beyond this little desk I sit at right now?  Absolutely.  If writing ever turned lucrative for me, that would be the sugar sweet icing on my chocolate cake!  But, for now, it’s my outlet, my exhale after too many deep breaths.  

So, if you’d like, enjoy my little musings.  They should be full of honesty, love, some bitching, maybe a few too many cuss words, and pure, unfiltered life.  

I'm back... here goes nothin' (or everything)

So, it's been over a year since I've posted on my blog site.  Wow.  I logged in about a month ago with all intentions to start writing again.  I got intimidated, the kids woke up, I needed a snack or something else pulled me away from actually writing.  But, tonight the kids are in bed, my tummy is full and I have a glass of courage called wine sitting next to me.

Today, I bought my first domain name (www.chrissijenkins.com), created my first website and started writing again.  I need it.  So badly.  I need an outlet.  I read articles all the time and think "YES!  I feel this way!  I could have written this!"  So, no more of that.  If I feel a certain way, I will write about it.  I will be the one who people relate to.  Maybe I'll be just another "mommy blogger" but it makes me feel good and it's my thing.  It's my zone.... my me time.

So, I'm back and I'm prepared to be as open as I ever have been because that's what we all deserve.  We all need the comfort of being honest with ourselves and others about our feelings.  Life is not all lollipops and unicorns.  And sometimes it's all that and even more!  So, I'd love for you to read along as I keep "Experiencing LIFE, One Day at a Time".

A little bit of this and a little bit of that

Hey y'all!

Well, it seems I can only get around to blogging about once a month now-a-days.  Oh well, at least I still keep it somewhat recent…. :)

By the time I get around to even thinking about writing, all I want to do is sit on the couch and watch ridiculous trashy TV or go straight to bed!  This new time change has me crawling into bed at about 8:30 every night and not feeling bad about that at all!  haha  Max did surprisingly well with the time change this year.  He actually slept the extra hour and woke up at his normal 6 a.m.  So, not too shabby.  I, however, was up at 5 since I'm so programmed now and laid there for an hour waiting on Max to wake up.  But, hey, I'll take it!  I rarely get to just lay in bed.

As you may have seen from my Facebook posts, Max has become quite the handful in the last week or so.  Shit really hit the fan when I had to attend a Halloween event put on by our squadron's Family Readiness Group (of which I'm the president!).  Of course, since Christian's gone, Max went with me and I had to chase him around the entire time and ultimately wasn't able to participate in the event at all.  That pissed me off and made me feel bad.  He was running away from me all of the hangar and towards the flight line (which he's NOT allowed on b/c of security).  Anytime I'd catch up to him to redirect him back over to the fun of the event, he'd pitch a royal fit and throw himself on the floor.  That happened close to 20 times.  So, I left an hour and half into the event and was just OVER IT!  And, that behavior has continued.  I know it's just a phase.  I get that.  But, that doesn't make it any easier when you are knee deep in said phase.  Same with having a newborn.  Like everyone says, "it gets easier", "it gets better"… of course it does.  But, I just need someone to say "this blows" along with me while I struggle to avoid child services being called on me.  hahaha

These "phases" of infancy, toddlerhood, childhood, teenage years, etc…. they all suck.  They all make you want to scream and they make you feel like you're a horrible mother who has no idea what you're doing.  When my sweet little Max switched into this little jerk, I wondered "what the heck did I do to make him like this?".  Have I given him too much free reign in the past because I thought that was the best way for him to learn and now he's taking it too far?  Am I just totally inept as a disciplinarian since NOTHING I do even phases him.  If I slap his hand, he slaps his other hand himself.  If I put him in timeout, he cries and cries and then the next time I threaten timeout, he casually walks to his timeout chair and sits there like it's no big deal.  What?!  Insanity.  That's what it is…. pure insanity.  I'll eventually figure it out.

But then, today, I feel like my Max is back.  Even though he was at Ms. Dorie's (an awesome woman who watches him on Wednesdays) most of the day, I didn't deal with a single tantrum!  Hallelujah!  We even went to the park and did several other things that would usually warrant him to freak the eff out but nope, not today.  He was compliant.  I know everything will probably switch again tomorrow or the next day.  But, I'm going to revel in the beauty of my amazing kid right now.  He is amazing.  Motherhood is amazing.  It's the hardest job I've ever had and I love it.  I would never want to be anything else more than being a mom.  It's such a HUGE job.  I mean, seriously, I'm responsible for molding a HUMAN BEING into the person he will ultimately be.  That's mind-blowing.  Seriously, a mother is the ultimate of all things on earth.  I'm not tooting my own horn or anything but it really is.  There is nothing as important in this world.  Sorry if I offend someone who believes passionately in their profession but I don't know that anyone could understand my stance unless they are a mother.  The patience it takes, the love it takes, the thought and compassion it takes… pure magic.

And, let me tell you something else that is pure magic.  The women in my neighborhood, our squadron and this military community who do all of this alone usually with no family within driving distance.  Their husbands are away serving this country and they're here to provide for their children, entertain them when it's raining on a Saturday, feed the pickiest eater, bathe the dirtiest fingers and toes, transport three kids to one's soccer game, rock the baby for hours at night b/c that the only way he'll sleep, kiss the tiny cheeks in the mornings, give big hugs after big falls, be the mom, be the dad, be the compassionate one, be the disciplinarian, teach the boys to pee standing up as best she can, help with the homework, comfort the sick, and the list goes on and on.  This is a group, a community, a family that I am proud to be a part of.  Christian has been gone at least 50% of the last three years.  It's not easy.  It's not fun.  There's nothing glamorous about it.  But, it's pretty amazing to know that I'm strong enough for this.  And to be surrounded by other women who are just as strong (and many are MUCH stronger) is so, so special.  I never in a million years could have imagined that I would love living on a military base and really being ingrained in the military lifestyle.  But, here I am and it's pretty awesome.

We have two and half more weeks before Christian gets home from the Middle East.  As soon as he gets back, we're flying straight down to Pensacola and I can't wait!  I'm so excited for Thanksgiving with the family and for Max to play with cousins and friends!  I'm excited to walk on the beach and to go to some of our favorite restaurants.  Three and half more years before we're back for good!  Retirement can't come soon enough!  :)

Anyway, I hope all of y'all have a wonderful week and hopefully you have a long holiday weekend coming up (Veteran's Day).

xoxo,

Chrissi

It's Fall Y'all.

Hey y'all!

Gosh, it's been a month and a half since I've written a post.  I know so many of you were waiting anxiously for my next post!  ;-)

Well, first thing, I'll update y'all on the medical stuff that I just kind of left hanging in my last post.  So, after pathology reports came back, it was determined that I did, in fact, have a partial molar pregnancy.  Basically, the science of that is that two sperm fertilized one egg and caused a big genetic hot mess.  It caused benign tumors to grow all over the placenta which eventually killed the baby.  So, I've been having weekly blood work to monitor my hormone levels to make sure all of that tissue was gone after the D&C and that it stays gone.  So, FINALLY, last week, my levels were a three which essentially means zero (anything less than a five = zero according to my doc).  So, here's hoping that it stays that low and doesn't rise back up.  If it did go back up, that would mean the cells have duplicated and the tissue is returning.  So, here's hoping.  Now that we're at a zero, we will wait another six months before getting pregnant just to make sure none of the tissue comes back.  It's such a long process and kind of a pain in the ass (and the arm with the bloodwork).  But, hopefully all is normal now and we won't have anymore issues.  So, that's that.

Now, on to more pleasant things.  We're getting into the Fall spirit up here in NJ.  Our weather has been just divine lately and it's actually a little warm this week.  But, my pumpkins are out and our columns are graced with dried corn stalks.  Mums are planted and the leaves are a beautiful orange and maroon all over the neighborhood.  Everything it great.  We're still LOVING our new home and neighborhood.  It's been so wonderful.  We basically live out in the farm lands.  We're about 30 minutes from "town" and rely heavily on the resources we have on base- like the commissary and exchange.  It's just tough to take a trip 30 minutes away and still maintain a decent nap schedule for Max.  But, it all works just fine.  Until our stupid government decided to shut down and now I HAVE to drive 30 minutes to a decent grocery store.  Blah.  But, that's about the extent of the affect this whole shutdown has had on us so we're pretty lucky.  We still get paid, my husband still goes to work, the planes still fly, and our housing still gets paid.  So, I can't complain.  It's just a shame that our government just sucks.  Seriously, it sucks.  And, both sides equally suck.  Suck, suck, suck.

Anyway, Max is still the coolest kid on earth (yes, I'm partial) and we've been having a lot of fun lately.  We've been riding bikes (hopefully you've seen the FB pics of his new bike... adorable), riding four-wheelers (both big and small), apple picking (41 lbs... what?!), tried a gymnastics class (never again... but at least it was free), and just hanging out.  He's a mess and a huge handful but so much fun.

My mom comes in town next week and I CAN'T WAIT!!!  I'm soooo excited.  She and I are going to take a mother/daughter day trip to NYC so she can see the city for the first time!  Woohoo!  I can't wait for her to see Max and watch him climb all over the play ground, ride his four-wheeler all the way around the block, how he gets a wild hair after bath time each night and how freakin' hilarious he is.  Have I mentioned how excited I am?!  I miss my momma!

Well, Max will be up from his nap any minute now so I better run.  Y'all have a great day!

xoxo,

Chrissi

I've found my silver lining.

First thing's first, I went to the doc for my post-op this morning and everything looks good with the pathology.  Initial reports suggest that it was a "missed abortion" (basically, a delayed or silent miscarriage) rather than a molar pregnancy.  But, I have to call back in about to week to get final results.  So, that's good news right now!

Anyway, I've always been the type to think "everything happens for a reason".  I truly believe this and have always tried to look for the reasons whether I blindly make them up to make myself feel better or if a reason blatantly reveals itself weeks, months or years later.  So, with this whole miscarriage thing, I knew there had to be a reason and maybe we would figure it out eventually.  But, within the last two weeks, I've found my silver lining of this dark cloud.  I feel normal again.  Back to Chrissi.  I honestly haven't felt this good about life, myself, my marriage, my husband, my future, etc since before Max was born.  I'm not sure if this shift was just coincidental or if it was really scientific/hormonal.  I asked my doc about it this morning and came close to balling my eyes out in pure joy that I feel back to my old self.  It's such a relief.  As many of you know, I had a tough time emotionally after Max was born but I never crossed that "Brooke Shields Line" as my doctor calls it.  So, I just kind of accepted that having a young child is hard and it weighs on you and your life kind of comes to a standstill for a couple years.  Then, I got pregnant and figured this is just how it was going to be for a couple MORE years.  Ugh.  So, I'm going to be totally honest and say that I wasn't 100 percent excited to be pregnant again.  Yes, we were trying and yes, we always wanted our kids two years apart.  But, damn, this shit is hard.  So, when the miscarriage happened, it was (I'm cringing as I type this) kind of a relief.  Then, when I had my procedure after the miscarriage and my hormones went back to normal, I thought, "oh my God, my life is back".  I actually feel like wearing something a little sexier than yoga pants every day now and not having my hair in a pony tail all the time.  I'm putting on pretty bras that I haven't worn since Max was born.  I actually feel like laying with my husband on the couch without worrying that I'm going to have to turn any of his advances down ONE MORE TIME, which is definitely not like the "old me".  (sorry Mom and Dad that you have to read that haha).  I'M BACK BABY!!!!!!!  And, I know Christian has to be so relieved to no longer be living with a bitch who is constantly annoyed with him.  Let's just hope this sticks.  haha

So anyway, I asked my doctor about this today.  I said, look, my son is 18 months and I'm just now starting to feel like a normal person and I feel like over all, all is right in my world.  Is this kind of standard or was I just effed up?  haha  He said it could have definitely been that this miscarriage kind of threw my body for a loop and then kind of knocked everything back into normal range.  Or, it could just be a coincidence.  He said a lot of women have issues during the first year after having a baby and sometimes it just lasts longer.  He told me to revel in this feeling and take advantage of it.  I told him that this newfound glory kind of makes me scared to get pregnant again because I don't want to go back to that emotional place.  So, he suggested maybe take six months off from thinking about expanding our family.  I'm down with that.  Christian and I have talked about when we think we might be ready again and it's kind of a que sera sera thing.  So, we'll see what happens, how things go, etc.  But, for now, I'm taking this and running with it.  Max is at such a cool age and is such an awesome kid.  He's great for any babysitter and plays so well.  That being said, I'm going to try and use sitters more often so I can get out and do things on my own and Christian and I can have more dates (once he gets back in the States next month).

I wanted to share this information.  I know some of you may think I'm bat-shit crazy for being such an open book but I think honesty is the best quality when it comes to being a mom.  It's so politically correct to say that everything is great and that being a mom is the most amazing thing in the world.  And, with Facebook, every new mom is always in pure bliss, right?  Frankly, I want to slap everyone of those new moms who post nothing but amazing stuff because all it is is FALSE ADVERTISEMENT.  In reality, it's hard, really hard.  It changes your life.  It humbles you and makes you realize that you are no longer the most important thing in your life.  But, you also have to remember that you are important.  Take care of yourself.  Do things for yourself.  If you feel like shit all the time, do something about it (medically, naturally or in whatever way you feel necessary).  I'm not going to be a hypocrite and say "go hire a sitter/family member to keep the baby/kid for x amount of time each week" because I'm JUST NOW getting comfortable with someone other than my husband or mom watching Max.  So, I can't offer that advice since I've never taken it myself.  But, I will admit, once you are comfortable with it, it's quite amazing.  ;-)

So, now I'm going to go sit down and have a nice, quiet lunch all by myself since Max is napping.  Otherwise, I'd be scarfing down a microwaved leftover piece of pizza while begging a defiant toddler to take "two more bites" of his lunch.  Enjoy your day!  And, hang in there, mommas.

Chrissi

Back to Life

Hey y'all,

Just wanted to send an update on all that has been going on.  I had my D&E on Friday and all went well.  I felt fine that evening and was told to resume pretty much regular activity the next day.  So, I did!  We've had amazing weather this weekend so we've spent a lot of time outside and with friends.  Christian and I got each other bikes for Mother's Day and Father's Day and finally got around to picking them out and buying them this weekend.  We got Max a seat for the back of my bike and he loves it!  So, we've been doing a lot of riding, too!

Anyway, everything with my procedure went well and we should know the pathology results this week to determine if it was, in fact, a molar pregnancy.  If it was, then I'll have to just have my hormones monitored for the next 6 months or so to make sure none of that tissue grows back.  I'll go back to the doc in about two weeks for my post-op and get a plan of action then.  Everything should be fine.

Emotionally, we're doing really well.  I feel a little strange for having almost no emotional reaction to this (other than the moment I found out) but I just feel like it's something that was meant to happen and it's nothing I can change.  So, why worry?  I think if this would have been our first pregnancy, I would have been absolutely devastated.  So hard.  But, I'm utterly in love with my Max and he keeps me busy and on my toes so I have plenty to keep me busy right now.  Christian is doing well too.  I think we both have the same attitude towards this.  I keep asking him if he's really OK and I'm pretty certain that he is.  :)  So, it's just one of those things.  I think we're going to wait a few months to try again (whether we medically have to or not).  We're just going to take this time and focus on our family of three.  We have a big trip to Europe next month, a trip to New Hampshire in October and then the holidays right around the corner.  So, we'll be busy.  :)

Christian's detachment starts next Monday so that's kind of a bummer.  But, I'm hoping my mom comes up one weekend to keep me company!  Almost all of my girlfriends up here are also going to be husband-less because their hubs are all leaving on the same trip too!  So, I'll be in good company.  We already all have a moms' night out planned and we actually all got babysitters!  Yay!  haha

Anyway, just wanted to send an update and let y'all know that we're a-ok.  We have more gorgeous weather (sunny with a high of 79!) today so Max and I will be hanging outside.

xoxo,

Chrissi

another dose of big news... only, this time, it's not so great.

Well, today I went for my first trimester screening where they check for any genetic defects in the baby like Down Syndrome, etc.  Unfortunately, at 13 weeks, we no longer have a heartbeat.  The doctor talked to me after the ultrasound and explained that he thinks I have what they call a "partial molar pregnancy".  Basically, there was an genetic issue with the fertilization process and if the baby would have survived pregnancy, there would have been severe defects.  So, sometimes these things happen and while it may not make sense as to "why us", it's just part of the plan.

It sucks.  I was by myself at the appointment and that was hard.  Christian was home with Max so he wasn't with me.  I knew something was going on when I didn't hear a heartbeat while she was doing the ultrasound and the baby didn't move at all.  I even asked the tech if there was a heartbeat when she was walking out of the room and she said "I'll have to look at all of the pictures".  Well, I'm no dummy and I know you can tell if there's a heartbeat while you're on the machine.  But, I know she's just the tech and probably can't tell me that kind of thing.  So, she came back and said the doc wanted to talk to me.  So, I spoke with him and he showed me all of the pictures and explained the molar pregnancy and that even if the baby had a heartbeat, the pregnancy would need to be terminated.  So, in a way, I'm thankful that, since there is no heartbeat, I don't have to make the decision to terminate my pregnancy.  That's a relief.

So, now I'm waiting to hear from my doctor to see what the next steps are.  Since I'm so far along, I'll have to have a D&C to clean out my uterus.  The little research that Christian and I have done says that you shouldn't get pregnant for another 6-12 months so that's a pretty big bummer.  I guess we won't definitely know if this is actually a molar pregnancy until the docs test my placenta after the D&C.  But, it's all we have right now.

I hate that we JUST told everyone and now we have to give the bad news.  I hate that I had just really started to get excited about this and not really scared.  I hate that the two-year age gap that we always wanted is no longer going to happen.  But, everything happens for a reason, right?  Christian and I are ok.  We still have a zillion questions for my doctors and really just wonder "why?".  I can't imagine having a baby with severe defects so in that sense, I know this was all part of God's plan.  We'll be fine and Max will make an awesome big brother when the right time comes.  For now, I'm just going to love on my little man like crazy and be thankful that I have his happy, healthy face to come home to.

Anyway, I just wanted to do a blanket memo because, frankly, I don't want to get to that awkward conversation where someone asks me how the pregnancy is going and I have to say that I've had a miscarriage.  No fun, right.

So, y'all have a good day.  I'll fill you in more once we hear back from the doctors.

xoxo,

Chrissi

Big news!

Hey y'all!

I hope everyone is doing well!  We're finally in our house and actually settled in pretty well.  We are loving our house and neighborhood and neighbors.  Everything is great!  The only thing that's hard to get used to is the fact that we're at least 20-30 minutes from anything (besides the commissary on base). So, that's not super fun but hey, it saves money, right?  No more daily random trips to Target for nothing in particular and leaving with over $50 worth of stuff.  haha  But, all-in-all, we're loving it and so is Max.  There are tons of kids in the neighborhood who are always outside so that's awesome.

The weather has been so nice up here the past few days.  On Thursday, the high was about 68 and it was amazing!!!  It was about 82-85 yesterday and today so it's been great.  Windows open in the morning and evening just make life so enjoyable!  :)

Christian has been home for a while now and doesn't have any trips planned until he leaves for det on August 12th.  So, that's been great.  It will be a little adjustment when he leaves since, like I said, we're so far from everything.  But, we'll make it work and go to the playground a lot!  I'm hoping to get a bike with a seat for Max before Christian leaves so we can go for long bike rides to kill time and get outside.

I'm going to NYC next Saturday with two of my girlfriends for one of their birthdays!  We're staying the night so this will be the first time I've ever been away from Max overnight and I'm having a little (actually a lot) anxiety about it.  I know he'll be 100 percent fine with Christian but I'm going to miss him SOOOOO much!  :(  But, NYC will be fun.

Well, anyway, let me get to the point of my post!  :)  I think everyone who actually gets this blog emailed to them already knows but I figured I'd make it "internet official".  :)  Soooooo.... Christian and I are expecting baby number two!  Due date is Feb. 6th and we're super excited!  The kids will be almost exactly two years apart and that's what we've always wanted so it's great.  To tell you the truth, I'm also pretty terrified.  I know how hard the first few months of a baby's life are and I can only imagine how much more complex it will be to add a toddler into that newborn crazy mix.  But, we'll make it.  haha  I'm so excited to see Max as a big brother.  I already ask him "where's momma's baby?" and he'll point to my belly.  :)  He's so smart and so funny.  I can't imagine loving anything/anyone more than that little boy but I hear your heart just grows to fit that extra love in.  That's pretty amazing.  When I first found out I was pregnant, even though we were trying for number 2, I cried a lot about Max no longer being my only baby and how he was going to handle it, etc, etc.  I still worry that I won't get much alone time with my little man once baby comes but I'm sure it will all even out.  If anyone has any support or encouragement in that respect, I'd love to hear it!

I've chosen a new OB up here and decided to deliver at a different hospital from where Max was born.  I'm delivering at a hospital that has the Baby Friendly designation from the World Health Organization and UNICEF.  It's basically more focused on natural mother/baby bonding and extremely breastfeeding friendly.  So, I'm excited to see how different the experience will be.  I've heard it's night and day difference so it will be interesting!  A friend of mine who lives around here is due with her second soon and she has also chosen to deliver at a Baby Friendly hospital so I'll hear all about her experience soon!  :)

So, that's our news!  It's been a crazy few months for us, to say the least!  But, what else would anyone expect from the Jenkins family, right?!  haha  But, we're extremely happy to be settled in a great house with plenty of room (and central AC!).  :)

Anyway, y'all have a great week coming up!  Talk soon,

Chrissi  :)

just an old vagabond these days....

Well, we're still (im)patiently waiting to move into our house.  I talked to the housing office yesterday morning and our leasing agent told me that the house was going into turnover maintenance yesterday.  So, we're supposed to get an official move-in date today.  I'm thinking it will be within the week.  If not, I may lose my mind.  :)  But, I will say, the temporary lodging facility that we're in is very nice.  It's a two bedroom apartment that's fully furnished and has a full kitchen.  So, life isn't too bad.

I drove by our house last week and I love it and our neighborhood!  We're actually right off base in the largest base housing neighborhood.  It has playgrounds on just about every corner, a community pool, and large open space for picnics and festivals.  There's also a great farmers' market every Thursday this summer and fall in one of those big open spaces.  It's going to be great.  I just can't wait!

I'm working on finding a new babysitter for Max.  One thing I'm going to check out this Friday is a fellow military wife who is a licensed and insured in-home childcare provider sponsored by the base.  She has to have her house inspected once a month and serve certain kinds of foods.  It's also limited to six children at a time.  She lives in the neighborhood we're moving into.  I'm on the fence about this but I'm going to go check it out and meet her to see what it's all about.  It would just be for random appointments that I have when I can't take Max and Christian isn't home.  But, I still need to find another babysitter for date-nights and stuff like that.  So, I'm on the search.

Also, we're planning on starting Max in pre-school this fall for two mornings a week.  I toured the school earlier this year and it's great.  I know Max would love it and I think he'd learn a lot.  It's called The Goddard School.  They're nationally recognized and very structured.  So, I just have to figure out the best time for him to start.  We're planning on going to Europe again this fall so I may just wait until after we get back since we'll most likely be gone for a couple of weeks.

Well, that's about all I have for now.  I'll post again once we get in our house and include some pics!

xoxo,

Chrissi