Yep, you guessed it... he's still not home. It's 5am on our anniversary. He called last night & said it looks like Tuesday morning they'll be able to head home. If he does get home today, it most likely won't be until pretty late. No guarantee... and even if he does make it back, he's going to be exhausted... so we're not going to go out to dinner like I had hoped.
I don't really want anything for my anniversary... a card would be nice, I guess... but what I really need is my husband home.
*** UPDATE ***
It's now almost 8:30pm... and he's not coming home tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Whatever.
He sent me flowers... and they are beautiful... but I seriously want to throw them in the trash. I'm just not in a very good mood right now.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Sunday, September 03, 2006
*sigh* Our Labor Day weekend...
... sucks. To be honest.
Tom went to work last Thursday at 8am, expecting to be back home around 4pm. Well. Guess that didn't happen. :( They had plane trouble and he is stuck at the south end of Japan, waiting on a new engine and the mechanics to work on the plane to come from here. Left Thursday morning... still not home late Sunday.
!#$%%^&&*%&$^%#!&**(%*$^##^%*(%!
He *thinks* he'll be home tomorrow sometime. THINKS. I'm not holding my breath that he'll even be home for our anniversary on Tuesday.
Tom went to work last Thursday at 8am, expecting to be back home around 4pm. Well. Guess that didn't happen. :( They had plane trouble and he is stuck at the south end of Japan, waiting on a new engine and the mechanics to work on the plane to come from here. Left Thursday morning... still not home late Sunday.
!#$%%^&&*%&$^%#!&**(%*$^##^%*(%!
He *thinks* he'll be home tomorrow sometime. THINKS. I'm not holding my breath that he'll even be home for our anniversary on Tuesday.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
I SURVIVED!!!!
Dewayne drove my car last night. :eek:
After he adjusted my seat WAY back (read: Mom is short. hmph.) and got started, he did pretty well... surprised me! :) I had to explain that he can't drive with two feet... insurance claim for whiplash will be filed next week... and that curves have that "slow down" sign for a reason (:eek: Look out for that cement wall over here on the side of the road!!)... but all in all, I survived!!!!
His girlfriend was with us. When I pulled over for him to drive, she asked for my cell phone... ya know... just in case she sees we're about to die, she can call her family and say goodbye... bwahahahaaaaa!!!
It was quite the little adventure! (not gonna mention the life-flashing-before-my-eyes feeling, k?!)
After he adjusted my seat WAY back (read: Mom is short. hmph.) and got started, he did pretty well... surprised me! :) I had to explain that he can't drive with two feet... insurance claim for whiplash will be filed next week... and that curves have that "slow down" sign for a reason (:eek: Look out for that cement wall over here on the side of the road!!)... but all in all, I survived!!!!
His girlfriend was with us. When I pulled over for him to drive, she asked for my cell phone... ya know... just in case she sees we're about to die, she can call her family and say goodbye... bwahahahaaaaa!!!
It was quite the little adventure! (not gonna mention the life-flashing-before-my-eyes feeling, k?!)
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Who knew?!
Honestly... who knew shopping for a lunch box would be so fun!!!!! I went shopping downtown today. Started out looking for a bento box (Japanese lunch box) but ended up wandering all over the whole shopping mall. The Seiyu (pronounced say-you) is like a Wal-mart type store.... a little of everything! There's a Starbuck's and a grocery store as well as all sorts of house stuff, electronics and little vendors.
I wandered up and down every aisle. It was so fun!!! Seeing all the little gadgets and kitchen storage stuff.... the school supplies... all the packages in Japanese. Half of the stuff, I really had NO idea what it was or how I'd use it!
I wandered up and down every aisle. It was so fun!!! Seeing all the little gadgets and kitchen storage stuff.... the school supplies... all the packages in Japanese. Half of the stuff, I really had NO idea what it was or how I'd use it!
Time is just zipping by....
And I don't like it!!!!
My oldest son started school this week... as a junior in high school. Exactly when did this happen???? When did I get this old???? :cry: And if that wasn't enough of a shock, he took his driving permit class today. Well, in all fairness, if we were in the States, he'd already have his license... but here, he has to take a 4 hour class for his permit, then a 6 week driving course. That course starts in October. He is supposed to start driving with an adult now. :cry: (ok, not sure if I'm more upset because he's growing up or scared that I have to ride with him! :EEK:) heehee
I also realized there's less than a month before Tom leaves. Really not ready for that. He's going on one small trip before the "big day" so our time together is going to be cut short. I was a little upset when I found out this little trip is going to be the week that Noah starts preschool and soccer. His Daddy will miss both of those HUGE days. Add that to the fact that he will be leaving for months, missing Noah's birthday and Christmas.... and yeah.... :cry:
There has been some good news this week though! My dad went back to the doctor on Saturday... he's doing much better. Seems the antibiotics worked for the awful infection... and all the kidney stones have passed. His blood pressure is still pretty high, so now he's got to take medication to bring it down. For now, he's doing great.
And Tom's aunt, Carm, in Iowa, had surgery last week. She is doing great... up walking and eating good. Tom's mom is there with her and says the doctor is letting her go home on Friday. YAY!
My own personal little snippet... my new camera lenses are going to be here soon!!!! woohoo!!!! I am so excited to get them and start playing with the zoom lens before Noah starts playing soccer!!!!
My oldest son started school this week... as a junior in high school. Exactly when did this happen???? When did I get this old???? :cry: And if that wasn't enough of a shock, he took his driving permit class today. Well, in all fairness, if we were in the States, he'd already have his license... but here, he has to take a 4 hour class for his permit, then a 6 week driving course. That course starts in October. He is supposed to start driving with an adult now. :cry: (ok, not sure if I'm more upset because he's growing up or scared that I have to ride with him! :EEK:) heehee
I also realized there's less than a month before Tom leaves. Really not ready for that. He's going on one small trip before the "big day" so our time together is going to be cut short. I was a little upset when I found out this little trip is going to be the week that Noah starts preschool and soccer. His Daddy will miss both of those HUGE days. Add that to the fact that he will be leaving for months, missing Noah's birthday and Christmas.... and yeah.... :cry:
There has been some good news this week though! My dad went back to the doctor on Saturday... he's doing much better. Seems the antibiotics worked for the awful infection... and all the kidney stones have passed. His blood pressure is still pretty high, so now he's got to take medication to bring it down. For now, he's doing great.
And Tom's aunt, Carm, in Iowa, had surgery last week. She is doing great... up walking and eating good. Tom's mom is there with her and says the doctor is letting her go home on Friday. YAY!
My own personal little snippet... my new camera lenses are going to be here soon!!!! woohoo!!!! I am so excited to get them and start playing with the zoom lens before Noah starts playing soccer!!!!
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Will I ever get better about updating?!
Seems like I go weeks without even thinking about posting anything new... then when I have something I'd like to share, I don't have the time to sit down and type it all out. Go figure!
Life has been a whirlwind lately... I'll hit the high points of the summer.
In mid June, my stepson Preston and my mother-in-law Marybeth, came to visit us here in Japan. They were here for 6 weeks. We spent a lot of time just hanging out together. There were also some trips to local sites. Tom took them and Andrew to Mt. Fuji. Tom, Preston and Andrew climbed to Station 7 on Mt. Fuji, while Marybeth stayed at the Station 5 tourist center. Marybeth and I went into downtown Tokyo for a day.... just enjoying the city and walking around. Tom also took them to the military lodge area near the base. Tama is beautiful and they enjoyed getting away from the base for the weekend. Marybeth was amazed by the traffic here. The streets are tiny and pedestrians are everywhere.... it is quite an adventure to drive here! :)
After their visit was over in late July, things kicked into high gear! We started preparing for Dewayne to start 11th grade, Noah to start preschool and Andrew to get started with 7th grade homeschooling.
Dewayne has his school schedule all mapped out. We visited the high school last week to finalize his choices for elective classes. He will continue to take computer programming and visual arts type courses. He really enjoys television programming and computer graphics. I hope he will keep going if this is what he wants to do in life. School starts on August 29th.
Andrew has done some review work to get ready to start our new school year. The last year has been reviewing and getting him up to grade level. Now, this year, we are going to be moving forward to the next grade. I'll admit it... I'm scared to death! :) Teaching was never my intention. I simply wanted to prepare him for school and get him back on track. But, he is doing well with the homeschooling and I think he'd slip backward if he went to school right now. We are going to join the Yokota Homeschoolers group. They have monthly field trips and group gatherings. I think this will help Andrew socialize a bit and give me some support if I have questions or have trouble with any specific subject. He's excited about the group activities and a little relieved that he isn't going straight into middle school without getting to know anyone here at this base.
Noah is growing like a weed. He is getting so tall. And just last week... miracle of miracles... he decided in one day that he was done with diapers. In less than 24 hours, that boy was totally potty trained!!! We've had NO accidents, day or night!! The first time we went out after he decided on going to the potty, was to a festival here at the base. I tried to talk him into using a pull-up... but nooOOOooooOOooo.... he wouldn't even consider it! It's underwear all the way now! ;) And great timing too! He will be starting preschool on September 12th. I get all teary-eyed everytime I think about it! I am excited for him to be around other kids his age, and to spend some time away from me so he can be a little independent... but at the same time... :cry: He is my baby. And I just hope he stays this excited about going. When we went to register, he took the "tour" and didn't want to leave! He also had a great time going shopping for new shoes, a backpack and some school supplies!
As if sending my baby off to preschool wasn't heartbreaking enough :) ... he is also going to start playing soccer in September! I cannot wait to see him out there running around with 20 other 3-year-olds! heehee... I just hope my new zoom lense arrives before the first game!
Tom is busy with work. He's been gone a lot... several short trips. He has one more trip sometime in the next few weeks. Then. He will be deployed. It is such a strange emotional situation. I am scared beyond explanation... and I am proud of him for what he does and the man he is every day. And I am sad. He will miss Thanksgiving, Noah's 4th birthday and Christmas. I was really excited about having a real family holiday in our own home. Every year is spent traveling to Florida to see Preston and my family. This year we aren't traveling so I was looking forward to putting up the tree and having everyone come downstairs in their jammies on Christmas morning to unwrap presents. I know it's a little thing. There are much more important issues to worry about, but this one tugs at my heart a little. I will be scared for my husband and think about just how many days he will be gone later. Right now, this is my focus. Tomorrow... it'll be something else.
In the meantime, I have the boys and our hectic little life here to focus on. :)
Life has been a whirlwind lately... I'll hit the high points of the summer.
In mid June, my stepson Preston and my mother-in-law Marybeth, came to visit us here in Japan. They were here for 6 weeks. We spent a lot of time just hanging out together. There were also some trips to local sites. Tom took them and Andrew to Mt. Fuji. Tom, Preston and Andrew climbed to Station 7 on Mt. Fuji, while Marybeth stayed at the Station 5 tourist center. Marybeth and I went into downtown Tokyo for a day.... just enjoying the city and walking around. Tom also took them to the military lodge area near the base. Tama is beautiful and they enjoyed getting away from the base for the weekend. Marybeth was amazed by the traffic here. The streets are tiny and pedestrians are everywhere.... it is quite an adventure to drive here! :)
After their visit was over in late July, things kicked into high gear! We started preparing for Dewayne to start 11th grade, Noah to start preschool and Andrew to get started with 7th grade homeschooling.
Dewayne has his school schedule all mapped out. We visited the high school last week to finalize his choices for elective classes. He will continue to take computer programming and visual arts type courses. He really enjoys television programming and computer graphics. I hope he will keep going if this is what he wants to do in life. School starts on August 29th.
Andrew has done some review work to get ready to start our new school year. The last year has been reviewing and getting him up to grade level. Now, this year, we are going to be moving forward to the next grade. I'll admit it... I'm scared to death! :) Teaching was never my intention. I simply wanted to prepare him for school and get him back on track. But, he is doing well with the homeschooling and I think he'd slip backward if he went to school right now. We are going to join the Yokota Homeschoolers group. They have monthly field trips and group gatherings. I think this will help Andrew socialize a bit and give me some support if I have questions or have trouble with any specific subject. He's excited about the group activities and a little relieved that he isn't going straight into middle school without getting to know anyone here at this base.
Noah is growing like a weed. He is getting so tall. And just last week... miracle of miracles... he decided in one day that he was done with diapers. In less than 24 hours, that boy was totally potty trained!!! We've had NO accidents, day or night!! The first time we went out after he decided on going to the potty, was to a festival here at the base. I tried to talk him into using a pull-up... but nooOOOooooOOooo.... he wouldn't even consider it! It's underwear all the way now! ;) And great timing too! He will be starting preschool on September 12th. I get all teary-eyed everytime I think about it! I am excited for him to be around other kids his age, and to spend some time away from me so he can be a little independent... but at the same time... :cry: He is my baby. And I just hope he stays this excited about going. When we went to register, he took the "tour" and didn't want to leave! He also had a great time going shopping for new shoes, a backpack and some school supplies!
As if sending my baby off to preschool wasn't heartbreaking enough :) ... he is also going to start playing soccer in September! I cannot wait to see him out there running around with 20 other 3-year-olds! heehee... I just hope my new zoom lense arrives before the first game!
Tom is busy with work. He's been gone a lot... several short trips. He has one more trip sometime in the next few weeks. Then. He will be deployed. It is such a strange emotional situation. I am scared beyond explanation... and I am proud of him for what he does and the man he is every day. And I am sad. He will miss Thanksgiving, Noah's 4th birthday and Christmas. I was really excited about having a real family holiday in our own home. Every year is spent traveling to Florida to see Preston and my family. This year we aren't traveling so I was looking forward to putting up the tree and having everyone come downstairs in their jammies on Christmas morning to unwrap presents. I know it's a little thing. There are much more important issues to worry about, but this one tugs at my heart a little. I will be scared for my husband and think about just how many days he will be gone later. Right now, this is my focus. Tomorrow... it'll be something else.
In the meantime, I have the boys and our hectic little life here to focus on. :)
Monday, June 12, 2006
Sometimes it's really freaky...
There are some days that I am just amazed by how much Amy & I have in common... and how much we are alike when it comes to our kids! Perfect example: her oldest, Caleb, hurt his foot last night and she reacted EXACTLY like I would. I got all worried when she said he was hurt... Thank goodness he's ok, but it so reminded me of my own boys!
And just a little bit ago, she told me her youngest is finally going potty... YAY! Since when am I so excited about someone else's kid going to the bathroom?!?! I feel like I know these two monkeys!!! Like they are nephews or something!
I guess I never EVER thought I would think this much of a friendship that is seperated by so many miles. I mean, we talk daily on the computer... but have only really met for one weekend at a scrapbook crop. As a military spouse, I meet new friends every few years. I do still keep in touch with some of the people I met years and years ago, but not on a regular basis. I usually meet new people at the new base & start drifting from the friends at the old base. But, this is different... my internet connection is SO important. I'm sure I will meet people at this new base, but I will still sign in to MSN messenger so Amy & I can chat while we hang out on ScrapLove!!!
And just a little bit ago, she told me her youngest is finally going potty... YAY! Since when am I so excited about someone else's kid going to the bathroom?!?! I feel like I know these two monkeys!!! Like they are nephews or something!
I guess I never EVER thought I would think this much of a friendship that is seperated by so many miles. I mean, we talk daily on the computer... but have only really met for one weekend at a scrapbook crop. As a military spouse, I meet new friends every few years. I do still keep in touch with some of the people I met years and years ago, but not on a regular basis. I usually meet new people at the new base & start drifting from the friends at the old base. But, this is different... my internet connection is SO important. I'm sure I will meet people at this new base, but I will still sign in to MSN messenger so Amy & I can chat while we hang out on ScrapLove!!!
Saturday, June 10, 2006
The mind of a 3-year-old...
... is quite amusing! Noah has been so creative lately. He talks non-stop (nothing new there!) and he is now making up stories to tell me when he's "reading" a book, playing with toys and making up scenarios... oh, and now he's got imaginary friends going on walks with us! After a few days of his great stories and our entertaining talks, I decided to start typing up the conversations so I wouldn't forget them by the time I got to that scrapbook page! This is what I typed up after one such chat:
"Sometimes the best part of my day is our afternoon walk around the block! You have always been a talker, but on our walks, you talk non-stop about anything and everything! Today was no exception. You were riding in the wagon, and all of a sudden, you started yelling “Here Sammy… here Sammy… come here Sammy” like you were calling a dog or cat. Well, since our dog is named Domino and in another country right now, I figured it was safe to assume you weren’t calling him! After about three rounds of calling Sammy, I finally asked you about it. This was our conversation:
Me: Who is Sammy?
You: My friend.
Where is Sammy? (I didn’t want to say he or she because I didn’t know which!)
He is over there. (and you pointed to a grassy spot by a tree… I saw no one.)
Really?! What does Sammy look like?
Look. He’s over there. (like I’m stupid… since I was asking & Sammy is RIGHT there. Duh!)
ok…
Sammy is gonna ride in the wagon too.
ok. How much does Sammy weigh… this wagon is kinda heavy! (hey, I’m outta shape, give me a break here!)
He’s thhhiiiiiiiis big… (and you put your hand outside the wagon to show Sammy is about 6 inches tall from the ground)
Ok, then… tell Sammy to climb in.
No, Sammy wants to walk.
Do you want to walk too?
No. I’m gonna hold Sammy’s rope.
Rope?
Yep. Sammy can jump.
He can?
Yep. Way up to the sky. He can grab the moon. Planets too.
Planets too?! Wow. Sammy can jump high!
Sometimes. And the rope goes “boing!” when he jumps.
The rope stretches that far when he jumps?
Really, really far.
That must be some rope!?
It’s orange.
Oh. Ok then. (huh?!)
Can I have a popsicle?
Sure, as soon as we get home. Would Sammy like one too?
Sammy left.
Ah…. Till tomorrow!"
"Sometimes the best part of my day is our afternoon walk around the block! You have always been a talker, but on our walks, you talk non-stop about anything and everything! Today was no exception. You were riding in the wagon, and all of a sudden, you started yelling “Here Sammy… here Sammy… come here Sammy” like you were calling a dog or cat. Well, since our dog is named Domino and in another country right now, I figured it was safe to assume you weren’t calling him! After about three rounds of calling Sammy, I finally asked you about it. This was our conversation:
Me: Who is Sammy?
You: My friend.
Where is Sammy? (I didn’t want to say he or she because I didn’t know which!)
He is over there. (and you pointed to a grassy spot by a tree… I saw no one.)
Really?! What does Sammy look like?
Look. He’s over there. (like I’m stupid… since I was asking & Sammy is RIGHT there. Duh!)
ok…
Sammy is gonna ride in the wagon too.
ok. How much does Sammy weigh… this wagon is kinda heavy! (hey, I’m outta shape, give me a break here!)
He’s thhhiiiiiiiis big… (and you put your hand outside the wagon to show Sammy is about 6 inches tall from the ground)
Ok, then… tell Sammy to climb in.
No, Sammy wants to walk.
Do you want to walk too?
No. I’m gonna hold Sammy’s rope.
Rope?
Yep. Sammy can jump.
He can?
Yep. Way up to the sky. He can grab the moon. Planets too.
Planets too?! Wow. Sammy can jump high!
Sometimes. And the rope goes “boing!” when he jumps.
The rope stretches that far when he jumps?
Really, really far.
That must be some rope!?
It’s orange.
Oh. Ok then. (huh?!)
Can I have a popsicle?
Sure, as soon as we get home. Would Sammy like one too?
Sammy left.
Ah…. Till tomorrow!"
Monday, May 15, 2006
I know... I know....
It's been WAY too long! There has just been too much going on to take the time to blog about it!
We are getting settled in our new home in Japan! The base is beautiful. The surrounding area is great and the people have been the most amazing of any base we've ever been stationed. It truly feels like this is where we belong. I already love it here. The overall family-oriented atmosphere makes me wish we had come here sooner.
The boys are doing great with all the change. Dewayne met a group of guys at the skateboard park the weekend before school started so he didn't feel so much like the "new kid" when he started school here. Andrew loves having his own room and rarely ever wants to leave it! :) They shared a room for 5 years so this is HUGE to him! Noah has done super with all the chaos. I wasn't expecting the 3-year-old to handle it all so well. He still isn't so sure this is really "our house" but he's loving the park that is just 50 ft from our back door! He stands in his room, looking out the window at the park! The only downside to our new house is that the doors are somewhat different than doors in the States... our back door is basically 3 sliding glass doors all linked together. You can unhook two latches and open up our whole living room wall! Noah figured that out the first hour we were here. Now it's a challenge to keep him IN the house! We must figure out a way to block those doors so we don't have a runaway in the middle of the night! ;)
Tom has started work... but it's mostly meetings and briefings. He won't really get to "work" for another week. The people he works with have been so wonderful about helping us get settled. I think Tom is just ready to get back into the groove of things! I'm sure he misses it all.
I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Spouses Appreciation Day here at the squadron. These people know how to show appreciation! :) I got to take a flying tour of this amazing place. I saw Mt. Fuji on a beautifully clear day. We also saw the greater Tokyo area and the coastline. Wow. I don't think I have ever been so mesmerized by the site of a big hill! There was such a great group of women. I felt like I just fit in... no awkwardness at all. At the previous bases, there was so much negativity. None at all here! Everyone was so helpful and chatty! I learned where to get my hair cut, what beach to go to down on the coast, who to call if I need anything when my husband is out of town, and that this is one big family. We are home.
We are getting settled in our new home in Japan! The base is beautiful. The surrounding area is great and the people have been the most amazing of any base we've ever been stationed. It truly feels like this is where we belong. I already love it here. The overall family-oriented atmosphere makes me wish we had come here sooner.
The boys are doing great with all the change. Dewayne met a group of guys at the skateboard park the weekend before school started so he didn't feel so much like the "new kid" when he started school here. Andrew loves having his own room and rarely ever wants to leave it! :) They shared a room for 5 years so this is HUGE to him! Noah has done super with all the chaos. I wasn't expecting the 3-year-old to handle it all so well. He still isn't so sure this is really "our house" but he's loving the park that is just 50 ft from our back door! He stands in his room, looking out the window at the park! The only downside to our new house is that the doors are somewhat different than doors in the States... our back door is basically 3 sliding glass doors all linked together. You can unhook two latches and open up our whole living room wall! Noah figured that out the first hour we were here. Now it's a challenge to keep him IN the house! We must figure out a way to block those doors so we don't have a runaway in the middle of the night! ;)
Tom has started work... but it's mostly meetings and briefings. He won't really get to "work" for another week. The people he works with have been so wonderful about helping us get settled. I think Tom is just ready to get back into the groove of things! I'm sure he misses it all.
I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Spouses Appreciation Day here at the squadron. These people know how to show appreciation! :) I got to take a flying tour of this amazing place. I saw Mt. Fuji on a beautifully clear day. We also saw the greater Tokyo area and the coastline. Wow. I don't think I have ever been so mesmerized by the site of a big hill! There was such a great group of women. I felt like I just fit in... no awkwardness at all. At the previous bases, there was so much negativity. None at all here! Everyone was so helpful and chatty! I learned where to get my hair cut, what beach to go to down on the coast, who to call if I need anything when my husband is out of town, and that this is one big family. We are home.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Long time, no post!
It's been a while since I updated... but I have a valid excuse! I've been busy... crazy busy!
We are done with all the packing/moving in Texas. Left there last week. We're in Ohio right now, headed to Florida tomorrow! Visiting family and friends is sure better than all the packing!
More later...
We are done with all the packing/moving in Texas. Left there last week. We're in Ohio right now, headed to Florida tomorrow! Visiting family and friends is sure better than all the packing!
More later...
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