We're Here!

We arrived safe and sound here in Okinawa Monday night. The flights went really well and the kids did great. The animals survived the flights and the poor things are still at the kennels until we get our house which we found out should be next Thursday.

About the house. Its tiny, why did I ever complain about my old house. We are only going to be given a three bedroom home. Had Carter been a girl we would get a four bedroom, how does that seem fair? Oh well, we will make it work. We haven't been able to see a whole bunch of the island yet. We still need to purchase a car but first have to pass our driving test. Which is Friday and then I think we get our license on Monday or something like that. Though one of the ladies Joe works with has let us borrow their car so we are already practicing. Shush....don't tell! For driving on the other side of the road we are doing quite well.

Well, I must get going. I am at the community center

The BIG day has come.

I am here once again in the lobby of the hotel writing to you. You see tomorrow is the big day and I can hardly contain myself.

We left Pope AFB, North Carolina yesterday morning to drive down here to Charleston AFB, SC to drop of our car. We can't take our car with us so it must be stored for the next three years. We were stressed for time driving here Friday. The port where the car must be stored closed at 3:30 and Joe's final check out was at 10. Mapquest said it would take 3 hours and 40 minutes and we had to get to our hotel first to drop off all the luggage.

Why did we have to drop off the luggage first you ask? Because you would have thought we brought everything but the kitchen sink with us. I took this photo to show you just how much we had. Though now that I have examined it, I see there are a few items missing from the photo. There was a big debate as to whether everything would fit or not. Joe called around to some car rental places and there was nothing available but a tiny car. We wanted a big SUV or minivan to drive around after we dropped the car off at storage and something to help fit all the luggage in. I asked Joe what the price of the tiny car was and it was going to cost just under two hundred dollars. I told him, I can pack the Tahoe I can make it work. So here is a photo of everything.

• 11 suitcases
• 1 duffel bag suitcase
• Pack and Play
• Stroller
• 3 carseats - 3 children sitting in buckled carseats just in case you think we just shoved them in ;)
• 1 dog and cage
• 1 cat and cage
• 1 litter box
• Chaser's bouncy chair
• 2 kid backpacks
• 1 adult backpack
• 1 Bumbo seat for Chase
• 1 carseat duffel bag
• 1 plate of brownies

Quite a bit huh?  I wish I would have taken a picture of it all in the car but like I said we were so strapped for time that Bryson burst into tears before I would stop to let him pee.  We did make it in time and had to take a taxi from the port to the airport to pick up our rental car and now we are driving in style.

We are driving the new Ford Flex and the kids love that they have a sunroof over their heads.  The back compartment has a button that opens that back so Bryson likes to sit in the third row so he can use it has a door.  We will be sad to turn it in tomorrow.....Tomorrow...I still can't get over it.

Well, I must get back to our house and finish collecting our stuff again.  I guess the next time I post we will be on the other side of the world.

3 months

Boy has a lot happened this past month. It was your most important one yet. With the most important being that you met your daddy for the first time and you actually liked him. Then the rest as follows:

• Meeting daddy for the first time.
• Visiting family in New Mexico
• The movers coming and moving us out of our house.
• You giggle but not often
• Your smiles are contagious
• Your not overly vocal yet
• But you do talk a little more than last month
• We bought you a bumbo that you like
• You love your play time with your daddy
• Daddy knocked you on eye with his elbow and you cried hard for the first time in your life
• Then I almost impelled your neck with the long, clear, plastic turning part of the blinds and you cried hard for the second time in your life.
• You went to three movies this month. Ice Age in 3D, Transformers, and UP. You liked them so well that you slept through all three of them.
• Your brothers still love you a whole bunch.
• Your daddy and I can't get enough of you.

I am sure I am missing a whole bunch but we have been homeless for the past 9 days and I am borrowing a computer really fast.  I will add on as I remember.

Birthday Party

Like I said in an earlier post we had the boys late and early birthday parties last Saturday July 11, 2009. They had a Star Wars party and invited all their friends. I think they had a blast.

Have you missed me?

Boy have I been busy. I thought I was busy before but this past week and a half have been crazy.

First and foremost we have loved having Joe back. We have been to see Ice Age in 3D and then to see Transformers. Joe has taken the boys to the pool to many times to count and we have been taking him out to eat at all his favorite restaurants.

We had the Carter's late and Bryson's early birthday parties this past Saturday. We of course rented out the pool and it was a blast, though I am pretty upset that the slide wasn't working. The kids didn't seem to mind at all.

Then Sunday I spent all day packing. Joe had it easy and just packed himself and I packed Bryson, Carter, Chase and myself with enough stuff to last us until we get our express shipment August 10th. Wow, that was a chore. I still feel like I didn't send enough in the express shipment or pack enough in our suitcases. Though I don't want to be walking through the airport and trying to get through customs with three kids a dog and a cat and 50 piece of luggage. In total I think we have 7 rolling suitcases a car seat bag and a stroller. I might have to buy one more suitcase to fit all the extra crap I have, that or start sending stuff to myself....I think it will cost about the same to send the stuff as it would to buy a new suitcase. We shall see.

Monday and Tuesday we had two packers show up to pack or entire house. They did a great job considering we had forgot about our fryer in the kitchen and it was packed. We couldn't remember if it had oil in it or not and I barely got any sleep thinking about it all night. The next morning we asked her to look for it and she wasn't to happy about that. I don't blame her, she got her bosses approval and we were able to find it. Though it did have some oil in it, it wasn't completely full. Regardless I feel so much better about it.




Today they loaded it all up on the truck and did an alright job. What can I say they split some wood on the boys bunk beds just taking them apart. I was pissed. We filled 11 crates and I am hoping we don't go over our weight limit.


Tomorrow they will come and take the rest of the stuff into storage. Then we will paint the rooms back and clean out the house. We have hired a cleaning lady to clean the house Saturday morning and then we check out of the house Monday. After that we will finally be able to relax for a few days before we head to Charleston on Friday and the flying out on Sunday.

Here is how Chasers spent most of his day. Looks comfy huh?

He's Home!!

After 271 days he is finally home for good. Joe got in yesterday and the boys have been attached to him at the hip and have barely let him out of their sight. He has jumped right back into daddyhood and has taken the boys to Starbucks, the commisary, and the pool while Chase and I hung out here at the house.

He is getting use to changing diapers and is quickly learning what Chasers likes and his dislikes are. He is a quick study. I will post some photos and try to give a longer update later. As the boys said in the car on the way home "We are a family again!", and we are enjoying just that.

Airplane Shipment,

Express Shipment, and Unaccompanied Baggage.  Three names for one shipment.  I like to refer to it as my airplane shipment because that's exactly what it is.  It flies to Okinawa on an airplane.  Our documents say it will be there August 10th.  That is exactly 45 days from June 26th.  We arrive on the island July 27th so hopefully it doesn't show up late.

As I was preparing for this shipment I went through the house and gathered things and brought it all to the living room.  I though it would be easier to bring it to one location instead of trying to remember what went in each room.  So here is a photo of all that went out on the airplane shipment June 26th.

Finally out of A-stan!!

Joe is on his way home and is finally out of Afghanistan.  He should be home within the week.  I can's give the exact date but I have one.  YEAH!!!

He will finally get to meet his little boy, the big boys finally get their daddy back, and I will finally have my love home.

It's like waiting for CHRISTMAS!!

2 Months

That's how long our little Chasers has been with us. It doesn't seem that long...two months, but it feels as if he has been with our family for a life time. He just fits so well. Bryson and Carter love baby Chase so much. Their love for him has grown and grown. When he cries they jump right up to give him his pacifier, or Carter will yell to me...."I think he's hungry mom!". They always want to hold him and they never complain about diaper duty.

Chase, you have learned and have done so much this past month.

• You rolled over at 5 weeks.


• You started to coo.  Bryson and Carter get so excited when you talk.
• You went on you first plane ride, and did so well.  
• You have more awake times.
• You have started to play with toys.
• You still hardly cry.
• You start to fuss right around 8 to let me know it's bath time.
• You moved to your own bed in your own room at 5 weeks,
• and you stopped wanting to be swaddled then, because you sleep with your arms above your head.
• You still love to be held.
• Though you also like to be in your swing relaxing.
• Your eyes still have not changed to brown, and I love the color they are.
• You have the prettiest smile.  

At your two month check up you were 14 lbs and 24 inches. That is just bellow the 90 percentile for both.  You are getting so big.  

One Hell of a day!

Yesterday we boarded a plane headed to New Mexico to visit family. It was a long day. We were up before 6 to get dressed and then we left. The drive is about an hour and a half up to Raleigh were we fly out from.



We were making great time until we get to the city limits and then it started to down pour and there were car accidents. It took us 40 minutes to go 8 miles and we missed the check in by 5 minutes. "Note to self..Make sure you are there at least 30 minutes prior to departure." We were there 25 minutes before and were given a big fat NEGATIVE! You will be on stand by for the next flight.



We were rushing around trying to get on that flight but they put us on an 11:30 flight. So off we head to the gate to hang out. Bryson was struggling with our carry-on and I unzip it and realize they checked the wrong bag. We went to the gate and I explained to the lady what happened and then a rude guy that complained the whole time and finally said he would go locate it for me. I mean it had all Chase's diapers in it. I played up the "My husband is deployed" card and lady felt sorry for me and the man...well he was still complaining.



After we switch suitcases I bought a Starbucks and took a few drinks and then it was spilt shortly after that. Darn it



We head back to the gate and I was talking to the counter lady about our connecting flight in Dallas. We were going to be there in plenty of time to connect, though she says we are on stand-by for that. "What do you mean stand-by" I say. That flight was our original flight that I had paid for. Well, apparently when they cancelled the first flight it cancelled the second also.

I also realized once on the second flight that in our rush to try to make it to our first flight I left the radar detector in the car on. I am really hoping my battery is not dead when we return.

The second flight went well and when we arrived we headed to baggage claim. We walked through one of those spinning doors. Carter walked in first and on the next section I walked in with the stroller and Bryson was following behind. He made it in but the door got stuck on the luggage. Carter made it out and was laughing at us because we were stuck. The alarm was going off and the police officer standing there couldn't get the door to spin us out. After the day I had all I could do was grin and think "Are you kidding me!".

We finally made it out and made it back to my dad's house.

YEAH!!!

7

That's how many hours I got in a row last night. Its the longest stretch in 7 weeks. So...why is it then that I am even more tired? Doesn't that always happen you get use to no sleep then all the sudden you get a lot and you're even more exhausted.

Carter had his MRI follow up appointment today and his little brain looks great. Nothing wrong there. Nothing more needs to be done!! YEAH!

Bryson had his final award ceremony today. He has received an award 3 out of 4 ceremonies. He didn't get one the first 9 weeks of school but I think he was getting use to school again. The rest of school he kicked some major butt doing his homework, being accountable, and being a great student. I can't believe it was time for an award ceremony already. It feels like we just had one. The last one was on my birthday April 23rd. Speaking of I never did end up posting about it did I? Well, can you blame me I had just had a baby three days before. To be honest turning thirty came and went and it didn't even bother me. I have told Joe that our thirty first birthdays we will be partying it up like its 1999 and pretending its our thirtieth.  Though I do have to say spending part of my birthday watching my oldest get the highest award offered at his school is pretty amazing.

The fourth award ceremony today.

The third ceremony and my birthday.

The second award ceremony .

MRI

Carter had his MRI done today. We have the follow up appointment next week. Here are a few pictures.


The lady had to stick him twice. She messed up the first time around, poor Carter! The kids have to be knocked out so they don't move around. That medicine works so quickly. I think he was out in less than two minutes.

I told Carter he was going to go into the Star Wars Spaceship and he thought that was pretty cool.

This afternoon when Bryson got home from school the boys both wanted to hold baby Chase.


Carter was having a little to much fun making funny faces while holding Chase.

Carter's rough day

Carter had a very rough day today. It started at Starbucks. He was goofing off on a chair and before I knew it he was screaming. I look down and he is in between two chairs with his neck bent back up against the wall. I pull him up hoping he hasn't broken his neck and ask him where he hurt himself. He is pointing to his mouth and saying he hurt his teeth. I make sure everything is alright and then I look at the windowsill where he fell down and I see two teeth marks in the wood. He hit his teeth so hard on that wood windowsill that it left and impression of his front two teeth. I am hoping his front teeth don't turn grey.

A few hours later Bryson was coming in the back door and sure enough Carter was standing behind the door. I am sure you can imagine what happened next. Bryson opened up the door and it swung in and the door knob hit Carter in the eye. It's nice and red and now I am hoping it doesn't turn blue.

Fast forward another hour and the boys put on their swimsuits to play with the slip in slide. Not five minutes later I hear Carter screaming. I run outside and he now has a busted top lip.

I am going back to Starbucks tomorrow, camera in hand to take a picture of the tooth marks so stay tuned for that, and a picture of Carter's eye if it turns blue.

POOR CARTER, I am sure he will be glad when this day is over.

One Month Old

A month has already come and gone in little Chase's life. I can't believe he is already a month old. As he grows older it's bitter sweet. Sometimes I feel as though I am wishing his infancy away just counting down the months until Joe returns but on the other hand I don't want time to go by so fast because they don't stay this cute forever.

• You love to be held and I can rarely set you down


• You smiled for the first time May 15th.


• Your eyes are still blue and I'm loving it. Though I'm sure they will change shortly.


• You love your mimi (pacifier).


• You are starting to make a few sounds other than grunting/fussing.


• You rarely cry, you just fuss.


• Since Daddy is gone and Bryson has been sleeping in your room you are still sleeping with me. Maybe tonight is the big night. We shall see. (Bryson was in his own room at 6 weeks and Carter at 2 weeks, so Chase will be in the middle.)


• Did I mention you love to be held?


• You had baby acne more than the other two boys, though you still looked pretty cute.


• You are one pooping machine.


• You have been a trooper going to all our meetings and appointments preparing for our move to Japan.


• You had your passport photo taken today.

These are just a few things about you this month.

• 
  

Hello

My name is Dawn and I have a problem.

Do they have meetings for buying to many pacifiers? I seriously think I have a problem. I walk to the baby department and go straight for the pacifiers and a package always seems to end up in my buggy.

Please tell me I am not the only one. Just look how many (Mimi's) I have, and that's not even counting the one I have lost and the one he is sucking on right now.

Lets be honest do I have a problem???

Chase

Dear Chase

Will you be my friend again?

Love Mommy



Chase and I were not friends last night. He was up at 11:30, 1:30, 2:30, 4 something and then up at 6 something. All the kid wanted to do last night was eat. So last night around the 4 something feeding time I said "Chase I love you, but we are not friends right now." I don't even think it bothered him because he just kept on eating and then drifted back off to sleep.

Hopefully tonight he isn't as hungry.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's out there, especially my own mother.
I am so thankful that she was able to come out here for a week and help me with the boys while I had Chase. I also want to say Happy Mother's Day to my grandmother Gigi and my mother-in-law Denise. Without Gigi I wouldn't have the mother I have today and my wonderful hubby wouldn't be the man he is today without his mother. So thank you to all three of you.

I also am so blessed on this Mother's Day. Do you see why??

Have you ever washed deli meat?

Well that's what I did tonight for the boys dinner.

Let me rewind....

Boys, what do you want for dinner?

We want turkey and cheese sandwiches.

I get out the bread, turkey, cheese and mayo and start making two sandwiches. The mayo and cheese are now on the bread, when I open the turkey package and get a whiff of a pepper smell. I say "Oh shit!" and Bryson wants to know whats wrong. I tell him I bought the wrong turkey, and then I sat there for a spit second thinking what I could do. I check the fridge for another package of turkey and no such luck so then I decided to do what ANYONE would do right?? I wash the turkey with water to get the pepper off. I then proceed to make two very delicious clean turkey sandwiches.

Eat up boys!!

Four

I walked into the hospital expecting another hard long labor and Carter you were anything but hard and long.

They started the pitocin at 6am and less than 6 hours later you were here. There were a few tense moments right before you were born where they lost your heart rate but once you were here you were healthy and perfect.

You are so special and so funny. I have never met a more funny kid than you. I laugh at least once everyday with you. From the way you walk, or the funny faces you make, and even the words that come out of your mouth. You are a character!

Your daddy and I wouldn't trade you for the world. And guess what....you are four now so that means you get to wipe your own butt! (This is something he has been saying for the past year. He would yell for me to wipe his butt and I told him he needed to do it and his answer was always..."I'm not four yet!")

Happy Birthday my Special Boy!!

Please tell me why.

Why do I continue to cut coupons?

Alright so I have done the coupon thing twice, actually let me rephrase that. I have cut coupons twice and have taken them to the store twice, and twice I have come home with said coupons.

Why do I continue? I am now sitting on a pocket full of coupons. Do these coupons make my butt look big?

Also I almost got ran over by an old man on a scooter at walmart. We both spotted an empty line at walmart. He gave me the evil eye and stepped on the gas. He rounded the corner on two wheels and squeaked by me.

I ducked my head in shame told Chase not to be disappointed and found an even better line and actually beat him out of Walmart. Eat that old man!!

On other news. Guess who's birthday it is tomorrow??? Our little Carter will be turning four tomorrow. I will post about his adventures tomorrow.

And last but not least, Chase is two weeks today.
I took him to his 2 week check up today at the clinic only to be told that its tomorrow. I told the lady that NO it was in fact today because I wouldn't have made the appointment on another child's birthday. It's their special day and they get to do what ever they want and I know in fact that he wouldn't want to spend it at the doctors office. I walked away pissed and Chase was carried out pissed also. If Mamma is mad then everyone is mad!!

Have a great Monday!

Cake

Mom: Carter, what kind of Cake would you like for your birthday?

Carter: A chocolate cake with yellow cheese on top.