Where did June go??

How did the end of June get here so fast? I guess the trip to Orlando the first weekend, the trip to Los Angeles the second weekend, a Saturday with dear friends the third weekend and a very quiet time this weekend does equal a month!

Two major events have occurred since my last entry: The trip to Los Angeles and the moving out of our "room-mate" from Hell. Both were actually great in their own ways. First, the weekend to Los Angeles was again with/for the Army but was actually fun, too. I learned a lot about how to run an FRG correctly and met many new friends and contacts across the country. Wonderful Army women who are strong, smart, inspiring and definitely energetic as well as encouraging! We shared funny stories from our FRG's (Family Readiness Groups) and cried and/or laughed with each other over deployment stories, too. I learned that being an FRG Leader for our battalion is a job that I love even more now that I know how to do it correctly! My absolute favorite time on the trip was our adventure to Manhattan Beach where I had a yummy dinner of freshly grilled swordfish steak on a bed of spinach and shrimp risotto and a walk on the beach at sunset! It would only have been better if Troy had been there to share it with me!

Our second major event was the moving out of our three year roommate. It was OK in the beginning, but he decided he didn't want to pay rent any more once Troy left and the stress was really getting to me. When Troy was home on leave he gave him until the end of July to find his own place, but he did so by the end of June! I am so relieved to have my home back! Our newly spare room is going to be painted and our now mostly empty garage will be cleaned and prepared for a garage sale in August or September. I'm elated to be back to "normal" again around here. I'm sure it will take some time to readjust, but I'm ready.

Time is winding down in the sandbox for two of my soldiers. Can't say when exactly they will both be home (we don't have firm dates yet), but it should be soon. Also Jeremy and Harris are preparing for their pre-mobilization triaining they will be heading out for, too. Due to OP-SEC rules (Operation Security), I cannot publish actual dates of deployments (newly learned information from my trips to Orlando and Los Angeles), but if you read this and are interested in finding out, you can email me at michele.brannon@yahoo.com or find me on FaceBook and I'll let you in on the latest information.

I have a story from the sandbox for you readers, but it will have to wait until I can actually write it without crying through it! Patience, my readers!

First Summer Update

The summer of 2010 has arrived! The boys (Jeremy and Brandon), Grandma and I have been to Orlando, Florida for their Yellow Ribbon Event with the Army. I have been to Los Angeles, California for formal FRG (Family Readiness Group) training and my classroom is all packed up and ready to move to the new junior high school. Whew, we've been busy and today is only June 17th!

Our trip to Orlando the first weekend of June was great! Despite sitting through some informational classes on Saturday, we got to spend quality family (and friend) time and hang out around Downtown Disney. Not any of the actual parks, but it was fun and less expensive. Great seafood and crazy conversations! The Army paid for our fabulous trip via private chartered jet (for 50 soldiers and their families) and a lovely stay in a suite at Buena Vista Hotel and Spa.

The following week (last weekend) the Army sent me and my FRG treasurer Janet to Los Angeles, California for official training. We had a few airport SNAFU's, but arrived just in time Friday evening for our first class. That evening we went on a trolly ride through some scenic areas and down past Manhattan Beach. Saturday we had classes all day and at 4pm we were let loose to have fun. Two new friends went with Janet and me back to Manhattan beach where we walked on the beach and had an amazing seafood dinner. I had a swordfish steak on a bed of spinach and shrimp risotto. So Yummy!! We came back on Sunday and I had two days off but have been back at school/work Thursday - Friday of this week for a summer planning academy.

Jeremy quit his job so we can hang out and travel until he and Harris (Brandon) leave next month. We are planning trips to Six Flags, Sea World (San Antonio) and hopefully the beach. I almost forgot we are also headed to Tulsa during July to spend time with family! I'm excited to spend time with them before they deploy this fall.

More good news: Christopher should be home sometime in August and Troy should be making an arrival sometime in September. I'm excited to finally have my boys all together (a big maybe...) for Christmas this year. Jeremy's group will probably not leave the U.S. until sometime January although they will begin their deployment process (and countdown) around late October.

So far this is shaping up to be an action packed summer, so I'll keep you updated as often as possible! Hope you enjoy sharing in our craziness!