Well, we have a new guest at Brannon Manor (aka Funny Farm)! Jeremy came home from three months of training and brought another soldier home to stay with us until they both deploy late summer. Jeremy is a kind-hearted soul like his mother and asked if Harris (of course his last name) could stay with us because he didn't have any where else to go since his other arrangements fell through. With Christopher being overseas, I thought it would be nice to have another "son" around the house for while. It is actually been a blessing to have Harris with us. He is a very kind 22-year-old young man who is very respectful and helpful around the house. We all get along exceptionally well. I actually have no complaints about the current living arrangements. By the way, I finally learned his first name is Brandon.
More good news is that we are losing one member of our household at the beginning of August. It is time to say "Goodbye" to dear Philip and his three vehicle entourage (PT Cruiser, motorcycle and giant work truck). It has been a long three years and to save any level of friendship, the time has come to go our separate ways!
All else is calm and quiet at the moment. Only 8 more days of school; lots of summer travel planned and some much needed time with family and friends is on the calendar. I am headed to Orlando, Florida; Marina Del Rey, California; Houston, Texas; Eagle River (Anchorage), Alaska and Tulsa, Oklahoma at various times this summer!
I am actually pretty excited about my new schedule for school this fall! I am only teaching honors classes! That is an entirely different level of students. I was at first a bit stressed at teaching Language Arts (writing only) since I have taught mostly reading the last six years, but I will have 7th graders in the morning and 8th graders in the afternoon. This is especially awesome since the 8th graders don't have a state test for writing. The 7th graders do, but with the honors kids that won't be a problem. I have already gone through the training this year for the writing program and my "partner in crime", Mr. Marley, will be teaching the same kids for reading! The honors classes will be our own department, we'll be continuing our school newspaper, moving into a brand new building and getting a new principal who has a reputation for being a pretty tough on disciplinarian! WOW!!
For now I am just waiting for this horrible school year to wind down and summer to heat up with fun and relaxation! Call or drop by to hang out with me... that is if you can catch me this summer!
Mom and the Boys
Mom and the Boys
The Family
The Family
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Back to "Normal"
Well, we survived the two weeks of leave. No small matter when you have 8 months of separation to overcome in two weeks. This is inclusive of spending 2-3 days of preparation for his return to the battlefield. Again, an unnecessary statement: I hate the Army!!! I now have six more months of Skype and long distance romance to endure until another homecoming. Next time I will also have to work because it will be right after the new school year has begun.
We managed to squeak out more time together, no thanks to my job (with one small exception I'll explain shortly). We managed to enjoy the time we had left and were even able to spend a few days with Jeremy when he came home a few days before Troy's departure. I miss having a house full of family, particularly my guys! I truly realized this upon Jeremy's return with a friend who stayed with us Saturday and Sunday. We went to dinner together on Saturday and out to breakfast on Sunday as a "family" and it was wonderful. Jeremy and Harris (the Army last name thing) told us funny stories about their training days at Fort Knox, Kentucky and asked Troy about stories and information about his time in Iraq.
I missed my Christopher even more those days, too! I had not heard from him in over a week and was wondering how he was doing when I saw the photos of him and several of the New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders on his Facebook. He appeared quite happy in the photos! Glad to hear he is out of Baghdad for a while and able to have a better change in scenery.
I had to work that last week Troy was home due to state testing. In my contract it states that we are not permitted to miss those days for pretty much any reason other than hospitalization. Troy was scheduled to fly out on Thursday and a few of my co-workers in charge of the testing blessed me with an afternoon off to spend with my husband after the students I was monitoring finished and were moved to another group on Wednesday around 1pm. I was able to spend an extra 3-4 hours at home with him rather than be at work. The small things in life are often big blessings!
This last week I also received a call from Christopher's unit stating he would not be home early as they had anticipated. He now will be returning around October instead of this summer. I'm sad, but it is the way of the Army. Christopher will be home after Jeremy leaves for Iraq or Afghanistan (not sure yet where he is headed). We are hoping Troy will be home by late September and be able to see Jeremy before he deploys in October. All of this means I will not have my family together again for at least a year and a half. Again the statement: I hate the Army!
I am adjusting again to the quiet life at home. Jeremy is at Fort Walter this weekend for range exercises with his drill unit. I have two bridal showers this weekend and a graduation. It is hard to believe that my first group of 7th graders are graduating this year! One of my students graduated today from a Christian private school. She has returned to see me several times over the years and her sister was one of my students last year. She was struggling academically and is now pregnant, so the private school option was perfect for her. I am proud she made the effort to continue and graduate rather than drop out and be a statistic! She has a very difficult home-life and to see her succeed despite her "issues" is wonderful! I plan to attend the Everman graduation this year to see others from my first class of kiddos.
Counting down the weeks and days until school is done for the year. I am soooo ready for summer! I am planning lots of fun stuff and looking forward to trips to Nashville, TN; Marina Del Rey, CA, Houston, TX and Eagle River, AK! I am also expecting family here for the 4th of July! The summer also comes with a Family Day for our unit, a change of command ceremony and an opening ceremony for our new facilities just off base (with a new office for me!)
Lots to tell about in the upcoming months!
We managed to squeak out more time together, no thanks to my job (with one small exception I'll explain shortly). We managed to enjoy the time we had left and were even able to spend a few days with Jeremy when he came home a few days before Troy's departure. I miss having a house full of family, particularly my guys! I truly realized this upon Jeremy's return with a friend who stayed with us Saturday and Sunday. We went to dinner together on Saturday and out to breakfast on Sunday as a "family" and it was wonderful. Jeremy and Harris (the Army last name thing) told us funny stories about their training days at Fort Knox, Kentucky and asked Troy about stories and information about his time in Iraq.
I missed my Christopher even more those days, too! I had not heard from him in over a week and was wondering how he was doing when I saw the photos of him and several of the New Orleans Saints Cheerleaders on his Facebook. He appeared quite happy in the photos! Glad to hear he is out of Baghdad for a while and able to have a better change in scenery.
I had to work that last week Troy was home due to state testing. In my contract it states that we are not permitted to miss those days for pretty much any reason other than hospitalization. Troy was scheduled to fly out on Thursday and a few of my co-workers in charge of the testing blessed me with an afternoon off to spend with my husband after the students I was monitoring finished and were moved to another group on Wednesday around 1pm. I was able to spend an extra 3-4 hours at home with him rather than be at work. The small things in life are often big blessings!
This last week I also received a call from Christopher's unit stating he would not be home early as they had anticipated. He now will be returning around October instead of this summer. I'm sad, but it is the way of the Army. Christopher will be home after Jeremy leaves for Iraq or Afghanistan (not sure yet where he is headed). We are hoping Troy will be home by late September and be able to see Jeremy before he deploys in October. All of this means I will not have my family together again for at least a year and a half. Again the statement: I hate the Army!
I am adjusting again to the quiet life at home. Jeremy is at Fort Walter this weekend for range exercises with his drill unit. I have two bridal showers this weekend and a graduation. It is hard to believe that my first group of 7th graders are graduating this year! One of my students graduated today from a Christian private school. She has returned to see me several times over the years and her sister was one of my students last year. She was struggling academically and is now pregnant, so the private school option was perfect for her. I am proud she made the effort to continue and graduate rather than drop out and be a statistic! She has a very difficult home-life and to see her succeed despite her "issues" is wonderful! I plan to attend the Everman graduation this year to see others from my first class of kiddos.
Counting down the weeks and days until school is done for the year. I am soooo ready for summer! I am planning lots of fun stuff and looking forward to trips to Nashville, TN; Marina Del Rey, CA, Houston, TX and Eagle River, AK! I am also expecting family here for the 4th of July! The summer also comes with a Family Day for our unit, a change of command ceremony and an opening ceremony for our new facilities just off base (with a new office for me!)
Lots to tell about in the upcoming months!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Homecoming / Visit
Let me start by stating the obvious: "I hate the Army." I know this sounds silly, but I just have to get that off my chest first.
Second, I find "homecomings" to be very difficult adjustments. Despite the obvious adjusting to each other again moments, there are many little things one does not anticipate to be hurdles. For example, the time change: I am awake during the day and he is sleepy/grumpy. He is up at 3am wondering why I am still sleeping and wasting time while I am wondering why he is asleep at 6pm and not spending time with me. Frustrating. He has forgotten what American food he likes. I am in fear of choosing a restaurant or food he does not like and what he liked before, he now questions or dislikes. Confusing. He now has rock star status and everyone wants to see him. I am clamoring for his attention, too and I still have to go to work almost every day he is home. Irritating.
I am trying to be understanding, but my emotional strength is waning and we haven't made it through the first five days yet. I planned a quiet first few days alone since it was our 22nd anniversary. We take turns each year to plan our anniversary celebration. I thought it was up to me to make the plans. I guess not. We spent the evening with friends, not a problem in the big picture of life, but sure monkey wrench in my plans for a quiet first four days together. Tomorrow will be with more friends and so forth on Sunday.
I find I am struggling to find a way to spend time with my husband and not be bitter at the same time. We have shared a hard won 22 years together and this deployment has been the longest we have ever been apart. When he was at training three years ago, I did not know about the concessions I would be making but got a crash course lesson. At the time, he was in a hotel in Virginia for four months sleeping in a queen size bed and I was doing the same here at home. I loved sleeping where and how I wanted all by myself in the bed while he was gone and he did the same. When we returned to sharing the same bed it was like a combat zone. We had to learn to stay on our own halves and compromise on space. His return from this deployment has been easier on that front because I learned from that lesson. I knew Troy was going to be sleeping in tents, on cots or something similar (a twin size or smaller) so here at home I made sure I stayed sleeping on my half of the bed. I blocked his side by keeping my laptop, cell phone (and the cats) on his side of the bed. This prevented the combat zone problem upon his return. It was a fairly smooth transition this time.
I am still learning that compromise is the name of the game. I'll let you know how the rest of his leave goes as we work through it day by day.
Second, I find "homecomings" to be very difficult adjustments. Despite the obvious adjusting to each other again moments, there are many little things one does not anticipate to be hurdles. For example, the time change: I am awake during the day and he is sleepy/grumpy. He is up at 3am wondering why I am still sleeping and wasting time while I am wondering why he is asleep at 6pm and not spending time with me. Frustrating. He has forgotten what American food he likes. I am in fear of choosing a restaurant or food he does not like and what he liked before, he now questions or dislikes. Confusing. He now has rock star status and everyone wants to see him. I am clamoring for his attention, too and I still have to go to work almost every day he is home. Irritating.
I am trying to be understanding, but my emotional strength is waning and we haven't made it through the first five days yet. I planned a quiet first few days alone since it was our 22nd anniversary. We take turns each year to plan our anniversary celebration. I thought it was up to me to make the plans. I guess not. We spent the evening with friends, not a problem in the big picture of life, but sure monkey wrench in my plans for a quiet first four days together. Tomorrow will be with more friends and so forth on Sunday.
I find I am struggling to find a way to spend time with my husband and not be bitter at the same time. We have shared a hard won 22 years together and this deployment has been the longest we have ever been apart. When he was at training three years ago, I did not know about the concessions I would be making but got a crash course lesson. At the time, he was in a hotel in Virginia for four months sleeping in a queen size bed and I was doing the same here at home. I loved sleeping where and how I wanted all by myself in the bed while he was gone and he did the same. When we returned to sharing the same bed it was like a combat zone. We had to learn to stay on our own halves and compromise on space. His return from this deployment has been easier on that front because I learned from that lesson. I knew Troy was going to be sleeping in tents, on cots or something similar (a twin size or smaller) so here at home I made sure I stayed sleeping on my half of the bed. I blocked his side by keeping my laptop, cell phone (and the cats) on his side of the bed. This prevented the combat zone problem upon his return. It was a fairly smooth transition this time.
I am still learning that compromise is the name of the game. I'll let you know how the rest of his leave goes as we work through it day by day.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
T-shirt Funnies
I was on the Army Wives Network FaceBook site yesterday and the topic was "Favorite sayings for t-shirts." I'm sharing some of my favorites! I'll also be using some of them for my FaceBook posts over the next weeks. (Feel free to add any military branch for Army!)
"If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!"
"Love the soldier, hate the war"
"My husband fought for your freedom today. What did yours do?"
"True love survives any amount of distance and time: I'm a Soldier's Girl"
"Army Wives are angels with cammo wings"
"Be safe, sleep with a soldier: Just not MINE"
"I ditched Ken and found me a GI Joe"
"Army Wife: Don't confuse your rank with my authority"
"I legally mess with government property"
"Not everyone gets to sleep with a hero. I do, I'm an Army Wife"
"Some heroes wear capes, mine wears combat boots"
"The Army is my husband's mistress and sometimes that BITCH gets all the attention!"
"The Army isn't the only one that makes my soldier say HOOAH"
"Army Wives are made of: courage, commitment, toughness, sacrifice, talent, heart, determination and guts ... To Heck with sugar and spice"
"Don't give me your sob story about your husband being gone on a business trip... try a deployment"
"My husband serves so yours won't get drafted"
"Keep your shining armor, I love my soldier in dirty ACU's"
"Keep your prince in shining armor, my soldier comes in body armor"
"I'll take my dirty GI Joe over your pretty Ken any day"
"You dream of a hero... I married mine"
"My husband and my sons serve in the US Army... do you really want to mess with me now?"
"Sexually deprived for your freedom"
The one that fits me the best right now is:
"Surviving my first deployment...bitching and erratic behavior possible"
If you have others, please share them.
"If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!"
"Love the soldier, hate the war"
"My husband fought for your freedom today. What did yours do?"
"True love survives any amount of distance and time: I'm a Soldier's Girl"
"Army Wives are angels with cammo wings"
"Be safe, sleep with a soldier: Just not MINE"
"I ditched Ken and found me a GI Joe"
"Army Wife: Don't confuse your rank with my authority"
"I legally mess with government property"
"Not everyone gets to sleep with a hero. I do, I'm an Army Wife"
"Some heroes wear capes, mine wears combat boots"
"The Army is my husband's mistress and sometimes that BITCH gets all the attention!"
"The Army isn't the only one that makes my soldier say HOOAH"
"Army Wives are made of: courage, commitment, toughness, sacrifice, talent, heart, determination and guts ... To Heck with sugar and spice"
"Don't give me your sob story about your husband being gone on a business trip... try a deployment"
"My husband serves so yours won't get drafted"
"Keep your shining armor, I love my soldier in dirty ACU's"
"Keep your prince in shining armor, my soldier comes in body armor"
"I'll take my dirty GI Joe over your pretty Ken any day"
"You dream of a hero... I married mine"
"My husband and my sons serve in the US Army... do you really want to mess with me now?"
"Sexually deprived for your freedom"
The one that fits me the best right now is:
"Surviving my first deployment...bitching and erratic behavior possible"
If you have others, please share them.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Just saying...
What a week! Christopher is moving somewhere new in Iraq. Troy is still flying in Chinooks somewhere in Iraq. Both very busy with the national elections this weekend over there. Jeremy is still training on Apaches at Fort Knox and doing pretty well also.
My week?? Well, I went back to the doctor a third time in three weeks for my ears. The lingering cough from the pneumonia will be around for a couple more weeks according to the doctor, but I'm now working on unplugging my ears so I can hear like a normal person again. My kids at school (7th graders) took their 1st of two state assessments (in Writing this week and Reading will be late April) and the district "Axe Lady" with pink slips made a visit to our campus. I am not on the chopping block, but it is still stressful when several friends lose their jobs. Despite all of that, I'm feeling much better and FRIDAY has arrived. Yeah Weekend!!
Missing my boys terribly about now. It has been too long since any of them have been home. The sons were home in January and Troy November. I probably sound like a bipolar person right about now, but that is how it goes for me if I have too much time to think. I'm very proud of what my men have chosen to do with their lives, but as a wife and mother it is nearly impossible to ignore the pain and anxiety of separation that comes with the choice of military service. I have friends who understand that point deeply. Thank you April for teaching me so much about sacrifice and separation long before I knew I was going to be learning any lessons on the issue! Your friendship has been a godsend as well as your blog!! I deeply miss you and am planning to come sometime in late June or late July. Still looking at some dates, so please pencil me in at Johnson Inn!!
I always thought it would be so wonderful to be able to have control of the remote whenever I wanted to have it, but now I don't care so much. At first it was a power rush just to know that I could watch what I wanted when ever I wanted. Not so much any more. Sometimes I just sit in his chair because it is his and it is all I have right now besides an empty space in the bed we have shared for so many years. I knew it would be a difficult sacrifice, but my heart is aching so much more than I ever anticipated. The boys' room is empty, too. No one to randomly come in and say, "Hey, Mom, how was your day?" or "Hey, Mom, I love you." The silence is often deafening around here.
I am incredibly grateful for my friends! I appreciate the calls, texts and FaceBook posts with words of encouragement. Thanks to those of you who let me hang out with your families and have adopted me as part of your own. I am deeply grateful for company and occasional shoulders for support. My friends at work have been incredible, too. I don't know how I would have made it this far without so much encouragement.
I'm not sure too many people want to read the rantings of an Army Wife/Mom, but I'm posting for my sanity whether anyone else cares to read it or not!
My week?? Well, I went back to the doctor a third time in three weeks for my ears. The lingering cough from the pneumonia will be around for a couple more weeks according to the doctor, but I'm now working on unplugging my ears so I can hear like a normal person again. My kids at school (7th graders) took their 1st of two state assessments (in Writing this week and Reading will be late April) and the district "Axe Lady" with pink slips made a visit to our campus. I am not on the chopping block, but it is still stressful when several friends lose their jobs. Despite all of that, I'm feeling much better and FRIDAY has arrived. Yeah Weekend!!
Missing my boys terribly about now. It has been too long since any of them have been home. The sons were home in January and Troy November. I probably sound like a bipolar person right about now, but that is how it goes for me if I have too much time to think. I'm very proud of what my men have chosen to do with their lives, but as a wife and mother it is nearly impossible to ignore the pain and anxiety of separation that comes with the choice of military service. I have friends who understand that point deeply. Thank you April for teaching me so much about sacrifice and separation long before I knew I was going to be learning any lessons on the issue! Your friendship has been a godsend as well as your blog!! I deeply miss you and am planning to come sometime in late June or late July. Still looking at some dates, so please pencil me in at Johnson Inn!!
I always thought it would be so wonderful to be able to have control of the remote whenever I wanted to have it, but now I don't care so much. At first it was a power rush just to know that I could watch what I wanted when ever I wanted. Not so much any more. Sometimes I just sit in his chair because it is his and it is all I have right now besides an empty space in the bed we have shared for so many years. I knew it would be a difficult sacrifice, but my heart is aching so much more than I ever anticipated. The boys' room is empty, too. No one to randomly come in and say, "Hey, Mom, how was your day?" or "Hey, Mom, I love you." The silence is often deafening around here.
I am incredibly grateful for my friends! I appreciate the calls, texts and FaceBook posts with words of encouragement. Thanks to those of you who let me hang out with your families and have adopted me as part of your own. I am deeply grateful for company and occasional shoulders for support. My friends at work have been incredible, too. I don't know how I would have made it this far without so much encouragement.
I'm not sure too many people want to read the rantings of an Army Wife/Mom, but I'm posting for my sanity whether anyone else cares to read it or not!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Beginnings
Welcome to our crazy life! Our family consists currently of two soldiers in Iraq, one at Fort Knox, Kentucky, a son who lives here locally and ME! I'm the crazy mom who is holding down the homefront, my blood pressure and a job as a middle school teacher!
My life is not easy, but I love it and my guys! I would not trade it for the world!
Welcome to my foray into the world of blogging. We'll see how it goes for now. I'm just beginning, so bear with me please.
My life is not easy, but I love it and my guys! I would not trade it for the world!
Welcome to my foray into the world of blogging. We'll see how it goes for now. I'm just beginning, so bear with me please.
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