Saturday, February 21, 2009

Dance Your Heart Out!!


The intermediate school had a family dinner and dance last night. Tara was very excited and found a beautiful dress in her closet, tights in her drawer and the perfect pink glittery shoes scattered on her floor. Apparently in gym class they have learned every line dance ever created. The entire event was line dance after line dance with everything from the hustle to some of these new songs like the one from the McDonald's commercial that I obviously don't know the name of. Tara ran around with friends, sometimes dancing and sometimes chasing boys. Tyler and Trey? Well they stole the show. They danced and danced and danced some more. We had ice cream after the event and then I took my 3 very tired children home.






Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Working out the Details

I received the pic below from Kevin today. Those guys are like brothers and their camaraderie, commitment and service cannot be matched. We miss them all but would really like to see the guy in the middle in some pictures that I take!!
I am still working out details but I am flying to Florida next week to pick-up the camper. Luckily Pete and Emily are close and will offer me a place to stay and unwind before I jump in the rig and head home. I am unsure of the route I will travel and I refuse to plan. (I think that goes against the wanderlust spirit!) I believe the trip is about 14 hours so it should be an easy 2 dayer. Chantelle has been kind/crazy enough to offer to stay with the kids. I need to get back quickly before the tribe makes her crazy.
We had discussed the family flying to Florida after Kev returned and making the pick-up an adventure. Airplane fares are rising with gas prices and I just think the first family trip should be local till we figure out and stock the thing with everything we will discover that we need.
I have spent most of my life here and have never explored the middle peninsula (except once with the Kelly, Bob and a bottle of tequila so that doesn't count cause I don't remember it!!). Matthews and all the little towns along the Chesapeake Bay are to some Virginia's best kept secret. That's a secret I want in on! The Eastern Shore and Assateague and Chincoteague Islands are also areas that are rural (I think) along the Bay and beckoning me to explore. Tara is dying to hit DC and there are a ton of nearby campgrounds to make sightseeing a breeze. Getting Kevin to stroll through the museums may prove to be another challenge. The Outer Banks is just an hour south and one of my favorite beaches. I am still reminding myself that although I grew up here the kids did not and I need to rediscover a lot of areas/places that I may remember as not being that great because, perhaps to my children, they will be fantastic new spots for them to discover.
I am very anxious to begin the new adventures that are just waiting for us to enjoy. All of us! Hurry home Kevin!!

No explanation needed


Saturday, February 14, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day Kevin! Love, us

Happy Valentines Day dear. I have posted some pics for you to enjoy. The kids have opened their cards and are eating candy they don't need at this hour of the morning. Along with the candy Tara is playing with her newest Littlest Pet and the boys are playing with Bocugons (don't ask what they are- they defy explanation). Tyler has his last basketball game today and I have snacks. Since it's Valentines day, I put an apple, pretzels (gotta be careful of allergies!) juice box and candy hearts in a treat bag. They will have a little after party at CiCi's. I have to work so once again I am depending on the kindness of others for the logistics to make it all happen since I have to work at 3 and his game is at 230. Tara's swim team has a meet today but that is just not working into the time frame. She'll have to sit this one out.
In other news we purchased a 28ft Fleetwood Jamboree Searcher for our camping pleasure. The rig is gorgeous, completely hooked up with back-up cameras, stereo, TVs, new carpet and a whole list of things that promises excitement and fun for all. The seller is a retired Navy guy who has taken meticulous care of this thing and I am longing for the days of summer freedom. The camper is in Florida so the pick-up promises to be an adventure.
I have to go to get everything rolling for today but I promise to write again soon.

The end is in sight

So it's been awhile. The kids can now count down in days until Daddy comes home. We aren't sure which day but the first week of March isn't far. Our prayers are with Daddy each and every day and now we are praying for Grandpa Barney's recovery too.
Kevin leaves frequently and I, and I believe the kids too, are used to the separation. But this deployment has been the worst ever. Not only are my precious little ones dealing with Daddy's absence but they are still trying to find happiness in their new environment. They will not hesitate to tell anyone how much they miss Hawaii. They are still searching for friends in the neighborhood and I thank God they have each other. They have lots of friends at school but they, and I, long for the days when they could run outside and join the kids playing the many games kids find to play.
We had a windy day two nights ago. As I was falling asleep I could hear the wind swirling through the screened porch. My bamboo chimes were playing their hollow melody and if I kept my eyes closed I could pretend I was somewhere else. As I lay there, I realized that Tara has not had one single friend that has come to the house and just sat in the floor and played Littlest Pet Shop or Barbies or Polly Pockets. She and Cassidy or Haley could play that way for hours. Has she outgrown this childhood delight? I don't think so. I eventually fought back the tears and fell asleep.
Tyler will consistently tell you he has no friends at school. I have talked with his teacher who was very surprised at his statement. I have only come to the conclusion that Tyler associates friends with the relationships he had in Hawaii. He has lots of pals at school and on the bus and the kids on his basketball team. What he's missing are the kids from school that lived around him, that he played with every day and had sleepovers with on the weekend. So if you ask him, he has no friends.
They don't complain often. Every now and then Tara will go up the street to see if Taylor can play but she is never home. Tyler will ride his bike to a friends but they are usually in after school care and by the time they get home it's dark. So for now they have each other and me and Trey. Tyler was student of the week and did a poster board of pics and they were all pics of him and friends in Hawaii. This was like salt on an open wound and there were lots of tears shared by all as they looked through pictures to decide which ones to use.
Okay, so this is a complete downer but now you know why there hasn't been a lot to write about.