Highlights of our Trip accross America

Just a quick note about our adventure. It was long!!!!!! ha ha ha, The first 3 days were all about driving and not stopping much. The fourth day we did sight see in South Dakota. We went to Mt. Rushmore, or as the kids called it, the Four Faces, and then to Reptile Gardens. That was the highlight for the kids. The really enjoyed seeing all the different snakes and even getting to touch one. Well the story behind that is we were at a snake show and Mason had told me he was NOT going to touch a snake. Well Trevan asked the guy presenting the snakes if he could touch one and of course the guy said yes, so Mason HAD to go up and touch too since he didn't want to be outdone by his little brother! Kennedy said her baby wanted to touch it but she totally freaked out when George lifted her up to it. The snakes didn't bother me, it was the alligators. They totally creep me out. After taking pictures of them I had to detoxify my self. Just thinking about it now gives me the willy's! We also stopped at the Mitchell Corn Palace. Just a big tourist trap! It was interesting that the whole place is from corn, even the husks. There were some stuffed Gold Miner and Indians you could get your picture with. Trevan at first wouldn't even look at them, now that freaked him out! Of course Kennedy wouldn't get near them either. After that we tried to hurry to get here and miss the storms that were hitting the area. Driving through Wyoming it had previously snowed and luckily we didn't get caught in any.

Halloween

Halloween 2008! A week late but here finally. The kids had such a great time going door to door and not being trampled by the hundreds of kids who used to show up on base in Germany. The base here also had a hay ride to get around from all the different neighbor hoods. I didn't get a picture of that but the kids loved it. The week before Halloween our new ward had a trunk or treat at a local camp ground. They did a costume parade and contest and Kennedy won her first trophy! She was awarded the cutest princess award. I of course agree with the judges. She also did a little attitude twirl for them to get her prize. Mason was captain America but didn't want to wear the head piece and Trevan was originally Optimus Prime, but come Halloween he wanted to wear his Superman costume from last year. Now that Halloween is over he keeps talking about making a Halloween list for next year and having Batman on it! Since when did Halloween become like Christmas and needed a wish list?

2nd leg down

We made it to Indianapolis tonight, but according to Trevan we are still in Baltimore! I guess to him we just circled the city for 11 hours! It took us that long including eating, potty, and stretching stops. Not to bad. The kids did great. The boys have always been good travelers but Kennedy usually is not! Usually after about 1-2 hours she is freaking out to get out of her seat but today she didn't freak until just outside of Indianapolis. We of course had to make a visit to the Indianapolis Race Way once we got into town. Not much to see with it all gated up but still something to do. We went past the Colts new stadium. I must say that looks different. Not like a football field at all. Interesting design concept. Also I will have to admit to myself because you all know, but George and I are NERDS! We were reading every single sign there was! I think it is because we can finally read and understand them!!!!! I am talking literally about every sign, even ones we kept seeing over and over again, and not just to ourselves but out loud! It was also nice to listen to the radio and understand it. Fun times! One thing we kept saying is that we miss the driving in Germany. There, people for the most part are curtious to the other drivers. In Baltimore they are crazy. I was sure glad to get out of that city. The rest of the trip was pretty smooth. That's all for today, hopefully I can post again tomorrow.

USA!

YEAH! We finally made it here. It took a couple of days, one of them being verrrrrry long. We were supposed to fly out of Ramstein Germany on Wednesday Oct. 8, but that plane broke down somewhere around Kuwait so we were pushed back 24 hours. We didn't fly a military aircraft, but a commercial one that caters to the military, if that makes any since. So we stayed one more night and left Thursday. We "hung" out at the terminal for quite a long afternoon before our flight was to leave. We were supposed to be in the air at 6 pm, but as these things go that didn't happen. I think we took off around 7:30 or so. The kids were so excited they could hardly stand the anticipation. Once we were seated the questions began. If I haven't said so before Mason is the kid of not 20 questions, but hundreds, yes hundreds. It is good he is so curious but after a while it wears on my brain. He is the only one who didn't get any sleep, he just couldn't get comfortable enough. Trevan fell asleep shortly after the dinner was served and cleaned up. It wasn't dinner for us considering the uneatable creation they tried to serve us. George is the only one who ate it. Trevan and I tried it but it didn't make it past one little bite. So the 4 of us had a meal of rolls and crackers, oh yeah and the sweet nectar, Dr. Pepper! We landed at BWI around 9:45pm and then had to get through customs, and then wait for our luggage, and as our luck goes we waited on one bag until the very end! Now mind you our body clocks were at 4am so we were all very tired and getting pretty cranky with each other. After collecting bags and more bags, we found the bus that would take us to our rental car agency, which was another 15 minute drive. We sat there for about an hour waiting for the van. By the time we got to the hotel it was 7am on our time, 1 am Baltimore time. At least we all slept well and don't have any jet lag. I have always heard you don't get it coming back and it is totally true. Today we did a little sight seeing around the city, you know the typical stuff, bums sleeping on benches with their pants undone! We found a fun park for the kids to play at. You would think they would have wanted to stay and play for a long time but they didn't! Kennedy had to go potty so we told the boys we would come back but they said they were done and would rather go back to the hotel and swim. So we did. We are looking forward for the next leg of our journey tomorrow. We are going to try to get to Indianapolis. Wish us luck!

Homeless!

It's official. We are HOMELESS! What a relief that is. I know, some of you are thinking WHAT! We have cleared base housing, no easy feet to say the least. It feels good to have that over with. George has also finaled out of this base, now just waiting to catch the flight to get out of here. We are all so thankfull for those who have helped us the last couple of months and for the many offers of help. It would be nice to say we are going to miss Germany, but fortunately for us we are excited to get back to the states. We will totally miss the friends we have had here and hope that the friendships will continue on. As for our families go, we hope you are ready to be invaded often!

Are you a Democrat, Republican, or a Redneck?

Here is a little test that will help you decide:

You are walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children. Suddenly, a terrorist with a huge knife comes around the corner, locks eyes with you, screams obscenities, raises the knife, and charges at you.

You are carrying a Glock 40 cal. and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.

What do you do?

Democrats answer:

Well, that is not enough information to answer the question.
Does the man look poor or oppressed?
Have I ever done anything to him that would inspire him to attack?
Could we run away?
What does my wife think? What about the kids?
Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand?
What does the law say about this situation?
Does the Glock have appropriate safety built into it?
Why am I carrying a loaded gun anyway? And what kind of message does this send to society and to my children?
Is it possible he'd be happy just killing me?
Does he definitely want to kill me, or would he be content to just wound me?
If I were to grab his knees and hold on could my family get away while he was stabbing me?
Should I call 9-1-1?
Why is this street so deserted?
We need to raise taxes, have a paint and weed day, and make this a happier, healthier street that would discourage such behavior.
This is all so confusing.
I need to discuss with some friends over a latte and try to come to a consensus.

Republicans answer:

BANG!

Rednecks answer:

BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!click....
(sounds of reloading)
BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!BANG!click...
Daughter:"Nice grouping, Daddy, were those the Winchester Silver Tips or Hollow Points?"
Son:"You got him pop. Can I shoot the next one?"
Wife:"You are not taking that to the taxidermist!"


This is not to offend anyone (DAD) but just a little funny to get you through!

The Military Wife

Each one may look different and each one is wonderfully unique, but this they have in common:

Lots of MOVING, MOVING, MOVING, MOVING far from home, MOVING two cars, three kids, and one dog---all riding with her of course. MOVING sofas to basements because they don't fit in THIS house, MOVING curtains that wont fit, MOVING jobs and certifications and development hours, MOVING away from old friends, MOVING towards new friends, MOVING her most important luggage, her trunk full of memories.

Often WAITING, WAITING, WAITING, WAITING for housing, WAITING for orders, WAITING for deployments, WAITING for phone calls, WAITING for reunions, WAITING for the new curtains to arrive, WAITING for him to get home for dinner, again.

They call her the military dependant, but she knows better: She is fiercely IN-dependant, She can balance the checkbook, handle the yard work, fix a noisy toilet, bury the family pet... She is intimately familiar with drywall anchors and toggle bolts, She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move---all with ONE power of attorney. She welcomes neighbors who don't welcome her. She re-invents her career with every PCS (permanent change of station)Locates a house in the desert, the Arctic, or the deep south and learns to call them all "home"

Military wives are somewhat hasty, they leap into: decorating, leadership, volunteering, churches, careen alternatives, and friendships. They don't have 15 years to get to know people. Their roots are short but flexible. They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military wives quickly learn to value each other. They connect over lunch, rely on the spouse network, accept offers of friendship and favors, record address in pencil...

Military wives have a common bond, the military wife has a husband unlike other husbands, his commitment is unique He doesn't have a JOB, He has a MISSION that he can't just decide to quit, He's on call for his country 24/7. But for her he's the most unreliable guy in town. His language is foreign: PCS, TDY, OPR, BDU, ACU, TAD, and so his wife is a translator for his family and hers. She is the long distance link to keep them informed; the glue that holds them together.

A military wife has her moments: she wants to dye his uniform pink, wring his neck and refuse to move to Siberia, but she pulls herself together, give her a few days, a hot bath, a travel brochure, a pledge to the flag, a wedding picture, and she goes. She packs, She moves, She follows.

Why?

What for?

How come?

You may think it is because she has lost her mind.

But actually it is because she has lost her heart.

It was stolen from her by a man who puts duty first, longs to deploy, salutes the flag, and whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her military husband, She will remain his military wife.

I love my MILITARY MAN! That is why I am starting the cycle over and moving again.