Saying Goodbye...

Unfortunately for us, we are saying good-bye to those leaving us, although I would rather be the ones leaving. All in good time I guess. Friday the group that Jake works with had a get together at a restaurant here in Grafenwohr. Um lets just say for starters that buffets are an American thing. In a good attempt, this restaurant brought out lots of food but brought it out onto a table and left it. Served on chilled plates, in a freezing cold room, good thing we weren't really there for the food.
Guys that Jake has worked side by side with for the past 3 years including the 15 months in Iraq, are starting to go their seperate ways. Some of these guys are like little brothers to me. They have been in my home, played with my kids, eaten my food, protected my husband, and I'm sure Jake would say the same. They fought like brothers in Iraq, made fun of each other, and helped each other through 15 months of war. Its a bittersweet thing. Everyone is moving on to different destinations, some will no longer include the military. But I personally will never forget these guys that have made me laugh, have irriated me (by irritating Jake) and have become part of my family. Who knows where our paths will lead us and who we will see again...

Welcome Home Jake!!

Saturday night Jake finally came home to us!! This has been an extrememly long deployment but we are finally a complete family again. It was a suprise to find his name on the flight manifest. I literally screamed and then cried. Then I couldn't talk. I was tongue-tied. What a wonderful suprise! His ceremony was around midnight. They gave him Sunday and Monday off before he had to return for his reintegration. Its not bad though, only a few hours each day. I feel so blessed and am truely grateful to have my wonderful husband home safe. Thank you all so much for your support and love to our family throughout this deployment. Now we are enjoying each day together.

Do Unto Others...

I just wanted to post a little something about the gratitude I have felt from all the donations I received for soldiers this past year. Months ago it was soccer balls for the Iraqi kids. I thought we might get 10 or so and we ended up with almost 40 soccer balls! It was awesome. We had donations from friends, family, church groups, friends of friends, family of friends, (you get the picture).

Now its almost time for all these wonderful soldiers to come home and the single soldiers will be coming back to Germany without loved ones to greet them. Not to mention having sheets on their beds, blankets, toothbrushes, etc. Just a room and a thanks for your service, see you in the morning. So....thats where we had some WONDERFUL donations and volunteers. I put out an email about a month ago to my email contacts and I have received 15 boxes of goodies for soldiers. Here are a few pictures of some of the fun stuff. My kids and I had a blast going through all the boxes and of course, my heart was so full that the water works followed. What can I say? When it comes to our soldiers and the patriotism and support by others, I am complete mush. So if any of those that donated items read this....Thank you on behalf of the 2 Stryker Cavalry Regiment single soldiers!!!

We received bed sheets, towels, snacks, toiletries, decorations, even beautiful homemade thank you cards. This was so great and the soldiers that have come in are already thanking us everytime they see us. Thank you again to everyone and WELCOME HOME STRYKERS!!!

Another trip to the hospital

Luckily we didn't have to stay the night...total shocker! I had packed a bag and everything. Its kinda the norm in Germany. They seem to admit you for everything, especially babies. I had the flu when I was pregnant and got sick at my doc appointment, so they admitted me into the hospital which ended up being worse because the other thing about hospitals here is you get the luxury of roommates so I was in with an old lady that kept getting sick ALL NIGHT LONG. Anyway, just explaining why its not so fun to stay in hospitals here....
So Kenlee had a cold for over a week but it was starting to get better. Then a couple days ago her breathing started sounding bad. So I tried to get her in to our oh so wonderful clinic here on post that can't handle the patient load. We couldn't get her in so we tried for the next day. The doctor saw her and said he thought I should take her in to the hospital. He was worried that she might have injested something the way she was sounding. Sound familiar? So I went home, made arrangements for the kids, packed bags, got to the hospital and they said they think she has croupe. I didn't know they still diagnose that one. So they gave her a supository which I thought was kinda cool because I guess thats how they sometimes give children medicine because it gets in the blood system faster and begins working sooner. Jake confirmed that one when he shared the ever fun information that I will now pass on to you...he said "ya Mel thats the fastest way to hydrate someone too. They take a bag of fluids, stick the hose in your butt and stomp on the bag and that will get you hydrated way faster than through an IV". Awww, its so nice having a husband who knows these raw details. Aren't you glad I shared?
So the medicine didn't help as much as hoped but they said I could have her stay in the hospital but it wasn't a must. So we came home and although she doesn't sound much better, she's now starting to cough more so I'm hoping thats a good sign. Maybe the guck is breaking up and she's now able to get it out. None of this slows her down though. Thats a good thing. Still has all her energy and is her sweet smiling, into everything self! Another bright side...the kids were already enjoying their sleepover arrangements (no school on friday) so they wanted to stay and therefore Kenlee and I had the night and now half the day to ourselves. I have actually been able to cross some things off of my TO DO BEFORE JAKE COMES HOME list.

Happy Birthday Kenlee!

Hard to believe my baby is already one! Kenlee is such a joy to our family. She looks like her brother, is sweet like her sister, but is silly all on her own. She gets giggly and excited and likes to bounce up and down. We have enjoyed every second of watching her grow this past year. Unfortunately her dad missed this precious time, but they will get to do a lot of making up for it when he comes home this month. Kenlee is a lucky girl to have a brother and sister that love her to pieces and will do just about anything for her. Rylee is a huge help to me, a little mother. And Keegan loves to make her laugh. He's a great entertainer. And then Lucy our dog is just sweet for letting Kenlee love on her with her fur in Kenlee's grip (I know poor Lucy).

We had a small party with friends and their kids for her birthday. Kenlee got some fun presents but I think her boquet of balloons was her favorite (go figure). On her actual birthday, Grandma Rita was able to watch Kenlee open her presents and eat her strawberry shortcake through webcam courtesy of Skype. Isn't technology amazing?? Kenlee loves....

laying on her dog Lucy

her binkie

taking baths

mandarin oranges

her dolly

playing with the water cooler knobs

exploring

Back to Work??

So last monday I started working again just part time though. Let me back up a bit....since Jake joined the Army I have been staying home with the kids. I don't like the idea of paying someone else to raise my kids. Thats why I originally went into real estate. I thought oh ya I can work from home, make my own hours, blah blah. Well to be successful, you have to accomodate everyone else's schedules. Also I worked in new construction which means working out of a model home. Not bad if your kids are older but sending Keegan to a babysitter after he was only 6 wks old was heartbreaking. Ok fast forward....so it must've been the long deployment getting to me but when I was at the PX recently, I saw a friend of mine putting out lotions and perfume, etc. I asked her how she got the job doing that because she doesn't actually work for the px. So she told me about how she works part time and makes her own schedule, yadda yadda. So I said, "ok are they ever hiring? That sounds nice." So a few weeks later I run into her and she tells me that she mentioned me to the lady that hires for Yankee candles and I would be getting a phone call for an interview. I was all excited thinking a little extra money for the holidays, time away, etc. Then I go to the interview and was later called and offered the job. Thats when the guilt and doubt set in. For starters I had the hardest time finding child care. A new brigade of about 3000 families moved in over the summer and all the childcare spaces are full. Kenlee loves going to the daycare center. She has gone there a couple times in the past couple months when I've had appointments, things like that. So she loves the kids and I have friends who work there so I know she's in good hands. Of course that place is full now. Home providers were full. Was this a sign?? Then one day I'm sitting at home playing with Kenlee and folding laundry and thinking to myself, "what was I thinking wanting to go back to work"? I realized just how much I love being at home. This may sound so corny and lame, well too bad....
I love taking care of my home. Spending the day with my child, cleaning my house (not the acutal cleaning part I mean I'm not crazy, just the satisfaction afterward). I love that contribution I make for my family. No I'm not out curing cancer, but my family thinks its pretty important. Well I talked to Jake about the job on the phone and he said he also likes me being home but that it was my decision. He's so great. Oh I forgot to mention, I had already accepted the job before realizing all this so I already felt an obligation. Especially since the lady had already told the other person she interviewed, too bad.
So starting last week I confirmed, ya this is not really worth being away from Kenlee. I had to send her to different friends to be watched. Well then I got some info that a lady that is certified in home care will be available to start watching her next wednesday. So I guess I will be sticking with this atleast through the holidays. Besides, my original thinking was that when Jake takes his block leave, (Thanksgiving through New Years off) he will be able to stay home with her and they can have some special time together. I am only working like 4 hours a day anyway. So I'm overstressing all this right? Its ok....only part time. Really truely (ya keep telling myself that). But back to me thinking about my wonderful life....can I just end by saying I was able to truely count my blessings that day. Not just think about it in hindsight like usual (yes I know I'm lucky, I have a healthy family, a home, freedom, etc) but I was REALLY able to say "dang, I really am lucky. Yes my husband is away from me and its harder than I can ever describe, but I know how much he loves me. He is truely my best friend. And I AM so very blessed to have 3 beautiful, healthy children who are only young for so long. They bring me such joy, such stress and I wouldn't have it any other way. And I do love being the one who is there when they come home from school. Making them dinner, volunteering in their classrooms, suprising them when I come to have lunch with them at school, reading at night, taking them to karate, cheerleading, dance, girl scouts, etc etc. (ok I lied, that gets so old, I cannot wait for my husband to be here so he can do some of that for a change...but I do like watching them, its just the shuttling around part) So i guess lesson learned A. be careful what you wish for B. if it aint broke, don't fix it and C. Always count your blessings. We'll see how it all goes......