Halloween 2010 Fort Leavenworth

Happy Monday!

Where Does The Time Go?

Good grief.
I knew it had been awhile since I had posted anything, but I never thought it had been way back in July. There comes a point where you wonder "Why am I doing this?" and honestly, sometimes I don't know. I enjoy writing, but I also enjoy things that take me far and away from the land of blogging.
I'm hoping to finish up soon and make this into a Blurb journal.
Still, I can't imagine ever calling it completely quits.
Anyhoo . . .
Last time I posted, I was complaining that it was too hot.
Friday it will be in the low 40s during the day and in the 20s at night. How quickly things have changed.
I'm working every now and then in a tiny hospital that has their women's' services on one floor. We have maybe ten beds, most of which sit empty. It's totally different from what I'm used to, but I have a feeling I'm going to really like it. There's all sorts of time to spend with patients, something that I haven't had in previous positions.
Some days, however, I'm over nursing in general. The paperwork and legal aspect of it all can be suffocating and just plain exhausting.
We're already thinking about our next move, which will be sometime in late May/early June. Crazy to think that this time last year Dave was still deployed and we were thinking that moving to Ft Bragg was in our future.
I NEVER thought we'd be in Kansas.
Life is full of wonderful surprises!
Like this!

My parents came for a visit, and the kids had no idea. Can you say total joy?

We Made It!

The new Casa de Bashaw

We are here at Fort Leavenworth, and we are settling in, slowly but surely.


This is our first time living on post which I think I'm going to enjoy. There is a sense of safety within these walls, and it's wonderful, especially for the kids and my peace of mind. They are able to ride their bikes all over and it's nice to know that speed limits are strictly enforced and that they can only go so far.


Still, sometimes I feel like I'm living in a fish bowl. Everything is so close and well . . . SO CLOSE! Our home has decreased in size by about half, and sometimes I feel as though we are tripping over each other. Maybe that's because we are! I'm learning, however, to be grateful for what we have and what we had. I took our home in Knoxville for granted too many times.

Gosh. I miss this place. The house, the pool right across from my driveway, my neighbors, the grocery store right across from our subdivision, our church at the end of our subdivision, our friends, A/C upstairs . . . I start to dwell upon it and it hurts my heart. Then I remember that God brought us here for a reason and I must choose to focus on the good things that will come from our time out here. TN will always be there, waiting for us with open arms and a glass of cold, sweet tea.

Kansas is nice. Not as flat as I thought it would be. The hills are green, covered with trees, and rolling. Amazing thunderstorms, which I'm coming to enjoy rather than fear. We are close to some neat places, and venture out as often as our pocket book will allow. We were in Omaha a few weeks ago and had a great time. Here's a photo of our lodging. Pretty cool, huh? The kids loved it.

Not much else to say right now. Going somewhat stir crazy as it's been HOT so indoors is a must for most of the day, and the excitement of summer vacation is slowly coming to an end. Looking forward to the start of the school year, and the new opportunities that will arise for our family. Thinking about applying for a job so I can work one or two nights a month. I miss helping new lives come into this world. The extra cash in our vacation fund would be nice as well. There are so many places we want to visit now that we are 800 miles closer!


Hope all is well with your and yours'. Will be back sooner than later . . . I hope! :)

I'm tired.


The funny thing?


We haven't even started to really move things.


The movers should be here in about 12 days or so.


As of yesterday the national company said that a local company still had not picked up our move.


They aren't worried but for some reason I'm a little concerned.


Less than 2 weeks and no local office has us on their books.


Should be interesting to see how this all plays out.


My neighbor came over two days ago and asked if I wanted to do a yard sale with her this weekend. I was having an excess energy moment - I think I had downed a few Diet Cokes - and I gave her an enthusiastic "YES!" My energy faded some when Dave reminded me that he has drill this weekend.


Eee gads! A yard sale with my four kids under foot. I need to put the filter back on my mouth and slow down before I commit.


Still, it's refreshing to get rid of stuff. We've been here for almost four years and we've really spread out. I've been able to "hide" things in closets and put things up until "I have the time to really go through all this". Never found that time and now I'm getting rid of so much.


I just need to get my hubby on board. He saves just about everything.


Kids are home so blogging has really slowed. I've really started to think about stopping, but last year I had my blog made into a memory book, and it's really neat to read what is essentially a journal. I need to keep it going for myself and my family if for no other reason.


Changing the subject, I'm going to be driving out to Kansas by myself with the kids. I need to prepare my arsenal to combat whiny kids and boredom. Any ideas?


Off to pack, sort, clean, etc. Will be back soon!

It's been a month since I've blogged! Where does the time go?

We're busy getting ready to move. We've been here for almost four years, and while for many that doesn't seem long, for a military family it's quite some time. We've really settled in and acquired some major "stuff". I'm trying to sort and decide what we really need to take with us. Our housing is going to be 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the house we have now so I really need to think long and hard about what is important for us to hold on to.

We're only going to be in KS for a year so in an effort to make the next move easier, I'm trying to think about what can be boxed and stored for the year. What I don't have to repack in a year is an added bonus. It'll also be nice to have it stored and out of the way.

We're also going to be in limbo for a few weeks while we wait for our housing to be made available. I need to think about what we'll need during this time and how much we can realistically keep with us in a hotel room.

So what to give away, store for a year, bring with us in the U-Haul, put on the moving truck which will then go into temporary storage until housing is ready, etc.

It's a lot to think about and organize.

Should I mention that organization is not my strong suit?

My baby can make biscuits better than I can get this house together on most days.

School is done next Friday. I can't wait. No more "BEEP BEEP BEEP" at 6:21. The endless school projects and homework will cease. We can read and relax at our neighborhood pool, which is located right across from our house. Perfect! We can run around in the evenings when the heat and humidity have begun to subside, and not give much thought to bedtime. Daddy is home this summer so that brings another level of enjoyment to everything. Good times.

Enjoy your weekend and I hope to be back sooner than later.

It's Time To Go

I'm writing this while James sits next to me, watching a Wiggles video on YouTube. Can't believe I'm listening to these guys again. They may be dorky as anything, but boy, do kids love them.

While we don't have a moving date yet, our "landlady" has decided to let her son move in once we leave. He called last night, making plans to visit the house, move in the end of June, etc.

JUNE! That is so close!

I hung up the phone with a heavy heart, realizing for probably the first time that we are truly, 110% moving to Kansas. I know that sounds silly, but things change so often with the Army that I've gotten used to hearing many maybes and few sure things. This is the longest we've lived anywhere in the same home, and I've come to love our home, our neighbors, our church, my beautiful rose bush, my clematis that is not dead but growing with leaps and bounds up my mailbox, the dogwood growing right outside my bedroom window, and the room where I rocked my fourth and final newborn baby. I love the morning sun coming through my kitchen windows, and one of my favorite things is to watch the setting sun from my bedroom, the house quiet after a busy day of swimming and enjoying another beautiful East TN summer day.

This move has blessed us beyond belief, and I know that God would not take us elsewhere unless He had bigger and better plans for us. Believing this, there is a part of me that is excited to get out to Kansas and see the new adventures that are waiting for us.

Still, it's never easy to say good-bye.

Kids have less than six weeks of school left. My gosh. Where has the school year gone, and how is it that I have a child who will be in the 5th grade? I'm looking forward to having them home with me. Somedays it's just too quiet with only James toddling around.

I took this photo of Anna and myself on Easter. I'm going to edit it now in Photoshop and see if I can improve the color and fade out the front door. I've had Elements since Christmas and haven't done much with it. I even have a book to help me navigate the waters and I still find it a challenge. Wish me luck!

Hoping that wherever you are it's as beautiful as it is here. Dogwoods are in full bloom and the azaleas are not far behind.

Happy Easter!