Friends, its been a busy, productive and FUN weekend. Breezy and I have been getting things done and it feels GOOD. Let me just give you a short summary of our last 4 day weekend in Germany....It should have been spent traveling.
Thursday night after all the Chaos was over we had Pizza for dinner and spent the evening de-stressing. :-)
Friday- Me and the boys ran around taking care of business. Had lunch at Subway and then did a little shopping for some odds and eds at the PX. We had a quick and easy dinner and again spent the evening just hanging out at home.
Saturday- We packed a little and mostly just stayed around the house for the most part. In the evening the boys and I spent some time with my dear German friend Mrs.H while our husbands and her older children went to see Narnia at the theater.
Sunday- EUCOM Chaplain, Ray Bailey came to be apart of our worship service. He spoke on "Being Nice" which is another post in itself. We had a pot luck that was pretty much a joke since the DFAC (Dining Facility)forgot to cook some of our food. In the evening we had several good friends over for Fried Pickles, Chili, Cornbread and Alabama sweet tea. First night of fun since before my surgery.
TODAY- We cleaned out the car and spent the morning in our jammies playing old school Mario! Today is also Mrs. H's birthday so we spent the afternoon celebrating with cake and coffee at her house!
NOTHING exciting but with the craziness that is going to begin in the next 48 hours I needed to relax a little. Breezy even let me sleep in this morning and Saturday night Brudder FINALLY slept through the nights.
On two my 2nd "Thought"
In all the books I've read on Bringing Up Boys, nowhere has it said that my son would be infatuated with pee'ing on things in public. Here's an example;
1. right before my surgery Big Boy RAN out of the Sanctuary through the side doors. I went after him only to find him pee'ing on the side of the church building.
2. 3 weeks ago I got out of the car at church and Big Boy got out in a hurry, took off running across the lawn (I thought he was headed to the door...NO, he was headed to the tree...He had to pee and couldn't go a few feet further to the bathroom right inside the church
3. YESTERDAY we had a pot luck after church. As I was cleaning up Mrs. H hollers across the fellowship hall..."Mrs. B look out the window." I did and so did everyone else, only to find Clark pee'ing on the tree AGAIN.
4. THEN again yesterday we were cleaning and Big Boy was playing outside on the porch. He comes running in the house....MOM I pee'd through the fence.
5. Lastly today we were out cleaning out our car and I look and he's by the building in the backyard pee'ing down the drain...wonder where the water/urine really goes. Picture this...little boy in his flannel Pj's with his pants tucked into his rain boots with his Spiderman jacket on.
Let me say this, he hasn't figured out that he does not have to pull his pants all the way down so every time he's pee'ing in public hes got his pants around his ankels and his cute little white hiney flashed for the world to see.
Another note about pee'ing.
We've been working with Big Boy in the evenings so he doesn't wet the bed in the night. On Friday night about 11:45 p.m. Breezy and I were laying in bed when I heard Big Boy get out of his bed and start towards the bathroom. I was THRILLED. I layed there thinking he'll potty and go right back to bed. The longer I listened the more I realized that he was indeed going potty but his urine was NOT going into the toilet. I jumped up and found Big Boy standing at the bathroom door, facing into the bathroom, going potty right in the floor...YUCK. After I finished laughing I asked him what he was doing and so innocently he said "Momma I'm just going peepee on the potty." Isn't that what we've been begging him to do. I just wish he would have walked about a foot further and actually made it into the toilet.
The joys of being a mother to boy. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Its 10:15 and Breezy and I are watching the re-play of the Golden Globes. He's snoring already so I guess that means it's time for us to get to bed. 5:30 a.m. will come early for Breezy.
Tomorrow is my very last PWOC meeting. It's going to be bittersweet.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
And The Army Goes Rolling Along.....
So we OFFICIALLY have orders to our next Duty Station....18 days out. I'm sure you all could tell by my tone that I was beginning to freak out just a little bit.Breezy keeps asking me if I am stressing less now that we have papers..WELL NO, I've only got something on my calendar everyday for the rest of the month. WHOA take a nerve tablet and BREATHE! We received the Orders via email around 4:00 p.m. yesterday and Breezy and I have been non-stop since then. In less than 24 hours we have;
1. Made arrangements for our household goods to be picked up along with our unaccompanied baggage.
2. Made an appointment to clear our apartment.
3. Booked our plane tickets.
4. Packed up our collection of over 300 DVD's.
5. Packed up Breezy's "Army" things.
6. Sorted and Organized all of our personal documents.
7. Breezy cleared about 6 check marks in his clearing packet and made a few other appointments for next week.
8. We de-registered the 525 BMW and made an appointment to pick up shipping tags for the KIA next week.
9. Made an appointment to ship our POV to Dallas, TX (12 hours from where we will live).
10. I booked Breezy a massage for the 24th :-).
11. AND been Mommy and Daddy to our 2 precious boys :-).
I'm thrilled that the Army finally decided that it was necessary to get things rolling along. They did some-what drop the ball, but heck I'm sure we're not the only ones this has happened to. We are just grateful that we'll be in our new home SOON.
ALSO...big news from Brudder. We have 2 teeth now and today we officially switched to Cloth diapers. They will take some getting used to but I believe they will be worth it in the long run. I have some photos of his "Happy Heiney" wearing self and I'll share those with you in a few days.
My brain can not think anymore. I must go to bed. Brudder will be up between 1 and 3 I'm sure for his nightly feeding. Goodnight!
1. Made arrangements for our household goods to be picked up along with our unaccompanied baggage.
2. Made an appointment to clear our apartment.
3. Booked our plane tickets.
4. Packed up our collection of over 300 DVD's.
5. Packed up Breezy's "Army" things.
6. Sorted and Organized all of our personal documents.
7. Breezy cleared about 6 check marks in his clearing packet and made a few other appointments for next week.
8. We de-registered the 525 BMW and made an appointment to pick up shipping tags for the KIA next week.
9. Made an appointment to ship our POV to Dallas, TX (12 hours from where we will live).
10. I booked Breezy a massage for the 24th :-).
11. AND been Mommy and Daddy to our 2 precious boys :-).
I'm thrilled that the Army finally decided that it was necessary to get things rolling along. They did some-what drop the ball, but heck I'm sure we're not the only ones this has happened to. We are just grateful that we'll be in our new home SOON.
ALSO...big news from Brudder. We have 2 teeth now and today we officially switched to Cloth diapers. They will take some getting used to but I believe they will be worth it in the long run. I have some photos of his "Happy Heiney" wearing self and I'll share those with you in a few days.
My brain can not think anymore. I must go to bed. Brudder will be up between 1 and 3 I'm sure for his nightly feeding. Goodnight!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
We've Made Our List(s).....We're Marking Things Off
Holy Moly friends the last few days have been like a time bomb. I last blogged on Saturday and Breezy and I have been in a mad rush to get things taken care of. PCS'ing is beginning to suck me in and boy will I be ready to get out in a few weeks. I believe when you PCS it's much different from a regular move. The Army has very high standards you are expected to abide by. Of course for us we've not really had any issues because we take care of the things we've been blessed to have.
Let me just share with you a few things that we've already done in the last 5 days, and a few things that we still need to do...
DONE:
1. We've packed our entire basement (baby clothes,toys,110 Appliances, Christmas Goodies, Other holiday Goodies, linens, etc.)
2. Cleaned out and sorted Big Boy's room.
3. Moved all of Brudder's things from our room to Big Boys room to be packed.
4. Cleaned out and pre-packed/sorted Breezy's closet.
5. Brought the suitcases from the basement so we can start packing the things we will need to keep when our Household Goods are picked up.
6. Cleaned the stove/oven to Inspection Standards.
7. Cleaned the house last night and this morning to prep for our pre-inspection.
8. PASSED our pre-inspection with only a few items to work on.
9. Took our limit of 20 items to the thrift store for consignment in December. We're taking another 20 items on Thursday. (Received a check for 48.00)
10. WE HAVE A HOUSE ON POST!!!!!!! 1740 sq ft/3 bd/1 ba :-( basement, fenced yard. We couldn't be more blessed.
TO DO:
1. FINALLY get Breezy's orders.
2. Go to the USAG up the road and pick up Out Processing information
3. Book plane tickets to America and make arrangements for Rental Car/Lodging/ Airport Pick up.
5. Turn off Cell's/Home Phone/Internet, Close bank account
4. Arrange for our car to be shipped/clean car to Army standards/take car 45 minutes away and drop it off/find car to drive until we leave.
6. Arrange for our HHG's to be picked up
7. Arrange for our unaccompanied baggage to be picked up.
8. Schedule Final Inspection
9. Make arrangements for lodging after Final Inspection
10. Pack/Re-Pack our 8 bags (we'll have on bag full of toys for the boys!)
11. FINAL OUT OF GERMANY!!!!
There's another to do list for Breezy and another to do list once we get to America
A few other important events;
My dear friends from our Battalion are having a Farewell Lunch for another dear friend; Leslie and I. We'll both be leaving around the same time. We're going to be going to one of my favorite Greek restaurants in Germany! It will be hard to say goodbye to some of the grandest friends I've made in all of my lifetime.
Lastly, I will have to say my final farewell to the ladies of PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel)and to our Church Family/my Kid's Worship Kiddo's. Going to be a very very sad day for me but I know that the ministry's are both being left in good hands!
I'm off to catch a cat nap while Brudder naps his little heart away. I'll have one eye open watching Big Boy play his new Wii game :-).
Let me just share with you a few things that we've already done in the last 5 days, and a few things that we still need to do...
DONE:
1. We've packed our entire basement (baby clothes,toys,110 Appliances, Christmas Goodies, Other holiday Goodies, linens, etc.)
2. Cleaned out and sorted Big Boy's room.
3. Moved all of Brudder's things from our room to Big Boys room to be packed.
4. Cleaned out and pre-packed/sorted Breezy's closet.
5. Brought the suitcases from the basement so we can start packing the things we will need to keep when our Household Goods are picked up.
6. Cleaned the stove/oven to Inspection Standards.
7. Cleaned the house last night and this morning to prep for our pre-inspection.
8. PASSED our pre-inspection with only a few items to work on.
9. Took our limit of 20 items to the thrift store for consignment in December. We're taking another 20 items on Thursday. (Received a check for 48.00)
10. WE HAVE A HOUSE ON POST!!!!!!! 1740 sq ft/3 bd/1 ba :-( basement, fenced yard. We couldn't be more blessed.
TO DO:
1. FINALLY get Breezy's orders.
2. Go to the USAG up the road and pick up Out Processing information
3. Book plane tickets to America and make arrangements for Rental Car/Lodging/ Airport Pick up.
5. Turn off Cell's/Home Phone/Internet, Close bank account
4. Arrange for our car to be shipped/clean car to Army standards/take car 45 minutes away and drop it off/find car to drive until we leave.
6. Arrange for our HHG's to be picked up
7. Arrange for our unaccompanied baggage to be picked up.
8. Schedule Final Inspection
9. Make arrangements for lodging after Final Inspection
10. Pack/Re-Pack our 8 bags (we'll have on bag full of toys for the boys!)
11. FINAL OUT OF GERMANY!!!!
There's another to do list for Breezy and another to do list once we get to America
A few other important events;
My dear friends from our Battalion are having a Farewell Lunch for another dear friend; Leslie and I. We'll both be leaving around the same time. We're going to be going to one of my favorite Greek restaurants in Germany! It will be hard to say goodbye to some of the grandest friends I've made in all of my lifetime.
Lastly, I will have to say my final farewell to the ladies of PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel)and to our Church Family/my Kid's Worship Kiddo's. Going to be a very very sad day for me but I know that the ministry's are both being left in good hands!
I'm off to catch a cat nap while Brudder naps his little heart away. I'll have one eye open watching Big Boy play his new Wii game :-).
Saturday, January 08, 2011
PCS'in with a 4 Year Old
Momma, I don't want to leave here just yet, "I just love all the people." He's so tenderhearted. My response was, Buddy, Momma loves the people too but it's time for us to find more people to love.
That was Big Boy's response to us telling him that pretty soon we wouldn't live in Germany anymore. He's VERY confused and trying to make him understand is just making it harder. This house(and my parents for a year)is the only home he has ever known and in a few days his whole world is going to be rocked. We moved here when he was merely 7 weeks old. This is going to be the 1st life changing event, besides welcoming Brudder into the family,that he will experience.
He has his mind made up that we're packing up our belongings to go back to Grammy's world in America. He's going to be very disappointed when we get off the airplane in CO and Gram's not there waiting for us at the luggage belt. He "knows" that we're headed to Colorado but he's not grasping the concept at all. I keep explaining to him that when we get to America we can drive to Grammy's house and we won't have to wait so long to visit and no more really long airplane rides.
He doesn't want a new room. He asked if he could take his room with him. He's worried he'll never see his toys again. We've told him that they're going to go across the ocean just like we are and will meet us at our new house...SOONER than LATER.
He wants to make sure that Dadda and Brudder are coming along. "Remember,you and Brudder are going to share a new sleeping room."
We look at photos of houses and he thinks they are all perfect, especially the apartments with pools and playgrounds. He wants a dog named Jack, a black one with white spots, as soon as we get to America. He wants a house with stairs, just like at Gram's house. He wants to have a sleeping room with Brudder and a play room. He's got high expectations! I just want a place that we can call "home" and maybe a fireplace too.
I think we will take pictures of this house so he'll always remember his first home. I want to make Germany a memory he'll never,ever forget. Of course we'll come back when the boys are older and can understand and share with them more about our time here. Our time here has been so very precious.
This is an adventure,that's for sure! I'm sure I'll have more stories to share. Until then,please pray for a since of understanding and peace for our sweet boy. He's having HORRIBLE night mares. He keeps waking up screaming for us not to leave him here. It breaks my heart because I would never ever do such a thing.
Until tomorrow...I'm going back to bed :-) it's 1:30 a.m.
That was Big Boy's response to us telling him that pretty soon we wouldn't live in Germany anymore. He's VERY confused and trying to make him understand is just making it harder. This house(and my parents for a year)is the only home he has ever known and in a few days his whole world is going to be rocked. We moved here when he was merely 7 weeks old. This is going to be the 1st life changing event, besides welcoming Brudder into the family,that he will experience.
He has his mind made up that we're packing up our belongings to go back to Grammy's world in America. He's going to be very disappointed when we get off the airplane in CO and Gram's not there waiting for us at the luggage belt. He "knows" that we're headed to Colorado but he's not grasping the concept at all. I keep explaining to him that when we get to America we can drive to Grammy's house and we won't have to wait so long to visit and no more really long airplane rides.
He doesn't want a new room. He asked if he could take his room with him. He's worried he'll never see his toys again. We've told him that they're going to go across the ocean just like we are and will meet us at our new house...SOONER than LATER.
He wants to make sure that Dadda and Brudder are coming along. "Remember,you and Brudder are going to share a new sleeping room."
We look at photos of houses and he thinks they are all perfect, especially the apartments with pools and playgrounds. He wants a dog named Jack, a black one with white spots, as soon as we get to America. He wants a house with stairs, just like at Gram's house. He wants to have a sleeping room with Brudder and a play room. He's got high expectations! I just want a place that we can call "home" and maybe a fireplace too.
I think we will take pictures of this house so he'll always remember his first home. I want to make Germany a memory he'll never,ever forget. Of course we'll come back when the boys are older and can understand and share with them more about our time here. Our time here has been so very precious.
This is an adventure,that's for sure! I'm sure I'll have more stories to share. Until then,please pray for a since of understanding and peace for our sweet boy. He's having HORRIBLE night mares. He keeps waking up screaming for us not to leave him here. It breaks my heart because I would never ever do such a thing.
Until tomorrow...I'm going back to bed :-) it's 1:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
What is PCS'ing?
In the United States Armed Forces, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is the official relocation of an Active Duty military service member, along with any family members living with her or him to a different duty location.
On January 1, 2011 this became the next phase of our lives. Now, we are 25 days away from leaving Europe and we have a HUGE to-do list to accomplish before we can leave.
Here's just a LITTLE of how the process works....
1. You receive your assignment/next duty location on you AKO/ASK (Army Website).
2. Your solider will attend a Levy Brief that will help him to understand the all aspects of a PCS move.
3. Orders SHOULD be received.
4. Appointments begin; Set up the moving of your household goods, ship your vehicle, have your house pre-inspected/final inspection, arrange your flight, arrange for housing once you have "cleared" your house.
5. Your soldier will begins the official out-processing from your current assignment approximately 10 business days prior to flying. Get on a housin wait list only to find out there is a 3-6 month wait....start looking for a house/apartment that is within the rate of your BAH (Basic Housing Allowance).
6. You pre-pack before the movers/packers come (this usually makes for a few trips to the dump and or thrift store), you clean before your pre-inspection, you clean after the movers come.
7. Unaccompanied baggage (if you have time) is packed and picked up.
8. Clear housing and stay with friends for a few night before you head out.
Are you tired yet?
I am. I'm more stressed than anything BECAUSE...
We just got our assignment last TUESDAY and Breezy has NOTHING on his AKO/ASK. Therefore he can not go to a Levy Brief. Therefore he can not get his orders. Therefore we can not make any appointments. Therefore we leave in 25 days and we are already WAY behind. I'm ready to get this show on the road people! Understand this, the Army works on THEIR time not yours/ours.
We did spend most of the morning sorting/repacking/cleaning out our storage unit. All of the boys outgrown/do not fit just yet clothes have been sorted and put into Tupperware, all of our linens (sheets, towels, blankets,rugs, curtains) are washed and packed. Some of Big Boy's toys are packed (puzzles, games). Christmas Decorations are all ready to go.
There is still a lot left to do but I can only do so much in one day. It's especially hard since I am not allowed to lift anything more than 10 pounds (I do hold Brudder..he's 18). I want things packs so-so. I want to be able to locate all of my items. I'm sure I'll be going behind the packers labeling all of the boxes. I'm anal about that kind of stuff unfortunately. We'll see if they are as tolerable as the movers were when we PCS'd from Ft. Rucker in 2006.
Until Tomorrow....Mrs. .B
*We'll be having a Guest Blogger VERY soon...This will be a read you do not want to miss!*
On January 1, 2011 this became the next phase of our lives. Now, we are 25 days away from leaving Europe and we have a HUGE to-do list to accomplish before we can leave.
Here's just a LITTLE of how the process works....
1. You receive your assignment/next duty location on you AKO/ASK (Army Website).
2. Your solider will attend a Levy Brief that will help him to understand the all aspects of a PCS move.
3. Orders SHOULD be received.
4. Appointments begin; Set up the moving of your household goods, ship your vehicle, have your house pre-inspected/final inspection, arrange your flight, arrange for housing once you have "cleared" your house.
5. Your soldier will begins the official out-processing from your current assignment approximately 10 business days prior to flying. Get on a housin wait list only to find out there is a 3-6 month wait....start looking for a house/apartment that is within the rate of your BAH (Basic Housing Allowance).
6. You pre-pack before the movers/packers come (this usually makes for a few trips to the dump and or thrift store), you clean before your pre-inspection, you clean after the movers come.
7. Unaccompanied baggage (if you have time) is packed and picked up.
8. Clear housing and stay with friends for a few night before you head out.
Are you tired yet?
I am. I'm more stressed than anything BECAUSE...
We just got our assignment last TUESDAY and Breezy has NOTHING on his AKO/ASK. Therefore he can not go to a Levy Brief. Therefore he can not get his orders. Therefore we can not make any appointments. Therefore we leave in 25 days and we are already WAY behind. I'm ready to get this show on the road people! Understand this, the Army works on THEIR time not yours/ours.
We did spend most of the morning sorting/repacking/cleaning out our storage unit. All of the boys outgrown/do not fit just yet clothes have been sorted and put into Tupperware, all of our linens (sheets, towels, blankets,rugs, curtains) are washed and packed. Some of Big Boy's toys are packed (puzzles, games). Christmas Decorations are all ready to go.
There is still a lot left to do but I can only do so much in one day. It's especially hard since I am not allowed to lift anything more than 10 pounds (I do hold Brudder..he's 18). I want things packs so-so. I want to be able to locate all of my items. I'm sure I'll be going behind the packers labeling all of the boxes. I'm anal about that kind of stuff unfortunately. We'll see if they are as tolerable as the movers were when we PCS'd from Ft. Rucker in 2006.
Until Tomorrow....Mrs. .B
*We'll be having a Guest Blogger VERY soon...This will be a read you do not want to miss!*
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