Adjustments

It's amazing how hard adjustments can be--even when they are good ones. We had to adjust to Shane being deployed last year and that was one of the hardest adjustments we have ever had. Then we had to adjust to him being back home, which also took a while--although that was a good adjustment. We had to adjust to moving back to the states (that one was easy and didn't take long). Now, we are going through another adjustment and it isn't always pretty. This year Shane is in school--that means he has a low stress job and is home a lot. This on the surface is a good thing. Actually, not just on the surface, it is a good thing. However, this too is a huge adjustment for our family. The kids have started school, but not activities. Shane is home most days between 1 and 4. Dillan and I are home full time right now--neither one of us has started school yet. So all 6 of us are on top of each other a lot of the time. Together time is awesome, but too much can be stressful too. We can get on each other's nerves quite easily and things escalate much to quickly. Don't get me wrong, things are still good in our household, but we are definitely going through another adjustment. Just as we had to get used to being apart during a deployment, now we have to get used to being together most of the time. Adjustments, Lord help me through this.

Flamingo Fridays!!!

We had our first Flamingo Friday in our neighborhood last night. For those of you wondering what that is, hang on one sec and I'll explain. We are really not this creative--we borrowed the idea from some friends of ours. The basic idea is to get together with neighbors in a casual atmosphere to relax, get to know each other, and enjoy each others' company. Shane and I made up flyers that he took to all 59 houses on our street (it's a continuous street so there really isn't a logical breaking point so we went with the whole street) inviting them to our yard for a Flamingo Friday party. This basically means that we provide paper products, tables, and grills. Everyone brings their own "meat dish", chairs, and drinks. They also bring a side/snack/dessert to share with everyone else. We get together with whoever shows up (about 1/2 the street did) and just have a good time. Now, the plastic flamingo comes in because someone else will take it and put it in their yard to signal that they are hosting next week's party. We got great feedback from everyone so we are hoping this will continue the entire year we are here. Even if it's only for a while it's a great way to meet the neighbors and make some friends. It was a great night!!

Quick update

Well, the kids started school this past week. They all seem to be enjoying it--yep, even Brendan :)

Brendan is in 6th grade now and is adjusting back to public school, but seems to be doing just fine. He has made a couple of good friends and has joined a running club which starts next week.

Katie is in 3rd grade and seems to have a wonderful teacher. She is learning responsibility this year--they have something to bring home and be signed each day. She also has a couple of friends from her class who live on our street so that is really nice.

Meghan is in 1st grade and is already jumping right into reading. She really likes her teacher and also has friends (of course--she's Meghan) everywhere:)

Brendan started scouts yesterday--they have 2 troops here to choose from--he tried one yesterday and I think is going to try the other one next week and then decide which one he likes better.

The girls are both signed up for scouts, but don't actually start until Sept.

Dillan will be starting preschool in Sept. He will go 3 days a week from 8:30-1:30. He is really ready to go. We are enjoying Mommy/Dillan time, but he wants to be with friends.

All 4 are signed up for soccer which also starts in Sept.

Shane seems to be enjoying his classes. His "work" days are quite short so we get him home quite a bit. He was actually home by 1:00 today. He, of course, has to study, but he's here so that's nice.

Shane and Brendan just went through the hunter's safety course so they are gearing up for pretty much any season that happens along:) It's nice to see them doing that together though.

As for me--right now I'm just Mom. But, if everything works out, I will be starting my courses to earn a Gifted and Talented Education Certificate the end of Sept. Pray that it works out because I'm getting quite frustrated. I have finally found the right program at the right school that will accept the funding I need them to, it's just getting a previous school to release the account they wouldn't even accept that is the hold up. Hopefully I will get a response from them this week and can get enrolled.

Well the kids will be home from school in a couple of minutes so I better go.

Last post of pictures

This is our last day in Florida. We went to Sea World.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

And finally--this is our new baby.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Trying to finish this up

Here is day 3--Hollywood Studios This was Dillan's best day of his life just because he got to see Lightning McQueen!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Day 4 and 5 Epcot (not many pictures) and Magic Kingdom again

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Shane just walked in the door so I will do SeaWorld pictures tomorrow.

Time for a bit more

I divided our Disney Trip up by days--there are a bunch.

Here is day 1--Animal Kingdom

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Day 2--Magic Kingdom

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm back!!

WOW!!! What a ride! Moving, Disney, unpacking, getting settled...ok still working on that last one.

We have finally arrived at our new home. The kids are having a ball making new friends. This street is all 4 bedroom homes which means every family has at least 3 children....makes for a lot of fun around here. We have met a few of the neighbors--we are all moving in at the same time so it's rather chaotic around here right now.

Shane starts work next week full time--he's doing a couple of hours a day right now--and the kids start school already next Tuesday. So we will be getting back into a regular routine which will be very nice.

I've finally got all the pictures unloaded so here are some of our final days in Italy, Disney, and our new puppy. Hope you enjoy them!


Salute to the Nation--a ceremony where the flags of the 50 states are posted to honor each one--the local scouts carry the flags...

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Here are the kids feeding pigeons on our last trip to Venice.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Here was our first stop in Florida--Gatorland.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

So much stuff to do... the rest will have to wait until later, but I promise to get back to them soon.