update from Monterey

We'll, we've been here roughly 9 months now. Hard to believe this time last year, we were living in Colorado Springs, CO.  Spencer had just received his acceptance to the DLI..and I was a nervous wreck. All the questions you ask as a military spouse. "Where will we live?" What is the base/post like?" What is the area like?", Will I be able to make mom friends" etc., etc. The questions I should have been asking were, "How the HECK am I going to do this alone for a year!?" Can I emotionally take this on?" How many hours a day/week will he need to study and when he's not studying, how long will homework take?" I know, I'm not technically alone, but the first 6 months sure felt that way! Some days, I wished he were gone for real. Maybe that would make this whole experience a bit easier than seeing him sitting at the computer studying or doing homework and not able to interact with him out of fear it would break his concentration. I shouldn't feel that way though. Seeing him physically is MUCH better than praying/hoping everyday that he's alright or not. He was physically, here but mentally, 10 miles away at school. Especially with having kids, things became very stressful and time with him, especially alone, became incredibly precious. I remember days when the boys and I would greet him with, "hi daddy..welcome home!" Then moments later he would be "gone" again.  It was like  living with a ghost that I could see and touch but never really interact with or better yet, washing clothes and feeding the "invisible man". I just had to keep telling myself, this is only temporary, he's in school, this is his job, and our LIFE/FUTURE he is working toward. It was as if those 6 months, I was holding my breathe waiting for someone to say "OK you can breathe now." I can only imagine how HE must have felt during that time.

Now, here were are 3 months later. Things have slowed down quite a bit, school-wise and for that I'm thankful. Homework is down to an hour a night..sometimes less so I'm starting to remember "oh right, I'm NOT totally alone! I cannot express enough how much of a relief it is, to see the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel..lol

Monterey is incredible. It amazes me that people still question if there is a God or not. If you doubt, just come here, and I guarantee you'll change your mind. When you think of California, you think movie stars, hot sandy beaches, crowds of people, and congested freeways. Monterey, is nothing I would imagine California to be like. We barely have sun (which doesn't help with my ghost-white complexion), The scenery is incredible! When Spencer first took me to lover's point it literally took my breath away. Living in FL all my life, the closest to anything spectacular along the beach would include a crab, an intact seashell...or if you're REALLY "lucky" like me, stepping on a jellyfish! Here, it is nothing to see a seal sunning in the sand, or dolphins swimming in the harbor just feet away from where you stand. Don't even get me started on the WHALES! I'll never forget the first time I stood on a tour boat, out in the middle of  Monterey Bay watching a pod of Humpbacks swimming and diving just yards away...in the open water! No, trainers, no glass aquarium, just free, wild whales. Such and incredible, humbling experience.

Alright, children update. They are doing well. Hard to believe Alex is now 3 and Aidan is fast approaching 2! Aidan is such an incredible baby. Every day he amazes me more. He has the sweetest, free spirit which I totally admire. Wish more people, including myself, had his "go getter" attitude. Alex, is our little engineer. He analyzes everything and incredibly OCD for a 3 year old. Probably the most stubborn person I've ever known outside of myself. We are very excited to see where life will take him. I know every parent thinks their kid will someday be the next president, great American architect, doctor, or even go to space but Alex is so unlike other kids. He has this flame inside of him, that I pray never burns out. If you've met him, you know what I'm talking about. In any case, they have adjusted well to the area, and our lifestyle which is "pick up and go" most of the time. A few months ago, Einstein decided he no longer wanted to be a part of our family. He would get out of the yard, run out the door, and chew excessively. Finally, one day he ran out the door and our neighbor who brought him back, asked if I would consider rehoming him. Dogs choose their owners right? At least we still have Newton. That must be a record for us. Wow, we've had a single pet for 6 years now. GO US! Now, we have a cat too (Mitra). I'm convinced she was a witch in her past life. She has put a spell on Spencer like I've never seen. I'm not complaining though. I wanted a cat, and now here she is sound asleep in the laundry basket. God forbid something happen to her though..my life would be OVER! LOL


Currently, we are on what they call "Exodus" but we call Christmas break for 2 weeks. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that this time next week, we will be going into another new year. As I look back at this year, I'm in Awe with how much has happened. In just one year! We moved, to California, started a new life, I lost a dear friend to Cancer, and another to the war in Afghanistan. Several of my mom friends, had heartbreaking years. The amount of babies that have passed too soon astonishes me. Whether from miscarriage, or still-birth, even SIDS. Now, I can't reflect on 2010, without noting all the good things too. I mean, we are living in CALIFORNIA! We are nearly debt free, and we have two, HEALTHY boys. Although this move has been stressful at times, it has brought our family closer than ever. We are now looking forward to the future of 2011 which will bring just as many changes. We are here for a few more months, but then we will be taking on a whole new adventure. The boys and I will drop Spencer off at Goodfellow AFB, TX to finish out the remainder of his tech school, then the boys and I will head to FL to live with family/friends for 16 weeks. Another wonderful/scary thing will happen then too. We will be in the process of buying our first home. Right now, we are looking at the North Augusta, SC area, since it's close enough (aprox 24 minutes) from the gate of Ft Gordon. This will be an entirely new adventure/challenge for us. As nerve wrecking as it might be, what an amazing feeling to be homeowners! Of course, if we get orders to Maryland, then we will live on post. We prefer to buy a house with land, not a shared wall with our neighbor and it seems most of the homes there are made that way. 2011, will be the year of change yet again, but all things change in time. It's what you do when those changes happen. Whether they are good or bad, or your decisions were good or bad you have to take something from them. Easier said than done though, eh?


I suppose I'll close here. I'm new to this blogging thing so bare with me. It's a work in progress :)