I am anxiously awaiting for the people from g.f.s. to come and take away my boonie furniture....because my shipment is here!! Both of our shipments came together so we are getting everything today. Except for my van. However, we should only have to wait another 2 weeks for that.
Anyway, I will be really busy today. As the movers bring in each box you have to check it off on this master list. A lot of fun with 4 kids running around! Luckily, Harmony is going to leave at 12 and then is having a sleep over. The boys are all being shipped off to different friends houses, and will enjoy having a free for all...
Ah the joys of moving. However I can not wait to sleep on my own bed tonight!!!!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
spoiled...but grateful
After Valentines Day, my favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I just love that we have a day set aside to count our blessings. It's wonderful. But I am also glad, for those other moments, when something happens and you realize how grateful you are, even if it isn't a national holiday.
Yesterday was not fun. The kids had woken up at the crack of dawn and were crabby. Then around 8:30 or so...the power went out. Our morning went something like this...
"Can you make me some waffles?"
" No, the power is out."
"Can I watch toon disney?"
"no the power is out."
"Can I play on the computer?
"No the power is out."
"Can I play video games?"
"NO THE POWER IS OUT!!"
Later on, after it had come back on, I babysat for a friend of mine. When she came to pick up her kids we talked about how miserable our morning had been, trying to keep our kids entertained. Then she said," well, we really are spoiled...." and she began to tell me about a lady that goes to our church. She is a native of Guam, and she was saying, that electricity bills here are huge. They have been around $900!! This woman only runs her a/c at night, and just enough to make it comfortable enough to sleep. She does not use her dryer. She can't line dry her clothes because it is so humid here. So she hangs them up in her house at night, once the a/c is turned on. She doesn't use her oven, because it costs to much to run and it heats up the house. They use a microwave, grill and stove top. And right about then...I really did start to feel spoiled. But I am so grateful for all that I have.
Living in housing, we don't pay rent or any sort of utilities. Our a/c has not been turned off since we arrived. We live so comfortably. I wish everyone did. Just made me think...
Yesterday was not fun. The kids had woken up at the crack of dawn and were crabby. Then around 8:30 or so...the power went out. Our morning went something like this...
"Can you make me some waffles?"
" No, the power is out."
"Can I watch toon disney?"
"no the power is out."
"Can I play on the computer?
"No the power is out."
"Can I play video games?"
"NO THE POWER IS OUT!!"
Later on, after it had come back on, I babysat for a friend of mine. When she came to pick up her kids we talked about how miserable our morning had been, trying to keep our kids entertained. Then she said," well, we really are spoiled...." and she began to tell me about a lady that goes to our church. She is a native of Guam, and she was saying, that electricity bills here are huge. They have been around $900!! This woman only runs her a/c at night, and just enough to make it comfortable enough to sleep. She does not use her dryer. She can't line dry her clothes because it is so humid here. So she hangs them up in her house at night, once the a/c is turned on. She doesn't use her oven, because it costs to much to run and it heats up the house. They use a microwave, grill and stove top. And right about then...I really did start to feel spoiled. But I am so grateful for all that I have.
Living in housing, we don't pay rent or any sort of utilities. Our a/c has not been turned off since we arrived. We live so comfortably. I wish everyone did. Just made me think...
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
I'm baaaaack!
You know, I lived my life for almost 18.5 years without internet, and now to go a few days without it just kills me!! And how do I have nternet, without my computer being here? Oh that would be because my husband totally spoils me and went and bought me a laptop!! Isn't he the sweetest thing?! As of today, we now have cable and internet. Yeah! So I am back online people!
We have been in our new house for almost a week now. Tomorrow our phone is being hooked up, which I will have to give you that number tomorrow. My cell phone, unfortunatley is not a very reliable way to get a hold of us. The housing here is all made out of concrete, because of typhoons, so I don't get reception inside. But tomorrow we will have a regular phone. Thank heaven. On Friday, our boonie furniture will be picked up and our household goods will be dropped off! So the only thing we will be still missing is our van. Keep your fingers crossed that it will be here soon.
The kids have loved living here in housing. They have made a ton of new friends, and I hardly see them at all during the day! They all have kids their age so it is perfect. Harmony made friends with a girl named Riley, and yesterday when they got together...matching outfits. Wasn't even planned. I have been lucky too because all the women here have been so nice. Everyone is willing for the kids to just kind of roam free and play. It has been a fun time.
Anyway,I have a ton to do on here since I haven't had access for so long. It feels so good to be back! :)
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
goodbye Onward Resort
Well, once again it is time to move! However, this time it will be into our new house! Yeah! Ben went into the housing office on Monday and they told him we could move in on Wednesday ( today actually) but we decided to hold off one more day. So we are moving in bright and early tomorrow morning. I am very excited. We have been without a home for over a month now. It will be so nice to get things settled and not have to move anymore. No more hotels. Yeah!
We went out to eat last night,and realized that we have eaten out almost every day for over a month. Another thing, that although it may sound nice, we don't want to eat in a restaraunt again for a loooong time. Too much of a good thing I guess.
Anyway,I know this is a short post but I have to go and pack up our stuff one last time. Then there will be a lot of unpacking...
I won't have access to a computer after tomorrow. We are not sure when our computer will get here so...We were told that, " there is no such thing" as an express shipment. So here is to hoping that our things come soon.
I do have our new address and my new cell phone number which I will be sending out in an email. The computer I am using is well...not the easiest to work with. The key board has a soft plastic cover over it with all of the Japanese characters and blogger is all written in French. It is multilingual! So I will send it out tomorrow morning when the "English" computer isn't taken.
Everything is going well. We are just sooo ready to be out of here and we are worn out. Still not adjusted to the time change! :)
We went out to eat last night,and realized that we have eaten out almost every day for over a month. Another thing, that although it may sound nice, we don't want to eat in a restaraunt again for a loooong time. Too much of a good thing I guess.
Anyway,I know this is a short post but I have to go and pack up our stuff one last time. Then there will be a lot of unpacking...
I won't have access to a computer after tomorrow. We are not sure when our computer will get here so...We were told that, " there is no such thing" as an express shipment. So here is to hoping that our things come soon.
I do have our new address and my new cell phone number which I will be sending out in an email. The computer I am using is well...not the easiest to work with. The key board has a soft plastic cover over it with all of the Japanese characters and blogger is all written in French. It is multilingual! So I will send it out tomorrow morning when the "English" computer isn't taken.
Everything is going well. We are just sooo ready to be out of here and we are worn out. Still not adjusted to the time change! :)
Sunday, June 17, 2007
hafa adai
That is the welcome greeting in Guam. Fun huh? I am taking advantage of the " we are still not on Guam time and are up at the crack of dawn" to send out some emails and update the old blog.
Ben heads back to work. We have had a lot of togetherness and we are both anxious to send him off today! He hasn't been working since May 18th. That is a loooong time. He isn't sure all of what he will be doing though. Then he is headed to the housing office. We have heard that there are a lot of vacant ones right now. A couple in our new branch at church, were offered one on the first day. So we are hoping for the same luck!
Speaking of our new branch, we attended yesterday. Everyone was very nice and friendly. 4 new families moved in yesterday so they were excited for the influx. Except for Ivan, all of the kids are in the same primary class. There are only the CTR's and Valiants. In Sunday school it was all the youth and adults together ( maybe 20 people with 4 being visitors) and about 12 or so in Relief Society. So it is a tiny branch but they told us not to worry, " there is plenty for us to do!"
Phone and address are still up in the air but once I get them, I will get it sent out. Also, I am taking tons of pictures of the beautiful scenery but I don't want to upload to the hotel's computer so I will put some on when I get my own back.
Anyway, we are doing well. Let me just tell yah...this place is BEAUTIFUL!
Ben heads back to work. We have had a lot of togetherness and we are both anxious to send him off today! He hasn't been working since May 18th. That is a loooong time. He isn't sure all of what he will be doing though. Then he is headed to the housing office. We have heard that there are a lot of vacant ones right now. A couple in our new branch at church, were offered one on the first day. So we are hoping for the same luck!
Speaking of our new branch, we attended yesterday. Everyone was very nice and friendly. 4 new families moved in yesterday so they were excited for the influx. Except for Ivan, all of the kids are in the same primary class. There are only the CTR's and Valiants. In Sunday school it was all the youth and adults together ( maybe 20 people with 4 being visitors) and about 12 or so in Relief Society. So it is a tiny branch but they told us not to worry, " there is plenty for us to do!"
Phone and address are still up in the air but once I get them, I will get it sent out. Also, I am taking tons of pictures of the beautiful scenery but I don't want to upload to the hotel's computer so I will put some on when I get my own back.
Anyway, we are doing well. Let me just tell yah...this place is BEAUTIFUL!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Not in Norfolk anymore!!
The resort has a computer lab, so I thought, I would come and update my blog. Well easier said than done!! Everything is in Chinese & Japanese. Luckily I have posted on my blog so many times that I can figure it out! :)
Well, I have no idea what day or time it is in the states. I know that here it is 4:30 and our family is awake. Not quite adjusted to the change in time! Our poor neighbors!
Leaving L.A. around 9, we boarded the plane. We were in the very last row and actually proved to be really nice. We ended up with an extra seat so I could pile things on there or if the kids started fighting I could switch them around. The big kids did great on that leg of the journey. Coloring, playing gameboy, watching movies. The plane had tv's built in with 9 different channels to choose from. That was a godsend! Ivan was a total pill. He wouldn't sleep. He kicked the seat of the person in front of him for 5 hours ( luckily it was Ben! or maybe not...). By the time that plane landed...we were ready to get off.
We stopped in the Honolulu airport, only to find out that are flight was delayed. Only by an hour, but people must not understand what it is like to entertain 4 kids in an airport for 3 hours when they have just sat for 5! We made it though, and got on our long ride.Ivan was fallig asleep in the stroller as we were getting on the plane so I had to keep waking him up. Then when he got on the plane he was awake. Once they served dinner ( whose idea was it to give a 2 year old rice?), he got his blanket, his bear and his cup and slept. For a good 5 hours.I looked over at one point and all 4 of the boys were asleep. Harmony lasted a lot longer and then she and I took a little nap.
We got to the airport and I had no idea how we were going to get to the hotel. No need to worry, we walked out with all of our carts of luggage to be welcomed by his wardroom. It was so nice, everyone came out to welcome the new family. Complete with a basket full of crackers, cereal, plastic utensils etc. It was so fun. Met a lot of cool people, some who we will probably be living in housing with.
Today we are off for swimming at the water park, driving around the base, and exploring. We are going to go to our new branch tomorrow so that will be fun.
All in all we gave our trip a 5/10 ( flight wise). We certainly can wait the 2 years before we have to do it again!
Well, I have no idea what day or time it is in the states. I know that here it is 4:30 and our family is awake. Not quite adjusted to the change in time! Our poor neighbors!
Leaving L.A. around 9, we boarded the plane. We were in the very last row and actually proved to be really nice. We ended up with an extra seat so I could pile things on there or if the kids started fighting I could switch them around. The big kids did great on that leg of the journey. Coloring, playing gameboy, watching movies. The plane had tv's built in with 9 different channels to choose from. That was a godsend! Ivan was a total pill. He wouldn't sleep. He kicked the seat of the person in front of him for 5 hours ( luckily it was Ben! or maybe not...). By the time that plane landed...we were ready to get off.
We stopped in the Honolulu airport, only to find out that are flight was delayed. Only by an hour, but people must not understand what it is like to entertain 4 kids in an airport for 3 hours when they have just sat for 5! We made it though, and got on our long ride.Ivan was fallig asleep in the stroller as we were getting on the plane so I had to keep waking him up. Then when he got on the plane he was awake. Once they served dinner ( whose idea was it to give a 2 year old rice?), he got his blanket, his bear and his cup and slept. For a good 5 hours.I looked over at one point and all 4 of the boys were asleep. Harmony lasted a lot longer and then she and I took a little nap.
We got to the airport and I had no idea how we were going to get to the hotel. No need to worry, we walked out with all of our carts of luggage to be welcomed by his wardroom. It was so nice, everyone came out to welcome the new family. Complete with a basket full of crackers, cereal, plastic utensils etc. It was so fun. Met a lot of cool people, some who we will probably be living in housing with.
Today we are off for swimming at the water park, driving around the base, and exploring. We are going to go to our new branch tomorrow so that will be fun.
All in all we gave our trip a 5/10 ( flight wise). We certainly can wait the 2 years before we have to do it again!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
....Outta here!!
After weeks of planning and preparing, traveling and arranging, it all comes down to tomorrow. Our stuff is packed, our van is sitting in a lot preparing to ship ( we will get it July 25th!) and now our rental van is almost completely packed. It is so hard to believe that by this time tomorrow night ( ok not exactl becase of the time difference) but when I lay down to go to sleep tomorrow, I will be in Guam. And this adventure will be ending or just beginning...I am not sure.
We leave here bright and early and board the plane around 9:30. I doubt I will be able to sleep tonight. So much going on.
I think Harmony summed it up well when she said, " I feel really excited but kind of nervous."
That is how we are all feeling!!
We leave here bright and early and board the plane around 9:30. I doubt I will be able to sleep tonight. So much going on.
I think Harmony summed it up well when she said, " I feel really excited but kind of nervous."
That is how we are all feeling!!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Sea World
We paid the perfect admission price to go to Seaworld...free!! Members of the military, get 4 free tickets, through a program called Salute to Hero's. We have loved it because we got into Seaworld for free, and last summer Ben and I went to Busch Gardens for free.
Anyway, my Mom also had 4 free tickets and so our family, my Mom and my sister and her son, all got to go in free. Because of this, we decided to go a little later in the day. My Mom was having a farewell luncheon, and so we waited until she was done.
We started off by doing a ride called Journey to Atlantis. I was extremely surprised that Connor was willing to do it. I thought he was going to freak out once he got to the top but he didn't. Ethan wanted to do it twice! He loved being splashed and the roller coaster part.
After that we just walked around and looked at the different exhibits. No more rides, just looked around. We went to the Dolphin show and I insisted that we sit in the "soak zone". And trust me, we got soaked! My Mom and sister didn't want to sit down there so one by one...all the kids went up and sat by them. It was just Vale and I left. Unfortunatley, it cooled way off and we never completely dried off!
We ended the day with the Shamu show and I loved hearing the kids ooh and ahh over all that he could do. We didn't sit in the soak zone though. It was a really fun day and I enjoyed it. We came back to my parents apartment and not a few minutes later...Ethan was sound asleep on the floor.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
LaJolla
We had originally planned to go to Seaworld the day after Legoland, but frankly, we were exaughsted!! So we took a day off and enjoyed the sights of LaJolla. We enjoyed walking on the beach and looking at the seals(although very stinky!). The beach was beautiful and the waves were huge. It was also funny watching a squirrel chase after Connor for his goldfish.
pictures, pictures and more pictures
Because of camera issues, I have been unable to load a lot of pictures. But I got them all on disks and so now here they are...a ton of pictures. Since my last "picture post" I have been to LegoLand, Seaworld, visiting with my parents, visiting with my sister, etc. etc.
The kids had an absolute blast at Legoland. hey started out pretty crabby, but as the day went on ( and they got some food in them!) They really had fun. Visiting mini land and going on rides. Playing in a major splash zone in the Pirate area, just a ton of fun.
So here we go...
Sunday, June 10, 2007
It's been a long time....
It's been a long time since I blogged.
It's been a long time since I had my own house.
It's been a long time since I cooked my family a meal.
It's been a long time since I cleaned a house. ( Not that I am complaining about that one!)
It's been a long time since I slept in my own bed.
It's been a long time since I have seen my worldy possessions.
It's been a long time since I recieved my mail.
It's been a long time...
I am hanging out at my sisters house today. We have a whole bunch of errands that we have to do tomorrow and then head out Tuesday morning. I am hoping to meet up with my friend and her family for breakfast on Tuesday before we leave. This time I will have my camera though! ( So be prepared Beth!)
We have really enjoyed getting to spend so much time with family. We appreciate everyone who has taken us in. It has made it so much easier for Ben and I. Everyone has been so great and we ecspecially appreciate the welcome signs from my nephew TJ when we arrived yesterday. They were very sweet.
I am going to post some more pictures before we head out for Guam. It is hard to believe that it is coming up so soon! Yikes. Anyway, I have to go get my kids dressed and start some laundry. Fun Fun!
It's been a long time since I had my own house.
It's been a long time since I cooked my family a meal.
It's been a long time since I cleaned a house. ( Not that I am complaining about that one!)
It's been a long time since I slept in my own bed.
It's been a long time since I have seen my worldy possessions.
It's been a long time since I recieved my mail.
It's been a long time...
I am hanging out at my sisters house today. We have a whole bunch of errands that we have to do tomorrow and then head out Tuesday morning. I am hoping to meet up with my friend and her family for breakfast on Tuesday before we leave. This time I will have my camera though! ( So be prepared Beth!)
We have really enjoyed getting to spend so much time with family. We appreciate everyone who has taken us in. It has made it so much easier for Ben and I. Everyone has been so great and we ecspecially appreciate the welcome signs from my nephew TJ when we arrived yesterday. They were very sweet.
I am going to post some more pictures before we head out for Guam. It is hard to believe that it is coming up so soon! Yikes. Anyway, I have to go get my kids dressed and start some laundry. Fun Fun!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
some pictures...
This morning was really hard on Ethan. All morning he kept telling me that he wasn't feeling very well. But after questioning him a little, I kind of got it out of him that he was just feeling pretty sad. this was our conversation...
E " Do we get to come back here again?"
Me-" Yes sweetie but not for a long time."
E " You mean like 8 weeks?"
M- " no more like 2 years."
E " How come it is for so long?"
M " Because it costs a lot of money to fly our whole family back here."
E " Well you can use my quarter."
M " That is not quite enough pumpkin."
E " Well you can have my penny too."
So sweet. He has been having such a fun time. I am glad that he has enjoyed it.I am starting to feel emotional also. We have enjoyed our time but we are ready to keep going. More fun times ahead!
Five Senses Saturday
It has been a long time since I have done one of these. And I think it will help catch up on what we have been doing! So here goes...
**Sight
*my sister in law getting ready for her first baby
* cousins playing in the pool
* 4 generations all hanging out together
* a new scrapbook book
* family
**Sound
*cousins laughing
*baby shower games
*the hose going non stop
* a lot of " good luck on your trip to Guam"
* the a/c running
**Taste
*cake
*pizza
*punch
*grilled hot dogs
*smores
**Touch
*hugs from family
*soft baby outfits
*garden hose
*shopping cart
*lots of food
**Smell
*sunscreen
*dirty kids
*baby soap
*smores cooking
*Tide
**Sight
*my sister in law getting ready for her first baby
* cousins playing in the pool
* 4 generations all hanging out together
* a new scrapbook book
* family
**Sound
*cousins laughing
*baby shower games
*the hose going non stop
* a lot of " good luck on your trip to Guam"
* the a/c running
**Taste
*cake
*pizza
*punch
*grilled hot dogs
*smores
**Touch
*hugs from family
*soft baby outfits
*garden hose
*shopping cart
*lots of food
**Smell
*sunscreen
*dirty kids
*baby soap
*smores cooking
*Tide
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