Saturday, October 8, 2011

One Of A Kind




It has been a long time since I have last written. To say a lot has been going on would be an understatement. Jason has been gone a lot with training and just left yesterday again for two weeks. Some know, others may not, but he will be going back to Afghanistan again in May. Leading up to it, he has a lot of training scheduled. He will be going back to California again in January for a month, he's not looking forward to going back already. Of course, yet again, he will be gone on our anniversary. We have been married 7 years in January, 2 of which we have spent together. Oh well, I think anniversaries are more important and special the older you get. So once we hit 17 years, we should spend them all together after that. ha.

As most of you know, Buppa passed away on September 29th. I'm not sure if I have shared in previous blogs that he was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. The odds of getting it, one in a million. I thought that knowing we would be losing him soon would make it easier, but nothing prepared me for the call. It had been 2 months since I heard his voice, and I still ached for a phone call and him on the other end saying "hi sweetheart". I ache for his laugh and his sweet kisses.

I don't know if my Mom knew what she was doing last Christmas when she put old home movies onto dvd's and gave them to us, but I have pulled them out and 3/4s of the videos are of Buppa behind the camera. He filmed everything. Listening to his voice and hearing his laugh...it makes me feel better, yet sad all at the same time. Life was just amazing having him be a part of it. His love, his giving, his determination, his huge heart...no one will ever compare to him. These are 2 slide shows that my Uncle put together for Buppa's funeral, they perfectly reflect who Buppa was.





If Jason and have half the amazing life that Grandma and Buppa had, then we did something right. To say they are an inspiration, is an understatement. 56 years years is amazing.

The sacrifices that my family made the last few months were extreme. But really, I wouldn't even call it sacrifices, more an unconditional love. My Grandma, my parent's, my uncles, my cousins and their families...I'm pretty sure they have defined what a family is and what it means. My family is...well, I don't think there are words. We love unconditionally, and we laugh...loud and uncontrollably!

I'll leave it there. Buppa was one of a kind.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Jason Wrote This Blog!

Talk about making friends and meeting new people! So tonight, we decide to go out for BBQ, some of that Carolina kind! Nicole decides she isn't feeling it and will stay home, so it's just me and the girls! Today was Ava's first day of school so the entire evening was Layla and I listening to the many going ons of a 5 year old in 1st grade. As dinner is coming to an end Layla must interject to add her two cents on a particular important matter regarding lunchboxes or something??? Out of the corner of my eye I see Ava's eyes grow big as she puts her hands over her mouth. "WHAT?" I practically yell at her, and feebly she replies "My neck." OK, daddy panic modes sets in and I jump to my feet and yell at her to "HOLD IT IN!" Does she? She tries! Lord does she try! Her cupped hands make the puke like when you put your thumb on the end of a water hose to make it spray every where. End result is about the same be it water or puke! So I attempt to cup it and just end up with a handful of vomit all the way up to the elbow and some way some how it ended up in my eye! Like not on my face, not near or around my eye, IN MY EYE! I glance around the room at about 15 or so people staring at me standing there with a handful of vomit and eye closed shut from the burning and a little girl they're afraid is gonna blow again! Layla glanced over at what happened... shrugged it off and continued eating her chicken nuggets! At the time SHE was the ONLY person eating their dinner in the whole place! Soon a waitress came and quickly grabbed Ava and took her to the rest room to hold her hair for her, and began cleaning her up! A family nearby, hesitantly said they'd watch Layla for me so I can go check on Ava! I clean up and Ava gets cleaned up and we head back out to the dining area! Apparently Layla made some new friends and they had already mopped up the mess. Huge THANK YOU to the staff at THIG'S BBQ! The waitress brought Ava a glass of water, and every one said they hope she feels better! That kind of hospitality you can't find anywhere in California! Ava kept her cool though, did not cry, did not panic, just simply puked! All she said about the whole matter was, "I just didn't want to get my new clothes or shoes dirty!" She is such a girl! Apparently amidst the talking and eating of dinner Ava had downed an entire 16oz of chocolate milk, and it just didn't agree with her stomach! Lesson learned Daddy! And boy did Mommy pick a good night to skip dinner or what?

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Who Knew...

So, you know where we are at...North Carolina...home to hurricanes and who knew...earthquakes. We just reek of good luck, don't we!

Let's just start with the earthquake...because obviously, we thought we were leaving those behind in California. I just have to laugh at that. Jason and I both thought there HAS to be a training area somewhere around our new house. We both were baffled and an earthquake never even entered our minds! We are AWAY from California. Far, far away! We were actually watching the Weather Channel to learn about the hurricane, since we just got cable yesterday, we had a lot of information to catch up on. Never thought we would be in an earthquake in North Carolina.

I'm actually a little ticked off about it. I thought I didn't have to worry about those anymore. Hopefully, it takes another 114 years to produce an earthquake out here like that again. (That's the last time a 5.9 hit Virginia, the largest ever recorded!). Hopefully by then, I will be long gone! And I mean...LONG gone.

Now, Hurricane Irene. We are in love with her...well, as long as my Roomba gets delivered as scheduled on Friday...oh and our furniture, too. Like UnKen said, let the furniture be damaged by Irene BEFORE it comes out of the truck...then we aren't liable for it! Good info!

We are looking forward to this storm. Obviously, they are still iffy on where it will go, but we are in for a lot of rain and wind. And the house we rented...the lawn needs A LOT of water! So bring it on! We stocked up on essentials if the power goes out...so we are ready if need be. We even withdrew cash. Cash feels like a weird thing in my wallet! Reminder...I need to fill up on gas!

So, with all this chaos...Ava starts 1st grade tomorrow! She is so nervous! She has her clothes all layed out...she's showered (shocking), backpack full of supplies and I have her lunch packed! We are ready!

I will write more about North Carolina soon. Probably once all our belongings get here. It's really not fun living on an air mattress (the only piece of furniture) in a new house! We are so ready to make this house our own! If only it were as easy to make it a home as it is for the dogs!

Oh...one more thing. We are good neighbors to our new neighbors...we got rid of all projectiles in our yard today...just in case! Now, if only USAA would allow us to get renter's insurance and change our car insurance over...we would be set! I know I wanted "weather"...but I wanted "weather" AFTER we got settled! USAA won't let us switch anything to North Carolina until Irene passes. Here's hoping we just get TONS of rain! And some loud thunder...I love thunder!


Friday, August 12, 2011

It's empty!!

At 4:00 this afternoon, our entire house drove away and it should be delivered back to us 2 weeks from today! So once we are in our new house, we will only have to be without our stuff for 5 days. Hmm. At least it's better than 2 weeks! It will give us time to get Ava registered for 1st grade and explore! Oh, and buy a trampoline!

We have 4 days now to live like this...it shouldn't be that bad. Right?
Jason eating on the counter since we don't have chairs.

The bedroom, living room and kitchen. It's like living in a loft. ha ha. Obviously, we were going for the tacky look here.

My dining table and china cabinet better be in perfect condition when it's delivered! I miss looking at it!

Poor Jason doesn't have a mancave anymore! He has to suffer through soaps with me in the "loft".

The girls have set up shop. They separated their sleeping bags into "rooms" because Ava says Layla snores. (She really does! We think she has a deviated septum. We have actually recorded her snoring multiple times to play for her Dr. Well, when we find a Dr in NC.)

No more bunk beds hiding where Jason spilled pink freakin paint!

I miss these too! :(

It just doesn't look like a master bedroom anymore. The queen air mattress is going to stink. Again, I miss our king bed already! I think I really like our stuff!

I promise we won't make Cali sleep in there all alone. Especially since all her friends are gone. (Clothes and shoes.)

We can park our cars in there until we leave! Yippee. It's the little things! 

And finally...while everything was getting loaded today...I made bow holders for the girls. So much fun. And I seriously mean that, not being sarcastic at all! All their bows do not fit...so I think I want to make a larger one. The pot with the 3 flowers, the stems were supposed to be longer, but all our scissors are packed so I just had to break the stems where they broke. Still cute though! And the pots, they were the only ones I could find at Wal-Mart when I was getting my oil changed! I wanted little pails. Anyways...my cutie patootie bow holders!
Don't critique on my leaning flower...it was my first attempt!

And finally...for good measure...trying to calm Stella down last night since she was so uneasy!
We put a blanket down to prevent her hair getting on the new couch! Although, all she has to do is stand next to it and it's a magnet for Stella hair. We tried!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

It's happening...

So, (do I start all of my blogs off with "so"...probably about half!). Anyways, like I was saying, so, after getting stood up yesterday by the movers. Yeah, we were left hanging...and then told that pack date wouldn't be until Monday...we leave Tuesday. I flipped the hell out. Poor Jason. He cringes anytime he has to tell me bad news.

I won't go into that, because it ended up being OK. The movers came today and were wonderful! Our entire house is boxed up now...the only thing left to do is take down the furniture and then load the semi tomorrow. Jason, bless his heart, stayed behind and helped them all day! He is falling asleep on the couch...although he has said he didn't do much. OK, he said he ran around a lot describing depression glass and teaching them how cool "Swamp People" are. OK, I know...he did a lot. And I would probably be exhausted to. Maybe.

So, I came home from Shannon's today with 2 assignments done and a new tan. I had it easy. Stella and Cali...not so much. Stella couldn't figure out why she was outside most of the day and what she did to get in trouble. My poor girl. I told you she was going to be the one that stressed the most!

So the fun part...our house tonight!





This is the closet full of stuff that is coming with us in the cars!

The only thing in the garage that is staying, is the couches. Our renters bought them!


Loading will be tomorrow! Although I am not looking forward to keeping the girls out of the house all day again!

The nice thing about tonight though...THE CHARGERS ARE PLAYING!!
I told you Jason was dead tired! 

When I was loading these pictures, I realized I hadn't loaded pictures from my camera since June! Wow! The two best pictures from the bunch...

It's her way of getting attention!

So, let's hope that everything goes as smoothly tomorrow as it did today and I will be a happy camper. I'm a planner and freakin hate surprises. My whole mojo would be off if tomorrow doesn't go as planned!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

It's Almost Time!

It is the start of a very LONG 9 days! It's moving time! EEK!

Just a nice way to start this off. I had my first "Girl's Night" in years, last night! Thank goodness I talked them into going to the casino...I walked away with $708...to be exact! I think it was Pechanga's way of saying they are going to miss me!

Let's start with the fun stuff. Fun. Sure. No, not really. First, I have another huge 10 page paper due on Monday. I started it today. Oops. But I don't want to focus on that...other than I did make the Dean's List! Who would have thought that! Buppa was still somewhat himself when the list came out...his response..."hell froze over". Yeah, that about explains that. ha ha.

Tuesday I get to separate EVERYTHING in our house...what needs to come in the cars with us...and what the movers are taking. They come on Wednesday to pack us. We are going to be without our household belongings for AT LEAST 2 weeks...if we are lucky!

Side note real quick...Layla just came running into the living room yelling "here comes me" at the top of her lungs. I asked her who is me...she replied...the girl going to bed.

Back to moving...the house we are renting in North Carolina...we will be going straight into, so we have to prepare for the days, even a week (I hate saying that)...that we will be living there without our stuff! Luckily, we have saved a set of old dishes, glasses and such that we can just jam into a box to take with us. Ava starts school only 2 days after we get there...so her and I have already done all of her school shopping. We only need a lunch box and school supplies. (Note to self...make sure the movers don't pack her new school clothes and backpack).

I'm going to need to get the girls out of the house on Wednesday. The movers will probably go insane if the girls were constantly following them around the house talking about iCarly, Alvin and the Chipmunks and the new trampoline they are getting. Any person that comes into our house to do work (lately there have been a few since our builder came through with work orders)...but anyone that was here...the girls followed and talked to them about nonsense. So, they will be out of the house...somehow! Although, I do need to get Subway and gatorade for the movers. I want to "spoil" them so they are extra careful with our stuff. Especially our china and depression glass. They can't replace those if they break any of them. If I could buy them beer...I would. But that wouldn't help with the not breaking the old glass!

And Thursday...the movers will be back packing again! Thursday, I'm not sure what kind of food to spoil them with...not pizza. I don't want one of them having to use our bathroom for not fun stuff! ha. Sorry. So that is on my "to do list"...find a somewhat healthy, won't cause stomach problems, food to provide them!

Finally, Friday...our stuff will be loaded on the moving truck and start it's way to North Carolina.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be spent cleaning the house and carpet for the renters...while Jason and I sleep on an air mattress and the girls sleep in sleeping bags! Stella is going to freak! I mean freak! Stella is going to be the one that makes this stressful!

We are keeping our two smallest tv's to take with us...that way the girls can watch dvd's since all their toys will be gone...and I can watch pre season football! I'm going to miss the Chargers so much!

Somewhere in there...I think Sunday, we are going to Shannon's for a laundry party so we can have clean clothes to start our 6 day drive! You know you are jealous about not having a laundry party. So. Much. Fun.

And, the next phase of our military life will start on Tuesday, leaving California for North Carolina. I know I will be bored with a house full of NOTHING and will blog again before we leave...but we are excited and just ready to get there already!

Now, I really, really need to stop putting off my paper and go and analyze literature! Thank goodness I'm good at it...but by gosh, it's freakin boring! Luckily, this was a nice break!

Monday, August 1, 2011

I Will Help Carry You.

My last post was simply raw emotions...not holding back. It's not me, but I so needed to express how wonderful my Buppa is and how much I love him.

I went home a little over a week ago. Two days before I got home, Buppa was put on new medication. The medication worked wonders on him. He was alert, awake, talking, eating...it was amazing. We all didn't expect to see that side of him again. He's not lucid, he tells many stories and you are always confused...but we laughed. I was surrounded by mom and dad, brother, uncles and aunts and cousins...all of them (minus a few cousins and Krissy)...we laughed, we laughed more and we loved every minute of it.

It's not the best of circumstances, but I can honestly say they we cherished and loved every moment we were standing around Buppa telling stories, looking at pictures and just loving being in the moment.
Kevin had the wonderful idea of having Buppa putt!

Buppa kept telling Grandma she was cheating!

Buppa's first time sitting on the back porch, watching the golfers.


I will forever be grateful that my trip home was 100x better than I anticipated. Buppa knew who I was at least once everyday. My cousin and I were showing pictures of us when we were little, and he knew exactly who we were with no prompting. He knew who we were as children, but vaguely, if that, knew us as adults.

The hardest thing I have ever done, was telling him goodbye. To add to that...he kept saying, "you aren't Nicole"...which was comical at first...I knew he was looking for the "little me"...and I ached for him to have a moment of clarity. It was very hard.

But, what made it easier, was the weekend spent with the family. Telling the stories, remembering exactly who Buppa was and still is. He told so many funny stories while we were there, although we couldn't place them. I think God gave me those 4 days to remember Buppa for who he is, what he has done, to let me help him in ways that he has helped me. For every Coke I snuck him...he has snuck me millions, every kiss I gave him, he has given me a million more, every time I sat and listened to his stories, he has listened to mine 10x more.

I dug out an old poem that Grandma and Buppa gave me when I was confirmed...I think 14 years ago. On the back of the poem...it was the Footprints poem...Buppa wrote, "I love you and will always help carry you." He has carried me through almost everything in my life. Everything. It was my turn to do it for him. In what little I could do...Buppa was all that mattered while I was home. It really put into perspective how much one person can really mean to such a large family. He carried everyone and we all are so grateful and now we will carry him.


I was going to add more to this blog about the move (we leave in 15 days for North Carolina) but I think I will leave it with just Buppa again. He is such a special person and I think he deserves another blog dedicated just to him.

I will write more tomorrow. Promise.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Buppa.

My head feels like it is constantly spinning and the ache in my chest will not go away. I'm going home to say goodbye to my favorite person in the whole world...knowing it will be my last time to ever see him.

I can't even put into words how much Buppa means to me. My head is just spinning with memories. And that makes it so much harder knowing there won't be anymore memories to make.

I haven't posted for a reason, I can not put into words how I feel. I am so angry. I am hurt. I am thankful.

I am angry because this is not fair. What he is going through is not fair. To watch the strongest man I know slip away. To not be able to be there to hold his hand and tell him how much I love him...it's not fair.

I am thankful because I had so long with Buppa. 27 years for him to love me, for me to love him. And love we did. He was my biggest supporter. If I didn't talk to him for a day, he would call and leave messages...threatening to call the cops. He was amazing. If I called too late and it was only Grandma still up, no matter how late I called, he was always on the phone. I know that, because I could always hear him breathing. When I would get off the phone I would say "goodnight Buppa" and he would say "goodnight sweetheart". I didn't have to talk to him to know that he was there.

That is what I am holding onto when I fly home on Wednesday...I pray that I can talk to him...even though he can't say anything, I pray that he knows I am there.

My life, where I am and who I am...Buppa played a major role in it. If there were consequences I knew I would have to face, I always thought about "what would Buppa think".

It's really hard to put into words who Buppa is, what he meant to me and the bond that we shared. He is my best friend, the person who loved me know matter what, the person who supported anything and everything I did...but most important, he taught me unconditional love. The love that you ache for.

I pray that on Wednesday my layovers in Phoenix and Dallas are smooth and that I can get to Buppa as soon as I can...to hold his hand, kiss his cheek and sit with him...to show him the unconditional love that he taught me.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Not Negative!

It's time for a blog...isn't it. I need to be on a schedule again. I don't see that happening until after the move. But the good news, I really don't feel so stressed anymore. I feel much better about everything. A lot of that has to do with finding renters for our house! AWESOME!

We also have a Realtor in North Carolina sending us daily emails of rentals that are available...so that has helped in the search for a house there. And, we came to the conclusion that no matter what city we live in around base, school for Ava will start the last week of August. My only worry, get that, worry, not stress, is finding a speech therapist for Layla. Luckily, I know the routine of finding a new one and how to do it, so my worry...is just finding one we like. It shouldn't be hard.

Jason is still on leave for the next week and a half. We have no plans. YAY. This is how he spends most of his "off" days.
Napping in his recliner.

Funny, but he hasn't even been home a month yet, but it feels like so much longer. It took a day for all of us to fall back into family life. He even keeps harping on me about not writing blogs.

Jason's Mom just left today. We had a great time while she was here. Especially the girls. Even though we are so far away from our family...they know who everyone is, they remember them and no longer have to have a "warm up" period. Ava couldn't wait to go to Toy's R Us...she knows that everytime Sha'Ma comes to visit...the first stop is there.

Actually, our first stop was the San Diego County Fair.
Riding the tram.

We have lived here over 6 years and have never been...we had a blast. Our bellies...not so much. I couldn't wait to eat anything and everything fried! When we got home that night, my body was craving greens...I HAD to have a salad!
About the time my stomach said...ENOUGH!

When you don't really eat fried food...and then you stuff your face with it...UGH! But, we really did have a great time...especially the girls...
Pony ride.

None of the ponies looked happy. I wouldn't have been either!

Jason just "thrilled" to be on the carousel.

They waited all day to get their face paintings!
Ava passed out on the way home. All tuckered out!

Jason and I also got to have a date night...actually two! Our first night we went and stayed the night at the Pala Resort. I haven't stayed out until 2am since...well, I can't remember. At least it took us that long to lose all our money!
I got in trouble for taking this picture. Of course a "floor guy" had to walk by!
If losing all our money one night wasn't enough, we went again, to a different casino, a different night...and lost all our money all over again. The good thing...we had a blast...and we really needed that. I said I got all my gambling out...I lied. I want to go ONE MORE TIME before we move. UGH, I get that from my Dad...except he doesn't lose like I do!

Before I end this, I would really like to ask for prayers for Buppa. If you know me, you know Buppa. And you know how much he means to me. He has always been there for me...thick and thin...even when he threatened to take me out of his will for getting a tattoo! ha. He means everything to me...and right now, he needs prayers. And I need to know that I can do something from here for him...and that's love, thoughts and prayers. He's my hero.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Stress Please.

I have a lot to say, but I'm not sure I can get it all out. I thought I was stressed about getting ready for Jason to come home...try planning a cross country move!

I thought I was pretty savvy with this whole military life. I know the ins and outs...I know what to expect...I understand the life...it's our life. But this whole PCSing business has thrown me for a loop! We have been in California for over 6 years now...Jason 9 years. I'm clueless about planning this move, how things work and what to expect and I HATE IT!

I am a planner. I don't procrastinate. OK, maybe I took my time doing projects when Jason was gone...but that doesn't count.

Let's start with the "trying to find a house" there. I don't know what areas to look in. I don't know what the commute is like...actually, I have heard traffic to get on base is horrendous. Sorry Jason. I don't want to find the perfect house and get there and then learn the hard way that we are in the "ghetto". I feel like it's harder to find a rental home than it was to buy our house. Granted our house was brand new...so yes, that was easy. See, I'm all in a tizzy about renting a house. I don't think that's normal.

And since we don't know where we are going to live yet, we can't pinpoint what school district Ava is in...so we don't know when to leave California. Jason's "window" is August 15th- Sept. 15th. Jason wants to leave the end of August...I want to leave the 15th. Of course.

And let's add another thing...TMO...the people who will move us, are already completely booked for the months of June and July...then add the back log and add that to August and Jason being on leave right now...looks like we will be moving ourselves. Can you feel my stress level rising. I swear I find a new "stress" pimple everyday. haha. I'm not being serious. Serious.

Oh wait...the biggest stressor...renters for our house....see the list just keeps growing. I haven't even included how all of our oversized California furniture is NOT going to fit in a North Carolina house. Oh...and getting two motorcycles there too. Anybody want to take my place for the next few months? Any takers? Dammit.

So...let me dig for some non stress happenings. Jason's home. Duh. That alone makes everything better, most of the time. You see, Jason is a procrastinator. Or maybe let's say...a "half asser". You know you are, honey. ha ha. But seriously, things are wonderful and perfect here. He started his 3 week leave on Wednesday and we plan on sleeping in every morning, ha ha. Yeah right.

Jason's mom is flying out here on Wednesday and we are really looking forward to spending time with her. Of course we will go to the winery...and Jason and I will get a "date" night. Casino...here we come. That right there will be my stress reliever...well at least until I lose all my money and then I have to pout about that.

Did I pout and complain this much before...I don't think so. I don't like the tone of all of this. I need to press a fast forward button so we can be in NC and I don't have to be such a worry wart. (I don't think there is a fun name for stressing out).

But, again, let me focus on the good. As I have said before, my sister is due with her first baby in September...and we all get to be there for it. We even get to go to Disney World! We also already have our plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are going to Florida...and Christmas will be at our house with my sister, brother in law and baby Athen. I can't freakin wait. To be with in a day's drive of family is going to be so awesome. And as an added bonus, my brother in law's family is amazing. I love them and can't wait to get to spend more time with them. I just hope they are ready to adopt us! Plus, I think we will be regulars at Disney World now! Woot woot!

There is so much more I can write about...but I HATE being "negative nancy". That's one of the reasons I haven't written in a while. I hate it when people constantly complain. Now I'm one of them. UGH. Boo!

And since I don't have any pictures attached to my "stress"...here are a few of the happenings...


Helping Daddy inventory all of his gear.

Watching Daddy make guacamole. My food processor was recalled two days ago. Boo.

He doesn't look mean to me. Actually, it makes me giggle. Good try, Hun.

Swimming at the Blackwell's...the goggles didn't last long.

Ava and Kylie sunbathing.

A rare moment. And priceless.

The shock collar has worked wonders in our house. Cali is a totally different dog. Don't judge!

A sight for sore eyes...I didn't have to vacuum yesterday...ahhh.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Here You Go...

I know everyone is waiting for a blog! So I will finally write it! It will probably be more pictures than writing. I'm sure you won't mind!

So, Jason's homecoming was on Wednesday as you all know by now. It was supposed to be early in the morning, but because of the volcano in Iceland, they were diverted away from Ireland and ended up with a layover in Canada. Then when they left Bangor, Maine...they had to fly way south because of all the tornadoes. All of that ended up being a blessing after Layla was so sick on Tuesday. She was so sick. And she was so confused as to why she kept throwing up. But thank goodness she was perfect for the homecoming.

We got to base about 3 hours before Jason got there. It was actually good to have to wait up there. If I was home, I would have gone insane. Instead, I had good friends and fun talk to pass the time!

Waiting...

More waiting...but almost time!
Their packs arrived while they were still at the armory turning in their weapons. The girls went to look through them to try and find Jason's.
The bus pulling in.

Jason is in the front seat...but of course, he was the last one off the bus!
I think their faces say it all...they were so excited to see the bus!

I can't get over this one of Ava!
Layla got to Daddy first!

Once they hugged him, they never let go.


Helping Daddy find his bags.

Found one.

Too Heavy.

I don't think the girls ever stopped smiling.

Typical. Right back to their normal selves.

Again, typical. Right after Jason licked Ava's face.





It was a perfect night!

And today...Ava graduated Kindergarten!
Walking to school with Daddy!
She spotted us!



Getting her little "diploma".

And now, trying to figure it out.

Miss Priss.

Pushing Layla...

while chatting with her friends.

Ava and her wonderful teacher.

She's a FIRST GRADER now!
And, she won't be going to school in California anymore. Jason got his orders to North Carolina. We leave in August. I have already been contacted by the EFMP coordinator there...that's how official it is. (The exceptional family member program). They are there to help us with getting Layla situated with new Drs...therapists, etc. So...North Carolina...here we come...2 months!

And finally, want to know what Jason is doing while I write this...remember the tv console for the mancave that I couldn't put together because a piece was broken and on backorder...well, that piece came yesterday! ha ha. So...I didn't have to put it together!
Jason and Cali got to!