Our Family Adventures as a Slightly Weird Family: June 2011

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.

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...