From one coastal state to another

Well, we survived the move. Was it stressful? Yes. Was I gracious in the situation? No. My poor boys had to deal with a disgruntled mama. Of course, I wasn't the only one who was disgruntled. David started acting up more than normal and was CONSTANTLY whining. This caused daily battles between father and son, making my sunny disposition even more sunny. Thankfully, that part ended.

We are lucky, in that when the military asks you to move, they give you the option of using their moving services. So, in two days, they had everything packed up and picked up ready to go to our next home.

Then, came the long drive across the country. We decided to caravan with good friends of ours who happened to check out of 29 Palms at the exact time, the Defoors. So, David got to spend the next few days with his best friend, Emma. Our caravan left on Saturday, the 31st and our first stop was Flagstaff, AZ. What would normally have been a 5-6 hour drive took 8 hours. When you're traveling with a 3/12 week old and two little 3-year-olds, it would take that long.

Arizona was surprisingly pretty. Surprising, because I was actually expecting more desert, but there was greenery all around. At least in Flagstaff. Downtown Flagstaff was a pedestrian city and would have been fun to walk around and explore the different shops and restaurants that they had to offer. The hotels were practically all booked up because it is that time of year and many people stop in the hotels on their way to or from the Grand Canyon.

After Arizona, we stopped in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The drive from Arizona to New Mexico was harry at one point. It was raining so hard, that there was zero visibility for a couple of minutes. So bad, that there were cars pulled over on the side of the freeway! Billy turned to me once and said, "Can you see the road, I can't." I looked over at him and said, "Take off your sunglasses!" (Shake my head) Luckily, we didn't have to pull over and we passed the storm quickly.


The next stop after driving through the stinky and most boring Texas panhandle was Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was HOT, HOT, HOT! Even more so than 29 Palms! Blech. Also, this is where I lost my Ipod Touch. Boy, do I love to flush money down the toilet! What really saddens me most, is that I had a little diary on there where I'd written down the funny things David did and said during the last deployment. Now it's gone forever! Huge sigh...

After, Oklahoma City, we drove to Little Rock, Arkansas. It was very pretty and green there.

Double rainbow in Arkansas
















We then drove to Birmingham, Alabama. This was where we separated from the Defoors as they headed to North Carolina. It was sad to see such good friends go, but thankfully, we have such awesome technology, that we and skype and stay in touch.

Bye bye, Emma!

Such good huggers. I don't know if they really realize that they won't see each other for a very long time.







After that, was our final destination. Now, we passed through Montgomery, Alabama and just outside of the city, was beautiful country that I absolutely fell in love with. I don't know what it was about it, but I felt like I had come home and felt the most peace and contentment I'd ever felt in a really long time. I told Billy that we had to retire there.

Now, we are here in Georgia, and while there were very low reviews of this city, I'm actually excited to find what Albany has to offer us. People here are so friendly! I don't know why some of the reviews said they were rude, but in my experience, people have been genuinely nice. They actually say "hi" to you, and aren't put out by doing their jobs like they were in California. I'm speaking about customer service, of course, and perhaps I write this prematurely, but I will update y'all as I go :-)

Our first impression of Georgia as we drove in from Alabama

Georgia and Gunny

In the past few weeks, we've received some big news. Billy got PCS orders or permanent change of station orders and we are headed to Albany, Georgia. Sadly or ecstatically we have to leave 29 Palms. Definitely not going to miss the isolation and the driving so much and so long to get anywhere. However, I will miss the clean air and blue skies, Joshua Tree Park, and the good friends I've made here.

I am torn about moving to Georgia. Not because it's going to be too isolated like 29 Palms, but because all the reviews I've read about the place haven't been too positive. I'm excited to go to the east coast and to see all the history that is around there. I can't wait to visit the museums and travel to the Gulf Coast and bask in the sun. Most importantly, it's a whole three years of nondeployment!

My biggest worry is the school system there. David will be starting school and the education isn't quite up to par according to all the reviews. Then there's the whole segregation issue that still exists in parts of the city. Oh, and did I mention alligators? One guy was telling us that the last time he was there, there were alligators living in one of the lakes on base! Definitely not letting David anywhere near lakes or swamps.

So, when does the move occur? Well, originally, it was scheduled for November/December time frame, but a week ago, I discovered that we will be moving in the July/August time frame. As the marines are fond of saying, "Simper gumby (always flexible)!" If I had a dime for every time I've heard that, I'd be rich!

As to the gunny news, I'm proud to announce that Billy was selected for Gunnery Sergeant. He will be officially promoted between July and September. Congrats, babe! I'm so proud of you!

Now, I hope the move to Georgia doesn't deter loved ones from visiting. It's a great time to come visit. We can meet at, oh I don't know...Myrtle Beach, South Carolina or the Gulf Coast in Florida.

These are the days of our lives

Well at least our days since Billy's been home. The first week he was back, I had to show him Joshua Tree National Park, of course. Still can't believe we missed it all this time we've been here.

Help me, daddy!

David's been having so much fun with his dad. The first thing he says in the mornings is, "Where's daddy?" Which is great for me. Not having a 3 year old all over me has been a welcome relief.
Billy came home in time for David's last two weeks of start smart baseball practices.

Touch your toes!

Jumping Jacks

Running bases

Stick that bum out

Batter up!

It's outta here!

Medals ceremony

Yay, David!

I win!

Dining Out

The SNCO of dragoons company

Billy and the lieutenants

Billy and Gunny
Gunny is David's friend. His words.

Childhood

Billy and his brother, Mike.

Me and my sister, Liz.

Daddy's Home part 3 or Happy Mother's Day

On Mother's Day, I received the greatest gift ever: Billy home from Afghanistan! The night before, I finally fell asleep at 12:45 and a couple of hours later, woke up, too excited to sleep. David was snoozing away in his bedroom, unaware that his dad was coming home early the next morning.

There are a group of people who volunteer to take pictures of our troops when they land in Maine on their way home or on to deployment. They have a website (www.ourstopinmaine.smugmug.com)where they post the pictures and this is courtesy of them. Billy was talking to me when this picture was taken and had no idea that anyone was taking it. I was telling him to text me when he landed at March Air Force Base and when he got 29 Palms.

I hurriedly got David ready at 4:30 and was getting ready to go out the door when Billy texted and said he was here. I called my friend, Rebekah, who volunteered to take pictures of the homecoming and we headed up to the Motor T ramp. David was sleepy and a bit confused about where we were going. I told him that we were getting ready for his surprise.
We got to the ramp and perhaps due to recent events (Bin Laden's death), there were a lot of marines checking IDs and making sure no pets were in the car. David looked around at the dozens of marines in their camis and says, "Mama, are we in A-ganistan?" I just started laughing and told him we weren't in Afghanistan and that we were by Daddy's work.

We waited at the ramp for another fifteen or more minutes.

The many families awaiting their loved ones.

Anxiously waiting for the buses to arrive. David with his bestie, Emma.

Buses are here!

I think he knows his surprise is his Daddy.

Trying to get a glimpse of his dad.

Searching, searching, searching! I'd told Billy we were by the snack truck aka the roach coach and so we waited for a bit there, but then I got too impatient.

Where is he?

Oh, there you are, Daddy!

David giggling, "Mommy and Daddy are kissing!"

Can I get a hug?

Hugs for the little, I mean Big Maan!

A little piece of heaven!

Rebekah said the best part of the pictures was the joy on our faces. We couldn't be any happier!

More hugs!

David and Daddy, soon to be inseparable.

After seven LONG months, it's so great to have him home again!