Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Preparations
This is a very exciting time for an army family. It is also a very gut-wrenching time.
As of today, my husband deployed to Afghanistan 357 days ago. Our deployment was set to be a year long...."ish."
I love the "ish."
But we know it is coming soon, just never soon enough.
So last weekend, I worked on a project...with Hickory's help of course.
Last night, our unit had one of our monthly meetings. We get updates to what is happening with our soldiers, how things are going, any support activities that are available to the spouses back home, etc.
Last night was a special one...because they went through the lists of many, many flights, and who should be on them, and when they should be coming home. I say should, because the lists constantly change, and the dates constantly change. So you can't really do a count down, because even if it is your day for your soldier to come home, the plane might break, or a pilot might get the flu.....and then you keep on waiting.
But it was still nice to see this in association with a potential plane ride.
Because I know the time is drawing to a close...just never soon enough.
While at the meeting last night, I took along my project.
Family members are welcome to sign it, put their little messages on there and such.
There were even a couple of these hanging around.
And because this was our last regular monthly meeting, there was the final weigh-in for a little contest many of the wives were doing. Who could lose the most weight before the guys came home.
This little skinny-minnie was the winner!
And as we left the meeting, we were greeted with a sight, that we SO wish had been for us.
A line of busses, preparing to pick up loads of soldiers, to bring them home to their families. Last night, there were some very happy people.
Our day is coming....but never soon enough.
As of today, my husband deployed to Afghanistan 357 days ago. Our deployment was set to be a year long...."ish."
I love the "ish."
But we know it is coming soon, just never soon enough.
So last weekend, I worked on a project...with Hickory's help of course.
Last night, our unit had one of our monthly meetings. We get updates to what is happening with our soldiers, how things are going, any support activities that are available to the spouses back home, etc.
Last night was a special one...because they went through the lists of many, many flights, and who should be on them, and when they should be coming home. I say should, because the lists constantly change, and the dates constantly change. So you can't really do a count down, because even if it is your day for your soldier to come home, the plane might break, or a pilot might get the flu.....and then you keep on waiting.
But it was still nice to see this in association with a potential plane ride.
Because I know the time is drawing to a close...just never soon enough.
While at the meeting last night, I took along my project.
Family members are welcome to sign it, put their little messages on there and such.
There were even a couple of these hanging around.
And because this was our last regular monthly meeting, there was the final weigh-in for a little contest many of the wives were doing. Who could lose the most weight before the guys came home.
This little skinny-minnie was the winner!
And as we left the meeting, we were greeted with a sight, that we SO wish had been for us.
A line of busses, preparing to pick up loads of soldiers, to bring them home to their families. Last night, there were some very happy people.
Our day is coming....but never soon enough.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Our Homeschool
This will be a very rare photo-free post.
I thought I would share a little post about why and how we homeschool.
Our School Name.
Here in NC you have to name your school when you register with the state. Way back when, we called our school "Shining Light Academy." For state records purposes, that is our school's name. But after a while, I really felt that it was very childish sounding, and we decided to re-name it. Our school is "Elucere Academy." Elucere is Latin, and it means, a "light that shines forth." So basically it is the same thing, but sounds much better. That is the name that will go on our final records, transcripts, diplomas, etc.
How do we homeschool?
There are many "styles" of homeschooling out there...
School-at-Home....where people essentially create the classroom environment at home, Pledge of allegiance, schedules, subject blocks, etc.
Unit Studies...where people study topics and combine all the subjects in things around that topic. Such as....Trains. The science of trains, read about trains, write stories about trains, the history of trains, do art project involving trains, and on and on.
The list goes on...
Classical Homeschooling
The Charlotte Mason Method
The Waldorf Method
Montessori
Multiple Intelligences
DVD/Video Schooling
Internet Homeschooling
"Relaxed" or "Eclectic" Homeschooling
Unschooling
I don't even know what some of those mean! LOL I suppose if you were to put us into a category, we would be considered "Relaxed and Eclectic" homeschoolers.
When we first started homeschooling, I purchased boxed sets of curriculum through Christian Liberty Press. It had every subject, and everything you needed to teach a particular grade level. They even came with record/planner books.
That worked great for us at first, because one of the hardest parts of homeschooling (once you have made the decision that YOU CAN DO IT) - is picking curriculum. There is SO much out there. Just google it sometime. It'll make your head spin!
But as time went on, I was able to see other types of curriculum, see things other people used. Our local homeschool co-op even had a "Curriculum show & tell" which was wonderful! Because one of the downsides to purchasing curriculum, is unless you are lucky enough to have a local homeschool store, you have to order things from catalogs or online...sight unseen. I am a hands-on kind of person, and I like to see something before I buy it. Don't you flip through a book before you check it out at the library? Read the back, glance through the pages? And that is the library. Purchasing something as important as curriculum, without ever seeing it is risky business, so those "show & tells" are wonderful.
The first time I "stepped outside the box" was with our science curriculum. A dear friend told me about her science...Apologia. She even let me borrow a book they weren't using, and I fell in love. The following year, I began only ordering what I wanted from that company, and ordering other things that suited us better. Being able to tailor your curriculum to each child is wonderful. The flexibility is priceless.
For example....my daughter used a particular math curriculum, and it was wonderful for her. Her math scores sky-rocketed, and she was succeeding.
Pass the same curriculum down to my boys, and it was nothing but tears and sorrow. They were not learning, they didn't get it. Their brains were not wired the same way. And so, you bite the bullet, swallow the expense of a pricey curriculum that now you can't use, and begin the search for something that works for them.
So over the years, we have kind of developed our own curriculum. Apologia Science, Systematic Mathematics, and now Teaching Textbooks (next year), Rosetta Stone, BJU Health, and on and on.
I have bookshelves full of classic books. I always have the kids reading something. Most of the time I let them pick the next book they want to read. Other times I assign a specific book. For instance, when we were studying the middle east, Babylon, etc - I had them read The Arabian Nights. As we study the Renaissance, I am going to have them read some Shakespeare. But as long as they are reading something, they are learning.
So what is a typical day of homeschooling in our house?
First of all, we don't have alarm clocks. I guess this is where the "relaxed" part comes in. We don't have a strict schedule. We do have certain routines, but not like a school building, for certain.
So when the kids roll out of bed....or I roll out of bed (because I'm a homeschooler, and I'm on Conni Time)...we eat breakfast, watch the news, etc. - and when everyone is ready, we head to our classroom. It is simply a spare room that we have, where I have some whiteboards hung, bookshelves full of school books, etc. I enjoy having a set place for us to do our work. Once there, we start our day with prayer, and reading the bible. After that, we have a couple things we do together. For instance, I have all three children doing a writing journal. I give them a topic, and have them write about it. Tuesdays I give them a topic and do a 5-minute free-writing. Everything that comes into their heads, they write. Don't worry about grammar or spelling, just keep writing. It is a creativity thing. Fridays are independent writing, they write whatever they want.
After that, we continue on with subjects the older two do together, health, history, grammar, etc. Once those are done, they are free to work on the rest of their things, in whatever order they want, at whatever pace they want. Some days they get done with EVERYTHING by 11 am.....other days we are still working on something at 3 pm.
Every week, I give them a schedule. It has all of the assignments they have for each subject for the whole week. So each day they know what they need to do for the day. They don't have to wait for me, they can just do it. I am there to help, but the older ones are able to work independently quite a bit, with just some guidance. Most of the time, all I have to do is correct their work, or answer an occasional question.
Even though I give them a schedule, there is still flexibility in it. There are times when I get up in the morning, look outside, and think "We need a field trip!" and declare a spontaneous "No School Day" and we go out. Or even just have them do a little less bookwork, so we can enjoy not being in a classroom for a day. Another great reason for this flexibility? Their Daddy is in the army. When he is deployed, he comes home on R&R. There are two whole weeks they have their Dad before he is gone again. You think I'm going to have them sitting in the classroom learning an equation, or spending precious time with their father? That's a "no-brainer."
What about testing?
Well....what about it? In our house, we don't do a lot of testing. As a matter of fact, we don't even do letter grades. I discuss things with the kids, I ask them questions, I am involved in what they are learning. I don't have 30 kids that I have to keep track of, and so I don't need the impersonal testing methods. I already know if they understand something, I already know if they have learned it. Grading...when I correct papers, I look at what they missed. I have them correct the mistakes, and they learn from them. Sometimes we have to stop and do a lesson over, and that is fine. For example, one day I corrected a math lesson. Over half of them were wrong, and when I asked the child how to fix them, they didn't know. So we sat down, and re-did the lesson. Sometimes the way a book or video explains a concept, isn't the way your child would understand it. So we would re-learn the lesson using different terms, different examples....then they would re-do the problems. This time they would get it. So in a way, I am continually testing without calling it that.
Now here in NC, the kiddos are required to take an annual standardized test. I order the test, give them the packets, and they do the test. Then I pick them up, toss them in an envelope and mail them back. I don't even look to see if they filled in all the circles. A couple weeks later, I get the results. I am not usually surprised. I already know what their strengths and weaknesses are. But once in a while I do get a surprise. For instance, one child, who I will leave un-named.....is one of those, write the shortest answer possible...do the least you can do to get the job done, "slacker" types. They probably wouldn't be the "Teacher's Pet" in public school....and yet, this child KNOWS what they are doing. They are grasping the concepts, understanding the materials, and are learning. The test results from the company shows they are testing 3 grade levels above where they are.
Hmm. I guess something must be going right.
And now the topic of JOY to all homeschooling families.
But What about Socialization?
Are you kidding me? I think every homeschooling parent must just want to implode, explode or burst out laughing when they hear this.
First, let's take a look at this word.
Do they live in a closet?
Ummm....no.
Okay. So. Do my children know how to act and interact with other people?
Um....yes.
I think the typical homeschool has more "socialization" than the typical school kid.
As an adult, how many times have you been some place where EVERY SINGLE PERSON was your exact age? But isn't that what traditional schools do? Group kids by age into grades?
In real life, you meet lots of people, from lots of places, of all different ages and ethnicities. That is real life.
My children go to the store, they go out in society, they interact with all sorts of people of all different ages and backgrounds.
So how about with other kids?
Believe me, sometimes the "socialization" is more than my schedule can handle!
We do 4-H, choir, football, soon to start a bowling club...you name it, they are doing it. There are so many things they COULD do, that we have to set limits, or the "socialization" would take over!
In our area, the number of homeschoolers is very high. There are numerous co-ops, clubs, and groups. If we wanted to, some of the things available to us, are soccer, basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, speech & debate, Latin Club, Spelling Bees, Envirothon, Fencing, and on and on and on.
So is socialization an issue? Can my children function in society? Can they speak to people that are different from them, have a normal conversation, hold a job? Well, my daughter already has a job.....so I think the answers to all are yes.
When is the last time you walked through a store, and saw a sulky, glaring, anti-social teenager, and inwardly feared for the future of humanity?
I doubt that was a homeschooler.
And so, this is a glimpse into our life, and the things we do as a homeschool family. But the next homeschool family you meet, will doubtfully look anything like this. Homeschoolers aren't made with a cookie-cutter.
But this is ours.
Have a blessed day!
I thought I would share a little post about why and how we homeschool.
Our School Name.
Here in NC you have to name your school when you register with the state. Way back when, we called our school "Shining Light Academy." For state records purposes, that is our school's name. But after a while, I really felt that it was very childish sounding, and we decided to re-name it. Our school is "Elucere Academy." Elucere is Latin, and it means, a "light that shines forth." So basically it is the same thing, but sounds much better. That is the name that will go on our final records, transcripts, diplomas, etc.
How do we homeschool?
There are many "styles" of homeschooling out there...
School-at-Home....where people essentially create the classroom environment at home, Pledge of allegiance, schedules, subject blocks, etc.
Unit Studies...where people study topics and combine all the subjects in things around that topic. Such as....Trains. The science of trains, read about trains, write stories about trains, the history of trains, do art project involving trains, and on and on.
The list goes on...
Classical Homeschooling
The Charlotte Mason Method
The Waldorf Method
Montessori
Multiple Intelligences
DVD/Video Schooling
Internet Homeschooling
"Relaxed" or "Eclectic" Homeschooling
Unschooling
I don't even know what some of those mean! LOL I suppose if you were to put us into a category, we would be considered "Relaxed and Eclectic" homeschoolers.
When we first started homeschooling, I purchased boxed sets of curriculum through Christian Liberty Press. It had every subject, and everything you needed to teach a particular grade level. They even came with record/planner books.
That worked great for us at first, because one of the hardest parts of homeschooling (once you have made the decision that YOU CAN DO IT) - is picking curriculum. There is SO much out there. Just google it sometime. It'll make your head spin!
But as time went on, I was able to see other types of curriculum, see things other people used. Our local homeschool co-op even had a "Curriculum show & tell" which was wonderful! Because one of the downsides to purchasing curriculum, is unless you are lucky enough to have a local homeschool store, you have to order things from catalogs or online...sight unseen. I am a hands-on kind of person, and I like to see something before I buy it. Don't you flip through a book before you check it out at the library? Read the back, glance through the pages? And that is the library. Purchasing something as important as curriculum, without ever seeing it is risky business, so those "show & tells" are wonderful.
The first time I "stepped outside the box" was with our science curriculum. A dear friend told me about her science...Apologia. She even let me borrow a book they weren't using, and I fell in love. The following year, I began only ordering what I wanted from that company, and ordering other things that suited us better. Being able to tailor your curriculum to each child is wonderful. The flexibility is priceless.
For example....my daughter used a particular math curriculum, and it was wonderful for her. Her math scores sky-rocketed, and she was succeeding.
Pass the same curriculum down to my boys, and it was nothing but tears and sorrow. They were not learning, they didn't get it. Their brains were not wired the same way. And so, you bite the bullet, swallow the expense of a pricey curriculum that now you can't use, and begin the search for something that works for them.
So over the years, we have kind of developed our own curriculum. Apologia Science, Systematic Mathematics, and now Teaching Textbooks (next year), Rosetta Stone, BJU Health, and on and on.
I have bookshelves full of classic books. I always have the kids reading something. Most of the time I let them pick the next book they want to read. Other times I assign a specific book. For instance, when we were studying the middle east, Babylon, etc - I had them read The Arabian Nights. As we study the Renaissance, I am going to have them read some Shakespeare. But as long as they are reading something, they are learning.
So what is a typical day of homeschooling in our house?
First of all, we don't have alarm clocks. I guess this is where the "relaxed" part comes in. We don't have a strict schedule. We do have certain routines, but not like a school building, for certain.
So when the kids roll out of bed....or I roll out of bed (because I'm a homeschooler, and I'm on Conni Time)...we eat breakfast, watch the news, etc. - and when everyone is ready, we head to our classroom. It is simply a spare room that we have, where I have some whiteboards hung, bookshelves full of school books, etc. I enjoy having a set place for us to do our work. Once there, we start our day with prayer, and reading the bible. After that, we have a couple things we do together. For instance, I have all three children doing a writing journal. I give them a topic, and have them write about it. Tuesdays I give them a topic and do a 5-minute free-writing. Everything that comes into their heads, they write. Don't worry about grammar or spelling, just keep writing. It is a creativity thing. Fridays are independent writing, they write whatever they want.
After that, we continue on with subjects the older two do together, health, history, grammar, etc. Once those are done, they are free to work on the rest of their things, in whatever order they want, at whatever pace they want. Some days they get done with EVERYTHING by 11 am.....other days we are still working on something at 3 pm.
Every week, I give them a schedule. It has all of the assignments they have for each subject for the whole week. So each day they know what they need to do for the day. They don't have to wait for me, they can just do it. I am there to help, but the older ones are able to work independently quite a bit, with just some guidance. Most of the time, all I have to do is correct their work, or answer an occasional question.
Even though I give them a schedule, there is still flexibility in it. There are times when I get up in the morning, look outside, and think "We need a field trip!" and declare a spontaneous "No School Day" and we go out. Or even just have them do a little less bookwork, so we can enjoy not being in a classroom for a day. Another great reason for this flexibility? Their Daddy is in the army. When he is deployed, he comes home on R&R. There are two whole weeks they have their Dad before he is gone again. You think I'm going to have them sitting in the classroom learning an equation, or spending precious time with their father? That's a "no-brainer."
What about testing?
Well....what about it? In our house, we don't do a lot of testing. As a matter of fact, we don't even do letter grades. I discuss things with the kids, I ask them questions, I am involved in what they are learning. I don't have 30 kids that I have to keep track of, and so I don't need the impersonal testing methods. I already know if they understand something, I already know if they have learned it. Grading...when I correct papers, I look at what they missed. I have them correct the mistakes, and they learn from them. Sometimes we have to stop and do a lesson over, and that is fine. For example, one day I corrected a math lesson. Over half of them were wrong, and when I asked the child how to fix them, they didn't know. So we sat down, and re-did the lesson. Sometimes the way a book or video explains a concept, isn't the way your child would understand it. So we would re-learn the lesson using different terms, different examples....then they would re-do the problems. This time they would get it. So in a way, I am continually testing without calling it that.
Now here in NC, the kiddos are required to take an annual standardized test. I order the test, give them the packets, and they do the test. Then I pick them up, toss them in an envelope and mail them back. I don't even look to see if they filled in all the circles. A couple weeks later, I get the results. I am not usually surprised. I already know what their strengths and weaknesses are. But once in a while I do get a surprise. For instance, one child, who I will leave un-named.....is one of those, write the shortest answer possible...do the least you can do to get the job done, "slacker" types. They probably wouldn't be the "Teacher's Pet" in public school....and yet, this child KNOWS what they are doing. They are grasping the concepts, understanding the materials, and are learning. The test results from the company shows they are testing 3 grade levels above where they are.
Hmm. I guess something must be going right.
And now the topic of JOY to all homeschooling families.
But What about Socialization?
Are you kidding me? I think every homeschooling parent must just want to implode, explode or burst out laughing when they hear this.
First, let's take a look at this word.
Socialization - from the word "Socialize"
1. To make social; to fit or train for a social environment
2. to constitute on a socialistic basis; to adapt to social needs or uses
3. to organize group participation in
: to participate activelt in a social group
Do they live in a closet?
Ummm....no.
Okay. So. Do my children know how to act and interact with other people?
Um....yes.
I think the typical homeschool has more "socialization" than the typical school kid.
As an adult, how many times have you been some place where EVERY SINGLE PERSON was your exact age? But isn't that what traditional schools do? Group kids by age into grades?
In real life, you meet lots of people, from lots of places, of all different ages and ethnicities. That is real life.
My children go to the store, they go out in society, they interact with all sorts of people of all different ages and backgrounds.
So how about with other kids?
Believe me, sometimes the "socialization" is more than my schedule can handle!
We do 4-H, choir, football, soon to start a bowling club...you name it, they are doing it. There are so many things they COULD do, that we have to set limits, or the "socialization" would take over!
In our area, the number of homeschoolers is very high. There are numerous co-ops, clubs, and groups. If we wanted to, some of the things available to us, are soccer, basketball, cheerleading, volleyball, speech & debate, Latin Club, Spelling Bees, Envirothon, Fencing, and on and on and on.
So is socialization an issue? Can my children function in society? Can they speak to people that are different from them, have a normal conversation, hold a job? Well, my daughter already has a job.....so I think the answers to all are yes.
When is the last time you walked through a store, and saw a sulky, glaring, anti-social teenager, and inwardly feared for the future of humanity?
I doubt that was a homeschooler.
And so, this is a glimpse into our life, and the things we do as a homeschool family. But the next homeschool family you meet, will doubtfully look anything like this. Homeschoolers aren't made with a cookie-cutter.
But this is ours.
Have a blessed day!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies
Don't you love Pumpkin Bread?
Now imagine Pumpkin Bread in the form of a cookie - and that is what this recipe gives you.
To start, heat your oven to 350 degrees.
Now in a good sized mixing bowl, put the following...
5 c all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1 tsp salt.
Stir them all together, and set aside.
Now in a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer bowl) - you need 1 cup (2 sticks) butter.
Add 2 1/2 c sugar, and mix until creamy.
Now add 2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
and two cups of solid packed pumpkin (a standard can)
Mix well, and then begin adding your dry ingredients, a cup or so at a time. Blending well.
When all of your dry ingredients are mixed in, stir in 1 cup of chopped nuts - I used pecans.
Now, using a medium-sized scoop, or a tablespoon and spatula, place the dough on a parchment paper, by rounded tablespoons. Smooth the top as best you can. I really recommend the parchment paper, because these are soft cookies. If you don't have parchment paper, you will need to lightly grease your cookie sheets before adding the dough to them.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until done. Cool completely. This makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Now for the finishing touch. This step is optional, but really makes these cookies super special.
In a small mixing bowl, cream together 4 ounces of soft cream cheese, 1/4 cup soft butter, and 1 tsp vanilla.
Add in 1 cup powdered sugar, mix well.
Now spoon the frosting into a frosting applicator, or into a ziplock bag.
Press out all of the air, and close the bag, squeezing it down towards one corner.
Now using a pair of scissors, snip off the very tip of the corner.
Tadaaa! Instant decorator bag, with no mess to clean up!
Now squeeze a little frosting onto each cookie. You can do this any way you like, circles, squiggles, dots, whatever. You could even spread it on with a knife if you want. I just put a little squiggle of frosting on each cookie.
Enjoy!
* * *
Printable Version: Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies
Now imagine Pumpkin Bread in the form of a cookie - and that is what this recipe gives you.
To start, heat your oven to 350 degrees.
Now in a good sized mixing bowl, put the following...
5 c all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp baking powder, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1 tsp salt.
Stir them all together, and set aside.
Now in a large mixing bowl (or stand mixer bowl) - you need 1 cup (2 sticks) butter.
Add 2 1/2 c sugar, and mix until creamy.
Now add 2 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
and two cups of solid packed pumpkin (a standard can)
Mix well, and then begin adding your dry ingredients, a cup or so at a time. Blending well.
When all of your dry ingredients are mixed in, stir in 1 cup of chopped nuts - I used pecans.
Now, using a medium-sized scoop, or a tablespoon and spatula, place the dough on a parchment paper, by rounded tablespoons. Smooth the top as best you can. I really recommend the parchment paper, because these are soft cookies. If you don't have parchment paper, you will need to lightly grease your cookie sheets before adding the dough to them.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until done. Cool completely. This makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Now for the finishing touch. This step is optional, but really makes these cookies super special.
In a small mixing bowl, cream together 4 ounces of soft cream cheese, 1/4 cup soft butter, and 1 tsp vanilla.
Add in 1 cup powdered sugar, mix well.
Now spoon the frosting into a frosting applicator, or into a ziplock bag.
Press out all of the air, and close the bag, squeezing it down towards one corner.
Now using a pair of scissors, snip off the very tip of the corner.
Tadaaa! Instant decorator bag, with no mess to clean up!
Now squeeze a little frosting onto each cookie. You can do this any way you like, circles, squiggles, dots, whatever. You could even spread it on with a knife if you want. I just put a little squiggle of frosting on each cookie.
Enjoy!
* * *
Printable Version: Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Story of Our Army Life
What can I say about army life? It is like a long, winding story.
In January of 1991, I headed off to Basic Combat Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
This is a picture someone snapped of me then. Scary!
On February 2nd of 1991 at chapel service I met another young soldier, and we shared our thoughts on our new army life. Little did I know who this young kid would become. After that, we wrote letters to one another, made phone calls when we could, and always saw each other on Sundays at chapel.
March 10th, he wrote me another letter and asked me to marry him.
In April, we headed off to our individual training, me to Georgia, him to Virginia.
We met on a weekend pass, and on May 4th, 1991, we got married. We had never even been on a date. My parents, sister and grandparents drove down from Wisconsin for the wedding, at the Paulding County Courthouse in Dallas, Georgia, and Judge Fran Watson did the very simple service.
Then next day, we went back to our training posts.
Fast forward over the years, and we have had three children. Jennifer, born in Virginia, Joshua born in Tennessee, and Jack born in Germany. I'm of course not in the army any more, and I had a couple jobs over the years, but after becoming a mother, there was no place I wanted to be more than home.
We love the stability my being a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) brings to our house. My husband goes here, there and everywhere because of his job, but the kiddos always knew that Mom would be there. There was never a time that they would come home from school or wherever, that Mom wasn't there. Many military families are dual-working homes. They have to be. It is not easy living on a military pay check, but for us, the sacrifice was worth it. No, we may not go on fancy vacations, or have the newest, best things out there, but our children have what matters. It is also fostered an appreciation for the value of what we are blessed with. Our children are not materialistic, and I am grateful to God for their level-headedness, and understanding of value.
But I digress.....
We started out in Virginia, as our first duty assignment. That is where Jennifer was born.
In the summer of 1993, we moved to Fort Hood, Texas.
A year later, he went to Korea for a year in June '94. I moved to Tennessee to stay while he was gone. We found out the day we got to Tennessee, that we were expecting our second child. Joshua was born during his Korea tour. Thankfully he was able to take leave in the middle, fly home, and be there for the birth of our son. The army doesn't pay for that, so we scrimped and saved every penny to fly him home from Korea.
A picture I took of Jen and me with my pregnant belly, to mail to Jeff while he was in Korea.
After the year over there, we were assigned to Fort Hood again, so back to Texas the end of June '95.
Five months later, movers were back at our house, and loading everything up to go to Germany. We arrived there November 28th, 1995. Joshua was 9 months old, and Jennifer was almost three.
A month later, he went to Bosnia for a year. This is where he lived and slept during that time.
While he was home for his R&R - two week break from Bosnia.
Shortly after he returned from Bosnia, we were expecting our third child. Jack was born in Germany several months later.
In spring of 1998, we moved back to the states, this time to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
We were there for 12 years.
After 9-11, he deployed to Iraq three times. The first, thankfully was only 4 months long. But it was a rough one. There was VERY little communication, and part way through the deployment, our youngest had a scary accident and severely broke his leg. All he wanted was his Daddy, and the doctors in the hospital assured him, "You're Daddy will be here soon, we'll tell him." Then Jack sobbed, "But my daddy's in the desert." Imagine seeing grown men and women having to hide their faces, turn away, and choke back tears. Iraq had just begun a few short months prior, and all this little boy with the bent leg cared about was his Daddy....and they had made a promise they hadn't even realized they couldn't keep.
We were so glad to have him home, but a couple months later, his unit was sent right back. This time for 9 months.
We were able to enjoy his being home for two whole years before he was sent away again in 2006. OIF #3, but this time it was the full year tour that we are so very used to.
His whole family was able to be there as well.
His Mom.
Then in April of 2009, he was deployed to Afghanistan for the first time.
This was the day he left.
This is a picture I found on the internet, where his group had stopped at an airport to refuel. The people (Pease Greeters) there were wonderful, and treated them so kindly.
Homecomings never come soon enough. This one came as a surprise to the kiddos on April 1st, 2010, when he finally came home. You can see the great suprise *HERE.*
And now the newest chapter... after being stationed there for 12 years, we finally did a PCS (military move) to Alaska.
On August 1st, 2010, we loaded up our van and hooked up our little camper and hit the road.
We travelled across the country, visiting family along the way, heading up through Canada, driving the Alaskan Highway. We saw many amazing and breath-taking sights, both in the US and in Canada.
The Badlands, South Dakota
Bijioux Falls, British Columbia
Muncho Lake, British Columbia
Watson Lake Signpost Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory
A Boreal Forest, Yukon Territory
Old army trucks used to build the Alaskan Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Beautiful Mountains in the Yukon
Something we have waited to see for years.
Not to mention some great wildlife.
And so begins our newest adventure, living in the "Final Frontier."
In January of 1991, I headed off to Basic Combat Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey.
This is a picture someone snapped of me then. Scary!
On February 2nd of 1991 at chapel service I met another young soldier, and we shared our thoughts on our new army life. Little did I know who this young kid would become. After that, we wrote letters to one another, made phone calls when we could, and always saw each other on Sundays at chapel.
March 10th, he wrote me another letter and asked me to marry him.
In April, we headed off to our individual training, me to Georgia, him to Virginia.
We met on a weekend pass, and on May 4th, 1991, we got married. We had never even been on a date. My parents, sister and grandparents drove down from Wisconsin for the wedding, at the Paulding County Courthouse in Dallas, Georgia, and Judge Fran Watson did the very simple service.
Then next day, we went back to our training posts.
Fast forward over the years, and we have had three children. Jennifer, born in Virginia, Joshua born in Tennessee, and Jack born in Germany. I'm of course not in the army any more, and I had a couple jobs over the years, but after becoming a mother, there was no place I wanted to be more than home.
We love the stability my being a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) brings to our house. My husband goes here, there and everywhere because of his job, but the kiddos always knew that Mom would be there. There was never a time that they would come home from school or wherever, that Mom wasn't there. Many military families are dual-working homes. They have to be. It is not easy living on a military pay check, but for us, the sacrifice was worth it. No, we may not go on fancy vacations, or have the newest, best things out there, but our children have what matters. It is also fostered an appreciation for the value of what we are blessed with. Our children are not materialistic, and I am grateful to God for their level-headedness, and understanding of value.
But I digress.....
We started out in Virginia, as our first duty assignment. That is where Jennifer was born.
In the summer of 1993, we moved to Fort Hood, Texas.
A year later, he went to Korea for a year in June '94. I moved to Tennessee to stay while he was gone. We found out the day we got to Tennessee, that we were expecting our second child. Joshua was born during his Korea tour. Thankfully he was able to take leave in the middle, fly home, and be there for the birth of our son. The army doesn't pay for that, so we scrimped and saved every penny to fly him home from Korea.
A picture I took of Jen and me with my pregnant belly, to mail to Jeff while he was in Korea.
After the year over there, we were assigned to Fort Hood again, so back to Texas the end of June '95.
Five months later, movers were back at our house, and loading everything up to go to Germany. We arrived there November 28th, 1995. Joshua was 9 months old, and Jennifer was almost three.
A month later, he went to Bosnia for a year. This is where he lived and slept during that time.
While he was home for his R&R - two week break from Bosnia.
Shortly after he returned from Bosnia, we were expecting our third child. Jack was born in Germany several months later.
In spring of 1998, we moved back to the states, this time to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
We were there for 12 years.
After 9-11, he deployed to Iraq three times. The first, thankfully was only 4 months long. But it was a rough one. There was VERY little communication, and part way through the deployment, our youngest had a scary accident and severely broke his leg. All he wanted was his Daddy, and the doctors in the hospital assured him, "You're Daddy will be here soon, we'll tell him." Then Jack sobbed, "But my daddy's in the desert." Imagine seeing grown men and women having to hide their faces, turn away, and choke back tears. Iraq had just begun a few short months prior, and all this little boy with the bent leg cared about was his Daddy....and they had made a promise they hadn't even realized they couldn't keep.
We were so glad to have him home, but a couple months later, his unit was sent right back. This time for 9 months.
We were able to enjoy his being home for two whole years before he was sent away again in 2006. OIF #3, but this time it was the full year tour that we are so very used to.
His whole family was able to be there as well.
His Mom.
Then in April of 2009, he was deployed to Afghanistan for the first time.
This was the day he left.
This is a picture I found on the internet, where his group had stopped at an airport to refuel. The people (Pease Greeters) there were wonderful, and treated them so kindly.
Homecomings never come soon enough. This one came as a surprise to the kiddos on April 1st, 2010, when he finally came home. You can see the great suprise *HERE.*
And now the newest chapter... after being stationed there for 12 years, we finally did a PCS (military move) to Alaska.
On August 1st, 2010, we loaded up our van and hooked up our little camper and hit the road.
We travelled across the country, visiting family along the way, heading up through Canada, driving the Alaskan Highway. We saw many amazing and breath-taking sights, both in the US and in Canada.
The Badlands, South Dakota
Bijioux Falls, British Columbia
Muncho Lake, British Columbia
Watson Lake Signpost Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon Territory
A Boreal Forest, Yukon Territory
Old army trucks used to build the Alaskan Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory
Beautiful Mountains in the Yukon
Something we have waited to see for years.
Not to mention some great wildlife.
And so begins our newest adventure, living in the "Final Frontier."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
