Letters to the LT

Dear LT Thompson,
It has started getting really hard not talking to you everyday.  The kids and I have been good.  The house is a wreck since I've gone through every closet and drawer and thrown out or given away numerous amounts of our things.  I wonder when and where we got some of the things that I have been finding.  Sorry but I gave the kids your wind up sushi toys, they enjoyed them while they lasted.

Remember when I got the flat tire outside of Big Spring and the two men stopped to help?  I found Colton's survival knife in the glove compartment yesterday and he told me that he put it there when the two men stopped to help just in case he needed it.  I'm proud but also a little scared that he would think a knife and his little body could over come two grown men.  I told him that I have a special 'sixth sense' about people and knew that the men were really good people.

Cortlynn has learned to crawl out of her crib, why did the two boys never bother to figure that out?  I am debating making her crib into a toddler bed or leaving it as is and letting her scale the sides.

Spiderman is now Cammon's super obsession.  I crumbled and bought him a new spiderman doll from Walmart, it cost over $17.  I hate buying new toys that are so overpriced but he loves it.

The man from the moving company came over today and weighed our things.  Of course we are over weight, by about 300 pounds.  I'm trying to decide now what to sell.  It would be better to get rid of a few things then pay for the weight overage.  Don't be surprised when you get to Virginia and not see our scooter or washer and dryer.

I am dog sitting, the dog is actually very well behaved, she's big and has had to get used to my house rules like not roaming around in every room and getting tied up at night.  I love you and miss you and  look forward to seeing you again in the Old Dominion state.  By the way, have you seen their flag?

Love your lucky wife,
B

Uniforms (finally)!!!

We received our uniforms late because there were too many to hem in time.  Until now we have been doing everything in our PT gear.  This week I have done a great deal of marching, eaten all meals in 15 minutes with no talking or looking around (referred to as skylarking) of course, and every day starts at 0430 (4:30 am).  We have done some PT (physical training) and visited the "rose garden" to build discipline and reinforce the need to follow orders ( the "rose garden" is a big sand pit where we "play").  So far I am mostly enjoying myself... More to come, but personal communication is still limited, so I don't know exactly when.

Arrival

I arrived to my empty room, much like a college dorm room- inside are my rack (bed), desk, and locker.  Opposite side had a mirror image for my roommate.

It's only just begun...

Today I got to use my power of attorney, apparently my new best friend as a military wife.  I was getting a lost title for our scooter and the DMV employee told me "that my husband must really trust me to have one of those", because with it I can do a lot of things without him, a lot of really important things - and I don't even have to ask. :)  I wanted to tell her that he sure does trust me - he trust me enough to leave me for weeks with three kids - to sell our home - to pack up and load an 18 wheeler with our entire house - to drive across the country with kids and a dog to places I've never been - to take care of finances and bills on the home front - to make sure all paperwork and forms are completed for him and for us -to get into and pay for our new home - all without him. 


Before he left I was a complete emotional mess because of all the responsibility I felt I was going to have to take on with his departure.  As he drove off for officer development "camp" (ODS) I stood on my front porch and took 5 minutes and cried - then I put my big girl panties on and  got a Diet Dr.Pepper.  (My mom has always told me when things got tough to take 5 minutes to cry and then go get a Diet Coke - I prefer the Dr.)   It is going to be a very stressful next few weeks as I learn more about the Navy and its lingo and learn how to cope without someone else to take some responsibility and to help make decisions.  


Joshua 1:9 
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Off to camp...

The Lieutenant is off to ODS, Officer Development School or Summer Camp (what I call it) for five weeks in Rhode Island!  He called to let me know that he was the "cool" guy there since he is basically the only one with a car and was able to transport people to Wal-Mart and to eat the first day.  (Can you believe he drove to Rhode Island from Texas in two days).  I totally expect him to be taking some weekend road trips to Boston with his new camp buddies when they are allowed off base.  He was very happy to learn that his room mate is a Master Chief and has been in the Navy 19 years, he will be able to learn a lot from him.  He also let me know that he will be out of commission for the week due to rules against cell phone use, which is fine, I want him to keep his head in the game.  Although, we have been apart before because of job distances, this time it felt different as he drove away.  I guess we both know that this is the beginning of a very new adventure for our family, a lot of unknowns and unanswered questions... just the way we like it!