A few days ago Wade's Introduction to the Island class (that's not really the name...but that's what it is) went on a field trip. They took a tour of the island, learning about all kinds of useful safety information, and local history. Hence the story about the Japanese zombies from the previous post.
One of the stories that he passed along to me was an interesting bit of history. If you don't know, Guam was originally conquered by the Spanish in 1565. They colonized the island, killing most of the original Chamorro people. In 1898, during the Spanish American War the American Navy sailed over to Guam, and landed safely on the shores to an open-armed Spanish Army. See, the Spanish had not caught word of the war that had been going on for many months, and were welcoming their would-be allies. The Americans smartly lead them to believe that nothing had changed, and landed...planted a flag, and said, "Get out." So, Guam was taken over the Americans with nearly no bloodshed. This fateful day happened to be July 21st, which if you remember from a post from a few weeks ago...is Liberation Day. A holiday celebrated by the locals in honor of the day that the Americans regained control from the Japanese in WWII. Coincidence??? You decide.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Poltergeist
My husband and I took a drive today...trying to kill some time before our orientation meeting at the Children's Development Center (they have drop-off rates of $3 hour!!)...and we passed a neighborhood in base housing that has an interesting background...
When the American forces took back Guam from Japanese control in WWII the Americans bombed the island in the process. After we took control there were thousands of dead Japanese soldiers scattered from the explosions. Clean up duty consisted of making use of all of the bomb induced craters and burying the soldiers in them. Years later, the Japanese asked for the bodies of these soldiers in order to lay them to rest properly back in Japan. Well, when the mass graves were dug up...only about 1/4 of the bodies were ever found. It is thought, that there is a great possibility that this particular neighborhood is built over some of the mass graves yet to be found. So, if I see any zombie Japanese soldiers that look a little lost this Halloween...I'll know where to send them.
Today was a wonderful day for the Gerloff family, as we are finally complete again!! We picked up our dog and cat, Sammy and Frank from the quarantine facilities today. They flew in last night, were checked out by the vet this afternoon, and were safely being snuggled in our arms and/or being chased around the room by Nicholas by this evening. It's wonderful to have them here with us, finally! It was the last big piece of the moving across the world puzzle.
Now, it's time for me to curl up with my book and my pup, and go to dream land....not a bad ending to a Friday 13th....unless some of those zombies show up in the middle of the night...
When the American forces took back Guam from Japanese control in WWII the Americans bombed the island in the process. After we took control there were thousands of dead Japanese soldiers scattered from the explosions. Clean up duty consisted of making use of all of the bomb induced craters and burying the soldiers in them. Years later, the Japanese asked for the bodies of these soldiers in order to lay them to rest properly back in Japan. Well, when the mass graves were dug up...only about 1/4 of the bodies were ever found. It is thought, that there is a great possibility that this particular neighborhood is built over some of the mass graves yet to be found. So, if I see any zombie Japanese soldiers that look a little lost this Halloween...I'll know where to send them.
Today was a wonderful day for the Gerloff family, as we are finally complete again!! We picked up our dog and cat, Sammy and Frank from the quarantine facilities today. They flew in last night, were checked out by the vet this afternoon, and were safely being snuggled in our arms and/or being chased around the room by Nicholas by this evening. It's wonderful to have them here with us, finally! It was the last big piece of the moving across the world puzzle.
Now, it's time for me to curl up with my book and my pup, and go to dream land....not a bad ending to a Friday 13th....unless some of those zombies show up in the middle of the night...
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Interesting...
Some interesting things I have learned about this island...
The most frequent road kill I have seen here is hermit crabs and giant frogs. Quite a change from squirrels (which do not live on this island) and armadillos (nor do they).
Also, we have discovered that they do not sell fresh chicken here. I know....it's all frozen. Which is odd to me because I have never seen so many wild chickens roaming around in my life.
Our power went out mysteriously for about 7 hours the other night...which was fine because our house held the cool air in quite a bit longer than I expected. There are also some back up lights installed in the hallways for that very purpose.
In short, everyday is a new surprise. Good or bad, it's all part of the adventure :)
The most frequent road kill I have seen here is hermit crabs and giant frogs. Quite a change from squirrels (which do not live on this island) and armadillos (nor do they).
Also, we have discovered that they do not sell fresh chicken here. I know....it's all frozen. Which is odd to me because I have never seen so many wild chickens roaming around in my life.
Our power went out mysteriously for about 7 hours the other night...which was fine because our house held the cool air in quite a bit longer than I expected. There are also some back up lights installed in the hallways for that very purpose.
In short, everyday is a new surprise. Good or bad, it's all part of the adventure :)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Settled
I'm ALIVE!! We have been off the grid for two weeks now, waiting for the internet to get hooked up (and then actually work). It is INCREDIBLE to be home! I melted into our bed the first night, and slept better than I had in many, many months. Now, we are getting comfortable in our new place. Home sweet not hotel room!!!
We are loving every minute being on this beautiful island. Wade and I were talking today about how, despite the inevitable Americanized feeling, it is really very subtle. The culture of the locals has saturated this place, and it's wonderful. As I've said before, they are very friendly and inviting.
Last Wednesday was Liberation Day, which is a very important holiday here on Guam. It is the day that Guam was liberated from Japan after WWII. They have a huge parade, a giant carnival, fireworks, and lots and lots of 'chow'. We made our way down to Chamorro Village (a local market square) to partake in the festivities, and see what Liberation Day was all about. It was so touching to see how thankful these people are to be an American territory. I mean, let's face it, most of the world is really not in love with America. Not these people. This holiday is not just a day for food and fun, but a day for true remembrance and thanks for our involvement in their lives. My husband was checking out at a small bakery that was in the hotel we were staying in when we first arrived, and the woman behind the counter took him by the hand and said, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, we couldn't sleep at night." It was the first time my husband was really moved, almost to tears by someone's appreciation for his service.
We are home. And, it really does feel like our home already. It's hard not to feel at home with these people. Every day is a new adventure...even if that adventure is trying to get at least one box unpacked.
Good Night Everyone!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Spare Time
Life is good. Wonderful in fact. We are living in a paradise. The sun is shining, the water is warm, and all things 'moving' are going pleasantly well.
We spent our first day being very productive. We got a rental car to help us get around until we picked up my car (which we shipped here a couple of months ago). There is this wonderful company that makes reservations for military families moving onto the island at hotels, and part of their service is to also provide you with a car and cell phone free of charge!! They dropped the car off at our hotel the morning we got in, and we ran off into the unknown to get Wade checked in with his command and to see what we could see.
We picked up some maps and made our way to the Naval base to check out the NEX (Naval Exchange: basically a nice Target) and pick up a few essentials. We stopped by our friends' place who made the jump a couple of weeks ago. The husband, Tom, went through the same specialty school with Wade. I hung out with them while Wade checked in, and then we jetted over to the Housing Office to try and get the process started.
After paperwork and setting an appointment to look at some houses the next morning, we decided to call it a night. Nicholas was way too tired to go to a sit-down restaurant, but we managed to find a Wendy's....
Now, my husband and I are sitting patiently in the line waiting for the car in front of us to pull forward to the next window so we can order, and I glance up at the menu board because Wade is telling me how they have brought back a sandwich that he really liked...'New blah blah blah'.... Well, right next to this sign is another with bright red letters proudly advertising 'NEW BACON'. Yes, it's much better than that old crap bacon. I point this out to Wade, who chuckles, and it snowballs from there, as you can imagine. Well, we place our order, and as we are pulling around to the window I notice an outlet mall across the street. I start reading the names of the shops aloud, and then I stop...because their are two shops at the end that make me smile... 'Burger King' and 'Subway'. I start giggling telling Wade that I've never heard of a Burger King Outlet before....without missing a beat, he mumbles, "That must be where they ship the old bacon." I laughed SO hard, and even if you don't get our childish humor...I don't care. Life's little things like that are normally what makes me laugh the hardest.
Yesterday, we went snorkeling!! And it was amazing. The water wasn't very deep where we were so you could get really close to all the fishies. I flashed to Finding Nemo and got excited when I saw Gil's and Dori's ( no, I don't know the real names of the fish) and bright blue starfish. It was amazing. We plan on going as much as we can while we are here.
We have our house picked out, and my car picked up, and now we are relaxing at the hotel. Tomorrow we have to go and pick up our new tags for the car and my new Driver's license. Errands are so much better with a view :)
Until next time...
We spent our first day being very productive. We got a rental car to help us get around until we picked up my car (which we shipped here a couple of months ago). There is this wonderful company that makes reservations for military families moving onto the island at hotels, and part of their service is to also provide you with a car and cell phone free of charge!! They dropped the car off at our hotel the morning we got in, and we ran off into the unknown to get Wade checked in with his command and to see what we could see.
We picked up some maps and made our way to the Naval base to check out the NEX (Naval Exchange: basically a nice Target) and pick up a few essentials. We stopped by our friends' place who made the jump a couple of weeks ago. The husband, Tom, went through the same specialty school with Wade. I hung out with them while Wade checked in, and then we jetted over to the Housing Office to try and get the process started.
After paperwork and setting an appointment to look at some houses the next morning, we decided to call it a night. Nicholas was way too tired to go to a sit-down restaurant, but we managed to find a Wendy's....
Now, my husband and I are sitting patiently in the line waiting for the car in front of us to pull forward to the next window so we can order, and I glance up at the menu board because Wade is telling me how they have brought back a sandwich that he really liked...'New blah blah blah'.... Well, right next to this sign is another with bright red letters proudly advertising 'NEW BACON'. Yes, it's much better than that old crap bacon. I point this out to Wade, who chuckles, and it snowballs from there, as you can imagine. Well, we place our order, and as we are pulling around to the window I notice an outlet mall across the street. I start reading the names of the shops aloud, and then I stop...because their are two shops at the end that make me smile... 'Burger King' and 'Subway'. I start giggling telling Wade that I've never heard of a Burger King Outlet before....without missing a beat, he mumbles, "That must be where they ship the old bacon." I laughed SO hard, and even if you don't get our childish humor...I don't care. Life's little things like that are normally what makes me laugh the hardest.
Yesterday, we went snorkeling!! And it was amazing. The water wasn't very deep where we were so you could get really close to all the fishies. I flashed to Finding Nemo and got excited when I saw Gil's and Dori's ( no, I don't know the real names of the fish) and bright blue starfish. It was amazing. We plan on going as much as we can while we are here.
We have our house picked out, and my car picked up, and now we are relaxing at the hotel. Tomorrow we have to go and pick up our new tags for the car and my new Driver's license. Errands are so much better with a view :)
Until next time...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Home Sweet Hotel Room
Well, we made it. We are safely in Guam. Trying to adjust to the 15 hour time difference. But, the view is beautiful, the air smells like tropical flowers, and my hair is, surprisingly, not as poofy as I would expect in the humidity.
We left Houston at 9:35am, local time, and had a really great 8+ hour flight to Honolulu. The squirt did AMAZINGLY well. He slept well, he ate well, and he made friends with all of the surrounding passengers. Having personal televisions on the flight was a great perk. I watched a couple of movies and 3 House episodes while trying to nap...not a good combination.
We landed in Honolulu at 12:30pm, local time, and stretched our legs for all of 30 minutes before trudging back onto the plane for the 7+ hour flight to Guam. ( I was very upset that I couldn't connect to the internet and update.) This flight was not quite as easy. Nicholas was squirmier, Wade and I were more tired. I started getting fidgety at one point, really very ready to get off the plane...and we still had 5 more hours.
We finally made it to our little island paradise, and as we circled the island waiting for our clearance to land...I laughed when I realized I really could see from one side of the island to the other. It was incredible. There was literally a rainbow over the bay when we flew along the coast.
We landed 6:02pm, local time....3:02am Houston time. We got our bags, went through customs, and met up with Wade's sponsor from the ship...just in time for a downpour. 'Welcome to Guam', a cheerful greeting from the sponsor, and a rush out to the car.
We checked in at the Hilton, and tried to stay up until it was a reasonable bedtime (we wanted to pass out at 7:30). I think we crashed at about 8:45. Nicholas was really congested and was up and down all night, but actually didn't fight sleep. I slept fairly well, minus the times when I woke up with the urge to get up and be awake even thought my body was screaming for the rest. And, poor Wade, it was his turn with the booger, and he didn't get the good night's sleep he'd been hoping for.
We woke up at about 5:30am, and couldn't sleep anymore. We've been lazily getting ready for the busy day ahead of us. I'm hoping that I won't mysteriously want to go back to bed in a couple of hours when Texas is headed to bed....I will have to find a coffee shop, as the espresso bar downstairs has the worst 'espresso' I've ever had. No amount of cream or sugar could fix it. A wasted $4.
Well, we are off to start the process of new residents. Trying to get my car and check in with the housing office...maybe get our new cellphones.
Missing everybody back home. We love you.
Hafa Adai!! Welcome to Guam!!
We left Houston at 9:35am, local time, and had a really great 8+ hour flight to Honolulu. The squirt did AMAZINGLY well. He slept well, he ate well, and he made friends with all of the surrounding passengers. Having personal televisions on the flight was a great perk. I watched a couple of movies and 3 House episodes while trying to nap...not a good combination.
We landed in Honolulu at 12:30pm, local time, and stretched our legs for all of 30 minutes before trudging back onto the plane for the 7+ hour flight to Guam. ( I was very upset that I couldn't connect to the internet and update.) This flight was not quite as easy. Nicholas was squirmier, Wade and I were more tired. I started getting fidgety at one point, really very ready to get off the plane...and we still had 5 more hours.
We finally made it to our little island paradise, and as we circled the island waiting for our clearance to land...I laughed when I realized I really could see from one side of the island to the other. It was incredible. There was literally a rainbow over the bay when we flew along the coast.
We landed 6:02pm, local time....3:02am Houston time. We got our bags, went through customs, and met up with Wade's sponsor from the ship...just in time for a downpour. 'Welcome to Guam', a cheerful greeting from the sponsor, and a rush out to the car.
We checked in at the Hilton, and tried to stay up until it was a reasonable bedtime (we wanted to pass out at 7:30). I think we crashed at about 8:45. Nicholas was really congested and was up and down all night, but actually didn't fight sleep. I slept fairly well, minus the times when I woke up with the urge to get up and be awake even thought my body was screaming for the rest. And, poor Wade, it was his turn with the booger, and he didn't get the good night's sleep he'd been hoping for.
We woke up at about 5:30am, and couldn't sleep anymore. We've been lazily getting ready for the busy day ahead of us. I'm hoping that I won't mysteriously want to go back to bed in a couple of hours when Texas is headed to bed....I will have to find a coffee shop, as the espresso bar downstairs has the worst 'espresso' I've ever had. No amount of cream or sugar could fix it. A wasted $4.
Well, we are off to start the process of new residents. Trying to get my car and check in with the housing office...maybe get our new cellphones.
Missing everybody back home. We love you.
Hafa Adai!! Welcome to Guam!!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The End of a Chapter
I am sitting in my in-laws living room, in my pajamas, listening to family pour in the door to say their last goodbyes. My husband is fighting his urge to pack all day because, currently, half of our stuff is scattered around the house. My son is being passed around for kisses and cheek-pinches. And, I'm sure that none of us have any real idea about what to expect tomorrow.
I know that I will cry. I know that Wade will probably not, trying to suck it up to make it easier on his mom. Squirt will happily sit in his car seat and giggle and play as we drive off into the sunrise on our way to our new life.
My last day in the states. My last day in Texas. My last day surrounded by family.
As we close this chapter, I just want to say thank you to everyone that has helped us along the way. I know that I wouldn't have the strength or the courage (or the the excitement) to face this new world without the influence of the people in my life. Thank you for everything. Truly everything.
Happy Trails.
I know that I will cry. I know that Wade will probably not, trying to suck it up to make it easier on his mom. Squirt will happily sit in his car seat and giggle and play as we drive off into the sunrise on our way to our new life.
My last day in the states. My last day in Texas. My last day surrounded by family.
As we close this chapter, I just want to say thank you to everyone that has helped us along the way. I know that I wouldn't have the strength or the courage (or the the excitement) to face this new world without the influence of the people in my life. Thank you for everything. Truly everything.
Happy Trails.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Independence Day
A couple of days ago, we packed up the car, said our goodbyes, and tearfully drove away. I had such an incredible time in Dallas with my family, and I was so thankful for the time and the memories. Getting in that car, however, was one of the hardest things I've had to do. I never realized how much I had taken advantage of the fact that I could always just drive home...even if I was across the country. A week from today I will be on the opposite side of the world, and I could drive circles around the island, and not be any closer to my family.
I am very excited about the experience, but I am letting myself experience the grief. I have purposefully kept myself in a foggy haze, trying not to really look at what is about to happen. So, it was time. I cried. A lot. And now I have been able to thoroughly enjoy Wade's family in Houston...despite the hours that it took to take family pictures yesterday. If you have never had to take portraits with three children under a year old...you should consider yourself VERY lucky.
My Independence Day has started off with some homemade pancakes (which Squirt loved), a quick update, and watching my husband and his sister battle it out on Pacman. We've got fireworks to look forward to tonight, and I cannot wait to see how my little man reacts.
Today is such a special day. It gets brushed over as just another reason to barbecue (which I have heard people rant over),but really, what a great way to celebrate! Taking time to sit with family, have a good meal, and relax. Men and women have died so that we can celebrate this day with relaxation. Without fear. Without anxiety. With freedom. Freedom to just be. To live.
Enjoy your life today. And, your freedom to live it.
I am very excited about the experience, but I am letting myself experience the grief. I have purposefully kept myself in a foggy haze, trying not to really look at what is about to happen. So, it was time. I cried. A lot. And now I have been able to thoroughly enjoy Wade's family in Houston...despite the hours that it took to take family pictures yesterday. If you have never had to take portraits with three children under a year old...you should consider yourself VERY lucky.
My Independence Day has started off with some homemade pancakes (which Squirt loved), a quick update, and watching my husband and his sister battle it out on Pacman. We've got fireworks to look forward to tonight, and I cannot wait to see how my little man reacts.
Today is such a special day. It gets brushed over as just another reason to barbecue (which I have heard people rant over),but really, what a great way to celebrate! Taking time to sit with family, have a good meal, and relax. Men and women have died so that we can celebrate this day with relaxation. Without fear. Without anxiety. With freedom. Freedom to just be. To live.
Enjoy your life today. And, your freedom to live it.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Family Jewels
Tonight, I was blessed to have a very touching and powerful conversation with my grandmother. She was talking to me about the 'art of living'. How every little thing that we use our loving hands to create, is art. Whether we are cooking a delicious meal, tending to our garden, or even writing a blog...it's all our personal art. The art of life.
My mind took off with this wonderful way of looking at things, and I found myself going over the artful masterpieces of everyday. The first thing that popped into my mind was my son's smile. There is absolutely nothing as beautiful, or precious, than his smile. Such a simple thing, and yet so magnificent in that simplicity. I told my husband after he was born that, not only was I amazed that this little human being came from my body, but he worked!! He breathed, and moved, and had little tiny baby thoughts all on his own. My body somehow knew how to make this precious little vessel for a precious little soul. And he is truly a masterpiece. A perfect example of art in life.
I then thought of how much I love to cook, and what joy I get from, not just the colorful arrangement of food on a plate, but the symphony of flavors that melt in your mouth. I love the process of creating that taste. Creating that perfect bite that draws a satisfying "Mmmmmmm". I really couldn't be more pleased then when I know I have made a good meal, and I can share it with others.
I could list a million things that I do every day that I find to be 'artful'. Even just a conversation, simple rhetoric, can be art. I really loved the idea of finding all of those little things that are a reflection of yourself. That allow you to let your creative self flow. It brought a whole new perspective to life. And the beauty in it.
I challenge you....yes, even those of you who claim to be 'far from creative'...to find at least one thing in your life that reflects the art that you create in your life. It's very empowering. And, once you've found that one (or more) thing(s), appreciate it for what it is.
Enjoy!!
My mind took off with this wonderful way of looking at things, and I found myself going over the artful masterpieces of everyday. The first thing that popped into my mind was my son's smile. There is absolutely nothing as beautiful, or precious, than his smile. Such a simple thing, and yet so magnificent in that simplicity. I told my husband after he was born that, not only was I amazed that this little human being came from my body, but he worked!! He breathed, and moved, and had little tiny baby thoughts all on his own. My body somehow knew how to make this precious little vessel for a precious little soul. And he is truly a masterpiece. A perfect example of art in life.
I then thought of how much I love to cook, and what joy I get from, not just the colorful arrangement of food on a plate, but the symphony of flavors that melt in your mouth. I love the process of creating that taste. Creating that perfect bite that draws a satisfying "Mmmmmmm". I really couldn't be more pleased then when I know I have made a good meal, and I can share it with others.
I could list a million things that I do every day that I find to be 'artful'. Even just a conversation, simple rhetoric, can be art. I really loved the idea of finding all of those little things that are a reflection of yourself. That allow you to let your creative self flow. It brought a whole new perspective to life. And the beauty in it.
I challenge you....yes, even those of you who claim to be 'far from creative'...to find at least one thing in your life that reflects the art that you create in your life. It's very empowering. And, once you've found that one (or more) thing(s), appreciate it for what it is.
Enjoy!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Family Time
I have been spending the last couple of days relaxing in Dallas, and visiting with my family. It has been so wonderful to see them with my son. He hasn't gotten to see his grandparents very much, and it means the world to me that he is getting this bonding time before we leave. Thank God for Skype! He recognizes their faces from our many chats, and it will be how he gets to spend time with them over the next two years.
It is really difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that he will be almost 3 years old when we get back. I am so thrilled for the opportunity that he has, at this young age, to really get a taste of a different culture. But, it has been very bittersweet as it sinks in how much time he will be missing with his extended family. He has two younger cousins that will, no doubt, be best friends by the time we get back, and he will be playing catch up. However, I am still very excited about this experience, and, at the end of the day...he gets to be the cool kid that lived in Guam!!
Tonight the plan is to finish the delicious latte that my step-mom whipped up for me, and then cuddle up with a good movie and my family.
Goodnight, All.
It is really difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that he will be almost 3 years old when we get back. I am so thrilled for the opportunity that he has, at this young age, to really get a taste of a different culture. But, it has been very bittersweet as it sinks in how much time he will be missing with his extended family. He has two younger cousins that will, no doubt, be best friends by the time we get back, and he will be playing catch up. However, I am still very excited about this experience, and, at the end of the day...he gets to be the cool kid that lived in Guam!!
Tonight the plan is to finish the delicious latte that my step-mom whipped up for me, and then cuddle up with a good movie and my family.
Goodnight, All.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Father's Day
Today we celebrate fathers. True fathers. Not just men who happen to have offspring. I know that my dad was, and is, a huge influence on my life. One of the most important things he taught me was about the power that we have over our own lives. He was always encouraging me to follow my dreams...not a particularly unique lesson, but one that I took to heart. I have dreams that are bigger than life, and slowly but surely, I am making them come true. Me. Not to say that people don't help me...obviously, I am giving a ton of credit to my dad...but, he really showed me that I can decide my fate. I may not be able to control the events that are going on around me, but I can choose how I react to them, and what I learn from them. There have been so many things that he has left imprinted in my heart, so, today, I thank you, Dad. For every day.
I have been lucky enough, these past 8 months, to watch a new father bloom. My husband has shown me a side of him that I had dreamed about. But, he took the blueprints of the father I had him pegged to be, and is building a masterpiece. It is truly amazing to watch him with our son. He is there for everything. I feel very lucky to have a partner that is, not only willing, but happy to share in everything with me. He changes diapers, we swap night duty, he feeds him, and plays with him, AND if I've had a particularly hard day, he has kicked me out of the room to go see and movie and take a break.
Whether it's watching my son laugh at Daddy's silly faces, or even having to cuddle my crying baby when Daddy leaves to go back to work; every little thing shows what a great dad he is. Thank you, Wade.
Happy Father's Day, everybody!
I have been lucky enough, these past 8 months, to watch a new father bloom. My husband has shown me a side of him that I had dreamed about. But, he took the blueprints of the father I had him pegged to be, and is building a masterpiece. It is truly amazing to watch him with our son. He is there for everything. I feel very lucky to have a partner that is, not only willing, but happy to share in everything with me. He changes diapers, we swap night duty, he feeds him, and plays with him, AND if I've had a particularly hard day, he has kicked me out of the room to go see and movie and take a break.
Whether it's watching my son laugh at Daddy's silly faces, or even having to cuddle my crying baby when Daddy leaves to go back to work; every little thing shows what a great dad he is. Thank you, Wade.
Happy Father's Day, everybody!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Preparing for 'Goodbye'...
This year has, and will continue to be, the busiest year of my life. My precious son was born last October. Four days later, my husband left for a deployment that would last for 4 months. We lived in Georgia at the time, and before Squirt was born, I went to stay with my parents in Texas. I didn't want to be alone during the holidays with a newborn, wallowing in my loneliness. So, thankfully, during my son's two months of colic, I was able to cry on my parents' shoulders when I couldn't get my son to stop screaming.
About a month after he was born, I received an email from my husband, telling me to get our son if he wasn't with me because what he was about to tell me involved our whole family. He then prefaced his big news with this, "Don't freak out...". Well, guess what I did? Actually, I didn't quite 'freak out', but I did hold my breath as I read our fate.
My husband was up for a shore duty, and we had been waiting for the official news as to where we would be stationed. For those of you not familiar with the difference between 'shore' duty and 'sea' duty: Navy personnel rotate between sea duty (being stationed on a ship/sub) and shore duty (being stationed at a job where you are not attached to a ship/sub, and do not go out to sea).
We had been given two choices: We could go to New York, or South Carolina. The same job would be waiting for him either way, all we had to do was choose a location. Well, we decided on New York, and had been pretty much guaranteed that spot. We were so sure of this that we even registered for cold weather gear for our son. Lucky us, we didn't get any of it.
Most people might not know something about the military that all of us active duty and dependents know (and also seem to forget all too easily)...things change. A lot. All the time, in fact. And yet, somehow I managed to let this important fact completely leave my mind. They needed people really badly in New York. Why would they send us anywhere else? What we didn't know was that a lot of people cycled out of their sea duty rotation at the same time in this little place called Guam. It just so happened that my husband fit the bill. He, and 8 other sailors were shocked to find out that plans had changed.
So, there I was, holding our crying one-month-old son, franticly clicking on my Google search box, typing (one-handed) 'Guam', and praying that the pictures would look okay. I started to feel a little better when I saw quotes like, "Reminded me of Hawaii, just smaller", and, "Some of the best scuba diving on the planet!". After catching my breath, I jumped back over to the email, read it over two more times, and then went to announce to my dad that we might be moving to Guam. I think I told him right away because I needed a life-line to the real world. I was an exhausted new mother, and I needed to make sure that I hadn't just had an overwhelmingly real day-dream.
Now, to back-track...in that first email, my husband was really unsure of all the details. He had received the orders, but that was it. No explanation. There were rumors that the Navy wouldn't move our son and I over there with him because the ship he was going to was due to come back to the states. All we could do was pray for those first couple of days. Well, as you've probably guessed, we are all going. And, we are scheduled to leave the states, for the next two years, on July 11th.
I decided, about a month ago, that I wanted to chronicle our adventures leaving overseas. So, as much as I aspire to being a diligent journal keeper, I think this blog will be easier to keep up with. I will be sharing pictures and stories and sometimes just day-to-day life.
I currently am sitting in our hotel room, on-base, in Portsmouth, VA. My husband had to go to a specialty school before we could leave, and he is just about finished up. My son and I are flying home to Dallas on Tuesday (!!!) and Wade will be following in our truck. We are splitting the time we have left before we leave between my family in Dallas, and his family in Houston. I started the blog early because these last couple of weeks in the states are just as much a part of our journey. Unfortunately, we cannot be teleported with all of our belongings to our little island home. Ahhh, how nice that would have been.
So, I hope that you enjoy our story. I know that I will.
About a month after he was born, I received an email from my husband, telling me to get our son if he wasn't with me because what he was about to tell me involved our whole family. He then prefaced his big news with this, "Don't freak out...". Well, guess what I did? Actually, I didn't quite 'freak out', but I did hold my breath as I read our fate.
My husband was up for a shore duty, and we had been waiting for the official news as to where we would be stationed. For those of you not familiar with the difference between 'shore' duty and 'sea' duty: Navy personnel rotate between sea duty (being stationed on a ship/sub) and shore duty (being stationed at a job where you are not attached to a ship/sub, and do not go out to sea).
We had been given two choices: We could go to New York, or South Carolina. The same job would be waiting for him either way, all we had to do was choose a location. Well, we decided on New York, and had been pretty much guaranteed that spot. We were so sure of this that we even registered for cold weather gear for our son. Lucky us, we didn't get any of it.
Most people might not know something about the military that all of us active duty and dependents know (and also seem to forget all too easily)...things change. A lot. All the time, in fact. And yet, somehow I managed to let this important fact completely leave my mind. They needed people really badly in New York. Why would they send us anywhere else? What we didn't know was that a lot of people cycled out of their sea duty rotation at the same time in this little place called Guam. It just so happened that my husband fit the bill. He, and 8 other sailors were shocked to find out that plans had changed.
So, there I was, holding our crying one-month-old son, franticly clicking on my Google search box, typing (one-handed) 'Guam', and praying that the pictures would look okay. I started to feel a little better when I saw quotes like, "Reminded me of Hawaii, just smaller", and, "Some of the best scuba diving on the planet!". After catching my breath, I jumped back over to the email, read it over two more times, and then went to announce to my dad that we might be moving to Guam. I think I told him right away because I needed a life-line to the real world. I was an exhausted new mother, and I needed to make sure that I hadn't just had an overwhelmingly real day-dream.
Now, to back-track...in that first email, my husband was really unsure of all the details. He had received the orders, but that was it. No explanation. There were rumors that the Navy wouldn't move our son and I over there with him because the ship he was going to was due to come back to the states. All we could do was pray for those first couple of days. Well, as you've probably guessed, we are all going. And, we are scheduled to leave the states, for the next two years, on July 11th.
I decided, about a month ago, that I wanted to chronicle our adventures leaving overseas. So, as much as I aspire to being a diligent journal keeper, I think this blog will be easier to keep up with. I will be sharing pictures and stories and sometimes just day-to-day life.
I currently am sitting in our hotel room, on-base, in Portsmouth, VA. My husband had to go to a specialty school before we could leave, and he is just about finished up. My son and I are flying home to Dallas on Tuesday (!!!) and Wade will be following in our truck. We are splitting the time we have left before we leave between my family in Dallas, and his family in Houston. I started the blog early because these last couple of weeks in the states are just as much a part of our journey. Unfortunately, we cannot be teleported with all of our belongings to our little island home. Ahhh, how nice that would have been.
So, I hope that you enjoy our story. I know that I will.
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