At the beginning of this year, we began this year as a family separated by the last half of
Jerry’s tour in Korea. The kids and I were living in Indiana very close to
family. The closest we have ever been and will ever be; while in the military.
Needless to say, we enjoyed every moment of living there. The kids were able to
bond with cousins they don’t see very often, and were able to build
relationships with their aunts, uncles, and grandparents like never before! It
was also wonderful to not have to decide which holiday we would go home for!
However, the end of March became
very challenging for us. A sudden attack of appendicitis had me in the
hospital and 8 short hours later, in surgery to have it removed! It was a first
for me. The only time I have ever been in a hospital is to have babies. I think
I was in shock for a couple days and the pain killers helped to prolong it!
Thankfully, my parents and my brother’s family were able to help me out with
the kids over the next couple of weeks because I had a lifting limitation of 10
pounds or less. Nathaniel was 23 pounds and still in the crib. During that
time, I really saw our oldest children, Jay and Anna, change. Anna really
stepped up to help with Nathaniel and Jay helped in the kitchen with the
cooking and cleaning.
By the first week of May I was
cleared by the doctors and I began preparing for our move to Sumter,
SC. For those who do not know, that is where we started our Air
Force career. Shaw Air Force Base was our very first assignment, our first home
ownership experience and our first and second time becoming parents! We have
history here that we never expected to be able to experience again. It allowed for some great things, especially
Jay and Anna being able to be baptized at Alice Drive Baptist Church this fall by the pastor that dedicated them as infants! We often marvel at the full circle that
we are making by being here again.
All of you who know me, know I like
to plan… Well, I had everything planned out from when Jerry was arriving in
June, to when the packers/movers would show up to get our household and when
they would deliver it all to us in SC. Of course, all of that shifted the
weekend before it all was to commence! Jerry had his parents pick him up at the
airport to surprise me… And boy did he! He came home 2 days before I was
expecting him! I was so thankful that he did too! The packers changed their
agenda and then the movers had to meet us in SC a day earlier than my plan. Moving
from IN was very hard. The best way I can describe it is ripping a band-aid off
really quickly. It was a sharp pain, and stung for a bit. But in the end, having
Jerry back and being all together as a family was a healing balm for the kids
and I.
Jerry’s parents followed us down and
helped manage the kids while we moved in and unpacked. Jerry was able to help
for a couple days before he had to go on his first TDY for this assingment. Yes... he was home for 2 weeks
and then left for a week... but that is what we do. It was a lot. However, I was able to finish
unpacking, organizing, and with Jerry’s dad’s help finagle a makeshift desk out of pieces of our
big, broken u-shaped desk! It was a huge help having them here to help with the kids so
that I could focus on setting up the house.
Once we got settled in, we were able
to meet up with some friends we knew from the first time we were here! Not only
that but we also met up with friends we made from the assignment after here.
Oddly enough, there are 3 families here that we knew from when we lived in the
Azores!
Moving here has been a blessing in
disguise. It was not on our radar at all,but it is amazing that the Lord knew what we
needed. I fully believe that He knew we needed to come back to somewhere that we
knew. Our transition back here has been one of the easiest moves we have had since we didn’t have to search out a church, find the grocery stores or the shopping
places, or make a bunch of new friends. It definitely made our adjustment to
being back together as a family after a year apart smoother, despite Jerry having to travel a lot.
I realize I haven’t said much about
the kids. So here is a quick run down!Jay: He is 11 and in 5th grade. I catch glimpses of the young man he is going to be soon. He can be very kind, considerate, loving, and helpful, but also has that stubborn selfish streak (he gets that from me!). He is very focused and still builds amazing things with his Legos, impressive weapons with Trios, and enjoys playing goalie and forward in soccer.
Anna: She is
9 and in 4th grade. With her too, I see the young lady she will soon
become. She strives to do her best at everything she does, LOVES her siblings,
but can be rather bossy at times (she gets that from me too!). She has a helpful demeanor and a very sweet, kind
personality and loves anything to do with animals.
Xavier: He
is 7 and in 2nd grade. He is very tender hearted, kind to other children, and very scholastic. He LOVES school (he
gets that from his dad)! He is my best student. He will pick up his work and do
it without complaining and very rarely asks for help! He is at the awkward
stage where he wants to help or do things on his own, but isn’t quite
coordinated enough.
Sydney: She
is 6 and is in 1st grade. She is very girly, cuddly, and
strong-willed (like her dad!). She tolerates school but isn’t quite to the
point of enjoying it yet. She really likes her gymnastics class. Like Xavier,
she is starting to get to the point where she wants to do more things,but she is so independent that sometimes she has completed the task before being asked because she "wanted to."
Caleb: He is
4. He is very energetic, wants to experience (i.e. be in the midst of) everything, and especially loves
his siblings. He is so sweet at times and very strong-willed at other times. He
has an all or nothing kind of personality that can make him hard to guide at times (he gets that from his dad!)! His conversations often revolve around Iron-Man or the "Avengers Assemble"! He is very much into the Hero stage.Nathaniel: He will be 2 in a couple weeks (two days after Christmas). He is such a joy and it is so fun watching him discover something that the others have already done. The wonder that crosses his little face is inspiring (and allows/helps him get away with a lot). He draws in anyone around him with his open, happy, loving personality (I like to think that comes from me!), but can quickly make it known that he is unhappy and needs space (a trait I am sure he gets from his dad!).
I guess I should give Jerry a few words…he promises to keep it short and has chosen to dictate to me so that he can be referred to in third person. Jerry is at a point where he as completely at the disposal of the Air Force. He is meeting his 2-year below-the-zone Lieutenant Colonel board, was selected as an alternate for going to school next year, and came out of the command list. So he tells me we could leave in the Summer, he could move over to the other side of the base to command, or stay right where he is for an extra 6-12 months. His work is challenging and he has been traveling a lot, but he promises that I can use all his hotel rewards and airline points. He is busy, though, and that is how he likes it.
So that is our year in a nutshell! I hope you come back and check for updates. I will try and do one at least once a week! :D
Merry Christmas to you all!
