There are two people who want my job!

There are two people who want my job...Their names are Everybody and Nobody!!!!

Lets start with Everybody. You see everybody wants my job... Or what they imagine my job to be. Those who think being in charge is glamorous really want my job. They think having business cards with their name on them and an office is where it's at. Then there are those who think that all decisions I make are wrong and they could make much better ones and make everyone happy. Let's not forget those who think being in charge equals no work and plenty of free time

Let's move onto Nobody. Nobody wants to have to answer the questions when the person who the business card was given to calls. When do do want this? Where do you want this? Are willing to pay for this? And oh! The work that goes on in that coveted office. The decisions that need to be made, the budget, staffing, schedule, the angry clients... The ones that were made angry by everybody and nobody that I have to deal with. The constant stream of emails and phone calls that need to be answered...the never ending stream of paperwork piles on the desk. The decisions that need to be made...you have to weigh the regulations, customer service, the welfare of the employee, the union, and what's best for the entire picture....not just nobody. Nobody always second guesses you and tells you that you could have made a better decision....and most of the time you were put in a position to have to make a decision by everybody and nobody....because they couldn't...or wouldn't take the risk! Finally...I work 13 hour days with no lunch....while everybody and nobody make sure they get a break, a lunch, and they punch out after their 8 hours...on the dot!

So to Everybody and Nobody....you really don't want my job...you couldn't handle my job!

Blogging from my phone...

Ok so I downloaded this app to my iPhone to see if I could blog on the go...because let's gave it sometimes you just have to get it out there! This is a test run:-)

Here I am!

My husband came to me the other day and asked me if I knew the last time I blogged, was. I told him I thought it was sometime in the fall of 2009. In actuality it had been August 2009, right after I started working for the Army. He admonished me to start blogging again and I have to admit I really have missed it!

So much has happened...I don't know where to begin. Some of it would be too painful to write about and some I am still trying to figure it out, so I'll cap the highlights and post some pictures:-)

The biggest thing would that I turned 40, on October 13th. I am not one of those people who see tragedy or even loss at turning 40. Instead I see it as the next step in the journey I am on. I chose to celebrate the whole month by posting an 80's song of the day on facebook for each day of the month. We covered everyone from by beloved Bon Jovi (who we saw in concert last February here in Honolulu:-)) to even my not so favorite Phil Collins. My husband and friends threw a surprise birthday party for me...with much help from my daughters. It was extremely comical to hear their tales about pulling the party together, without me finding out. I have decided that there are things that I want from life, and that now is the time to embrace and celebrate those things, so I look towards the next decades with anticipation and excitement.

I also have moved from being a Training and Curriculum Specialist for the Army Child Youth and School Services to being a Director of one of their Child Development Centers. This center has given me some of the greatest struggles I have faced in my professional life, but also some of the greatest victories and joys. The ladies that work with me are amazing and make coming to work easy. I love what I do, I know I am walking in my calling and I am grateful to be where I am today.

I am now a mother of three teenagers and one tween who still resides as the family Dennis the Menace

In this picture we have from left to right Zachary (12), Joshua (16), Becca (15 next week), and Britt (19 who they have started calling Midge...because she is the shortest out of all of them, except Zachary who is quickly gaining on her...Joshua is a whole foot taller than she is)

We continue to spend all of our Friday nights and Saturday mornings from August to November at some sort of football field or another....with even Britt sporting the Aiea colors..shhhh don't tell those Campbell people. Britt is in her sophomore at Hawaii Pacific University, Joshua is finishing his Junior year at Aiea High School, Becca her sophomore year, and Zachary is in his first year of junior high. Rick is wrapping up his Bachelors from Wayland University and I am still pursuing my Masters in Educational Psychology from Capella University.

I feel we are coming to a time of transition in all areas of our lives....God is getting ready to do something amazing and something we could have never expected....above and beyond any of our expectations....and I am ready!

Now That's An Idea....

So, last night we really looked into Zachary's fish tank and realized that his goldfish have some how over night grew to proportions that makes me wonder what Zachary is feeding them. They have completely outgrown the 20 gallon tank they are in. Rick suggested I cruise Craigslist to see if anyone was selling a larger tank.

So, this afternoon I cruised through the different headings looking for either a free or reasonable fish tank. When I stumbled across coin operated washing machines and dryers.....those of you who know me, also know that the first thing that crossed my mind was that I should buy them and install them in the garage for the kids to use.

Think of the benefits....they would have to budget and schedule accordingly.....paying their own way. I would love nothing more for them to realize the value of the Almighty dollar.....they have no concept of money. I spent close to $600 on groceries this past weekend and they still want to go to McDonald's on the way home.....how about you have a McPeanut Butter Sandwich...would you like some milk with that?

And let me give you my opinion on public school...which I thought was suppose to be FREE......I have written more checks to the public schools for this and that in the last couple of weeks than I did when they were in private school....dang you even have to pay to ride the school bus here.
We pay lab fees, lunch fees,picture fees, football uniform fees....and I pay $6 a piece for us to get into the football games to watch my money run up and down the field getting jumped on. At Brittany's alma mater....they are so broke the athletes have to pay to get into their own game....that is crazy. The sad thing is that the athletic departments in schools in Hawaii are fighting to keep their programs alive for the kids.

So.....that brings me back to the coin operated washing machines and dryers...maybe I could open it up to the public and use the funds to help the local high schools pay for sports.....

Time Flies

Well.... as you can see I have been neglient in posting once again. I don't know where all my time goes.....

Things around here have been interesting......

Rick started shore duty at the beginning of August....after a few Griswold moments:

First because he was waiting for orders before he re-enlisted they almost didn't let him re-enlist. Yes, that's right if PSD had their way he would be a civilian as I type. But thankfully, the Captain, XO, and the detailer put their foots on some rear ends and he was able to re-enlist on July 28th.....his contract expired on August 1...talk about cutting it close.

Since he waited so long to re-enlist our ID's were due to expire...in two days. So I took the whole day off to get our ID's and new stickers for the truck. The kids and I head down to the PSD nice and early in the morning for our appointments. When we arrive we are told that the Deers system is down world wide. I tried to explain to the nice boy sitting behind the counter that, that would not do at all because our ID's expired THAT day.

Now, let me interject here....I have had my ID for 20 years...I have spent more time with that card than I have my husband in our 20 year marriage...it lets me buy food, gas, whatever I need at a reasonable price. It is my ticket to the doctors, to get on base.....what am I going to do with out my ID.?!?!?!?!?!

I called Rick on the boat and his solution was...for him to come down there....dude they don't give a rip what your rank is they cannot make the system work based on that...it is a WORLD WIDE problem!!!!

So, at church a friend of ours told me to come to the Army office and Monday and he would do it without an appointment....which he did. I walked in and there were 20 people waiting...he told all them that I was important and he had to take care of me immediately...coolness!

So, Rick and I have ID's...the kids have an appointment to get theirs Friday..Rick is taking them. He is not happy about it, but I have already wasted a day with his Navy system...now its his turn!

So back to the transition to shore duty.....

Three teens
One tween
One Senior Chief...who deals with men who act like children all day
One mom who has a plan that keeps everything afloat.....

Its not priceless my friends...it is a hot mess. The first week was a nightmare. Rick really has never lived with teens and all that comes with it. The drama, the laziness, the constant having to remind them, the constant out stretched hand asking for money. But, I think things have settled down some...so hopefully I will have more time to write:)

I'm Alive:)

As you can see I finally have made time to get Britts graduation pictures uploaded. June 6th has came and went...and we all survived!

My parents had a nice relaxing visit, my Dad did end up spraining his ankle, at the stadium for Britt's Grad. So he spent the last couple of days on Brittany's crutches. But it was good having them here.

Soon after my parents left, we jumped right into our yearly Vacation Bible School preparations...even Rick went all out:) We had 76 volunteers and 99 children.
It was an amazing time of fellowship where God was lifted up. Forty-five children gave their lives to Christ on Thursday evening!

Unfortunately half way through the week this icky virus started sweeping through. My whole family ended up with it...except Brittany of course because she was not risking missing her trip to Virginia. We had it so bad we did not get dressed all of 4th of July weekend....we just showered and put clean pj's on:)

Next came Brittany's Grad/Birthday party..yes she turned 18 on me...and yes there were more tears:) But we had a nice party at the pool and she enjoyed herself. She left the next day for Virginia to spend time with her other family.....The Browns:)

Zachary has also started playing Flag football. He is pretty good and spends most of his time trying to convince us to let him play tackle....the jury is still out on that one! So we spend our Sunday afternoons at the football field:)

Becca is anxiously awaiting the beginning of her freshman year, and enjoying dance and cheerleading.

Joshua is still going to football practice everyday and his diligence has paid off, he will be playing first string wide receiver....this has me a little nervous, but I will leave him in God's hands.

I have a new job...I just have no idea when I will start:) I will be a Training Curriculum Specialist for the Army at one of their CDC's. I am really excited. I love training and mentoring...and now I will be getting paid to do it all day long:) I will miss PATCH and the staff there but I am grateful for the opportunity God is giving me to use the gifts and talents He has given me!

Drum roll pleassssseeeeeee....Wednesday Rick will re-enlist and then check off the boat, drive back to subase and check in at SUBPAC. I will tell you that this past three years of sea duty have been the longest of my life and when I say I thank God that we made it through them I say it with all sincerity and a multitude of gratitude!

Thankfully, the raise I get from my new position will make up for the fond farewell to sea pay and sub pay...plus around another 10k a year.I am thankful I serve a God of addition and multiplication instead of subtraction and division!

Finally, I am registered for school....I start my Masters in Educational Psychology on Sept 9th, Britt starts her classes on Sept 8 and Rick the first week of October:)

I believe that I am also going to write a devotional book for mom's....let me rephrase that for "real moms." You know who you are....you don't wear an apron....probably don't even own one, you ask God for strength to deal with your children more than once a day.....and you really want a devotion that will deal with the real issues of motherhood...like who are these aliens people keep referring to as my children?

This devotional will hopefully be step one ...ok the blog was step one, step two in my writing career...its all about taking baby steps!