We also got some exciting news that Nathan might be coming back this summer. However, the excitement was a bit short lived, when we found out we might be moving sometime very soon. The entire reason Nathan took on this last deployment was because we were "guaranteed" to be able to extend our stay at Pendleton until January 2013. Ahhh, perhaps we should have known better because nothing is ever for sure in the Marine Corps. When we found out we were up for orders, we asked for Miramar or another location at Pendleton, with our third and forth choices being Hawaii or back to Okinawa. Staying at Pendleton and waiting for a spot to open up was not an option. Instead we were slammed with the options of 29 Palms, CA; Lejeune, NC; or Cherry Point, NC--pretty much the bottom of the barrel as far as Marine Corps bases go. After trying to pull a few strings we were offered another choice--Norfolk, VA. Nathan and I lived there for a month when we were first married, and I can't say that either of us have a ton of great things to say about the area. Lejeune has never been a favorite location for Nathan, so that choice is definitely out.
So here we are weighing our options. I can't stress how much sleep we have lost doing research on the various bases--trying to find a nice area to live, a good school system, a general grasp on the lifestyle and cost of living, etc. We have made tons of phone calls and talked to just about everyone that we know to figure out what will be best for our family. All that we have ever wanted is a nice home in a safe area with good school systems. We have all of those things here. A move across country to Cherry Point would mean uprooting our family and leaving friends, a community, and home that we love. It would also mean facing the fear of renting our our house. A stint at 29 Palms would mean leaving the kids and I behind, while Nathan travels back and forth on weekends. It's not an ideal lifestyle, but we could do it if we had to. I am not sure what kind of toll this set up would have on our life. Of course both options come with their fair share of pluses and minuses. I know that whatever we decide, we will make the most of it--it is the deciding part that has us really troubled. The stress that comes with these choices does make us rethink our life in the military. It is hard to get over the initial bitterness that a guarantee means nothing, we might have to move this summer, and that we have to make this huge decision while we are half a world apart with seriously limited communication. And while I sit here stressed to the max, I am also forced to fake it and put on a happy face for the kids-- trying to convince both them and myself that everything will be fine and that life is always an adventure and what we make of it. While that might be very true, I can't help but feel that the Marine Corps has suddenly pressed the "pause" button on us. (I was just about to do my spring planting and research schooling options for Lincoln, but now I don't really see the point.)
As we struggle through the decision process please pray that we will figure out what the best option is for our family, that we have the strength and courage to face what is next to come, and that somewhere in the process we both find time to sleep and be at peace with our decision.
After swimming lessons on Thursday we took off to the Del Mar Beach Cottages to celebrate Jessica's birthday and enjoy a little fun in the sand and sun. I thought we were arriving late enough in the day to convince the kids to keep their clothes on, but the swimsuits came out nonetheless. Here is a shot of our crazy brood on day one.
A windy night + a campfire = smoke in the eyes...
And marshmallows on your face.
After a good scrub down I got the kids in bed early. The main problem with these awesome cottages is that they are all one bedroom. They have a couch, but it isn't a pullout. Later in the evening I somehow managed to squeeze in between these two rugrats into the sand filled sheets.
The ocean was way too cold to wade into, so the kids turned on the rinse off station outside of the cottage and made their own little river and lake.
The original plan was to build a spa where they could all sit and relax.
Corinne called it the "milky milk" pool for her and Ava. If you ask me it was more like a "grossy-gross" pool.
With all the fun in the sun, my kids were in bed and asleep by 1830--leaving me the freedom to party it up by the campfire with good food and drinks and of course, wonderful company. Happy Birthday Jess!
On Saturday, we woke up and ate breakfast, then packed up our stuff for home. It was another one of those times when I really could have used my husband to help pack, load, drive, unload, clean, etc. I was desperate for a nap, but not that lucky. I did however, completely unload, get all of the laundry done and everything put away in a matter of hours. We came home to an Easter box from Mimi and Grandpa Jinks. Lincoln was pretty excited about his Rice Krispie Treat Bunny.
Corinne had her eyes on a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg.
With these faces and her love a Reese's there is no doubt that she is Nathan's daughter.
Yummm!
The kids woke up Sunday morning to their baskets. They got new helmets, markers, and a soccer ball and a few candy treats.
We had planned on making it to church on Saturday night, but we were dragging from our time at the beach. We had no time to spare on Easter morning. I had a pie and fruit salad to make, so we packed up and headed to base to spend Easter with Brittany, Ethan, and Ellie. Brittany made a delicous meal and the kids had a blast playing outside in the nice weather. Our egg hunt had to be postponed because there were too many neighborhood kids on the prowl in order to get the eggs hidden and protected for our kids to get a chance to find them. We had a low-key, relaxing day and the kids fell asleep on the way home=success!
The next morning Lincoln tried out his new glow in the dark markers. They are pretty cool, but only glow for about four hours. Lincoln wanted to make one to send to Nathan, so I had to convince him to wait and show him in person because the magic wouldn't last.
On Monday afternoon we headed over to Jenn's for a playdate with Mabel, Luke, Colton, and Weston. Amber's kids must be the bright ones--they are busy snatching the last of the cookies while the other kiddos are preoccupied smiling for the camera!
Success!
(I love it when they work as a team).
This time I decided to let the kids eat as much as they would like out of the bowl while we made it.
Here is Lincoln, convincing Corinne that it tastes good.
And by early afternoon Caden and the rest of the Booth clan were here!
They could not have been more excited to see their buddy.
I can honestly say that as Wednesday drew to a close I found myself stressing about what was next to come for our family. At the same time I can't help but feel incredibly blessed by all the friends we have in our lives--both right here in California and everywhere.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
Quote 1: While we were walking out the door.
Me: "Did you put Chompy in the crate?"
Lincoln: "Yes mom. I also shut the door to that thing in your room (armoire) so that if someone walks in they don't have to look at your undies and stuff just sitting there."
Me: "Thanks kiddo."
Glad he's got my back--apparently I am a bit of a slob. I wouldn't want a robber to see my unmentionables!
Quote 2: While trying to get Corinne to taste the egg salad as a finished product.
Lincoln: "Wanna bite? It tastes delicious. It doesn't taste like old meat. You will like it, it is just like hot dogs."
Glad he cleared that up because old meat is on the menu fairly often around here. Compare anything to hot dogs or Cheerios and my girl will try it!
Quote 3: On our way to Easter at Brittany's.
Corinne: "Is Daddy going to come?"
Me: "No, sorry Bugg. Your Daddy is fighting the bad guys."
Corinne: "Yeah, my Daddy is fighting the bad guys and he toots all the time. Yeah, he toots in my face and I just spank his butt!"
Hmmm, there might be some truth to that statement.
Quote 4: While watching Harry Potter.
Corinne: "Look there is Mouth Boy!"
Me: "You mean Draco Malfoy."
Corinne: "Yeah, that's Mouth Boy. There he is. He is mean!"
Close enough.
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