I'm kind of surprised how fast this year has flown by. I know, we all say that right. There have been so many changes over the past few months its like a blur at times. But here we are in December. Enjoying the cold, the festivities and attempting to make some fabulous memories.
Last weekend I took the boys to the Victorian Christmas Market which reminded me so much of the Christmas bazaars in Germany although much larger. I didn't have any intentions of purchasing anything I just wanted to see what was available. In the end I didn't buy anything more than some kettle corn for the boys and drinks. It is amazing the amount of random rubbish people will buy simply because they feel the obligation to give someone a present this time of year. The boys did also ride on the carousel as well as get their photo with Santa. Animal told Santa what he wanted for Christmas and Q-tip said he didn't know. I guess this year he is leaving it up to the big guy to surprise him...or something. My whole reason for going to the market was to see Gloriana live. The line started forming more than an hour before the performance and I was amazed at how long it got. We decided to walk around and come back after everyone had sat down to see what kind of seats were available and enjoy the market a bit more. 20 minutes in we returned to find loads of seating and sat to enjoy a few songs. The boys did great and fell right asleep when we got home.
Sunday morning I decided to take Q-tip out for some "no little brothers allowed" time. We had breakfast and did a little Christmas shopping. He did really well shopping for Animal and I think he has finally hit an age where he fully understands what others would like and not just what he would like. I am excited for Animal to open the gifts from his brother and even more excited to take Animal out this weekend to shop for Q-tip. Little peoples minds are amazing things!
I am happy to say that I am registered for winter quarter and going to an orientation for the Medical Laboratory program next week. I can not wait to get back in school. I'm a little nervous to be honest but all in all totally looking forward to it. Chemistry here I come.
The weather here has gotten a lot colder but nothing a few layers cant control. Although before long I know we will have snow and I am NOT looking forward to that. I do not like to drive in it or go in it. Look at it, sure that's lovely. But I'll pass on the rest.
St. Nikolaus came for the boys the night of the 5th. They love the wooden boats and have eaten almost all of their chocolate. I love this tradition and am happy to do it every year. The boys were very curious where the apple went that they left for his donkey and so I told them that either it was very hungry after its long journey or maybe St. Nikolaus took it for later. They were okay with that.
The boys have been enjoying their advent calendars daily. Q-tip has a Star Wars LEGO calendar and Animal has a Playmobil Santa's Post Office. The little toys are neat and I am glad I was able to find them something they had not had before. As well as get each of them their own. Traditions are wonderful things. Happy Holidays!
Happiness & Freedom
Our solution to keeping in contact with friends, family and sometimes ourselves.
Wednesday, December 7
Friday, October 28
Settling In
We've been here a few weeks and I feel like we are finally settling in well. The first couple days/weeks were a little crazy but now I think I have it figured out. The boys love their school (also super crazy experience with no availability for kinder and changing schools after one day) and are making friends. Animal says he even has a "girlfriend" although the extent of that is very vague. J has been here for over a week and picking up the boys from school in the afternoons. Last weekend he took them to his Aunt/Cousins house and a pumpkin patch with his mum. They had a great time. I am not sure what they are doing this weekend but I hope that it gives them lots of good memories to look back on. I'm not sure when they will see their dad again.
I feel like a resident and at home here. Not just because I grew up here but because I have registered my car, gotten a new cell, license and of course the apartment. I want to take pictures but there are still a few things to put up and I was hoping to have it completely done before I did that. I guess in all honesty it doesn't really matter. Last weekend I did a major push to unpack and hang things on the walls. The boys room was done for them when they returned home Sunday evening and Animal thought it was fabulous. Q-tip was a bit more reserved in his reaction about the whole thing but seems to be enjoying playing Pokemon again and with his little brother and toys. They get along really well and I am happy to report that currently the shared room is going very well. I bought them some bunk beds at IKEA so that they each have their own space and put their name signs next to their beds. Animal REALLY liked that.
I think my favorite part so far about the apartment is being able to cook meals again and eating at the table as a family. I have made quite a few different meals and even been able to stretch them to more meals. For instance last week I made some BBQ pulled pork and then the following day Cowboy Quasadillas. J's mum came for dinner the first night and some friends the second. Yeah me! Two meals and they both tasted awesome. I also bought a waffle maker and have enjoyed making the boys waffles for breakfast. I seriously love waffles. Ive never been much of a pancake fan but waffles, they are a total winner. And french toast of course. Now to get a rice cooker. Ive made a few meals that go with rice and every time I am not impressed with how it turns out. A cooker is just so easy and right every time. No more mushy rice for me.
I have started looking into school and hope to have more solid information when I return with my transcripts. When I originally went in there I was told I would have to request them but was pleasantly surprised to find a copy in the envelope with my associates. SCORE! If I can not get into the program I was intending straight away I will look into other schools and other programs or get some sort of job to keep me busy until then. Next week should give me more information to work with.
Things here are going well. I am beyond happy and pleased. I am smiling constantly! Life is good and for once I fully believe that.
I feel like a resident and at home here. Not just because I grew up here but because I have registered my car, gotten a new cell, license and of course the apartment. I want to take pictures but there are still a few things to put up and I was hoping to have it completely done before I did that. I guess in all honesty it doesn't really matter. Last weekend I did a major push to unpack and hang things on the walls. The boys room was done for them when they returned home Sunday evening and Animal thought it was fabulous. Q-tip was a bit more reserved in his reaction about the whole thing but seems to be enjoying playing Pokemon again and with his little brother and toys. They get along really well and I am happy to report that currently the shared room is going very well. I bought them some bunk beds at IKEA so that they each have their own space and put their name signs next to their beds. Animal REALLY liked that.
I think my favorite part so far about the apartment is being able to cook meals again and eating at the table as a family. I have made quite a few different meals and even been able to stretch them to more meals. For instance last week I made some BBQ pulled pork and then the following day Cowboy Quasadillas. J's mum came for dinner the first night and some friends the second. Yeah me! Two meals and they both tasted awesome. I also bought a waffle maker and have enjoyed making the boys waffles for breakfast. I seriously love waffles. Ive never been much of a pancake fan but waffles, they are a total winner. And french toast of course. Now to get a rice cooker. Ive made a few meals that go with rice and every time I am not impressed with how it turns out. A cooker is just so easy and right every time. No more mushy rice for me.
I have started looking into school and hope to have more solid information when I return with my transcripts. When I originally went in there I was told I would have to request them but was pleasantly surprised to find a copy in the envelope with my associates. SCORE! If I can not get into the program I was intending straight away I will look into other schools and other programs or get some sort of job to keep me busy until then. Next week should give me more information to work with.
Things here are going well. I am beyond happy and pleased. I am smiling constantly! Life is good and for once I fully believe that.
Tuesday, October 11
Ducks In A Row
We are here, we are here! The boys last day of school in Las Vegas was Friday. While they were getting educated and saying goodbye to their teachers and friends my brother, brother-in-law, sister and Maya were loading all of our things into a 16 foot trailer. We took up that whole trailer. Yes, I brought enough things for our apartment that (fingers crossed) will be available the end of this week/early next week. The location is great. Plus it has a fitness room. Oh how I am looking forward to working out on a regular basis again. I need routine and structure. I am a little tired of living out of suitcases, its been 3 freaking months!
The drive here was good. We left around 2 or so Friday afternoon and drove for 10 hours. That was a long drive considering my brother and I (the only drivers) were up by 5 am that morning. We took a sleep break for about 4 hours but I'm pretty certain the max sleep any of us got was 2.5 hours. It was cold. There were no rooms available where we stopped so we slept in our vehicles. BRRRR! We hit a ton of fog and curvy roads the following morning and saw very little sunshine. That is until we got here. The sun was shining the whole time the trailer was being unloaded. Bloody brilliant.
Sunday was spent seeing family that my siblings hadn't seen in 19 years. It was a lot of fun. Ive missed my family as crazy as they may be. They all had an influence in who I am and I am quite proud of who I am. I am happy with the choices I have made and am making. This is an amazing adventure! Its definitely a process though.
Besides getting everything ready for my apartment yesterday I also started the enrollment process for the boys to go to school. The school I had wanted them to attend has no kindergarten slots. This kinda bites. That said the school the boys will be going to is still rather close. When the admin told me that there was only one school in the whole district that had a few kindergarten slots my mouth dropped. I have never heard of such things. I just assumed that when you are zoned for a school that you are going to go there. Obviously that is NOT the case. All in all I think it will work out just fine. Next year I can transfer them to the school of our choice.
Today I have more things to work on. The list is quite large but I know that when it is all said and done I am going to be VERY happy. Heck I'm already walking around with the cheesiest grin. I'm here, I'M HERE! Life is good. Things are falling into place and we will be settled soon. Now that's freaking awesome!
The drive here was good. We left around 2 or so Friday afternoon and drove for 10 hours. That was a long drive considering my brother and I (the only drivers) were up by 5 am that morning. We took a sleep break for about 4 hours but I'm pretty certain the max sleep any of us got was 2.5 hours. It was cold. There were no rooms available where we stopped so we slept in our vehicles. BRRRR! We hit a ton of fog and curvy roads the following morning and saw very little sunshine. That is until we got here. The sun was shining the whole time the trailer was being unloaded. Bloody brilliant.
Sunday was spent seeing family that my siblings hadn't seen in 19 years. It was a lot of fun. Ive missed my family as crazy as they may be. They all had an influence in who I am and I am quite proud of who I am. I am happy with the choices I have made and am making. This is an amazing adventure! Its definitely a process though.
Besides getting everything ready for my apartment yesterday I also started the enrollment process for the boys to go to school. The school I had wanted them to attend has no kindergarten slots. This kinda bites. That said the school the boys will be going to is still rather close. When the admin told me that there was only one school in the whole district that had a few kindergarten slots my mouth dropped. I have never heard of such things. I just assumed that when you are zoned for a school that you are going to go there. Obviously that is NOT the case. All in all I think it will work out just fine. Next year I can transfer them to the school of our choice.
Today I have more things to work on. The list is quite large but I know that when it is all said and done I am going to be VERY happy. Heck I'm already walking around with the cheesiest grin. I'm here, I'M HERE! Life is good. Things are falling into place and we will be settled soon. Now that's freaking awesome!
Thursday, October 6
New Beginnings
Today is our last day in Las Vegas. I am excited, the boys are excited and so are family and friends. This is a good thing. This is a fresh start. All that said why am I nervous? I know we have tons of support here and there, I am so thankful for everyone that is supporting me. I guess maybe its all that lies ahead. The unknown, the dreams that are so attainable and within reach. I am going for my dreams. I am going to make choices that are for me and the boys. We will do brilliant. Flourish and thrive in an environment full of love and support.
The past few weeks have been spent wrapping things up here. I could not thank Jamaya enough for all that she has done for me and the boys. I will miss her tremendously. The boys will miss her tremendously. We may be moving close to family but we will be leaving behind some as well. For a while anyway, I am certain there are many adventures for all of us ahead.
So for now I will just leave it at this. A road trip is ahead and none of us can wait!
The past few weeks have been spent wrapping things up here. I could not thank Jamaya enough for all that she has done for me and the boys. I will miss her tremendously. The boys will miss her tremendously. We may be moving close to family but we will be leaving behind some as well. For a while anyway, I am certain there are many adventures for all of us ahead.
So for now I will just leave it at this. A road trip is ahead and none of us can wait!
Monday, September 19
Single Mum
Today is the first day of the rest of my life! The divorce is final and I am officially a single mum. Over the years I have painted quite a picture that has resulted in some being shocked by this new revelation but lets face it more often than not I was already living that status. And that has very little to do with our military family status. I loved our military life and the privileges it gave us. The adventures and experiences were completely worth it. That said, being a parent is a tough job and maybe more than some can handle. I am more than willing to step up to the plate, always have been. Bring it!
I plan on going back to school to become a laboratory technician and gain a career that I will love and enjoy. This is a dream I have had since I was in high school. I am looking forward to the education, challenge and opportunity to be exactly what I have wanted. After 11 years of marriage I am ready to go for my dreams, reach the goals that I had set before I took a different path. I am taking my path now, the one I left for another.
The boys and I will no longer be living in Nevada, which is very bitter sweet. We will miss the friends we have made, the ones that have become family and the family that we have grown to love. These relationships will not be lost. We plan to stay in contact as much as possible and lets face it, we will only be a day and a half away. Y'all like green and water right...ditch that desert and come to the greener side!
Lift up a glass with me and relish in the adventures ahead. CHEERS!
I plan on going back to school to become a laboratory technician and gain a career that I will love and enjoy. This is a dream I have had since I was in high school. I am looking forward to the education, challenge and opportunity to be exactly what I have wanted. After 11 years of marriage I am ready to go for my dreams, reach the goals that I had set before I took a different path. I am taking my path now, the one I left for another.
The boys and I will no longer be living in Nevada, which is very bitter sweet. We will miss the friends we have made, the ones that have become family and the family that we have grown to love. These relationships will not be lost. We plan to stay in contact as much as possible and lets face it, we will only be a day and a half away. Y'all like green and water right...ditch that desert and come to the greener side!
Lift up a glass with me and relish in the adventures ahead. CHEERS!
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