Life is Full

Our life is filled with things that need doing, plenty to occupy us. Still, there are times that seem to have a larger helping of busy things. April was definitely that for us. It started with Easter, and built up from there. There was two solid weeks of me being sick, during which we helped with the fire departments auction, attended by over 7000 people. It was a bad time to be sick, but the event came off pretty well. I am so grateful for the numerous people who have been doing this longer than I have and know how the show runs.

Once I recovered from being sick (and that took a while), I headed on a five day trip to Colorado with my sister, who is newly engaged and taking a massage course in Fort Collins. She asked me months ago if I could accompany her down there and I was delighted to go. Five days away from home, husband, and kids was a relaxing, and a big pile of books, though not without it's share of drama. Almost losing a dog, tracking down a key that seemed to play musical houses, and getting lost were some interesting highlights. Oh, and I left my wallet in a dressing room and had to run several blocks to get it back before the shop closed. Never a dull moment!

If you are ever in Ft. Collins Colorado, go to The Chocolate Cafe. It was amazing!

I got to have the second air travel experience of my adult life, this time without small children in tow. While that made for lighter baggage, I still am a novice at navigating airports and the one in Denver is equivalent of a small city. Then there was the flight itself, turbulence and sweaty seatmates. The fresh air and relative quiet of the Seattle airport was a welcome layover. Then flying over the dark terrain home and falling into the eager arms of my darlings.

Surging masses of people and confines of sealed airplanes made me seek the nearest quiet place. That happened to be a bookstore in Seattle. Browsing familiar and new titles was just what I needed between flights.

There is a special kind of magic in coming home.The barrage of hugs and kisses from those you love. All the dear and familiar objects that you chose for the space you inhabit, the contentment of knowing exactly where you will find the most your toothbrush and pajamas. The humor attached to moment you realize your husband left the front door wide open when he left to pick you up.

My dandelion picking ballerina.

Within a few days Roman left for a military training that was kind of a last minute surprise, but we hope will bring some good things in our future. So now it is time for life as solo parent, and I feel like I am trying to find my rhythm. The days are warm enough that we spend the bulk of it outside, but still there are tasks that need doing indoors. I am trying to gear up for the last summer before I become an official homeschool mom, trying to prepare my heart and mind for a new stage of motherhood. In the meantime, I had better get a few more dishes washed.

Discovering bugs and tiny flowers is his forte.

I'd have a calendar with this guy on it. 

Be It Ever So Humble

In the last two and a half months the children and I have traveled over 6000 miles, been in three major cities, visited historic sites, modern attractions, and natures beauteous offerings. Our many vehicles started with trains and ended with planes. In between we rode in taxis, on buses, and let's not forget the tow truck segment of our journey. We have been on Army forts, Naval stations, and seen Air Force bases.

I have dealt with all kinds of tedious adult tasks: paying TWO rents, buying and selling a van, insuring and licensing said van, having the van in and out of the mechanics shop, phone/medical/electric bills, GPS systems, etc. I baked bread, made oatmeal, and cooked a Thanksgiving dinner in crockpots. I spent a holiday season away from my parents and my in-laws.

Someone asked me if I feel like an experienced traveler now.

I don't.

I do feel less naïve, more confident, and have a greater faith in God.

At so many points on this adventure (in particular with the van) I was internally begging God to get me through some unforeseen crisis. Completely unfamiliar with my surroundings, I was praying for His grace to see me to the end. I can say that He always gave me the tools I needed: the GPS lady on my phone guiding me through frenzied roads and traffic, Roman's uncle working for a mechanic and helping with all my car distresses, sympathetic strangers carrying bags up/down escalators for the crazy lady with three kids in tow, sunshine and rain.

The past two months have been the most insane and courageous adventure of my life.
For this moment I am glad to be home.

To all of you who prayed for me, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A Tale of Boats and Ships

Since our car finally seems to fixed (although I still drive it with much fear and trembling). We have managed to have a few outings. Much needed they were too. We were all getting a case of cabin fever. So when Mandy told us there was a boat parade not too far away we were all eager to go. So we went to Solomons Island where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay.

 

There were so many cute places to see there on the bay.

We stopped at the Locus café for coffee and some amazing key lime pie.

Uncle Roger and the girls.

The kids enjoyed dancing to Christmas songs by a live group of musicians.

A local church had a rummage/antique sale.

These are old oyster cans.

Ethan enjoyed examining the antique tools and other items.

More Christmas music in the church, a beautiful old Methodist building.

These two could be twins!

As it was St. Nicholas Day, it seem appropriate to meet the local Santa Claus. Although none of the kids have any idea how the whole Santa thing works. When asked what they wanted for Christmas they said to be home with Daddy.

 

The first glimpse of the boats.

It had been raining all day long, so there were lots of puddles, and there was a steady drizzle during the parade. But none of that could dampen the excitement of the children.

None of my pictures do it justice. There were about 10 boats all lit up. One had a dolphin with a red nose and seahorses pulling Santa. There was a dragon, as well as ones just lit from bow to stern.

They look faraway, but came quite close to where we were.

 

 On Sunday we had a chance to visit some historic ships at the Baltimore Harbor.

This Coast Guard vessel survived the Pearl Harbor bombing.

At one point there was a Bauer on board. I don't know when. The ship was active through the 1960's. It is hard to read all the information when you have toddlers to watch.

We also went on a lightship from the 1930's. They used lightships in places they could not put lighthouses.

 

In the officers quarters.

 

They keep the brass instruments shiny still.

Standing on the lightship deck, looking down at the WW2 submarine.

This submarine was commission 6 months before the end of WW2. It did destroy some Japanese ships, and was used as a training vessel for many years after the war.

Things would have been very cramped on the submarine, but the kids didn't mind.

A look around the harbor.

 

 

I like naval details, like compasses and flags.

Carsten patiently sat in the stroller most of the afternoon. Ethan was fascinated by all the knobs and levers, especially on the submarine. Saoirse loved chasing seagulls, but disliked all the ladders. It was fun to see some of these vessels and I certainly hope that Ethan at least will remember it.

Graduation at Ft. Jackson

We spent two days at Ft. Jackson with Roman. The first day was Family Day, which was very relaxed. We spent time at the playground, the small lake, and just being together. It was glorious. It was also surprisingly hot. I think we all got just a bit sunburned.

After the long weeks of waiting, it was such a relief to see Roman.

The entrance to Ft. Jackson.

Despite arriving two hours early, we still had to face quite the crowd.

The kids patiently waiting in the stroller.

The bleachers were filled with anxious, excited family members. The noise was rather deafening when soldiers all came onto the field. Clapping, cheering, stomping, and whistling. It frightened the kids a little bit. Rather than cheering I was crying with relief. When they let the families go it was quite a rush to get onto the field. After maneuvering our large stroller onto the field, Rhonda stayed with the kids while I went to find Roman. All the soldiers had to stay in formation until a family member came to them. Roman said it was agony to watch me search for him. After all, it was a little hard to find him when everyone is in uniform, and there are large crowds. It was also one of the largest graduating classes of the year, over 1,000 privates.

Ethan cried when he saw Roman. I think he was shocked that we were finally seeing him again. When Saoirse's turn came she just rested her head on Roman's shoulder and stayed there, like she never wanted to leave. Carsten was his usual smiley self, just happy to be out of the stroller.

 

Children still need attention, even when parents just want to hug.

Her vocabulary shocked Roman, as it had grown during his absence. She loved talking to Daddy.

Ethan was so excited to see 'armies' (soldiers) everywhere.

Some target practice with Daddy.

I asked Ethan if I could take his picture by the tank. He told me to take it of him watching the tank.

 

Graduation Day was much cooler, and full of pomp and ceremony. There was a fine army band, and of course a field of men and women in dress blues.

Roman's cousin, Jeff Wagenius, is a lieutenant in the Air Force. It was lots of fun to have him attend the graduation. Roman has one other cousin in the Air Force and a cousin in the National Guard.

 

I hope to send a family picture around after New Years!