I know a lot of my friends out there pray regularly. If that's you, I need some of your prayer power! A wonderful opportunity to serve God and my church has been presented to me, but I don't want to jump on it. I need to be sure that its the right opportunity and the right time.
Every other Sunday I serve at my church, The Chapel in Libertyville (holla!), in the infant room. Some of you may be thinking 'Big deal!', and maybe you are right. The way I see it, and the way its been taught to me, is that I really am an essential person in His Army at our church. Without me and my fellow TGA'ers, parents would not have a place to leave their children so that they may have quality worship time. There is no harder time to leave your child with a stranger than in the infant stage! Our team, as well as all the other classrooms, might be that very first connection a child has to God. By holding and comforting a baby with all the love in our hearts, even just for an hour, they are able to begin to witness the love He has put in our hearts. We get to show them His love, through our own.
Some parents are antsy and nervous to leave their precious babies. Something I understand very well! Just this last weekend, it made me feel so great that when a good friend of mine, who was visiting our church for the 1st time, learned that I would be in the room with her daughter that it put her at ease. It was a relief for her, as it was for me!
The role we play is a pivotal one. Without us, some people may not get the chance to connect with God in worship every Sunday. It might not be a big deal to you, but I love knowing that the parents of the children I help care for get that chance.
Now that I have explain all of that, I'll move on to the prayer request. Each classroom as what is called an 'Experienced Leader'. The EL is the first person in the line of the 'chain of command'. Much like an assistant manager. They are the one to lead our important huddle time before we serve (the time in which we get together and all pray together before serving. Without asking for His help, we are useless anyway), they keep in contact on a personal level with all the other volunteers, they oversee that there is enough people to serve and so on. Its a very important role.
I have been asked to step up to that role.
Most of you know I am still on my journey with Christ, and despite that, my team leader has asked me to think about this being another step for me. I cant say enough how amazing that makes me feel, that she thinks I would be great at this. In the same breath, it scares the heck out of me. What if I fail her expectations? What if I fail those that I am supposed to oversee? Worse yet... what if I disappoint Him by not being able to fulfill the position?
So there it is folks. I need some help. I will be in prayer about it for myself, but I could always use the help of you all! My prayers are asking that He will let me know in some way if this is the right move for me, as well as my team and my family. I want to do this because I am supposed to, not from any sense of obligation. I also pray that if this is what His will is for me, that I am able to do it well and that it will help bring me closer to Him.
-Mrs. J
Friday, August 27, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Painfully thankful.
Finding the silver lining is not always so easy. This week has been insane, to say the least. Not only did I start school Monday, but I had a dentist appointment for the 3rd of 4 parts to these root canals. I thought that was bad enough.
Later that night, when I went to put Bug to bed, I walk into her room and it just felt different. Sometimes a change like that you just feel in your bones, and I only noticed it because I am her mom. I stop to check out the room and I realize her windows are open. Two of them.
Let me elaborate as to why that's a big deal, for starters. We live in housing. Housing, in their infinite wisdom, thought it would be smart to layout a window plan where in the lower level of the house, the windows start 3 feet from the floor. Upstairs however, where most normal people lay their children to sleep in bedrooms, the windows are about 2 feet from the floor. Bugs room was especially well thought out. All the other rooms upstairs have one window each. Her? Four. Genius, right?
So at first I think 'Ok... so they opened the windows.' Then I realized that 'they' were my kids. That 'they' had to have done it when they were playing in there while I was in the shower earlier in the day. That's when I realized that 'they' had also pushed out one of the screens.
I felt like I was punched in the gut. My heart began to race, a cold sweat spread across my goosebumped skin, my head was spinning.
I fixed the screen and locked the windows again. As I lock them, I realize that Bubba as the only one who could have unlocked them, and to do that he had to very deliberately stand up on the ledge since the top lock is pretty high up. Any number of things could have happened and they were all running through my mind at the same time.
There was an image in my mind I could not get out. Pulling into the drive way from the dentist appointment I complained about and seeing my precious Bug laying in the drive way. The thought makes me sick.
After having a stern 'talk' (more like a panicked plea that surely scared the hell out of them both) I closed their doors and went to my room and collapsed. Her window had to be like that all during her nap. I cant get out of my head how many things could have happened.
But nothing happened.
They were both fine. No tumbles out of the window. No injury. Nothing.
Never in my life have I been so thankful for 'nothing'.
I hit my knees at the side of my bed just sobbing. Totally unable to comprehend all the 'what ifs'. I began to pray, professing the massive amounts of thanks that were in order.
That sounds like enough to top off a day. Please. Not in this house.
Around midnight, Bug begins to cry in her room. Boats goes in to see what is the matter, and then calls for my help. He comes back to our room and into the bathroom because his hand went into a large amount of puke. Lovely. I go into her room, slightly annoyed with him. He has left her sitting there in the middle of all that puke, in the dark, to go wash off his fingers. I get her undressed and into the tub while he loads up the washing machine.
When the puking did not subside, I took her to the ER. They gave her a zofran and sent us on our way. 'Food poisoning' they said.
Last I checked... 'food poisoning' is not contagious.
I was sick the next morning, and all day on Tuesday. Bubba was a big helper and Bug was feeling like herself again. If you notice the time of this post, you might be thinking something changed. You might be right.
Bubba woke up tonight, puking. I thought it had skipped him. Wrong. Poor guy. He woke up calling for Daddy, who didn't want to get up. I went to get him and after telling my husband that his son was now sick with what Bug had, do you think he got up to help? Nope. While I realize his work hours have him spread thin, his children need him and his lack of understanding that is really getting under my skin. He is overlooking important things (like open windows when laying Bug down for a nap) which says to me that his job is actually beginning to endanger our kids, and that's not something I am ok with. Bubba has been crying as we sit on the couch with a bowl for him to puke in for his Daddy, but I know I cant wake him. Why? Because he will just be mad and complain about how tired he is, and then fall asleep letting Bubba fend for himself while he is sick.
I know that if he was not working these long hours under a lot of stress, none of this would be the case. I know the difference between 'on push daddy' and 'off push daddy'. I'm not a fan of 'on push daddy' at the moment. While I am trying to be understanding, I have a hard time allowing my kids to actually suffer because he has an incompetent hip-hop (first time on push RDC, in case you were wondering) and feels like he has to be the hero for them.
But what about them?
So while I sit up at almost 2 am, with hands smelling of puke and a weak and scared four year old finally dozing off after a two hour puking spree, he gets to sleep soundly. Maybe there are times when he gets up early to go to work and he resents me for being able to sleep in. Its not about who does more. Its not a pissing contest. I would suffer silently if I were the only one doing so.
Its not me I'm worried about.
So that silver lining is evading me right except for this: there might be a stomach bug wreaking havoc in my house right now, but overall, my children are healthy. Thanks to someone looking out for my babies, they were not hurt by the window incident. My husband might be working long hours leaving him emotionally unavailable (and physically) to me and the kids, at least he is working.
But even in knowing we are blessed beyond measure doesn't stop me for wanting the hurt in my babies to stop when all they want is Daddy. How do I explain to them that Daddies job is taking priority over them? Or how do I explain to him the damage he is doing without it seeming like a guilt trip. Long hours are better than being deployed, but he is now here just enough to make the kids confused as to why when Daddy is home, he would rather be sleeping, or he is only home for 20 minutes to grab food and is then gone again. Maybe this is enough complaining for one night. I have a sick boy to get into bed since his puking has stopped for now.
Mrs. J
Later that night, when I went to put Bug to bed, I walk into her room and it just felt different. Sometimes a change like that you just feel in your bones, and I only noticed it because I am her mom. I stop to check out the room and I realize her windows are open. Two of them.
Let me elaborate as to why that's a big deal, for starters. We live in housing. Housing, in their infinite wisdom, thought it would be smart to layout a window plan where in the lower level of the house, the windows start 3 feet from the floor. Upstairs however, where most normal people lay their children to sleep in bedrooms, the windows are about 2 feet from the floor. Bugs room was especially well thought out. All the other rooms upstairs have one window each. Her? Four. Genius, right?
So at first I think 'Ok... so they opened the windows.' Then I realized that 'they' were my kids. That 'they' had to have done it when they were playing in there while I was in the shower earlier in the day. That's when I realized that 'they' had also pushed out one of the screens.
I felt like I was punched in the gut. My heart began to race, a cold sweat spread across my goosebumped skin, my head was spinning.
I fixed the screen and locked the windows again. As I lock them, I realize that Bubba as the only one who could have unlocked them, and to do that he had to very deliberately stand up on the ledge since the top lock is pretty high up. Any number of things could have happened and they were all running through my mind at the same time.
There was an image in my mind I could not get out. Pulling into the drive way from the dentist appointment I complained about and seeing my precious Bug laying in the drive way. The thought makes me sick.
After having a stern 'talk' (more like a panicked plea that surely scared the hell out of them both) I closed their doors and went to my room and collapsed. Her window had to be like that all during her nap. I cant get out of my head how many things could have happened.
But nothing happened.
They were both fine. No tumbles out of the window. No injury. Nothing.
Never in my life have I been so thankful for 'nothing'.
I hit my knees at the side of my bed just sobbing. Totally unable to comprehend all the 'what ifs'. I began to pray, professing the massive amounts of thanks that were in order.
That sounds like enough to top off a day. Please. Not in this house.
Around midnight, Bug begins to cry in her room. Boats goes in to see what is the matter, and then calls for my help. He comes back to our room and into the bathroom because his hand went into a large amount of puke. Lovely. I go into her room, slightly annoyed with him. He has left her sitting there in the middle of all that puke, in the dark, to go wash off his fingers. I get her undressed and into the tub while he loads up the washing machine.
When the puking did not subside, I took her to the ER. They gave her a zofran and sent us on our way. 'Food poisoning' they said.
Last I checked... 'food poisoning' is not contagious.
I was sick the next morning, and all day on Tuesday. Bubba was a big helper and Bug was feeling like herself again. If you notice the time of this post, you might be thinking something changed. You might be right.
Bubba woke up tonight, puking. I thought it had skipped him. Wrong. Poor guy. He woke up calling for Daddy, who didn't want to get up. I went to get him and after telling my husband that his son was now sick with what Bug had, do you think he got up to help? Nope. While I realize his work hours have him spread thin, his children need him and his lack of understanding that is really getting under my skin. He is overlooking important things (like open windows when laying Bug down for a nap) which says to me that his job is actually beginning to endanger our kids, and that's not something I am ok with. Bubba has been crying as we sit on the couch with a bowl for him to puke in for his Daddy, but I know I cant wake him. Why? Because he will just be mad and complain about how tired he is, and then fall asleep letting Bubba fend for himself while he is sick.
I know that if he was not working these long hours under a lot of stress, none of this would be the case. I know the difference between 'on push daddy' and 'off push daddy'. I'm not a fan of 'on push daddy' at the moment. While I am trying to be understanding, I have a hard time allowing my kids to actually suffer because he has an incompetent hip-hop (first time on push RDC, in case you were wondering) and feels like he has to be the hero for them.
But what about them?
So while I sit up at almost 2 am, with hands smelling of puke and a weak and scared four year old finally dozing off after a two hour puking spree, he gets to sleep soundly. Maybe there are times when he gets up early to go to work and he resents me for being able to sleep in. Its not about who does more. Its not a pissing contest. I would suffer silently if I were the only one doing so.
Its not me I'm worried about.
So that silver lining is evading me right except for this: there might be a stomach bug wreaking havoc in my house right now, but overall, my children are healthy. Thanks to someone looking out for my babies, they were not hurt by the window incident. My husband might be working long hours leaving him emotionally unavailable (and physically) to me and the kids, at least he is working.
But even in knowing we are blessed beyond measure doesn't stop me for wanting the hurt in my babies to stop when all they want is Daddy. How do I explain to them that Daddies job is taking priority over them? Or how do I explain to him the damage he is doing without it seeming like a guilt trip. Long hours are better than being deployed, but he is now here just enough to make the kids confused as to why when Daddy is home, he would rather be sleeping, or he is only home for 20 minutes to grab food and is then gone again. Maybe this is enough complaining for one night. I have a sick boy to get into bed since his puking has stopped for now.
Mrs. J
Monday, August 23, 2010
Back to school!
Today is the big day! Classes officially started for me at Liberty University. I have a HUGE amount on my plate right now, but I know I can handle it. I'm not delusional and think it will be easy, but I will make it to the end of these 8 weeks loaded with the knowledge I need to move forward and be successful in my studies.
I hope anyway.
Don't get me wrong, I'm scared out of my mind! Scared of failing, scared of not learning what I am supposed to, scared of loosing precious time with my family. Lots of things. At the same time, I am rather excited. This is something I have put off for far too long. [Much like my dental work, which round 3 of 4 is this afternoon] I hope that my hard work will help my children as they grow up to know that education is very important. That even mommy busted her butt and sacrificed to further my education to help secure their future.
In other news, I have a big project in the works that I don't want to unveil just yet. I want to make sure I can make it happen [and that depends largely on the approvals from the right people] before I put it all out there.
Last night I had a great time at home with friends. Some of my favorite ladies came over to watch the season finale of Army Wives last night. It was a night filled with laughter, snacks, and an over all good time! I love being around the people who accept me for who I am, and don't expect me to be anything I'm not :) I feel extremely blessed to have been able to figure out who those people are as well. It wasn't always so clear to me. I of course missed those who could not be here as well. Next time girls!
Now I should go chase down my naked child and at least make her put panties on. Well, I cant say naked. She DOES have on a beanie and winter gloves...
I hope anyway.
Don't get me wrong, I'm scared out of my mind! Scared of failing, scared of not learning what I am supposed to, scared of loosing precious time with my family. Lots of things. At the same time, I am rather excited. This is something I have put off for far too long. [Much like my dental work, which round 3 of 4 is this afternoon] I hope that my hard work will help my children as they grow up to know that education is very important. That even mommy busted her butt and sacrificed to further my education to help secure their future.
In other news, I have a big project in the works that I don't want to unveil just yet. I want to make sure I can make it happen [and that depends largely on the approvals from the right people] before I put it all out there.
Last night I had a great time at home with friends. Some of my favorite ladies came over to watch the season finale of Army Wives last night. It was a night filled with laughter, snacks, and an over all good time! I love being around the people who accept me for who I am, and don't expect me to be anything I'm not :) I feel extremely blessed to have been able to figure out who those people are as well. It wasn't always so clear to me. I of course missed those who could not be here as well. Next time girls!
Now I should go chase down my naked child and at least make her put panties on. Well, I cant say naked. She DOES have on a beanie and winter gloves...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
YouVersion
With my first insane semester of school fast approaching, I have been looking through all my course content. One class in particular is scaring the life out of me.
BIBL 104.
The book is HUGE for one. Then there is one (meaning than one) of the assignments. I have to write a review on all 66 books of the bible.
HA!
Might be a cake walk if I have read the whole bible!! In effort to help me with this class, as well as doing something I have been meaning to do anyway, I signed up on YouVersion. It is this really cool application that I can access from my android phone (but other phones and devices can be used as well) or from the computer. There are a number of reading plans, not to mention you can select the version you want to read. Sweet! I selected the 'Bible in 90 days' program, even though my class is shorter than 90 days. It equals out to 12 pages a day. I know thats a lot, especially on top of all the other reading Ill have to do, but its important to me.
If any of you are looking for something similar, I highly suggest you check this site out. There are plans for just Psalm, or the Old Testament, or Bible in a year, and quite a few more. Pretty sweet if you ask me :)
BIBL 104.
The book is HUGE for one. Then there is one (meaning than one) of the assignments. I have to write a review on all 66 books of the bible.
HA!
Might be a cake walk if I have read the whole bible!! In effort to help me with this class, as well as doing something I have been meaning to do anyway, I signed up on YouVersion. It is this really cool application that I can access from my android phone (but other phones and devices can be used as well) or from the computer. There are a number of reading plans, not to mention you can select the version you want to read. Sweet! I selected the 'Bible in 90 days' program, even though my class is shorter than 90 days. It equals out to 12 pages a day. I know thats a lot, especially on top of all the other reading Ill have to do, but its important to me.
If any of you are looking for something similar, I highly suggest you check this site out. There are plans for just Psalm, or the Old Testament, or Bible in a year, and quite a few more. Pretty sweet if you ask me :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Changed perspective.
Do you ever get that feeling that God is working in your life in ways you never though would really matter?
I do. [Right now actually.]
I got some great news today, that I'm not quite ready to share here just yet. Some folks know, but its something I want to keep just with those I actually know for a while :) But its a new challenge for me and my family that we are excited and eager to take on! We are blessed beyond measure.
I could go on and on right now, but I am in a bit of pain. I had a dentist appointment this morning and I was thinking we would take care of a couple of my fillings. I have a lot of work to be done since its been about 8 years since my last real visit. I found an incredible dentist here and I saw him a few months ago for my initial consult.
That's when the laundry list of $12,000 worth of work hit me. Yea.
When I got in, I chatted with the tech for a while since the doctor was finishing with the patient before me. By the time he gets over to me, I was feeling less anxious. That didn't last long. He dropped the bomb.
"We are going to take care of those two root canals today." Said so calmly. Like its something I do everyday. I know HE does. But me? Definitely not.
"Um, I don't think I have time. I have to be outta here by 1230 and its already 1130." I really did have a time crunch. Justin had to be at work.
"That's plenty of time!" So stinkin cheerful. By this point, I'm not in the mood for cheerful. More like a morphine drop and tequila. He sensed my anxiety and asked if I wanted the gas.
DUH.
I do know that comes with a cost though. I was financially prepared for a couple fillings, not root canals! Add nitrous on top of that... I didn't want to know. The awesome dentist that he is though, told me he would give it to me at no extra cost. I'm pretty sure the fact that I went from a chipper and talkative girl, to a pale white hot mess on the verge of tears is what swayed him on that one.
So I got my gas and he gave me the shots in my gums. First time drilling, felt it.
More shots.
Second try. Felt it.
More shots.
Third times the charm? Not quite.
More shots.
Finally I was numb enough that he could get to work. I would feel a little bit of pain here and there, but I talked myself out of it. It wasn't excruciating, so I could deal. I mean, lets be real. He must have thought I was nuts being such a baby even though I have all these tattoos! Its a different kind of pain though. Way different!
When I left, I made my next appointment for the second part (yea... mm hmm.) and got my prescriptions, paid way more than I had been prepared to, and made a pit stop to clean the drool and white flecky stuff off my face. I let Boats know what we did and he was pretty shocked too. Probably more shocked that the phone call was from my cell and not from a police station. He even asked 'Did they put you to sleep?' Haha. I love how well he knows me!
So after all of this, I still feel grateful.
No, its not the meds talkin! Although, I might sing a different tune when it wares off. :)
One thing the tech pointed out, is that if I had known I was in for not just one, but TWO root canals today, I would have worked myself up so much, I probably would have been sick. And she is totally right. With my past experience with dentists, I would have psyched myself out so much that I probably would have canceled my appointment. Now that it is done, even though there is another step and then crowns to talk about, I am so thankful. I didn't cry. I didn't have an anxiety attack. I didn't even curse at anyone! More than that, I am now excited to get the rest of the work done. I am ready to get my teeth where they need to be and not be self conscious of my smile anymore.
One dentist screwed me up 8 years ago. And this one fixed me. There isn't enough thanks in the world.
-Mrs. J
I do. [Right now actually.]
I got some great news today, that I'm not quite ready to share here just yet. Some folks know, but its something I want to keep just with those I actually know for a while :) But its a new challenge for me and my family that we are excited and eager to take on! We are blessed beyond measure.
I could go on and on right now, but I am in a bit of pain. I had a dentist appointment this morning and I was thinking we would take care of a couple of my fillings. I have a lot of work to be done since its been about 8 years since my last real visit. I found an incredible dentist here and I saw him a few months ago for my initial consult.
That's when the laundry list of $12,000 worth of work hit me. Yea.
When I got in, I chatted with the tech for a while since the doctor was finishing with the patient before me. By the time he gets over to me, I was feeling less anxious. That didn't last long. He dropped the bomb.
"We are going to take care of those two root canals today." Said so calmly. Like its something I do everyday. I know HE does. But me? Definitely not.
"Um, I don't think I have time. I have to be outta here by 1230 and its already 1130." I really did have a time crunch. Justin had to be at work.
"That's plenty of time!" So stinkin cheerful. By this point, I'm not in the mood for cheerful. More like a morphine drop and tequila. He sensed my anxiety and asked if I wanted the gas.
DUH.
I do know that comes with a cost though. I was financially prepared for a couple fillings, not root canals! Add nitrous on top of that... I didn't want to know. The awesome dentist that he is though, told me he would give it to me at no extra cost. I'm pretty sure the fact that I went from a chipper and talkative girl, to a pale white hot mess on the verge of tears is what swayed him on that one.
So I got my gas and he gave me the shots in my gums. First time drilling, felt it.
More shots.
Second try. Felt it.
More shots.
Third times the charm? Not quite.
More shots.
Finally I was numb enough that he could get to work. I would feel a little bit of pain here and there, but I talked myself out of it. It wasn't excruciating, so I could deal. I mean, lets be real. He must have thought I was nuts being such a baby even though I have all these tattoos! Its a different kind of pain though. Way different!
When I left, I made my next appointment for the second part (yea... mm hmm.) and got my prescriptions, paid way more than I had been prepared to, and made a pit stop to clean the drool and white flecky stuff off my face. I let Boats know what we did and he was pretty shocked too. Probably more shocked that the phone call was from my cell and not from a police station. He even asked 'Did they put you to sleep?' Haha. I love how well he knows me!
So after all of this, I still feel grateful.
No, its not the meds talkin! Although, I might sing a different tune when it wares off. :)
One thing the tech pointed out, is that if I had known I was in for not just one, but TWO root canals today, I would have worked myself up so much, I probably would have been sick. And she is totally right. With my past experience with dentists, I would have psyched myself out so much that I probably would have canceled my appointment. Now that it is done, even though there is another step and then crowns to talk about, I am so thankful. I didn't cry. I didn't have an anxiety attack. I didn't even curse at anyone! More than that, I am now excited to get the rest of the work done. I am ready to get my teeth where they need to be and not be self conscious of my smile anymore.
One dentist screwed me up 8 years ago. And this one fixed me. There isn't enough thanks in the world.
-Mrs. J
Thursday, August 12, 2010
'Think about it' Thursday
Until today, I had never known just how beautiful a sun rise over the quiet farms in the mid west could be. On my drive to my besties house, the early hour allowed me to see such a sight. The flat farm land had just a handful of fog settled over the ground. The sun was just peeking out enough to illuminate the sky with a watercolor like back splash of pinks and oranges. I really wish I had my camera with me!
Now that I am up north and the kids have been given lunch, I found it to be a good time to blog! Bug is knocked out cold on the couch, Bubba is still fighting me on finishing his lunch even though all the other kids were done 30 minutes ago and my besties 3 babies are just watching a movie and relaxing in the AC. Kadence came with us too since we will be here over night, and she is staying right at my feet as if I'm going to leave her! I think she is paranoid about our trip to Cali, haha :)
On to the topic of the day! This may or may not be something that others would think much about, but its something that's been weighing on my mind since yesterday. First of all, I want to send out a HUGE congratulations to all the First Class Petty Officers who were selected to become the Navy's next to be inducted as a Chief Petty Officer! Official results came out yesterday, and I know there are a lot of excited and relieved Navy families out there. In the same breath, there are also a lot of those who are experiencing disappointment.
For those who aren't familiar with the process, the test for E7, or Chief, is only taken once a year in January. Those who are eligible and take the exam then have to wait until around April to know if they made board. If they DID make board, then they get a package of all their Naval achievements over the course of their career and it goes to the board. The board then reviews all the files and they select some of those 'board eligible' E-6's to advance to E-7, sometime in August. Then there is about 5 weeks or so of induction until they are actually pinned with the E-7 anchors. As you can tell, its a long and drawn out process.
Back to the point now... as with anyone who is the wife (or husband) of a newly selected CPO, there is tons of excitement. There should be! It is not only a nice pay grade bump, but its a big step in the career for the active duty member with new duties and responsibilities. On the flip side, for those who have waited 8 agonizing months for the results, just to be told that its 'not this time' is heart breaking, I would imagine. In NO way am I suggesting that those who's husbands made it this year, or previous years, should curb their excitement. Not at all! I know I probably wont when its my husbands time, lol.
That said, I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the behavior I am seeing from wives towards one another. There is NO reason I find is acceptable to 'make fun of' or 'rub in' the fact that another wife's husband was not selected. Never mind the fact that its just plain classless, trashy and childish. What the self-appointed 'superior' wives are missing is that no matter what their dislike may be for another wife, its her HUSBAND who did not move up in rank. There is nothing more disgusting to me than a military wife who wears her husbands rank. YES, we put up with a lot, but we aren't entitled to the honor they put on every time they put on their uniform. Since when do we route for the members of our military to be unsuccessful? The ones who are in the same Navy as your own husband?
My outtake is this. A lot of people made Chief. Some I know, and some I dont. There are just as many on the opposite side who were not selected even after making board. While I am elated for those who made it, my heart goes out to the ones who didnt, no matter what my personal opinion may be of their wife. Whats even worse is that this isnt a subject that came up because I overheard it in the commy or something. It was written on Facebook for mutual friends to see. Reguardless of if names were named or not, its petty. I have come to know what to expect from certain people in this place, but the comments I saw took me off guard.
How would a comment like this make you feel if you were one of the ones who's husbands did not get to advance, weather it was directed at you specifically or not? I understand that there are cliqs, and that people have disagreements and it results in an extreme dislike for one another. BELIEVE ME! I know, lol. I still cant figure out how this is acceptable to be said in a public place.
If I am totally wrong, please say so! Enlighten me to the ways in which this would be acceptable behavior of adult women.
-Mrs. J
Now that I am up north and the kids have been given lunch, I found it to be a good time to blog! Bug is knocked out cold on the couch, Bubba is still fighting me on finishing his lunch even though all the other kids were done 30 minutes ago and my besties 3 babies are just watching a movie and relaxing in the AC. Kadence came with us too since we will be here over night, and she is staying right at my feet as if I'm going to leave her! I think she is paranoid about our trip to Cali, haha :)
On to the topic of the day! This may or may not be something that others would think much about, but its something that's been weighing on my mind since yesterday. First of all, I want to send out a HUGE congratulations to all the First Class Petty Officers who were selected to become the Navy's next to be inducted as a Chief Petty Officer! Official results came out yesterday, and I know there are a lot of excited and relieved Navy families out there. In the same breath, there are also a lot of those who are experiencing disappointment.
For those who aren't familiar with the process, the test for E7, or Chief, is only taken once a year in January. Those who are eligible and take the exam then have to wait until around April to know if they made board. If they DID make board, then they get a package of all their Naval achievements over the course of their career and it goes to the board. The board then reviews all the files and they select some of those 'board eligible' E-6's to advance to E-7, sometime in August. Then there is about 5 weeks or so of induction until they are actually pinned with the E-7 anchors. As you can tell, its a long and drawn out process.
Back to the point now... as with anyone who is the wife (or husband) of a newly selected CPO, there is tons of excitement. There should be! It is not only a nice pay grade bump, but its a big step in the career for the active duty member with new duties and responsibilities. On the flip side, for those who have waited 8 agonizing months for the results, just to be told that its 'not this time' is heart breaking, I would imagine. In NO way am I suggesting that those who's husbands made it this year, or previous years, should curb their excitement. Not at all! I know I probably wont when its my husbands time, lol.
That said, I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the behavior I am seeing from wives towards one another. There is NO reason I find is acceptable to 'make fun of' or 'rub in' the fact that another wife's husband was not selected. Never mind the fact that its just plain classless, trashy and childish. What the self-appointed 'superior' wives are missing is that no matter what their dislike may be for another wife, its her HUSBAND who did not move up in rank. There is nothing more disgusting to me than a military wife who wears her husbands rank. YES, we put up with a lot, but we aren't entitled to the honor they put on every time they put on their uniform. Since when do we route for the members of our military to be unsuccessful? The ones who are in the same Navy as your own husband?
My outtake is this. A lot of people made Chief. Some I know, and some I dont. There are just as many on the opposite side who were not selected even after making board. While I am elated for those who made it, my heart goes out to the ones who didnt, no matter what my personal opinion may be of their wife. Whats even worse is that this isnt a subject that came up because I overheard it in the commy or something. It was written on Facebook for mutual friends to see. Reguardless of if names were named or not, its petty. I have come to know what to expect from certain people in this place, but the comments I saw took me off guard.
How would a comment like this make you feel if you were one of the ones who's husbands did not get to advance, weather it was directed at you specifically or not? I understand that there are cliqs, and that people have disagreements and it results in an extreme dislike for one another. BELIEVE ME! I know, lol. I still cant figure out how this is acceptable to be said in a public place.
If I am totally wrong, please say so! Enlighten me to the ways in which this would be acceptable behavior of adult women.
-Mrs. J
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Home, bittersweet home!
Our trip to San Diego was eventful to say the least. No matter what happened while we were there, I was able to spend some much needed time with my parents. Being away from them has really been harder than I let on sometimes. Having these last couple weeks was invaluable to me. Its always bitter sweet though because as always, I had to leave. I hate leaving knowing there are still situations there that are not only out of my control, but they are hurting my parents in more ways than one. Helpless doesn't even begin to describe it. One thing I know for sure, is that it sealed the deal for me on going back out there before Justin is done here and helping them get stuff in order.
All that being said though, it is good to be back home and in our own space! I was shocked at how great Bubba and Bug did on the flight back. They were little troopers even after I woke them up at 0420 to get ready and leave, then while waiting to board, and they fell asleep before we were even fully in the air! It is a 3.5 hour flight, and they slept for 2.5 hours of it! I was SO thankful since leaving was already hard on me. Maybe they knew that.
I got a lot of awesome pictures while we were there. We made a few trips to Sea World, the beach, park and just around my parents place. The best of them are on my facebook, but here are some of my favorites.
I got a lot of old family photos too while I was there, and I am looking forward to getting those into my computer and framing a lot of them. I got two of them in here (if you couldn't tell!) of me as a kid with my parents. One with my mom at the pool, and one with my dad. I love all the old pictures!
It goes without saying that I missed my husband like crazy!! Even though he is crazy busy at work, its nice to be able to actually see him and be with him. With that in mind, I missed my dog just as much!! I thought she was going to maul me when I came in the door, lol. Those of you know know her know she isn't a jumper. Meaning she doesn't jump up on people at all, even if you try to make her. When I came in the house, she clobbered me! Jumped up into my chest (at 130 pounds it was met with a nice stumble back since it was unexpected) and was just going crazy! Its nice to know she missed me too :) Somehow, in all her excitement, she managed to gash her leg open. First aid was administered and shes just fine now.
Now that we are home, I have to get back into our routine and I only have two weeks until school starts. I had originally decided to take just 4 classes, but I ended up bumping it up to 6 because after this semester I wont be able to use the money I still have from the MyCAA program, and I can see loosing out on them paying $1500 for two more of my classes. Im still going to loose out on one additional class since after these classes, Ill still have $800 left over and each class is $750 for me. But after this Ill be well on my way to my AA, and then move right on to my BA. I am giving myself a deadline of 3 years for my BA which would mean I would graduate just before Bug goes into kindergarten, and its more than enough time. Especially with me taking 6 classes this time around. Ill end up with more than 1/3 of the credits I need for my AA after this semester alone. So my first 8 weeks of school are going to TOTALLY blow, but its all in the name of furthering my education! At least Boats will be on push and I wont be missing out on time with him. Ill just need to manage my time well so that I can get all the work done while taking care of the kids. I think Bug will be going to drop in care while Bubba is at school during the week so I can have a few hours of quiet to get work done. We will see how this goes.
I am pretty sure I have slacked off enough this morning. There is a lot around the house that needs my attention, including unpacking so I should get to it! I am afraid to go outside today with all the mosquito around here! Last night I killed over 30 (no joke) INSIDE my house. I have to go to the store later, but I wont be stepping outside until we are slathered in bug spray. Ick!! Have an amazing day :)
Oh one more thing... I will be hopefully setting up a 'schedule' of blogs so that each day of the week has a purpose. I just need to figure out what topics for what days. Maybe that will keep me on point even while I am in school. Heres to hoping ;)
-Mrs. J
All that being said though, it is good to be back home and in our own space! I was shocked at how great Bubba and Bug did on the flight back. They were little troopers even after I woke them up at 0420 to get ready and leave, then while waiting to board, and they fell asleep before we were even fully in the air! It is a 3.5 hour flight, and they slept for 2.5 hours of it! I was SO thankful since leaving was already hard on me. Maybe they knew that.
I got a lot of awesome pictures while we were there. We made a few trips to Sea World, the beach, park and just around my parents place. The best of them are on my facebook, but here are some of my favorites.
I got a lot of old family photos too while I was there, and I am looking forward to getting those into my computer and framing a lot of them. I got two of them in here (if you couldn't tell!) of me as a kid with my parents. One with my mom at the pool, and one with my dad. I love all the old pictures!
It goes without saying that I missed my husband like crazy!! Even though he is crazy busy at work, its nice to be able to actually see him and be with him. With that in mind, I missed my dog just as much!! I thought she was going to maul me when I came in the door, lol. Those of you know know her know she isn't a jumper. Meaning she doesn't jump up on people at all, even if you try to make her. When I came in the house, she clobbered me! Jumped up into my chest (at 130 pounds it was met with a nice stumble back since it was unexpected) and was just going crazy! Its nice to know she missed me too :) Somehow, in all her excitement, she managed to gash her leg open. First aid was administered and shes just fine now.
Now that we are home, I have to get back into our routine and I only have two weeks until school starts. I had originally decided to take just 4 classes, but I ended up bumping it up to 6 because after this semester I wont be able to use the money I still have from the MyCAA program, and I can see loosing out on them paying $1500 for two more of my classes. Im still going to loose out on one additional class since after these classes, Ill still have $800 left over and each class is $750 for me. But after this Ill be well on my way to my AA, and then move right on to my BA. I am giving myself a deadline of 3 years for my BA which would mean I would graduate just before Bug goes into kindergarten, and its more than enough time. Especially with me taking 6 classes this time around. Ill end up with more than 1/3 of the credits I need for my AA after this semester alone. So my first 8 weeks of school are going to TOTALLY blow, but its all in the name of furthering my education! At least Boats will be on push and I wont be missing out on time with him. Ill just need to manage my time well so that I can get all the work done while taking care of the kids. I think Bug will be going to drop in care while Bubba is at school during the week so I can have a few hours of quiet to get work done. We will see how this goes.
I am pretty sure I have slacked off enough this morning. There is a lot around the house that needs my attention, including unpacking so I should get to it! I am afraid to go outside today with all the mosquito around here! Last night I killed over 30 (no joke) INSIDE my house. I have to go to the store later, but I wont be stepping outside until we are slathered in bug spray. Ick!! Have an amazing day :)
Oh one more thing... I will be hopefully setting up a 'schedule' of blogs so that each day of the week has a purpose. I just need to figure out what topics for what days. Maybe that will keep me on point even while I am in school. Heres to hoping ;)
-Mrs. J
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