My Career...

Before I begin, I have to say that I am finally really enjoying being at home and spending all these moments with my boys. I know that it is not a long term thing for me though. The question is...what's next?

It isn't really a good thing, or accurate, but a lot of my self worth comes from my job. At least what I see as my self worth. I like contributing to my family. I like making a difference in others' lives. I like feeling proud of what I do. I know that what I am doing is extremely important now. I am raising my boys and being sure that when our world isn't revolving around the Army, it's revolving around them. I'm really not making sense. Basically, I am okay with being home now, for a couple years. But I NEED a plan!!!

So here is where I am struggling. Nursing wasn't for me. Teaching is better as far as schedule, and my personality type. I'm such a planner. But I don't feel passionate about it. I have no desire to go back into the classroom. I miss it at times but it's not where my heart is. I want something where I can still work with a population of people I care about but different than nursing and teaching.

Occupational Therapy!

I have considered it off and on for a while now. It is what I keep coming back to. I feel like it is merging my previous professions. I can really help people but not making life and death reactions or be stuck with the same class, same students all day, every day. There are so many options: kids, adults, geriatrics, clinic, hospital or schools.

My dream job...working with wounded soldiers. That is one group that I  am very passionate about and respect tremendously!

Getting there is the hard part. I don't want to do backwards. The problem is that I can't do a masters program online because I don't have a bachelors in Health Sciences. None of the colleges here offer a degree for OT. I considered becoming an OT assistant first because the college here does have a program for it. At least it would get me into the field. Problem is they only enroll in the fall, so I can't start until next year. That doesn't leave me enough time to finish the program. :(

My plan...We are hoping to be in San Antonio next. I found a great university there with an awesome Masters program. I sent off my transcripts yesterday to get an unofficial evaluation. I am hoping I can start prerequisites soon and be ready to start the program when we move there...if we move there.

I would love some feedback. Is this a good plan? Am I crazy for switching fields again? I will keep you all posted about what I find out.

Remembering 9-11-01

This image is in our minds and hearts forever. The moment we knew we were under attack. That some purposely hit our World Trade Centers.

Watching those buildings burn was a horrific feeling. Just hoping they could somehow keep them from collapsing.

But they couldn't. The damage was too great. The buildings fell, killing so many Americans. So many mothers, fathers, brother, sisters, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends...our fellow Americans.

The Pentagon being hit. Knowing there was more than one target. The fear of not knowing where the next plane was going to strike.

Heroic Flight 93. The story of how these brave people saves numerous lives. The unknown of where it would have it.

The affect this day had on our country is unbelievable in so many ways. Every emotion was there. Fear, sadness, pain, helplessness...pride, love, courage, compassion. We lost so much that day. The way that we all pulled together was amazing though.

My story:
I was 18 and babysitting at Sarah's house. I can't even tell you what I had on the TV but when the news came on I couldn't believe it. I watched the coverage for hours. When I went into work later that day I couldn't believe the panic throughout the town. No one know what to expect.

I had joined the Army in May, just before graduation. Ben joined too. Because of our MOS, we didn't leave for basic training until November. I couldn't help but wonder how this affected me and my Army commitment. Would my orders stay the same, would I have to go early, would I keep the same job. While I wanted to do something to help, the scarred part of me wondered if I could get out of it. I was already drilling with my unit in Little Rock. When I went to the next drill everything had changed. You couldn't just drive on post anymore. Still so much fear.

My time in the Army was a short 5 1/2 years. I never thought I would be living the Army life from then on. Ben and I both thought at the time we joined, that we would do our time and get out. Ben was commissioned in August 2007. Now I can't imagine our life any other way. I couldn't be more proud of my husband. I just pray that we don't have to make the ultimate sacrifice because of this war against terrorism. It breaks my heart that so many have.

Today I am going to take my family to the beach. I am going to play with them, laugh and love. That is all we can do. Remember always, and live our lives to the fullest. You never know how many moments you have left.

I am proud to be an AMERICAN!!!

(all pics except the last are from google images)

BBQs and Good Times!

I was so excited going into this weekend. Ben had a 3-day and at first we had nothing planned. Just relaxing and family time. That quickly went out the window! We ended up having something every day. The boys had soccer game Saturday and then we went over for Miss Avery's 2nd birthday party. Avery's momma was the first person here to really make me feel welcome. She is an amazing person. You know the kind of person you know you will never forget?...That's her. We had a great time and the boys had a blast as well.

Sunday Ben actually planned a BBQ!!! He never plans them. When he tries my friends end up being the only ones who show up. :( Poor guy! This one went off without one problem! His friends were wonderful and so fun! The kids all had a blast and played so well together. With the exception of our neighbor it was a great night.

Our neighbor...So a couple weeks ago we came home after having dinner with friends. It was 11pm and we went straight to bed. For over an hour her dogs did not stop barking! Ben finally went to ask her to bring her dogs in or something to get them to stop. Long story short she was very rude, called Ben a racist name and it pissed Ben off. So drunk, tired, pissed off Ben went off. He threatened the dogs and she thought he threatened her. So we called the Police to tell them what happened and about the noisy dogs.

Sunday was her payback. At 10pm she called the police because we were outside talking and that was too noisy for her. What?!?!? Stupid B!!!

Anyway...The rest of the night was a blast and thank you to everyone who came!

Monday we went to the water park in town, Wet n Wild. We met a few friends there and let the boys go wild. They were tuckered out! Afterwards we went to our other neighbors' house (the wonderfully nice ones) and ordered pizza. Just hanging out talking is my favorite thing to do. Needless to say, I loved everyday of our 3-day weekend. :)

2 more days until Maw maw comes!!!! :)

We still Exist!!!

Hello friends and family! It has been a while :) Sorry!

I really thought being a stay at home mom would give me time to do things like this more, but it DOESN'T! I guess the fact that I am not a stay at home kind of gal doesn't help. :D Very rarely is there a day that we aren't out and about doing something. So blogging, scrap booking and organizing gets neglected.

So far the boys really love their school! I have been pretty impressed with Blake's teacher. I have come to the realization that this year is pretty pointless for Hunter though. They don't expect much out of Kindergartners. :( So we will continue to work on reading at home!

We are about halfway through our soccer season. Hunter's team in undefeated and he is doing awesome! Blake's team is a MESS! There is a set of brothers and a cousin on his team. They are all over the place and do nothing but fight! I feel bad for Blake and the other players. I think we will take a couple months off from sports and start strong with T-ball in the spring. :) Unless they talk me into basketball. :/

Parker is getting so big! It amazes me how much he understands now. I'm sure most heard about his tragic trip to the ER! He went running head first into the futon. Little man had stitches underneath and then glue. It is healing really well. Just a pink line between his eyes now. :) It has been really nice getting some one-on-one with him while the boys are in school. At first he didn't know what to do without his brothers. He followed me around whining all day. Now he is getting better and learning how to play with himself when mommy is busy.

I am still trying to decided when to go back to work and what I want to do. But I guess that will play out in time. I am starting to settle in to my life now. I have started helping with my Military Moms group. I am so thankful to this group. It keeps me busy when Ben is working.

We are having a BBQ at the house this weekend. Pretty excited to people over. I LOVE hosting :) Maw maw (aka Linda) is coming on Thursday! I will let you know what kind of adventures we find! I'm going to try to stop waiting so long to blog so that I don't have so much catch up. I would rather this be a regular thing to post all our adventures and funny stories. So talk to you soon!!!