It's moving time again

We're headed back to Hawaii. Michael is already there, and the kids and I will join him once they are done with school in June. I'm looking forward to exploring more of the island and revisiting some of our favorite places. I've been creating a bucket list of new things I want to experience this time, and I hope to create a blog post to keep me accountable in checking them off.

8th Military Police Brigade Ball

Last Friday night Michael and I attended the 8th Military Police Brigade Ball. The ball was downtown at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We made a reservation to spend the night down at the Hale Koa, the military resort next to the Hilton. We picked up the kids early from school and made our way downtown to the hotel so would could check in and start getting ready for our big night. Earlier in the week we checked Uncle Rick, Aunt Deb, Jason, Becca and Lucas into to the hotel. They were on the 8th floor in ocean view rooms. Michael was joking about our ocean view room with the front desk lady when we checked in. Our reservation wasn't actually for an ocean view room, but she upgraded us for free anyways! The boys headed up to the room while Abigail and I went to park the car. Michael sent this picture to me once they got up to the room. What a handsome boy and a nice view of the ocean, from the 12th floor.

Austin - 12th floor view from our balcony

Of course Abigail had to get her picture taken too. They were so amazed at the view.

We got ready for our night out and the kids changed into their swimming suits. While we were at the ball the kids went to the pool with Uncle Rick, Aunt Deb, Jason, Becca and Lucas. They were able to show off their swimming skills and watch fireworks from the pool.

Military balls are interesting events. This was our third time attending a ball, and I recycled my dress from our very first ball in Alaska. The formal portion of the night started later than planned and took quite a while to finish up. The dinner was pretty good, Michael and I both had the prime rib. It's nice to get dressed up once in a while. I like to say that it's my one day a year where I have to wear make up and heels. I forced Michael to get our picture taken, and of course he gave his best smile!

8th MP Brigade Ball - Hilton Hawaiian Village

He really likes it when I take selfie's of us too!

He really likes to smile!

We called it a night after the formal portion of the evening ended. We grabbed the kids and headed back to our room. We planned to go back over to our friends room for a little after party fun, but Austin fell asleep and we realized that we were ready for bed too. You know you're getting old when you would rather go to bed instead of continuing the party. We were up early at 6:30 the next morning just like we are every other day of the week. We enjoyed the view before we got our showers for the day.

After our showers we met up with the family and headed out to breakfast. We had to find a restaurant where the Michigan game was on. Once we move, we won't have to watch sporting events while we eat breakfast anymore. After the game, and a Michigan win, we headed back home to enjoy the rest of our weekend. It was so nice to stay down there after the ball and act like a tourist instead of coming home. We're so thankful that family was in town and willing to watch the kids while Michael and I attended the ball.

Two short months, and it all changes again

It's that time again. Time for another move. Two months from now a moving company will enter our home and start packing up our belongings. Our fifth move with the military will take us back to the continental United States and closer to those we love the most, our family. After living so far away for the past five years, we're really looking forward to seeing our family more than once or twice every couple of years. A six hour difference will allow for quick long weekend trips and the ability to meet up half way to exchange our children with their grandparents. Something I think the grandparents are really looking forward to.

There are so many different things that are changing along with this move. A school change for both of the kids, job responsibilities for Michael and the beginning of nursing school for myself. Our kids are very resilient and I have no doubt that they will adjust just fine with all of the upcoming changes. I am always amazed that how resilient they are. The number of schools that Austin has attended always astonishes me. He's in seventh grade and has attended six different schools. Abigail has only attended three different schools, but that doesn't mean that she's any less resilient than Austin. I'm sure the ability to spend more time with their grandparents will help with the transition also.

Nursing school. It's the goal that I've been working towards for the past two years. All of my hard work has paid off and I'll finally get to fulfill a dream. I already know that it's going to take some juggling. My time will be limited on extra curricular activities and will mainly focus on handling my family, housework, laundry and studying. Studying, studying and more studying. As I've prepared to apply to the nursing program here in Hawaii, it has set me up well for school in Kentucky. I have already taken a handful of classes that would otherwise be required to take during nursing school there. For that, I am grateful. I can focus on my current schedule and clinical rotations without having to worry too much about other outside classes. I'm welcome to the challenge, and I'm so glad my family will be close enough to help celebrate once I cross the finish line.

But for now, we'll continue to soak up the sunshine while our time is limited in paradise. Three months left until we leave for good, and we're hoping to make the most of it. Maybe I might even blog about it...

2016

It's almost 2016! I haven't blogged in a few years, oops! Facebook makes it so much easier to post pictures. And since my blog was mainly pictures, well...it fell to the wayside.

Blah, blah, blah.

So here's to the New Year, and blogging again. I know, I know, I've said that before. But guess what, Abigail has a blog now too. So if she's blogging, then I can too.

Check her out, www.theamazingabigail.blogspot.com. All pictures and blog posts are by her.

Christmas 2015 - Hawaii