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.

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...

House tour

Well, we're all moved in and pretty much settled. The only thing we (I) still need to do is finish organizing the storage room/craft area/toy area. Instead of the movers just simply moving my totes with holiday decorations, they unpacked everything and put it into boxes. So, needless to say, it's all still in boxes in the storage room in the basement.

We have 3 levels in our new house, a basement, a main level and an upstairs. Here's a peek!

Upstairs = Abigail's room










Austin's room







The laundry room



The kids bathroom





Mom & Dad's bedroom







Mom & Dad's bathroom (with a curtain that needs to be shortened!)



An awesome jacuzzi tub



And a shower



Moving downstairs to the main level, the front door and living room are at the bottom of the staircase



I love the high ceiling, it doesn't make our huge TV look as big!







Moving on into the dining area, which has a built in desk (which I love!)



The door to the left leads out onto the deck and the backyard



My majorly upgraded kitchen!





A half bath is located off the kitchen



Bathroom to the left, door leading into the garage in the center and the stairway to the basement to the right



Heading downstairs to the basement, which is a walk out.

Family room located in the basement, better known as "The Man Cave" by the guys in the house.









The storage area/craft area/toy area (which still needs some work!)



The area I'm looking forward to the most, the craft area!!!



Can you tell which child was home when I took the pictures?





And just so I don't leave the other kids out, here they are too!

Austin riding a two wheel bike at my parents house



And our third child, the puppy dog who is loving the HUGE fenced in back yard



Isn't she cute with her bandanna! She got it at the groomers the other day after her bath!

We're still working on decorating some parts of the house. And I'll have to take some pictures of our huge backyard. So far, we are loving Missouri. It's such a different atmosphere than Fort Hood. I'm hoping to find a job in the really near future so that Austin can start going to SAS (after school program) again. He's been bugging me to find a job so that he can go back. I guess that's a good indication that he loved it at Fort Hood! Abigail really needs to get back into daycare too, she's starting to be a stinker!

Making the move

The kids, the dog and I will be heading to Missouri next week to settle into our new house. Michael will meet us the following week when he can sign out of Fort Hood. I'll be sure to update the blog with pictures of the house once we get all settled in.

We'll also be making a trip to Michigan for a short vacation before heading back to Missouri to get Austin started in school. I can't believe he's going to be in first grade!

Here are some pictures of Abigail at her swimming class to hold you over!



Where is she?