8 minute update

Here I am with 8 minutes to update the blog before Brad's soccer practice.

Keith is gone for training. This is much better than the military kind of being "gone". I don't worry for his safety - other than getting mugged at Wally World. Both boys are in school all day so the bulk of my work is between 3-8pm. Not a bad gig.

However, the boys are absolutely falling apart without their Daddy here. They are so much more emotional. They are acting out at home and at school. Cole is acting out with soccer craziness. I feel like I have two teenage girls here. Sorry boys, kinda true.

opps - 8 minutes

MUAHAHAHAHA!

I told Cole to go take a shower and he cried back "Mom, we are just your slaves you boss around!"

Why yes my dear child, you have me figured out.

Soccer Mom

I've occasionally watched an episode or two of Dance Moms. Ugh. The whole situation is horrible. The kids are REALLY talented. However, they are being caught in such a toxic situation between their instructor and their coo-coo-for-coco-puffs mothers. I pray it's really just for the tv show. These women are vicious and will eat each other and small children ALIVE if given the chance. And there are plenty of chances.

We've had our fair share of soccer drama lately. It's dawned on me that I could be perceived as a coo-coo-for-coco-puffs soccer mom. Only possibly, maybe slightly. It's a very small chance, but I'm willing to admit it.

After a very complicated and long story (that I've only subject my nearest and dearest to the full rant!), Cole can not play this season in Wichita Falls. Ouch.

Keith and I have really tried to find the balance on too much soccer and being burnt out, or occasional breaks and he loses confidence in his skills. Honestly, he's eight. How did it get to be so hard? He's so driven and so critical on himself at such a young age... He feels like he should be playing against Messi in a couple of years! No joke. However, he's talented. If soccer is what he wants to do, I promised him I will do everything I can to make sure he's got the best training. Coo-coo!

So in order to keep him active and still playing, we've scheduled him to practice with The Saints 3 times a week in Wichita Falls and he will be able to practice/play in Dallas with The Texans. Mike Victor will be hitting highway 287 hard the next couple of months. Awesome. And if anyone knows how to be in two places at once, I would love to hear how you do it. Daddy is gone, Brad has practice and games on Saturdays. Cole has practice in town on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Friday night practice in Dallas, and Sunday games in Dallas.

I love this kid. I love watching him play. I love to hear him talk about being in the World Cup. Yet, I have to be prepared if he ever wants to quit. Maybe that's what makes us so crazy! Dang kids.

Chinface

A couple of months ago, I did a chinface with the boys. Do you know what I'm talking about? Here's a pic... mine wasn't nearly as cute. I'm always looking for new and creative ways to boss them around ;-)




The boys thought it was quite funny and thought they would try it for themselves.... this is what I found. Oh, have you ever seen a more precious face? Killin' me Bradley.

Starting Chapter 2

Today marks our first official day out of the Air Force, and yet my husband will be gone for 2 months. We haven't had to do the separation thing since we left Mountain Home in 2009. Oh, we've been trained and conditioned for temporary times such as this... it's just been a while.

I have so many mixed emotions on leaving the Air Force. It's been a great run filled with more memories than I can list. We learned things the hard way, found blessings in "disaster" assignments, and relied on each other. I truly consider my military friends = family. We loved on each other's babies as if they were our own, and knew someone was in the same boat. They were a call away at any time of the night. In fact, if the world could treat each other the way military families do, it could bring world peace. It was never saying goodbye, it was see you later at the next base. It forced you to dive in and get involved in each new assignment. You were no longer "new" to a town if you've been there 6 months. You better know the ropes because the next set of newbies were right behind you and they needed the same help you were given. There wasn't time to get to know each other, you were best friends right away, and you grew to love them even more.

Tricare has been a lifesaver for us and the boys. Never paid a cent for medical care, deliveries, always had my choice of Doctors, and could go in for a sniffle. No co-pays, $3 prescriptions, specialists, testing, therapy, and second opinions. There's a great safety net knowing you can always take care of your kids health without financial strain.

Keith got to fulfill a dream of being a fighter pilot. He was GREAT at it. He's a determined man always acting on his drive to live life to it's fullest. Thank you Keith for your service, thank you for the wild ride. I would do it all over again with you. Now, with shaky legs we venture out into civilian life. Nobody telling us where to go, but weighing decisions on our own. I'm so excited for your new adventure with Federal Express. Don't worry about us, we'll be here truckin' on with our budget and Ramen noodles! Waiting for you to embrace a new kind of life.

Brad read a book tonight. Not just the pamphlets he brings home from school - a BOOK! The kid who refused to do his popcorn words 3 weeks ago. I'm floored. Excited. Elated!! For if I had a million days and time enough for all the praise, I couldn't tell you all the ways, I LOVE YOU!! Yea Brad!!

Mer

This is my first baby. He's been by my side for a long long time. There through the very good and the very bad. He's my loyal companion and I love him so. He's my hound dog and high maintenance farm dog all rolled into one. Now he's starting to get older and showing his age. I don't know how much longer I have with my buddy, but when I see him like this, my heart hopes he lives forever.