I have the best husband in the world.

Our neighbors have some SERIOUS marrital problems. Abuse, disrespect, and now he has taken their child and left. Anyway, it all makes me really glad to have such a wonderful husband. He cooks for me. He cleans for me. He even turns my alarm on for me at night so I don't forget. He gets up with the baby on the weekend so I can sleep in for once. He compliments me every day. He is so sweet, loving, caring, and gentle. I'm really going to miss him when he deploys, but I know we will be fine while apart. I know I don't tell him how much I appreciate him all the time, but I really do. I am so glad that I met him and plan on spending the rest of my life with him.

Three Star Generals from the Pentagon...

So, as I said, I work for the DoD. I never really think that much about my job. I mean, I really like it, but I never consider it's importance. Usually, I just hire people to work for the Army on whatever post I'm at. I've never been a 'name dropper', and I don't care who you are - I treat everyone the same. I can't stand when people think they are something because they know 'so and so' or whatever. Infact people at work often comment about how calm I act when Major or Col whoever walks down the hall freaking out needing something. However, I recently realized how important my job could actually be. I have been trying to fill this position for a Secretary for the Deputy Commanding General of a certain Division (which is a VERY large unit in the Army). Okay, fine, so I've been receiving calls inquiring about the status from all over the country. To me, I just worked the position like any other - maybe a little faster, though. Then, Friday, we receive a call from the Pentagon. A three star general who, we believe, works in the office of the Secretary of the Army wants to know about it - a secretary job! I have a feeling that his granddaughter needs a job and wants this one. Then, we had to send notice of the inquiry up to our regional director and eventually up to our government agency's director (think director of NCIS level). So weird! I don't know, maybe I should be a little nervous when I go to work now.... no, probably not. I am still just gonna be crazy little Lulu.

The pains of the SRP process and other things in daily life....

So I had to SRP (Soldier Readiness Process) yesterday to prepare for deployment. This is where they check to make sure you are ready to go from Finance, Legal, Medical,Dental etc. Well, I went at 8 in the morning and waited for about an hour and they told me to come back around 11-there was too many soldiers to process (the 4th Inf Div) just got back and they had to Reverse SRP and also there was a Guard Unit that just got back. So I went back at 11. Got briefed and started to go around the different stations. I was doing good until medical-hickup number one-my contacts. Can't wear contacts deployed and I no longer have glasses. So now I have a pair of glasses again and am officially a nerd! So I solved that problem, then it was back to medical. I have to get the smallpox and Anthrax shot. But my blood pressure was too high to get those-no problem, they said come back in a week. Then I had to sit down with a doctor provider. He didn't like my blood pressure. So that put a hold on processing. I was assigned a case manager and starting next Monday, I have to get my blood pressure taken everyday for 5 days and then they will reevaluate. Don't know exactly what will happen. I don't know if my medicine is no longer working or not. Finally, I got released around 53o. We had a pizza and wing night and it was good!
My beautiful wife surprised me with a nice card and some swedish fish-my favorite!
Today we went commissary shopping and Barrett got lots more new food to try-talking about being spoiled!
He and mommy are taking a nap right now. When everyone wakes up we are going to do more shopping at Wal-Mart.
Well, I guess that is enough for now. Talk to you later......
Mike

Working Mother

I initially went back to work when my baby was exactly 6 weeks old. It was the hardest thing I have ever done. I felt so guilty. However, with bringing in half of my family's income, I really had no choice. When he was about 3 months old, we were moved, so I had to leave my job. I ended up being at home with my son from that time until recently, when he was about 9 months old. We finally moved to where I could get my job back, so now I'm back at work. Again, I feel guilty leaving him with someone else for 9 hours a day. All working mothers feel guilty to some extent. However, I started reading research articles about working mothers vs non working mothers and the development of their children. It has been found in every study there has been on the matter, that there is no developmental issue (psychologically, mentally, physically) in the children. When I have a long day and would rather be with my son, I just read these articles. No only that, but it was found that working mothers simply spent less time on things such as cleaning the house and self satisfication activities, not on care of their child. In the study, the average mother spent 8 hours per day away from their child, but only 2 hours less per day on time with their child. Just because a mother is at home does not mean that she is spending time with her child. She could be cooking, cleaning, running errands, or I don't know... sitting on the couch watching movies or sleeping. This knowledge should make all those mothers out there feel a little better if you have to leave your child during the day. It has no effect on the emotional security of the child or the attachment of the child to the mother. It's more about quality than quantity. Those mothers who are higher educated and who work in professional/administrative fields (which is me) are MORE attentive to their children and more sensitive to their needs. I happen to be the mother who, when I'm at home with my child, I am WITH my child. Moral of the story - it doesn't matter your situation as long as you love your child and show him or her that in some way.

Thursday Mar 26

Oops-hit the post button before I entered anything-operator error! Anyway, over the last couple of days drew all my equipment-and a lot of it! Now I get to put it together this weekend. Got my haircut today-boy I'm back in the Army! Kind of nerve racking only about 3 more weeks to go and so much to do. I am really going to miss my family. Well, talk to you all later....
MIke

Thursday Mar 26

Tuesday

Got a call around 9 pm last night that I had to cut my time off early and come to work today (tuesday)-I was actually expecting it. I went in and drew my RFI (equipment and stuff) and did some paperwork. Tomorrow I will do the SRP (Soldier Readiness Processing) part (medical, will, etc). Looks like I will be leaving mid Apr. Will keep you all informed. Lots to do in that short of time. Just wanted to say how much I love my beautiful wife and how supportive she is!!...Mike

Gnomes

Been called the travelocity gnome by several people since we travel and relocate so much. So we got lawn decorations gnomes this weekend-see picture. I think it is great and love it-there is Lindsey and me together and Barrett-I'm sure we will get more. Also, Lindsey planted some flowers this weekend-also see attached picture. They look great-can't wait to have a real garden some time. I had a great time at the Hash this weekend with a green toga. Sunday was kind of a chill day-it was very nice. School starts for me tomorrow-ethics class. Other than that, still trying to work on my honey do list! Talk to you later......

Mike

Chicago....

This is kinda random, but it's something I was reminded of recently.....

I am originally from Indiana, and I went to college at IU, Bloomington. It was interesting when you asked people where they were from and half of them said, "Chicago". Now, I've been to Chicago, and it's not big enough that ALL those people could be from there. So, I started asking what part. I would then figure out that it wasn't Chicago at all! They were from like Hammond, Schaumburg, or even South Bend! I realized that anything on the northwestern quarter of Indiana qualified as 'Chicago', and if you were from Illinois, well, it was all 'Chicago'. It became really annoying. It's like being from Sierra Vista, Az and saying 'Tucson', or from San Diego and saying 'LA'. Anyway, I remember how annoying it was to me because someone recently at work said they were from Illinois - when I asked where, well, you can guess what she said.

Thursday

Well today I had the fun experience of going to the Dentist for a cleaning and getting yelled at for not flossing (yeah-my favorite!). Got to go back on Monday for a filling. Now I got to set up an appointment for a physical-only 4 more years to go-got to get at least 30 percent disability!
The housing gestapo police rode up and down our street yesterday citing everyone for their lawncare-luckily we didn't get one, because my smart, beautiful wife already had taken care of it! Can't wait to get out of here. If all goes well we will have a house in Nolanville-keep your fingers crossed! I start another college class next Tuesday (ethics).
Other than that, same old same old. Looking forward to the hash this weekend and planting flowers.......
Mike

A beautiful Wednesday in Texas

So another beautiful Wednesday in Texas. Barrett is taking his morning nap-got some housework done (dishes, laundry, sweeping and mopping). Going to meet my beautiful wife again at lunchtime for a workout at the gym.
Got to say-hate when people try to bring you into drama-different personalities in our housing area are nosy and hate each other-bottom line-just leave us out of it!
Got to make a dental and medical appointment sometime today. Other than that-hope everyone has a great day....
Mike

I love my husband

I must have the best husband in the world. We have had a lot of hard transitions with moving like 4 times in the last year, the baby, and our jobs. However, at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade him for anything. It's the small stuff... Like we have a HUGE shower in our bathroom (a walk in one), but I slip on the hard tile a lot when it's soapy. I came home today, and he had a bathmat down in the bottom so I wouldn't slip anymore. :) He brings me my lunch at work when I forget. He got me a coffee mug with a lid to take to work (since I have recently taken up coffee). He went to look at flowers with me for outside our house. He takes care of the baby during the day. He does my toenails and gives me pedicures! He works hard, and he never complains. He is just awesome.

-Lu

Work

So, for those who don't know, a little background... I started working for the government about 13 months ago. After I had my son, I went back to work when he was exactly 6 weeks to the day old. It was the hardest thing I have ever done leaving him. I would worry about and miss him constantly. (not to mention waking up all night with a new born and still making it to work on time) When he was about 3 months old, we were moved across the country. There was no military installation and no other federal agency in the town to continue my employment. So... there I was... at home with my son. It was bitter sweet. I of course enjoyed watching him grow, but I am NOT a homebody. It drives me nuts to be home. I would take him to the park or the store or the library/bookstore all day just so I wasn't sitting at home. It is really hard when your identity is your job, then you lose that identity. We are back at an Army installation now, so I have finally returned to my employment. It is SO nice to get out of the house (not to mention more than doubling our income overnight). The last office that I worked in was LOUD. We only had cubicles, like a typical federal building, so everyone was in everyone else's business. The people there were extra friendly, though. We had potlucks all the time. Now, I am in a building where we all have our own office - for the first time in my life. I enjoy my privacy, but most of the girls in the office have no personality. I am a hard worker, but I believe you must enjoy your work. I mean, we spend more time at work than with our families, so you have to like your coworkers. I will go days without speaking to the girl in the office next to me. She doesn't come out of her cave. :) Two of the other girls are about my age - upper 20s. They say they NEVER want kids, so they drive BMW and Lexuses.... whatever... They never joke around and dress so serious. Dude, get a life... seriously. Anyway, I am ecstatic to be back, and I really like the actual work. The days fly by. I do miss my son terribly, but he's old enough now that he doesn't even know I'm gone.

-Lu

Stay at Home Dad

So for the next 10 days or so, I am a stay at home dad. I am on Permissive TDY now-10 days of free leave (I'll take it!) I am enjoying spending time with Barrett and getting some things done around the house.
I am with the 3-82 Field Artillery Battalion (as the S-1 NCOIC). I will be heading to Iraq on May 15 (what a Birthday present!-only 16 years ago I was deploying on my birthday to Somolia). Do I really want to go? No. But, I have to. And I have to look at the positives-will only be 7 months, extra money and this is my first deployment compared to some peoples 5 or 6 deployments.
We are really enjoying Texas-the weather is pretty good (well, last week, we got much needed rain), but now is back to the 70s. Lindsey did the yard work this weekend-mowed, trimmed, edged and the bushes-she did a great job.
Barrett got a little ear infection and the antibiotics are starting to work.
We changed daycares-to the neighbors next door and seems to be working out pretty good so far.
That is all for now until next time.....

Inprocessing

Well, I've finished post inprocessing-and it is a total cluster-it can be a lot better. Anyway, I am now assigned to 2nd BDE, 1st Cav Div. The rear Detachment isn't any better! Will probably be heading to Iraq around Apr 20. Will really miss the crap out of my family! Anyway, I'm sure I will have more inprocessing this week. Looking forward to my lunch date with my beautiful wife. Gotta run. talk to you all later

So there we were....

We have decided to start blogging. M is leaving for the big sand box (Iraq) very soon, so I figured we could blog while he was gone to keep up on the minuscule happenings of each other's days. This will also be a good way of logging exactly how each changes over the next year apart. Plus, sometimes I just think of things that annoy/bother/intrigue me, so I want to say it somewhere....