Patience, Patience, Patience....

I have realized living the Military life will come with it's enjoyments, challenges, and frustrations.  I think I have it all down and I am tested once again.  Not only did we find out we were moving off island 9 months early, get told we were moving to Las Vegas and then turn around and tell us, nope, Virginia instead, send Brad off to the states for two and half months three weeks before we are supposed to be off island, but now I want to paint a picture of the newest challenge.

Picture Christmas Day, sitting on your nice comfy couch, wearing your comfy pj's, eating warm cinnamon rolls, drinking your favorite hot beverage and you get handed a beautiful package to open. You have an idea of what it is because all of us girls know what box jewelry comes in but you do not know what kind of jewelry is in it.  So you tear open the wrapping and see the box. You anxiously open the box to only find another box you have to open, but this box will not open.  It is sealed with the words PATIENCE and you are unable to open it to see what is inside.    

That is where I am right now. Peaceful and patient (thankfully for our family).  Brad found out on Friday that we had tickets reserved to get home but the person to give him the information was not available so we had to wait till today,  Monday.  Brad checked his e-mail and found out they have the reservation for us to leave out on Saturday so of course I follow up with the questions, 'What time do we leave?'  'Where do we fly into?'  'What time do we get to IL?', all to be told they do not have that information right yet.   

How funny mostly because three years ago I would have been a frustrated fool thinking I could control the situation.   Today thanks to the peace I rely on from the LORD, I just kind of laugh and realize HE is in control.  So, THANK YOU LORD for being my rock and what better season to remember you and your Son Jesus.  

Fini Flight

Today was an exciting day and sad day for our family.  Addison was able to see her Dad in his first jet, (although having NO clue what she was looking at) and watch as he stepped out of it for the last time.  Here are some pictures of our day.  Doesn't she look cute in her ear protection.  I do not know which is bigger, her cheeks or the red ear part!

Here are some pictures of our move yesterday.  Thankfully it was a gorgeous day as we spent all of it outside while the movers did their thing.  As you can see, Addison was able to nap anywhere.

You would think we would not be able to fill this whole truck, oh yes, we did, all six!

Hanging out enjoying the day.

Amazing, they accomplished this in about 5 hours.

We posted a few more pictures on our albums, just click on the link with 'Our Photos',

Almost home.....

Well, it has been quite the ride since Brad was able to get home from Hawaii.  He was able to spend some nice time with Addison and I over the Thanksgiving holiday.  The following week he had to participate in a LORE- it is a pretend war/combat situation the base participates in, not the best time to be running around getting orders cut, making reservations BUT just our luck he was able to do just that the end of the week.  With our dates set to have the packers come and the start of ALL the out-processing it truly felt like we were getting somewhere and may actually leave the island sometime soon. Well,.....other than the whole plane tickets or dates to leave but hopefully we will have those sometime in the next few days....say your prayers!

Today the movers came and took away all of our 'stuff'.  As we were running around last night and today unplugging things figuring out what we wanted to bring to IL, FL, or VA we realized we have A LOT of STUFF!  Some might think moving every 2-3 years is a hassle but I feel it is a blessing in disguise. First off, we really get the better end of the deal, not having to do any of the packing/lifting/unpacking.  Second, it is the perfect way for me to get rid of the things that when you visualize it being put into a box and shipped by boat/plane/big-rig, you really have to think...'is it worth that trip?' and most of the time it is not.  Third, what a fun way to be 'forced' to see the world!  

We are settled into our pet TLF and so far our first night is going smoothly.  Addison went down with a breeze, Bailey is hanging out in her kennel, by her own will mind you, we get internet access in our room and it is looking like an early bedtime is quite possible.

Tomorrow morning will be Brad's fini flight, his last flight in the F-15, pretty crazy to think of since he has only been in the aircraft for 5 years.  Hopefully I will be able to get pictures of our move and the flight up tomorrow.

I guess to make the early bedtime thing happen, I should sign off.   Check back for some pictures.