My brush with famedom

I know I said I wouldn't catch up but I have been looking through photos on my computer lately and there are so many things I don't want to forget.  Frankly, I lied.

The first being my awesome trip to NYC with my friend Jen. It went completely wrong the entire time but we had a blast and it was totally worth it. We headed up and first of all it rained, we went to lunch and decided to try french food. We sat outside because the temperature was nice, it was covered, we stayed dry. Until Jen spilled her drink all over, but that is besides the point. When I sat down I glanced behind me and noticed the woman sitting behind me looked a lot like Melanie Griffith, well I'm in NYC it could be anyone. So we ordered lunch, I tried pate, which tastes like cat food. (not that I have ever tried cat food!) And the longer Jen and I sat and enjoyed our lunch the more we realized the table behind us was Melanie Griffith and her friend Goldie Hawn. We tried to play it cool and I didn't go up to them and say how awesome they are. But I did take some ridiculous stalker photos.

Pardon my wet, frizzy hair. And my trying to look natural face. Great day with a great friend and I am glad that we were able to get away. I hate that all my best friends live in different states scattered throughout the USA.

Bittersweet

The best thing about being in NJ for so long has been the fact that I have made some really amazing friends. Some have moved away and we are just as close as we always were. When I lived in FL I belonged to the MOMS club of Gulf Breeze. It was a great way for Anya and I to get out of the house and meet some people in the community. When I moved to NJ after I had Kevin I looked to see if there was one here, and right in my town was one, and a really strong and flourishing club. I was so excited. I threw myself in, play group, Mom's night out, crafts for the kids, field trips, speaker meetings, and my favorite thing of all..... Book club.
I have been going to MOMS club book club for the last 8 years. Even when I was working 60 hrs a week and taking 2 online classes I would make sure I made it to book club. I rarely missed it. Good food, good books(sometimes), good discussion, and wonderful people. It hasn't been the same people over the past 8 years they have changed out somewhat. Just Cheryl and I have been the only completely constant. But nonetheless it is my most favorite night of the month and I try to never miss it.
Tonight I went to book club all ready to discuss a pretty crappy book called Sh*tty Mom. Funny, but really I wouldn't recommend it. And I show up and there is a full Asian fusion spread on the table and everyone is there with gifts for me and everything. They threw me a going away party. I tried really hard not to cry. We talked and laughed and ate food, and of course talked about things that we ONLY talk about at book club. They gave me really thoughtful and amazing gifts and it hit me that we are leaving in just a few short weeks. When I got home I showed all the gifts to Ed and I totally teared up. I am ready to leave NJ but not ready to leave the friends and family that I have made here. I will miss it all so very, very much. This place has become another home to me.
I think that the good part about the military life is that I make homes everywhere I go. I meet amazing people who influence me and teach me and love me. I in turn learn to love them and help them and call them true friends. I have learned so much from the people who have come into my life here in Jersey and I will be sad to leave. I cried when I found out we were moving here and I will definitely cry when we leave. Until then though we don't talk about it. I 've reached the denial stage of grief.

Catching up

I am not really a believer in catching up on blogs and stuff, it takes entirely too long and really who wants to read old news? But I realized my babies are not babies anymore. I mean really..... My youngest is almost 3 (when did that happen?!?!?!?) So here are some photos to catch you up on my children.

Thoughts on my Dad

My Dad passed away 7.5 years ago. I was 9 months pregnant with Kevin and had a 2.5 yr old. We had just moved to NJ to be closer to him in CT and we practically lived there. I was the closest with him out of all my siblings( I think) and I have very fond and vivid memories of him. As my children get older I am seeing more and more of him and the things he loved in them. Things my Dad loved, he loved to read, he was ALWAYS reading. I remember he had a rotation a book for fun, a book for growth and a church or spiritual book. I am also an avid reader. I read about a book a week give or take, and so are my children. Anya has to read for school about 2 hrs a week and do a report on what she read on Thurs for school. When I went in for teacher conferences I asked her teachers if I should encourage her to read harder books because she is devouring books and reading about 3 a week. Her teachers were very impressed! As Kevin becomes a better reader I find him sneaking under his blankets and reading in the closet after the light is turned out. I hate it and love it at the same time. I love that they are learning the joy of exploring other worlds and as Anya gets older I love being able to discuss books with her!

My Father loved sci-fi. We watched Star trek all the time as a family. Come to think of it I can't remember if my Mom watched. My children have formed a love of all things "geek".

When I was a child my father sat on the floor in our bedroom and read us The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien. I remember sitting in my bunk bed just imagining the world of hobbits, and elves and Golum. It was magic, he even did the voices! I now read books above my kids reading level every night so that they can have those awesome memories. The other day Kevin asked if I could read them The Hobbit. I nearly died. Memories of my Dad came flooding in. The bedtime story, the advice and car rides and everything I did with my Dad. He wasn't around a lot when I was younger because he worked full time, went to school full time, taught adult education, had lots of hobbies. I miss my Dad but am so glad of the time I did have with him and all that I learned from him. I hope he is smiling at my kids and wishing he could play Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings and introduce them to all sorts of other cool sci-fi/fantasy things. Until I get to see him again I will see the world through the eyes of my children and see joy and imagination

Big move

It has been a tremendously long time since I have posted, but thought I would share it here first. Looks like we are headed to Japan in Feb. So I am crazy busy selling all our stuff, stocking up on home decor items, downsizing all our furniture, shed/garage items and toys. We will be moving to a house about 1/2 the size we are in now. Or so I am told. We may not bring any cars with us and we will live in housing provided. I am freaking out but am also totally excited! The part I am dreading the most is packing up the dog and 3 kids and flying 18 hrs!