Christmas

The Christmas holiday didn't go exactly as planned, but it worked. We opened up gifts Christmas eve morning. It took Arica several hours to open, and she didn't even finish them all. She needed a couple of breaks in between them all. Since Tam had duty, Heather and I and the girls were all going to church that evening. Johnathan went fishing with Moore for a couple of hours, because he didn't want to go to Church. ( I'm not going to make him.) I got to Heather's place around 1430. We finished the preps for tomorrow. And the girls took a nap. We found out the times for church and there was no services after 1730. The girls didn't get up from there nap til 1700. And there was no way to get 5 people ready for church and drive there in 30 minutes. Unfortunately we didn't make it. Then to make things worse, no one had services on Christmas day. We ate dinner, and Heather and I went to feed the horses while Mary (Heather's mom) stayed and watched the girls. Shortly after we got back Johnathan showed up. He talked his way out of duty, Christmas day. But we still spent it with Tam and Heather. We all stayed up late playing cards. I had to get up and go to work in the morning. Friday night, Arica finished opening her gifts. I'm back at work now, again. I will get Monday and Tuesday off. Let me get back to work. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year's. Thank you for the gifts.

Mommy's little helper

On Monday, 15th, Arica decided that she wanted to help me empty out the dish washer. I grapped the silverware, and she held up a plate saying mommy, mommy. She still doesn't understand the consept of loading the dirty dishes up, but that's okay. We made cookies over the week. She helped put the ingredients in the bowl, rolled them in sugar and added the sprinkles. She is growing up so fast. Today, she needs to go for her second flu shot, we have to get a dependant ID card made, and update mine. I'm setting a bank account for her went she goes to Grandma's house. Then, we get to send all the Christmas gifts out. It will be a busy day, but at least I get to spend it with Arica. Saturday, Heather and her two girls and Arica and I are going to Bass Pro Shop to get a picture with Santa for free. Got to go to work.

Busy

I actually got a day off on the 11th. So Arica and I spent the day together. I had to go up town for the normal odd and end items. While we were up town Arica got her 1st haircut. I don't care for it, but at least her hair is out of her eyes., since that was the purpose for it. Lately, she hasn't been taking her nap. She gets extremely cranky, but going to bed earlier.
My replacement for work has shown up. It is wonderful, especially since we weren't expecting to get a replacement for 2 out of the 3 of us. I'm still hoping that I am able to get fit for sea duty. I miss being underway, but I know that I will miss Arica even more when I'm gone. Yes, I will miss Johnathan too, but I think the break away from each other will do us some good. I know that our problems will be waiting here for us when I get back, but I'm hoping that it will give both of us a chance to think and look from a different perspective of everything. I really do love him. I'm just not sure if I can live with him. The ship starts deployment 7 months before mom's birthday. I don't report to the ship until the end of the following month, so I probable won't get flown out til the next month sometime. I don't want to leave Arica, but I know that it is my duty. I'm just worried what is going to happen while I'm gone.
I'm planning a big Thanksgiving this year. We are opening our house up to those people who don't have anywhere else to go and get a really homecooked dinner. We have done it the past couple of years and I enjoy the cooking of it all. This year I'm going to try some new receipies, I hope it all turns out but if not at least one item will.
Here is another picture of what grandma got Arica for her birthday. I have some unifroms waiting for me to get ironed. I will try to write again soon.

Things don't look any better

Well, got back from AR in one piece to a dirty house!! Tam and Heather helped us process 2 deer that we brought back with us on Sunday. Between 3 unsupervised kids the living room and the play room was destroyed. The 4 of us adults destroyed the kitchen and dining room with meat. We had 2 of us cutting, 2 grinders going, 1 slicer, 3 dehydrators, and 2 vacuums sealing machines going. It was crazy! Going back to work was just awful. Chief told me that I almost go fired on my off day. Oh well. I will still get my same pay check just with less stress. But I didn't. On Tuesday Johnathan was sick. Wednesday he went fishing, Thursday duty and Friday and Saturday hunting. So for the most part it was just Arica and I. Arica and I walk to the grocery store on Tuesday since Johnathan was sick. It was about 2 miles there. It was alot worst going back. Wednesday I got Johnathan off of work early, because my truck broke down at the bank when I was making a deposit for work. Saturday Heather and her 2 girls and us were going to go to the pumpkin patch but she was sick. So it gave me a chance to catch up on some house work.

Medical for me is another story all together. My thyroid results came back as hypo. On meds for that now. All of my other vitamins except D were really good. So I'm taking D- supplements. Doc's put me back on light limited duty, the one wanted me to go Limdu all together. But the Limdu doc wanted to wait until surgery got done. But last I knew, they didn't want to do surgery because I was so young. PRT I'm waived on my run and situps. I still have to pass weight ins and push ups. I'm not worried about my 15 push ups that I need in order to pass. It will be my weight. I don't think I will be able to do it. Johnathan failed his PRT also. I'm not happy with him for that one. But oh well. It is his own fault.

That is my boring life. Let me get back to Arica before she gets into something that she isn't suppose to.

Vacation

Well, vacation isn't going to bad. His mother isn't having surgery for a couple more years. He has gotten to do a good bit of hunting since we have been down. Haven't got anything though. His truck is in the shop, we had problems getting down here. First, before we even left the house the driver side seat belt wasn't working, then he fixed that and on the way in the garage to put the tools away (for once) he spilt a 5 gallon bucket of motor oil over on the floor. He put dirt around to stop it from spreading and a buddy of his was going to clean it up for us sicne we were running later than what we wanted. Johnathan had to take another shower. We finally hit the road. Around TN area the truck started acting up. It was burning oil and miss firing. So we changed the air filter and the spark plugs and still nothing. We took it in. Well I have to go now. Hunting is calling us. But quickly before I go, just though I would let you all know that Arica has the Chicken poxs. It Sucks!!! Pictures when we get back.

She is on her way!!

Yesterday, Mary,a friend, watched Arica while our normal sitter is on vacation. She said that Arica walked on her own. She only saw it out of the corner of her eye, so she wasn't quite sure. Later that evening after dinner, Arica was getting fussy and so Heather took her for a little while and Arica just walked back to me all by herself. I was so exited that Heather and I got Arica walked about 4 feet to and from us. I know that she is on her way to getting in trouble. Trouble gets more and more after this point. I'm so very happy for her. I will try to get a picture to add in later.

More problems

Well, as you all probably already know, my truck got stolen. The insurance paperwork sucks!!! But to add on top of it all, Johnathan's truck power steering pump is going out. State inspection is due in August, one more part to be replaced. Today, while working out with my personnal trainer, I was doing back extensions, trying to get my back stronger, and my right leg goes numb for each set I did. CS1 took me to the UC (Urgent Care Center) on base, but they don't have one. What good is a medical facility and an ambulance on base if they don't use it? So she just took me home, so I didn't have to drive. I didn't want to go to the UC any ways just for the simple reason that I knew what the outcome was going to be. But Cheif made me go. So Johnathan took me to Fort Eustis once I got home. The outcome was just about what I thought it was going to be. Some drugs and have a nice day. At least I'm on leave (vacation) for the next 2 weeks. I hope the break will help.

Orders

Well, we finally decided on orders. They aren't going to sent us to the west coast. I got to pick, but Johnathan was just told. I'm going to DDG 58 Laboon. I don't know much about it, but it will be the second best career choice. Of course the best career choice is Iraq, but Arica and Johnathan are more important than my career. Johnathan was told that he is going to NAS Oceana. He is going to call his detailer on Monday to try and get it changed to Frenfield Air Strip. It is still going to be the same distance as Oceana, but the traffic is going to be better. He won't have to sit and wait to go threw the tunnel.
Arica is still growing. Her new thing lately is opening and closing doors. She can't turn the knobs yet (Thank Lord), but she just pushes them back and forth. It is getting harder and harder to change her diaper. She never wants to stay still.

Third time is a charm

We went camping this weekend up in Lynchburg, VA. We had a wedding on Saturday. This was Arica's third time that we have tried. First one was at the hunt club when she was about 3 months, I ended up taking her home during the middle of the night. The next attemp was when she was about 5 months, out on the lake. I went home with her then too. So this time there was no going home. I can settle for driving 1 hour home with her, but not no 4 hours.
It took her a while to go to sleep, but once she did, she slept like a little baby taking up majority or the tent to herself. It rained every night, but not during the day so it was over all a good weekend. The rain cooled it off quite a bit. Arica enjoyed playing in the rain and sleeping in it.
We went swimming, rode on the ATV, and ate. Arica got a cupcake all over me and her. It was funny. She had no interest in eatting it, just making a mess. I wish I got a picture of it. But I got a pretty good on of her helping herself to some zuchini bread for breakfast in the rain.

Good news and somewhat good news

First off, the good news. I finished putting my bookshelf together and stained. My office is almost finished getting clean, well at least good enough for a picture. I'm still missing a good number of books on it. But anyways, it is 6 by 4 by 1, for someone who doesn't like to read it is big enough. Not to mention that Arica has her own book shelf in her room for all of her books.
I think she has finally starting to understand what the word "no" means. She hears it an awful lot. But considering that she is almost 9 months, she follows directions pretty good, except for the stairs. The stairs are her favorite new thing. She was taking a nap earlier this afternoon and Johnathan went outside to work in the garden and came to check on her every couple of minutes. She wasn't there. She moved the gate from the bottom of the stairs and climbed all the way up(23). Arica was just perfectly content playing by herself in the office.
On the somewhat good news ( I think), I had my follow-up doctor's appointment today for my back. Well, after a couple of weeks in physical therapy and a couple of weeks with a heel lift, the doc told me that he doesn't know what is wrong. So he is referring my to Portsmouth Hospital (the major hospital in the area) for possible injections. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or not. The injections might make the pain go away, but it doesn't solve the problem. I would rather know what is wrong and fix it the correct way. Drugs can only go so far.
From my knowledge the people who I know with back pain and are getting injections are all on their way out the door or have already been processed out. I'm not sure if getting out is the right thing to do. I really don't know if I want to go back to sea duty and leave Arica here, but I have a guaranty of a job, unlike the outside market. Yeah, I could possibly still be getting my pay check, but in a way it doesn't seem fair.
I have a long way to go before all of this happens, so there is no point in worrying myself with it now. I have enough things I'm stressed about that their is no reason for it. Besides, I can't do anything about it, so I'm going to leave it in God's hands. He has the plan, not me.

Getting more and more intelligent by the day

Well, I caught Arica getting into trouble yesterday. First it was climbing in the dishwasher. I knew that she enjoyed helping me empty it out, whether it was clean or not. It was nice to have someone give me a helping hand or two. Even if it did make more of a mess. Then Johnathan and I were up starts and she wanted to join us. She got to the 3rd step before either of us realized it. I didn't think she was suppose to grow up this fast. I figured it would be a couple more months at least. I guess she is going to try and take after her Aunt Becki (intelligent), and mommy and daddy (trouble makers). As long as she has the intelligence to stay out of the serious trouble, i.e. jail time, we will be okay.

Just missed orders again.

Well, orders have closed for the month. They weren't to good (for Johnathan or myself) anyways. I'm hoping that July's orders are better. I found a sea duty billet which wouldn't be too bad, but it was too late to negociate with the detailer. Besides, Johnathan didn't know what he wanted. I don't know if I really want to go back to sea duty, don't get me wrong I enjoyed sea duty, but with Arica it makes it alot harder of a decision. I don't have any problems leaving Johnathan for 6 months, just my little baby girl. Also, I just don't quiet understand what is going threw Johnathan's head, he wants to go to Iraq. There is benefits to going, but I don't think they out weigh the negative. Well, I better start my work day. There is a lot to do, in such little time.

A peaceful day for once!

Today has been different. Johnathan has duty, I got frocked to 1st , and Arica is in her bed asleep already. I know that she won't she for very long before she is up, but I wanted to get on right away since I have a little bit of time to myself. This is very hard to find now a days. Someone always needs something. Hopefully I will be able to get a 30 minutes nap in as well, but I'm not holding my breath on that one. Anyways, here is another fairly recent picture. Arica loves playing in the bath water.

More about Arica's sick days

I can't figure out how to put another picture in the middle of my text. But during Arica's sick days she still found ways to get herself into trouble, but also get daddy trouble, when he isn't even around. She figured out how to open and getting into daddy's guns and hunting stuff. When he told mommy that he didn't want child proof on it since he could lock it. That was fine with me until Arica got her hand into all of it, because daddy didn't lock it up. Well, that is how our week end went thanks for all the help and late night/early phone calls.

Mommy's sick litlle girl

Well, it is now Monday. Arica has been fussy for Tonya, babysitter, all day. The picture was taken on Sunday, when I wasn't able to put her down to go to sleep without having to cry. The doc diagnosised her with Herpangina. She has her moments when I think she is feeling just fine, but then there are others when I diffently know that she still feels miserable. The weekend was long and tiring for us. Johnathan was lucky that he had duty on Friday and went fishing on Sunday night. He missed half of it. But I know that Friday he would have came home if I needed him too. The biggest problem was that I dropped him off at work, so I would have had to go and pick him up. So in all reality he wouldn't have been much help, just like a typical guy.
I find it funny know completely reading the handout the doc gave to us on Friday morning that states: "You should bring your child to the emergency department immediately if any of the following occur: dry sticky mouth, doesn't urine for 6 or more hours, doesn't have tears when crying, sunken soft spot on your child's head, less responsive than normal, has difficulty breathing or swallowing, worsening symptoms or if your child is not improving or if your child is acting sicker at any time." Now looking back on it. The doc was the knuckle head when she was wondering why I was back. Arica's condition worsen!! I was just doing what the instructions on the paperwork that she gave to me said too.

I hope this works!

I appreciate that Becki set this all up. Hopefully this will help keep my phone bill down some, not that I don't want to keep in touch through a phone. I also hope that this will have some important people in our families lives not left out. Johnathan is in the shipyards now and Arica, since it is all about her, is getting very big and intelligent. This is the most recent picture of her I have on the computer. It was in taken in the middle of February. Well, I have to call it quits early. Arica decided that she wanted to try some wine a little on the early side and broke a bottle.

Post Number 1

Okay...I admit I started this blog so I could see more pictures of my only neice. But I'm going to turn it over to Tabitha now. So if you are missing the lastest updates on whatever trouble Arica's gotten it. Complain to Tabitha, not me!! I've got many other complaints to handle. And since I don't have a picture of Arica to start this off with, I'll just post the one where all the trouble began...

-Becki