Must change security settings

Dearest friends,

Due to an unfortunate incident, I am going to have to restrict access to my blog. If you really love me (and really who doesn't) and actually know me, then shoot me an email and I will send you the passcode.

Sorry for the inconvenience!!

Love ya!!

By the Numbers

In one week, we'll be celebrating James's 7th birthday.

In two weeks, we'll be packed out and on the road.

In three weeks, we'll be visiting family.

In less than four weeks, we'll be in GERMANY!!!

I'm torn.... like REALLY torn!

I guess you really *should* be careful what you wish for!

As you know, this move to Germany is HUGE. I've been DYING (DY-I.N.G.) to go to Germany since Hubs and I got married. Ten whole years! And just as I thought we'd be stuck HERE for the rest of his career, our dream comes true!

Buuuuuuuuuuuut...

Things are finally falling into place for the kid. He has the "perfect" teacher for him. She is Ah-MAY-zing. He has a diagnosis and is on a med that is really seems to be making a difference. We have gotten approved for ABA therapy to help him with his issues and we are in the process of getting him an IEP at school. I feel we are being taken seriously and his school knows him and he has history there.

I'm so torn! I know that it is best for our marriage for us to stay together as a family. The separation won't break us (we've been apart before, as you know), but we've already missed so much time together that it seems wrong to CHOOSE to be apart, you know? Do the needs of the individual trump the needs of the family? And it's not like he's severely handicapped, but he does need help and I'm not sure we'll be getting the same level of help where we are going.

*sigh* Why can't this be easy?

First Day of School!!

*WOOSH*

You hear that?? It's the sound of time flying by!

Another first day of school... another year gone by. My baby is a 1st Grader now! He is officially a Big Kid. He no longer has to play on the "baby" playground, there are no toy stations in class and he doesn't get snack or quiet time in class. He. Is. Thrilled! lol

He loves his school and his teacher. We met her yesterday when we brought up his school supplies and he charmed the pants off of her. "You are even more beautiful in person than you are on the computer!" he said to her, lol.

I really love our school. His Kindy teacher and the principal went to extra pains to make sure James had the "right" teacher this year. And Mrs. Crader seems to be a perfect fit! She has really thought ahead to having James in her class and has strategically placed him with the right kids in the right area of the room, so he can be himself, but not be isolated. I really appreciate that. I wish we could take her to Germany with us!!

Anyway... I'm sure you are not here to listen to me babble, but to see pics of my gorgeous boy! lol So here you are!


By the big ole tree (*sniff* our last 1st day pic by the tree!!)




Oooooo look... I must stomp it!




Handsome guy!




At school






At his desk (I took these yesterday at the Meet N Greet)





*sigh* Where does the time go?



As I do every year, I'll give you a brief retrospective of 1st days past:

Kindergarten (5 going on 6):




Pre-K 5 day (4 going on 5)




PDPS 3 day ( 3 going on 4)




Part day Preschool 2 day (just 3 yrs old!!)

Big News!!!

We're Blowing this popsicle stand!!



We're gonna move to GERMANY!!!!



WAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!




We have a report date for Mannheim in October of this year.




I can NOT wait!!

It all goes by so fast!

Tomorrow is my Baby's LAST day of Kindy!!

How did that happen??

After this summer, I will no longer have a "little kid" in my house. I will be the parent of a "grader".

I don't know if *I* am ready for this! lol

Since August, The Kid has gained 11 pounds, grown more than 3 inches and became a year older. He's lost at LEAST 2 teeth (forgive me, but the Tooth Fairy has a bad memory!). He's had surgery (and Mommy survived!) and got a new belly button. He's said goodbye to several friends, including Christina (That's the girl I'm going to MARRY, Mom!) and made several new ones. He's played soccer (and scored in every game except 1!) and worked really hard on his swimming (He can almost do an entire lap without stopping!) He's ridden the BIG person roller coasters, spent countless hours outside and mastered Mario Kart.

*phew* That's a LOT of stuff! I think I need a nap!!

The world has let out a great sigh of relief.....

I am sitting home alone. James is snug in bed and Hubby is still away at school. I have run the gamut of emotions over the news. I am shaking and am in tears. This whole thing is just overwhelming. OBL's actions have defined, in some way, all but 4 months of my marriage. 9/11 changed everything in our lives. We lost over 2 years of our marriage to this war. We've lost friends/acquaintances. And now it's all different. I don't know what we will be facing tomorrow re: threat levels, ect. It's a balance of relief/terror/remembrance/ect that I can't even explain. His death hasn't changed anything.... and yet.... it's changed everything. If nothing else, we, as a nation, can have closure over 9/11 and the healing can truly begin.


God Bless those Navy Seals who risked all to carry out this mission.

And God Bless and Keep all of those Soldiers/Sailors/Marines/Coast Guard/National Guard/Reserves/ect who are still over there in harms way. My heart and prayers are with them and their families.