Happy 2nd Birthday Liem Jon...

Happy 2nd birthday to my second lil man...

" I'll love you forever...

... I'll like you for always...

... as long as I'm living my baby you'll be"

I remember wondering how I would ever love another baby as much as Luke... It is not something that can be explained or understood... But it was never hard... My heart is full of love for both boys :) I am truly and honestly blessed and not a day passes that I do not fully grasp that!!!
I love you Liem Jon!!

California so far.

I like it. I really really like it... Things are nearly as expensive as Hawaii if not a little cheaper. With proper planning we are doing ok without our cost of living allowance :) On the plus side we can afford Liem's fruit addiction. So cheap here and all he eats are fruits. The main Commisary which has the better selection is about 17 miles from us but we do have one that is sufficent right down the street from us. The shopping however is endless here and 15-20 miles in either direction I have endless options. It is nice exploring and figuring this place out.

The weather honestly has been amazing! AMAZING! We dont have central air and honestly we do not need it. The highest our temp in the house got today was 72, it never rains, although it never feels warm enough for me to need a pool. We have one right down the street but when I went into it I was freezing. Maybe the Hawaiian in me ;) We are right by the ocean and I am sure that cools us down quite a bit, but as of now I cannot complain at all on the weather front.

The people... I am new and do not know many people, with the exception of Angela, so everyone has something to offer and opposing views. The board I found is unique. I find it interesting after such an amazing group of women in Hawaii. The girls on this board tell girls to google their quiestions on life experiances on Pendleton. Maybe it is the repetition of the quiestions as people join to ask these quiestions, but I think (and maybe I am spoiled) but pcsing is tough enough let alone mving to a new base the least people can do is share experiences and advice on the quiestions. There also seems to be a TON of drama. Do not get me wrong I like reading the drama especially since I am not involoved but it seems like everyone jumps on the bandwagon.

From the board I have went to and hosted a playgroup. I enjoyed myself and have met some nice people from those groups. I am optimistic about meeting new people. Deep down though I have to wonder "will I ever meet people, a support system, like I had in Hawaii". Do not get me wrong as I formed a special bond with EACH memeber :) but I thought it would be easier because it was easy in Hawaii. But maybe it was fate that all of K-bay U was in Hawaii when we were. Maybe it was fate that are husbands deployed again and again while we were there, and maybe it was fate that we all found one another. I miss that, I'll miss that, I hope to find it here, but most of all I hope to one day have us all back together again. (at least for a reunion with Valerie and her undies ;) ).

So far I am trucking on in this unknown territory. It is ironic to me that I dislike change as much as I do but I seem to have an aversion for fear of new places and people. ( I do not even know if that makes sense, but it does to me). I thought about it tonight and I happy, (I will be happier when J gets of this cycle and the next), but I am happy and optimistic.

PS I will add pics soon :)

I'm back....

Last night I had a brilliant idea for a blog but somewhere between sleep and fighting Liem I lost it... So I will settle on a recap to fill everyone in on the craziness that was our life for a few months...

We left Hawaii... Harder than I ever thought it would be... Deep down it was our home and leaving it was not easy, nor was leaving the Beach, weather, or sun... And the saddest part is I can no longer say we live in Hawaii. Soon I won't even be able to say we just moved from Hawaii, and eventually we will change the plates on the explorer... But as always I am grateful for the experience, the friends, and the time we had...

The flight was ahhh alright... 2 Valium and notta. I guess I am just that afraid or have an extremely high tolerance (thanks Mom and Dad). It took about 5% of the edge off but that's about it... Important thing is I made it... I did. We had a few days in CA to secure our house and see base and then we went onto Ohio...

We had a blast in Ohio, minus the weird sleep schedule Luke and Liem followed. We ran ragged all over Ohio and even into PA, but it was wonderful to see everyone and for everyone to see the boys. Luke had the time of his life and still asks about everyone. Liem probably just wondered what the heck was going on... It is a lot of change for little ones but luckily they seemed to go with the flow.

Now we are 100% settled in Cali, well we were about 2 weeks ago but I have been all over the place since arriving. Household goods arrived the 23rd and I was unpacked and decorated by the 25th. As of now I like it here. Driving is a little crazy but Hawaii prepared me for it. Weather is amazing. We are right off the ocean again and get a wonderful breeze. We do not have central air but honestly we do not need it. The boys allergies and mine for that matter are better than ever. Seems like we have so much at our disposal and one day we will get to it :) J's work schedule is less than stellar right now but we knew it was coming.

We are close to the Hanuna's :) and get to see them regularly which is nice since we knew no one coming into this. I have been to a few playgroups and the girls seem nice. A great thing about our development is everyone has 2 or more kids which means there are kids to play with everywhere.

I hope everyone is well and I will be checking in on all the blogs I follow :)