Wow, I know it has been awhile since I last wrote something, but I didn't think it was this long.

The job search continues. I've had 2 interviews for different jobs with Carlson Wagonlit Sato Travel. They have to do a full back ground check on me then hopefully one of them will hire me. The hardest part is to have the patience to sit and wait. I guess its a good thing that I don't "need" the job. Can you imagine if I actually needed the money to pay bills and had to wait 3 weeks after and interview to to find out if I was accepted or not? Talk about stress.

The dream of opening our own boutique has not gone away, it's just on hold. Dave has started his networking in the golf world for his retirement job. He is working with a golf corse event coordinator in planning a tournament with the wounded solders. He is also putting in extra time as the baseball coach for Brian's team. So between work and sports he keeps himself busy.

The kids are the same ol same ol. Dyan is starting to excel in his school and has not had a bad report in quite a while. Ashley poured out 4 bottles of my nail polish on my closet floor carpet. Which put her at the top of my most watched list. Nick is just happy to have a golf club, or baseball glove in his hand. He also wants to go up to the clouds using bouncy shoes, but hasn't come up with a way to get down yet. Brian had his bike stolen from a friends front yard, and he had to make a police report in case its found somewhere.

You can find me most times on facebook, cleaning house, watching tv, at soccer practice and games and now with the warm weather at the park with the babies. My days of pilates have just about faded. I need to get back into the groove, but I just cant seem to motivate myself. Perhaps when I have to wear a swimsuit, although by then it maybe to late. Oh well.

So I guess until next time...

I had an interview with Dave's unit. All in all the interview went well. Some of the questions were standard, tell us about yourself, best and worst qualities, what do think this job entails..etc. Other questions were more technical, do I know what system they use for budget analysis, do I speak spanish, how well do I know DTS. At the end of the interview there was a test on the computer with DTS. Could I prove that I can actually make a travel arrangement. Thankfully Dave showed me how to use the system and aside from feeling like I took a long time, I proved I could.
But in the end I didnt get the job. They offered it to someone who speaks fluent spanish and had been doing the same job with a different unit.
Im ok with that. I would rather not have gotten the job because I was not as qualified as they wanted, then to have not tried at all. I started looking back at the Carlson office in San Antonio and found a posting for both a senior agent and a regular agent. I applied for the senior position. The interesting part is within hours of applying they sent a reference request to John, my former manager. I hope the hours and pay will be what Im looking for or I might have to actually turn it down. The job is at the 24/7 emergency call center. Obviously with Dave constantly having to go out of town and having 4 kids, working nights and every weekend is not an option. So now we wait.
On the plus side the anxiety I felt about putting the babies in daycare has been completely washed away. We went to a day care center to check out the place and the babies just moved in like it was no big deal. When the tour was over and it was time to leave, both of the babies waved to the kids and said "goodbye friends" They didnt want to leave school and actually gave me a fuss about getting back in the car.
Well, that is all Ive got for now.....

No news is good news right? Still nothing confirming Dave leaving.
I have applied for several government jobs and so far I was turned down for one and accepted for another, so now I'm just waiting on a phone call for an interview time. In the mean time I'm also waiting to see if I was accepted for any of the other jobs as well. I decided to try and go for a government GS position instead of walking into a simple travel agency as I have always done. The pay is twice as much as I have ever made and there is a greater chance for promotions.
The family is same ol same ol. Boys go to school and the babies keep the house just dirty enough for me to have something to do. Sorry not a lot going on here at the moment so until next time....

Dave is packing up for a possible trip to Haiti. This is a deployment I can deal with, but the conditions make me worry. He went to Haiti in 1994 for a humanitarian mission, so he remembers what things were like. Lots of sick and homeless people everywhere, hot, smelly, bad mosquitoes and of course the tremendous amount of people who have HIV and AIDS. Now the situation is 100 times worse and I pray he is even more vigilant of the people around him. He has a huge heart and I know he will do anything that needs to be done, if it's digging in the rubble, applying first aid, passing out supplies or security he will do it tirelessly. He does not know for sure if he is going or how long he will be gone or if he will even be able to call home once he is there. I'll keep you posted.

After hours of discussion Dave and I have decided to take things slow on the boutique. We both felt that we got a little ahead of ourselves. We are still going to do our best to open a store, but probably not my June of this year.
Dave is still committed to the army, and until they give him the final retirement we must not make such huge plans when truth be told we might be asked to move again. This is ok, it will give us time to replenish out bank accounts and make it look to the banks that we can actually payback a business loan.
I have come to the realization that I am NOT a stay at home mom. As much as I wish I was, I am not. I love my children to no end, but honestly I need time away from them every now and again. I am loosing my sense of self. I'm more unhappy than happy and unfortunately I tend to take it out on Dave. He has always known I was not meant to stay home, but he also knew I needed to figure it out for myself. Finally after 3 years I've figured it out, so my resume is up to date and I have begun the job search. I'll let you know what happens.

Happy New Year!

I really don't think this year could be topped. Dave came home from Iraq. We moved to San Antonio, TX and bought our first house. I was able to furnish the house with brand new furniture, buy Dave a truck and still have money for a swimming pool.
This year we hope to finish with the decorating of the house. A computer station and organized play area upstairs. Dylan's room needs some paint. Painting the dinning room and turning our bedroom and bathroom into a spa. The vegetable garden, and tropical plants surrounding the pool area.
The biggest event happening right now is the process of opening our own business. This is an idea that Dave and I each had at separate times. In Hawaii there is a clothing boutique. I love their clothes so much I had Dave go on a shopping spree to fill up my closet before he left Hawaii. The clothes are famine, floral and flirty.
One night I had a dream that I owned a store. I woke up and thought how funny it was that I liked her clothes so much that I dream of them. A few days later Dave and I were in the car and the subject of the future came up. He then began to tell me he had a dream of us owning this store. I laughed and said I did too. We talked about it, but set the idea aside. In December we went to a little apple cider festival and as I walked passed a store front that was for rent. I thought to myself that it would make a good location for our store. A few seconds later as Dave walked passed the same store he yelled up to me that this was a good location for the boutique. With this happening again we decided to look further into this crazy idea. So here is the idea for our boutique...
It's a small women's and girls clothing boutique.It has a romantic, vintage, shabby chic feel. The smells in the air will be of roses, lilac, lavender and jasmine. The music playing in the back ground will be singers and standards. Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Michal Buble, Elle Fitzgerald etc. The wallpaper will be vintage floral. Pink and cream paint. Dark brown hard wood floors, white and cream shelves, armories and tables ,and crystal chandeliers. The clothes are soft flowing sun dresses and shirts. Capri pants and shorts. The extras will be handmade beaded jewelry, soaps, lotions, candles and my tote bags.
We are still in the planning stage. Dave will be calling the owner of the Hawaii store this month and with luck we will get an ok and either we will be owners of a franchise or buying their clothes wholesale. I will keep you posted on the progress and welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Sorry it's been a while. We have finally finished on the big project for the house, the pool. I tell you it turned out just like we hoped it would. Now it's time to relax a bit and start saving up for the big spring project, the vegetable garden.

Things are running pretty smoothly here, the boys are still doing good in school. The babies are driving me crazy and Dave is doing his best at finding me a job with in his office. The thought of going back to work is exciting and scary. I'm scared only because it's been almost 3 years since I worked. I'm looking forward to the positives of working though, a little more income will help with the stress of having real bills now. The babies will get to interact with other kids at daycare and waste the crazy amount of energy they have. And then there is the fact that I'll actually have a reason to get fully dressed and out of my well worn yoga clothes.

The job has a bit of a change for me, I'm a little bit of a go to girl. I'll do some standard secretarial work and organizing. But what I'm most comfortable with is the travel needs that this group has. I've started putting together my resume with some other info then just travel agent jargin. Thankfully my computer has grammar and spell check, otherwise I'd be screwed.

Another job option that we've come up with is starting our own business. We have this grand idea based on my most favorite store in Hawaii. My only problem is I have no clue how to ask the designer if I can sell her clothes in my store. Do I say "Hi I really love your clothes and want to sell them in my store" Or do I say "Hi I want to open a store based on your store and would love to sell your clothes" Then lets just say she says "ok sure" then do I buy them from her and keep them in my garage until I find a place, or do I find the place first and hope she says yes.

The more I think about it, the more I'm just comfortable working for the government and getting a great paycheck. Then to put my house up as collateral and if the boutique fails not only will I be out of thousands of dollars, jobless, but now homeless.

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

So I sit here thinking of something interesting to write and I can't come up with much. The latest goings on in my life are centered around the children. The boys have finally started their sports. Brian is in fall baseball and Dylan in soccer. During the day they have school which leaves me at home with the babies who are creating work to keep me busy. We have practices though out the week and games on saturdays. The games I am sad to admit are poorly watched by me and Dave since at soccer we are trying to keep the babies from running onto the field to play with the ball. During the baseball games Im dealing with the babies and Dylan and the constant need to check out the concession stand or get stuck under the bleachers while Dave is on the field or in the dug out with Brian.
The days are still hot and muggy something I hope is not the norm. Thankfully the pool will be installed next week. I do hope it stays warm just enough for us to get in a few times before we have to close it for the winter.
All in all I can't complain. We are all together and finally into a routine. We still have a list of things to do around the house and no deadlines to meet. I put out a feeler on a job and to my surprise I was offered a position, unfortunately it was not the job I wanted. I was hoping for a position as an outside agent, but the offer was for an office agent. With the babies not in school I cant see the benefit in working so that my paycheck can pay for daycare. Maybe in time they will call me back and say they have the perfect situation for me.
I did get my hair done which was long past due. I spent 4 glorious hours at the spa drinking hot tea getting my head massaged and chatting it up with adults that I didn't need to yell at or repeat myself too. I will remember how that felt and try to go back in a month or two.
Until then I will continue to stay home cleaning up after everyone, trying to make a dinner that all four kids will eat and keeping myself busy with projects so I don't get bored.

New Mexico

There are certain times of the year that I love coming to New Mexico and the fall is one of those times. We came back just for the weekend to pick up the stuff we left behind when we moved. The stuff that I should never have bought in the first place. But whatever its time to fully move out of my parents house, and this weekend was as good a time as any to do it.
Fall is my favorite time of the year in New Mexico. The weather cools down to a very comfortable degree and the smell of roasting green chili is in the air. My mom and I have been going to the Bernalillo Wine Fest every year that Im here and then theres the statefair, balloon fiesta and the Pumpkin Patch in Moriarty. These are the things that I miss other than the family, but with all that said I look forward to finding out what great local things San Antonio will have during its fall season? I have already figured out that football is a major part of Texas. The best part I have already figured out is that I don't have allergies there. so heres to finding and enjoying new things.

Whats new

Well things are off to a good start. The boys have started school which is a blessing to me. As much as I truly enjoy having my boys around I absolutely enjoy the peace and somewhat quite that comes with them not being around. The babies seem to be alot easier to manage and I think they like having the house to themselves. Its funny to me that I still call them the babies since they are 2 and not technically babies. I wonder when I'll stop?
Anyway where was I? Now is the time to start working on the yard. We have started the process on the pool installation which should be complete by october-ish. Then we start the fall plantings of trees and shrubs. The spring is the big planting time for us. Dave will be building some vegetable planter boxes and then I'll start the vegetables and other pretty plants for the yard. I think I'm most excited about this project because I know I won't have to dug it up when we move. (no more military houses) We have big plans for the back yard and look forward to many days and evenings spent outside. Hopefully next summer won't be such a scorcher as this one has, but at least we'll have a pool.
Im doing much better now that our family is back together and things are as they should be. I have my moments of irritated melt downs, and as Dylan says I need to take my chill pills. I still find myself asking Brian for help when Dave is sitting right there. I need to remember that Brian is a child and not "the man of the house" anymore. Dylan requires a bit more extra attention and I have gladly handed that job off to Dave since he has more patience and energy then I do. The babies are working on potty training which for some reason seems to be taking twice as long as it took Brian and Dylan to figure out.
Well, that about does it. I've updated you with the latest, not to much going on around here. Enjoying our house, our yard and new neighbors. So I guess until next time....

guests

We had our first dinner guests in the first week that we moved in. Now we just had our first out of town guests, my mom and nephew Ayden. They were here for a week and boy what a week it was. Lots of shopping, sea world, cave explorations, painting of rooms, margaritas at the river walk, and watching the Dallas Cowboys at training camp. Oh and the best part, mom's cooking. I love my mom's cooking. Its the best part of going home and the hardest part to leave. No matter how much I try my sopapillas don't pop open like hers, my tortillas aren't as round and my chili is not as flavorful. Oh and some how I burn my beans????? My excuse is/was that I didn't have a cast iron griddle and pot or a pressure cooker. Well now I'm out of excuses because I have them now. The best part is that I have a family that will eat my cooking and tell me it tastes like my moms even though my sopas are a little raw, my tortillas are more square then round and my beans are part refried and whole. I lie my excuse now is that I haven't had a life time of practice. So as they say practice makes perfect and bon appetite

Pictures of house

All moved in

Ok, we are all moved in, and we have already had a round of guests. I love it! The funny thing is even with all the new stuff combined with our old stuff this big house still looks empty. My problem is that I know I have the rest of my life to fill it up and decorate, but I want to do it all NOW. I've put my self on a 2 week spending freeze, so I can put together a room plan for each room instead of just buying "stuff". Ok yeah 2 week isn't going to happen, but at least I thought about it. Brian is just as crazy as I am. I told him once his bedding came in (army camo) we would paint his walls and buy other items for his room. Now its here and Im running out of excuses on why we can't go shopping today. Dylan could care less about decorations, he's just happy to have his own room with a TV. Nick has a basketball hoop in his room and this makes going to bed difficult. Ashley took to her pretty princess bed just fine, but she sleeps with a hotwheels car and one of nicks basket balls. All in due time as they say. Everything will fall into place and I'll be looking for projects to do. I have a list of things I want to do, but I need to remind myself that Im not moving anymore so there is no more time limits. Take my time and do it right.

Home Owners

Dave and I are now officially HOME OWNERS! It has been 15 years and 10 moves, but we've finally made it. I truly can't be more excited. I have no regrets about the location, or the style of house. Once we get the back yard under way it will be absolutely perfect for us.
We are going to "camp out" in the empty house tonight instead of spending anymore time in the small apartment. It will be loud and crazy, but we have no neighbors to worry about. The new furniture will be delivered tomorrow and our stuff from Hawaii will be delivered on Friday, so the ruffing it wont last long.
While I'm here at the apartment packing Dave is out buying the kids some bikes and other toys. It feels like a very good Christmas that has come early. New furniture, TVs, Toys and house decor galore.
I will post pictures in a few days. I truly hope that you will be able to make a visit to San Antonio, and now you have a place to stay.

waiting

Still waiting. The story of my life. We don't close on the house until July 15, but we are ready NOW. The bankers are ready, but the house is not quite finished yet. The paint needs touching up and the appliances need to be installed. All this waiting around is driving us all a little nuts. We are living in a 2 bedroom apartment without much to do, but we try and spend the day out and about, but even then....
On the bright side I've been on the funnest shopping spree ever. It took me 5 hours to spend what took me 5 years to save. All brand new furniture for the down stairs and all 5 bedrooms. I will be using our other furniture for the up stairs game room for now. I still need to decide on room decorating themes for the kids, but the rest of the house is a little Pottery Barn, mixed with Pier 1 and World Market. I hope it comes out as nice as it is in my head.
Dave is working on the master plan for the back yard. So far he has picked out the sitting area. He has a pool guy coming a week after we move in and the play ground people will set up a cool play set around September. He plans on an outdoor kitchen with dinning area and fireplace. All I ask for was a little corner to grow my vegetables and to have lots and lots of plants. This is another thing that I hope turns out as cool as it is in my head.

Lovin Texas

So far I have not found a thing I don't like about this place. The shopping has all my favorite stores and now Im adding to the list. Everything is with in 5 miles from where we live so dealing with the freeways has turned out to be not so bad. There are 12 freeways by the way not 4 as I previously thought. We went the beach a few days ago and it only took 2 hours to get there. We are 40min to a lake for some camping trips. And only 10 minutes to both Seaworld and Six flaggs. There is so much to see and do its hard to be bored.

The house is in escrow and moving along. They are doing the final touch ups and cleaning. We should be closing on July 15.

The kids are having a ball. The boys are up for anything Seaworld or some thing adventurous. The babies are good as long as they have a cup of milk in their hands. They all love the pool even the babies don't want to get out of the water.

Thats all I've got for now. I'll post some pictures soon.

On the road again

Time to hit the road again. Tomorrow we head up to Dallas to pick up our Pilot. Its about a 4 hour trip so it's not too bad. After we pick up the car we are stopping by our old friends from Hawaii the Noye's. The best part of seeing them is that Brian's best friend is Michael and they get to catch up and goof of for a few hours.
Then to add to the road trip we are headed down to to Corpus Christi on Saturday which is only a 2 hour ride from here in San Antonio. Can you believe that? Not only am I in shopping paradise, but Im 2 hours from the ocean. I tell you San Antonio just gets better and better everyday. The only part that needs work is my navigation. In Hawaii there is 1 highway, in Albuquerque there are 2 and here in San Antonio there are at least 4 that go in each direction. Good thing I have a GPS, and the turn arounds help Dave because he doesnt listen to the GPS.
So until I get back good night.....

New House

We finally bought our very own house! I can't express how excited Dave and I are. We have been living on base housing or rental apartments for 15 years and now we have our own house. We finally get to paint the walls, plant flowers ,and buy good solid furniture. We got to San Antonio on Saturday and found the house on sunday. Since we thought it couldnt possibly be that easy we looked around for the next two days, but kept coming back to this house. It is the model that we have liked for the last 5 years and even though we didnt get to pick out the flooring or the cabinets, it has the same stuff we would've picked out if we had. It is a 5 bedroom 3 1/2 bath brick home on a corner lot. The back yard has room for pool, playground and my vegetable garden.

I have always said that things happen for reason and this just adds to my list. We were driving around an area that we had seen on the internet and decided to rule it out because it was too far from post. On our way back into town we decided to look at an area just for kicks, We asked the agent if they had any "regency" models. She said yes, two of them. As we pulled up to the house we both got excited. Just from the road it had already met some of our criteria. Its on an oversized cul de sac lot and red brick. When we walked in our jaws dropped the inside was perfect. The right color carpet, tiles and cabinets. The back yard is a crazy shape, but since we were planning on breaking up the yard into zones anyway it was perfect. Its really like the house was built for us and we didnt even need to ask.

We close on July 15th so we will excepting guests anytime after that.

Counting down

It's getting close. Moving day is just around the corner, and I couldn't get anymore excited! I cleaned out the house of all the stuff I wasn't supposed to buy while I was here and tried to sell it in a yard sale. I'm getting ready to pack up our rooms and start living like we were just here on vacation. These are the crazy moving days that most people dread, the purging and organizing. These are the days that I thrive on. Just keep the kids out of my way and I'll be done by dinner time.
5 days and counting.