The thrill of being a military family

There is so much thrill for me being a military wife. I love moving. I love being in new homes, new places, seeing the country (world). We are hoping to come down on orders to our next location very soon and I'm so excited. We will for one be closer to family, but far enough that we aren't local. 

I am having a really hard time as my local BFF is preparing to leave El Paso. We hang out several times a week. Her child and one of my child are smitten with each other. They can spend hours together and never get bored of one another. They truly enjoy each other and I enjoy hanging out with my friend. Her leaving is one of the reasons I've been pressing to get out of here, despite how much I love El Paso. 

We had such a blast PCSing last time that I'm ready to spend that time with my husband and kids again. However we are taking a vacation this year and will spend about 10 days together traveling to and from vacation location. 

I'm trying to enjoy the life I've been given. Make my kids and my husband happy, while still doing things for myself. 

My time is over and a little one is screaming for his bed and milk. Off to tend to a blessing. 

Cuddles

Today little Mase climbed up on my lap. And just cuddled me. It's amazing how special your babies are when they do that. He finally fell asleep because that's how he used to go to sleep is cuddling. He's not quite 14 months, but he's a crazy busy little boy. He really is a blessing to our family. I'm so glad God gave him to us.

However during my cuddles today I realized that you never know when the last cuddle like that will be (and I don't mean due to death), but when your babies just out grow it and it will never happen again.

I think it hit me because a few months ago Tony was in the field for an exercise and I asked Zach to sleep with me. He said he would lay there until I fell asleep, but he was too big to sleep with me. Where the heck did time go? He's 12 and won't sleep with him mom (and Mase).

Parenting really is one of the most special and amazing times in your life. If nothing else I have been so blessed to get to parent all 6 of these kiddos. They really are my favorite kids.

Hug and cuddle your babies because they are only little for a little while.

Back to school I go again.

So for about 3 years I have been 1 (3 credit) class away from my Associate's degree. The class is College Algebra. I'm not good at math like I was as a child, and I have this view of "I've gone 10 years without needing this info and I'm doing what I love so what on earth do I need this for?". I finally gave up on just completing it through the community college I was enrolled in because I could never make it through the course because, while it is an online course, there were 3 test that I had to go into a testing center for. My life is unpredictable as a military spouse and a homeschooling mom with 6 kids. I can hardly plan anything that I need childcare for and almost never commit to anything that is kid free. Then finding a place that is flexible to get the testing done or nearby or with in the tiny time frame I am ever without children.

I finally switched and will be attending Grand Canyon University starting the end of this month. All classes are 7-8 weeks and I have 14 classes to finish a bachelors. It seems to be all online and should take 2 years to finish the degree. This college is a bit over my pell so hoping to either use part of Tony's or we'll just pay out of pocket the $1135 a year that isn't covered.

Tony is also going to be attending GCU starting the end of June. He will have to go longer as he doesn't have as many credits transferring over as I did. However it should help when it comes to promotions for him.