In Dec we had to move to JBLM for a short 6 months. However in Feb we got new neighbors. We are a family of 7 and they are a family of 4. It has been horrible to live next to them as they seem to have expected never hearing neighbors. After he confronted us several times they took it to the housing office which offered us no solution other than to talk with him personally. He is an angry yeller (as we hear through the walls) and we have no interest in confrontation with him. Today he took it to a new level of banging and slamming doors for each sound he heard and then went outside where my husband and kids we playing and started yelling, threatening, and cussing indirectly at my husband. We don't feel safe dealing with him and housing said they wouldn't get involved last time. We have 17 days left and don't feel safe without someone dealing with him. WE WILL NOT CONFRONT HIM.
This is the ice complaint I filed today. While we should have called the cops we didn't thin about it at the time and after the fact seems silly. I will be filing a second ICE compliant about the fact that they put 4 person families in 4 bedrooms but we didn't "qualify" for the 4th bedroom until Abbie made us a family of 7.
This is also hindering our choices about where to live at ft.bliss. Originally we talked about on-post but kept our options open if something off post seemed more appropriate. However so far on-post housing is the small crappy duplexes and we will not be in a duplex again. We are good neighbors with just a lot of people noise. We're tired of constantly shushing the boys when we want them to feel "at home" at home. We pay just as much to live here as the neighbors do. We don't party and we don't get in their space or have loud music. Don't smoke and don't bother them other than we walk run prance and jump in and through the house sometimes. Not even daily but occasional we do make noise. We both enjoy playing with our kids.
I just keep praying that God has the perfect house for us there because after 2 cranky neighbors I can't keep living like this. We'll buy an RV and live in the woods before I deal with another cranky person.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Friday, April 26, 2013
Allergies
About 6 weeks ago we began seeing a nutritionist for just some healthy food healthy food suggestions and just over some food guidance. Zavier began seeing her for belly pain. He has off and on the last several years complained of belly pain. He was "treated" with a laxative, which did take care of the problem enough for it to go back into hiding for several months. As it started to flair up again I made him an appointment to seen and she said wheat allergy/intolerance. So we cut out wheat and added some supplements to heal his belly and the damage the wheat had done to his belly. He greatly improved to the point that "if" he gets wheat (occasionally by mistake at school) he knows it and his belly will hurt. He is now on a completely wheat free diet and is doing wonderful with it. He has almost cut out all the healing supplements.
Zander went in to see the nutritionist about his umbilical hernia as either it or his belly have been bothering him lately. He had popped up with red cheeks (shortly after Abbie had Fifth's disease) but the N thought it could also be a food allergy, but since it also could be 5ths decided to wait and see. His face did get worse and worse and began have flare ups with things he ate. It wasn't anything particular as sometimes it seemed like it could just irritation from "always" having food on his face. I took him in to the clinic to get an allergy referral because I just didn't know where to eliminate something. We did try wheat for about 10 days and there was no change. We went down to Portland over spring break and upon returning home his face was cleared up. The next day he got up and had scrambled eggs in coconut oil and his face broke out again. We got a clue that it must be the coconut oil. I stopped making any foods with coconut oil and went to just butter as we've given up most other oils at this point. His face cleared up slightly, but still continued to flare up on occasion but was always red still.
We had our allergy appointment yesterday with the results from his blood draw at the initial dr appointment in early April, and it came back positive for eggs and grass (they don't test for coconut). I was like thank you finally something. However the allergist didn't seem to think I should stop giving him eggs because I have a red face and we're both very light skinned. (Okay side note when involved in a discussion with the spotlight on me I do tend to get a red face and or chest. However it is not always like that). However he hasn't had eggs in 48 hours and when I wiped his face after lunch there was a pale white skinned kid.
I really liked the allergist other than the fact that she told me not to eliminate what was upsetting his face. Zander is a bit more difficult of a child and a picky eater so up until probably Dec he would only occasionally eat eggs (scrambled or fried). When we moved in this house I did make them breakfast more often so he was eating them more and then when we took wheat out of Zavier's diet breakfast has been either cereal or eggs. That is my conclusion as to why it has gotten to the point where his face was like that. Either way I am not going to feed him something that will intentionally upset his body when it is just as easy to NOT feed it to him. She did say baked eggs might not cause the same reaction, so I did put them in my meatloaf we're eating for dinner and we'll just see what happens and go from there.
Zander also started sneezing after they mowed the grass this week so he'll be on the natural allergy meds for the season as Zavier does as well.
So for the allergy record
Zayden-cats
Zavier-cats, dogs, trees, grass (wheat intolerance/allergy)
Zander-eggs and grass
Zander went in to see the nutritionist about his umbilical hernia as either it or his belly have been bothering him lately. He had popped up with red cheeks (shortly after Abbie had Fifth's disease) but the N thought it could also be a food allergy, but since it also could be 5ths decided to wait and see. His face did get worse and worse and began have flare ups with things he ate. It wasn't anything particular as sometimes it seemed like it could just irritation from "always" having food on his face. I took him in to the clinic to get an allergy referral because I just didn't know where to eliminate something. We did try wheat for about 10 days and there was no change. We went down to Portland over spring break and upon returning home his face was cleared up. The next day he got up and had scrambled eggs in coconut oil and his face broke out again. We got a clue that it must be the coconut oil. I stopped making any foods with coconut oil and went to just butter as we've given up most other oils at this point. His face cleared up slightly, but still continued to flare up on occasion but was always red still.
We had our allergy appointment yesterday with the results from his blood draw at the initial dr appointment in early April, and it came back positive for eggs and grass (they don't test for coconut). I was like thank you finally something. However the allergist didn't seem to think I should stop giving him eggs because I have a red face and we're both very light skinned. (Okay side note when involved in a discussion with the spotlight on me I do tend to get a red face and or chest. However it is not always like that). However he hasn't had eggs in 48 hours and when I wiped his face after lunch there was a pale white skinned kid.
I really liked the allergist other than the fact that she told me not to eliminate what was upsetting his face. Zander is a bit more difficult of a child and a picky eater so up until probably Dec he would only occasionally eat eggs (scrambled or fried). When we moved in this house I did make them breakfast more often so he was eating them more and then when we took wheat out of Zavier's diet breakfast has been either cereal or eggs. That is my conclusion as to why it has gotten to the point where his face was like that. Either way I am not going to feed him something that will intentionally upset his body when it is just as easy to NOT feed it to him. She did say baked eggs might not cause the same reaction, so I did put them in my meatloaf we're eating for dinner and we'll just see what happens and go from there.
Zander also started sneezing after they mowed the grass this week so he'll be on the natural allergy meds for the season as Zavier does as well.
So for the allergy record
Zayden-cats
Zavier-cats, dogs, trees, grass (wheat intolerance/allergy)
Zander-eggs and grass
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Why home school?
I wanted to save this link for myself since we are considering home schooling again when we get to Texas. I feel like as a family we are missing out on time together and want to find a way to change that.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
neighbors
I can't decide if we are just the worse neighbors or we keep getting unpleasant people. At the other house we had the wicked witch (WW) who complained cause the boys would throw things over the fence occasionally. Now the time they were throwing rocks yeah they were being bad, but a few toys seems like little to be upset over to me.
Now the new neighbors who have lived here less than 2 weeks have been over to complain about noise. Now a little background on our house we live in a two-story duplex downstairs there is a bathroom that touches their bathroom and the staircases touch as well as one of the kid bedrooms and the master bedroom. On Monday the kids were a bit out of control as it was Presidents Day they were home from school and were playing in the downstairs bathroom around 10:30. The guy came over and said something about how his daughters room is just over the bathroom (our house is mirrored to theirs so we know the layout) and that it was really noisy. Yes they were being noisy I was sitting here watching them just play but it only lasted a few minutes before I told them to knock it off and move on, which was before he came to complain. So they were noisy for 5-10 minutes and then quiet and he came to complain. Tony answered the door and the guy introduces himself with his rank and last name. It's not like we can't read the door just like you can. Surprise Surprise we're the same rank just like the door says. Anyway. He then said some story about where the kids room is located and Tony said we'd be more quiet.
Today I had gone to the grocery store and had asked Tony and the bigger boys to come help carry groceries in and we all made a few trips in and out and then shut the door. I went to attend to Abbie in the kitchen (big open floor plan) and Tony went to put some groceries away in the laundry room (right off the kitchen). After about 2 minutes I asked Zavier why the front door was open and he and Zachary told us that the neighbor had knocked on it. Well by this time he was gone, so we don't really know what he wanted. I'm only guessing it was to complain about the noise. I guess the noise from carrying in groceries. I don't know.
I like our house right now and where we are. I want to be happy in life, but this kind of friction makes me crazy. While my husband can just move on with his simple brain, my complex brain can't. I don't want to have to tip toe around for the rest of our lives. I feel like our little boys will never just get to be little boys in their own space.
We were using swimming as a family activity, but after Monday when the lifeguard wouldn't let us swim in the big pool with all 5 kids it is just less than appealing in the kiddie pool where the water is constantly being dumped on your head by the toys in the area. And I am more afraid Zander will drown in the kiddie pool than the big one with or without a life jacket.
I just don't know what to do with my kids. It seems like everywhere I turn we're doing something wrong as a larger family.
Now the new neighbors who have lived here less than 2 weeks have been over to complain about noise. Now a little background on our house we live in a two-story duplex downstairs there is a bathroom that touches their bathroom and the staircases touch as well as one of the kid bedrooms and the master bedroom. On Monday the kids were a bit out of control as it was Presidents Day they were home from school and were playing in the downstairs bathroom around 10:30. The guy came over and said something about how his daughters room is just over the bathroom (our house is mirrored to theirs so we know the layout) and that it was really noisy. Yes they were being noisy I was sitting here watching them just play but it only lasted a few minutes before I told them to knock it off and move on, which was before he came to complain. So they were noisy for 5-10 minutes and then quiet and he came to complain. Tony answered the door and the guy introduces himself with his rank and last name. It's not like we can't read the door just like you can. Surprise Surprise we're the same rank just like the door says. Anyway. He then said some story about where the kids room is located and Tony said we'd be more quiet.
Today I had gone to the grocery store and had asked Tony and the bigger boys to come help carry groceries in and we all made a few trips in and out and then shut the door. I went to attend to Abbie in the kitchen (big open floor plan) and Tony went to put some groceries away in the laundry room (right off the kitchen). After about 2 minutes I asked Zavier why the front door was open and he and Zachary told us that the neighbor had knocked on it. Well by this time he was gone, so we don't really know what he wanted. I'm only guessing it was to complain about the noise. I guess the noise from carrying in groceries. I don't know.
I like our house right now and where we are. I want to be happy in life, but this kind of friction makes me crazy. While my husband can just move on with his simple brain, my complex brain can't. I don't want to have to tip toe around for the rest of our lives. I feel like our little boys will never just get to be little boys in their own space.
We were using swimming as a family activity, but after Monday when the lifeguard wouldn't let us swim in the big pool with all 5 kids it is just less than appealing in the kiddie pool where the water is constantly being dumped on your head by the toys in the area. And I am more afraid Zander will drown in the kiddie pool than the big one with or without a life jacket.
I just don't know what to do with my kids. It seems like everywhere I turn we're doing something wrong as a larger family.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
December
Came and went without a blog post. It was just that crazy and busy for me. The first two weeks I made my way through the army hoops to sign for housing. Then in the matter of a week I was moved and in a new house and finalizing my papers on the old house. The day we cleared the old house both babies and I had the body aching flu. But we made it.
A few hiccups along the way with silly stuff like my iPhone speakers blowing out. And then we jumped into Christmas. The kids had a very nice Christmas and got plenty of good gifts. We finished out Christmas week hanging out with my friends 2 boys and the boys enjoyed that.
Then we were tossed into 2013. And here we are now. Less than 2 weeks away from Tony coming home, but still have about a 5 day window and I have many things to do to prepare for him to get home. However winter break isn't over until the 7th so still a few more days of all the kids home.
Very excited for Tony to come home and really meet Abbie and her personality. While he spent the first 3 weeks of her life with her she is a whole new amazing tiny person. He is going to be head over heels for her. I'm hoping Abbie isn't too hooked on mommy and hurts daddy's feelings. He's gonna be a whole new daddy when he has to deal with the "Abster". She's amazing.
A few hiccups along the way with silly stuff like my iPhone speakers blowing out. And then we jumped into Christmas. The kids had a very nice Christmas and got plenty of good gifts. We finished out Christmas week hanging out with my friends 2 boys and the boys enjoyed that.
Then we were tossed into 2013. And here we are now. Less than 2 weeks away from Tony coming home, but still have about a 5 day window and I have many things to do to prepare for him to get home. However winter break isn't over until the 7th so still a few more days of all the kids home.
Very excited for Tony to come home and really meet Abbie and her personality. While he spent the first 3 weeks of her life with her she is a whole new amazing tiny person. He is going to be head over heels for her. I'm hoping Abbie isn't too hooked on mommy and hurts daddy's feelings. He's gonna be a whole new daddy when he has to deal with the "Abster". She's amazing.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Is it over yet?
I feel like there is so much going to be going on, but I'm having to wait for it to happen and I just want it all over with. 2 weeks from today we begin the moving process, and 3 weeks from today we have to have this house emptied and cleaned and keys turned in. I keep packing the house, because I can't sit and do nothing every single day. I can't shop or even grocery shop because it's just more stuff to move. I did get all the kids Christmas things ordered and they should be here this week, but we still have to move them. Right now I am still planning to let the military movers move me, but I am still worried they won't like that I packed so much stuff.
The bottom line for me is we don't have nice stuff. We do have a pretty nice (to me) computer and 2 big flat screen TVs, but even one of those has a huge scratch down it from a toy being driven on it. We have put our value in children and want to give them nice toys and clothes, but at this point they still destroy everything. So like I said we don't have nice things that need special packing. I also don't want to have to unpack every box to get to the things I need in WA since we'll be moving to Texas in ~7 months. When I pack for myself every thing is grouped by room and state I want it opened in. I also have to be able to do it with 5 kids underfoot so I can't have long explanations for movers of what goes where.
If only Tony was home I would just pack it all and let him get some friends to help move it and call it good, but being by myself I just can't do it all. (Even though sometimes I think I can. :)
I am trying to rely on the help of others, but every time I do I'm reminded why I never rely on others because everyone has their own priorities.
On a more positive side, we do have a time frame for when Tony will be home. ~50 days give or take a few so I am a little excited, but I still feel like all the things listed above keep me from being excited to get him. Normally I'd begin to get stuff ready for him. Buy his things that he'll need when he gets home, soap, deodorant foods he likes, but instead I'm trying to move have Christmas and then get him home all in ~50 days.
However I am an awesome army wife and take it and go on all while caring for 5 kids and a house. And I know that it will all melt away when I no longer have to worry about him and his safety on a daily basis.
The bottom line for me is we don't have nice stuff. We do have a pretty nice (to me) computer and 2 big flat screen TVs, but even one of those has a huge scratch down it from a toy being driven on it. We have put our value in children and want to give them nice toys and clothes, but at this point they still destroy everything. So like I said we don't have nice things that need special packing. I also don't want to have to unpack every box to get to the things I need in WA since we'll be moving to Texas in ~7 months. When I pack for myself every thing is grouped by room and state I want it opened in. I also have to be able to do it with 5 kids underfoot so I can't have long explanations for movers of what goes where.
If only Tony was home I would just pack it all and let him get some friends to help move it and call it good, but being by myself I just can't do it all. (Even though sometimes I think I can. :)
I am trying to rely on the help of others, but every time I do I'm reminded why I never rely on others because everyone has their own priorities.
On a more positive side, we do have a time frame for when Tony will be home. ~50 days give or take a few so I am a little excited, but I still feel like all the things listed above keep me from being excited to get him. Normally I'd begin to get stuff ready for him. Buy his things that he'll need when he gets home, soap, deodorant foods he likes, but instead I'm trying to move have Christmas and then get him home all in ~50 days.
However I am an awesome army wife and take it and go on all while caring for 5 kids and a house. And I know that it will all melt away when I no longer have to worry about him and his safety on a daily basis.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Whirlwind of events
I have been around and around with our rental company about this move. All I am trying to get out of them is if the owners are planning on repainting when they return. However I have been yelled at for not "telling" the army when they have to move us. Since we have decided to go to post the army will move us. However as everything army related there are hoops I have to jump through on their timeline.
I went into housing on Wednesday this past week and got everything situated for us to take a 4 bedroom home on December 11th. I have been to the transportation office and they will move us, but I have to attend a briefing first on December 3rd.
Also on Wednesday I spoke with the receptionist at the rental office, Rose. She proceeded to tell me that even though they told me I have to move that I must give them notice by the 10th of November if I plan to move out in December and not pay the whole months rent. I said that I didn't know exactly when the movers could move our stuff and she said that was too bad since we we're "choosing to move in December". While that is a bit true since we are on orders for July I don't want to sign a 6 month lease with plans to break it so that requires I move out by about the 15th of December. I also gave the rental company a chance to help me find a place to move, but all they returned to me with was to move to a house in Clearwood (which is about 15-20 minutes further away from here on what has become quite a dangerous road in the winter and dark. Sorry but Tony already spends ~40 minutes driving and I don't want to drive it daily to take the kids to school.) She was very rude and at one point told me I was taking the Clearwood offer "out of the context". Not really sure what was "out of context". She also told me that she was/is military and that I just needed to call them up and tell them when I needed to move and that I needed to know when they were moving me. (At this point I hadn't been to the transportation office due to a misled office staff member at the office.)
After about 10-15 minuted of Rose yelling over me and not listening just yelling at me she hung up on me.
At that point I had to deal with my children so I let it go. About 15 minutes later a different staff member called to tell me that the owner of the company had overheard Rose's side of the conversation and wanted to know what was going on. He was filled in by the office and he said that since it was unique circumstances and that they were asking me to vacate and that I was complying just before they had asked he said that they could allow me to give notice when I knew my dates. The second staff member did say though that they "work for the owners", which was helpful to me in solidifying that this move is on me and they won't care if I wait until January to move. If I don't find somewhere to live they don't care because I am not their concern. And because my kids are a great concern to me I have to be proactive and get moved to a place where we can live until time to go to Texas.
However to do things right I complied with their request to know a date far in advanced and just picked a date and will do my best to be out by then. I turned in my notice on Friday November 9th to be out by December 18th.
I am still hoping to talk to the rental agent about the moving out cleaning/painting. I want to be sure if I hire their cleaner that I will be returned my whole deposit. However the more I think about this situation and the whole cleaning vs. painting debate, I'm going to do the right thing and pray that God will make this situation right for me and help me through it.
But to make this clear, I don't want to move and this has been a horrible situation for me to have to deal with while Tony is deployed. He doesn't care either way as he'll support whatever I decide to do, that makes it no easier. I like the location we live in, I like the school the kids go to, I like the church we go to and most of all we have had our plan to move next summer for a year now and moving in Dec/Jan really messes that up as now we'll be responsible for clearing another house.
I am emotionally spent on this whole experience.
I went into housing on Wednesday this past week and got everything situated for us to take a 4 bedroom home on December 11th. I have been to the transportation office and they will move us, but I have to attend a briefing first on December 3rd.
Also on Wednesday I spoke with the receptionist at the rental office, Rose. She proceeded to tell me that even though they told me I have to move that I must give them notice by the 10th of November if I plan to move out in December and not pay the whole months rent. I said that I didn't know exactly when the movers could move our stuff and she said that was too bad since we we're "choosing to move in December". While that is a bit true since we are on orders for July I don't want to sign a 6 month lease with plans to break it so that requires I move out by about the 15th of December. I also gave the rental company a chance to help me find a place to move, but all they returned to me with was to move to a house in Clearwood (which is about 15-20 minutes further away from here on what has become quite a dangerous road in the winter and dark. Sorry but Tony already spends ~40 minutes driving and I don't want to drive it daily to take the kids to school.) She was very rude and at one point told me I was taking the Clearwood offer "out of the context". Not really sure what was "out of context". She also told me that she was/is military and that I just needed to call them up and tell them when I needed to move and that I needed to know when they were moving me. (At this point I hadn't been to the transportation office due to a misled office staff member at the office.)
After about 10-15 minuted of Rose yelling over me and not listening just yelling at me she hung up on me.
At that point I had to deal with my children so I let it go. About 15 minutes later a different staff member called to tell me that the owner of the company had overheard Rose's side of the conversation and wanted to know what was going on. He was filled in by the office and he said that since it was unique circumstances and that they were asking me to vacate and that I was complying just before they had asked he said that they could allow me to give notice when I knew my dates. The second staff member did say though that they "work for the owners", which was helpful to me in solidifying that this move is on me and they won't care if I wait until January to move. If I don't find somewhere to live they don't care because I am not their concern. And because my kids are a great concern to me I have to be proactive and get moved to a place where we can live until time to go to Texas.
However to do things right I complied with their request to know a date far in advanced and just picked a date and will do my best to be out by then. I turned in my notice on Friday November 9th to be out by December 18th.
I am still hoping to talk to the rental agent about the moving out cleaning/painting. I want to be sure if I hire their cleaner that I will be returned my whole deposit. However the more I think about this situation and the whole cleaning vs. painting debate, I'm going to do the right thing and pray that God will make this situation right for me and help me through it.
But to make this clear, I don't want to move and this has been a horrible situation for me to have to deal with while Tony is deployed. He doesn't care either way as he'll support whatever I decide to do, that makes it no easier. I like the location we live in, I like the school the kids go to, I like the church we go to and most of all we have had our plan to move next summer for a year now and moving in Dec/Jan really messes that up as now we'll be responsible for clearing another house.
I am emotionally spent on this whole experience.
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