Back to Bragg

While we were so close to Ft. Bragg I had to visit. Something about that area is "home" for me. I miss the military atmosphere as well as the lack of drama which encompasses the Shoals Area. We drove thru our old neighborhood and showed James where he lived his first year of life and where he was born at Ft. Bragg. Of course he wasn't thrilled but I found myself getting flooded with memories that left a smile on my face. Ft. Bragg has not seen the hits in the economy like other areas in the world because of the soldiers. Business were popping and traffic was constantly flowing. We visited the PX which I loved and miss! Everyone keeps asking if we will get stationed back at Bragg and we keep saying we don't know. The Army is certain for one thing.."hurry up and wait" so we will not know until November our next duty station. As much as I love being here I am sort of ready to leave North Alabama (I know once I am gone I'll wish I was back here) just because all the drama and everyone in everyone's business!! I do like being around family (most of the time) and especially in those moments when you just need someone who understands you. Shawn's fishing keeps him away a lot so being able to drive 15 min to my mom's or sisters is so enjoyable!!! But we know this is just another resting place in our journey with the Army!

We were able to meet up with my bestie in NC, Beth and her family. I miss her so much. She is due with her 2nd baby in May and I am so excited for her yet sad I won't be there. She was a huge part of my life from Shawn's first deployment to being James first babysitter at only 3 weeks old.

The Thursday before leaving we found out that Shawn made the Major promotion list!! WE were thrilled and caught off guard because he was double below the zone. We didn't get our hopes up s when the list was released and he was on it we were ecstatic. Of course he won't offically be promoted until his number comes up...hopefully within 6 months while we are still here so we can be surrounded by family during the ceremony.

Myrtle Beach 2010

During Shawn's spring break we decided to make the long 12 hour drive to Myrtle Beach to visit my grandfather. Of course my anxiety kicked in about traveling with 2 small children not to mention the morning before we left my van decided to not start...but luckily Honda fixed it :). Shawn had a fishing tourny in Gadsen so the boys and I drove there to meet him and leave from there. Shawn decided to drive straight thru whereas in times before when I drove alone I stopped midway and slept at a hotel. I have to say all in all the road trip was a success. Ethan has learned to sleep most of the way and when he wasn't one of us would sit in the back seat and occupy him. He would get a kick out of my feet propped up next to him so he could play with my toes :) Having a van is a lifesaver in so many ways.

We arrived in Myrtle Beach at 2 a.m. their time. Both boys were asleep when I went to get the key card to the condo...well i come out and Shawn is holding Ethan and James too is wide eyed. I thought "oh no"! As we went to our room I was astonished at how big it was!! James was so excited when he saw the beach from our room. He said "thank you mommy for planning this beach vacation. You're a genius, now give me a hug". It cracked me up. Well Shawn and James settled in for bed and Ethan and I were up until about 4 a.m. Both boys were up at 8:30 so not much sleep.

This was the same hotel that we went to during Shawn's R and R when James was only 6 months old. So to take Ethan there for his first beach experience was very sentimental.

Although the weather was not ideal for swimming outside we were able to dip our feet in the ocean, build sand castles and swim in the indoor pool. All things James was thrilled to do!! James is at the age that everything is fun and exciting and I absolutely adore it. Ethan of course just wanted to eat the sand :). Next time I think the pack and play will go out on the sand with us to deter that tasty plan. We also made a trip to the aquarium as usual :).

We visited grandpa 2 of those days as well. He has been diagnosed with COPD and doesn't have a lot longer to live we think. He recently got pneumonia which with COPD is never a good sign. We spent time with him at his house and went out to eat. He was so happy to see us. I know it must be so lonely being alone so far away from your family. I wish we were at Bragg where we were only 2 hours from him but we just aren't :(

Although it wasn't as restful as I had hoped it was an overall great time. While we were there Shawn and I celebrated our 8 year wedding anniversary...with the boys...by eating seafood!!YUMMO

Kernals and Coffee

Whew! The past few days have had James in RARE form. James is normally a very active but sweet boy. He loves to be on the go but is genuinely sweet most of the time. Well he got sick last Thursday with the crud and was put on meds but he just refused to rest so he was ill as a hornet. Then on Monday night I was awaken by James at 2:30 a.m. saying his ear hurt. I gave him Motrin thinking he was just milking it wanting in our bed. WEll at 5:30 a.m. he again rolled into our room complaining so I laid with him and noticed his ear draining (he has tubes) so I knew it was infected. So on Tuesday we were off to the doctor again... Dr. Melvin looked in James ears and gave the confirmation that they are BOTH severely infected and prescribed 2 more meds on top of what he is already on. James has been so unruly, defiant, mean, unlistening and other qualities that are so UNLIKE him. Tuesday night he literally was on the top of his bed climbing the walls!! I keep asking whoever took my sweet boy to please return him because i miss him. Well on Wednesday morning I went to spin class as normal and Shawn would take James to school. The one time I leave my phone in the car go figure something would happen. I get several texts and calls from Shawn saying that i needed to call ASAP b/c James put a POPCORN KERNAL up his nose!!! Of course I went into panic mode thinking what if he inhales it so far up that it hits his brain and gets lodged or what if we can't get it out and it gets infected!! So I called the doctor and they said to bring him in. So I get home and make James blow his nose until it comes out...luckily it came out fairly easy. Then I took at a look at his coffee ground concoction and just throw out the vaporizer telling James we'll use his money to buy another one...yes he has an account thanks to $$ for Holidays.

Oh it gets better, he also climbed up on the counter and got some coffee grinds and poured in his vaporizer. So I finally get a hold of Shawn and to top things off Shawn has yet again ran out of gas...he refuses to get his gas gauge fixed!!

After many blows the culprit made its exit!!

I know that I will look back and laugh but on days like this I am so thankful to have the "normal" James over this demon child :). I am just praying for patience and understanding until these meds get out of his system!!!