Full Time Job

Someone explain to me how it is that I could possibly feel more busy as a stay-at-home mom than I did when I was employed at a regular job. . .

Right now, my calendar has something written on it nearly every day for the next few months, and I still marvel at how that is possible. I guess when you add up swimming lessons, preschool classes, preschool fundraisers, field trips, holiday parties, Coast Guard functions, guests arriving every month, doctor's appointments, home repair appointments, and all life's events, it all adds up pretty quickly. When I asked my mom her thoughts on this quandary, she answered, "Well, when you work at a regular job you have to miss out on a lot of these things." And I suppose the reality of the situation is, she's probably right.

So anyway, long story short, we've been very busy as usual. Let's get you caught up . . .

Brian's mom, Bev, arrived just over a week ago, and we've been running non-stop ever since. As usual, she came bearing gifts, hence this very adorable picture of the kids in their new outfits.

Charley was anxious to show Grammy the "new park," so we took a few minutes to enjoy a beautiful afternoon.


A couple days after she got here, we took Bev for a drive up the west side of the island to show her the "tent cities," which I've talked about before on here, and then we drove up the Kolekole Pass for the spectacular views.

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the Coast Guard Spouse's Association annual welcome tea for all the new ladies on the island. While this type of event is normally not my bag of tea (no pun intended), my friend Kathy talked me into going, and I'm very glad that I did. It was fun to get out of my mommy clothes and into some "tea party" clothes (which I had to borrow because of course I had nothing appropriate to wear), to hang out with my friends for the afternoon, and to see the Admiral's gorgeous home at the lighthouse near Diamondhead. Here I am getting ready to head out . . .

Here are two of my very favorite girls, Kathy and Andre (and her beautiful new son Charlie). Unfortunately, the other member of our "momtourage," Marian, was out of town, so she didn't get to join us for the tea.



On Sunday, we decided to do a little shopping, so we took the kids to the Navy Exchange. Here is Zander trying out some new equipment.

Here is Charley's pathetic and forlorn look because we let Zander go on the ride first.

Obviously her mood improved.

Last night, I attended another Coast Guard spouse's event, once again at the urging of Kathy (she is always up for anything new and fun), and I'm really glad that I did. We went to our first "Book Club" meeting, where the group picked books and meeting times for the next nine months. As most of you know, I'm still a huge nerd at heart, and one of my favorite all-time hobbies is reading. I figured it would be fun to read some stuff outside my normal reading list, and to get together with other ladies to talk about these different books. This month we are reading "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd (just made into a movie), and next month we are reading "Grace" by Richard Paul Evans. It should be a fun way to meet new people and engage in interesting discussions, while doing something that I've always loved doing, reading. I know, I know, I'm a dork.

So that's where we are at so far. We still have lots on our agenda this week, like going to the flea market, swimming lessons, preschool, baking for a preschool bake sale, pumpkin patch visit, yard work, and maybe a visit to the beach. The fun just never ends . . .

On a very different note, I would like to send out a massive prayer request for one of Charley's classmates and friends, Lily. She is only three years old, and doctors just found a large tumor on her adrenal gland, which she will have surgically removed in the next week. They do not know if the tumor is benign or malignant yet, nor do they know what the long-term implications of her condition are. Her parents say that, at this point, the prognosis is not great, but Lily has a lot of things going for her, like her age, her health, and the fact that they caught it before it started making her sick. I suppose most people cannot even begin to imagine what she and her family must be going through. So please say a little prayer . . .