Here we are...

It has really been a long time since I have blogged but we have been busy. Crazy busy. We are finally here in Okinawa Japan. It is such a beautiful place. Everything is unfamiliar. I feel lost multiple times a day but always find my way back to my house-which is now feeling like home-and into the loving arms of my husband and child. The flight over here was exhausting. 26 hours. Multiple layovers- some 3 hrs or more. A 4year old who was up way beyond her usual bedtime and a husband who was adjusting to having 2females in his life 24/7 after a year long deployment in Korea. My butt has never hurt as bad as it did on that plane. Really-there are only so many ways you can move around and only so many places to go right? 

We spent close to two and a half weeks (which is a very short time on military time) in temporary housing. It was a one bedroom studio and lets just say the walls closed in fast. For me it was the first time where I literally had nothing to do and no way of doing anything. You can't drive here until you obtain a drivers license and you cant do that until the class opens up. Then you have to get a car, which really isn't all that hard once you have your license. I had nothing to do and it was just Madison and I. For those that are close to me that is hard for me. I have always been at work and the idea of being a stay at home terrified me to my core. We did okay though. We finally moved into housing and things got easier and Madison and I survived each other. Maybe I am doing okay with this mommy business after all...

Did I mentioit rains here? Well it rains here. It rains ALOT. Back home rain was more of an idea then an actual happening. It pours here. I have thought from time to time that we might float away and need a canoe. You have to worry about tsunami's, earthquakes and typhoons here. Umbrellas aren't all that handy as the wind will take them away.  Thats new for sure. My plan is to do what everyone else does- If the people of Okinawa worry- then you worry.

 You drive on the left hand side of the road which wasn't hard but different. Luckily my brilliant husband gave me some great tips--turn right go high, turn left go low...lol. The people here don't really abide by traffic laws. I think they consider them more of a guideline. Scooters, mo-peds and motorcycles drive in between lanes and dodge in and out of traffic. We have a "Y" on our license plates. Why you ask? Well it classifies you as a professioanl driver. It also means if you get in ANY accident--"Y" yes it is my fault. You just don't get in accidents. You avoid them at all costs. That means this girl had to stop driving like she is on a NASCAR track...

Food. We all love it. I surley dont need it, or at least my rear doesn't. I have seen some strange things, smelly things but have eaten some AMAZING things. Pizza at Bella Napolei, steak at Four Seasons, all to die for. I cannot wait to try more. Ice Cream- you ice cream lovers- this is th e place to be. They LOVE it!! You will never go thirsty here either. You could be in the middle of a sugar can field and BAM a vending machine will appear. As long as you have yen you will not dehydrate. They are on every corner.

I truly believe that I will be a different person once I leave this island and I am going to try and blog more- for now I shall stop rambling and go do something productive. God is love and there are always blue skies ahead...

She is four now.....

Madison turned four yesterday...seems like not so long ago she was just a little bundle of blankets. She seemed so tiny. I have a hard time remembering a lot of those days. I went back to work 2 weeks after she was born. Everyone told me how crazy I was but it really did seem more normal to me to be back at work. I knew my work. I could handle it. Parenting someone actually scared me. I agree with them now. Wish I had taken that time. Stayed at home and watched those first six weeks....Time has come and gone now and she is already 4. Cannot believe it. She is taller then my hip, bright blonde hair, just got her first bicycle with training whees, talks constantly, loves her stuffed baby tiger, tells me what she dreamt about first thing every morning, loves to be outside with the "sweet sunshine," loves her Thomas, her grammy and poppa and knows that she loves mommy "more then the size of the moon!" She is so beautiful and I know that she teaches me something every day. I hope that I can be the parent she deserves and I cannot wait to see what the next year brings..... I love you short stack!

Thoughts

Yesterday was so totally blah. I had zero motivation to get up and do anything. I took care of Madison and then proceeded to find a home on  my couch. It isn't very often that I do this but yesterday I determined was my day to just veg out. I talked to my friends, spoke with my fabulous husband via skype and watched Disney flicks with short stack. I also did what many other Americans and others around the world did. I watched the impending tsunami's through out the Pacific region. It really got my attention. More so when they issued a tsunami warning for Japan and Okinawa, my soon to be island home. How scary. Even more scary the fact that they themselves experienced a 7.0 quake just 50 miles from the island. I started to think about the idea that this could happen at any time while I am there. The fact that my husband is a fire fighter, and more then likely won't be with me. He will be helping make sure everyone else is okay if he isn't deployed to some other war torn country. I discussed these worries and fears with him and we have made a plan. The standard "GO," backpack with important documents, changes of clothes etc.. and the idea that I can handle whatever may come our way. I am so relieved that everyone escaped any massive damage from the waves. Well I suppose it is time to get off of here. Have to go get "Princess," party supplies for the big throw down this Saturday. Cannot believe the little one will be 4! I am certain she gives me more then I give her every day, just with her little smile. Many people I know- older friends really, don't have children yet and sometimes I truly envy their freedom. The ability to go where you want without finding out if it is "kid friendly." LOL. Then I get woke up by that little voice and those big blue eyes and all that envy goes right out the window. Blessed. Yeah that sums out how I feel right now....

Finally!

Today I finally received the fax for Madison to get her passport! Her father finally agreed to and notarized our parenting plan! I was so incredibly nervous that this wasn't going to happen, and finally feel like a huge weight has come off of my shoulders. Those of you who have been around for a while know how stressful and time consuming this is. Here are some tips for anyone looking to get their child a passport when the other parent ( parent listed on their birth certificate) isn't in the same state.

A) Pick up the form at your local post office. They have to actually process passports at that office.

B) It is one page and simple so fill out the top portion.

C) Send it certified and signature only to the other party

D) Have the other parent notarize and sign it and ensure they get it back to you in time.

Without this information you cannot take your child out of the country, even if you are newly married and have orders and even if there isn't a court ordered custody paper. The military cannot help you with getting it done. Its either convincing the other parent to do it or going thru a very large, and tedious court process to get an order.

Now all I have to do is make our appts to get them at Peterson. There is so much to do. Madison turns 4 on March 2nd and planning her princess extravaganza has been a task all in itself! lol.

Orders are coming...

Well I have decided to keep a blog due to the fact that I am married now and we are getting orders to Okinawa Japan. Married. Married to an amazing man. I can not stress how fabulous my husband is. Most of you know him or have heard my ramble about him but for those who are just checking this out his name is Thomas a.k.a "Sparky," and he is great. My little piece of heaven and joy. My daughter Madison. Words cannot explain Madison. She is just..well Madison. My "shortstack." She will be 4 in March and has a personailty that is all her own. Great kid. I couldnt be more lucky. I cannot believe that in 95 days he will be here and we will be getting ready to go. Go a long away from home. I find this tremendously scary and exciting at the same time. Madison of course has no idea what is really happening, but just wants to ensure that we have "stairs," and a yard for a swingset. Her demands are small after all. I am flat out nervous about how we will get where needed- apparently finding a car on the island is one of the most stressful parts once you land. I cannot be without transportation- those who know me well are well aware of the fact that I am constantly on the move. I have tried to not think about leaving everyone yet. I have yet come up with a plan to deal with the fact that Bibb and I wont have our random convos daily, I won't get to see my mom everyday ( a whole other emtotional issue yet to accept), oh and to top it off- No such thing as a Supertarget there. Nope. Not one Target or even though I think its Satans playplace- not a Walmart either. What will I do? AHHH. I am so aware that the pros of course out weigh the cons and I must accept this soon or I will be an emotional wreck in three months. Leaving the mountains behind for beaches and the ocean..I honestly cannot complain. I hope to use this blog to keep in touch and to share the scary, funny, and exciting upcoming moments that are soon to be the best days of my life.....