Congratulations...

to my friend from San Diego, Jill, and her hubby, Jim. Jill and I got our Masters degrees together, bonding over many psych textbooks and much wine. Anyway, Jill was finally able to have her new baby daughter, Ellen, in her arms today... after years of trying and trying and waiting and waiting. They are in Taiwan right now picking her up to bring her home to meet her big brother Myles. I am beyond happy for you, Jill! I just had to share the news that had me bawling with joy this morning;)

Check out a portion of their journey here.

okay so...

we're are NOT moving to Memphis now. Have I been punked?

Ryan still leave for 6 months, but he's been offered a position at the New Orleans office. Can someone get me off this rollercoaster please... I think I'm gonna be sick.

geez.

My house was shown for the first time today. And I got word from my realtor that we'll be getting an offer tomorrow. This is happening too fast.

Tomorrow is Ryan's big pinning for Chief. He asked Delaney and Madelyn to "pin" him because they are the one's that have been most affected by him being in the Navy (and because Sophie would probably stick the pin in his jugular). That was thoughtful. I am so proud of him. He is truly an amazing man, husband, father, and soldier. He must be friggin' awesome for me to follow him and his crazy dreams all around this country lugging his children;) He has worked really hard to make Chief - it is no easy task and quite an honor. Did you know that less than 5% of all the men and women ever in the Navy have made Chief or higher? Ever. That proves it's quite difficult. Tonight, being the last night of initiation, he is staying awake all night and be "beat down and built back up again" as a Navy leader. I don't think it's probably anything compared to "Hell Week" in BUD/S, but I'm sure it's no walk in the park... and he's 10 years older;) I can't wait to see him tomorrow. He's going to look so hot in that khaki uniform! And I'm ready for all this initiation stuff to be over. I'd like to have my husband back, for a month anyway, until he has to leave again:(

Anyway, be sure to tell him "Congrats" when you see him. On that and his newest career move to Federal Law Enforcement as a Criminal Investigator. How funny, he'll be Chief Dick in the Navy Reserves and Special Agent Dick on the outside. HA!!! He'll always just be "Slick" and "Daddy" to us!

Ike

Y'all say a prayer for my stepbrother Jason and his fiance' Mandy. Please. They are hunkering down in Houson right now about to get spanked by Ike. Gina Geigley has family there, too.

It is seriously windy here. Another huge limb broke on that Oak and is just hanging...

The Call, Part II

Memphis it is.






*sigh*






Ryan leaves for Georgia on Oct. 20th and will be done with training Apr. 6th. The girls and I will move to be with him in Tennessee after school is out in May. 7 months without him.

I am feeling so mixed. One extreme emotion to the other. All over the board.

Any thoughts? Wisdom? Empathy? Encouragement? I could use some about now;)

The Call

Okay, so I haven't been seeing my husband the past month, like AT ALL. He's up and out before me -home after I'm asleep kinda thing - thanks to this ridiculous thing called "Chief's Initiation." Gustav was a blessing in disguise, actually, because I got see with him (I know I'm getting no sympathy from you, Gina;). Anyway, we talk several times a day on the phone. Today I couldn't get a hold of him at all. Usually, his phone is on vibrate, and he calls me back pretty quickly. But not today, right? Whatever. I tried not to get my panties in a wad. I figured he was doing something really important, like shining Master Chief's shoes or washing his car or something. Anyway, he finally calls me on my way home from soccer practice and tells me this...

He couldn't have his phone on him today. It was inspection day and if they got caught with a phone on them it would be confiscated. He had to leave it in his car and when he finally got to check his zillion messages, most of me asking stupid questions. around 7pm. But, today, OF ALL DAYS, he hears this as well... "Mr. Dick, this is Agent Whatchmacallit from the Department of Homeland Security Hiring Center calling you regarding your Criminal Investigator application. Please call me back at 800-555-1234. Thank you and have a nice day." WTF? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? They finally call to tell him what we assume is the information that will affect what we'll be doing with the REST OF OUR LIVES and he couldn't answer the freakin' phone!!!! Couldn't even call back today because it was after working hours!!! Someone throw us a bone! ARGGGGH! I just had to share that, because it is SO typical "us" and so ridiculously typically U.S. Government!!! I'm currently picking my hair up off the floor that is falling out in bunches.

I know he'd be so happy if he never had to step foot in Lockheed Martin again. I wouldn't be so thrilled knowing he'd be away for 6 months or finding out we're moving to Eagle Pass, New Mexico (which almost happened, btw), but I'd be so happy and relieved for him. He needs this. Our family needs this... we need a happy Ryan/husband/daddy. He needs a job with a purpose (and a gun;) and he needs to feel like he's making a difference. I know, because we have that in common (except the gun part).

Anyway, another day in the life of Dicks;) If I find out something tomorrow, I'll let you know. Keep your fingers crossed it's somewhere GOOD and FUN and FAMILY FRIENDLY and CLOSE TO FAMILY with GOOD SCHOOLS and LOTS OF CHRISTIANS. Is that asking too much?

On another note... keep sending me your emails, peeps. I'm starting to lose some of the tension and anxiety in my neck from the waxing of my lifeline, I mean, computer.

Everybody...

pahleeze email me!!! I don't have anyone's email addresses anymore. Gustav killed my computer. Told you he was a jerk! It's currently with the Geek Squad and they're trying to revive it - or at least get all my pictures off of it - for a zillion dollars. I've been using Ryan's sucky laptop. It's sad how attached I am to a stinkin' appliance.

ryangie97@bellsouth.net

now seriously...

i just got home, Ike!!!!!!! Give me a second to unpack!!!!!!

seriously...

y'all need to join Facebook so I don't look like the only friends I have are from high school;) I know I put something on here last month about "It doesn't matter how many 'friends' you add" Blah-Blah-Blah. It does when you look like a loser because you haven't made any in the past 15 years!!!

And this doesn't mean my high school friends aren't important. You are. But the world needs to know that I've had the ability to make more friends since good ole' ZHS.

all is well.

we made it home safely last night. our home is fine other than a few big limbs down. there was flooding in town and lotsa trees in houses - but we dodged the bullet again. baton rouge didn't fare as well. keri is still without power and has a big tree laying on her power lines and across the driveway. ryan's sister kerri's house got a foot of water throughout in monroe. they were up all night on tuesday getting her stuff out, wading through mucky water. we had baby cohen with us at the lake. there is massive flooding all over the state, not just down here. one major disaster area.

so that's what's happening now. don't know what the kids and i will do with ryan back at work. i can't go to work yet because the ceiling caved in right over my desk. yea. the girls go back to school monday. i need to run to wal-mart if it's open. we have no food because we had to empty our fridge and freezers. businesses are just opening back up today.

we are so very lucky. again. thank you, Lord, for blessings... which includes incredible in-laws who have open doors and open arms and lots of yummy food;)