Sunday, October 31, 2010

Trick or Treat Smell My Feet

















Today was a very fun filled day. We got up early did some much needed cleaning in the room. Then at noon off to go get a car yay!! We got a Ford Mondeo 5 dr hatchback.  It's pretty nice and roomy definately British specs. Made it back to base in one piece. Then off to the Subway for some late lunch/dinner. once we got back to the room I got the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes. Paige was Dorthy and Bub was the tin man. They looked adorable as you can tell from the pics. We walked all over it seemed like. There were tons of teens out trick or treating too so different. We actually had to stand in line a few places. Then they had people lined up at the truck of their cars passing out candy. Definately different but a good idea. parents dress up too. It was a great night. We had a blast. paige got freezing cold so we  went back to the room, got bathes, and some hot chocolate. Paige is watching How to Train Your Dragon. Clay Riley is piggin out on M&Ms. In the words of my daughter it was the funest day ever.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Telephone Booth Pics



First Day Of School









Paige had her first day at school. She had an amazing time. We made a short video hopefully it will download. Took some pics. Tomorrow is costume day at school she is super excited. She was really nervous, but seems to be making new friends. Clay Riley starts CDC Monday. YAY!!!!! The house hunting begins Monday as well. Hope to here back from a lady today on my favorite will post pics when I have 'em. Going to try and get a car soon. After school we went to get the kids flu shots (Paige got the mist and Clay Riley a shot).They both did really well then off to our fav place Subway!!! We took some pics at the phone booth in front very London!!!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Rain, Rain Go Away

We've been here for a short time and have gotten a lot accomplished. Paige starts school tomorrow and Clay Riley will start daycare on Monday. We have been walking all over the place and today was the worst because it was raining. Paige has been amazing she just follows me all over. We had to replace her umberella and get one for me and bub. We went shopping for school supplies and found pretty much everything. Going to try and get a car next week and then off to find us a house. Hopefully a 4 bedroom, but a 3 will be fine. The kids have been adjusting fairly well we've played out on the playground almost everyday. The rain here is more like sprinkling, but the wind will blow you away. I wonder at times if I'm still in Oklahoma. I haven't been able to sleep very well and the Advil PM is not helping. Any suggestions? I can't get the video that we made posted so we may have to make a new shorter one. All of the boxes I  mailed to myself made it in good condition and just in time. The kids halloween costumes are in there we just had to get candy carriers. All is well if the rain would just go away!!!

Friday, October 22, 2010

All In One Crazy Day










Our morning of the 20th started out at 0700. Got up, got a shower, got kids ready, repacked stuff, and got out to the car at 0821. We stopped at IHOP and had a wonderful breakfast with Daddy one last time. It was great. Left there about 0930 off to the storage building to put the bike in storage 0945 left there off to the City. We made it to the airport parking lot at exactly 1100, we had to park on the very top row, so down we went to the terminals then up to the ticketing area where we were greeted by Mom, Matt, Papa Bill, and Shana and her kiddos. I didn't get to visit long :( had to get the bags checked and get our tickets. I think I had already started sweating by then. Lots of pictures and lots of hugs, they let Doug go back with us, thank goodness. Security was quite a line but we traveled very quickly. I started crying when mom hugged me for the last time. There is somsthing about know that you won't see your mom for awhile or for that matter anyone else standing in that airport with you. It hit me really bad, I wanted so bad to hold it together for my kids. I was really happy mom kinda followed us around each corner of security until we had to hand over the boarding passes. Paige thought it was kinda crazy she had to take off her shoes and questioned the security lady about, thankfully she was very kind to a quizitive 5yr old. We made it to the gate which was all the way at the end. Lots of walking right at the beginning. Changed a diaper and made a decision to leave Clay Riley's car seat behind for mom to mail. Still was pretty weighed down as we boarded our tiny airplane. Looking back at Doug was the hardest thing and knowing he was breaking down same as me. Paige had noticed my tears and it finally hit her that Daddy was not coming she started crying. Not as much as I thought she would, but enough to break my heart. I held her hand as we took off. She loved it from then on looking out the window, trying out the bathroom for the first time ever. Me struggling to keep a 1yr old in a seatbelt was not fun. When we landed in Chicago, it was a relief to have a wheelchair waiting to take us to the next gate, again all the way at the other end. The lady actually pushed the wheelchair and rolled my carry-on behind. I'm still sweating moving Clay Riley from one hip to the other this was the only time I wished I had brought his stroller. Sitting and waiting for the plane was a task. I had a little boy that wanted to explore and a 5yr old that was thristy and hunger. We solved the hungry by openning up some fruit snacks I had packed and some chips from Shana. I gathered up everything to make what seemed like the longest 150ft to the food court to get a drink. Finally called Doug and Mom to tell them we were in Chicago. Boarded our flight to London at 1710 (5:10pm). I was quite the expert by now just wheeling my kids and carry-on down the aisle hoping that all toes, arms and legs were not in the way cause I was not stopping. We got to our sits towards the back thankful for a bigger plane. Paige had an empty seat next to her and a very kind young lady a seat over that proved to be a big help for this tired momma. Clay Riley fell asleep soon after take off. The served us dinner, drinks about 4 times, and a crossiant for breakfast. Paige and I watched Toy Story 3 on our little TVs in the headrests in front of us. Later she watched Disny Cahnnel for a while until around 2200 (10pm) when she finally sacked out. Clay Riley woke up for about two houra at some point not too happy but got him back to sleep then tried to get some rest myself. (that didn't happen every well). We landed in London at 0650 England time about 1250pm our time. We got off the plane and just followed the crowd. I think my body was dripping in sweat when we finally made it to customs. We were lucky and got pushed through customs rather quickly (the joy of having to small children, people feel sorry for you). Then we were off to collect our bags. I was running on pure adrenaline (mis-spelled but don't care) by that time. Loaded down with 4 bags, 3 heavy carry-ons, and 2 beautifully rested children I started to make my way up to the pick-up line. A very kind gentleman that worked for the airport stopped me and told me to wait that  he was calling for help. Bless those wonderful people that could see I was starting to come apart at the seams. We were rescued by a man orginally from Afghanistan. He was very nice and kind assisting us all the way to the "meeting spot". Where there were several people holding signs, however none of them had my name on them. I was too tired to care at the momented, needed a restroom, and something to eat and drink for my squirmy children. To get that accomplished I had to wheel out cart with luggage everywhere. Got a donut and drink for my kids, went to the information desk twice to have them call for my ride. Blahhh!!! I didn;t even know what time it was. Just when I was about to burst (although I think I already had and was comforted by a 5yr old telling me everything was going to be okay) into tears I heard my name and was greeted by an Army guy going to the same place and waiting on the same driver as me with his family. We connected and sat with his family and chatted forever (it felt like that long). I finally got to go to the bathroom and change Clay Riley standing up cause there was no place to lay the poor kid down. Waiting waiting and more waiting probably close to 2 and a half ours late our driver shows thanks to Chris (the Army guy). We enjoyed a chat with a very English lady about her little boy turning one. She took a fancy to Clay Riley and by the time we left he waved "bye bye." We loaded everything onto a small trailer attached to a van (the driver called it a bus it was a van), surprisingly enough bags for 7 people fit perfect. Then we were off and I mean off like a rocket cause apparently that is how they drive here like their back-end of their cars are on fire. We went down a corkscrew out of the airport parkin at I would say 45mph. Oh yeah, I told Paige we were on a roller coaster and to hold up her hands. She thought it was great fun where I was afraid we might not make it to the base. We arrived to the base at 10something. I couldn't even tell you quite how we made it in one piece. Unfortanately the celebrating came to a hault when we discovered we had lost an important piece of luggage. Paige's carry-on was missing which just so happened  to contain  our passports. I was actually starting to question myself about if we had packed it on the trailer when Erica ( the Army guy's wife) came out saying they were missing a bag that contained their laptop, birth certificates, marriage cert, his orders and othe important info. So we both think our bags are somewhere in between here and London on the side of the road. We are all hoping that they fell out close to the airport and someone (God bless them whoever they maybe) well turn them in. Finally met my sponsor and  got settled into a very nice room still upset but upset and comfortable. Got ahold of Mom and Doug later on. We are doing okay. Went to sleep at1500 and woke up at 2300 kids too. Called Daddy and talked for a long time. Went back to sleep and just woke up and about to start a new day. It can only get better.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Three Days and Counting

I'm really new at this thing but here goes. I'm going to be PCSing to England in three days. My kids are going with me and my husband will be joining us later. I've been staying back and forth between my parents and his parents house since the 4th of October. In the short time we have been houseguests we have made at least 6 to 7 trips to Lawton, 2 to Anadarko, and 2 to Altus. We have been enjoying our time here and have helped throw a baby shower for one of my cousins and his wife, had two different dinners with family (we have a lot of people and coordinating something takes alot) so I've had awesome Dad burgers out on the grill, and tonight we feasted at Olive Garden (my fav place), and today we also too family pics with my three brothers, their wives and kids, and my youngest brothers girlfriend who is totally awesome by the way!!! We have mailed at least five boxes to our temp address in England one containing the kid's halloween costumes. I'm so excited, scared, and nervous all at the same time. Paige (my oldest) is fearless. I personnally think that reality hasn't hit just yet for her that we will be far far far far away from her cousins, and grandparents. There have been a few moments over the last couple weeks where I have felt like a horrible mother for taking my kids so far away from our families here. I keep telling myself that this is a chance of a lifetime for us and it will be great for all of us. Here's to meeting new friends, tasting new foods, and traveling to new places.