A little udpate on Dan

Dan is doing well. His first full week went well. He tested well in the water and with all of his athletics. Everyone had to take on an additional job and Dan "interviewed" to assist with anyone who needed extra help in the water. He figured if he could get me in the pool he could probably get others through their tests. So, now he goes to the pool a few extra times a week to help the students who need a little extra help. Of the 5 he started with, 2 have passed now and the other 3 are on their way. He's a very good teacher. A comforting, non-anxious presence.

He's living in barracks. He has one roommate who's a doctor. Dan's room was one of two that passed the first official inspection. Apparently, a broom is not an adequate floor cleaning device so he and his roommate crawled around the floor with rags to get everything clean. Now do you understand why I miss him so much when I'm cleaning! He's allowed to have one picture on his desk and right now it's the 3D ultrasound of the baby. His roommate thinks that's a little funny.

There are about 30 students in this class. Over half of them have over 17 years in the Navy. They were previously enlisted and have been promoted to Sargent Majors, which is an officer's position. It's a huge honor and means they've done well in the service... but a few of them are getting a little tiered of learning the basics all over again with the newbies. It's all review for Dan too, but he's trying to keep a good attitude.

We've been able to talk nearly every night, which has been very helpful and he's been writing as well. Email if you'd like his mailing address. No food as they can't have snacks but most other things are ok. He graduates in 4 weeks so I'm going to end this and get plain tickets. Now that I'm a short timer, I don't feel bad about missing a weekend or anything. We'll get to spend a few days together and get him moved into the BOQ (more like apartments, no roommate - except for me and baby Spies for a few days).

And today we rest...

It's been a very crazy week. Dan left on the 17th and I've been working like crazy ever since to get the house ready to go. This last week especially has been busy. Mom and Dad came out last weekend to help out. Hugely helpful. This past weekend was a blur... The deck is now painted, the house cleaned out, mostly staged, and nearly clean.

This was the day the Realtors were to walk through... but most of them didn't come back from their long weekend so our realtor canceled the walk through. For as disappointed as I was that they wouldn't walk through today as I've been working like crazy getting ready for them... there is still SO MUCH to do!! I'm a little glad.

The house is officially on the market. That's good. I still need to clean the bathroom door (how does it get so dirty) and figure out how to clean the bathtub (Dan always did this). Linda cleaned the oven when they were here last (THANK YOU SO MUCH) as Dan always did this too. Now, for the record, I miss Dan because I love him... but also because he knows so many useful things.

I'm exhausted, but not too much. The big task for today is one load of laundry. Something well within my reach. I can feel the baby move more and more. That is super cool. It's especially fun when I ask the baby to move and he does. (I know, it's just chance... but it is still pretty cool.) On Thursday I'm planning to shop for a body pillow... which should also help.

Dan is well and a little board... more on that later.

Moving to where?

So it's been a super busy few weeks. Dan left on Thursday and we got his orders the same day. We were both very glad to finally know what the plan was, but we were very surprised to learn that we were stationed in Gulfport, Mississippi!

Not where we had planed, but were we are headed. These days I'm doing well with this little surprise. We'll see how it goes when I don't have as much to keep me busy. :-) The grace in all of this is, as it seems today, Dan will be stationed on a base where he is likely to stay on base! That means he will get to learn to be a Dad here rather than in Iraq. This makes us both very happy.

I'm still feeling great and I'm super busy. The house goes on the market on May 29th, so I'm getting everything packed away and organized. Ron and Linda were a HUGE help this last weekend and everything is going really well.

More news when I'm feeling more wordy.

Sneeking away...

It's been a crazy week. We have painters in our house right now. We've met with a realtor and have a few boxes of books packed already. It is a strange feeling to pack and not know where we're going or when I'll get to unpack things. The good news is, most of the books will keep a few months and I have plenty of non-maternity clothes to fill in the gaps.

Dan leaves next Thursday to drive out to Newport, RI. We're working hard to get all the thing I can't do on my own (like bring a couch to the dump, change the 2 chipped pieces of siding, and move all the furniture to the center of the room for the painters).

We've also run off for a few days to a wonderful little hotel in the city. Very nice, away from the paint fumes, and away from the office. We're going to try to get updated military IDs, everything Dan needs for training, a power sprayer, and a movie. It will be a fun day together.

I'm still feeling great. Looking very pregnant. Still learning how to take a picture and not look like a goob... For the first time today someone told me I looked too big to be 20 weeks along. Silly. On Tuesday we get to see the baby! We're very excited. I've started to feel the baby move more and more so it will be especially fun to see what's going on in there.

In the next few days we'll be emptying out the house and getting it ready for the market. Life moves fast sometimes. All is well.

Saying goodby makes me tiered...

And so does pulling down wall paper trim. I am not a fan. The previous owners of our house decided that it would be a helpful decorating idea to put up hideous wallpaper trim in the living room and bathroom. It is not! It only makes the rooms look cheep and small. So down it comes. The goal, to get as much down before the painters come.

The second goal is to hire painters. ... perhaps that will be tomorrows task.

All is well. We have a few super busy weeks ahead of us, but we'll be able to spend a good deal of time together. We're also planning a little get-away. If we plan it well, they will paint and we will get away for a few days while the house airs out.

These are our plans today. Tomorrow is a new day. Hope all is well with all of you.