Monday was the 1 week mark of Dan being gone. It was also the first time Genie showed how much she missed Dan.
When we were at the airport the morning he left on the 10th, she was so tired when we finally got through the security checkpoint that she didn't realize that he was leaving.
When they were finally boarding, she thought she could sleep on the plane.
"Genevieve, c'mon, daddy's leaving now you have to wake up." "No, I am tired. I want to go to sleep." "We have to say bye now." "We can just sleep on the plane." "Huh? We're not going on the plane." "Why not? We'll fly back."
:/
She realized he was really gone the next day. Dan is usually the one that wakes her up in the morning for daycare and when he didn't, she said that she wanted him to come back. During the week when we'd take a shower or while we're getting ready for bed, she'd ask if I missed him and she would say she missed him too.
Monday after I picked her up from daycare, we were at a stoplight listening to music. She had just finished telling me about a story that happened today when she suddenly got quiet. I looked in the child mirror and she was in tears, balling.
"Baby bear! What's wrong?" "I miss my daddy!" "I know, baby bear, I do too!" "I want my daddy. I want my papa bear!"
It broke my heart to see her like that.
Thusday on the way to the AMC hosted Travis Icon competition, I was practicing the song I was going to sing.
"Mommy, sing the song, OK? Practice." "OK. *starts singing No One*"
I get to the second verse: When the rain is pourin down and my heart is hurtin'....
"I'm sad now." "Why baby bear?" "Because my heart is broken." "Why? What happened??" "I miss my daddy."
I never thought I'd hear her talk about a broken heart at this age. She started crying on the spot and it took so much to hold back my own tears.
We got word last week, but confirmation recently that Dan will be deploying yet again. This will be our first deployment together, as in the last few deployments we were still in a long distance relationship. :( He's scheduled to leave NEXT MONTH and he just found out! I hate short notice TDYs/deployments.
I don't know how this one will be considering that we've finally been together in the same house (let alone the same state) since september. And of course, he's gone again during the holidays.
What makes matters worse... well, I can't really say anything about it yet because we still have to wait another week or so until I can. I'll just say for now that this is going to be the toughest deployment we've endured to date. It was truly easier while we were still separated since we were together to begin with. :/
I'm a week late with this post, but better late than never. I started feeling bad that I hadn't posted about Dan's ALS graduation since our families do read this to keep up with us.
On Thursday, Feb 12th, bebe graduated from his 6 weeks of ALS. He was so glad to be done!
We made signs before the ceremony. As usual, when I'm rushing, my handwriting is sloppy and I ran out of room for "CONGRATS". Genie drew on the bottom and randomly wrote "sit" on there as well. lol
As we waited for his name to be called up to the stage, I couldn't help but think about how proud I was of him. I knew that he busted his ass studying, doing homework, and preparing for briefings. I remember what it was like when I went through 2 years prior. Seeing him standing in line, I knew he had a bittersweet feeling surging through his body; relieved and glad that it was over and he had passed, a little sad that he it was all over.
As his name was called to the stage, we all cheered him own. Genie jumped up and down, calling out "YAY, DADDY!" I was in the middle aisle taking pictures of him and the next thing I knew, genie was running up on stage!! I tried to call out for her to come back, but the big boss, the wing king, Col Dillon, welcomed her up on stage with open arms so she could congratulate Dan. Of course, the room was filled with awes and comments of how cute it was.
After the ceremony, we headed upstairs to watch the slide shows that the flights all made. The last part of the day ceremony was retreat; the last and final time that they would lower the flag as a class, as ALS 09-B.
Another funny coincidence about Dan's class; he was on color guard as I was when I went though. lol I'll have to ask my buddy for a copy of our last retreat. :p
When retreat was over, the flts met up with their instructors for instructions for when to be back to set up for the banquet later that night.
He went to eat lunch with the parents and Genie while I headed back to work to try and finish what I could. We were going to the banquet later that night together, but didn't since he had to rush over to the center since he had to help set up and practice bringing in the flag. When I got there, I waited for them to open the doors since they wouldn't let anyone enter the dining area until 1630. I did get to chit chat with some people that showed up, so I wasn't a complete loner. :p
When they let us into the hall, I found our table and pretty much waited for people to filter into the room and for them to start dinner. The students walked in and Dan walked in with the rest of the color guard. The students were released to their tables after the nat'l anthem and the invocation.
They did the typical explanations about what it is to be a leader and the course that they went through to finally join the ranks of front line supervisors. After the initial speeches, it was time to eat. I think everyone at our table ordered the pork dish, which was rather enjoyable. After the meal was intermission, which meant that it was almost time to give out the awards.
The first award mentioned after we came back from intermission was the leadership award. Each flt nominated one of their peers that demonstrated the most leadership qualities. Dan was still shocked that he was picked for his flight.
He stood up as the nominee for his flight, but did not receive the award. We actually thought it would be him as the announcing instructor said, "And the leadership award goes to SrA Daniel......blah blah blah."
Wrong Daniel. Oh well. The next award was the academic achievement, the person that received the highest overall score in all areas (writing, interpersonal, academics, and briefs). Then came DG, distinguished graduate, top 10% of the ALS class. Dan and another one of his mates from his flight were DGs.
On his way back, he was congratulated by the MXG CC, MXG chief, his squadron CC, first shirt, and everyone at our table. I was so proud of him for winning something. :)
At the end of the night, you could find every one of the ALS students trying to round up their class mates from their flt for a final flt picture. Everyone talking about keeping in touch and hanging out soon to keep their newly formed friendships strong.
Dan went out to celebrate with the rest of his class and I took genie home after picking her up from our friend's house. Hopefully Dan keeps in touch with his new friends and does keep the thought about bring an instructor alive. I think he'd be a great instructor. :)
work has had a steady work flow despite our squadron having so many people out on the road right now. as much as i wasn't looking forward to WAPS testing today, i was looking forward to the break in the middle of the week. this is my first year testing for the next rank of E-6, and frankly, i didn't really prepare for it nor do i really care if i make it. they say that tech (technical sergeant, E-6 in AF) is the hardest test and it's hard to make it first time. i'm still trying to figure out how to get out next year and don't plan on staying 20 if i have to reenlist again. we'll see what happens when the results come out in june or july.
yesterday was the birthday of my husband and my step mom. mama turned 49 and bebe is now 24. yes, he is younger (1.5 years younger). it worked out that i had their birthday off only because it was supposed to be my study day since my test date was today. i tried to persuade dan to take genie into daycare in the morning since i didn't have to go into work. he told me tues night that he had a hectic schedule on his birthday and asked me to still take her in.
"BABE. i still managed to get to ALS early every morning after dropping of genie when i went through. kindercare opens at 0600!" "i know you did baby, but you said you would help me. please? i can't." "FINE."
it didn't ruin any plans, but it meant that i wouldn't be able to start cooking/baking until later than i expected. yesterday morning, i was supposed to be up before 0600 to start the pulled pork in the slow cooker (12 hrs on slow). i didn't get up until 0700! lol it didn't matter because i still needed to pick up a bottle of coke that was in the recipe. i dropped off genie, stopped at a gas station on the way home for coke, and then rushed inside to start on the pork.
i got the pork in the slow cooker and started it on high to make up for not starting it earlier. slow cookers are so simple!!! for this recipe, one hr on high = 2 hours on low. it all worked out in the end! :D i had to immediately start on red velvet cupcakes for dan's class. i got them baked and started getting ready while they cooled. dan had taken the cake caddy to bring the amish friendship bread to school that we made the night before (yep, still keeping it going lol) so i was left with nothing to bring the cupcakes in. i almost used a roaster since it was the biggest thing i could find, but that would mean squeezing the cupcakes together. i rushed to micheal's and bought the 3-1 cupcake-cake caddy. lol the cupcakes were still cooling and i still had a lot of time so i blew up balloons...
yes, OCD in me needs everything to be in EVEN numbers... LOL
i decided to go ahead and frost the cupcakes after i finished with the balloons. even though i put the piping bag in the fridge to try and firm up the cream cheese frosting, it still melted since the cupcakes were still warm. oh well. they still looked good, but could've done a way better job decorating. lol
i didn't have to be at ALS bldg until noon, but left around 1120 anyway to get their early and go over details with leslee (his teacher). they were all upstairs in their classroom, and i just prayed that no one in his class was going to suddenly open up the blinds and see me walking up.
i talked to leslee and she told me about the class duct taping dan to one of the pillars in the auditorium. LOL i'll post pics of that as soon as his classmates send them to him. the game plan was she was going to teach a lesson in the auditorium so i can decorate the room. i went back out to the car to grab the bags of stuff and watched from outside for all of the class to head into the auditorium. awesome! of course she'd want the door closed! perfect! i rushed upstairs and walked up to the familiar door to d flight (i was in the same flight when i went through ALS). "AWWWW damnit."
i forgot that every classroom had cipher locks on them. i was in luck though, tsgt daniels, c flt instructor right next door, saw me and let me in. she knew that i was getting the instructors to give dan a hard time and heard that i was going to embarrass him. "if you need to get in again, just knock."
i would've bought more decorations if they weren't so damn expensive. plus dan would've noticed the large charge on my account and probably would've caught on. :p he was pleasantly surprised! (more here)
OH! it's cinderella themed because that's his nickname in class from his instructor. he made the mistake of cleaning out his binder during class one day, and genie left her cinderella sticker card (thanks auntie for them!) in his binder. he pulled it out and of course was given a hard time about it. lol
after he blew out the candles, i headed home to finally start studying/reviewing. before bebe came home, i started on a red velvet cake to have for him to munch on at the house since i knew there would be no cupcakes left. lol
he came home and we finished up the pulled pork. IT WAS SO DELICIOUS!!!!!! we're both used to the east coast style pulled pork (thanks to living in NC) where they use more vinegar in their sauce, but this was still fantastic!!!! there was so much of it too.
after the scrumptious dinner, it was time for cake....
yes, i still need practice decorating. at least i improved on writing on cakes. lol it was nice being able to celebrate bebe's birthday yesterday. his last birthday in the states was 2006. yep. last year he spent it in kuwait, and 2007 was spent in afghanistan. even though we weren't able to really do much for his birthday, it was still lovely. :)
Dan started ALS today. He attended the orientation this morning, had his uniform inspected and tried out for key drill position and actually got a spot on the drill team. :) I went through back in 07 (through the same time as a matter of fact), but a lot of the curriculum has changed since then. Of course I'll still help him any way I can, but also give him a hard time.
What am I talking about? Well, I've got some contacts at the school, friends with some of the instructors. haha. Although I'll be helping him study and giving him tips with his uniform, he may or may not get picked on by the instructors. :)
He finds out tomorrow who his instructor is (but I already know). No, I did not tell him. Where's the fun in that??
My mom sent me this email and it was too good to pass up.
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls. 2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. if something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat. 4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? 6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again. 8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards. 10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" Wishing you all A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS SEASON!
There hasn't been a moment since I married you that I have regret the decision of marrying you.
Do Not Forget This.
There hasn't been and will never be a thought in my mind that we won't exist as an amazing couple till the end of time.
Do Not Forget This.
My life is now dedicated to serving you as MY QUEEN, and making you smile at every moment even as you sleep.
Do Not Forget This.
I love your daughter as my own and I will treat her as my own. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe, fed, sheltered, and clothed. She is in my heart and mind as much as you are.
Do Not Forget This.
I may mess up every once in awhile, say the wrong thing, or say nothing at all. I may yell loudly and you may think I don't care. I do care, that's why I am emotional with you. If I didn't care I wouldn't have an opinion on things. Because I gave you my heart and soul, you have the ability to bring the best out of me and bring the worst out of me.
Do Not Forget This.
In my mind you are the most beautiful person in the world. Your smile can bring me to my knees and your kisses can stop my heart. I want you to kiss me at any and every opportunity possible.
Do Not Forget This.
I need you to respect me just as much as you love me because love without respect isn't true love. Also, I need you to trust me as much as you love me, because love without trust won't last.
Do Not Forget This.
My heart is yours, forever. My mind is yours, forever. My body is yours, forever.
Do Not Forget This.
I want to experience the world with you. No land, sea, or experience untouched by us.
Do Not Forget This.
I want you as my own, I want you to be mine forever, I want you to give me you as I give you me.
Well, in about a month my life will be changing. I will be starting my journey to California on September 10th. I am really looking forward to going to Cali and finally starting a life with my girly. I want to be there for her and help support her and Genevieve because I love them both. I really hope that everything runs smoothly on the move out there. There are so many things I am looking forward to doing everyday when i get out there. Waking up next to the wife, cooking for my family, and just having a good time with the entire David (wife's family) out there. I have met a lot of them and they all seem like good people.
We are going to have a busy rest of the year. September is the month of our anniversary from the day we first met and it is also the month of Janina's birthday. Then we have all the other holidays that are at the end of this year. When I get out there, we will probably buy Baby Bear a new bed, because she grows so fast that soon this one will be too small. I just reminded myself of the cool humidifier we bought Genevieve for her to sleep with at night. I woke up one morning when I was visiting and there was some blood on her pillow from her nose. I figured it was from the dry air and also it was during some wild fires out there. I had called Janina while she was at work and she went to Target like the wonderful mom she is and bought a humidifier. It was pretty cool looking tooo, it looks like a fat penguin that spits out clouds :p Maybe Janina can put a picture up of it for everyone. Genevieve really likes it too, she thinks its cool.
All and all I am thrilled to be going to California, and I hope to hang out with my new father, mother, brother, and sister(s) in laws very soon. I want to be there for Janina most of all. She makes me happy and I will try to do my best to let her know that everyday.
