Change is in the Air......

I spent this past weekend at a training conference in Silverton for the National Guard. I became a trained facilitator for Franklin Covey's 7 Habits for the Effective Military Family During a Deployment. It was an amazing weekend full of information and networking opportunities. I met so many great people that are involved with the National Guard.

One very special person I met was a Battalion FRG of the 41st Brigade. The signifigance is that the 41st Brigade is leaving for a 18 month Deployment to Iraq in April. Upon my return home from the conference, I learned that Troy is on the Deployment list to go with the 41st.
Although there is some anxiety about him going, I am confident that we can handle this. God has blessed us with an opportunity to hold onto our faith and let Him lead the way for us.

I know that Troy feels as though he hasn't fulfilled his responsibilities, and he won't until he has served his country. I am proud of him for standing up for what he believes in, and I am honored to call him my husband.

I appreciate everyone's love and support. And of course lots of prayers! This deployment will help our family to grow stronger, and teach us how to hold onto the little things and not take things for granted. Life is short, make the best of every moment.

Life is Good!

This journey has been a roller coaster! I am currently working 7 days a week! Although I love both my jobs I miss the time spent with my girls & husband. I plug on because I know it won't be like this forever. Working at the State Procurement office is only temporary (until June), and being the FRG for Battalion is an opportunity of a lifetime. God has openned these doors for me, and He wouldn't have done it if he knew I couldn't handle it. My hope is that while I'm away this weekend for training maybe I will get a little time for me and be able to recenter myself. I am excited to say that things are moving in the right direction for the FRG program. Although I have hit some challenges, I know that we will be able to overcome and build this to be the program it is supposed to be.

I hope that everyone is doing well, and that God has showered you in blessings!

Quick Catch Up

Okay, sorry it's been so long since I've updated this thing! But WOW! Life has been a whirlwind lately. We are still dealing with the insurance stuff since the car accident in December. We finally got our van back from the shop January 2nd, with a new look on life and a new backend! From the back end it looks like a brand new vehicle.
I've been working since November for the State, and I am loving my job. I had my 3 month evaluation this last week, and things are going really well. Even with the time I've had to miss from work due to Dr. Appts, and Physical Therapy from the car accident, they still wanna keep me (that's a really good sign!). I've gained more and more responsibilities at work, and I am transitioning pretty smoothly from task to task. I now have the large responsibility of all Credit card transactions, and preparing the deposits! All I can say is, man I wish some of those checks were made out to me!
I received a great honor and privillage this past friday that I will be venturing into. The 1249th Batallion FRG (Family Readiness Group) Coordinator put in her resignation last week. I have been her assistant for the past year and a half. With her resignation I didn't know where I stood anymore as I have been maintaining the Assistant Closet that has food, clothes, toys, school supplies, things that families might be in need of. Well I was contacted by the LTC. of Batallion and offered the position. I graciously accepted, and will start my training this week. I'm eager and excited to step up to the challenge, as I know that I have a lot to offer to all these families. I'm pacing myself for the long term marathon so as to not get burnt out in the 100 meter dash. Although change is not always openly accepted, I am up to the task, and excited to see what kind of impact I can have on all the Batallion families.
As for the rest of the family! Troy is happily changing roles with me, and is enjoying being a stay at home dad for a while. He has been gone so much the past few years on military duty, that he has really seen the changes in our girls. Since he's home now and I am working full time, he is taking the opportunity to take some online coarses towards getting his BA in business. The girls are loving having so much time with him, and I appreciate the change of pace of working. It helps me to appreciate my family even more.
Tabbey went to visit a dermatologist about the alopecia. Right now things are moving in a positive direction. Her hair is growing back and seems to be pretty even for now. She is coming to an age now, that we can try some different treatments for her hair loss and won't have to just resort to shaving her head to stimulate hair growth.
Kathryn has gotten new glasses, and seems to be doing better. Although there are still alot of struggles with her schooling. We are having her evaluated for ADHD and trying to find ways other than medication to help her maintain focus on her education. It's been a definate challenge, but we are working together with the teachers, counselor, and doctor to get it all figured out.
Jordan LOVES kindergarten. She comes home daily with excitement and enthusiasm towards her studies. It is encouraging to see her anticipation for learning.
Samantha, well she's still 2! She is testing her boundries, and mine! She is a big hit at my office though, and has been determined to be the cutest kid around with those big blue eyes! I keep telling everyone, go ahead take her home for a while and see just how great being two is! :) No takers yet! hahaha
So this is our quick update. I hope that the holidays were blessed for each of you, and that this new year will bring you all great happiness and joy. I look forward to reconnecting with each of you and hearing about your adventures though the journey of life! :)

So I guarentee that we will never forget this Christmas season with all the pretty snow. As you all know, Troy has been gone for the past couple of months on Active duty with the National Guard. Well this weekend he earned himself a little R&R time at home. He came home yesterday (Sunday, December 14th) and will be returning to duty on Tuesday. It was beautiful when he got here, the snow was starting to fall, the roads were pretty clear, so we decided to go spend some quality family time together and go look at the Christmas lights in Keizer. Every year there is a large neighborhood that go all out with Christmas decorations and lights. We drove over to Keizer and thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the pretty lights.

But as we were headed home..........

We were rear-ended by a 20 year old kid. The entire back end of the van is crumpled. Our insurance adjuster estimated the repair to be around $1,700. We were stopped at a four way stop and he slammed on his brakes and slammed into us. The girls are all alright, but Troy and I both got whiplash.

Unfortunately since I saw him coming at us in the rearview mirror I tensed up and I got the worst of it............

So with a neck brace.... some vicodin.... muscle relaxers....and lots of motrin.....this too shall pass. I'm hoping things go quickly with the insurance adjuster, and that we can get our rental car, get the carseats all replaced, and get our van fixed! But through it all we are greatful that no one was seriously injured...and at least the other guy had insurance! God has blessed us!

Oh, and I over came my fear of driving in the ice and snow, Troy made me drive again today and I did just fine! I know I wasn't at fault, but it was very upsetting! I haven't had a ticket or an accident since I got my license at 16, so it sucks to finally break that. Oregon being a no fault state means that there is a really good chance that our insurance will go up as well as his. But we will cross that bridge when we get to it. Bottom line.... WE ARE ALL OKAY! I promise!

(Cendy I really wish I lived in Eugene.... I'd just bring it to you! I know Eron would take care of it for us!)