Unexpected events

So, on the 17th I was talking with Ricky's mom, who was in Hawaii on vacation, and she was telling me that her mother had had a stroke. They were planning on coming back a little early and heading up to Washington to go check on her and everything else. Not an hour after our call, I was talking to Ricky and his other grandmother had just had a major stroke and passed away.

Let me say this, Grandma Barlow Smith, was an absolutely amazing woman. For the short time that I had the opportunity to know her, she had a great sense of humor, was very strong willed, and loved her family. I think that generation went through a lot as children, as in the depression and a couple of pretty big wars, and came out of it very inspiring people and contributors to the success of this country. She was a woman who has been an amazing example to all that she knew. I am grateful for my faith, that we all have the opportunity to be together again after this life is over, and I take great comfort in knowing that she is surrounded by those that she loves, who have been waiting for her.

In this all happening, I learned the ropes of working with the Red Cross for family emergencies. Ricky was able to come home for the weekend for the funeral. What a blessing. His grandma had lived with his family for a time (there were 6 of them, 3 boys who were all within a year of eachother... ) to help out, Ron was just getting started in his medical career and Nora was not only mom but business owner... So needless to say, she was a big part of his life. So, yes, he got to come home.

It was a blessing for me and the children as well, because even though he had only been gone a little over two weeks, I was really struggling. Our farewell at the airport had been rushed and not what we thought we were going to get. This time, we were early enough that the kids and I got our security passes and got to escort him to the gate. There we were able to spend every possible second together, and say goodbye with a good big hug. The kids were able to watch him get on the airplane and watch it take off, and I felt like I got a little more closure...

So he is off again. June 6th is still the anticipated date of AIT graduation. We are eagerly awaiting June! We are at 128 days today. I am busy with school once again, and getting more involved in the travel industry. Cruises seems to be the popular demand right now... Bring it on! I am enjoying it and how busy that is keeping me too. I am in need of a good babysitter... if anyone who happens to read this knows of one, will you let me know? I am having a difficult time lately having someone I can depend on to be on time, or show up at all... Its almost February. So happy Valentines month!

Updates updates...

So MUCH has happened since last post... Ricky graduated basic training November 18th in the top 10% of his class. We got to go out for family day and graduation, pick him up, and transport him from Columbia, SC to Newport News, VA. So the kids and my soldier and I drove up the east coast, along the beautiful fall colors, up to VA. Before Ricky had to go officially move in, we got a couple of days to go spend some time together as a family. We really just went and hung out at Colonial Williamsburg the first day, then went to church together before we had to drop Ricky off.. Oh yeah, it just so happened that the 21st, the day we had to send him back, was Brandon's 3rd birthday... Poor guy. He didn't get a cake, presents, or anything.... So then the kids and I went and checked the area out until Ricky got his Thanksgiving Holiday leave. We went to Virginia Beach, Norfolk, the Naval Base and checked out the big ships and helicopters, and back to Colonial Williamsburg. On Thanksgiving, we went as a family to Jamestown (the sight of the original Thanksgiving) and then had our dinner in an old Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. Day after Thanksgiving, the kids and I flew home and left Ricky alone at the hotel for a little rest.

Moral of the story, he is set to graduate on or shortly after June 6th. He is studying the Apache, the avionics and electronics and armament for it all... He was just made Squad leader on Sunday and is line for a few more little promotions, which will look great in his file! He continues to impress his instructors, he complains that he is the smart kid in the class... lol... He has his cell now, so he can text at night when he has personal time. His new address is

PFC R Barlow
1002 Benedict Place
Ft. Eustis, VA 23604

He would love some mail, care packages, etc. Please know, that any food sent has to be eaten before he can go into his barracks (like college dorms).

As for me and the kids... We got to have daddy home for two weeks at Christmas... That was so wonderful! It definitely seems harder this time saying good-bye... We are at 147 days till he graduates... so long time... I went to school full time last semester, pulled pretty decent grades and learned that I am 2 classes away from a general Associates, or 2 general and 2 more business classes away from my Business Associates.... So, considering that I have the pell grant, I am doing 2 classes this semester, and then will finish up in the fall and graduate. I have a hard time stopping now when I am so close! And it will be a lot easier to continue down the line with an AS then just a bunch of credits.. So here I go again! Glutton for punishment I guess. I continue to work for an amazing Realtor, who is also one of my best friends, and stay at home with the kiddies... Brandon is now 3, and may or may not end up in preschool in the next couple of weeks... Katelynn is 1 and is running all over the place. Right now she has 4 more teeth coming in, so needless to say she has a fever and we are not getting a whole lot of sleep at night.

Think that's the updates! I will try to be better and will try also to get some good photos of our trip up... Happy 2011~~~ May it be a productive, positive and amazing year for us all!