Weekend Recap

I'm not sure if I've ever said what my husband actually does in the Army. No? Well here it goes. He's a Chaplain's Assistant. In times of peace (nondeployments) he is a secretary. In time of war

he is a body guard. But at all times he is an ear.

He doesn't counsel soldiers but he listens and sometimes all you need is an ear. I know because there are times I unload on him and he just looks at me like why? 

A soldier in his unit we left over a year ago said this about my husband: 

"Laura....Thank you for being a supportive wife to one of the greatest men I have ever had the chance to serve alongside in the military while states side and deployed. JB has been that pillar for me to lean on during my time as a medic with 5-20. He and I have seen all our fallen soldiers from 06-07, 09-10 more than I care to mention in numbers but I dont have enough fingers or toes. Mostly he kept me strong when I was at my weakest. The thing is JB did this not for just me but all his soldiers..... So much for one man to bare and it is not possible without loving support of others which top of that list is you. Thank you for sharing your husband. Also letting him buy a remote control truck so we could race........."

No awards, commendations mean much to me as a fellow soldier (a medic who's seen is fair share of stuff) recognizes what my husband does.

My husband has since been promoted and moved up to a high slot so he doesn't get to talk with as many soldiers as he use to (I know this frustrates him). But to me he is the greatest. 

Off of that side note, this weekend we had a marriage retreat. One of the job requirements of a Chaplain's assistant. It was on the 7 habits of Highly Effective Families for the army family. I have not had this material before and would be a great post deployment retreat for any soldier and family. 

It talked about stop, pause and think and then speak when you have an iceberg. It also says that you should find your goal and work towards it together. Which is a great concept to let go of the little things and look at the big picture. 

Well, I am off. Going to work on getting my photos organized I may decided to work on photobooks soon. Who knows. My parents are coming for a visit, they promised their Grandson for his birthday and sad to say that is a little over a week away. 

Slacking

I have definitely been slacking on here. I could blame it on the fact that since Memorial day we have moved in with friends, went of vacation, were in a wedding, moved out of friends home and into our own home, unpacking, and then had a 3 year old computer mishap (resulting in computer in the shop), school started and sickness. I do not know if that covers everything but I am not lost.

We are in year 2 in El Paso, TX. I love this place. I know love is a strong word but I do. In one month we had gone to the Zoo at least once if not twice a week. Found out some interesting information. They got a male tiger so they could breed the two female tigers. They open a giraffe encounter, you can pay $2 to feed the giraffes. They have such interesting tongues and actually wrap them around the lettuce. The female orangutang Ibu turned 19 and the male Butch were out in their exhibit together. Under close monitor.

Abs started school in a new school district and I have to say so far it seems so much better than El Paso Independent School District. She has two teacher Ms. Rico and Mrs. Hernandez.  She also is doing the Breakfast Club, so she has to be at school at 7:00 am, which is kind of nice.

We bought a house. I know I haven't updated the weekly photos, but we love it. Bought a hanging pot rack. We also after 10 years have a bedroom set. Love it!!!

On to Patrick, we had a rough couple weeks with him. He took detangling hair spray and sprayed it all over my keyboard on the laptop. Took 3 weeks to get that fix, luckily they could just replace the keyboard on my MacBook Pro. Now, he is recovering from croup/laryngitis. He was admitted for an over night stay at William Beaumont. Patrick pick my hubby as the one to stay with him overnight and he didn't get any rest. Lets just say, he's recovering nicely and back to his mischievous self.

I should be updating more often now... Upcoming a 4th birthday party, grandparents visit, and life.