Lego Day

I came to the conclusion yesterday that I need to stop worrying about this whole reduction in forces thing with the Air Force. Stressing about it won't change it, so what is the point. I really hope that we are able to stay in because I have really enjoyed the last 12 years. I told Mario last night that while I will support whatever decision he makes, at this point, my vote is to stay (if he doesn't get cut.) I have decided to focus all my attention on the kids and get through this deployment as best we can (We can focus on the RIF if and when it happens.) Nathan seems to be struggling the most with Mario's absence. He has been misbehaving a little more and often asks when Mario is coming home. I asked Nathan what he misses most and he said playing Legos with dad. I committed right then to play Legos with him. So this morning, after schoolwork, the boys and I headed to the skate park so Zach could ride his skateboard. Then we spent the remainder of the day, that they weren't in school, organizing and playing Legos. We are trying to put together all of the old sets. I can't remember a more fun day. I have really enjoyed my time with the boys today. With all the attention I am giving them, there hasn't been any fighting. It has been a great day! I am so lucky to be a stay-at-home mom. I need to show my appreciation by making my kids (and not the computer) the top priority. It really doesn't matter that my family room looks like a tornado hit it. It really doesn't matter that I haven't read the news today. I will have plenty of time to keep a clean house and to read the news. Actually, maybe not if I am lucky enough to have lots of grandkids!

Pictures from Kabul

Mario's office...Mario is in the back by the wood. He says the wood is where a window is supposed to be but the army doesn't like windows. From his tone, I am not sure Mario likes the army very much.

Ruins of Queen's Palace

Easter

Here are some pictures from Saturday at the Easter Egg Hunt at Purple Heart Park. Nathan really wanted a picture with the Easter Bunny. I think he was scared of him when he was younger. Also, pics from our traditional Easter Bunny cake, and the boys in their new Easter suits. Zachary has been begging for a suit for at least a year. I was trying to hold him off, but when the suits went on sale at Sears, I decided to get all three boys new suits. Nathan and Zachary are so excited about their new suits that they are wearing them to Sister Park's house today to watch conference.

2 more weeks

I found out today that the commander over Mario likes to extend everyone's deployment by 2 more weeks. Time to change my countdown on my blog . Only good news to this is that he will definitely get his short tour credit.

Inspirational Thoughts by President Hinckley

As I was searching for Mario's Patriarchal blessing today, I found a quote that he carries with him in his binder. It was a quote by President Gordon B. Hinckley. I can see why Mario carries this quote with him. It is obvious to me that he tries very hard to live by this advice:

"Let us not live in a life that would bring regret. It is not going to matter very much how much money you made, what kind of house you lived in, what kind of car you drove, the size of your bank account---any of those things. What is going to matter is that dear woman who has walked with you side by side as your companion through all of the years of life and those children and grandchildren and their faithfulness and their looking to you with respect and love an deference, and kindness."

"The only things you will take with you, when all is said and done, are your family relationships. God bless us to be good fathers, good parents, and good husbands to our good wives."

Reduction in Forces

The military is looking for 30 percent of the 42 Communications officers that were commissioned in 1998 to voluntarily separate. If they don't get enough officers to volunteer, they will have to cut them. If you volunteer, you get twice the severance pay. Mario is fairly confident that he wouldn't get cut because of his dual career fields, 2 Master's degrees, IDE credit from NPS, and his deployment credit. But he sees this as possibly an opportunity to separate and not face the chance of frequent deployments over the next 7 or 8 years. He feels (and rightly so) that these next 8 years are highly crucial to our children and he wants to be around even if it means forfeiting his retirement. So he is contemplating volunteering to separate. There is no guarantee that they will accept it because he still owes 2 more years from NPS. So we probably wouldn't get the full severance pay. So the money offered really isn't a factor in the decision.

I have such mixed emotions. I don't see how he will possibly find a job on the outside making what he makes in the military (especially considering all the benefits and retirement.) But on the other hand, I wouldn't mind moving to Florida and having the guarantee that he will not have to deploy ever again. Every single active duty officer in his office is deploying this year. The Air Force is starting to do more frequent year long deployments too. The thought of Mario leaving us for a year is almost unbearable. But I know we would make it through and be stronger in the end. I know we could make it through separating also, but it will take a lot more faith. It also would make us stronger. But I worry that we will have regrets down the road.

Best case scenario for me if we separate is for Mario to get a job at South Com in Northern Miami. It would be nice if he could get a job similar to what he was doing here in Tucson because he likes it so much. We just have to find a job opening. I am grateful for fasting and prayer. I can't imagine making this big decision without the knowledge that we can have help from our Heavenly Father.

Kindergarten One Mile Run

The kindergarten has been practicing for the one mile run for months now. I sometimes forget to send the kids in tennis shoes on days they practice (oops! I am sure the teacher hates parents like me.) They finally had the official run yesterday and the boys begged me to come watch. I always forget my camera, but fortunately I had my new phone with me.

I was so excited when I saw Zachary take the lead after the first 1/4 mile. So when he got to the half way point, I figured I should run with him to encourage him to keep going. I had earlier planned to run with Nathan to keep him motivated (he usually comes home and tells me he walks the run.) Zachary won the race and while I was busy congratulating him, I almost missed Nathan run in third place. The last time I saw Nathan, he was in the middle of the pack. So I was so impressed that he passed so many people and kept running. Way to go boys!

They don't usually dress as twins to school, but it was a chilly day and they needed warm clothes. Those are the only comfortable pants and jackets that they have for running. So they got to be twins for the day. I miss the days when they dressed alike everyday.