Friday, July 23, 2010

On our way to a new life . . .

Busy week! We are slowly transitioning off of active duty. We all went to Ft. Belvoir this morning to get new retired ID cards. That took awhile. Since Bob doesn't actually retire until Aug. 1 (a Sunday), the lady did not really want to give us retired ID cards, and put him in the system as retired. Well, due to Nathan and Luke heading off to Camp Caleb in the next few weeks (2 different weeks), this was the last day we could get these done! And Bob has already out-processed at work, so he doesn't need his CAC card anymore. Finally she did it, although it was after another more competant woman came in and gave her advice. Hopefully there won't be any problems next week--I have a doctor's appointment for me Monday, and an allergy appointment for Caleb Tuesday. I guess I'll take a copy of Bob's retirement orders just in case!

Bob also went to the DMV for a VA driver's license. Based on my unfortunate numerous dealings with the DMV, I knew this process would be much easier if he had his active duty ID, so I had mentioned that last weekend as we were driving to PA. Then we both forgot about it, until Bob remembered it this morning. I am so glad he was able to go before turning in his AD card! He has a PA license, but it has been expired for many years. PA makes it very difficult--practically impossible, in fact-- to renew for out-of-state residents (not a real military-friendly state), but Bob's expired license is good with his AD ID card. Without that, however, he would have had to take another test, at least the written portion, and possibly the driving part! Phew! And of course he had to take in a whole raft of documents including bank statement, leave and earning form, birth certificate, shot record (just kidding on that last one!). VA is one of those states with real new-fangled fancy-looking licenses that get mailed to you, so Bob is now the proud possessor of a piece of paper declaring him legal to drive, LOL. He is well on his way to becoming a real VA resident!

Bob went to a job fair last week, and 2 more this week. He has also been looking at jobs online. As it turns out, this is not the best time to be looking for a job, LOL. We didn't feel like the Lord was leading us down to VA Beach with that assignment, so if He wants us to stay here, or if He wants us to move somewhere else, He'll have to provide something! In the meantime, we're trusting Him to provide for us and lead us. We'd appreciate your prayers though!

As for the rest of us, the boys all had dental appointments on Monday, and I had one myself Wednesday. Caleb and Jonathan are taking swimming lessons in the mornings this week and next, which they are thoroughly enjoying. I had noticed at the hotel pool how well Caleb was doing--he just needs to learn how to breathe to the side. They seem to have a good teacher, so I am sure by the time next week is over, they will both have learned even more!

We were invited for dinner at the house of some friends from church Tuesday. The wife's mother, who is Polish, was visiting, and she made us some AMAZING Polish food for dinner! We all ate until we were stuffed! I want to try red cabbage like she made it--it was so good! She chopped the cabbage, boiled it for about 20 minutes, fried some chopped bacon in a pan, then sauted the cabbage in the bacon grease along with some sugar and vinegar. It was REALLY good, and I thought I didn't like cooked cabbage!

We take Nathan up to Camp Caleb at White Sulphur Springs on Sunday afternoon. Since this is the highlight of his year, this week has been taken up by packing, checking the list, and packing some more. He is really looking forward to the week! Luke will go the second week in August, which is originally when Nathan also was signed up to go. But Nathan will start football practice on Aug. 10, and they practice every night, so he couldn't very well miss the entire first week! Fortunately WSS could switch him around. There was no room for Luke that week however, so we have to make two trips up and back to PA. We pick Nathan up Friday, and then the kids and I are planning on continuing on to Ohio for a week. We will see my friend Amy, as well as my Aunt Claire, who is flying in to visit from Utah! Then we well drive back to WSS the following Sunday to drop Luke off. Then we'll head back here. One last week of vacation before we hit the ground running with our new co-op, as well as our old co-op and all our regular school work! How can the summer be almost over already?!

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