Changes...

Wow I'm having issues today getting started on this blog...we're getting ready to face a LOT of changes in the next few months...so we'll start with the big changes..

1. Robert is graduating in May...he's not joining the Army and has decided to go to college so hopefully he find his nitch in life. He scored a 92 on his ASVAB and could have any job in the Army but plans sometimes don't work out so off to Plan C...college.

2. Kristi Anne is going to be 17 in May also...I can't believe that she's gonna be 17yrs old! She's getting her plans for the next year by taking college prep classes and she now has the goal of working for Pixar as a graphic designer.

3. We met with the VA rep last week to start the VA process of John's MEB. He'll be starting his VA physical and the Comp and Pen. paperwork...which is nerve racking...and a bit of a relief in the fact that things are slowly moving along.


Sometimes I feel like life is out of control..that we're at the mercy of something else besides what we have planned for our lives..I know that with this whole process my control factor doesn't matter and that kind of drives me a bit batty...the only thing I can keep in control is how I look at things and life...I've been trying hard to stay positive not only for myself but for John and the kids...its just kind of weird that 2yrs ago we would of never even thought about an MEB or VA reps or retirement in that scale of life...we had planned on John eventually getting out but most likely not til 20yrs...and I guess a higher power has other plans...

Its strange looking back almost 8yrs when I met John I never thought I'd be in this spot being a fulltime caregiver to him..my husband was always so fit and able to take care of himself...somedays he can still do it but other days the memory loss..the aggervation...the whole process takes it out of him...and I know it takes a lot out of the kids too...we've all started taking a protective stance with John...when we go somewhere we all scan and make sure that we're not only protecting John but the people around because of his triggers...and that makes me sad that my kids have become this way...the only thing I can hope for is that this has taught the kids to be more compassionate and understanding that people can not control things and even if someone doesn't look disabled to look below the skin. We have watched John deterioate in the past 6 1/2 yrs and after each deployment it got worse til the point we're at now...

Ok now on to the positive things of life here...Robert is graduating...WOOHOO...like I said he's not joining the Army but has decided to go to college and get his degree...he'll start out at the small community college here in JC called Barton since they offer free classes to military dependents so thats gonna be a huge help!

Kristi Anne is going to be 17 on May 14th...*sigh* I can't believe how fast time seems to be moving...I remember my chunky cheeked toddler with curly hair...now she's taller then me and straightens out her hair..LOL...

I wish I could stop time just for a bit to enjoy the small moments...but I can't...

It's Monday...

and there is SNOW on the ground right now...the last time I looked we were in Spring *sigh* but that's Kansas for ya... So back to the Monday and the start of yet another busy week...today is Occupational Therapy and therapy for the hubby...OT is suppose to help him set his goals and figure out his plans for "Life outside the Army"...which really??? When we don't have a date as to when that life will start it's kind of hard to make those plans but hey whadda I know...LOL... Tomorrow is the exciting day..hubby gets to go to the MEB briefing which is a huge sign that his process is almost over with..WOOHOO...doing the happy dance *which thankfully no one can see*...and we also meet with his case manager to drive that man crazy with more questions :-) then Wednesday is more MEB stuff...and some other appt that I can't remember off the top of my head... The last few nights hubby has had some problems with sleep..either getting to sleep or staying asleep which means I've been having problems with sleep also. His nightmares have been getting worse and he talks in his sleep a lot, I think the stress of the MEB and the pending future is showing itself that way. We have so many plans and ideas we went to get accomplished before and when he gets out and sometimes I have to remind myself that he can't handle the stress like I can...so I have to back off and let him point out what he wants to do. Ohhhh But on a GOOD note~ my fabulous brother got the ball rolling for our house hunt..after trying and trying and getting no where we now have a FABULOUS realtor and our preapproval for a mortage so now we can house hunt and have some direction...I can't wait to buy our house and have the stress of the Army not in our lives on an hourly basis...