Camping trip and multicultural parade
10 years ago
Monday, June 28, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
We made to Washington DC!
Sorry for the delay in getting an updated post to the blog...our bloggees have been clamoring for news...any news! Needless to say, we have been working long hours trying to to move out of one house and into the next before I start my new job.
When I last posted, Jay was working to get the storage building completed...well, he did and it turned out fabulously!! My man really knows what to do with all those tools we just hauled out to Bandera. Speaking of hauling things...we made several midnight runs out to our property to leave some of the furniture that we knew we would not have room for in DC. As it turns out...we should have left a lot more furniture (more on that later).
So the movers arrived on the 17th. Toward the end of the day, it was beginning to look like all of our stuff was NOT going to fit on that truck! Well, sure enough, because the driver already had 1/3 of the truck filled from an earlier pick-up and they underestimated the size of our move, they had to bring in a second truck...we are told that it will arrive somewhere between 2 days and 2 weeks after the first shipment (more on that later, too). All in all, we had a very nice crew and they assured me that our necessities would be on the first truck to arrive at our new home.
We had big plans of hitting the road on Friday afternoon after our base housing final inspection, but that was not meant to be. We did not actually get on the road until Saturday afternoon. Much thanks to our dear friend, COL Harney, for the help loading the freezer full of venison and salmon onto the trailer. We (OK, seriously I) could not have done it without him!!
All in all, the trip out to DC was long, but uneventful. So for those of you who have known us for awhile, this is something to celebrate and be enormously thankful for!! ( i.e. No pets died, no transmissions lost, no boat trailers broken in half somewhere in Louisiana, etc)
So we arrived tired, but on time, for our appointment with the housing folks at Bolling Air Force Base...the site of our new home. Now, we knew that coming to DC meant a change in lifestyle. No more large historic home on Fort Sam Houston with wrap around porches. We had prayed for a place that was close to work and within our budget...and that is exactly what we got! So we were a bit under-whelmed when we actually walked in and saw the house. It was built in the 50's and like all the surrounding homes, were slated for demolition a couple of years ago. However, the budget dried up to build new homes, so they opened these back up...which we hope explains the smell that existed in our house (not to mention the water treatment facility a 1/2 mile down the road). However, the funniest comment came from Cael Enyi. Bear in mind, we have seen the very meager conditions in which he lived in China...and there is a definite odor throughout most of the country. So when he turned to me and said, "Mama. New house stinks!!!"...We totally cracked up. He has already adjusted to our American way of life. Meanwhile, we are looking around the place wondering how in the world all of our stuff will fit. If fact, the first truck arrived on the 23rd and as we wade through a sea if boxes and wrapping paper, we are still wondering how we will make everything fit...with our next shipment due to arrive on July 2nd. Hopefully, the legs of my coffee table, the shelves and drawers to my refrigerator, my cup towels, and all of my non-uniform shirts will be in the truck! (oh, and the kids trains, the light sabres, some of Jay's tools...things like that:-)
Now I must also share the good things about this place. We have an incredible view of the Potomac river. As you step out from our street, there is a paved walk along the river with gorgeous views of DC. We can see the Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt memorials from here and just a few steps more,the nation's capital pops into view. It is so pretty at night and we hear that the 4th of July is pretty spectacular from this very spot.
So speaking of being close to the city: After we picked up the keys to our house, we raced over to my new duty station to get checked in before the duty crew left. So Jay pulls up to a gate to let me out. Mind you, we still have the u-haul attached. As I jump out and race up the hill to the guard shack, the guard steps out and starts yelling at me to get that vehicle out of here...along with several other things that I won't repeat. As he is yelling at me, two blacked-out SUVs drive up to exit the gate (which are blocked by my husband who is waiting for open spot with traffic). Jay finally clears the area and the guard returns his attention to me. "Do you know who that was? That man rules your world and if I hear about this from him, you will hear about from me! Do not EVER drive up to this gate and block this area, again. Do you understand?". Of course I calmly told him that I was new (don't think he really cared) and that I would most assuredly, never do that again. So then he took my ID, smiled, and said, "Welcome to Washington DC". Yeah. Right! So, as it turns out, LOTSnof big wigs live there now, and we more than likely completely freaked out the security team of Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I haven't even been in town for 4 hours...this is going to be a GREAT tour of duty!!!
Attached are a few pictures of the house and kids playing in the yard with a sled (yes, that's right). It has been in our attic for 3 years and the kids just want to get it broken in before the temps dip below 90 degrees! They also had a blast playing in all the packing paper and boxes (who needs light sabers, anyway!?) They have also really hit it off with our next door neighbor's kids with girls of the same age! Both their mom and dad are naval aviators and Cam has already been soaking up war stories!
We still want visitors! Your guest mattress just may be resting on the top of boxes that just could not be unpacked, so if you don't mind, neither do we! I've also attached a picture of the 1970's toothbrush holders, so don't go bringing any of those new fangled contraptions to these parts!!
Thanks for your many prayers...keep 'em coming. My first day of work is Monday, so Jay will face the mountain of boxes on his own for those hours...I think work will be easier!!
Ok...pictures aren't posting so will get those up ASAP...
When I last posted, Jay was working to get the storage building completed...well, he did and it turned out fabulously!! My man really knows what to do with all those tools we just hauled out to Bandera. Speaking of hauling things...we made several midnight runs out to our property to leave some of the furniture that we knew we would not have room for in DC. As it turns out...we should have left a lot more furniture (more on that later).
So the movers arrived on the 17th. Toward the end of the day, it was beginning to look like all of our stuff was NOT going to fit on that truck! Well, sure enough, because the driver already had 1/3 of the truck filled from an earlier pick-up and they underestimated the size of our move, they had to bring in a second truck...we are told that it will arrive somewhere between 2 days and 2 weeks after the first shipment (more on that later, too). All in all, we had a very nice crew and they assured me that our necessities would be on the first truck to arrive at our new home.
We had big plans of hitting the road on Friday afternoon after our base housing final inspection, but that was not meant to be. We did not actually get on the road until Saturday afternoon. Much thanks to our dear friend, COL Harney, for the help loading the freezer full of venison and salmon onto the trailer. We (OK, seriously I) could not have done it without him!!
All in all, the trip out to DC was long, but uneventful. So for those of you who have known us for awhile, this is something to celebrate and be enormously thankful for!! ( i.e. No pets died, no transmissions lost, no boat trailers broken in half somewhere in Louisiana, etc)
So we arrived tired, but on time, for our appointment with the housing folks at Bolling Air Force Base...the site of our new home. Now, we knew that coming to DC meant a change in lifestyle. No more large historic home on Fort Sam Houston with wrap around porches. We had prayed for a place that was close to work and within our budget...and that is exactly what we got! So we were a bit under-whelmed when we actually walked in and saw the house. It was built in the 50's and like all the surrounding homes, were slated for demolition a couple of years ago. However, the budget dried up to build new homes, so they opened these back up...which we hope explains the smell that existed in our house (not to mention the water treatment facility a 1/2 mile down the road). However, the funniest comment came from Cael Enyi. Bear in mind, we have seen the very meager conditions in which he lived in China...and there is a definite odor throughout most of the country. So when he turned to me and said, "Mama. New house stinks!!!"...We totally cracked up. He has already adjusted to our American way of life. Meanwhile, we are looking around the place wondering how in the world all of our stuff will fit. If fact, the first truck arrived on the 23rd and as we wade through a sea if boxes and wrapping paper, we are still wondering how we will make everything fit...with our next shipment due to arrive on July 2nd. Hopefully, the legs of my coffee table, the shelves and drawers to my refrigerator, my cup towels, and all of my non-uniform shirts will be in the truck! (oh, and the kids trains, the light sabres, some of Jay's tools...things like that:-)
Now I must also share the good things about this place. We have an incredible view of the Potomac river. As you step out from our street, there is a paved walk along the river with gorgeous views of DC. We can see the Washington, Lincoln, and Roosevelt memorials from here and just a few steps more,the nation's capital pops into view. It is so pretty at night and we hear that the 4th of July is pretty spectacular from this very spot.
So speaking of being close to the city: After we picked up the keys to our house, we raced over to my new duty station to get checked in before the duty crew left. So Jay pulls up to a gate to let me out. Mind you, we still have the u-haul attached. As I jump out and race up the hill to the guard shack, the guard steps out and starts yelling at me to get that vehicle out of here...along with several other things that I won't repeat. As he is yelling at me, two blacked-out SUVs drive up to exit the gate (which are blocked by my husband who is waiting for open spot with traffic). Jay finally clears the area and the guard returns his attention to me. "Do you know who that was? That man rules your world and if I hear about this from him, you will hear about from me! Do not EVER drive up to this gate and block this area, again. Do you understand?". Of course I calmly told him that I was new (don't think he really cared) and that I would most assuredly, never do that again. So then he took my ID, smiled, and said, "Welcome to Washington DC". Yeah. Right! So, as it turns out, LOTSnof big wigs live there now, and we more than likely completely freaked out the security team of Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and I haven't even been in town for 4 hours...this is going to be a GREAT tour of duty!!!
Attached are a few pictures of the house and kids playing in the yard with a sled (yes, that's right). It has been in our attic for 3 years and the kids just want to get it broken in before the temps dip below 90 degrees! They also had a blast playing in all the packing paper and boxes (who needs light sabers, anyway!?) They have also really hit it off with our next door neighbor's kids with girls of the same age! Both their mom and dad are naval aviators and Cam has already been soaking up war stories!
We still want visitors! Your guest mattress just may be resting on the top of boxes that just could not be unpacked, so if you don't mind, neither do we! I've also attached a picture of the 1970's toothbrush holders, so don't go bringing any of those new fangled contraptions to these parts!!
Thanks for your many prayers...keep 'em coming. My first day of work is Monday, so Jay will face the mountain of boxes on his own for those hours...I think work will be easier!!
Ok...pictures aren't posting so will get those up ASAP...
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Last Week at the Ferland Ranch
So I'm getting a little melancholy (and a lot freaked out) that this is move week...we are NOT ready on many levels! But to make sure we are getting loose ends wrapped up, here is what we have been up to: Jay has been diligently working to get our storage building completed at our property. I've posted a few progression pictures (to include a couple of "helpers"). As of today, all that he has left is to get the siding on, as the roll up doors will be installed on Monday...while I am here with the packers at the house. The boys and I went out to take lunch to Jay and our wonderful friend, Kelly, who has helped us the last couple of weekends. Meanwhile, I have been the substitute school teacher and I feel like I'm finally getting in the groove of things (Cam has 3 weeks of school left due to the long trip to China and the recovery after the trip!). I have also been going room by room and analyzing our things. Knowing that we are going to about half of our current square footage, with NO attic, NO basement, and NO garage, we have to really decide if each and everything is going to move with us...or stay in the storage building that Jay is trying to complete in time (so we're back full circle). We also pulled the RV out of storage and got it hooked up to a space in the RV park on post. Each evening, we try to make a run of things that we don't trust with the movers. (for those of you who do not the horror move we endured coming here, I won't bore you with the details...suffice it to say we all have a little post-traumatic stress disorder)
On another note, I have to brag on the tremendous bike riding skills of both of our boys. Cam has become quite the dare devil. There is no curb too big or mud puddle too wet, that he won't conquer. He loves to cruise along with no hands on the handle bars, and stands up on the seat at high speeds (YIKES!) But he is very good and being watched ALL the time by his new little brother. As a result, Cael, has gotten really good on his bike, as well. He is up to riding about 5 miles a day while we run, and finishes every ride with, "Mama! No crash!" (he has a little PTSD, too). He now likes to show off riding with one hand while waving with the other, or wiping a sweaty brow. As of today, he has learned to use the curb to push off and start "all by myself!" When we came in from this morning's run/ride, I noticed that my hibiscus plants (that we planted 3 years ago and have had maybe 2 blooms the whole time, due to the drought) are in full bloom. Cam noted that the blossoms are "as big as my face!"
After the lunch delivery, we took one last hike around the hills on the property and looked at every rock and critter in our view. You'll also note the incredible fashion sense of both boys: shorts, cowboy boots, and hats...boy, I will miss this place!
On another note, I have to brag on the tremendous bike riding skills of both of our boys. Cam has become quite the dare devil. There is no curb too big or mud puddle too wet, that he won't conquer. He loves to cruise along with no hands on the handle bars, and stands up on the seat at high speeds (YIKES!) But he is very good and being watched ALL the time by his new little brother. As a result, Cael, has gotten really good on his bike, as well. He is up to riding about 5 miles a day while we run, and finishes every ride with, "Mama! No crash!" (he has a little PTSD, too). He now likes to show off riding with one hand while waving with the other, or wiping a sweaty brow. As of today, he has learned to use the curb to push off and start "all by myself!" When we came in from this morning's run/ride, I noticed that my hibiscus plants (that we planted 3 years ago and have had maybe 2 blooms the whole time, due to the drought) are in full bloom. Cam noted that the blossoms are "as big as my face!"
After the lunch delivery, we took one last hike around the hills on the property and looked at every rock and critter in our view. You'll also note the incredible fashion sense of both boys: shorts, cowboy boots, and hats...boy, I will miss this place!
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Howdy Y'all
Yesterday, we went out to our property in Bandera...known around these parts as "The Cowboy Capitol of the World". Naturally, Cael had to get his first pair of boots and a hat to match. Since we were all dressed up after church, today, we decided to go ahead and take a few pictures from the front porch. We will REALLY miss our porch in DC...especially since we won't have one! We hope you all had a great weekend!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Splint, Water Fight, and First Scooter Ride
Ni Hao!
I know that we have been absent from the blog-o-sphere, but we have been running Cael Enyi to dental and doctor appointments, finishing my last days of work, trying to catch up on home-school activities and getting ready to pack up for Washington DC.
Cael underwent the repair of his nine (yikes!) cavities in the last two weeks, so we hope he is all done until they begin to fall out when they are supposed to. He has also made three Orthopedics appointments: The first to get a cast, the second for the surgeon to allow Mom to make him a custom splint, and the third (today) to be told he no longer has to wear anything at all...YEAH!! On a separate pediatrics appointment, we were told that Cael is still anemic, so he has been placed on a liquid iron that literally smells like a rusty nail. YUCK! He is so good about drinking it in his orange juice and never complains. SOOOO, teeth, blood, and bones are all on the mend!
On a lighter note, we had some really fun times with our friends, The Laymons. They recently returned from China with their six-year old, Longji. They came over for a pool party, only to find out that the pool was closed that day for cleaning. No problem! We made our own fun with an old water trough, water pistols and water balloons. Later in the day, my brother and his family came for a couple of days and we had a blast! By then, the pool was open and we made several fun trips. They had a really cool water camera that took some great pictures of the everyone underwater.
All the boys (Dads included) made a trip out to fly their RC planes and drive their RC cars. My oldest nephew is destined for the Air Force Academy (no pressure, Colton) so we got a great picture of him on the sight of the first military flight in April 1910 here at Fort Sam Houston...the birthplace of the Air Force...who knew??
Yesterday, Cael got to take his first ride on the scooter with Dad...and couldn't get enough of it. You'll note that his helmet is nearly as big as he is!
Anyway, we are all doing great. Cael and Cam are really becoming true brothers and have figured out that by working as a team, they get MUCH further. We truly love this child and are already wondering what we ever did before either of the boys came along. Our best to all of you!!
I know that we have been absent from the blog-o-sphere, but we have been running Cael Enyi to dental and doctor appointments, finishing my last days of work, trying to catch up on home-school activities and getting ready to pack up for Washington DC.
Cael underwent the repair of his nine (yikes!) cavities in the last two weeks, so we hope he is all done until they begin to fall out when they are supposed to. He has also made three Orthopedics appointments: The first to get a cast, the second for the surgeon to allow Mom to make him a custom splint, and the third (today) to be told he no longer has to wear anything at all...YEAH!! On a separate pediatrics appointment, we were told that Cael is still anemic, so he has been placed on a liquid iron that literally smells like a rusty nail. YUCK! He is so good about drinking it in his orange juice and never complains. SOOOO, teeth, blood, and bones are all on the mend!
On a lighter note, we had some really fun times with our friends, The Laymons. They recently returned from China with their six-year old, Longji. They came over for a pool party, only to find out that the pool was closed that day for cleaning. No problem! We made our own fun with an old water trough, water pistols and water balloons. Later in the day, my brother and his family came for a couple of days and we had a blast! By then, the pool was open and we made several fun trips. They had a really cool water camera that took some great pictures of the everyone underwater.
All the boys (Dads included) made a trip out to fly their RC planes and drive their RC cars. My oldest nephew is destined for the Air Force Academy (no pressure, Colton) so we got a great picture of him on the sight of the first military flight in April 1910 here at Fort Sam Houston...the birthplace of the Air Force...who knew??
Yesterday, Cael got to take his first ride on the scooter with Dad...and couldn't get enough of it. You'll note that his helmet is nearly as big as he is!
Anyway, we are all doing great. Cael and Cam are really becoming true brothers and have figured out that by working as a team, they get MUCH further. We truly love this child and are already wondering what we ever did before either of the boys came along. Our best to all of you!!
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