He's Home.

Cowboys and Indians

This week at school we hosted a Literacy Night. In an effort to get parents involved we have started a Parent University and try to offer workshops. This week it was about reading with children at home. In the classroom we worked on projects for Read Across America, where each grade level got a region of the U.S. and read books related to that region. Third grade was assigned "The West" and I chose cowboys as our theme. We also tied it in with our social studies unit on Native Americans. So my students studied the Navajo, made slideshows, models of hogans, and read the book "The Toughest Cowboy". I stayed at school until 7:30 two nights in a row, allllllll week we worked on our cowboy character charts, cowboy paragraphs, and prepared our room for visitors. I also got to dress up like a cowgirl, boots and all. Here are some pics:

In other news, as I write this, Adam is making like the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and heading West. He is due to arrive quite soon and I could not be happier. I've spent the last few weeks cleaning and buying him presents. It's been a long year of training and deployment, but I have to say, God has been merciful and loving throughout.

Wasting time...

I was enjoying a conversation with a friend the other day when the topic of Facebook came up. She asked how long I had been friends with someone on Facebook, and I responded that it had been about 4 years. She said, "Has Facebook been around that long?!"

Yes. It has. In fact, I have been on Facebook since 2004. Five years of my life spent on Facebook. I wonder how much time I have actually wasted checking profiles of friends and aquaintances? Probably as much time as I've spent right now writing this post instead of finishing report cards for tomorrow.

Loving and loathing Facebook all at the same time.

P.S. Here I am at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, January 2008.

Untitled

I always think I should write more, but have trouble figuring out what to say. The purpose of this blog was to keep up with family and friends far away or close to wherever home may be. I'm finding it's also a great outlet for sharing what's on my heart. So here's what's on my heart:

The last few months have been creeping by and rushing right on through all at the same time. I'm sure so many of you out there feel the same way often. In the day to day I just can not wait for Adam to get home! But then I look back and think, "My, it feels like yesterday was the first day of school and here I am getting ready to send out report cards." It's a blessing to have this time, and it's also time I'd like to get over with.

Adam is still currently deployed. I'm unsure of his current location with the 22nd MEU, but I know they are in transition to head back home. I do know where they have been since the last few posts and I've gotten some great presents from the port calls Adam has made. Adam was able to spend some time in Bahrain and Dubai, see belly dancers, go shopping, and eat anything that wasn't ship food. The squadron also spent a significant amount of time in Kuwait, flying, studying, and mostly getting sick of the heat and humidity. Since my last post Adam has pinned on Captain and qualified as PQM (pilot qualified model) on the Cobra. Now we're just ready for December to get here. I am so grateful for email and the phone calls Adam has been able to make, but it's no substitute for having him home!

I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but I have been taken aback by how emotional deployment has been. I figured if I kept busy enough I wouldn't notice how much I missed Adam or much of how I was feeling at all. Of course I've still got a great big smile on my face and am thankful for everyday with Adam, home or not. But as the months go by I am amazed how much it is possible to miss a person and how magnified even the littlest situations become when Adam isn't around to support me in the ways he usually does. I talked to Nana, Adam's grandmother, on the phone last night. She was saying how you just can't know about these things until you go through them. She's absolutely right.

I know there's so much to catch everyone up on, but it's also time for me to go to bed. I guess you'll just have to wait unti the next time I muster up some words to share. For now, here are some recent pictures Adam sent me:

Belly Dancing Show in Bahrain:

Don't these guys think they're so cool: (Adam is on the far left)

Going through the Suez Canal:




On the ship:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

I realize that I still haven't even posted pictures of my Hawaii trip. I'll get to it I promise. Life just hasn't stood still long enough in the last month for me to sit down and write. And though I am really supposed to be doing research for grad school, I couldn't help but share this link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2052830_teach-elementary-school.html

You know how when you are on a search engine, the drop down box shows topics that you might be looking for? Well, as I was typing in "How Elementary Teachers Use Technology in the Classroom", down pops "how elementary teachers should teach". I just had to see what the internet said about how I should be teaching. I noticed this ehow article and am astounded at how easy it is to be a teacher. Just seven simple steps! Check out the "difficulty level" as well. After a day like today, I'm so glad that some contributing writer has boiled my job down to seven moderately easy steps.

Jumping off my soap box now. It's just been one of those days.

Month 3

This deployment isn't really convenient for me anymore, so could the boat head back this direction now?

In other news....

I'm fully moved into my new classroom and slowly getting it set up. I had a fabulous opportunity to transfer to the new school opening up here in Onslow County and I took it. Last year was a real struggle (that's an understatement), but it was the jumping off point to getting this job, and for that I am so grateful. I'm still teaching third grade, but this year promises to be excitingly new and different.

I recently took a quick trip to Virginia to visit family, real and extended. It was the first time I stayed over at my parents house since I moved out in 2005. It was the first time I slept in my brother's old room. And though so much is the same, so much is different. A different Hilary used to live there. Though there's barely proof of that now. I think my dad had paint samples picked out as soon as I said "I found a place in Fredericksburg...". My whole life I heard "You're moving out when you graduate" (I think that started around age 6?) and now I hear "When are you coming back?" They just wanted me to be independent, I know, but I still like to note irony when I see it.

In terms of extended family, I mean Sarah and Alexi. Friends ever since Tara and Alexi were my stunt team in cheerleading and introduced me to their friend Sarah. 10 years? We did what we do best, shopping and eating, picking up right where we left off. And though it was another short visit, it was fantastic.

I'm also still working on grad school...I'm at a point where I'm just so tired of it. I can't quit now! Two more semesters left! I have found plenty of things to help me procrastinate though, like blogging.

I'm still also trying to enjoy the last few weeks of summer. This week I'll be teaching the preschoolers at Vacation Bible School and then...I take a vacation to HAWAII! See you when I get back.

Bugs

As I prepared myself for Adam's current deployment there were many worries floating around in my head. There's the typical wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-and-realize-just-how-long-seven-months-is. Or the looming questions: Where will they be? What will communication be like? Will I ever sleep again? WHO WILL KILL THE GIANT BUGS THAT TRY TO EAT ME?

Well, I have thus far emerged victorious this summer in my battle of the bugs. Most wives sleep with a shotgun under the bed. I sleep with bug spray and a fly swatter.

I have, though, grown quite interested in the ugly creatures that invade my home. I spend so much time in my garden, I am bound to look a few in the eye while I'm out there. I willingly admit to spending hours on the internet researching types of bugs. Some are quite interesting and beautiful.

I still haven't figured out what kind of spider this is. Any ideas? *apparently this is a milkweed assassin bug nymph. Cool huh?

The ones that are outside, I don't mind so much. But, my least favorite is the American Cockroach. They are disgusting. They carry disease. They multiply in your house. They die on their backs and dry and shrivel up and are disgusting to clean up. There was one dead by my porch door that was so disgusting I wouldn't go near it. I just put a cup over it until I could find someone to clean it up for me. (Two weeks it sat there. Thanks Sherri for cleaning it up.) Since then though I've become more brave and killed this sucker:

And though my craziness is quite evident, I am not alone. I have a friend who put up this sign at her house:

I'm pretty sure the pest control man who came today is in love with cockroaches. He kept talking about them and standing up for them. I guess you've gotta be passionate about something.

Reason #896 Adam needs to come home: Kill the giant bugs that are trying to eat me.

Proud Wife

Adam has been deployed with the 22nd MEU for two months now. These are some recent photos from their visit in Greece, and of Adam flying off the boat. I miss him SO much, but at least he's having some fun.

April

April, as are most months in the Thomas household, was full. April Fool's Day marked the third anniversary of our dear friends Sam and Kat, and the hilarious, drama-filled, yet wonderful birth of their daughter, Ruth. In true April Fool's Day fashion, Ruth was supposed to be born on the 8th but the doctor's decided she needed to come early. March 31st early, and earlier than when her dad was due back from Afghanistan. Thus ensued the craziness of three girls taking care of Kat during 31 hours of labor, and then a c-section. I was blessed to be a part of it, and so glad to take care of Kat, who very rarely lets me take care of her. I also have been blessed with a beautiful, new, fake niece.

April was also the first full month, in the last five, that Adam was home and included his pre-deployment leave and my spring break. How lucky we are that they coincided and I could take a trip with him without leaving my students, and my paycheck. As soon as the bell rang April 10th, we left for Virginia and spent three days with Adam's parents, with a stop at my parent's house for Easter. Then we traveled back down to North Carolina, but this time towards the mountains. We spent a whole day on I-81, 77, and 40- through the mountains and valleys, past Virginia Tech, and into Asheville.

We chose Asheville, one, because we were intrigued by it when we drove through last year during our move to Jacksonville, and , two, because we wanted to hike and be outdoors. We had a good time at Chimney Rock Park, seeing the views from the top and hiking to a waterfall on a perfect 75 degree day. We spent some time in the small towns and drove a good portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway, stopping at all the scenic points along the way as well as the Destination and Folk Art Centers. It was wonderful to be in the mountains, and I was excited to test my photography skills after having attended a workshop in March.

Back at home, I began the start of my planting season. This year I am armed with last year's defeats and successes as well as a variety of new knowledge of how to plant, grow, and harvest. I began at the farmer's market and found a fantastic assortment of herbs to grow in containers. I even discovered an herb I didn't know existed: Bertran, a cucumberish tasting leafy herb for salads. I also have planted green, jalapeno, and serrano peppers. I have two types of tomatoes I'm trying this year, and I have even planted a mix of lettuce in a raised bed. I also have started to replant in the front yard. I have a variety of bushes and perennials in the ground and a mix of annuals in containers on the front porch. I feel a bit like I have an eclectic mix, but am really enjoying the fun of planting and growing and trying everything.

The last weekend in April we spent with our wonderful friends Dan and Katy. We spent a day in Wilmington and a day in New Bern at Tryon Palace (a historic site, home of the governor in the colonial era). They've been friends since the beginning of our life in the Marine Corps, they've lived everywhere we've lived, and being with them feels like being with family. Another blessing.

Now we enter the last short period of time before the first of Adam's deployments. Unsure of how I really feel right now, I will stick with being joyful that I have Adam as a husband and glad that the time we spend apart just renews our relationship when we are together. He's been so helpful and wonderful to me as he watches me deal with the emotional roller coaster, the craziness of my job this year, and trying to fit grad school into the mix too. (By the way, I got an A in my class I just finished!)

Three Unimaginable Years

Three years ago today it was a beautiful 80 degree day in Quantico, Virginia where I married my best friend. I can't believe it's been three years! I could never imagine where our lives would take us, how far we would have come, and all the things we have learned along the way. I hope the next years hold just as much. I love you Adam!

February

This month brought Adam's fourth work up for the upcoming deployment, and the longest so far. He left early in the month and returns tomorrow for 13 days before leaving again, this time for only 15 days. It has been the most challenging work up because of the length and lack of communication, but as I prepare for Adam to come home tomorrow I am realizing just how quickly the time flew by, and I am thankful. If only all of the deployment could feel this way. My heart is full right now, but there are too many emotions to choose from.

Looking on the bright side, I have kept myself busy and have much to look forward to all year long. Here is this month in pictures:

Daffodils around the mailbox. They are a welcome burst of spring. I've spent a lot of Ferbruary planning my garden, reading through seed and garden supply catalogs, re-planning my garden, and have even done some planting.

Surprise baby shower for Kat! We knew we would never get her to show up, so we brought the party to her. Needless to say we caught her early in the morning and in her sweats! Many friends contributed to making it a special day.

Two of my favorite friends! These kids make me laugh so much. I have a habit of adopting everyone else's kids instead of having my own.

March promises to be an interesting and full month too. I hope everyone has plenty to look forward to!

Snow Day! and BFF's

It seems I have gotten my wish. Tomorrow school has been cancelled in anticipation of ice and SNOW!!!! I am quite excited about the prospect of seeing and playing in snow on the ground for the first time since 2005. (So listen storm clouds, you better produce some snow!) Adam should even get to see snow too since his squadron is in Blackstone, VA on a training mission. Unfortunately for him, the Marine Corps does not usually call snow days so the playing in the snow will be at a minimum.

I am looking forward to some freed up time, especially since I start a new semester tomorrow and haven't quite finished my fall coursework yet. I'm also looking forward to sleeping in since I did not sleep much this weekend. I visited with the Foemans, and Alexi came down too! There was lots of girl talk, eating, shopping and Starbucks. It was fun and refreshing. A perk of being back on the east coast is that I get to see friends and family a lot more. I've seen everyone so much more in the nine months that we've lived here, than in the two years we were away. I've missed my girls so much!

I do not like living in Jacksonville, but I decided to find at least one good thing about this place. So,here it is: Jacksonville has also really made me appreciate my friends and family and all the other places I've lived even more.

Stay warm everyone!

Winter

Winter is here and not really in full swing. It was 60 degrees today in Jacksonville. I am not complaining. I would like to see some snow though, therefore I am wishing for some colder temperatures. It seems a shame to not be cold and snowy. It also seems a shame for Adam to have to miss it all. (Look at me pretending it's actually going to snow here.)He will be in Virginia and then out on the USS Bataan for the next two-ish weeks, then most of February and March. He'll be home in between though, and maybe it'll snow then!

Today was the first day back to work for me after a two week Christmas break. We traveled home to see family for a week and then relaxed here for the rest of our time. We saw both families, Uncle Garrie, and cousins Nancy, Tim, Katie, and David. We spent time everywhere and with everyone we could. Back here, it was nice to be home, relaxing, reading, and spending time together instead of writing lesson plans and studying. Being back at work today feels like I never even had a break, but I have a feeling the time might fly by just like in the fall. We have such a big year coming up with lots of new things.

Thursday marks the beginning of a series of pre-deployment work ups for Adam until about April. Then, he will actually deploy in May. The Marine Corps can't and won't ever give exact dates about when they'll be gone and when they'll really be back, but hopefully he will be back for Christmas. We also don't actually know where he's going either, but hopefully they'll be safe and enjoy some of their time whether it's at neat ports or in the sandbox.

Now it's time to plan girl weekends and summer vacations! Anyone want to visit?