1. The biggest and most stressful change right now is that we moved off-base just a few miles away. It was something we had been talking about doing for months but just kept putting it off. We found a four-bedroom house we really liked and didn't want to pass up so we decided to move on a Wednesday and we were living in our new house by Friday. It was craziness! We are very happy with our decision to move off the base. We were unhappy with the school there and our constant neighborhood drama, so we felt strongly that it was a good choice for our whole family. We now live in a very quiet neighborhood, and a better county with better schools where Abby and Andrew will both be attending this fall. The best thing about our new house (besides the fact that we don't share walls with ANYONE!) is our nice big backyard. We finally have a nice big fenced in area for our kids to run around and play to their heart's content.
2. Since we have this huge yard, naturally our kids needed something to entertain themselves according to Perry. I agreed, but was thinking something more along the lines of a trampoline or a sandbox. But if any of you know Perry, he doesn't do anything small. He always goes all out, so we ended up buying one of these. To save about $300 Perry decided to install it himself. It took about 18 hours combined for him to put it together all by himself. I admit I was hesitant at first, but I am so glad we got it and already feel like it was worth the money. And Perry is our hero for putting it up.
3. This past week we found out that Perry got picked up for E-7. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments. He has worked incredibly hard and been blessed to get where he is and has been promoted very quickly for his time in service. We had originally thought that he wouldn't be able to pin E-7 because there used to be a rule that you couldn't pin unless you had at least two years left in your enlistment. We only have one year left, but that rule has been changed and we are thrilled that he will get the recognition he deserves. He also scored a 3/3 on his DLPT (Portuguese test) this month and got the high score on the written portion of his TSCM certificate test. He never ceases to amaze me at what he can accomplish all while being an awesome husband and father under tons of stress. Did I mention he did all this in the midst of moving us by himself? Okay, I'm done bragging now. Great job Perry!
4. Perry continues to travel with his job which is hard on our family, but I know that this is what he has to do to get the experience he will need for the future. He will be gone for the next five weeks to a couple different places, but we will meet up with him in Maryland over Spring break. We can't wait to see all of our Fort Meade friends who are still there and hang out in our old stomping grounds. We will be there April 3-10th!
5. Andrew's preschool had a photographer come the other day who brought a baby bunny for the kids to pose with. The cheesy backdrop photos are not my style, but just for fun I had Avery's picture taken and then I got the proofs back. They turned out pretty cute. I think we may be suckered into buying one of these. Anyone who has seen us recently knows that Avery takes this little red purse with her wherever we go. She is very responsible and keeps her cell phone, brush and puppy in it.
Here are Andrew's school pictures. He's actually smiling & looking at the camera :)
6. I am continuing to stay busy unpacking boxes and organizing the house. It is a never ending process. We will only be here for about 15 more months, so we are trying to get rid of stuff and lighten our load for our next move. I got a new calling as our ward Enrichment leader and I am enjoying getting to know the sisters in my ward and going to Relief Society again. I also feel like I'm a cab service shuttling kids here and there but life is good. Unfortunately there isn't a single recent picture of Perry or me from this past month, but here are a couple more of the kids enjoying the playground.
24 comments:
congrats on a great house! what a fun new toy and the pics look great. so what's next? are you guys done with the military when his enlistment is up? whatever you do i wish you the best!
How fun! The house looks great and the swingset looks so fun. Our kids would love that. Too bad our yard is too small! Glad to see you guys are doing well.
congratulations on your home, swing set and promotion!
Wow, so much fun! I am really happy you were able to get a nice house with a yard, that is the best thing ever for kids. Enjoy it!
You forgot the part where you are SOOO happy to live 4 minutes from my house now. I mean really, that's the primary reason you moved, right?
Congrats to Perry for his promotion and all his other mad military skillz. Now if he could just master the "asking for help" portion he'd be golden:)
I totally forgot to mention that part! I LOVE that we live closer to you guys. Seriously, that is the reason we moved. :)
How nice to have a good backyard and no wall sharing neighbors! Your kids are so cute!
I'm always tempted to move off base--especially with the price of houses dropping and everyone renting because they can't sell...
That play-area/jungle gym looks AWESOME!!!
I'm so excited you're coming back for a visit in April--that's next week!!!
The house looks wonderful! How nice for you. I love the play set- so fun! I also love the new look on your blog.
What an exciting and BUSY time you have had! Living in a home that doesn't have connecting walls is a luxury you can never appreciate until you have lived on a military base. The neighborhood drama, although I haven't heard the stories...I can only imagine. Promotions are always the best..Congrats!! It is nice to see hard work pay off. How exciting. We looked at a playground too. Since our yard isn't completely fenced in I knew it would attract unwanted nieghborhood kids...is that bad? So we decided against it. Plus, moving something like that doesn't sound like too much fun.
Wow, you have been busy. I'm not sure what all of those fancy promotions Perry got are but they sound VERY impressive so I am so happy for all of you. THose bunny pictures are ridiculously cute, hate to say it but you need to suck it up and buy them. I mean honestly, how often do they get to hold a bunny. And congrats on the house. There is nothing better then not seeing, smelling and hearing your neighbors all the time. Well done to all of you.
This is a step up from ghetto fabulous!! :) Everything is looking up for you guys. Hooray! Hope you have a great time in our old stomping grounds. Say hi to everyone for us!
-I had no doubt that you guys can do a move yourselves again. seriously Perry should think about a moving company business once he gets out.
-We are sooo looking forward to you guys coming here!!
-that backyard is awesome!
-congratulations, Super Perry for all the accomplishments especially putting the swing set together!:)
-Avery is just adorable, I can't believe she's so grown up now. she even has her own purse and cellphone, awwww.. we love all the pictures!
Holy cow, is that a big backyard! Awesome!
Your swing set rivals the one on the white house lawn! Holy moly! That's awesome. Perry really is amazing. If cheyenne built that it would be upside down and take 3 weeks. XD
The kids are so big and adorable! And yay for a new house with less drama. I wish we could find a big house with no adjoining neighbors and a big yard...oh wait, I live in Japan. That doesn't exist. :)
Fun Sarah! And congrats on the new house, that playground is awesome!
I'm dreaming of my 4 bedroom house, rented or purchased, i know it's out there! Congrats on all the big stuff... you kind of sound like me, except the part with the promotions in the army! :)
Great house, gorgeous kids. And major points to Perry for the 18 hours of manual labor! Of course, I think I'd be willing to pay the $300 vs. having Jared disappear into the backyard for 18 hours. My sanity is worth at least $300. :-)
did you steal mimi for that picture on the swing?
Your house looks great. We are moving in May, and it's sad to say that we are finally moving out of Ft. Meade ward. We will be in the Odenton ward.
I can't wait to see you next month!!
Wow, that was a big update! No wonder you have not posted... you guys have ben busy.
Congrats Pear Bear... you are so smart and such a hard worker.
That playground is SWEET. Cute pics. Your house looks great. Can't wait to visit. I just showed Ruby all of the kids pics and she said all of their names!
What an exciting time you've been having! I LOVE the house and the swingset!!! How awesome. Miss you as always! Annie
I love your house! I am SO glad that you guys got out of that neighborhood too! It is so great to hear from you. I feel so bad that we are going to miss each other again but have a fun trip to Maryland. Miss you!
Congratulations!!! You guys sound like you are busy but good. Tell Perry the swingset looks awesome, Ryan still can't be suckered into getting one so Perry needs to talk to him. Your kids are adorable, but I know you probably hear that all the time. How do you manage having Perry gone so much, I would go crazy, you are obviously a SUPER MOM!!!
Doesn't it make all the difference when the men are always gone to be able to kick the kids out the back door on a regular basis? Karl also too went nuts and got us a Rainbow last summer. (He did NOT put it together himself, though :P) I was walking around for a few weeks after the purchase wondering who this man was and what he had done with my husband, since Karl is normally pretty, um... let's just say frugal. But his main reasoning? To save my sanity during his residency. Yep. Kick 'em out and lock the back door! jk... sorta XD
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