What's Happened Since...

     So, it's been a while.  Almost 4 years, actually.  So much has happened since then, I'm not even sure where to start.  Four years ago we were living in Elgin, Oklahoma.  Juliana had just turned one year old, and Jericho was wrapping up his first school year in pre-kindergarten.  Those last months began to reveal something in Jericho that would eventually lead to a diagnosis later on, but that's another post for another time.  We were enjoying life in our small Oklahoma town.  We'd made friends and memories, and things were going well.  I had stopped blogging because I'd simply become too busy with the kids to be able to sit down and write a coherent paragraph, much less a post that didn't have to do with diapers or school lunches.  Summer was spent in the backyard, catching butterflies and painting on the back porch.  On the hottest days, we would fill up Jericho's water guns and write letters and draw funny faces with them on the wooden fence out back, eventually turning on each other in water gun attacks that left us soaking wet.  Some days when we were bored, we'd tie a bell and a fishing bobber on the end of my old fishing rod, and we would practice casting into Mrs. Tommie's yard in hopes of getting the attention of her cat, Nyla.

     Our time in Oklahoma seemed to go by slowly.  Michael was at work at Ft. Sill before sunrise every morning, and he'd get home around 11 o'clock each night.  Being a drill sergeant was a brutal job, but he enjoyed the mentoring aspect and took his position seriously.  That was a long two years.  Jericho's Kindergarten school year went well, and he joined the town's soccer team, his first team sport.  Juliana loved to spend soccer practice being pulled around the field in our wagon and hunting for dandelions.  Two months into Jericho's first-grade year, Michael left for a year-long tour in Korea.  The next day was Jericho's last day in public school.  His teacher had been awful.  The school had discipline methods that were counterproductive.  Our son wasn't thriving, and he'd been having trouble getting his classwork done.  Things were getting worse (I'll talk about that later) and I needed to do something fast.  Homeschooling seemed to be the solution because it would allow us the time and freedom to look for the answers we needed for him.  To this day, it's still one of the best decisions we've made.

     One year to the day, Michael came home from Korea and a month later, we were settling into our new home on post at Fort Carson, Colorado.  For him it was going to be a new job, new people, and a new setting.  For us as a family, it would be a fresh start with tons of things to do and see.

To Be Continued...

   

Well Hello!

Lately, I've been thinking I need to get back to blogging.  I quit Facebook a few months ago, deleting my account and completely walking away from it, and I felt like I needed an outlet or a hobby to keep my brain busy.  I'd been feeling the urge to write something that wasn't a status update or random post about my frustrations for all my Facebook friends to see.  Then I remembered what I used to do before homeschooling, doctor appointments, and dress-up parties came into the picture:  my blog!

Quite a lot has happened since I last wrote here, so I'll update you over the next few posts.

Guest Post: The Realities of Finding a Civilian Job

Hi everyone!  I know I've been absent for a while; having two active (really active) kiddos keeps me busy as ever, so there's not much time left over for keeping my blog updated.  Recently I was contacted by Emma, and she was interested in doing a guest post for me, so I obliged.

Emma wrote an article for me on typical myths and truths when it comes to searching for a job in the civilian world.  I am glad she found me; we'll be dealing with these myths and truths in just over two years.

Enjoy your Fourth of July!  Don't burn the house down.

love,
Dana

____________

The Realities of Finding a Civilian Job

Many former members of the military find it hard to readjust to civilian life after leaving the service. While there may be challenges and obstacles along the way, do not let the transition overwhelm you. Becoming a civilian again may take time, but most veterans eventually enjoy a satisfying life. Finding employment may be of concern. Various myths exist evolving around gaining employment. Let us explore the truth behind the myths.

Myth #1: Jobs open to veterans are almost non-existent.

Truth: There are many different programs designed to make entering the civilian workforce easier for veterans. A group of well-known companies established 100,000 Jobs Mission that offers information concerning available positions that span numerous fields. Each entry also provides projected job growth rates, average salary and any degrees required.

Myth #2: Making a career change is just not possible.

Truth: More and more people have to change careers for one reason or another. However, advancing technology provides new and interesting job options. Additionally, many veterans do not realize that they have skills that transfer into the civilian workplace. Some prefer entering a totally different field, as a means of fulfilling a life-long dream.

Myth #3: Applying for a job is exhausting and takes too much time.

Truth: Employers today appreciate the fact that people lead busy lives. While some stragglers may prefer hand mailed applications and information, most converted to the ease of technology. Many allow potential employees to fill out applications online and upload resumes. Some companies have even started to partner with services like JIBE, a mobile recruiting company that allows you to upload resumes and other job-related documents directly from your smartphone or tablet.

Myth #4: Companies may boast that they help veterans find employment, but there is no individual that I can actually talk to for assistance in finding a job.

Truth: The Gold Card Initiative provides post 9/11 era veterans with the chance to enhance their employment options when visiting the One-Stop Career Center. There, veterans receive assistance with job readiness skills and interviews while getting career assistance. The Individual Development Plan provides job referrals and checks veteran’s progress on a monthly basis.

Myth #5: Cover letters are not necessary.

Truth: Each time you apply for a job you need to include a cover letter, unless the employer specifically states otherwise. A resume basically serves as a work history of your previously held positions, skills required and possible accomplishments. A cover letter provides applicants with the opportunity to elaborate on the skills and talents that they possess and how these apply to the specific position they are seeking. By not including a cover letter, you deny yourself the chance to sell yourself.

Emma is a mid 20-something year old with a passion for life, love, fitness, and helping others. She loves to be active and get involved in as many sport and community activities as possible. Emma is currently studying to become a Career & Life Coach, and loves to network with people from around the world! Check out Emma’s blog at http://smileasithappens.blogspot.com/! 

Help Us Make a Kid's Day!

 Since Jericho first started Pre-K at the Early Childhood Center in Elgin, I've witnessed him grow in so many ways.  He's more social, and he's learned to share and participate in group activities.  His handwriting is 100 times better.  He colors (mostly) inside the lines.

And he's like, three feet taller.  I digress.

But the one thing that has exceeded my expectations the most is his teachers' willingness to work exclusively with Jericho to challenge him and expand his reading and vocabulary recognition.  I never expected the amount of attention and love he gets from his teachers, but it really warms my heart to watch him run - not walk - into his classroom every day, excited to see his friends and learn and play and grow.  It takes a lot for him to do that, so the fact that he rarely pauses to look back to tell me goodbye tells me that there's a lot of love in that classroom.  There's a lot of love in that tiny little school.

Which brings me to the point of this post.  Jericho's school also hosts Head Start programs, which is an income-based program for children.  In order to qualify for Head Start, which is free, the child's parents must earn an income below a certain amount.  Some of the children at his school are in both Head Start and Pre-K, so some of them are in Jericho's class.  They're his friends.  They're the ones I hear about in the car on the way home from school.

They are part of his memories.

A few weeks ago, the ECC distributed order forms for yearbooks for this school year.  Each book is $35, and parents also have the option to donate an extra $35 for a deserving ECC student.  When I saw the option to donate, I started thinking about all the kids at his school that wouldn't get a yearbook because their parents couldn't afford it.  I started brainstorming, and I found a neat website to start my own fundraiser to collect money for as many yearbooks as I can get and donate.

That's where you come in.  Jericho's friends and classmates are his first friends.  His first memories.  I'm sure the same is true for the other kids at the school.  If you can, help me reach my goal of $3,500 to donate 100 yearbooks so that every student gets one.  Every dollar helps, and every dollar is greatly appreciated!

Here's the link:

http://www.gofundme.com/2243b8

Thank you!

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  Growing up, I always looked forward to getting together with my family and enjoying a wonderful meal.  Since our move to Italy, neither Michael nor I have been able to have Thanksgiving with our families.  But this year, my sister and brother-in-law drove out to visit from NC and made this Thanksgiving the most memorable one yet!

They arrived on Monday, about an hour before it was time to take Jericho to school, so they came along with us to drop him off.  He got to show them his classroom and they got to meet his teacher, Mrs. Kelly. 

Over the course of the week, they cooked meals I never would've been able to make.  We drove through the Wildlife Refuge and to the top of Mt. Scott.  They provided extra arms for Juliana and conversation for Jericho.  They were great company for me, especially on Thanksgiving Day because Michael had CQ and would not be home.  For Thanksgiving dinner, we kept a tradition that Michael and I have done since we got married - a boneless roast turkey in the rotisserie.  Of course, we made all the fixin's to go with it, and it made for a really nice time.  We were sad to see them go back home. 

How was your Thanksgiving? 

Bountiful Baskets

On Saturday, I had the opportunity to participate in a quickly-growing produce co-op called Bountiful Baskets.  Only a few states participate, but it is becoming more popular.  Basically, you purchase (or "contribute," according to the website) a basket of produce on Monday of each week, when the site goes live for orders.  For fifteen dollars, you get a basic basket with 50% fruit and 50% vegetables.  You can also opt for add-ons, such as loaves of bread or more specific fruit or vegetable packs.  You can also upgrade to organic produce for a few dollars more.  Pick-up day is the following Saturday at a local site and you must provide your own container to take your produce home. 

This was my first time participating so I only contributed for a basic basket, but oh my goodness was it a lot of food!  It filled up a laundry basket and it was so heavy I could barely get it in the house!  I wish I'd taken a photo of the pick-up location and the line waiting for baskets.  There were at least 60 people in line.  Our tiny little town is making big efforts to help people provide healthier food for their families.  It makes me proud to participate, and I love that the pick-up site is 5 minutes from my house.  I also like that Jericho is not a picky eater, and he sees healthy food in our house instead of junk.

When the kids and I got home, I quickly sorted and washed everything, then stared at it for a few minutes while I tried to decide what to do with all that food.  And where would I put it?!  I did a quick search on the Internet to find out how to freeze two bunches of celery, and when I was done, Jericho and I had a vegetarian lunch of fresh sliced carrots, yellow peppers (I already had them in the fridge), fresh tomatoes and crackers.  Personally, I am trying to eat less meat in an attempt to get more fruit and vegetables into my diet.  Being married to a serious carnivore means we eat a lot of red meat, and in recent months I haven't been comfortable with the way it makes me feel after the meal is done.  Thankfully, Bountiful Baskets will provide me with the chance to get more of that good stuff in my kitchen with less money spent and less time staring at the shelves in the commissary.  It's much easier to prep fresh food in advance than to prep packaged food and let it sit until time to serve.  Plus, it's becoming easier to just put a few different kinds of vegetables into a bowl and snack on that instead of wondering what to cook for lunch for me and Jericho. 

This week there will be no co-op because of Thanksgiving, but I can't wait to order another basket - and some bread, perhaps?  Here's a photo of this week's loot:

There are five of the largest baking potatoes I've ever seen.  There's a HUGE pineapple, three pomelos, green apples, carrots, lettuce, tangerines, celery and tomatoes.  At the commissary, this would have cost me more than fifteen dollars!

Is there a Bountiful Baskets co-op near you?  If so, check it out!  You can find more info here.

Veteran's Day/Guest Blogger

Veteran's Day is upon us!  Please welcome and enjoy a post about this special holiday written by my guest blogger, Courtney.

Celebrating Veterans Day

Veterans Day is coming up and many people are likely looking forward to a relaxing three-day weekend.  The post office and banks will be closed, and it is a good day to catch up on errands and spend some time with your family and friends.  While many people use the day for personal reasons, the significance and history is often lost and forgotten, which is unfortunate as it has deep seeded meaning and importance.  This Veterans Day, spend some time remembering those who have served our country!

Veterans Day was originally established in 1918, on November 11^th, at 11am.  At this time, the United States signed a peace armistice with Germany, which signified the end of World War I.  In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11^th Armistice Day, and in 1938 Congress made the day an official holiday.  After World War II and the Korean War, Congress changed the name to “Veterans Day” and made it an official holiday that recognized the efforts of all veterans of all wars, not just those that served in WWI.  Today, Veterans Day is a day set apart for celebration and thanks for the veterans and service men and women who have or are serving in our nation’s Armed Forces.  This day is different from Memorial Day, as Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those that died serving our country, and Veterans Day is a day of celebration for those that have served or are serving.

Making Veterans Day Special

There are so many great ways that you can celebrate Veterans Day either alone or with family and friends.  Keep in mind the significance of the holiday and try some of these fun and different patriotic celebration ideas:

1.      Observe a Moment of Silence – This is a great way to show your respect and a unique way to teach your kids how to thank and show respect for those who have served.  Teaching your children and family what a moment of silence represents is important and will help instill a sense of respect.  Little kids will likely end the silence with giggling which is just fine!

2.      Patriotic Crafts and Treats – Making fun, patriotic themed crafts and treats with your kids is a great way to spend a few hours thinking about our country and teaching them what different symbols mean.  Make paper flags with your kids and teach them about the meaning of the starts, the red, white, and blue.  Put the flags up around your house and enjoy some red, white, and blue rice crispy treats (a personal favorite!).

3.      Go to a Parade – Lots of cities and towns hold patriotic parades to commemorate the citizens in the community who served in the Armed Forces.  These parades are a great way to meet the people in your neighborhood who have served and give thanks to them for the time and effort that they put forth to protect our country.

No matter how you spend your Veterans Day, spend a few moments to think about those who have sacrificed for us and thank them in your heart for what they have done.  Also remember that because November 11^th is on a Sunday this year, it will be observed on Monday, November 12^th.

*Courtney writes about VA news for MilitaryVALoan.com, a resource where veterans can save money on their VA home loans and mortgages.

Thank you, Courtney!  You kids be careful this weekend!

Halloween!

Halloween this year was fun for us!  Michael had registered for the Zombie Crawl 5k in Wichita Falls, TX that took place the weekend before Halloween.  I was excited to go down there as a family and take photos of all the costumes, but after learning that the race didn't actually start until 7 pm, we decided it would be best for me to stay home with the kiddos and get them to bed at their normal bedtime instead of keeping them outside in the cold and 45 minutes from home.  For the race, you can register as a zombie or a survivor.  Each group has different goals to complete during the race.  I spent about 1.5 hours on Michael's zombie makeup and sent him on his way.  He met one of his drill sergeant co-workers there for the race, and he kept me updated with text messages and funny photos of people dressed up in zombie costumes.  I hate that I missed it, but I just did not want to get Juliana out in the cold weather that night. 

This year was also Jericho's first Halloween trick-or-treating in actual neighborhoods, including our own.  Our neighborhood was a letdown, though, because we were one of two houses on our entire street giving out candy.  I guess all the other kids had gone to Elgin or Ft. Sill to trick-or-treat, though I don't understand why.  After hitting up Mrs. Tommie next door for candy, Jericho went with Michael to Elgin to ring a few doorbells and build up his candy stash.  My little bat only lasted about an hour.  Juliana sat on my lap outside the garage to help me greet trick-or-treaters, but it quickly got chilly outside and she was ready for bed.  When my neighbor Sara showed up with her two children, I gave them all that was left of our bowl of Kit Kats and turned in for the night. 

This was Jericho's second year dressed as a black bat.  He was supposed to be a zombie but changed his mind the day before Halloween after seeing Michael's zombie makeup for the race.  No zombie races next year!

Family Time/What Makes Me Happy

Michael's parents came to visit us over the weekend.  I'd been looking forward to it for at least a month, because when they visit, Jericho is on Cloud 9 and I get my hands (and right hip) baby-free for a couple days.  This past weekend I actually got to use my garden tub!  With the jets! 

It was GLORIOUS! 

On Saturday, we took them to Medicine Park, a small historical community not far from our house that attracts a lot of tourists.  Apparently they were hosting Rock in the Park, an annual Fall festival-type gathering with live music all day and into the evening.  We hadn't planned on going because we didn't know about it and weren't prepared, so we decided to drive up to the peak of Mt. Scott instead.  Mt. Scott is the highest peak in the Wichita Mountains that you can get to by car.  I guess the festival in Medicine Park had attracted a lot of people, because the parking lot at the peak was full!  It was nice though, because when Medicine Park hosts festivals like that, you end up meeting people from all over the country. 

On Sunday, Juliana and I stayed home while everyone else went shopping for a few things.  By the time Monday morning rolled around, my house was loud, chaotic and messy again.  But the visit was worth it!  I always look forward to a visit from Michael's family.  Since the first time I met them, I've felt very blessed and lucky to have married into a family that has welcomed me with open arms.  Living so far away, it's hard to get together as often as you'd like.  It's really nice to have family (from his and mine) that are willing and able to make the drive or fly out to visit.  I never expect or ask for housework help, and I never expect an automatic babysitter, but it feels so good to be able to get things done with both hands while the children play with someone they love.  Family is important, and I'm so lucky to be from and married to families who feel the same way.

School Rocks!

So a couple months ago Jericho started Pre-K here in Elgin.  In the beginning, Michael and I were worried about certain issues we'd encountered when Jericho was in Hourly Care on Post last year.  He was good for about three months, and then all of a sudden it became impossible to even get him to go into the building.  One year later, we're still not sure why.  We think it had something to do with Michael's work schedule.  Anyway, when it came time to get ready for his first day of Pre-K, we built up the excitement and talked about how cool it was that he was going to "big kids' school" and that he was going to learn so much stuff...and hoped for the best. 

I guess it worked.

Every morning when Jericho comes into my bedroom, he asks, "Do I have school today?"  If the answer is yes, he does a cute little fist pump and goes to pick out his clothes, even though he doesn't have to be at school until 12:15.  When I walk him into the building, he goes right to his hook on the wall to hang his backpack, takes my hand and goes with me to his classroom where we have a quick hug and kiss and "see you later."  Pick-up at 3:00 is even easier.  He's made friends and gets at least one birthday party invitation in his backpack per week. 

There was another issue we were concerned with in the beginning that hasn't really been dealt with until now.  In the beginning of October, I had a parent/teacher conference with Mrs. Kelly.  The conference was only 15 minutes long, but in those 15 minutes it became apparent that Mrs. Kelly wasn't aware he could read.  I wasn't really surprised; he won't read for anyone he doesn't know that well, and he's only in class with about 12-15 other kids for 2.5 hours.  Michael and I were afraid he'd get bored.  But since that conference, the school has expressed an interest in testing him to see what scholastic level he's at with reading, and Mrs. Kelly is working with him for a few minutes every day to keep him practicing and less timid with reading in class.  He's doing really well with his teacher and gets along with his classmates, and Michael and I couldn't be happier!  His behavior at home has improved.  He's a better listener.  He's still a little shy, but we're okay with that.