Until I get a chance to try again

I'm having problems embedding this, so for now...

Here's the first one.

This one had me cracking up three or four times. Watch for Cammi's entrance, and after.

New pictures

I uploaded a bunch of new pictures of the boys. Check out their photo links on the right.

Wow!

Kaden slept through the night last night!!! He fell asleep at eight and woke up at five thirty. I'll take it!!! Yippee!

Possible follow-on assignment

So Darrell's branch manager tells him that we're probably going to Fort Lewis after he gets back from Korea in August '08. Cool. I've never been to that part of the country. Lots of good geology. Closer to 'home.'

House prices are much more expensive than they are here. We're looking into moving on post. But we'll keep our options open.

One night down...

Hopefully many to follow...

Kaden sorta kinda slept through the night last night. Sorta because he didn't have a bottle, but kinda because he woke up about three times and needed a little help to get back to sleep (binky or backrub).

But hey, baby steps, right?

Speaking of baby steps, Kaden can stand for quite awhile now! Just a week ago, I had to totally support him under the arms, but now he can stand for over ten minutes, with just help balancing! And he loves it. I guess he likes the view from up there. ;)

Who am I?

I recently wrote out a little blurb about myself. Then, after thinking about it for a while, I realized I described what I DID, rather than who I AM. So, I rewrote it. Figured I'd copy/paste it here...

I am an easy-going, middle-of-the road tomboy. I don't own makeup, feel like a fraud for carrying a purse (no pockets in my work pants), and on a good day, would describe my looks as "passably average."

I enjoy reading a good book, taking long uninterrupted naps, and sitting on the beach listening to the waves. I like thunderstorms. I like natural things, but not necessarily just being out in nature (too many bugs). I have a degree in geology, but I'd prefer to teach it to others than get out and do field work.

I am pro-choice (although I don't think I would ever chose abortion, I also don't think I have any right to decide for others), anti-gun (I wish some alien spaceship would beam up all weapons on our planet), pro death penalty (in cases where there is no doubt that the person committed the horrible crime), pro euthanasia (when the one who chooses it is of sound mind), pro gay marriage (again, what right do I have to decide for others?), pro small government (why do they have to interfere in our lives so much?), and don't feel any inclination toward either political party (and frankly, I'm sick of politics today...)

I love being a mother. I enjoy NOT being a stay-at-home-mom. I would go crazy, and I like contributing to the household bank account. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. While I currently push paper for a living, I think I'd rather be in the intelligence field. That's a tough career to get into as a military spouse, but I've recently found someone willing to mentor me, so I'm hoping to break into it at some point.

I am a realist. I have no decoration or fashion sense. I pretty much hate all of my clothes and dread having to pick something out to wear every day. My house looks like we just moved in, but we've been here for 18 months.

I have the usual body-image issues. I would love to have lipo around my tummy/hips/thighs. I wouldn't turn down a free breast enlargement. I don't consider myself attractive, but I'm okay with that. Still, I'm comfortable in my own skin, even without expensive surgery to 'fix' what I would prefer to have fixed.

I've come to the realization in my adulthood that I don't believe in God. I don't really believe in an afterlife, but I rather hope there is one. I grew up going to church every Sunday, and I love the familiar hymns of my childhood.

I consider myself a musician, but don't currently play or sing (other than in the car). I would love the chance to get back into performing. In my past, I've played handbells, baritone horn, trombone, and tuba. I LOVE to sing, but I'm more a chorus voice than a soloist. I prefer to sing tenor, but alto works too. I like lots of types of music, but not rap, R&B, gospel, old country, or bluegrass. I dig old big band music, instrumental jazz, rock with a lot of wind instruments, good harmonies, and songs I can sing along to. My newest CD was probably purchased five years ago.

I don't think I'm all that creative, at least artistically. I am rather organized, and in that aspect can usually think of a clever solution to a problem. Just don't ask me to draw a picture of my idea.

I am a procrastinator. I don't like calling for pizza. I don't like deciding where to eat dinner when we go out. I'm not very adventurous when trying new foods.

I'm generally a quiet person, but when I'm comfortable with the people I'm around, I'll talk their ears off. I like to WORK when I'm at work, not gab all day and get nothing done. I don't like monotony, but at the same time, I like the routine.

I don't like loud. Loud music, loud talking, loud annoying noises, loud TV. I listen to the music in my car just loud enough to hear, plus a little more. The same goes for the tv. My favorite shows are Extreme Makeover Home Edition (I cry every time) and Gilmore Girls. I also like to watch House, Myth Busters, science-type stuff on Discovery Channel, all the real medical type shows (except anything showing eye surgery ), and a game here or there (hockey, baseball, football, golf, cycling, poker, tennis...)

My favorite colors are blue, green, and orange. Don't ask me to pick one, or put them in order. I like them all.

I love mint chocolate chip ice cream. I prefer it to be green, but white will do in a pinch. I don't eat seafood. I love pasta. I make a killer lasagna. And chocolate chip cookies. I don't mind cooking, but when I get home from work, I'm an instant dinner kind of girl. Give me something in a box and I'll make it, but don't ask me to make anything from scratch.

When I was little, I wanted to be an astronaut. I'd still love to go into space, but I've developed a condition which will keep me grounded. I cannot eat without gravity, as the muscles in my esophagus don't push the food down. Good thing I never followed my dreams to NASA...

I am a home-owner, along with my husband. I have quite a bit of concern when it comes to selling our house. I do the bill-paying in our family. Both because my husband is often not able to do it and also because I feel the need to be in control.

While at times military life totally sucks, I mostly don't mind moving around. I like moving into a new place. I don't like figuring out how to get around a new town. I don't like packing, but the army does that for us. I already have the itch to leave where we are now. Of course I miss my husband when we're apart, but I'm a realist. I knew what I was getting into when I married him. I don't complain about the situation, I just complain because I'm lonely.

I prefer to do things my way. I'll listen to advice, but most of the time I don't follow it, unless it's given by someone who knows me very well. When faced with letting someone else do it mostly right or doing it myself, I'll almost always choose doing it myself.

At the moment, I'm rather sleepy. I should log off, power down the laptop, and go to sleep, but I know I won't.

This should be interesting...

I'm not a very political person. I don't have strong feelings for either party. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the democrats winning the entire legislative branch of our federal government.

But wow. The House AND the Senate? This could get interesting.

I'm very interested in the 2008 presidential election. There are a few people that I'm hoping will run. I'd like to know more about them. If I feel strongly enough about any one of them come November two years from now, I'll make sure I register to vote wherever I am at the time.

I think I'm still registered in Pennsylvania? I know I registered somewhere in my past. Can't remember where. Don't suppose it matters now. I've never voted. Shame on me, I know.

Like I said, this could get very interesting...

True enough, I suppose

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Extroverted (E) 54.55% Introverted (I) 45.45%
Sensing (S) 56.76% Intuitive (N) 43.24%
Thinking (T) 58.06% Feeling (F) 41.94%
Judging (J) 58.82% Perceiving (P) 41.18%

From: http://www.personalitypage.com/ESTJ.html

The Guardian

As an ESTJ, your primary mode of living is focused externally, where you deal with things rationally and logically. Your secondary mode is internal, where you take things in via your five senses in a literal, concrete fashion.

ESTJs live in a world of facts and concrete needs. They live in the present, with their eye constantly scanning their personal environment to make sure that everything is running smoothly and systematically. They honor traditions and laws, and have a clear set of standards and beliefs. They expect the same of others, and have no patience or understanding of individuals who do not value these systems. They value competence and efficiency, and like to see quick results for their efforts.

ESTJs are take-charge people. They have such a clear vision of the way that things should be, that they naturally step into leadership roles. They are self-confident and aggressive. They are extremely talented at devising systems and plans for action, and at being able to see what steps need to be taken to complete a specific task. They can sometimes be very demanding and critical, because they have such strongly held beliefs, and are likely to express themselves without reserve if they feel someone isn't meeting their standards. But at least their expressions can be taken at face-value, because the ESTJ is extremely straight-forward and honest.

The ESTJ is usually a model citizen, and pillar of the community. He or she takes their commitments seriously, and follows their own standards of "good citizenship" to the letter. ESTJ enjoys interacting with people, and likes to have fun. ESTJs can be very boisterous and fun at social events, especially activities which are focused on the family, community, or work.

The ESTJ needs to watch out for the tendency to be too rigid, and to become overly detail-oriented. Since they put a lot of weight in their own beliefs, it's important that they remember to value other people's input and opinions. If they neglect their Feeling side, they may have a problem with fulfilling other's needs for intimacy, and may unknowingly hurt people's feelings by applying logic and reason to situations which demand more emotional sensitivity.

When bogged down by stress, an ESTJ often feels isolated from others. They feel as if they are misunderstood and undervalued, and that their efforts are taken for granted. Although normally the ESTJ is very verbal and doesn't have any problem expressing themself, when under stress they have a hard time putting their feelings into words and communicating them to others.

ESTJs value security and social order above all else, and feel obligated to do all that they can to enhance and promote these goals. They will mow the lawn, vote, join the PTA, attend home owners association meetings, and generally do anything that they can to promote personal and social security.

The ESTJ puts forth a lot of effort in almost everything that they do. They will do everything that they think should be done in their job, marriage, and community with a good amount of energy. He or she is conscientious, practical, realistic, and dependable. While the ESTJ will dutifully do everything that is important to work towards a particular cause or goal, they might not naturally see or value the importance of goals which are outside of their practical scope. However, if the ESTJ is able to see the relevance of such goals to practical concerns, you can bet that they'll put every effort into understanding them and incorporating them into their quest for clarity and security.

Ok, except for the bit about the PTA and the voting, I'm okay with this...

Please do it again regularly, Kaden!

Kaden went to bed without a single fuss tonight. Ahhhhhhh.......

Interview!

I have an interview on Monday for a GS5 job - over $5k more than I'm making now. :)

It's basically doing the same thing, within the same organization, just for a different section.

It doesn't hurt that I'm doing two full-time jobs right now, AND doing both so well that I have downtime. :) Hehehe. I rock.

It also doesn't hurt that I've volunteered for two different sections during my time here, so I know a lot more than just my little job.

So the trick now is to not get cocky. I've never NOT gotten a job I've interviewed for... But there's always a first time.

Oh, one of the three interview panel members is my spades partner from the tournament I was in during our organizational fun day. :) We were the runners-up in that competition, so he knows I can think.

Things are looking good. I've done as much as I can do to compete for this spot. Just gotta figure out what to wear (and this time I'm not pregnant! hahahaha)

Back to Korea. *sigh*

So, Darrell found out his next assignment. Korea.

Ever wanting a silver lining, at least it's not Iraq, right? (Yes, I know he might get deployed to Iraq from Korea, don't remind me, k?)

Estimated time of departure - sometime late summer '07.

Option A - The boys and I stay here (although I'll be looking for a new school for J if we choose this option).

Option B - We sell the house and move somewhere. This option gets tricky, as the army will only pay for us to move once - officially we can either move to the follow-on duty station when he leaves or when he comes back. We should know where that is likely to be in May-ish. But when he was there last time, his follow-on assignment changed three times. Not sure what happens if we move to that location, only to have it change...

Much thought will be needed before any decisions are made.

*sigh*

Happy birthday mom and niece!

My niece was born on my mom's 40th birthday. Her first grandchild. How cool is that, right? Anyway, happy birthday to you both. *hugs*

Yay!

I am so excited! My step-daughter is coming for Thanksgiving! I haven't seen her in forever, and she hasn't met Kaden yet. She'll be here for about three-four days. I guess she can have Justin's top bunk... Or probably the couch. Whatever, she's coming! :)

Busy at work...

I've been enjoying myself at work this week. I've been able to keep up with both my regular job, and the job I'm filling in for for the next six weeks or so. I do love a challenge, and this is finally enough of one to make me happy. Crazy that that's what it takes. *laugh*

Halloween fun!

Justin had a blast for Halloween. We tried to go to an outdoor mall that advertised trick-or-treating, but they were out of candy less than an hour into their three-hour advertised time! Not cool!

Luckily there is an awesome housing area almost across the street. We hit that up and Justin filled up his entire punkin bucket! We went with our friends and their neighbors. Lots of fun was had by all.

Justin and one of the neighbor boys dressed as Spiderman (J's costume was about $20 cheaper than the other boy's; they weren't too happy to hear that). Britne, a girl in J's class, was a cutie-pie tinkerbell. Kaden wore J's tigger shirt from his costume last year (yes it was huge, but it kept him nice and warm in the stroller). I decided to see if my wedding dress still fit and it DID!! So I wore that and got lots of compliments. :)

I can't believe it, but I didn't take a single picture! What was I thinking??!?