Vacation Plans this Summer

We are talking pretty seriously about taking a cruise this summer. We need to get out, as Wyatt is sure to be a little stir crazy with no more school to attend. We also want to take a little more advantage of the area we live in. Plus, we went on a cruise soon after we were married and loved it. That one was only 4 days long, so we are looking at doing one that is at least a week and hits up some of the different island countries around us (the Bahamas not on that list, hopefully).

Hopefully, Oliver's leave dates jive with the cruise company we prefer. We'll see. At least we have a much greater chance of that happening living here.

Been MIA

I know I haven't posted much lately. I've thought about it, but can't bring myself to sit down. Too much going through me head right now. Nothing bad, but deep thoughts.

Oliver is taking the chief test this week for the first time. We aren't expecting big things, and actually would prefer he not get picked up right away, anyway. He made rank so fast, there's plenty of time for it. Being first class is kind of a sweet spot in the Navy - enough pay to be comfortable, he's now allowed to retire, yet not so much responsibility at work that he has to stay late over and over again. There are always tradeoffs to everything.

My mother bought Wyatt a sandcastle kit for Christmas. It's funny, because a few years ago, she sent him a snowman kit that we made use for a couple winters. He's been raring to use it ever since we got back, and we finally obliged this weekend. I'm sad I forgot to grab the camera; Oliver built a pretty elaborate castle compound, and I managed a bug, complete with sea shell mandibles (Wyatt brought home a book all about ants from school, so he was excited that he recognized what they were).

I don't think I'll ever get used to spending time at the beach in January. I will, however, always remember these times as good ones.

MMB Post

Two Sides to Every Story, Even From a Cigarette

My latest post on MMB.

Great to Be Back

We just spent a week in the Northeast. It was fun, our kids met their cousins and they seemed to like them a lot, and I reconnected with siblings I haven't seen in far too long. We also got to go skiing, and Wyatt realized his dream of building a snowman and having a snowball fight.

It was freezing, though. Literally. When our plane landed today, I was so happy to be home. Happier than I think I've been on any other trip we've taken. Not because this trip was bad, because it certainly wasn't, but because I have never before appreciated so much the niceness of living in a place where you can wear shorts in January.

Wow, it's good to be home!