It's official!! I was accepted into Hawaii Pacific University's MSW (Master's in Social Work) program!! Due to that Curt has started the paperwork to put in a request to stay here another tour, because technically we are supposed to leave this December! But since I have been accepted I will suck it up and stay here to complete my MSW. If it means staying in Hawaii longer for me to finish school, so be it. Of course the army has to approve the request to stay so its not guaranteed yet. But still, I am crossing my fingers tight it all works out! If not, well then I guess its not meant to be right now.
I am going through the motions like we are staying here. I have already paid my non refundable deposit to HPU to hold my spot and have talked over the phone with the director of the social work program to go over my first semester classes. I have also submitted my field placement for my first practicum. It will be at the army community service building right here on post, which is perfect! I am so excited thinking about this. Grad school is not easy to get into as it is very competitive and I am so proud of myself that they liked my essay, GPA, letter of intent, and my letters of recommendation from my professors! I'm stoked. In two years I can have my MSW and take the state test to become a licensed social worker. I'm accomplishing my dreams one step at a time! But now we wait on the army to decide our fate. Will my road to grad school start this fall or will it have to wait another year?? Fingers crossed!
I have only three weeks left in my bachelor's program and am looking forward to being done. It's something that I have wanted so bad for so many years and I am sooo close to being done! I'm proud of myself for completing that degree as well.
Nothing comes easy in life without hard work and dedication and for the past 4 years I have dedicated myself to completing my BA and will spend the next few years accomplishing my MSW! Wish me luck on this path, it won't be an easy one to finish! But I'm definitely up for the challenge!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Monday, March 24, 2014
The Valley Isle
Well Spring Break is over and we had a great vacation on Maui. This was our 2nd time going to Maui, but this time we explored the island. We saw the Iao Valley, drove up to the top of Mount Haleakala, and drove the Road to Hana. Amazing time! It was a much needed getaway, but you know how it feels when you get back from vacation and you feel like you need another vacation to recover? Yup, that's me! I would totally live on Maui if we were ever going to stay in Hawaii. The island just has the perfect vibe. It's not as crazy as Oahu which I love. The road to Hana was beautiful, yet tiring. It has like 620 curves and 59 one-way bridges. But it was beautiful. There is a waterfall around just about every turn. I couldn't live out there though that road is just too much and its so country. I liked the town we stayed in which was Kahului or even over on west Maui where we stayed last time in Lahiana. Maui is just breathtaking. The mountains are stunning and I can see why its called the Valley Isle. I also think I have enough miles racked up now that they will get us to Kauai before we leave! Maybe this summer! Then we will have seen all four of the major islands.
Here are some pictures of our trip including one of my muddy fall on a hike along the road to Hana:
Here are some pictures of our trip including one of my muddy fall on a hike along the road to Hana:
Thursday, March 6, 2014
What is meant to be, will be
Finally got word that Curt can't reclass to career counselor. It is because he is non-deployable. Having an injured husband sucks sometimes...I know moreso for him, but still. He is super bummed about it I know. His injury has limited what he can do for the army and it kinda sucks. He can't even do his real job so he feels defeated right now. His SGM recommended to try for recruiting, but that is something he really doesn't want to do. So he called his branch manager and he is looking into what is available for Curt and will get back to him. Poor guy. He feel bad for him. He is due to reenlist too. I don't know. This situation sucks. Should we just finally take the medical retirement and move past the army or what? It's so tough!! And scary!!! Damn Iraq!!!!
In other news, I started my final class before my senior seminar on Monday. So excited!!! I will be done with school in just a few more short months!! I can't wait. :)
I'm also feeling more and more depressed about my weight. I weight 160 still. You know...I weighed 163 when I had Brandon. That makes me more depressed! Lying in bed last night feeling sorry for myself and I decided thats it, time to try it again! So I got up this morning and ran on the treadmill. My legs are already sore and so is my butt! I need to do this. It's the only way I will make a change. It's up to me and no one else. No more excuses!!! Part of my problem is I'm a night binge eater. I really don't eat all day. I will eat a piece of toast for breakfast and then by 10:30-11 I am starving so I will eat a sandwich, usually PB&J. Then I won't eat again, or I'll graze on Brandon's food he doesn't eat until dinnertime. By 4 I am sooo hungry I just want to eat everything. I'll cook dinner, eat. An hour or so later I'll eat again, then the rest of the night I just eat and stuff my face. This binge eating at night needs to stop. It's where my problem is.
Its going to be hard to make better choices, because..well...I love food, but it can't be my comfort anymore, it can't and doesn't help me out with anything. Time to change!!! I need to do this. I'm tired of hiding myself and the weight I have gained. Time to face it, deal with it, and do something about it. I don't want to fail. So I'm putting no time restraints on myself. One day at a time. One day at a time....
In other news, I started my final class before my senior seminar on Monday. So excited!!! I will be done with school in just a few more short months!! I can't wait. :)
I'm also feeling more and more depressed about my weight. I weight 160 still. You know...I weighed 163 when I had Brandon. That makes me more depressed! Lying in bed last night feeling sorry for myself and I decided thats it, time to try it again! So I got up this morning and ran on the treadmill. My legs are already sore and so is my butt! I need to do this. It's the only way I will make a change. It's up to me and no one else. No more excuses!!! Part of my problem is I'm a night binge eater. I really don't eat all day. I will eat a piece of toast for breakfast and then by 10:30-11 I am starving so I will eat a sandwich, usually PB&J. Then I won't eat again, or I'll graze on Brandon's food he doesn't eat until dinnertime. By 4 I am sooo hungry I just want to eat everything. I'll cook dinner, eat. An hour or so later I'll eat again, then the rest of the night I just eat and stuff my face. This binge eating at night needs to stop. It's where my problem is.
Its going to be hard to make better choices, because..well...I love food, but it can't be my comfort anymore, it can't and doesn't help me out with anything. Time to change!!! I need to do this. I'm tired of hiding myself and the weight I have gained. Time to face it, deal with it, and do something about it. I don't want to fail. So I'm putting no time restraints on myself. One day at a time. One day at a time....
Thursday, February 20, 2014
What the heck am I doing wrong?!?!
Before I get into what I want to write about I will update on other odds and ends first.
I went to the doctor and finally switched my birth control. I mentioned how the patch has given me headaches on my patch free week and how the areas where I where the patch are starting to give me a rash and itchy skin. He said that the headaches are common in a high dose birth control--and the patch happens to be the highest birth control out there--go figure! So he switched me to a low dose birth control pill and I love it so far. We shall see how it goes when I have my period week again and how my headaches are. I also talked to him about Celexa and how as much as I love it, that I feel most of my weight gain is from that and that I have been working out and don't see myself losing weight. He told me to give it more time and if I still feel that way in a few months we can discuss other options. I left pretty happy with what we discussed.
Curt's packet is at HRC now. So we are just waiting to hear about what the future holds for us. We have decided that we don't want to extend here for three years. So I will enjoy time off from school and just RELAX for a while. It will be nice! It's well deserved and well needed!!
On to what I really want to talk about: My lovely son. Everyone is telling me that he is just a normal 4 year old boy. And I do think that at times. But other times, he drives me crazy and makes me think about making a doctor's appointment to discuss his issues. The other day we had a great morning. A fantastic morning actually. We played Lego's for 2 hours before going to get Kaylie from school. Every day when we get back from picking her up we play outside. Well, he asked to bring his Lego's out. I told him no. He proceeded to throw the case of lego's against the wall across the room. I made him pick them all up and sent him to his room. He stomped up stairs, slammed his door, and began to tear his room apart. He took his bedding off his bed. Threw everything on the floor, opened his closet and threw all his clothes on the floor off the hangers. So I made him pick all of that up. Once he calmed down he wanted to bring Kaylie's pet shops outside. I told him that was fine, but he wasn't bringing out his lego's. Again, he threw the petshops and punched me. I sent him--once again--inside and to his room.
His anger issues concern me at times. He's constantly hitting. I have tried to talk to him about how hitting is not nice and it makes people cry and hurts their feelings. He says "but I like hitting, its my favorite thing." Sigh.... He constantly punches Leila (the dog), punches me, punches Curt, punches Kaylie. It's so frustrating because I have NO IDEA what to do to stop this behavior!!! It drives us all crazy. What are we doing wrong?!
The kid, on bad days, seriously can make me cry and feel absolutely defeated. Am I crazy or is this really normal 4 year old boy behavior???
Gah!!!
I went to the doctor and finally switched my birth control. I mentioned how the patch has given me headaches on my patch free week and how the areas where I where the patch are starting to give me a rash and itchy skin. He said that the headaches are common in a high dose birth control--and the patch happens to be the highest birth control out there--go figure! So he switched me to a low dose birth control pill and I love it so far. We shall see how it goes when I have my period week again and how my headaches are. I also talked to him about Celexa and how as much as I love it, that I feel most of my weight gain is from that and that I have been working out and don't see myself losing weight. He told me to give it more time and if I still feel that way in a few months we can discuss other options. I left pretty happy with what we discussed.
Curt's packet is at HRC now. So we are just waiting to hear about what the future holds for us. We have decided that we don't want to extend here for three years. So I will enjoy time off from school and just RELAX for a while. It will be nice! It's well deserved and well needed!!
On to what I really want to talk about: My lovely son. Everyone is telling me that he is just a normal 4 year old boy. And I do think that at times. But other times, he drives me crazy and makes me think about making a doctor's appointment to discuss his issues. The other day we had a great morning. A fantastic morning actually. We played Lego's for 2 hours before going to get Kaylie from school. Every day when we get back from picking her up we play outside. Well, he asked to bring his Lego's out. I told him no. He proceeded to throw the case of lego's against the wall across the room. I made him pick them all up and sent him to his room. He stomped up stairs, slammed his door, and began to tear his room apart. He took his bedding off his bed. Threw everything on the floor, opened his closet and threw all his clothes on the floor off the hangers. So I made him pick all of that up. Once he calmed down he wanted to bring Kaylie's pet shops outside. I told him that was fine, but he wasn't bringing out his lego's. Again, he threw the petshops and punched me. I sent him--once again--inside and to his room.
His anger issues concern me at times. He's constantly hitting. I have tried to talk to him about how hitting is not nice and it makes people cry and hurts their feelings. He says "but I like hitting, its my favorite thing." Sigh.... He constantly punches Leila (the dog), punches me, punches Curt, punches Kaylie. It's so frustrating because I have NO IDEA what to do to stop this behavior!!! It drives us all crazy. What are we doing wrong?!
The kid, on bad days, seriously can make me cry and feel absolutely defeated. Am I crazy or is this really normal 4 year old boy behavior???
Gah!!!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
The future can be scary
Can't it? I mean here we are today. Curt is working on his packet to change his job to career counselor. He has another letter of recommendation to get and then he will send it in. They are expecting it, so that's the good news. My fingers are crossed he gets accepted! That will mean he will leave for 2 months sometime this year for school in South Carolina to train for this new job. Then he is wanting to extend here for six months so that he can work and get help from the people he knows here in Hawaii before we move to our next duty station. We'll see how that all works out. He's also really nervous for the SFC board that is underway. He is hoping to get picked up this year, but as usual my hopes are slim, since he really hasn't been a scout for over five years now. I know reclassing will help him get rank!
I contemplated having him extend for three more years here so that I can apply and start my Master's program. We are still thinking about it. I mean I don't particularly WANT to stay in Hawaii for another three years because I miss the mainland and my family, but if I have to sacrifice to complete my education I will. I would be fine waiting though. It might be nice to have a year off from school before starting my next goal. It will be, what it will be.
Anyway, in other news: Kaylie has her big 5th grade science fair project to start working on. She has decided to make a robot that helps you draw art. We'll see how this turns out! I ordered all the supplies on amazon today so she can start working on it next week or so. It is due in March sometime. I can't remember the exact day she told me. She also got all great marks on her report card a few weeks ago! I asked the school why they don't do the honor roll system and the principal told me its because of the grading system they use, but in middle school next year they do the traditional grading system so they have honor roll. Kaylie was super eagle of the quarter last year for her class and she has yet to miss a single day of school. Our goal is to miss zero days this year!!
Brandon has been on the waitlist for preschool since June of 2013. Yesterday I called to update his status and he is number 13 now, so we are getting closer to getting a spot. I can't wait for that. The kids needs school! I think it will help calm him down (hopefully). I try to work with him at home but he won't sit still longer than a few minutes and has no interest in singing his ABC's with me. I honestly don't know if he knows them or not. He won't say them! He counts though. He can count to 15. And he knows all of his colors and shapes. Too bad he is not as easy as Kaylie was to teach things too! He's the problem child for sure!
I have a doctor's appointment next week to change my birth control and to start weaning myself off of celexa. Finally found out why I have gained almsot 30 pounds. It's because of the celexa! Weight gain starts on the SSRI's about 6 months after you start taking them, and sure enough that is when my weight gain started. I want off of it, and I want off of it now. I think it will make it easier for me to lose weight. I have been working out for a month now and have barely lost anything. Again, that is contributed to the anti-depressant I'm taking. I'm so self-conscious about my weight I don't even want to get dressed most days. It's causing me to become MORE depressed and anxious. So that is something I am also going to talk about with my doctor next week. I want off of the medicine though. And I need to wean from it so as to not go through withdrawal. Also my birth control is really starting to cause me problems. My skin is so irritated from the patches and I'm starting to get red rashes from them. Also the issues of headaches I get all the time from them. So time to switch that as well.
Anyway, cross your fingers that everything continues to go good for all of us. That Curt gets to reclass, is picked up for E7 this year, Kaylie does great on her science project, Brandon gets a spot in preschool, and I start to lose weight!! :)
I contemplated having him extend for three more years here so that I can apply and start my Master's program. We are still thinking about it. I mean I don't particularly WANT to stay in Hawaii for another three years because I miss the mainland and my family, but if I have to sacrifice to complete my education I will. I would be fine waiting though. It might be nice to have a year off from school before starting my next goal. It will be, what it will be.
Anyway, in other news: Kaylie has her big 5th grade science fair project to start working on. She has decided to make a robot that helps you draw art. We'll see how this turns out! I ordered all the supplies on amazon today so she can start working on it next week or so. It is due in March sometime. I can't remember the exact day she told me. She also got all great marks on her report card a few weeks ago! I asked the school why they don't do the honor roll system and the principal told me its because of the grading system they use, but in middle school next year they do the traditional grading system so they have honor roll. Kaylie was super eagle of the quarter last year for her class and she has yet to miss a single day of school. Our goal is to miss zero days this year!!
Brandon has been on the waitlist for preschool since June of 2013. Yesterday I called to update his status and he is number 13 now, so we are getting closer to getting a spot. I can't wait for that. The kids needs school! I think it will help calm him down (hopefully). I try to work with him at home but he won't sit still longer than a few minutes and has no interest in singing his ABC's with me. I honestly don't know if he knows them or not. He won't say them! He counts though. He can count to 15. And he knows all of his colors and shapes. Too bad he is not as easy as Kaylie was to teach things too! He's the problem child for sure!
I have a doctor's appointment next week to change my birth control and to start weaning myself off of celexa. Finally found out why I have gained almsot 30 pounds. It's because of the celexa! Weight gain starts on the SSRI's about 6 months after you start taking them, and sure enough that is when my weight gain started. I want off of it, and I want off of it now. I think it will make it easier for me to lose weight. I have been working out for a month now and have barely lost anything. Again, that is contributed to the anti-depressant I'm taking. I'm so self-conscious about my weight I don't even want to get dressed most days. It's causing me to become MORE depressed and anxious. So that is something I am also going to talk about with my doctor next week. I want off of the medicine though. And I need to wean from it so as to not go through withdrawal. Also my birth control is really starting to cause me problems. My skin is so irritated from the patches and I'm starting to get red rashes from them. Also the issues of headaches I get all the time from them. So time to switch that as well.
Anyway, cross your fingers that everything continues to go good for all of us. That Curt gets to reclass, is picked up for E7 this year, Kaylie does great on her science project, Brandon gets a spot in preschool, and I start to lose weight!! :)
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Life is full of changes...isn't it?!
What up peeps! Wanted to give a quick update on what's going on in the Aloha state.
So as I stated in my last blog Curt has been wanting to reclass to military intelligence. Well, we finally got word today that for his rank there is no openings for him in the job he wanted, meaning they are overstrength, so he can't do it. Bummer. So now we are back to square one...but not really. He is going to reclass to career counselor which is fine with me. Its a much shorter school (8 weeks long, which is much shorter than the 18 weeks for MI that we were looking at before). Then after that we will be leaving Hawaii and heading to wherever next.
As for me I have been working out for two weeks now and I am starting to feel so much better. I have more energy and I just feel healthier. I don't care how long it takes me I will lose all this weight and get toned up. I never want to go up a pant size or shirt size again!
My graduation process is just beginning for school. I am taking my psychology field test this week, which is a requirement for graduation. I am so close to be done I can feel it! So exciting.
Anyway, just a quick little note on what's happening! Enjoy the rest of your week!!
So as I stated in my last blog Curt has been wanting to reclass to military intelligence. Well, we finally got word today that for his rank there is no openings for him in the job he wanted, meaning they are overstrength, so he can't do it. Bummer. So now we are back to square one...but not really. He is going to reclass to career counselor which is fine with me. Its a much shorter school (8 weeks long, which is much shorter than the 18 weeks for MI that we were looking at before). Then after that we will be leaving Hawaii and heading to wherever next.
As for me I have been working out for two weeks now and I am starting to feel so much better. I have more energy and I just feel healthier. I don't care how long it takes me I will lose all this weight and get toned up. I never want to go up a pant size or shirt size again!
My graduation process is just beginning for school. I am taking my psychology field test this week, which is a requirement for graduation. I am so close to be done I can feel it! So exciting.
Anyway, just a quick little note on what's happening! Enjoy the rest of your week!!
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Been awhile!
Wow, I've noticed its been awhile! I don't write as often as I used to. What a shame too. Oh, well...I'm here now. So what happened in 2013 since I last talked to you all? Nothing much!
Kaylie has started 5th grade and just this last quarter received the Super Eagle award. That is an award given to two students from each class each quarter. So proud of her and her accomplishments! She is getting so big and is so smart. She reads ALL the time. Constantly. She is never without a book in her hand. We finally got her a cell phone for Christmas. She really doesn't have anyone to call, but its nice for her to have in case of emergencies I guess. I'm sure soon enough she will be texting nonstop like the rest of preteens/teenagers these days!
Brandon is still my wild man! He is four now and is on the wait list for the preschool here on post. Even though I doubt he'll even get a spot before we move later this year! We play outside a lot and he is now a pro riding his bike. He loves guns, swords, and is really getting into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lately and Star Wars.
Curt is still doing his army thing. He completed SLC a few months ago (school needed to make his next rank of E7). He is working on reclassing now to MI and who knows what that will bring us! We are really hoping we can get Fort Campbell, KY next. It's been calling my name for a few months now. It's closest to home (only 8 hours), a gorgeous area, great post, and nice size city of Clarksville, TN right outside the gates, and has great real estate. I can actually see us living there forever and settling down. But who knows! One year at a time right!?! ;)
I honestly would go anywhere. I want to see at least one more place before we settle down.
As for me I have one main issue I want to work on this year and that is LOSE WEIGHT. Over the course of last year I gained 18 lbs. Yes, 18 lbs. I am now a whopping 156.4 pounds..the heaviest I have ever been and I FEEL IT. I am considered overweight for my height. This bothers me. Especially with all the health issues that run in my family. So my goal is to lose that 18 pounds. I have been a steady 133-137 since I had Brandon. Over the last year I was around 136. Then bam! I don't know what happened. Wait, yes I do. I overeat, and eat, eat, eat all day because I'm bored. So here we are today at 156. Not happy, but motivated to change and get back down so my jeans fit again. It was a sad day when I pulled out my favorite capris from my closet and couldn't get them up over my hips! I have to do this. I want to feel comfortable in my skin and not be depressed about it anymore!
I got a treadmill and have been using it every other day starting out. Eventually I will get to using it every day and running on it everyday. On the off days of the treadmill I have been doing my Jillian Michael's DVD or taking the dog for a long walk. Yesterday we went hiking which I considered my workout for the day. Sunday will be my rest day. As having not worked out for a long time I am easing myself into it as to not over do it.Anyway, that is my biggest issue right now.
Ending on a good note: I have four classes left until I am done with school. Can't wait!! I'll be done June 1st! I completed my resume and am just working on tweaking it a bit to get it perfect. Since we have no idea where we are moving next or even when exactly, my future plans are on hold. I hate planning my life around the army sometimes! I still would love get my MSW, but we shall see!
Other than that we are just planning on enjoying our last year in Hawaii and taking advantage of all we can with the time we have left! Aloha!!
Kaylie has started 5th grade and just this last quarter received the Super Eagle award. That is an award given to two students from each class each quarter. So proud of her and her accomplishments! She is getting so big and is so smart. She reads ALL the time. Constantly. She is never without a book in her hand. We finally got her a cell phone for Christmas. She really doesn't have anyone to call, but its nice for her to have in case of emergencies I guess. I'm sure soon enough she will be texting nonstop like the rest of preteens/teenagers these days!
Brandon is still my wild man! He is four now and is on the wait list for the preschool here on post. Even though I doubt he'll even get a spot before we move later this year! We play outside a lot and he is now a pro riding his bike. He loves guns, swords, and is really getting into the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lately and Star Wars.
Curt is still doing his army thing. He completed SLC a few months ago (school needed to make his next rank of E7). He is working on reclassing now to MI and who knows what that will bring us! We are really hoping we can get Fort Campbell, KY next. It's been calling my name for a few months now. It's closest to home (only 8 hours), a gorgeous area, great post, and nice size city of Clarksville, TN right outside the gates, and has great real estate. I can actually see us living there forever and settling down. But who knows! One year at a time right!?! ;)
I honestly would go anywhere. I want to see at least one more place before we settle down.
As for me I have one main issue I want to work on this year and that is LOSE WEIGHT. Over the course of last year I gained 18 lbs. Yes, 18 lbs. I am now a whopping 156.4 pounds..the heaviest I have ever been and I FEEL IT. I am considered overweight for my height. This bothers me. Especially with all the health issues that run in my family. So my goal is to lose that 18 pounds. I have been a steady 133-137 since I had Brandon. Over the last year I was around 136. Then bam! I don't know what happened. Wait, yes I do. I overeat, and eat, eat, eat all day because I'm bored. So here we are today at 156. Not happy, but motivated to change and get back down so my jeans fit again. It was a sad day when I pulled out my favorite capris from my closet and couldn't get them up over my hips! I have to do this. I want to feel comfortable in my skin and not be depressed about it anymore!
I got a treadmill and have been using it every other day starting out. Eventually I will get to using it every day and running on it everyday. On the off days of the treadmill I have been doing my Jillian Michael's DVD or taking the dog for a long walk. Yesterday we went hiking which I considered my workout for the day. Sunday will be my rest day. As having not worked out for a long time I am easing myself into it as to not over do it.Anyway, that is my biggest issue right now.
Ending on a good note: I have four classes left until I am done with school. Can't wait!! I'll be done June 1st! I completed my resume and am just working on tweaking it a bit to get it perfect. Since we have no idea where we are moving next or even when exactly, my future plans are on hold. I hate planning my life around the army sometimes! I still would love get my MSW, but we shall see!
Other than that we are just planning on enjoying our last year in Hawaii and taking advantage of all we can with the time we have left! Aloha!!
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