An Experience??? To Say The Least...

This post is really long, but if I want to come back and visit family in the states, this is what I have to do....

Pay $3000 to fly both Rian and myself home or take military flight (space a) for practically no money at all.
At first the answer would be easy, right? Fly for free, but there is much more to it then just a plane ride home.
For starters, here is a picture of some of the planes we might be on. Not quite your commercial airliner huh?

We knew when we first moved out here that Matt was going to have more training in California and the Navy would only pay for him to fly back stateside. We figured no biggy, we would all fly back space a. Well, it turns out that Matt is not allowed to fly space a this time because he is coming back for training. If it was for a vacation, he could, but this time, he can't. So Rian and I are doing this alone.



We have absolutely no clue when we might be able to catch a flight back to the states. I'll only have 24 hours or less notice that a flight to California is available. So our bags are already packed. I have to call the terminal several times a day to see what flights are available, if any. Once we learn there is a flight, that does NOT mean that we will be on it. We have to be at the terminal for 'roll call' which is usually before 6 am and bring ALL our luggage, carry ons, carseat, and stroller.

Then we sit and wait to see if Rian and I make the flight. They only have a number of seats available and we are in category 5 out of 6, which basically means the bottom of the list. If we were flying with Matt, we would be category 3, but so much for that.

So if we do not make the flight, we load all our luggage back into the car, strap the carseat in and try again, and again, and again. Sometimes it can take weeks. Hopefully for us, it won't take long. Once we are told we made the flight, we go through security and are bused to these loving planes pictured above. I have no idea what type of military aircraft we will be on, but they all look like this. I have some descriptions of the planes we may be on and...well let's just say all I can do at this point is laugh and say "are you serious?"!

This is what I have learned about them so far: I do know it will be cold, some planes have the seats facing the rear, some aircrafts have a reputation for always breaking down, all are very noisy (they actually issue ear plugs to all passengers), some have basically a porta potty behind a screen, some have sidewall seats kind of similar to a hammock. They mostly all will be carrying cargo as well. But I have also learned that most of the time, they let you lay out a blanket on the floor to sleep or play on. They also let the kids run around a bit, so they don't have to be strapped in for 8 straight hours.

Our first layover will be in Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. We will most likely be there overnight, but they can't really tell me that information yet. So I will have to try to get lodging at the base hotel last minute because I can't make any reservations since I have no idea what day we'll be there. I cross my fingers we will have a room to stay in because staying overnight in the terminal with all my bags and a 2 year old does not sound like fun. But I guess it is do-able if it comes down to it.

Then we leave again, very early in the morning, to Travis Air Force Base, California. After another 8 hour flight, we will have to catch a shuttle to Oakland Airport about 1.5 hours away. Then we will have to purchase our tickets, go through security, and wait to catch another 1.5 hour flight to San Diego.

All this by myself, with a 2 year old. We could seriously be traveling for 48 hours! My carry on is so packed full of food, number one and lots of it, and toys, books, markers, anything to keep Rian entertained for so long.

Sometimes they do have flights that go directly from Guam to San Diego or Riverside (about an hour north of San Diego). They are few and far between, but we are praying for one of those. How awesome would that be to eliminate the entire Oakland Airport leg! Your prayers are welcomed too :)

I am grateful that this flight is basically free, but I do feel like I deserve some kudos for doing this. We'll see how it goes this time, I'm sure I'll be blogging about it. The Navy has already given us so many 'experiences' that we would have never had if Matt had not joined. And we've only been in it for such a short time. When I think about this trip ahead, some days I am more optimistic than others, but in the end I have to keep telling myself that like anything else in life....it is what you make of it.

Are you exhausted yet, because I totally am and I haven't even travelled yet!

Tagged

8 things tag

8 tv shows i like to watch:
1. Biggest Loser
2. The Office
3. Amazing Race
4. Project Runway
5. The Unit
6. Anything HGTV
7. The Big Bang Theory
8. So You Think You Can Dance...when is that starting again?!?!

8 things that happened yesterday:
1. packed
2. met with the branch president
3. spent the afternoon with matt-he got off work early :)
4. talked to my aunt
5. made dinner
6. downloaded some songs to i tunes
7. packed some more
8. had some cookies and milk with matt

8 places i like to eat:

1. luna grill
2. cafe rio
3. claim jumper
4. pei wei
5. in-n-out
6. submarina
7. firehouse pizzeria
8. golden spoon

8 things i am looking forward to:
1. christmas morning
2. 24 hour fitness
3. stepping off the plane in san diego, ca
4. spending time with friends and family
5. a short trip to ut in april
6. going to disneyland
7. meeting my newest nephew jojo
8. my parents coming to visit us on guam


8 things on my wish list:
1. a nice pair of jeans
2. some accessories
3. a new purse
4. shoes
5. a flight straight from guam to sd AND rian behaving great on it...is that really too much to ask?
6. traveling all over from guam
7. for anyone to come visit us while we are stationed here....we are on a tropical island you know :)
8. more kids

8 people i tag:
kacie, andrea & eric, andi, missy, heather b., lyndsay, nancee (since i know you read mine all the time and never update yours!!)

Branch Christmas Party...Island Style

Our Church Branch held a Christmas Party unlike any Church Christmas Party we've been to. I was pretty much in shock when the curtains were parted and the Elders Quorum sat on stage with ukuleles, several different types of drums, and a conga! It was awesome! And something we would never have seen stateside

Pictures from top to bottom, left to right: The Elders Quorum performing.

Ukulele's and Hula Dancers....Rian dancing along in video below :)
The Missionaries sang also. Can you believe how many we have in our Branch?And lastly, the ukulele performers.

Sorry this video is from behind and sideways, but I uploaded it anyways because it is so dang cute. Rian tried to copy all the moves of the Hula Dancers. She did a pretty good job considering she is 2! Everyone around her was getting a kick out of her dancing!

Okay...it was the cutest video ever, but I can't upload it.

CAN ANYONE HELP ME??

The only way I can upload pics or videos now on my blog is by using picasa. Any time I try to upload directly from blogger I get kicked off the Internet completely. What the heck is going on??? Anyone have any ideas? Please help me!

I am trying to upload the video at the moment to youtube so I will post the link when it is done uploading. Nevermind, I can't even upload to youtube. What is going on? It kicks me off whenever I try to browse through My Pictures. The same thing with blogger. Any help is appreciated!!!

Jingle Bells

Matt taught Rian how to sing Jingle Bells. She only learned the night before I video taped this. Even though she is missing a few words, we thought it was pretty cute!

I don't like Santa....

Those are Rian's words.....not mine :)

She decided she did not like Santa when we took her to the store last Saturday and made her sit on his lap. She didn't mind him from afar, but once she got closer and realized that she had to sit on his lap....well, she lost it.

Poor little girl.

Rian has since decided that she really does like Santa and she wants him to bring her a stroller for her baby. BUT she does not want to sit on his lap ever again! Little does she know....she only has 12 months til we try it again!

Setting the Table

Rian is such a good helper. Whenever it is time to eat, she goes straight to the utensil drawer and grabs utensils for all three of us. Then she gets the napkins. And then she grabs the drinks.

So these past few nights, I have recruited her to set the dinner table for us. She actually does quite a good job!

How long do you think until she can start doing the dishes?!?!

Rian's 1st Portrait

Click on the picture to make it easier to view.

In nursery today, Rian learned that Jesus has a mommy too, the Virgin Mary.

After coloring a picture of Jesus and His Mommy, the leaders asked the children to draw a picture of their mommy on the back.

This is what Rian drew! It is so cute, but funny too. She was excited to show us her portrait when we picked her up. When I was scanning this onto the computer, she says, "Look, there's mommy!".

She honestly looks at this picture and knows exactly what she drew. Her mommy :) How dang cute is that, seriously!!

Getting Anxious!

Rian is definitely ready to go to Disneyland when we come to the States for a visit! She wants to wear her Minnie Ears everyday!

She loves Mickey Mouse and Friends. It will be such a fun trip! She is at such a great age!!

We are getting so excited to be around friends and family too! Not to mention.....a target, old navy, a mall, an albertsons, etc....I could go on forever :)

Chamorro Village

Every Wednesday Chamorro Village is the happening place to go. We decided to try it out this week. We tried some local food. Corn, macaroni salad, red rice, pancit (a traditional filipino dish almost like lo mein), lumpia, chicken kelaguen (a local favorite) and chicken and pork on a stick. Our favorite was the chicken on a stick, but Rian loved the red rice too.

After dinner, we explored the village and did some shopping.

Rian also had her first carabao ride! She loved it and is still talking about it today. This carabao's name is Do'ak, which means one eyed. He lost an eye while in a fight with another carabao. Nice story to tell me while my child is riding it!! :) But he was very friendly. None of us were scared!

We also saw a gigantic ayuyu (coconut crab). Apparently his pinchers can rip off your finger, so we didn't get too close. But he had a hint of blue to his shell and was pretty cool looking! Don't forget you can click on the collages to make them bigger!

'Tis the Season

Matt and I returned to the Hilton Resort this time with Rian to enjoy some of the Christmas decorations.

She absolutely LOVED the trains! I imagined my Dad and her sitting there for hours just enjoying it together. Maybe one day he'll be visiting during Christmas and they will be able to do that!

Sorry about the face Rian is making in these pictures. Lately she does not want to smile for the camera. I swear she really had a good time, eventhough her face tells another story :)

clouds

the clouds here on guam are one of the most amazing sights i have ever seen. i've never seen clouds so up close before. and i feel like we are so close to them we could just jump on them. i know it sounds silly, but it's true! they are so big and fluffy, and closer than any clouds i have ever seen. this picture shows the beauty of the clouds, but hopefully i can get a better one, so you can understand what i mean when i say they are so dang close!

beach day

We tried out a new beach on Saturday. Even though the water was a little rough, Matt and Rian still had a great time building sandcastles and searching for shells, while I relaxed and read Twilight :) Matt and Rian found some amazing shells. We started a collection and I'll post pics when we get some more.

We thought Rian looked so cute in her little baseball hat, so I went a little picture happy. I think I may have found our spot next year's xmas cards. This place was beautiful!

twilght

so i jumped on the bandwagon and borrowed twilight from the library. yes, that is correct, i have not read the book yet. honestly, i am not into vampires at all :)
but as my good friend kacie put it, "do you like love? well then you need to read these romantically satisfying books!". what girl doesn't enjoy a good love story? so i will attempt it. i'll let you know how it's going :)

5 years

we celebrated our five year anniversary on saturday! i can't believe how fast that went by!
matt planned an awesome date for us and we had such an amazing time.

we went to gab gab beach to try snorkeling for the first time here on guam. we did try it once before with eric and andrea on catalina island, but that couldn't even compare to the snorkeling here. it was absolutely beautiful and i wish the pictures could truly show the beauty we saw. they don't, but at least we have some pictures anyways.

the water was so warm which really made the experience 100 times better than the first time. and we saw a barracuda which was crazy looking. i seriously thought it was a little shark at first. all i could focus on were those sharp little teeth. but once i got over the first initial scare, i realized what it really was. we can't wait to snorkel again!

after snorkeling, we enjoyed a nice afternoon snack on the beach. we brought some martinelli's and cheese and enjoyed some quality time together.

then we showered and tried to get dressed in the front seat of the jeep. it was quite hilarious. we covered the windows with towels and such, so we had privacy, but there was not much space to begin with! and have you ever tried to do your make-up with the sunsetting and only the little dome lights in the car...not easy, but i did it none-the-less!

then we headed to roy's steakhouse for dinner in the hilton resort. it was all decorated for christmas. it was so pretty and festive.



roy's was so delicious. i thoroughly enjoyed my fish (`ôpakapaka aka pink snapper flown in from hawaii). so much so that i am still thinking about it days later! matt had seared ahi, which he enjoyed also, but my dish was better so i shared!

then dessert came. yum! they made this cute little happy anniversary plate for us. i loved it and it made the day that much more special. but, of course, we had to end the night with some chocolate lava cake. delectable!



we had such a nice and relaxing time together. i felt awesome to not have a worry in the world and know that rian was being well taken of. thanks for planning this anniversary, babe! i had an amazing time! and i love you so much!

anniversary trip---denied

i am blogging about this incident because many years from now, i want to remember what our five year anniversary plan was, so that maybe i can eventually get the trip of my dreams....when the timing is right, of course!

this story begins way back in november 2003, the year we were married. actually january 2004 to be exact because we didn't honeymoon until we finished out the semester. so in january 2004 matt and i enjoyed an amazing honeymoon to british columbia's big white resort. my idea of a honeymoon was more like a tropical island in the caribbean, but being that we were married at the end of november and matt loves the snow, we opted for a more non-traditional honeymoon to a beautiful snow covered mountain resort in canada. knowing that my tropical vacation would eventually happen!

so fast forward to february 2008. i decided that this year was a BIG milestone being our 5 year anniversary and all and wanted to celebrate it with a BIG vacation for a number of reasons: of course, the 5 year milestone, to celebrate matt's graduation from usu and ocs, a much needed break from 'mommyhood' for me, and much needed alone time for the two of us. matt agreed!

so the planning started. i was finally going to get my 10 day tropical vacation to a sandals resort in the caribbean!

BUT there was one problem. i hadn't lost any of my 'baby weight' and there was no way i was going to feel comfortable in a bathing suit on the beach. so i set a goal, got a gym membership and started a new lifestyle which included lots of fitness and healthy eating habits. i knew in the end, i would meet my fitness goal and would be rewarded by frolicking on the beach childless with my wonderful husband in...yes a bathing suit with no cover-up!

the timing couldn't be better...really. we had a number of things to celebrate, we had the money to do it, we had the destination picked out, we had a babysitter (my mom) all lined up, i was on my way to reach my fitness goal, and we knew we would be expanding our family soon.....so this was the time to go before i got pregnant or added another baby to the mix.

so fast forward again to september 2008. our anniversary is quickly approaching and matt and i are all giddy inside just dreaming about our upcoming vacation. i not only reached my fitness goal but completely surpassed it! and we were ready to enjoy this trip!

but once again, there's a problem.....our anniversary trip was DENIED when the navy decided to move us half way across the world with less than a months notice. before matt and i could even register what was happening, our belongings and jeep were being shipped off to guam, we were saying good-bye to family and friends. and before we knew it, we were arriving at the airport in guam.

so now it is november 2008. and our anniversary trip to the caribbean is now merely a dream once again. we are way too far from our babysitter and even further from the caribbean to even think about going there.

so as i remind matt about this amazing trip i planned and how i yearned to be on the white sand beach.......he reminded me that we are now living in paradise. and our short little 10 day anniversary vacation to the caribbean turned into a 3 year vacation to a beautiful island in the pacific.

not the same, i say. but worth a laugh none-the-less. it was a good try, right!!?? but that's what i love about him. he always looks at the positive in things. coming here was out of our hands and although that meant that we didn't get our childless vacation together, it doesn't matter. because in the end, all that matters is that we were able to spend it together, laughing, playing, and frolicking on the white sand beaches in a bathing suit with no cover-up, but still coming home at the end of the night to put our beautiful little girl to bed!!! and i know in the future i will eventually get the trip of my dreams....when the timing is right, of course!!

Pictures of our anniversary to soon follow!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, I decided to bake some Thanksgiving cookies with Rian. She had a blast! We made some dough, rolled it out, and made a huge mess with the flour before cutting out the Thanksgiving shapes and putting them in the oven!



Here they are ready to go into the oven!
Rian waited patiently as the cookies baked. She was really excited to decorate them and would keep the sprinkles within her reach at all times :)

I gave Rian a little kiddie knife and she loved spreading the frosting. Here is the final product. Not bad for her first time!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! This is my favorite holiday of the year and although I'm sad we won't be celebrating it with family, I'm excited to be with our new friends here. Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Tumon Beach

We ventured out on Saturday and explored some of the island. Mainly in the area of Tumon, the more touristy part of Guam. It was so pretty. I could just sit and stare out into the water forever. The pictures hardly do it justice. There are so many shades of beautiful greens and blues, it's just amazing.

Remember you can click on the collages to make them bigger!

The beach has a long strip of sand that we walked up and down. We collected sea shells, and watched some hermit crabs. I was completely fascinated by all the rocks covered in this green mossy stuff. We had an awesome time besides of the 90 degree plus high humidity weather. What were we thinking not wearing our bathing suits???

Two Lovers Point

After a nice ride in our air conditioned car, we enjoyed the beautiful views from Two Lovers Point. It's a lookout located high on the cliffs above the water. Legend has it that two forbidden lovers jumped off the cliff to proclaim their love for each other many moons ago.

We went too late in the day though. The sun was reflecting off the water, so you can't really see the true beauty of the water...at least in the first collage. It was still an amazing view, just next time we'll go in the am.

Two Lovers Point at Sunset

We came back to Two Lovers Point to watch the sunset. I took some pictures while Rian made some friends.....but I'll post about that another time :)

It was kind of hazy that night and there was a marine layer. It wasn't the best night for a sunset, but it was still pretty. After the sunset, we went out for a nice, yet expensive dinner. You know when the kids meal alone is $9 you're in trouble, but we still had a great time and Rian got a balloon out of it!

dress up

rian loves to play dress up. she especially loves her clip-on earrings, bracelets, tiaras, and necklaces. we play with them everyday! when she recently received a package from grandma lois, she was so excited to see more dress up clothes, she could hardly contain herself! she especially loved the shoes! she wore those things the entire day, i swear!

i've never seen rian as a girlie girl until now. it's so fun and cute to watch. she even puts her bracelets on her ankles to make anklets. i sure didn't teach her that!

i feel like she looks so teenage-like with her earrings on too; like it's a glance into the future. call me crazy, but when she is wearing them, she looks so grown up and not like my little girl

what in the world

while we were still unpacking one morning a few weeks ago, rian was keeping herself busy by playing in her room.....or so we thought. she walks over to us dressed like this. what in the world is she wearing?? no way we can go in public like that :)
but it was cute, and she was proud of herself!

care packages are the BEST

My mom made my day today :) She sent us two care packages.....one for Rian and one for us! There are a few things that I have not been able to get here at the commissary (grocery store on base), so my Mom came to the rescue and sent us a box full of goodies!!!

First and foremost, we CANNOT live without cholula. It's the first thing we requested. Seriously like the first day we got here I called and asked for it to be sent. It's this yummy hot sauce and if you know Matt and I at all, you know we love mexican food. So how can I cook mexican food if I don't have any hot sauce to go with it, right?? We are so excited for taco night now!

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Then I got my favorite candy: cherry twizzler bites....and it's a family size bag! I love these so much thanks to my Mom! I actually brought some with me, but have since eaten them all. So these came just in time!

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A variety of Luna Bars. I love these as a quick, on-the-go lunch. And I can only get one flavor here. So having other flavors to choose from is great!

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Uncle Bens Rice. I seriously have not cooked rice in a pot/pan or rice cooker in years. 90 seconds and it's done. How could I ever go back to cooking rice on the stove top? Plus, I love the sante fe flavored one especially.

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Magazines! I haven't changes my address yet for my magazines and have been dying ever since I saw this months' cover of Good Housekeeping on the stands. I LOVE Jon and Kate Plus 8, so as you can imagine, was super excited to finally get it!

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I know this is a long and silly post. But Rian is napping and Matt is working and I am way too excited for these goodies to keep it to myself.

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When Rian wakes up, she will be happy to see that Grandma Lois sent her a box too. It's full of some fun dress up toys, clothes, books, Thanksgiving decor, a height chart, and other fun stuff too.

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Thanks, Mom! You are the best! You seriously made my day; what a perfect way to start my weekend :)

a little girl and her shoes

Is this ridiculous or what? 26 pairs of shoes that fit....just in this picture alone. I found another 7 pairs when I unpacked another tote.

Now the question is how do I organize them? ANY IDEAS????

Rian is totally obsessed with shoes and it's all thanks to Grandma Lois :) It's so cute!

From Then to Now

Wow, what a difference two years makes. She is just as cute now as she was then!

Click on collage to make it bigger!

trick-or-treating

While you all were sound asleep in the states the night before Halloween....we were already enjoying ours! Our complex held a costume contest for the kiddos. Rian did not place, but we all know that she should have :)
After the contest, the kids paraded around the lobby area (Rian's favorite part...she loves to march thanks to my mom!) and then we went trick-or-treating.

Here is Ri showing off her glowing bracelet.

And here are the 1st and 2nd place winners. Everyone totally thought this little pilot should have won 1st, he was adorable. But tinkerbell won instead.

Rian and Daddy showing off all the candy. Way too much for a 2 year old.

And the family pic. But of course all Rian wanted to look at was her candy and not the camera....oh well.