Blessings. The 2011 Review

This year, however, we have so much news. So many wonderful changes have taken place for our family and I have been so terrible about emailing OR blogging about them. I feel as though only a tiny portion of the important people in our lives are aware of our big life changes.

Probably the most wonderful, we welcomed Phil home in March from his second (and final) deployment to Afghanistan. It was a torturous year in many ways, but we managed to come out stronger and more certain of the path our lives should follow.

In June, we decided that we would begin the process of separating from the Army. After many discussions weighing the pros and cons of remaining in the service, we decided the best thing for our family, for Nora, was to have Daddy home. He will remain on IRR (inactive ready reserve) status, but otherwise have no other connection to the Army.

In September Phil handed his company over to a new commander. He did a wonderful job bringing all his soldiers home and was sad to leave the job, but relieved to give up the late nights and super long hours.

Phil began Terminal Leave at the end of November and stepped up his job search with increased intensity. He began working as a Project Manager for Seattle City Light (the customer owned power company for Seattle) at the beginning of this month, and commutes about 80min each way by express bus. So far, he is loving the job AND the commute (lots of reading time).

Nora started Preschool this Fall and has blossomed there. It is a wonderful environment with compassionate teachers and many sweet friends. I am so happy with our decision to start her there last fall. If all remains as planned she will attend Pre K at the same school next year as well.

Nora spent the fall doing 3 activities in addition to preschool (Ballet, Swimming, AND Theater). We have since cut that back to 2 (Ballet and Swimming). She loves them all, but we just can't keep up with them all! Theater will likely remain one of her summer activities.

I have stepped up my volunteering and plan to slowly add more as we adjust to Phil's new schedule. I have enjoyed helping with the local MOMS club and am leading up the Fundraising commitee for Nora's Preschool. As Nora requires less undivided attention, I am enjoying having a little more time to catch up on all the little things that I have neglected the past 4 years ;)

Here's a quick Photo Catch Up:


Nora and Phil at Zoo Lights 2011


Ballet Class

Carm and Nora on the Santa Train 2011

Nora detailing her list for Santa

Christmas Cookie Tradtion lives on!

The Ambrose Family at the Tacoma Festival of Trees

Everyone really is THANKFUL for this little girl

Carm's girlfriend Getaway to Forks, WA with Best Friend Becky

The Three Little Pigs

It is REALLY happening!

Fox Hollow Farm Oct 2011


in 23 days (yes of course I am counting down) Philip will begin Terminal Leave! For my "non-military" friends out there, that means we are GETTING OUT OF THE ARMY! He will still technically be on active duty (same pay, same benefits) until February 5th, but won't have to go in and work. All time can be spent finding the perfect job (or any job that pays the bills).


If you can't tell from my tone, I am overjoyed about this new adventure! The moving and deployments and training exercises that the Army requires were never my dream. While there are numerous benefits to the Army, I would prefer to have Phil him home for dinner every night for the rest of our lives :)


For Phil, missing out on so much of Nora's life (which races by at this age) was super hard. He got the chance to do really amazing Army stuff over the past year and is now super excited to spend more time with Nora and I.


Thankfully, in true Carman fashion I have been planning this transition for almost a year now, so we are as ready as we can be. Phil was able to take night classes last spring and test to become a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). Currently, he is hoping to work for the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Project Manager/Project Engineer.


It is an exciting (and stressful) time for us! Nora is so excited that Daddy won't be going to Afghanistan again, and I am so glad that we will finally be able to get settled into the community in a real and permanent way. YAY Ambrose Family!

Looking up

Despite recent bumps in our reintegration road, I am feeling exceedingly happy today. We spent every day this weekend (Friday, Saturday, AND Sunday) with wonderful friends. Nora played her heart out and we had time to sit and relax and enjoy the company of people we honestly enjoy. Sometimes it feels like it is hard to find that, and this weekend I was reminded what a wonderful community of people we have had the opportunity to surround ourselves with.

I am so thankful for those friends that enrich our lives, support and share with us. Even more I am thankful for their amazing daughters that love my sweet Nora as much as she loves them.

Next weekend we spend sometime just the three of us. We plan to camp in the rain forest, hike to a waterfall, and check out some amazingly old trees...It will be just as fun, in a different way, and I am reminded how happy I am to have Philip home, hopefully for good this time.

Together again!

March 29th at about 7pm Nora and I finally were hugging Phil again! It was a long year without him and we don't intend to waste one moment of having him home. After 2 weeks of work, Phil was able to take approx. 1 month of leave, during which we took a few short trips, worked on the house, and just reconnected as a family. It was WONDERFUL having him home! He is back at work now, but I am so happy to say home for dinner almost every night!

here are some photos from our time together so far:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150307333577925.418671.510802924&l=abf3897b3c

here are some photos of our reunion:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150256538462925.389850.510802924&l=beae12964b

Photo Winter catch up!

guess who started ballet?


"mommy, I want to be your big helper"



Valentines Day Cheerio Necklaces



counting practice

package fun

yummy

Nora's preemie sleeper (wore @6 weeks old) next to her 3T sleeper.

rockin with Papa

ballerina rockstar

3 year old princess

warm up!

Nora's reaction to snow!

ring the bell

Papa Jim and Grandma Cary

putting the angel on the tree (angel made by Nora)

Great Grandma reading

snow hike with Papa and Grandma

Christmas cookie time

Auntie Kathy snuggles

Grannie and Papa Warner

Holidays and such...

Wow! What a whirlwind the last couple months have been! The holidays have certainly helped the post R&R time fly...now for the doldrums known as the last 3 months of this wretched deployment.

Quick Updates:
Thanksgiving was spent at Uncle Micheal and Auntie Terry's house...7 adults and Nora in 700 square feet made for a cozy and surprisingly relaxing holiday. Ter of course rocked the kitchen and produced one of the best Thanksgiving meals we have had as a family. Mega kudos to the E.WA family members that braved some serious ice and snow to get there :)

Christmas break (2 full weeks) was spent in E. WA mostly at Grandma and Grandpa Reale's house with a quick trip up to Hayden, ID to see Phil's family. Nora was spoiled on all accounts, and I was pampered. I am already missing the help and company of being home. Evenings are lonely without my Mom and Dad.

This week we are trying to get the house back in order and our schedule back intact. It is only Tuesday and I am confidently on the road to recovery from our long trip. I am pretty sure next week will be able to be a "normal" week for us, and that is pretty amazing.

I have us scheduled like crazy, in my desperate attempt to distract us from the fact that we are STILL missing Daddy...most of the time it works pretty well. Only 3 months (well a little less) left!