A Home in Transition...Take a peek!

Have you ever wondered what the home of a crafter, toddler mama, IKEA lover, military spouse, stay at home mom, and traveler looks like. Well here you go. It ain't pretty...at least not right now. I'm hoping to revamp our whole living situation once in Guam. There will be much more organization, storage, and intentional planning. Right now we are at a crossroads. E is more active than ever, I am trying to do some learning activities with her, I am getting more serious about blogging (not just here but also at Passionate, Mindful, and Content), B and I are finishing up Financial Peace each evening, we are removing everything from the walls, painting our outside patio, and we have LOTS of packing to do, which in turn means more laundry.

Our beautiful farmhouse table buried. 

Hopefully this makes you feel a little better about your home. I don't know if it can get worse than this (fingers crossed). If you have pics of your home in transition, show me, or let me know how you are dealing.



One thing makes it ALL worth it though!...Well two.

-Anjelica

Throw back photo #3

Fort Niagara, NY

B with an actor at the battle of Ft. Niagara reenactment camp. He was in heaven this day. 

Our Express Pack Out

 For those of you unfamiliar with how the military moves a member's goods; they send a shipping company to your house with guys to load up boxes with ALL of your belongings. This includes surfboards, large furniture, appliances, and pretty much anything else you want to bring with you to your new local. 

Because we are moving a LONG way away we have chosen to have two pack outs. One that will arrive before or soon after we get to Guam and one with the remainder of our belongings that will take about another month to arrive. Therefore, our express pack out contains items that will allow us to live semi-comfortably in our home with a minimal amount of things. We are not allowed to pack furniture in this shipment. B will most likely start work before we receive our large shipment. 

We had our express pack out last week and this is what we included.

1. sleeping bags
2. Tupperware, 4 cups, 2 mugs, 2 travel mugs, 2 bowls, 1 mixing bowl, cooking utensils, some silverware, and disposable utensils. 
3. large bed spread
4. pot rack (not sure this is a necessity)
5. laundry hamper containing sheets, pillow cases, and towels
6. frying pan
7. camping folding chairs
8. backing sheet and other baking pans
9. shower curtain and bath mats
10. crock pot and rice cooker

I'll be back in a few weeks to show you how our actual large pack out goes. Hopefully I can remember to take pics of the movers packing everything. I wanted to do that with the express pack out and forgot. I will also be posting soon about what we are bringing with us for our Euro vacation. 

-Anjelica

This is how I feel

I saw this quote on Pinterest and felt that it described so well my feelings about living like a gypsy. 

Do any of you feel this way too?

Let me know you're reading...

As I've mentioned before, it's VERY hard for me to keep up with blogging. Not because I don't have anything to say, but because I just am not motivated sometimes. But one thing I know will help, is if I hear back from you all that you liked a post, had different or similar feelings, are curious to hear about a specific aspect of our lives, etc...So leave comments, subscribe, or send me an email. I want to hear from you guys.

Thanks!!

-Anjelica

Throwback Thursday Photo #2

Back when Aoki was our baby.

Guam Welcome Packet

So, we received our Guam welcome aboard package. I was immediately excited when I felt how thick it was and saw how beautiful the cover image on the folder was. It includes so much information, from how to prepare for natural disasters, the base's resources, to maps of Guam and local restaurants.

Inside the Welcome Packet:

1. A phone number directory
2. Guam CULTURE & TRADITIONS dvd
3. Base Directory Map
4. Franko's GUAM Guide & Dive Map 
   
5. Experience GUAM magazine
6. Fleet and Family Support Center Manual
7. "Are You Prepared for a Typhoon?" pamphlet
8. a printed map of Guam's villages
9. Programs and Services pamphlet
10. NFAAS (Navy Family Accountability and Assessment System brochure
11. "I am. Are You?"Natural Disaster, Biological and Man Made Disasters, Acts of Terrorists pamphlet
12. 2013-2014 Stripes Annual Manual

The packet also featured some great ideas for activities to do with E. There are dance classes for children starting at 1 year old, gymnastics for kids starting at 3 years old, a really cool aquarium, and of course GORGEOUS beaches. I'm really excited to have multiple options of age appropriate activities to do with E. That is one thing that PR really lacks. There are very few educational or active places to take young children here. I also believe that with such a large and close knit English speaking community we will have plenty of available playmates for E.

This move is getting real now! We are excited and sad at the same time. It will be very tough to leave our church family, but great to begin this new journey.

-Anjelica