R&BKing

Every year it's estimated 250,000 enlisted service members leave the military. Transition can be extremely hard for not only solider but spouse as well. We know, because we've experienced it. A soldier can feel a number of things from challenges such as, loss of connection, loss of purpose, stress, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, worry of entering the work force, difficultly of adjusting to a different pace of life and lifestyle, heath care issues, identity crisis, finances and PTSD. A spouse faces challenges such as, relocation, loss of support and connection, employment, stress, depression, anxiety, caretaker responsibilities, loss of purpose and pride, identity, finances, and loss of community and culture. Ryan and I have faced many of these challenges, but thankful not all of them. We recently found a PEW research that shared factors that predict an easier or harder re-entry into civilian life. Soldiers will have an easier trans...

Wow!  It's been a long time since I've added to this blog. I guess you could say life has gotten busy. Since the last post, in 2013, much has happened. Here are the major events in the last seven years:  1. Ryan got off active duty military and we moved to Berea, Kentucky.  Ryan enrolled at Eastern Kentucky University. Ryan also joined the Kentucky National Guard. From moving so much I became fascinated with simplicity and minimalism. I am now a self proclaimed minimalist. I love having less stuff!  2. Ivy Helen was born on January 10th, 2014.  3. Summer of 2014 we moved to Bozeman, Montana. Ryan studied aviation at Montana State University. Ryan joined Montana National Guard. I got back into full time cosmetology educating. I also worked at MSU family housing. 5. Ryan graduated and is official a commercially rated pilot. We moved to New York for Ryan to go to aviation mechanic school. Ryan got out of the military completely and transition bec...

Since 98% of our blog is pictures I'm trying a new method instead of the blog, a Flickr account. I sent out invites through email. Check it out!

Here's some of our happenings up in the North Country. And if you thought we were patriotic before, take a look now. We acquired a giant flag (it goes from our living room to kitchen, covering our entire couch).    

Do you like all these haircuts? I especially like Thatcher's! We've been wanting to buzz off some of that baby fine hair for awhile and tonight had a meaningful reason. One of our previous primary kids was diagnosed with leukemia. The family had pcs'd (permanent change of station) to California but have not been forgotten. The little boy with leukemia is responding to treatment and doing well under the circumstances. These other primary boys (and we threw in Thatcher) decided to shave their heads in support of the primary child. It was a small sacrifice (cold heads in this negative weather) but a wonderful one.

2012 is over and so is vacation. Here's what has been happening in our home since the new year began. Thatcher is great at pulling himself up but sometimes gets stuck in awkward positions. Ryan is back to work. He's been taking a radio communications class this week and next week he starts a mortar class/training for a month. On Sunday he was called to be the teacher's quorum advisor and on Wednesday attended mutual. He may be old enough to be a leader in young men's but sometimes I wonder how grown up he really is when he carries his Captain America lunch box to work! And I decided to start the new year with some new hair color. I've tried many colors before but never red so I ventured out and am loving it so far.

 This is how Ryan and Thatcher relax during vacation, they watch World War II documentaries.  Happy Sunday! Thatcher sporting his new vest. Isn't he so cute?

We've had a great winter vacation so far. It started December 19th, our 3rd anniversary. Ryan thought it would be fun to get dressed up in our wedding gear and go out to dinner (we still fit into our outfits). Since Ryan got to be home for a few days he helped me get creative with Thatcher and his eating. He found that videos of airplanes distract Thatcher enough to get down the carrots and sweet potatoes.  On a not so fun day Thatcher and I both ended up in urgent care for three hours.  After pumping ourselves full of medicine we felt better enough to head down to Albany to see the Malczyk's. Aren't the babies so cute?  Thatcher looked great for church on Sunday, too bad it only lasted through sacrament meeting.    One afternoon Ryan and I got to go on a little outing. Of course we had to stop at the Army/Navy store we saw.  Christmas day was awesome! We all got spoiled. And finally we came home to snow. Thatcher wasn't q...

     We had another busy weekend and it all began with celebrating Bobby's birthday. The next day we had the Lamb get together. It was a jam packed day full of snowflake kickball, singing Christmas carols while Uncle Garth played the guitar, getting to know you quizzes and eating lots of delicious food. As for Thatcher he figured out how to pull himself up on things, he got a new hat and a new haircut. I remember when my brothers got haircuts and their personality would come out more, it's happening with this little boy!

We've been gearing up for the Holiday season. We had a fun Saturday with the Lamb family playing snowflake kickball, singing, games and eating delicious food. Thatcher enjoyed all the time with his cousins. This week it's final preparations for Christmas. Are you ready?

Saturday morning we were doing chores around the house. One of the tasks was to sweep off the porch to clean up the tree trimming mess. Ryan dressed up for the dirty job, slippers and all!

Here's a peek at our Christmas preparations. Thatcher got his first picture with Santa and not just any Santa, combat Santa! Although we didn't get to cut down our own tree this year, Ryan was still able to use his hatchet and man tools (had to do some tree trimming to fit into the stand). I got to practice my sewing skills and make Thatcher his stocking. Do you like our finished products?