Hello From Colorado

We are still here in Colorado. It has been fun with the grandkids, Meredith, J.T., Alex, Jake, and Samarah. Savannah left on Christmas day. Jake is leaving at 0345 in the morning. We are probably going to leave tomorrow as well. I hate the drive.

I work New Year's Eve. I wonder how many babies we will deliver. I asked the older kids what they wanted to accomplish in the new year. Jake wants to take some college classes. Alex doesn't know what he wants to do. Sami probably wants to take State again in track. Meredith is starting her Masters program. I haven't asked Savannah yet. I am sure that she wants to keep in better contact with Mr. T.

As for me, at this time most of my goals are professional. I have to take a refresher courses in ACLS, NPR, STABLE, and heart monitoring. I have to learn external fetal monitoring, how to circulate in the OR for c-sections/hysterectomies, PACU, NICU, and that is just off the top of my head. (PACU - post anesthesia care unit, NICU- neonatal intensive care unit)

On a personal note, I want to better balance my life, lose some extra pounds, and learn to do fun things.

Merry Christmas

Here I am in Colorado visiting with my children. For the space of a few hours, I had all 5 of them with Mark and I. We haven't had this happen in about 5 years. I am so blessed. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Savannah redid my hair. Thank you so much! Jake came in from California. It is awesome to see him. It has been almost a year. Alex is having fun visiting with his brother and comparing branches of the military. Meredith and Jake's house is fixed up so cute.
She has a real talent for turning a house into a home. J.T. has been so hospitable and welcoming to all of us Housers. It is fun to see the older kids interact with Samarah, as she has grown up so much in such a short time. I will post pictures later.

I want you all to know how much I love and appreciate you. In addition to my children, I have a wonderful husband who looks out for me. I have a great sister, Bobbi, that I look up to. I have my fabulous "F.N." who takes after MY side of the family. Well, actually, that is biologically impossible. I try to take credit for her whereever I can. LOL!

Thank you for all that you are in my life. I love you all.

Renée

Pvt. Alexander P. Houser, USA

 

We attended Alex's graduation from Ft. Leonard Wood. He looked so good. It was great to be with him again. The ceremony was very touching. Alex steered me away from his Drill Sargeants. I can't imagine why. (Although I did introduce myself the next day when he was elsewhere!) I am thinking that he thought I was going to say something like, "Do you know how long it took me to wean him?" Or, "Where can I get dog tags to match Alex's? I want to do a Mommy/Son match thing."

It was freezing cold back there, but very humid so we felt the cold. When we got back home, the temp was pretty much the same, but with the dryness we didn't feel the cold. Alex has been assigned to Ft. Richardson. This is in Anchorage, instead of Fairbanks. It is warmer in Anchorage because of the ocean.

Alex is at a friend's house in the Valley for a few days. This friend is going into the Army next month, so there is a lot to talk about apparently. We will meet up with him later in the week, and he will be doing Recruiter Assistance in Show Low.

Lance Corporal Jacob E. Houser

From Kamikazern's Realm

Jake called. He is on his way to 29 Palms for more training. He will be gone the next 12 days. He might call me again this am at 0200. I was taking report when he called the first time. He was just promoted to Lance Corporal. OOOOORAHHH!

Tomorrow we leave for Phoenix, then the morning after, we leave for Missouri. We see Alex on Thursday and will be home on Saturday. Hooooahhh!