Happy Christmas

Instead of the traditional Christmas cards we usually send out, the Mister and I thought it would be kinda cute to make our own newsletter this time around. It turned out real well, dontcha think?

These three are my absolute treasures!

We have had a lot going on this year, and with the upcoming move, even more so around this time. The Mister and I made a concerted effort to keep up with most of the traditions we enjoy as a family, but sadly, with the added workload of the move, some were simply left out.

Either way, it was a joyous holiday season. We got lucky in that we properly gauged the right toys for the kids amidst the endless array of commercials in which we heard "That's what I want for Christmas!" Santa left us a bulk family gift: the Kinect for the XBOX 360 along with several games to go with it. What fun! Awesome gift, every one of us loves playing it! (expect a separate post on this) Dylan, who has outgrown toys, got a pair of basketball shoes he has coveted for the past three months, accoutrements for his phone, and some spending moolah for whatever else he'd like. Sophia's wishes for a zoo set and vet center came through. And Liv got her "stools" (tool) set and teacup piggies. The girls also got a dollhouse with furniture sets so mommy dearest can play with them. :-)

The Mister got the week off and we were able to take a breather from all the planning and preparing and simply enjoy time together as a family.

We hope all of you have enjoyed this season as much as we have. Merry Christmas! And here's to a Happy New Year!

Starting Anew

Hear ye hear ye! I will be launching a new blog at the start of the new year!

I am currently in the process of choosing a design, and whether or not I want to go through the trouble of writing the HTML myself or getting one made.

Initially, of course, it will cover the PCS process and will continue to share our adventures in our new place.

I will post an announcement upon its launch, and hope you all will

decide to subscribe/follow the fam through there!

What's in a Name?

...That which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet...

In this case, it meant my boy's identity and sense of belonging in this family. At twelve years old, he has known the Mister's love for three quarters of his life. He knows he is treated and cared for and loved just as much as everyone else in our family. He knows that although Louie didn't have a hand in bringing him into this world, that he did play a huge role in bringing him up in it. But nevertheless, whenever the time called for his documented name and he had to sign a surname unlike the rest of ours, I could see the annoyance and even a twinge of sadness in my dear boy's face.

Now, after years of reasoning with the idiot who was the sperm donor for this wonderful boy (he must have taken after me), the change has finally come.

DYLAN LOUIS OCHOA

He had the option to change his middle name, which was orginally after his two grandfathers. But Dylan wanted to honor the man who has loved him as much as any other father would love his son, if not more. And so the middle name was chosen by the bearer himself.

With the decline of traditional nuclear families, it is rare for such strong relationships to result from marriages with children already involved. But, to my surprise, I was relieved to witness such a special bond develop between the Mister and Dylan. Now, as the awkward years of teendom and puberty approach, I find myself on the sidelines observing my boy reach out to the Mister, smiling as the two close the door to have a talk about issues that "Mom would never understand."

What a way to end the year, to see my son's ultimate dream of gaining the legal right to hold his father's name.

Movin' On Out

Smack dab in the middle of the military PCS (permanent change of station) process, I find myself conflicted (what's new?) whether to feel excited or sad. Having been through this enough times, I am fully aware it is pointless to try and settle for one emotion, as it is just impossible. I think of the possibilities of this new adventure to Alaska and become overcome with the desire to jump up and do a ridiculously goofy happy dance. And then I look at this home I built with my family that is slowly looking bare as a result from the "minimizing and decluttering" process, and I get all sentimental. It's a seesaw thing. I swear this move is making me bipolar.



Anyway, practically 45 days out from PCS, the Mister and I have realized we are slightly ahead of schedule. It was my goal from the onset of notification that we would not be the family running around at the last minute stressing over issues that have not been taken care of. Organization is the key! So, it's nice to know it has paid off. We are taken care of, and during this holiday season, the fam can actually kick our feet up and relax without nagging worries of unpreparedness.



Happy Holidays, everyone!