The BIG decision

For the past 10 days we have been deciding what to do with our future.  Ten days ago Nick was given the opportunity to voluntarily separate from the Air Force.  We weighed the pros and cons.  We thought long and hard.  We decided it would be best for our family to take the separation way out.  Say what?!

How did we get to our decision?  It was hard.  Very hard.  We feel strongly to wanting to settle down in one place for the kids to grow up and not move around every 3-4 years.  Knowing we have the opportunity to live in one place as the kids grow up makes our hearts happy!  True, we could always move with promotions in a new company, but those aren't forced onto you and you can always turn them down.

The military is also downsizing like no other!  Hubs was supposed to be going up for the Major's board next year, but the AF has not even promoted the Major's from 2 years ago.  So, with that, Nick won't even be up for the board for 2 years, then 4 years until he'd put on.  That's all if they don't cancel next years board.  So, with his original plans to retire at 20 as a Lt. Colonel, he has no chance now (at 20).  If promotions were happening at the rate of before, we might not be considering this get out option either.  But they are, and he's just not seeing growth in the military.

The downsides to getting out sooner than retirement?  Obviously the retirement paycheck every month for the rest of his life.  The other, it's pretty huge too, family insurance.  It's so over priced outside the military, but we'll hopefully get jobs that offer insurance/benefits.

With all of Nick's experience, we feel he will be able to land a successful, well paying job that can offer our family new possibilities.  He's looking to get a job in Human Resources.  I know he can do it!  He's already applied to a few jobs and has been talking to military talent management firms.  

Our next steps is to figure out where we want to settle down.  Right now our focus is on the East Coast (DC and below) and also Minnesota.  

What are we going to do if we can find successful jobs (paying what we make now) in this economy?  I'll have to stop my master's program and get a job.  We can live in a tiny apartment until we get on our feet.  Not what we want, but it can be done.  We'll figure it all out and pray really really hard.

We're both pretty excited!  On Tuesday he will go into work and officially apply.  We pray his application will be accepted, and we'll be officially on our way out.

Day 2 Potty training

We've survived day 2 on the potty train wagon ride.  Kids had PDO today so he went in a diaper since we're not completely there yet to go without.  He was in a diaper from 830-1.  We actually got home from PDO around noon, but gave ourselves time to eat and get settled before going to undies.  We skipped nap time today to get some extra time in on the toilet.  He picked out his undies, he chose the soccer balls.  Within 5 minutes of having them on, he had an accident, just a dribble, but nonetheless, an accident.  I almost gave up.  But then told myself if I just put him back in diapers, how will he ever learn?!  Back up to his room to pick out a new pair.  He chose spider man this time.  I had a great idea to tell him that the spider will get mad if he pees on it and will bite him.  I know, it's mean, but I had to try it.  It worked for 4 hours!  Then he was watching Caillou and forgot.  So, 2 accidents in 6 hours, not bad for day 2.  Tomorrow we have plans to go to our friends in the afternoon, so we will have him in undies the whole time we are home, then will put a pull up on him while we are out.  Those have Diego on them so I tell him that he's going to make Diego cry if he gets him wet!  I'm so mean, but I'm sure you've all tried tactics too!  If you haven't, maybe you should try because it seems to be working in this house, lol.

We have to figure out how to make his pee stay in the toilet.  It seems to shoot to the floor rather than down into the toilet.  The joys of training a boy :)

When its time for bed he gets upset when we have to put on a diaper.  That's a good sign, right?

He's now snug in his bed with his pamper on :)

Nothing for Sterling today.  She did try once, but of course nothing.  I'm not really pushing her yet though.  One at a time, one at a time!

Five on Friday

Linking up with Darci from [the good life blog] for another fun week of weekly favorites.

{One}

I finally decided on a theme for the kids' combined birthday party with my family.  We're going to have it Easter weekend and the theme is Priate Xander and Princess Sterling!  How fun!  And the best part is we are having it at a hotel that has a pirate ship water park!  The kids are going to LOVE it!  I'm not to sure if I'm ready for all the little details I'd love to see at the party or if I should go simple?  My sister is creating an AMAZING! invite.  She gave me a sneak peak the other day and I LOVE it!

{Two}

I'm not even close to being finished with organizing the basement storage.  I don't know what I was thinking thinking that I could have it done in a week.  I think I'm going to put everything that needs to be sorted through and organized more in depth, in containers and label them to be sorted/organized.  That way I'll know what still needs to be done.  Tisk Task Tisk Task!

{Three}

Xander hasn't been having a great week at PDO.  He hit his teacher on Tuesday.  He was playing with binoculars and the teacher looked in the other end to show him that if he looks through them he will see her.  Well he didn't like that and said NO, I do it, then hit her.  And so it starts!

{Four}

We received the most welcomed email yesterday...from Xander's birthmom!  After 3 attempts last January and February of keeping in touch with her, she never responded.  All year.  I was so happy to see an email from her!  We even talked on the phone last night and had plans to skype.  I logged in and waited for her to log on, but nothing.  Since I was in the process of dinner, I had to quit waiting (20 minutes) and get back to making dinner.  I'm hoping this year will be the year that we keep in touch and maybe even a visit can be scheduled.

{Five}

We're still deciding on our future.  We're strongly leaning on the scarier option, but we're both ready.  I'll fill everyone in next week with the details.  We are making our final decision no later than Monday.