The countdown is on

Yesterday marked exactly three months until we move from this place we've called home for the past three years. It's bittersweet and exciting all the same. Japan was our first home together. I remember our first outings off base to places like Ikea and Yokohama. This is the place we got our first lovable and feisty pup Huey and where we took vacations to Singapore, China and South Korea. This is where we experienced the earthquake and tsunami and watched as the Japanese and American military united together to provide care for those in need. Most importantly, this is the place where we had Rory. Japan will always be her birthplace and a place we hold dear in our hearts. As time is counting down, I'm realizing that there are so many places that we wanted to see and do, but never got the chance to. Australia was high on our list, as well as Thailand. But, with my work schedule and Mike's TDY's, vacations were hard to balance in between.

Now Mike is gearing up to leave for two months in Alabama. I'm bummed that he'll be gone that long, but I'm also sad that there goes two months where we can't do the last minute travels that we wanted to do together as a family. The house will be a lot quieter without him here because not only is Mike leaving, but he's taking Huey along with him. Because of our impending move back to the U.S., Huey will be staying at Grandma and Big G's house in North Carolina. He'll love their backyard and all the attention but Rory and I will sure miss his company. Moving back to the U.S. and staying in hotels along the way makes it quite challenging when you have a pet in tow. The main reason that we're sending him home early though is because we're stopping in Hawaii on our way back for two weeks. For the first week, we'll be on the island of Oahu and stay at the Hale Koa and Bellows Air Force Station. The second week we'll be lounging on a cruise. I can't wait!!! Then we're off to Kirtland Air Force Base for our next assignment. We are SO excited for all the changes and plans ahead.

Now in my last post, I hinted about our move. Well, I don't mean our upcoming move, I meant our current move into a new unit. Yes, the Air Force decided to move us to another unit when we only had a few months left on base. The unit that we did live in was not renovated and was next on the list for construction. Therefore, they had to move us and our friends to new units. This would have been fine had it been done when we still had a least a year left. It sucks because we basically had to unpack all our boxes, only to have them repacked literally next month. You would think we could have just left the boxes packed up with stuff that we will not use, but it's not quite that simple. You see, they packed up our stuff like we were moving down the street, not for an overseas move. So, with a baby and Mike's busy schedule, it's taken quite a while to unpack, and after a month in this house, we STILL are not done. It's exhausting really.

This is what our house looked like for a few weeks and I'm not even kidding. We've come leaps and bounds from when this picture was taken believe me.

So, now with one day left of our long holiday weekend, Mike and I are just tying up some loose ends and trying to get organized for our real move. Since Mike will be gone when the movers pack up and ship our stuff, he needs to set aside the things that he will need upon his return in March. I have a honey do list for him as well, but fortunately with great friends and neighbors, I'll just steal someone else's husband if I need a hand ; )

Here are some recent pictures of what we've been up to:

I got a mom haircut and I love it. I've realized I'm better at having short hair anyway. Less maintenance and it makes me feel young fun.

This is Rory on Christmas morning. Gosh, she was excited wasn't she? I'd be that excited if I had all those presents too!

Mike and I feel that Rory is our best Christmas present by far!

Rory's first experience with solids. She's a champ now!

After the holidays, we had a family day at an indoor amusement park at a place called Round 1. Rory was kind of indifferent of it all but Mike and I sure had fun ; )

Here's a funny shot of Mike just coming out of the slide and almost knocking me over. Miss Roo didn't seem to mind!

And here's Rory after a little mishap with her PJ's. Yes, I'm aware that it's not Halloween and that this outfit doesn't quite fit her anymore but ya know, I still think she looks pretty cute ; )

Here's Rory and her baby friend Ayden at a Christmas PJ book exchange party. So cute!

This was taken at Showa Park. It was extremely cold but I'm glad that we went out to see it.

Yes. I have a 5 month old. I've talked to her about slowing down this whole "getting bigger" thing, but she doesn't seem that interested in what I have to say on the matter.

Looking back on our Christmas and New Year holiday, I can honestly say it was an amazing time. It was quiet and simple really but I just loved spending it with our little family. Next Christmas, Mike will be just starting his year long deployment, so this holiday held a special place in my heart. I think ahead of how it will be like next year without him and how quickly Rory will change and grow. But I can honestly say, I am SO grateful for the time that we've had together and what a wonderful 2012 we will have. My resolution this year is to be optimistic, have faith and trust that everything will be alright. What a wonderful, trying and challenging year we had in 2011. This next year can only get better. I've got the best daughter in the world, a wonderful husband and best friend, a sweet and fun puppy dog and many new adventures just waiting to be had.