The Paustenbaughs

Happy To Be "Home"

At least our temporary home right now.  We survived 24 hours of travel and have arrived safely in Okinawa, Japan!  So happy to have the flight behind us.

We went from looking like this:

To this by the end of it all (someone is smiling, but BEYOND tired!):

We spent the first full day here just trying to keep ourselves awake.  We powered through and made it to 8 pm local time (yay us!).  We did just a wee bit of exploring within walking distance and Ella was excited to find a tiny little zen garden she could do some "meditation" in:

The girls are excited to be here, which makes us all the more excited.  We always worry about how they'll adjust, and although it's only been 2 days, they have come in with a great attitude and that is going to help tremendously.

We went off to explore the beach since we have talked and talked about it and it was a much needed break from meetings, checking in and being extremely tired.

The girls were in their element and so happy to be close to a beach again.  I know we'll be spending lots of time at all the various beaches around the island.

Did I mention we're so excited to be here?!  Lots more photos to come, but for now we're trying to keep ourselves up until 8:30.  We're a wild and crazy bunch!

 

The Moving Process

We are currently undergoing move #8 right now and to say we have this down to a science would be an understatement.  Although throw in our first international move and it's thrown us for a bit of a loop!  I think we did pretty well though and hoping it all works out on the other end too!

We have been organizing for months and figuring out what stays, what gets thrown away, what will go in storage, etc.  Nearly a neverending process.

And because my husband is full fledged OCD when it comes to moving and I'm partially OCD, this is what pre-moving looks like in our house!  We have 3 shipments so we separated out our house into that.  Accocording to Maya "Our house has never been this messy. I don't like it"!!  Me either kid, me either.

One of the few perks of moving all the stinking time is that I don't have to pack a thing besides what goes with me personally.  I'm spoiled in that respect.  I don't foresee me ever moving myself even after Terry retires!  Let's just hope this all gets to us in one piece!

It gets me a little choked up seeing all the rooms start to empty out as our belonging get loaded on crates.  I start remembering all the memories we've had here and how happy we were.

And when it's completely empty?  Yep, more than a little weepy.  I'll miss this house and I'll miss this neighborhood. 

I've been strolling down memory lane as we pass through the house and give it one final cleaning.

Most places don't hit me this hard when we move, but this was our house and we made it our home and I'll miss that.

I'll miss our friends, our great neighborhood and so many other things about it.

But now, onto the next adventure, with more memories and more friends.

Fashion Show Time

I'm going to switch gears today and go from sappy to sassy!  2 weeks after we get to Japan we will be attending my husband's change of command ceremony.  I'm determined to find a dress here because I will be sleep deprived and have no idea where to shop once we get there.  I'm just hoping to make it through the ceremony without getting drowsy! 

So I'm turning to you and my friends here to help me choose one (yay you!).

Some things to consider when looking at these:

**I'm a sweaty, sweaty gal.  Seriously, I have no idea why. When I think about trying not to sweat, I sweat even more.  I'm sweating right now just writing about it!

**It will be about 80-90 degrees with 1000% humidity.  Ok, maybe not 1000%, but it's horribly, horribly humid there.  (This obviously links to the Sweaty McSweaterson factor).

**Terry is taking command of a Battalion, meaning he is "the boss", meaning all eyes are on us that day, meaning I'm just sweating thinking about all those eyes on me.

 

Ok, on with the fashion show! The ridiculous poses are on purpose to get through this - I would make a horrible model..  Oh, and I have absolutely no idea what is up with those awesomely large calves-weird.

1.  This one is from Ann Taylor Factory Store:

2.  From White House Black Market

3.  J. Crew Factory Store (not sure how I would feel about the shoes with this)

 

4. J. Crew (from a dear friend willing to give me this great dress):

Ok, time to vote!!  I can't decide and no way I can keep them all-mama spent a little too much on a shopping spree on Saturday!

Thanks everyone!

Final Countdown

We are at just 10 weeks until I'll be sitting on a lawn chair and watching my belongings get packed to travel 8000 miles away.  It's that time in the moving process where emotions start taking over and I get extremely sentimental and well, let's just say it-sappy.

This happens each and every time, even at the duty stations where I may not have the best memories.  I always make some good friends and it is definitely hard to think about not seeing them on a regular basis.

Now is the time that I plan and relish in lunches, get togethers, coffees, girls night outs and just plain chatting with someone.  Somehow most of my recent outings have been planned around cupcakes!

I really value these true friendships and will miss them so much, especially during those first weeks of a new move when I don't know anyone and have no connection yet.  And it's these true friendships that I try to focus on during these last weeks and not those friendships that are there out of convenience.  I've been burned more than I care to count from women who pretend to be my friend, then ditch me as soon as something better comes along. Those I can do without.

Lots of plans are being made for getting together before I leave and quite frankly, just hanging out with my friends is all I need.  Lots of laughing, talking and maybe a fair amount of wine too!  That's what I'll miss-just being with those that matter.

What I'm looking forward to the most is having our family together, in one house, and not through a computer screen.

After 8 months of being separated during the week, it is definitely taking it's toll on us, especially a certain 7 year old someone who has taken to acting out recently.  we are so ready to be together again, have dinner at the same table, and just giggle and share together like we do best.

I'm ready to go, but also doing that super slow walk to the finish line and grasping every bit of friendship along the way.

Ready For Adventure

Saturday's over at Write.Click.Scrapbook there is a different focus each week.  The 1st Saturday of the month is "write" and we focus on journaling.  Amy Sorenson puts together these 1st Saturdays posts and requested layouts about something you are looking forward to and of course music related layouts since that was the gallery theme for the month.  Luckily, I had some time to put something together and knew exactly what I would scrap about!

One thing we are definitely looking forward to once we get to our new home in Japan is all the traveling.  We've already started a list of places we want to visit and I plan on using our passports to their fullest!  I love to travel, especially internationally, and now that the girls are older and can pack and go much easier than babies and toddlers, then we will definitely set off on many an adventure!

Not only do we plan on seeing all there is to see in Okinawa, but will definitely be venturing off to other countries as well and I cannot wait!  There will be no excuse for 2 years, besides the excuse of "we're only here 2 years-LET'S GO!!" 

I nearly put this map paper in the donate pile because although I think it's gorgeous, I just could not figure out how to use it and where to use it.  So glad I hung on to it and found a place for it! Of course that only furthers my paper hoarding issue!

Happy Monday!

Too Easy

Pardon the lack of crafty projects this week!  I've been diligently working on a summer mini album that is taking about as long as I expected-a really stinkin' long time!!

But in the meantime, you can head on over to Write.Click.Scrapbook today for a chance to win some yummy Ormolu goodies in today's giveaway!!!

 

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So today we take the plunge.  Our house is officially for sale and I'll be biting my nails until an offer comes through and we are signing paperwork to hand it over to someone else!  I really love this house and will remember it with such great memories for our family, but it's time to let someone else make great memories and make it their own.  Bittersweet for sure.

And the title of the post is too easy because that's how things are happening for this around the world move for us so far-WAY too easy.  It's the kind of too easy that has me looking over my shoulder to see if someone is behind me ready to drop a road block.

As with any major changes in families, not just military, you always prepare for hurdles and road blocks along the way.  And since we move what seems to be almost every Tuesday, then more hurdles and road blocks are presented.  We've had none so far.  Paperwork is going through.  Appointments are kept.  Movers are scheduled.  People are answering emails and phone calls.

Weird I tell you.

Oh those hurdles will come. They always do and we'll be ready!

For now we ride the wave and enjoy the time we have left here with our friends and in this area.  We wait for the hard part to get here!

And because I hate a post without a photo:

Is there a doctor in the house for the crazy person?

52 Week Challenge: New

Last year in the spring I ventured over to The Bloom Forum because I wanted a place to go and learn more about photography and it didn't seem quite as "hard core" as some other sites I had stumbled upon.  Unfortunately, my motivation and heart actually weren't in it so I gave up my subscription.  Later I took Karen Russell's class and my photography bug was inspired again.  One of things I wanted to try harder to do this year is really learn my camera, play with it and just have fun taking pictures again.  January through March is hardest for me because of the lack of light and colors outside, but I really want to push myself.

Enter the Bloom Forum again!  I figured that is the best place for me to go and learn from those wonderful ladies and challenge myself.  They have various groups that do a 52 Week Challenge Blog Circle and there was a group gracious enough to give this amateur a try!

Every Friday we'll have a new theme and our interpretation of that theme through one or more photos.  This week's theme is "NEW".

I went back and forth most of the first half of the week not having a clue what I actually wanted to photograph, but knew the message I wanted to convey.  As I was driving home from a run on Wednesday I passed the new housing development that is going up right behind our development and inspiration struck!

This year there is so incredibly much that is going to be new: new move, new country to live in, new experiences, new jobs, new schools, new everything.  However, with all the new-ness and all the excitement one thing still remains: organized chaos.  The home selling, organizing, packing, unpacking, paperwork to fill out, long flights, etc.  My mind is excited, but filled to capacity too.

This photo embraces all that I'm feeling.  Brand new excitement, but still random chaotic messes surrounding it.  That's us this year, but we're embracing it!

 Head on over to the very inspiring Amy Schilling, Austin, TX Photographer for her take on this week's theme!

The Calm Before The Storm

There's a new gallery up at Write.Click.Scrapbook and this month really spoke to me and I knew what I wanted to do immediately.  I created this layout about 2 weeks ago and at that time it definitely felt like the calm before the storm.

 

We have so incredibly much to do in the next 4.5 months and I literally felt the tide turn on January 1st.  That started Operation Organize.

We started organizing the holiday decor according to what we were taking and putting in storage.

Next up: closet organizing to prep for the (hopeful) sale of our house.  Luckily, the Mister is in charge of that tomorrow since he has another day off!  Although it does make me a bit nervous since he tends to throw things out that haven't been touched in approximately 4 days.

Mentally I'm feeling the storm too.  I enjoyed the calm for a bit though and am ready to ride it out. 

 

Going In Open

2012

2012 is a huge year of change for our family.  I'm going in with an open mind, an open heart and open arms. Even on the days when I'm cursing the military and it's inefficiency, I will try to keep it to a minimum and focus on the opportunity given to our family.

In the first 5 months of 2012 we will:

*Organize and prep our house (not my favorite way to start!)

*Attempt to sell our house

*Go to countless doc appointments to get a medical clearance for our move

*Figure out what to sell, what to put in storage and what to take with us.

*Fill out 4,502,839 pieces of paper (this is just an estimate)

*oh yeah, and move 8,000 miles away to a foreign country!

But again, I'm determined to go into it all open and with patience. 

Patience

My word for 2012.  I'll need a lot of it.  To say I'm terrified of this whole process is an understatement. I look forward to June and being settled and exploring our new home.

This is also the year I hope to play with and learn more in the photography arena.  I took Karen Russell's class last year and loved it.

This is also the year I take advantage of those free personal trainers on base (post move).  40 is creeping up ever so quickly and I need to combat that!

This is the year I'm doing scrapbooking for me.  I love, love the teams I am on right now and the freedom of creating with them and hope to continue on and do what I love.

So here's to 2012. 

Bring it on-I'm ready!

New Attitude

Course Correction - Last week I was busier than I had been since, um, well probably our last move 16 months ago.  I blogged about my husband's selection for a command position.  What comes along with that is a 2 week course for Terry and a 1 week course for the spouses, and you guessed it, that's me!

Let me just say that I was more than skeptical before going into the first class last Monday.  I'm definitely not an "old school" military wife and wasn't so sure I would fit in with all those attending.  I know, it's a judgement I should not have made, but I did.  I was just afraid of walking into a room of women who wore their husband's rank, knew every single acronym and lived for this moment.  Me?  Not so much.

Needless to say I was more than pleasantly surprised, and even came away with some great acquaintences/friends!  Everyone didn't know all the acronyms and did not "live" for this job either.  Phew!

We went on a tour of the Commandant's House one day and it was amazing!

It really was great and of course I was afraid my tool side would come out and I would break something!

New Month - It's the 1st, which means there's a new gallery up at Write.Click.Scrapbook.  This month our theme was scrapping "I Remember When..."  After posting this photo on Facebook, I knew I had to scrap it!

So hard to believe that that little bitty person is already up to my shoulders!!  Oh how the time truly flies!  Go on over and take a look at everyone's take on this month's theme!

Happy Tuesday!