Weekend # 2

When you find out a family member is leaving, so much of your life is put on hold. You always think... I will get to that later.

So now that the band aid is ripped off, I have the opportunity to focus on just Sophia and I....

My very exciting Friday night was filled by feeding my OCD with cleaning my closet and room. It was so nice to purge all those items that were haunting me every time I looked in the closet or opened my dresser. Not to mention the amount of dust that had accumulated on the furniture.

Saturday, Sophia and I woke up at the crack of dawn to go to Baby Yoga class. Now all you parents know that taking a baby anywhere is quite a challenge. All the stuff you need to carry in case of an emergency is a just as heavy as the baby. Sophia and I got adjusted at the Elizabeth Blackwell Center for our time together and hopefully improve my physique. Well, Sophia did not cooperate, I spent the entire time meeting her needs and learning 3 poses. Let me say that again, 3 poses. Then the class was over, just 30 minutes. Ugh.

After the yoga class Sophia and I went to Dr. Messick's office for Part 1 flu shot. Sophia loves to lay on the tear off paper tables. She gets so excited, flaying her arms, legs and tearing the paper. Forget all her toys at home, I am purchasing medical paper next Christmas for her. The nurse pointed the shot so precisely and quickly that Sophia did not even know what hit her. There were a few tears, but after I picked her up there was a smile.

Next we rushed from the Dr. Office to DSCC for the Family Readiness Meeting. There was a great turn out of family members there. Mostly wives to the Solider. The commander called in and talked to us about how everything is going in Texas. Much like many of my conversations with Jerry, I sensed frustration in his voice. It seems there are a lot of changes happening, and they are at the last minute. I think he is afraid to give any outdated information. He mentioned their medical immunizations, training and the weather. I know they are working from dawn to dusk. He told us a little about their living conditions which are tight. He tried to squash any rumors which thankfully are very few at this time. They also brought in a speaker who talked to us about stress management.

There were a few tears at the meeting by spouses, which breaks my heart. I was so happy to have Sophia in my arms to hold and hide my tears I was shedding for this beautiful and strong lady. After the meeting was over, they gave us these lovely pins and pillow cases with photos of our family members. Thank you NW Ohio Military Friends for making the pillowcases and pins for us. I got the honor to place the pins on the proud children's chest over their heart.

So to move onto a lighter note, our lovely neighbors Abbi & Gracie Bressoud are selling Girl Scout Cookies. They are carrying a sign that says...."Gift of Caring, You can donate cookies to our soldiers over seas." How cute and thoughtful is that! So far, they said they have around 50 boxes donated. Thank you!

Giving Thanks

Today's entry is about giving thanks. Where do I start?

Well.....I think I will start on events that happened before Jerry's departure and leading up to today.....

Life has been so crazy, and thank you notes have been far and few.

-Thank you Lois Wile for watching Sophia on the night of Jerry's surprise going away party. Your kindness helped me focus my attention on Jerry, our friends and his exciting evening at the Columbus Blue Jackets. Thank you also for the lovely Sophia Dolly.

-Thank you friends for traveling across the state, sharing your Christmas Holiday with us at the Columbus Blue Jackets.

-Thank you Aunt Joanne for taking us out for lunch at Aladdins. Sophia fell asleep in your arms so quickly. You have the touch. Thank you also for the $ for Sophia's college fund.

-Thank you neighbors Rod & Rosie Tolliver for watching Sophia on New Years Day. Jerry and I were able to get one last date in before his departure. We both had forgotten what a movie theatre looked like.

-Thank you Ngouane for staying the night, so Jerry and I could leave peacefully and with ease to military formation and the airport at 3:30am.

-Thank you neighbor and friend Laura Bova for stopping by that first night to check in on us. This was so sweet of you.

-Thank you neighbors John & Laura, Pete & Carene for watching Sophia while our Nanny was out for the day.

-Thank you to my younger sister Heidie for sending me Halmark E Cards & coming to visit the first weekend.

-Thank you to my older sister Christie for sending me an e-mail and pointing out the positive things regarding Jerry's departure. I will just mention one, which is never having to watch a Brown, Reds, CBJ, Ohio State or any ESPN classic TV show for 365 Days.

-Thank you to my good friend Sharon for cooking all the lovely food at the Origami & Wine party. Yummmy!!!

-Thank you girlfriends for coming over, making me laugh and building paper cranes.

-Thank you neighbor and friend Tricia Arthur for watching Sophia 2 times a week and making her use her abs to sit up. I love the daily/event updates and photos. Thank you Jackson for sharing your mommy with Sophia.

-Thank you Emily Harkins for staying this week at the house. Your company and help has been a wonderful blessing. I got the opportunity to pick up sticks in the front yard and clean up my Jetta to turn in to the leasing dept while you cared for Sophia. Good Luck in your last semester of College. We will miss your company. Come and stay anytime.

-Thank you to John, Laura and Maria Bova for inviting Sophia and I over for the evening and feeding me soup and holding Sophia.

-Thank you Disney for Baby Eisntein : )....

-Thank you Mom and Dad for your continued support. I can't touch on just one thing at this moment. There are too many to mention.

I feel like I am presenting a Grammy Speech and I know there are many other friends and family I have forgotten to thank. Don't you worry, I will go back stage and thank you on the next Blog....

January 10, 2008

Dear Friends & Family,

After reading for a few months a neighbors family updates by blog, I have decided to create our own to help everyone stay informed. Hopefully you like the postings, photos and updates. You can even post responses if you would like. I most likely will discontinue the e-mail updates.

Now.... I am not very technically savvy or claim to be an expert on grammar or spelling, so please be kind when reading my entries. My thoughts are very clear in my head, it's just getting it down on paper that sometimes becomes jumbled.

Jerry and I have been able to communicate via cell phones the last couple days. They are settling in, training and recovering from the OSU loss.

Sophia is doing great and slowly getting back into a routine. On Tuesday & Thursday while her Nanny is in school, she goes to our neighbors home to visit her boyfriend Jackson. Sophia and Jackson were born on the same day, year and hospital. Sophia out weighs Jackson by 6lbs. I think all the weight is stored in her cheeks. We were fortunate to meet the Arthur family this summer while walking the babes in the neighborhood. Thank you Tricia for your help and support. Attached are a few photos of Jackson and Sophia at lunch time and going for a walk.

January 8, 2008

Dear Friends & Family,

Many of you have asked how Jerry's father is doing. He continues to stay positive & active. I will hopefully get a good update to share with you soon. Please keep Harold & his family in your prayers. Attached are a few photos of Jerry's father with Sophia over the holidays. His sister Janalee took the portraits.

My younger sister came to help out the first weekend. We had a lovely weekend. I had a small gathering of some close friends, and we were able to make about 80 Origami Cranes for Shu/Heidie's wedding party favors. We had a good time doing it. I was quite impressed with how fast everyone picked up the skill. All the wine helped us crease the paper more straight (not). Hopefully, there will be no grading of the cranes at the wedding.

Thanks again for all your support & help. I hope these e-mails keep you updated. If you want me to remove you from the e-mail group, please let me know. I am always happy to add additional friends & family to the group. Please just pass me their address.

Talk with you soon.
Tiffanie