My Love-Hate Relationship with the Army

So, after seven years of my husband being part of the Army I really should not be surprised when the unexpected happens.  This past week we were told my husband has to be part of a month long Squadron training on another island.  This normally would not be a issue to either of us, but it just happens it would be over my due date so he would most likely to miss the birth.  Obviously I was devastated to hear this and my husbands COC was not willing to work with us at all.

Well on Tuesday this week I had a major baby scare and my husband rushed me to the hospital after several hours of almost no fetal movement.  Well the doctors quickly did an ultrasound and some blood tests and after some Q and A we discovered I had not been consuming enough calories or drinking enough water for the baby.  In addition, my iron and thyroid levels have significantly dropped.  Now I am on a much stricter food routine and the baby is doing much better. 

After our dramatic week Michael got called into meet with his CO and suddenly they are convinced it is important for him to be here for the birth.... Really?  Isn't this what we have been trying to tell them?  Anyway, I am so thankful they were able to work out a schedule where Michael would go with them and train for a week or two and then head back a week before the due date and hopefully be here when our little man meets this big old world. 

No one can say that the Army life is boring and I wish this kind of organization was rare.  However, now that we are on this side I am just thankful that an understanding was met.  I cannot imagine going through labor without my husband by my side.

Loving the Baby Bump

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our maternity shoot done by the wonderful Nikki at Love and a Lens!

Patchwork for Preemies

We all know that I don't do well being bored when Michael is away.  I end up going a little crazy which isn't good for anyone.  So during these times I tend to dive into all my crafts and projects. 

Well, last fall Michael was on the mainland for two months and I caught wind that the local military hospital here was in need of quilts for all the babies in the NICU.  I thought this would be a great way to use my love of sewing and also give back to my community.  So, I turned so my ever loyal facebook page and informed my few Hawaii friends at the time that I would be sewing and if anyone wanted to come join, they could.  Our first sewing day had four of my closest friends here, two of which had never sewn.  We raided my tubs of fabric scraps and made some beautiful scrappy quilts until two in the morning.  Two weeks later we had a second sewing party at my house and 14 people came!  Even though we were cramped in my little home we were able to make eight adorable baby quilts and made our first delivery to the NICU.  And this is how Patchwork for Preemies was formed!

Sitting here just over a year later I am amazed at how much the group has grown.  We now have over 100 members some which have never touched a sewing machine and others with years of experience.  We have to book the local community center on sewing days and generally sew for about 12 hours straight.  We try to make monthly quilt donations ranging for 8-12 quilts and have had the joy of seeing our tokens of love gifted to families within our local community.  It has been amazing receiving the support from the rest of the community and now we run completely off of donations and are in the process of making the group official through ACS.

I have met some amazing women through this group including Nikki at Lacey. To those new to the military life or struggling at a new duty station, I would encourage you to find a group to get plugged in with, a way to get involved.  That is how you will meet those people who will be there for you where ever life takes you.  

Updating on Aloha Living

I have been wanting to get back into blogging for a while now and was contemplating starting a new blog seeing that I feel like I have grown and changed so much since I last used The Graber Life.  But isn't that kind of the point?  Seeing how your life has changed and evolved through the years.  That being said, how do I update you on the past year?  Well for starters I finally went back to school in January 2013 and am working on my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy with the hopes of graduating in 2014, pursuing my license, and then eventually my board certification in Christian Sex Therapy.  I know, big dreams right?  I do love having a plan and constantly working to better myself.  It has been a ton of work but I definitely feel like it is where I am suppose to be right now.  I am still an ABA therapist but I did go down to part time when we got pregnant with the littlest Graber... Yes, that is right, in just seven short weeks our little man will be joining our crazy little family.  We are so excited to meet him and I am having a ton of fun working on the nursery.  Of course, I would have huge ambitions of the whole thing being a DIY project from refinishing the furniture, making the bedding, and creating all my own decorations.  Ahhh, such a huge project but you know I love it.  Hopefully I will post pictures in the next few weeks of all of it coming into place. 

Here are some updated pictures of our little family...

Always Getting Ready

So, when the guys are home they are never really home, home but they are always getting ready for what ever their next job may be.  What does that mean?  That means packing and repacking.  Leaving for the field or range for three, four, five days at a time.  The closer it gets to deployment the more often they go and the longer they stay.  

Michael headed out this past week for a 7-8 week field problem.  It is always hard to be apart but I am thankful that thus far he has been able to call me.  He is enjoying being on the mainland, west coast even, but it does make him a little home sick.  We both miss Southern Oregon in the fall.  

Anyway,  I am much looking forward to November when I get my man back.  Trying to keep my chin up though because I know there will be a lot more training in the coming months. 

Happy Birthday, Michael!

Happy birthday to the most wonderful man out there!  So happy we have had 12 months with him stateside and I don't have to worry about his safety right now.  I love this man more than he will ever know!

Happiness

Could life be better than this?

Aloha!

I can't believe Michael and I have been in Hawaii for almost eight months!  I didn't fully appreciate how much this place has become home until I visited Oregon last week.  I love going back to the place where I grew up, the place Michael and I fell in love, and the place where so many of my friends and family live.  While I was there though I had time to think about my life now.  How blessed I feel to have my little family together, living in this beautiful place!

Moving Again

July 2010  -->  Erinn moves to Texas

August 2010 -->  Michael deploys to Iraq

August 2010 -->  Erinn moves back to Oregon

July 2011  -->  Erinn moves back to Texas

August 2011 -->  Michael Returns to Texas

Friends, I am happy to announce that in less than three weeks Michael and I will be moving together to Hawaii.  The best part about this move is that we should be stabilized for 1-3 years.  I cannot express how exciting this is to both of us.  Our household goods and car have all ready been shipped to Oahu and hopefully should be there soon after we are.  Michael is working hard to finish clearing Ft Hood so that we can set up travel arrangements and hopefully we will be in our new home the first week of December :)

Michael and I have been together for over five years and it feels so good to finally be able to be in the same place at the same time without any separations planned n the future!

I'm Home

The past thirteen months has been a time of celebration, love, joy, heartache, and moments of uncertainty.  Just over a year ago I was blessed to marry my best friend, move across the country, and get a sample of what newly wed life could be like.  The time was wonderful but short. 

I am amazed to think of all that has happened in the past year.  I finished my last year of school and was able to participate in an eye-opening research project.  Michael has thrived under his new leadership responsibilities and nearly completed a second deployment.  So much has happened I am just overwelmed to think of it all.

This year has been a long journey but today I can say that I feel at home.  I don't feel like I am traveling any more, just trying to get through the next hurdle.  I am excited to be setting up our new home and eagerly waiting a phone call telling me when my love will be home.  After thirteen months we will finally be able to be newly weds.  After thirteen months we will be able to be a couple. 



I am so thankful for the support of all those who have encouraged us through this trying journey.  I am excited to celebrate the end of this chapter with you all!

Two weeks of Bliss

What can I say?  R&R is suppose to be amazing and it was.  I felt so blessed to have Michael here for my graduation and also to spend time with family and friends.  The cherry on top of the trip was being surprised with an extra day on the end!  I love my man and can't wait for him to be permanently home in the fall!

The Grand Finally!

What a crazy four years it has been!  I was thinking back upon it all today and thinking about how grateful I am to be completing my undergrad in four years!  

I could not have made it to this point without the unconditional support of my husband, family, friends, and professors.  These years have stretched me and forced me to grow in so many ways.  I am looking forward to all the opportunities in the future, all the opportunities that this education has opened for me.  Thank you all for your support through this incredible journey!

Orders, Races, and Awards!

How many things can happen in a day?  I think this was a challenge to me this weekend and let me say, my head was spinning.

Saturday morning I got a call from my husband saying the re-enlistment ceremony had happened and all the papers had been signed.  It is official people we are heading to Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii!  When we got married nine months ago, I never would have thought that we would finally get to be newly weds on an island in the Pacific!  I am so very excited.  Excited to be together, excited for new adventures, excited for new opportunities!  I am still planning on moving down to Texas in July and it probably wont be until winter or spring for the big move.

Another thing that happened Saturday morning was the 10 mile race I have been half-way training for.  Now I decided that the worst part about this whole idea is that I am not a morning person.  Who would have thought that half the city would be downtown at 6:30 AM and they are all so energetic.  Needless to say, there were so many cameras out that I almost freaked out!  Well that is just pre-race.  I must say the running part went much better than planned.  I did not walk for the first 6 miles and for the last 4 I did a run/walk deal because I had some pretty bad leg cramps.  I impressed myself with my time, though.  My goal was to be under 2:10 and I crushed it by finishing at 1:39 at 9.58 pace!  Who would have thought?  Three days later and I am still sore but who cares :)  Guess it is time for my to set a new goal!

That is not all that happened this weekend either!  Sunday night ended on a very happy note when I got a phone call.  I was informed that I had been voted SOU Outstanding Cultural Anthropologist of the year and nominated for the National United Society for Outstanding University Women!  Kinda made my night.

Anyway, these things have really motivated me to finish my undergrad well, but it has also put a lot of pressure on me knowing that all my profs are expecting so much. 

So much to do, so little time!