What is "Texoma"?

Lately I have had a hard time seeing the funny in things. I'm sure I could rattle off a good sized list as to why, however I will blame it mostly on one thing...the one inside me trying to karate chop her way out.

But there are some bright spots in this world, especially now that we have entered in to the land of "Texoma".

Yes, you heard me correctly, Texoma. Apparently I was wrong in believing that we were moving to Texas.

I feel like such a fool!

"Texoma" is the combination of Texas and Oklahoma, because we're near the border. We happen to live in one of the two "major cities" in Texoma, and let me tell you it's something major!

Every restaurant this side of Oklahoma boasts to be "Voted Texoma's Best____" and we know that it will be a winner if we eat there, because if all of Texoma voted it the best, it MUST be worth my time and stomach.

The kicker? There is a city around here named Texarkana - as in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas all rolled in to one, because it happens to be near the border of all three. The people around here are ridiculously creative.

The news - for instance - reports only on things happening in Texoma, with their 80's camera's and visual effects and even 80's hair do's and clothing. It's very small town things like, "Today our Texoma neighbor's plowed their field!" Okay, maybe not THAT small town...but you get the drift.

The commercials in Texoma are the stuff movies are made of. Big Bob out front of his car dealership with his cowboy hat and mascot yelling "Come on down to Big Bob's today and get a REAL 4-wheeler or ATV with your purchase of a new Ford pickup-truck!" Besides the name of the dealership, I swear that is a real commercial!

But in the words of some of the people I've come in to contact with: "We may not have much around here, but at least the people sure are nice."

This is true, I will give Texoma that.

Marty has helped heighten my enjoyment of Texoma by pointing out things that are just so very fantastic.

A couple weeks ago I was sitting on the base waiting for him and there were so many birds that I was actually afraid to get out of my car. I have NEVER seen so many in one place in all my life. I mentioned to Marty that it was odd and wondered if maybe the landscaping crew had been fertilizing the lawn with bird seed on accident. Then Marty said to me, "No, this IS south for winter."

Wow, mind blowing I tell you!

So although I miss Utah - for now I am going to sit back and enjoy the comical nature of Texoma's finest....it can only get better from here!

Korea Projection Explained - kind of

When Marty wrote his Korea post I let him know that it was a bit abrupt.  I liked his soldier conversation because - seriously - they REALLY do talk like that, and it's weird because I kind of feel like they may as well be speaking Korean sometimes.  Anyways, I told him that most people would want a few more details than what he gave.  So, me being the very detail oriented person I am will take it upon myself to try and clear a few things up regarding Korea.

It's a place very, very, very far from here.

Does that help at all?

Yes, that about sums up all my knowledge related to that part of the world. 

But now I will actually clear up a few things.  For instance, soft orders are not set in stone.  There are no dates or details or anything.  In fact Marty keeps telling me he technically hasn't received any soft orders at all and that he was just PROJECTED to be going to Korea.  I don't know the difference...but whatever.  "Hard orders" - a.k.a. set in stone - won't happen until MUCH closer to his graduation date.

The thing about Korea that really has me scared though is that depending on which base they want him to be stationed at we may not be able to go with him. Families are not allowed in certain parts. He would have to go for 1 year while me and the kids stayed back.  It would, however, be considered a deployment.  After that year we would get stationed somewhere else for the 2 remaining years.

There are a few things that could change the projection to somewhere else though.  Those things would be:

1. He is taking a 10 day paternity leave after the baby comes.  This will push his graduation date back by about 2 weeks which would change when he could be available to even go to Korea...maybe they want someone the exact day they originally thought he'd be available.

2. Speaking of graduation, he doesn't graduate until June or July...that is still a long way away and so things could change.

3. Claire is technically supposed to see a pediatric eye specialist at least one time a year*.  Because of this there is a good chance that when we take her to her annual appointment in January they will put her on the EFMP (exceptional family member program) thing Marty mentioned, which basically means that we can't go anywhere that doesn't have a speciailist for her...which usually includes anywhere over seas, because really why would an army base in Korea (or any other country) need a pediatric eye specialist?  She is not already on this because A. I had no idea that it even existed.  B. She hasn't been due for an appointment while we've been in the military life.  C. We haven't gone in to the base hospital to get the referral for her to go to the eye doctor.

*QUICK explanation, basically her eye muscle in her left eye "didn't wire correctly" so she has limited ability to move her left eye to the left.  It has nothing to do with vision or anything else.

So, for now we are doing nothing but waiting.  I am not worrying/dwelling on it and am making no plans around it.  We are going to continue living life as normal and we will just have to wait and see what happens!

Korea? For me-a?

Everyone loves a good acronym right? Let me just give you a brief example of how it works in the military.

Soldier 1: I got my soft orders.

Soldier 2: How did you see that?

Soldier 1: I just checked my ERB on AKO.

Soldier 2: Are you excited?

Soldier 1: I don't know what to think. With how long our AIT for BMET is I don't know if that will change. Plus my kid might be put on EFMP. I just hope with an OCONUS station I get good PCS leave.

Soldier 2: Did you hear about the IET formation?

Soldier 1: Yeah, I heard we're just going over SOP's and some UCMJ stuff. Plus one of the toon sergeants is on TDY so it shouldn't be too long. Just make sure you know the Army song and LDRSHIP values and requirements for the APFT.

Soldier 3: I like turtles.

Believe it or not we actually talk like that. It's disgusting, really.

Anyway the real reason for the post is to let the masses be aware that I have been projected to be stationed in Korea. To be more specific, 18th MEDCOM. Of course things can change between now and then. Camille is definitely hoping so. Otherwise she'll have to find some recipes with Nureongi.

Happy Halloween - Part II

Who gets sentimental over Halloween? 

Answer:  ME!

*Side note - yes, Brielle is a princess this time.  She decided last minute she would rather use her original costume.  Also, Marty was in charge of getting Claire dressed...thus the awesome Elmo socks.*

Strange as it is, I found myself fighting back tears as my little girls went out the door with Marty to trick-or-treat in our new neighborhood tonight. 

It felt weird for a lot of different reasons.  But basically what it really boils down to is that it wasn't Utah.  Things were different.  Traditions weren't in place.

But as Marty keeps reminding me, this is how life is now.  We aren't always going to be surrounded by family and the things we are "used to".

The thing that is important is that the girls had a GREAT time.  They were so excited to sort out their candy and see all they had gotten.  Best thing is they're still so young that a small amount of candy seems monumental! 

I would say we did really great for our first holiday that carries traditions away from home.

Plus...how can you be sad when you get to be with those two beautiful faces every day?