Mr Snow

 


We love Mr Snow! It's a shave ice place here in Killeen. They have so many flavors to choose from and the kids really get a kick out of their favorite colors "sticking" to their tongues. We decided after the Turtle Festival that we would see about a little treat for everyone and it sure was a hit! (I love the pictures of the boys together. I wish I had my better quality camera with me, but alas these will do.)

3rd Annual Belton Kiwanas Turtle Festival

 

Today we headed to Belton to take in the Turtle Festival. It was a really a cute little festival. The kids really had a great time and most of the exhibits were free. They had a small petting zoo, pony rides, a bounce house, the Home Depot workshop, and several others. We also were able to eat a hotdog and fries. You have an opportunity to "adopt" a plastic turtle and are given a number for 5 dollars. Then at 1pm they drop all of the turtles into the creek and wait to see which one crosses into the finish line trap first. What a cute idea!

We will definitely look to go back to this festival next year.

He's HOME!

Bill is HOME!! I can't tell you how happy that makes us!

Yesterday was filled with lots of time changes and lots of little frustrations. The time kept getting earlier and earlier. This is good in a way since that meant we were going to get Bill home sooner, but it also meant waking the boys up at 2 am and going to Ft Hood in the middle of the night. It also meant no special outfits and really more of a just get there and get it over with. The rear detachment wanted the families in the gym at 2:30am. This ended up being way too early. Nothing like the Army way of "hurry up and wait." Any military family can appreciate what that really means! We were there for 1.5 hours before we saw our soldiers. I did get a text from Bill at 2:26am that they were successfully on the ground at Gray Army Airfield. But just because they were on the ground did not mean that they were on their way. They had to turn in weapons and load bags, etc. So they had us at the gym which was mildly warmer than is comfortable. They gave us lousy snacks and had a DJ. The floor was filthy. The kids were so good for the first hour of our wait. But that was their threshold. Who can blame them? I was getting impatient, too. But finally the buses arrived to cheers. Bill's unit was to be the last ones in the gym and we saw him walk in. And then Ian took off after him so I had to chase him. Poor kid. I wanted to run after Bill, too, but you know the Army. They make everything have some sort of formality. So I did manage to catch him and heard the chuckles from the wives behind me knowing that if their kids were any younger that they would have been doing just what I had done. LOL.

The short address of the soldiers was nothing short of lame. The speaker didn't even say my husband's unit correctly. I mean if that doesn't put a bad taste in your mouth then I don't know. So he finally said "Released!" Ian ran. He ran right to Bill and jumped. It was sweet and then Bill came toward Aaron and I and grabbed Aaron, too. It was so great to see him. So we relished the moment for a few and then started our way out of the gym. We put the kids in the car and Bill went to retrieve his duffle bag. Then it was homeward bound!!

It almost doesn't seem real. Aaron has warmed up pretty well. He didn't cry, but was a little hesitant. He seems to be much better today, but still prefers me. Even Ian, who is overtired, is still preferring me. (Much to Mommy's relief!) We have had a fairly laid back day. Lunch at a local eaterie and then a trip to the commissary on a payday during a case lot sale. (We were definitely NOT thinking on that one!) Then home for naps!

Did Someone say Ornery?

 

Wordless Wednesday

 
 
 
 

And a Response from the Boss

So I got an email Sunday evening from the boss to call him this morning at the District Office. He is a fairly reasonable man and I am thankful for that, but he also is one that if you don't really lay it on the line he really doesn't do too much about situations. So I guess my email with a resignation date was enough to make him reevaluate my situation. So I agreed to stay on for weekends only for now and he agreed to move me out of that store for a while. Seems fair to all involved. I can restore my faith in Walgreen's since he says that most all the other stores run correctly and I can restore my faith in my abilities without being so stressed out all the time. It also gives me a chance to spend some quality time with my kids (and my husband when he returns.)

I did agree to revisit all of this in the fall when flu season rolls around and agreed to pick up some extra shifts during immunization season. I don't mind running flu shot clinics or even manning the pharmacy while another pharmacist gives their undivided attention to give the vaccines. I also don't mind being called for an occasional fill-in shift during the week, but only on an as needed basis (or in pharmacy terms PRN.)

I feel okay with all of this. I feel like I can breathe again. I am not tossing away a career or tenure and I feel like my boss sees value in keeping me around.