Monday, January 4, 2010

Signing Off




We had a wonderful Christmas and I hope you did too. It's funny how all the hoopla takes weeks and weeks to prepare and then with one whoosh, it's finished. One thing about living overseas is that holidays are not long and drawn out. There's no hopping from family event to family event... it's just our house and we are done. Luckily, the Rowland's came for another Christmas visit this year and that gives us all something to look forward to. The kids always enjoy the 100% attention they always get from them. They don't hear the word "no" for a week and they love every minute of it!

While the Rowland's were here they took a little side trip to Rome. I don't have any of her pictures to share, but I must say they make me want to visit. We are planning a trip sometime this Spring, in between Matt's TDY's, school, and all the moving stuff we are starting to plan for. Italy is on my list though and I'm determined we are going to make it there. It will be our last big trip. Matt and I made another jetting trip to Amsterdam for New Year's Eve without the kids. The last 3 years we've been in Paris, London and Amsterdam! Wow! I never would have dreamed that when I was growing up. Well, for that matter even 5 years ago.

Wonder where we will be celebrating New Year's next year? For those of you that don't know, we are moving again this summer. This time, to Kuwait. I'm not joking. I'm not going to lie and say I love the idea and can't wait. However, I will say that I am glad our family will all stay together for the next 2 years, Matt won't deploy. We are supposed to have a nice house to live in and I'm looking forward to the warm weather and sunshine. It will be quite a change from here - dust storms, private schools, malls and restaurants that we are used to. It's not the US, that's for sure, but it's a modern country. I am ready to leave Germany, just wasn't planning on moving to Kuwait.

I know God has his hand in all this and I'm trying to accept it all. Luckily, my mom and aunt were here when Matt and I were having to discuss all this over the phone from Afghanistan. Frankly, I fell apart for a while. I was more than ready to come back to the states. These last few months though I have felt more at peace about it. It's only 2 years and that sounds so much better than 3 to me. Maybe I'll get some little job to pass the time... maybe I won't. One thing is for sure, I'll have a good tan year round!!

That being said, I think I'm officially taking a blog hiatus. I've not posted much for some time now and I'm gonna call it quits for now. My plan right now is to say goodbye and start a new blog once we are moved and settled into Kuwait in the Fall. We will leave here early summer, take another long visit to the states (I'm having knee surgery again, ick!) and then head to Kuwait on yet another long journey. I may do a couple of simple posts after we take our Italy trip and to any other tourist places we visit. But all in all, I'm done with this for now.

Thank you for reading... especially all 3 of you that leave comments now and then. I'll be sure to email you when I start a new blog on Middle East War Zone living, ha!

15 comments:

kathy said...

You are one strong young woman. I know your mother is so proud of you. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. You have seen and been to places that most of us just can dream of. Enjoy your rest from blogging.

kathy

Sisters said...

Jolee, I am so sad you are going to stop blogging for now. I love peeking in on your life in Germany. You kids are beautiful and you. Well, you have been such a wonderful example of a strong, loving wife and mother. I'm not sure how I would have handled my husbands deployment with the grace that you did. I guess thats why hes a pastor!! HA!!
Anyway. I'll miss reading about you and the kids. But can't wait to check in with you when you get settled in the dusty Kuwait. Maybe the boys will get on some fabulous baseball teams!!
Julie

BIDK said...

Jolee, I enjoy reading your blog and am sad you are taking a break...but understand! Kuwait...can't wait to see pics!! Lots of them!! :) Thanks for letting me read your blog!!
Isabel

Arkansas Regional Therapy Services, LLC said...

nonnon...absolutely not. You cannot take a hiatus. I look at your pics often! I love to see how the kids have grown! NO!

Glen said...

Bye blog. Sad to see you go, but I understand!

Love,
Dad

The Traxsons said...

What?! No blog??? I can relate so I'll forgive you :) I am horrible about keeping up with mine these days.

Jason & Stacy said...

Well at least you will still have fb to chat with right?? i will hope to see you again this summer, have you decided to have the knee surgery in the states?? ttyl

Jason & Stacy said...

oh, btw. cute pj's everyone :)

amy said...

it's only a hiatus! i think you deserve it, girl. but i think y'all should start investing in some serious sunscreen. craig spent a while in kuwait...and we spent almost 2 years in guam...sun, sun, and more sun, hot, hot, and more hot, and you get it done outside by 9am or you're done until 5ish. i hear the living is great, though, in kuwait. it should be, right? i can't wait to see it through a family's eyes, as opposed to a deployed soldier's. the benefit of being together will far outweigh the locale. love to you all!

Terri said...

Boo.

Sassylassy5 said...

I'll miss yall but please be assured I'll be praying for you all.:)

Shannon said...

I have loved keeping up with you through your blog, but I understand how hard it is to keep up. I will say some prayers for you in your new journey. I hope to keep up with you on FB or another blog.

Matt and Jolee said...

Thank you for all the sweet comments and emails I received!

Mark and Courtney said...

You will have to let everyone know when you start blogging again. I love checking in and hearing about all your adventures! What a strong person you are and what a great family you have! Much admiration goes out to you and Matt! Wishing you only the best with your move and sending up prayers for a happy and safe new journey you will be going on this year!

Anonymous said...

Just had a chance to catch up on your blog. Sad that you're not going to blog anymore for now...we'll miss you! Thanks for sharing your amazing stories and adventures!