Our Babies
Friday, June 22, 2012
Hi Everyone! Just a quick hello from this moving, Air Force family! Dan actually moves tomorrow - with Gumbo - to Japan. NOT HAPPY! But, inevitable and we feel confident that God has us going there for a great reason.
There are so many updates - but I am going to spend this afternoon with my husband and kids and try to make some last minute memories before Dan leaves US soil!
Here are our family portraits that my good friend, Weslie Woodley took of us during our visit to Northern Virginia. She's so talented! We are grateful for the beautiful shots as we prep for this new phase in our life.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tomorrow... And the Next Day... And next....
I'm gonna be honest here: I am barely hanging on. Between our new assignment, outprocessing, Dan promoting to Major tomorrow and us throwing his promotion party, living in a one room hotel with 2 little ones, the heat, the fierce pressure to get EVERYTHING packed into our one car for our 3 weeks of travel, to making sure we are all lined up for our travel to Japan - on top of daily duties that come with a 4 year old and a 1 year old.... I am falling apart.
I wake up every night with a foot in my face or my lower back; with a baby - who normally sleeps 13 hours uninterrupted - waking up screaming because she's had it with a pack n play in the closet and a blanket draped over it. Somewhere under the covers in our zero below room, I find my sweet husband's size 14 flat foot and for a brief moment, we touch and life is okay.
In 3 weeks, life in America as we know it, will be much different. Danny is going over to Misawa to take command of the Intelligence flight of a fighter wing. From what we have gathered - and from the AMAZING emails of welcome and help we've received - it is going to be an incredible assignment for us. But, Dan and Gumbo Kitty still have to go over without us the end of June till mid October.
Dan has to get us a home (on base/or off... who knows), 2 cars (NOT the type I am used to: different side of the car, of the road, everything), schools for our babies (Noah's enrolled at a Japanese OFF BASE school!! GAH!), and just getting us moved in in general. I trust him but this is a lot to hand off to a husband! I trust him: after 10 plus years of being together, I do trust him. But letting go of the reigns is hard.
Noah, Ellyotte and I will travel with our main man, Dan, till he leaves the third week of June. We will go between DC, Panama City Beach, FL, Nashville, TN, Pike Road, Alabama.... then he's gone.... till October. Yes, I have the babies enrolled in an amazing school program come August (one of my precious sorority sisters is Elly's teacher), and yes, they will have my mom and dad and sister as a main line of support, but their daddy - and my husband of 7 years - will be obviously missing. I am thankful it isn't into harm's way that he's going, but he will be absent and that will be hard.
Dan will miss Elly's 2nd birthday, Noah and Ellyotte's first trip to Disney, Noah losing his first teeth, his first day of pre-K... he will miss a lot. And they will miss him. I will miss my partner. It is daunting to think that the next time we are together will be as a commanding partnership of the 35th OSS/Intel flight. Wow. That's an honor but it is daunting. Yet, I have faith in our partnership and in our love.
Dan will be an amazing commanding officer of the flight of which he will take command. And starting tomorrow, he will be an amazing Major for the active duty Air Force. I am thoroughly proud of my man. He picked up where I left off - as an active duty AF intelligence officer - and has made me/us/our families so proud.
Tomorrow will be special for us: we will have no family, other than our closest friends here in Louisiana, at Dan's promotion. He will have his beloved commanders there: LtCol Nesbitt will promote him and Colonel Randy Allen (retiring effective 1 June) will be there to witness it. Noah and Ellyotte will pin on one side of the rank and I will do the other. After that, our wonderful sitter and friend, Lauren, will take the babies to dinner and then onto bed while we host a fun promotion party at a local bar/restaurant. I am super proud. Super emotional. Super torn up about all of the changes in our lives.
We have seen them coming since mid-February when we learned of our next leadership assignment, but now it is here. It is real.
Pray for us as we embark on our next chapter of Air Force history. I am proud of my man and the little mark we are making in this military life.
I wake up every night with a foot in my face or my lower back; with a baby - who normally sleeps 13 hours uninterrupted - waking up screaming because she's had it with a pack n play in the closet and a blanket draped over it. Somewhere under the covers in our zero below room, I find my sweet husband's size 14 flat foot and for a brief moment, we touch and life is okay.
In 3 weeks, life in America as we know it, will be much different. Danny is going over to Misawa to take command of the Intelligence flight of a fighter wing. From what we have gathered - and from the AMAZING emails of welcome and help we've received - it is going to be an incredible assignment for us. But, Dan and Gumbo Kitty still have to go over without us the end of June till mid October.
Dan has to get us a home (on base/or off... who knows), 2 cars (NOT the type I am used to: different side of the car, of the road, everything), schools for our babies (Noah's enrolled at a Japanese OFF BASE school!! GAH!), and just getting us moved in in general. I trust him but this is a lot to hand off to a husband! I trust him: after 10 plus years of being together, I do trust him. But letting go of the reigns is hard.
Noah, Ellyotte and I will travel with our main man, Dan, till he leaves the third week of June. We will go between DC, Panama City Beach, FL, Nashville, TN, Pike Road, Alabama.... then he's gone.... till October. Yes, I have the babies enrolled in an amazing school program come August (one of my precious sorority sisters is Elly's teacher), and yes, they will have my mom and dad and sister as a main line of support, but their daddy - and my husband of 7 years - will be obviously missing. I am thankful it isn't into harm's way that he's going, but he will be absent and that will be hard.
Dan will miss Elly's 2nd birthday, Noah and Ellyotte's first trip to Disney, Noah losing his first teeth, his first day of pre-K... he will miss a lot. And they will miss him. I will miss my partner. It is daunting to think that the next time we are together will be as a commanding partnership of the 35th OSS/Intel flight. Wow. That's an honor but it is daunting. Yet, I have faith in our partnership and in our love.
Dan will be an amazing commanding officer of the flight of which he will take command. And starting tomorrow, he will be an amazing Major for the active duty Air Force. I am thoroughly proud of my man. He picked up where I left off - as an active duty AF intelligence officer - and has made me/us/our families so proud.
Tomorrow will be special for us: we will have no family, other than our closest friends here in Louisiana, at Dan's promotion. He will have his beloved commanders there: LtCol Nesbitt will promote him and Colonel Randy Allen (retiring effective 1 June) will be there to witness it. Noah and Ellyotte will pin on one side of the rank and I will do the other. After that, our wonderful sitter and friend, Lauren, will take the babies to dinner and then onto bed while we host a fun promotion party at a local bar/restaurant. I am super proud. Super emotional. Super torn up about all of the changes in our lives.
We have seen them coming since mid-February when we learned of our next leadership assignment, but now it is here. It is real.
Pray for us as we embark on our next chapter of Air Force history. I am proud of my man and the little mark we are making in this military life.
Monday, May 28, 2012
When I realized
As you all know, I was an active duty Air Force intelligence officer. While stationed in Abilene, Texas (at Dyess AFB) I was selected to be the Bomb Wing protocol officer. I was responsible for planning all Bomb Wing sponsored events and making sure they went off flawlessly.
I worked right down the hall from the commander that chose me to do that job. His name was (he was then Colonel but is now) Major General Harencak - by far the best Air Force officer I've ever worked for or had the privilege of knowing. He knew his "people;" took care of us all, no matter what.
One day in late September 2004, I was at work at my desk in the Protocol office when two Army Chaplains came into the door in the hallway. My Staff Sergeant and I didn't pay them much attention... till we heard the most heart breaking scream down the hall. I tore out of my office and watched in horror as my Wing Commander's personal secretary, Denise Bush, found out her first born, Adam, had been killed in combat in Iraq.
Adam Harris was the gunner on top of a tank in the streets of Baghdad and took a bullet to his 20 year old head.
I literally walked with no feeling in my limbs down the hall to Denise as she stood in the old, nasty bathroom of the 7th Bomber Wing Headquarters building washing her face and sobbing in the sink.
Adam was one month from coming home from a 1 year tour of combat. He was one month from coming back to the love of his life, his fiancee.
I coached Adam's younger brother, Brandon, on the Dyess AFB swim team. Brandon was maybe 8/9; nothing made sense to him. My office had to plan Adam's memorial service at the local Catholic church. I will never forget two things: my best friend, Navy SEAL Jeff N., came to see me that weekend and was one week out from his first SEAL tour in Iraq and he was able to sit next to me and hold my hand in Adam's memorial service. And secondly, I will never forget Adam's younger brother, Brandon, wandering aimlessly out in the foyer of the Catholic church. As meager as I felt - and as his swim team coach - I went to him and just held him.
Brandon is now a teenager and is really doing well: honor roll, athelete. But to me, he will always be the baby brother of Adam Harris who gave his innocent life for our country. And Denise, while one of the strongest mamas I have ever known, will always be the epitome of what our freedom costs us.
I thank Denise, (retired) CMSgt Bush, Brandon and Adam himself. That day in September 2004, I realized what Memorial Day really means - no barbeques, no boat rides. The sacrifice required for our freedom is ultimate. And I am thankful to those like Adam - and my husband, Dan - who so selflessly serve every single day.
I worked right down the hall from the commander that chose me to do that job. His name was (he was then Colonel but is now) Major General Harencak - by far the best Air Force officer I've ever worked for or had the privilege of knowing. He knew his "people;" took care of us all, no matter what.
One day in late September 2004, I was at work at my desk in the Protocol office when two Army Chaplains came into the door in the hallway. My Staff Sergeant and I didn't pay them much attention... till we heard the most heart breaking scream down the hall. I tore out of my office and watched in horror as my Wing Commander's personal secretary, Denise Bush, found out her first born, Adam, had been killed in combat in Iraq.
Adam Harris was the gunner on top of a tank in the streets of Baghdad and took a bullet to his 20 year old head.
I literally walked with no feeling in my limbs down the hall to Denise as she stood in the old, nasty bathroom of the 7th Bomber Wing Headquarters building washing her face and sobbing in the sink.
Adam was one month from coming home from a 1 year tour of combat. He was one month from coming back to the love of his life, his fiancee.
I coached Adam's younger brother, Brandon, on the Dyess AFB swim team. Brandon was maybe 8/9; nothing made sense to him. My office had to plan Adam's memorial service at the local Catholic church. I will never forget two things: my best friend, Navy SEAL Jeff N., came to see me that weekend and was one week out from his first SEAL tour in Iraq and he was able to sit next to me and hold my hand in Adam's memorial service. And secondly, I will never forget Adam's younger brother, Brandon, wandering aimlessly out in the foyer of the Catholic church. As meager as I felt - and as his swim team coach - I went to him and just held him.
Brandon is now a teenager and is really doing well: honor roll, athelete. But to me, he will always be the baby brother of Adam Harris who gave his innocent life for our country. And Denise, while one of the strongest mamas I have ever known, will always be the epitome of what our freedom costs us.
I thank Denise, (retired) CMSgt Bush, Brandon and Adam himself. That day in September 2004, I realized what Memorial Day really means - no barbeques, no boat rides. The sacrifice required for our freedom is ultimate. And I am thankful to those like Adam - and my husband, Dan - who so selflessly serve every single day.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Okay. Fine.
Okay, fine. I submit. I have failed as a blogger. But I do have reasons... all of my readers know them already. I will admit, I do have ADHD. Take meds for it, but still life and blogging passes me by, each and every day.
So there. Forgive me! We are in the throws of moving. In the past 2 months, we have been told that our family was not qualified to move to Misawa Air Base, Japan because of some sort of medical hinderance. Little did we know that it wasn't Noah's asthma: it was because of the pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung) I had post Ellyotte's c-section.
Misawa's medical group commander needed reassurance that Dan and I weren't planning on having any more biological babies. While bittersweet to accept, we gladly did so in the face of Dan doing 2+ years away from his wife and children (we were facing that and I was a mess for a good 2 weeks till we found out otherwise!). Dan told the commander that we have a method in place to prevent future pregnancies and that I - of all people (after my hematologist care, etc for one whole year and the botched c-section that caused me to not be able to carry any more children...) - understand the risk of having more biological children. And IF I were to become pregnant, Dan would have me on the first flight out: Misawa doesn't have a high risk specialist. And it seems to be the hobby to have babies in Northern Japan. I guess the 9 months of winter gets to some folks!
So... no more babies for us. It is a hard pill to swallow because we want more perfect Noahs and Ellys but my body cannot handle any more pregnancies. There would be babies without a Mom. We have decided that we want to expand our family 100% by adopting. We haven't started the process, but we have acknowledged it. That's the first step.
Dan promotes to Major this next week - exactly 10 years and several "officers of the year" later. He will promote and then the next day, we will final out from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and head to Alabama. After 2 days there, we will catch a flight to DC to visit the Bealls and our extended family/friends for a week. Then back to Bama/the condo in Panama City Beach, FL till Dan heads to Northern Japan the 3rd week of June. He will go over with our sweet cat Gumbo (Piper, our beloved dog, has a new home where she is LOVED so much!) and he will get us set up in our new home, with new cars, new everything.
Our home here in LA hasn't sold yet. Boo. But we have everything out of it and have sold our washer/dryer as well as lots of furniture and Dan's Camry. We will leave my beloved 4 Runner in Alabama for the 3 years we are in Asia. Dan will have to get us two new cars once over in Japan: they drive on the other side of the car, other side of the road and have totally different emissions standards.
We are living in the hotel (TLF) on base in LA right now and having fun. Noah has walking pneumonia on top of some severe asthma issues and Ellyotte has yet another ear infection. But, we are loving our adventures as a family of four. Those will end mid June when our Daddy heads to Japan without us.
Dan will come back mid October for us... because he's a groomsmen in Kelly (my precious baby sister) and Adam's wedding that I am Matron/Maid of Honor in. We are so excited for their wedding. Adam is a perfect match for our crazy yet normal yet weird yet perfect Hawkins family. And the babies are both in their wedding. So Dan has to be back for it! And has to be back to get us to take back to Japan with him.
So, I will be in Alabama with my folks - moving back in....with two babies and my yet unwed sister!!!! - till the fall! If you wanna hook up and hang out, holla at me. Can't wait for this crazy summer!
"Go Go" time! That's what E calls popsicles!
Breakfast in bed for Mother's Day!
Last day at our beloved pre-school in Louisiana. Noah's been there since he was 18 months old!
My sweet girl - and her busted head :(
Exploring the bayous of Barksdale AFB, LA - definite GATOR siting!
So there. Forgive me! We are in the throws of moving. In the past 2 months, we have been told that our family was not qualified to move to Misawa Air Base, Japan because of some sort of medical hinderance. Little did we know that it wasn't Noah's asthma: it was because of the pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung) I had post Ellyotte's c-section.
Misawa's medical group commander needed reassurance that Dan and I weren't planning on having any more biological babies. While bittersweet to accept, we gladly did so in the face of Dan doing 2+ years away from his wife and children (we were facing that and I was a mess for a good 2 weeks till we found out otherwise!). Dan told the commander that we have a method in place to prevent future pregnancies and that I - of all people (after my hematologist care, etc for one whole year and the botched c-section that caused me to not be able to carry any more children...) - understand the risk of having more biological children. And IF I were to become pregnant, Dan would have me on the first flight out: Misawa doesn't have a high risk specialist. And it seems to be the hobby to have babies in Northern Japan. I guess the 9 months of winter gets to some folks!
So... no more babies for us. It is a hard pill to swallow because we want more perfect Noahs and Ellys but my body cannot handle any more pregnancies. There would be babies without a Mom. We have decided that we want to expand our family 100% by adopting. We haven't started the process, but we have acknowledged it. That's the first step.
Dan promotes to Major this next week - exactly 10 years and several "officers of the year" later. He will promote and then the next day, we will final out from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and head to Alabama. After 2 days there, we will catch a flight to DC to visit the Bealls and our extended family/friends for a week. Then back to Bama/the condo in Panama City Beach, FL till Dan heads to Northern Japan the 3rd week of June. He will go over with our sweet cat Gumbo (Piper, our beloved dog, has a new home where she is LOVED so much!) and he will get us set up in our new home, with new cars, new everything.
Our home here in LA hasn't sold yet. Boo. But we have everything out of it and have sold our washer/dryer as well as lots of furniture and Dan's Camry. We will leave my beloved 4 Runner in Alabama for the 3 years we are in Asia. Dan will have to get us two new cars once over in Japan: they drive on the other side of the car, other side of the road and have totally different emissions standards.
We are living in the hotel (TLF) on base in LA right now and having fun. Noah has walking pneumonia on top of some severe asthma issues and Ellyotte has yet another ear infection. But, we are loving our adventures as a family of four. Those will end mid June when our Daddy heads to Japan without us.
Dan will come back mid October for us... because he's a groomsmen in Kelly (my precious baby sister) and Adam's wedding that I am Matron/Maid of Honor in. We are so excited for their wedding. Adam is a perfect match for our crazy yet normal yet weird yet perfect Hawkins family. And the babies are both in their wedding. So Dan has to be back for it! And has to be back to get us to take back to Japan with him.
So, I will be in Alabama with my folks - moving back in....with two babies and my yet unwed sister!!!! - till the fall! If you wanna hook up and hang out, holla at me. Can't wait for this crazy summer!
My sweet little ones
"Go Go" time! That's what E calls popsicles!
One more visit from my folks before we moved outta our house
Breakfast in bed for Mother's Day!
Mudbug Madness festival in Louisiana
My friend Amy and me out for a crawfish dinner
Burning time and energy - with markers! - in lodging on base
Not looking forward to being away from him for 4-5 months......
Last day at our beloved pre-school in Louisiana. Noah's been there since he was 18 months old!
Best looking reason I've ever seen to buy a house ASAP
Excited about markers!
Family fun at Mudbug Madness
My sweet girl - and her busted head :(
Exploring the bayous of Barksdale AFB, LA - definite GATOR siting!
This is what a 4 year old redhead with walking pneumonia looks like: at the hospital getting some breathing treatments.
Moving out! Noah was screaming in my ear because he wanted ice cream... not cuz he was sad!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
She said YES!
All her life, my mom and dad have been praying for Kelly's mate... And in December 2011, she met him, they fell in love, and this past Saturday, he asked for her hand in marriage! We were all there at the Waters (my folks house in Montgomery, AL): Adam proposed at the Chapel on the hill - where they will wed on 20 October - and Adam's family and mine waited anxiously for them to come home with an answer! We had about 20 people there for dinner to celebrate their new life together. Dan was able to hide in the chapel and record the proposal and get some sweet pictures. It was a TRULY precious time. Adam and I had worked HARD finding the perfect ring - and Kelly loves it. We are proud. And can't wait for their big day!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Lately
Be amused by pictures. Cuz Katie ain't got the words. My husband was 8 Air Force OFFICER OF THE YEAR!!!!! I am so proud. We had a long week of awards dinners, etc. But man... he's such a stud.
And on a side note: I went skiing with my mom and sister for our annual Breckenridge trip. We had such a great time!!!!! I will post more of that soon :)
And on a side note: I went skiing with my mom and sister for our annual Breckenridge trip. We had such a great time!!!!! I will post more of that soon :)
Monday, March 19, 2012
Just... You know....
Most days, I wake up and at some point in my morning, I think that I will actually get back to blogging. But days come and go... and no blog posts from Katie Beall.
Why? Maybe because I feel like I can barely keep my head above water these days. Aside from being consumed with two little ones, I am teaching (new term) and prepping to sell this house, our cars, send Piper to her new home (sad), spend time with friends here, while preparing my little crew for a totally new country and culture. We. Are. Overwhelmed.
This weekend we had Danny Beall's sweet best friend, "Uncle Bansk" here. What a blessing he is. We adore Bansk. He was in our wedding and through thick and thin, Uncle Bansk has loved and supported us and our marriage. We love him so much. It was a precious weekend for him and Dan to have together - even just doing yard and house work (with lots of beer involved!), they had a great time and our babies always love having him around. As do I.
Dan won 8 Air Force Officer of the Year and is up for the Bomber Wings' (all over the nation) Officer of the Year award. We have a formal dinner both tomorrow night and then Thursday night where we will find out if he wins the next award. Nonetheless, I am married to the 8 AF Officer of the Year - and I am so proud. He is an incredible airman and troop. I am proud of him.
Going to put my babies to bed. But I promise to come back soon. Bear with me - I am hanging on by a thread here so hang in there, readers!
Why? Maybe because I feel like I can barely keep my head above water these days. Aside from being consumed with two little ones, I am teaching (new term) and prepping to sell this house, our cars, send Piper to her new home (sad), spend time with friends here, while preparing my little crew for a totally new country and culture. We. Are. Overwhelmed.
This weekend we had Danny Beall's sweet best friend, "Uncle Bansk" here. What a blessing he is. We adore Bansk. He was in our wedding and through thick and thin, Uncle Bansk has loved and supported us and our marriage. We love him so much. It was a precious weekend for him and Dan to have together - even just doing yard and house work (with lots of beer involved!), they had a great time and our babies always love having him around. As do I.
Dan won 8 Air Force Officer of the Year and is up for the Bomber Wings' (all over the nation) Officer of the Year award. We have a formal dinner both tomorrow night and then Thursday night where we will find out if he wins the next award. Nonetheless, I am married to the 8 AF Officer of the Year - and I am so proud. He is an incredible airman and troop. I am proud of him.
Going to put my babies to bed. But I promise to come back soon. Bear with me - I am hanging on by a thread here so hang in there, readers!
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