still alive...just laying low

Well I was going to post a few pics of what i have been doing lately (which isn't a whole lot) but blogger is SOOOOO slow and I remembered that's why I haven't been blogging- it takes TOO much time. If there is an easier, faster way to post pictures- I mean facebook faster and easier- let me know or I might just abandon my blog.

But a few updates- Abe was sent home from Georgia in Sept to help with a school in Idaho Falls for just 2 weeks. Then he was supposed to go back to Georgia. But he has been here ever since. Working on busy projects in Idaho Falls waiting for the next big project to start. Then he was told he was going to go work on the Spaceport in New Mexico for 2 few weeks. So he left on the 10th and is supposedly driving home today. I was worried he might be down there for much longer but- luckily not. We are supposed to be leaving to work in Oklahoma, Canada, or Poland sometime soon. I don't know when exactly. I don't know exactly where. Seems like everything I think I know lately- changes or is out of my control and I am just tossed about a stormy sea. Well, except not so much tossed as I am just STUCK in Idaho. I haven't been working because I quit my job so that we could move to some unknown destination in July. We didn't care where as long as were were out of Idaho, onto a new adventure and together. Then Abe got the job with Dome and he left, I couldn't go for the first 90 days due to company policy. I go out to Georgia to visit for 3 weeks- and am unexpectedly sent back to Idaho within 4 days of getting there.

I have been majorly frustrated with all of the unpredictable changes this job brings him. I haven't gotten a new job because I could potentially move in a short time so who will want to hire an employee that will be quitting shortly thereafter? Plus I told everyone at my old job my reason for quitting was because I am moving. I haven't moved...yet. If they walk into some store and see me working there- I am going to have to answer all the "Jen I thought you were moving" questions and I feel like no matter what I say-I am going to look like a liar and like I have no idea what is going on with my life. Seriously- you should see some of the looks I get when I tell people, "Yes, I am living with my in-laws and no I don't know where we will be living or where or when we will be going..." But we are told that if we are just patient - we will be able to move around and live where they are doing jobs for several months at a time. That was what we really liked about this job- being able to see some new places without the stress of having to find a job or housing every time we move. Dome will do it for us :)

In the meantime, people are always asking what I do with "all my free time?" Well- I have honestly tried to take advantage of it. I have spent a lot of time with family, enjoying a few hobbies here and there like photography, guitar, piano, calligraphy, reading, writing, cooking, throwing parties, babysitting, and going out with my brother a lot before he left for the Marines. I feel like I am productive. I have enjoyed the break and finding ways to enrich my life and myself. I do need to learn to stop caring so much about what I think other people think. I am much happier when I do.

Yes- my brother left for the Marine Corp last Sunday. He is 25. Has always wanted to be in the military. He used to talk about joining the Navy Seals a lot. After his mission and some college, he wasn't really happy. He had kind of hit a plateau. He wanted to progress. He felt Marines was a good fit for him. I think he will truly succeed at this venture. He has a heritage of grandfathers and great-grandfathers and uncles who have served in the Marines and the Army. (I could post some cool pictures of that too if blogger wasn't so SLOW!) Yes we worry about if and when he will end up in Afghanistan- but we just have to trust the Lord will protect him wherever he is. He will be in boot camp until February. His graduation will be in San Diego- so (cross my fingers and hope I don't jinx it) hopefully we will be able to visit him in February and go to his graduation. Like I said - I have no idea where I will be then.

This is a strange time in our life. I have felt like to move forward we had to take a few steps backward first and the forward steps are in very slow motion. I am trying to stay positive though! I am looking forward to having a chance to miss Idaho...while I am in Poland, or Canada or somewhere for 6 months...