5 months later...

It's been a while. I guess I just got lazy and the winter blues just overtook me. I'm not a fan of winter at all. Oddly enough, I actually enjoy January and February more than November and December. Micaela thinks I'm odd because, as she says, at least there's something to look forward to in November and December. For me, it's the fact that we're plunging head-long into winter that makes me hate those two months. On the other hand, January is the beginning of the end of winter. I also hate the build up to the holidays and how busy and commercial they've become, especially Christmas. I'm a simple guy and I like to keep everything simple, including Christmas. I enjoy Easter much more because it is warmer and the true meaning of the holiday hasn't been steam-rolled over by big business. I guess it's just nice to get back to normal after the holidays.

Well, a little bit of news from the past five months: Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went before we knew it. Micaela had a hard time without her parents. They're in Guatemala on a mission. They'll be home for next Christmas. We spent Christmas day and the next few days at my in-laws' condo up Beaver Canyon. It was nice except Eliza was grumpy. Jumping forward to January, Micaela and I took advantage of a free night stay at Johnsonville Bed and Breakfast in Midway, Utah in February. Probably one of the best getaways we had. The view was breathtaking and it was so peaceful up there. There was also about 3 feet of snow. We plan on returning this summer.



Unfortunately, the Monday after I took off to Hawaii for a temporary transfer. Because of the circumstances, I couldn't bring the family. I spent the first five weeks of my free time working on an online class and then Micaela came with Eliza. It was nice having them but one week is too short. We were able to do some whale watching where we spotted two humpback whales. My parents arrive in a week for a little R and R.

While I've been away, Micaela hired a handy-man to do various work around the house. The biggest project he took on was remodeling the playroom into the master bedroom. Unfortunately, the handy-man gave Micaela a lot a grief with that last project so we had to fire him before he completed it. Eliza has also been developing slowly; she rarely pulls herself up to standing and she's 15 months old. Micaela's been working with health professionals to determine if there are any serious issues with Eliza. Hannah has been Hannah; her speech is really developing and I can have a basic conversation with her now.

I've got a few months left in the navy and have one more PRT cycle, which I need to prepare for. I'm looking forward to going home; I've been really busy at work.