Oooo LaLa

Well it's almost that time. Redeployment is coming up and Jeremy is in transit to make his way home from his 6th deployment. Wow, it's hard to believe that he has had that many in such a short career, lol.

While Jeremy is on his way home, things at home are picking up pace for his return. Seth has finished 4th grade and is moving on to 5th grade. It's hard to believe that we have been so fortunate to be able to stay in one place, for him to finish out his Elemetary School career. If we do move next year, he will be moving into Junior High or Middle School. It was a long week for the last week of school. He had multiple field trips, pet days and other things to go along with it.

Anna has graduated from her first year of Preschool. Mom cried when she said she wanted to be Tinkerbell when she grows up. Weird as it may be, but those little things can make me cry when Jeremy isn't here to celebrate. She is growing up. Next year, she and Seth will both graduate. Jeremy will make it to those come heck or high water. She had a field trip, besides her graduation during the last week of school. She made me take the pooch to school. I have come to the conclusion that Stitch makes a horrible guard dog, lol.

I, well, am still kicking. Moving along as much as I can, when I feel well enough. I am trying to get the house ready for Jeremy's return. That means cleaning out my old clothes to make room for his work clothes again. Yes, I am evil. When he leaves, so do those stinky work clothes. They make their way to the garage, so they have now worked their way back into the closet. Ugh. Next time we move, I demand a bigger closet, lol.

School is out for summer and summer is getting hot and windy. So enjoy the Summer and we hope it's not to hot for you ;)

With lots of love,
The Pidgeon Clan

Wow, How Time Flies!!!

I can't believe it. It has been so long since I have posted, that so much has happened.

Jeremy has had a long and hard tour. Not only has he lost some great friends, but he got extended. This didn't really help him because he really does not like Afghanistan, but it helped me. It's so hard to coordinate his coming home, when school ends. And if you are Military, you totally understand what I mean. He did take Christmas R&R and it was nice to have him home. He also got to take Emergency Leave because of me (for the first time in 6 deployments) and got an extra two weeks at home in March and made it to Adrianna's birthday party. The best news for him, is that he made the E7 list on his first look and try and should be promoted by the end of the year. This is great for him, but makes me realize that there is 10 1/2 years left until retirement.

Seth has done well. While he is in the preteen stage and driving me crazy and frustrating dad because he is not here to straighten his mishaps out, he is still the same Seth. He played Basketball this year. He has made new friends as they have come in during this semester, some I hope will be here for the summer for him. Last week, he fractured his thumb. That was a frantic day for mom because he sucked up the pain and went the entire day without calling home. And because we deal with Evans Army, it's a two day process because the ER can't handle all things. This coming week is his school play and the next week is field day. Last week was the Art Show and the Denver science field trip.

Adrianna has progressed a lot this year. She has made a lot of great little friends and she will be sad that school ends soon, but glad that daddy comes home this summer. The first of April, and I do mean the first, she had her hand smashed in the front door and a visit to the ER. Needless to say, her hand looked like Seth's does now. The day before, we found out from the ER that she has asthma. While she has asthma, she also has allergies so bad that it causes rashes and eye infections. She (and I) was very glad to have daddy home at the time to help. She goes to the zoo for this months field trip on Thursday and then we work on graduation for her in May.

Me. Hmmm... This could take awhile, so I will shorten it. This deployment has been the hardest for me. While we are used to him leaving and finding little things with my health, which can always be fixed by medications or therapy; this time, it hasn't worked out so easy. As most know, I suffered from a long time pain in my stomach (since last March). All the tests that they would run, came back just fine. But I was sent to a surgeon, none the less. He told me that I would have a 20 percent chance of surgery working; but that it would be a good indication that if it didn't work, it would be one of two other problems. I opted for the surgery and Jeremy took Emergency Leave the end of March to come home and help. That 20 percent chance worked in my favor and the biopsy clearly showed an infection and chronic problems. In January, I also learned that I have another problem, which requires another surgery and leaves us with no more options for children. While adding these two surgeries to the list, I also have to add two carpal tunnel surgeries at some point. But those will be much later because I am going to Medical Billing School right now. Anyway, this is the shortest summery that I can leave about myself. I haven't got all day to drone on, as I am sure you don't have all day to read.

While the last month has been the hardest in this house, it has been a blessing. Jeremy and I both realize that while the Army has it's priorities, this family has it's. And that it is now time, to make the later of those priorities an easier possibility for everyone in this house. Jeremy has dropped his Recruiter packet and we are hoping for him to get picked up, so we can sell, move and have time for several years as a family, living under the same roof for longer than 12 months at a time.

We hope that the start to this New Year, hasn't been as hard on you as it has on us. We wish you the best as this month comes to a close and the last month of the school year approaches.

Best wishes and lots of love,
The Pidgeon Clan

The cold has officially arrived.

It is getting colder (although this week is nice), even for Jeremy. Lots of things have happened since I have last updated this.

Adrianna is doing great in school. Much, much more self confident. Boy does she not stop talking. I can not wait for Jeremy to get home, just so he can spend the day talking to her. She has several little friends at school and is making great strides. She is speaking more clearly, counting constantly, singing all day and I could go on but won't. She loves getting up and going every morning. I just got her to understand that it is okay that she doesn't go to school on Fridays, like Seth. It's just a mommy and Anna lazy day, which is awesome (jammie day). Adrianna came down with H1N1 a couple of weeks ago, which Seth then got, and well, it just had to end with mom.

Seth is doing so much better this year, compared to last year. There is a lot less fighting and he is taking more responsibility for his work. Now if I can get that to carry over to when he is home, it would be even better. We seem to be going through tween years. I must have estimated those wrong or they just come earlier every generation. He finished cross country and will be moving on to basketball soon. Yeah, just more running around, lol.

Jeremy is doing good. Ready to come home, though. He was supposed to be on Good Morning America, but that was a flub. The news really seems to get worse on every deployment. They seem to misinterpret everything that is going on to be good, versus the reality of what is actually going on. He loves getting boxes because there is no PX at his new location, so he says to keep them coming and also sends his thanks and love for those who are taking the time to send him mail (helps keep the moral up). He is looking forward to R&R. I won't mention dates because it will just jinx us, but I can say that it will be around the Holidays sometime. Let's just hope that the weather doesn't delay his flights. It seems every holiday, I have been glad that I haven't flown home because there always seems to be delays and airports closed because of the Rocky Mountain weather.

Me, I am doing okay. Managing one day at at time. Part of the reason I have not updated this is because I have carpal tunnel and well, the idea of typing just makes my hands hurt. They are giving me steroid shots to see if it can hold me off on surgery, until Jeremy comes home. The first was today, which he failed to mention my hand would be numb for several hours. I should not have planned a grocery shopping trip. I am just working hard on getting what I can get down before Jeremy gets here, so I can minimize his "honey do list" that he has already started to growl about.

Life seems to be moving fast paced here, but that seems to be the way it works when Jeremy is gone or even home for that fact.

With lots of love, smiles and hugs,
The Pidgeon Clan

It's getting colder.

Burrr. The weather has started to change, school has started and I am finally free of children and a husband for just under 3 hours a day. Wow, I know some of you mamma's out there know how happy I am for some free time. I can officially take a nap here and there, while knowing that no one is spreading toothpaste on the walls, throwing toys around or dragging the poor cats down the stairs.

Jeremy is doing well. It is sad to say that there have been some injuries, but the good news is that have been able to return to duty (RTD). In the midst of the injuries, there still have been some who will not be returning with the Unit the way their families would like. I think the last month over there, has been the hardest with the most Final Roll Calls since they left. To those who need condolences, please know that you are always in our hearts and prayers as you make this transition.

Jeremy is still in the process of moving, but it is getting much closer. If you want to send boxes, I would say that now would be a good time to get started as they are closer to this goal. It takes a couple of weeks anyway, so having some boxes waiting for him at his new location would bring a smile to him and his soldiers. I heard that they get very excited when Jeremy gets mail and raid the boxes. If you need or want the new address, please email me and I will return the email with the correct information.

Wow, Seth has had a month. First he started back to school (yeah!!!), then he received stitches and now is starting cross country. His first meet is this upcoming Tuesday and he is excited. Although his best friend is not in his school class this year, he has a phenomenal teacher. Mr. C. really has my approval. Seth came home from school last week and said (this is a quote from him), "Mom, Mr. C. has inspired me to read more. I am going to start reading an hour a day." He has to read at least 30 minutes a day, but I can go with 60 and not complain. He is working on his animal report the Grizzly Bear and is enjoying it. He is working very hard in school and I can tell because there is less arguing about doing his homework. This is a huge plus for me. Seth is not playing soccer this season because he had stitches so close to the start of it. He didn't want to get stitches over again because he uses his head a lot. Boys, lol.

Adrianna has started pre-school and I can say that she is very ecstatic to go every day. She only goes Monday through Thursday. When Friday rolls around and Seth has to go, there is a bit of frustration on her part, but we get through it. She has gained more self-confidence since she started, not that she was lacking in that department before. She always tells herself and others that she looks cute, reason she is not lacking. She finally has started to go to Sunbeams by herself. No need for mommy, so now maybe I can make it to Relief Society on my own. We also went to the dentist the other day and she jumped right on up into the chair and didn't fuss and did everything the dentist asked her to do. Her other appointments have always been with mommy sitting or laying there with her. Her preschool teacher is married to Seth's teacher, so it's great to have both of them for our kids. Mrs' C' and Mrs' Sheer and Mrs. Zoe are very well liked by Anna and us.

With Love,
The Pidgeon Clan

2 Months Down, Just 10 To Go!

Wow, we are down another month and school is starting (hallelujah!!). I have been waiting the entire summer, to get these kids in school. I am not sure what to do with my 3 hours of free time a day. If Jeremy were to speak up about it, it would be to tell me to not spend money. I am guessing that, that rules out the spa and several other ideas I had, lol.

Jeremy is in the process of moving to another area. If you are going to send off a box in the next week, than you should be fine. But if you are going to do it sometime in the upcoming month, please contact me before you do it to make sure he gets the package faster. He is doing good, considering everything that has gone on in the last week/month. We would like to send our condolences to the families of the three soldiers who were killed just recently in the Unit. Along with some get well wishes, for those who were injured.

Seth is doing alright. I think we are both ready for him to head back to school. He did well in summer school, ad mists the tween drama. He is registered for soccer this year. We will have to see what his schedule is like, before we can decide if he can run cross country too. Mom can only be in so many places at once.

Anna is doing well. She is so excited to go to school. Every time we leave the house, she takes her backpack; even though school doesn't start for a couple of more weeks for her. As soon as we get her schedule for preschool and Seth's schedule worked out, I will work in kinder dance for her.

I am currently trying to train Stitch to be the free roaming dog of the house. Now we only have one whiny dog in a cage in the house, besides the kids (well, they aren't in the cage).

I have started writing small articles for Examiner.com. I have a great mentor (Phyllis)! Which is great because I have no idea what the heck I am doing, lol. The link to my page is on the left hand side of this page, so if you have time stop by and say hi.

With Love,
The Pidgeon Clan

Only A Month Has Passed.

Wow, only a month has passed by. But heck, at least it's a month down. Jeremy is doing okay. There have been some incidents, that have put me back on edge until the phone rings and it's him on the other end.

First, we would like to send out our heart felt condolences to those who have lost soldiers recently. It is never easy to send them off and I can't imagine the pain to see certain people on your door step dressed in uniform. While we are sending condolences out, we would like to send best wishes to the Varner Family for their loss, a couple of weeks ago.

Jeremy is living with what is sent to him in boxes. He has no access to a PX for anything. So anything that can be sent to him from socks, magazines, toiletries and etc., will definitely be used. What he does not use, he passes down the line to his soldiers. He seems to be excited on the phone, more than I am, when he talks about what he can of what has been going on. So at least he is enjoying himself. Not sure he would survive another long combat tour, if it was in the same locations as the last several he has been on. He is sleeping in tents, on cots, showering and doing laundry in trailers. Living there is much more primitive than other deployments. But like I have already told him, this has got to beat sleeping on a cot, on the side of your tank or in your tank, with 7 other stinky guys, who have not been able to shower or eat decent meals for 3-4 months, during the initial invasion.

Seth is in summer school already. He received a hundred percent on several tests, so his summer study program may pay off for him next year. We are still working on the soccer registration.

Anna is getting very excited to attend school, especially since I told her the school district has allowed her to go to school with her big brother. Seth's not to sure about that, but it will be a great relief to me to be able to have him near her and to also not have them in different schools, with Jeremy being gone.

We have had a lot of things happen in our home, with in the first month of Jeremy being gone. It seems like that is how it always seems to work. As one of my friends kindly put it, "When it rains in your family, it pours." Which is assuredly true.

Lots of Love,

The Pidgeon Clan

He's Gone.

As you can tell from the picture, we have moved on into our next phase of our life; the long deployment ahead for the next 12 months. I would rather post the picture here, than on my car. Although, it would be a good laugh on the car.

Jeremy has moved from one area to another. We haven't talked in a week; but heck, that beats the four month stretch during the initial invasion.

Seth has gone to summer camp already and returned. It was nice for awhile, no children screaming at each other. But it was missed and then not missed after 30 minutes of the two of them together this afternoon. Seth will be heading off here very soon to summer school. He wants to play on the soccer team this year, so we will see how registration goes for him next week.

Anna will be going to preschool this year. Please pray that they put her in the same school as Seth. Seth does not attend the school where we lived because we felt the school he was currently attending at the time we moved was much better. So they have put Anna in the school where our attendance area is, but I am not sure how that will work because I have to take both of them to school with Jeremy being gone. So I am really hoping that they will help me out because of our precarious situation. She will also be attending ballet classes this fall, from friends in our old church ward.

The church has change our boundaries, this is not a bad thing. We are very excited and have already made some great friends. Anna is having trouble attending Sunbeams. With the ward change, she lost friends. But at the same time, it was her birthday so she graduated from Nursery to Sunbeams. She has a very big separation issue. My friends have already informed our Relief Society, that I won't be attending their class because I spend my life in the very loud Sunbeams class. Now as along as they don't make me a teacher for the class, I will be so thrilled. Seth was baptized and confirmed just before Jeremy left. He was baptized with a family from Liberia, so it was a very nice evening.

Things were crazy when Jeremy left. First Anna was sick the night before Seth's baptism and then the next day Jeremy washed his cell phone in the washer. We ended up buying a new car. In Georgia, Jeeps are only 2WD, so the six thousand dollars to fix it and the 2WD issue made it an ideal decision to buy a new car. We seemed to spend most of our last days helping everyone else out it seemed, before he left. There was little time for us to spend together, but I guess that goes with the territory the higher he gets. It was alright though, I spent my last day with him sick to my stomach the entire day. Apparently this stomach issues seems to flare up ever couple of weeks and it picked a really bad day. Since he has left I have only been sick once. I did have lunch with some great friends the other day and I can say that I am very proud because I have kept it down.

I have had people ask me for Jeremy's address. Right now, I do not want to give you the address that I was given by RD because I want to make sure it is correct when Jeremy gets to his FOB. So please be patient, I hope to have it soon. But I would rather get it from him because all the other times I have received it from RD, it was always wrong.

Best Wishes,

The Pidgeon Clan