Well I am happy to say that all the arrangements have been made for our PCS(Permanent Change of Duty Station) to Italy.  We received the orders around the 10th of February, which is exactly when they said we would get them.  Last week we went to Passport department to get our Italian VISA’s in the works.  We already have our diplomatic passports but we have to get the VISA’s as well.  Those won’t be sent out for another week or so due to time limitations.  We also went to Port Call last week(same day/place as the passports).  We were able to make our traveling arrangements to fly to Italy.  I will post what our itinerary is going to be for the flights at the end of this post.  This past Friday we went to transportation to schedule the movers as well.  Actually, as I am typing this, our neighbors, Tanya and Brandon, are getting their house packed up for Germany!  I can hear the movers pounding nails into the moving crates.  Anyway, the first wave of movers comes on March 23rd. They will be picking up smaller items, such as clothes, dishes, cooking utensils, etc.  Pretty much everything that is not furniture or tv’s or large items.  On April 6th through the 8th the movers will be coming to get our household goods, ie furniture, tv’s etc.  They estimate that it will take them the 3 days to do so.  Finally, on April 9th, another set of movers are coming to get items that we won’t be taking to Italy, ie our washer, dryer and a few other misc. items that we want to keep but are unable to take them to Italy.  These items will be stored at my mothers until we return.  THANK YOU MOM!

So this is what our itinerary it looking like for our leave time in Ohio in mid-April, as well as the weekend before we fly to Italy.

Friday, April 10-14th -  We will be in Cleveland, Ohio.  I do know that my mother is planning on having an open house, most likely on Saturday(4/11), since Sunday(4/12) is Easter.  I will know the exact time in another week or so.  I will also be sending out invitations to all of our Cleveland area family/friends with the information.  If any of our central/southern Ohio family/friends want to come you are more then welcome.  Just let me know and I will make sure you get the information.

Tuesday, April 14-16 - We will be in Columbus.  So far, we do not have any plans for while we are in Columbus, other then Derrick seeing his dad for a day.  Please let me know if you would like to get together.

Thursday April 16-19th - We will be in Middletown.  So far, we do not have any plans for while we are in Middletown, other then of course seeing as many family and friends as possible.

We will be leaving to return to Fort Bragg, on Sunday, April 19th.  We have to return so that Derrick can finish his schooling and we can get the house completely cleaned for inspection.

Now, we are flying out of the Columbus International Airport.  We chose Columbus because it is in between Middletown and Cleveland that way, if anyone would like to come andvisit that weekend it would be an equal distance for everyone.   Mom, you have to come and visit since you are keeping the car in storage for us.  Our flight is in the early afternoon(we did not get to choose the time).  We are leaving Fort Bragg on Friday, May 1st.  The only plans I know that we have that weekend are church Sunday morning at my “home” church, Reynoldsburg Baptist.  Other then that, we plan on relaxing with any family and friends that come to visit.

OK, now that all is said.  Here are the updates on everyone…

Derrick

He’s doing alright.  His school grades are so far so good for this semester. We will be taking him out of school on May 1st and the plan is he shouldn’t have to return.  He wanted to, however, he will miss to many days.  I have to go talk to the principal this week or next to ask for an early release. Derrick got his haircut on Saturday(along with Xavier).

Derrick’s new do…

Xavier

This past weekend was a busy one for Xavier.  On Saturday he got a new hair cut.  He calls them “Spikies” and it’s hilarious.  Here’s a picture of his new haircut.

Sorry Ohio State fans…he is doing the Texas Longhorn “Hook’em Horns”

He’s got a silly grin on his face too…

The highlight of his day though was he attended a birthday party at Chuck E Cheeses.  It was his first time there and let me tell you, I have much respect for the employees there. I have never in my life seen so many out of control kids with parents who could care less.  He had a blast. I will post his “official” Chuck E Cheese picture later this evening.  On Sunday, we had to drive to Raleigh to watch a Carolina Hurricane’s game.  It was military appreciation day and Geno, along with 4 others from his company and a huge group of other military service people (AirForce, Special Forces, Navy, etc) had sort of an open house outside the front main entrance.  I had originally won tickets from a radio station to attend the game, which was great. However, when I went to pick them up the seats were out in lala land.  So I talked to the ticket lady and we were able to get seats in row “B” - yes B as in 2nd row from the glass for only $25 per ticket with the military discount.  So here is a picture of our view.

Now, after Geno got released he was able to go down and watch the last portion of the 3rd period with Xavier. I snuck down to the 3rd row and watch the rest of the game. Here are pictures from that. Sorry these pictures aren’t clear, I only had my cell phone.

Xavier loved the game. He was really excited, especially within the first few minutes of the game a fight broke out - RIGHT in front of us! It was great. By the end of the game he was shouting “Let’s go Cane’s”.

Geno

Well, he is going to the field next week, BLAH!  Then he starts clearing the post.  That is the most fun part!  He’s been working very hard and putting up with a lot of crap within the unit and command.

Sarah - that’s me

I have 2 more weeks of school left.  I have three big projects due by the 2nd so I will be starting those probably tomorrow.  This quarter has sucked!  It’s never fun when you are taking classes that in the end you don’t even need anymore. 

As far as the pregnancy is going, everything seems to be going fine.  I have no major complaints.  No morning sickness really. It’s more like evening sickness.  I am just not hungry at night so I don’t know if that’s a good thing or bad thing.  I have noticed I do get tired more often.  By 9pm I am ready to zonk out.

I don’t have my first ob appointment until March 23rd. The only highlight is on March 10th we go for an u/s to make sure of the dates.  I am pretty sure how far I am but they want to make sure 100%.  I won’t complain, it will give me the chance to see the little pumpkin seed.

Ok, well that’s about it for now. I think I’ve written a book.  According to my word count it is saying I’m at 1284 words, wow I have a paper due with that many words…lol

Have a safe week!