I have been TERRIBLE about keeping up on this. Since my last post, we have transitioned completely. After some stress over moving to Colorado or Wyoming, we ended up not having to move at all. Nate ended up working in Williston, ND. He does 15 days on and 6 days home. I have (mostly) transitioned back to being a stay-at-home (again mostly) mom. I am not the best housekeeper, so sometimes that inhibits me.
Nate has transitioned to both night and day shifts, traveling, and being away from us. He has made some friends with some of the guys who are on the same rotation as he is. They all fly in and out of here on the same days and usually the same flights.
February: Ariana turned 2 and decided to really test out the terrible twos. Nathan, Aedan, Ariana, and John were in a terrible car accident that totaled our Stratus. Still counting our blessings because the car was damaged beyond recognition, the car seats showed spiderweb signs of strain where the latch system held them and everyone walked away. No bruises, scratches, concussions or worse. The airbags deployed, seat belts held, car seats held, and the car's accident system (including a solid steel band all the way around the vehicle) did their jobs. Our guardian angel, (thanks, Daniel) had his work cut out and was there for us.
March: Spring break wasn't really spring break but we made the best of it by car shopping and eventually found a 2012 Mazda 5 "used" and got it for a really great deal.
April: Nate and I passed our 6th wedding anniversary. I took our 2 children to New York for my sister's beautiful wedding, where Ariana was an absolute terror the entire time we were there. The flight over was atrocious (thank you Delta for cancelling our flight, placing my parents on different flights and leaving me to travel across the country with 2 small children in 21 freaking hours instead of 14).
May: My brother and sister-in-law celebrated their 3rd wedding anniversary (8? years together). I am so grateful to have an awesome sister-in-law.
Nate's mom passed away after battling colon cancer for 15 months. She was a tough and determined lady, but determination of our own will is not always in alignment with God's will. She is missed terribly and we continue to grieve for her. We made it through the month by the skin of our teeth and have been enjoying the beginnings of summer.
June: After 7 strep infections and 1 rheumatic fever in 7 months, we had John's tonsils taken out. He is recovering nicely and even went camping this weekend. Aedan celebrated his 6th birthday and enjoyed every minute of it. He got everything he wanted including Harry Potter and Transformers legos, Avengers and Spiderman action figures and clothing and a new swimming pool. He also got books on science questions mostly for my own sanity. My parents celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on the same day. At the end of this month, Nate and I will have been together for 13 years. Holy cow! Now that I am mostly back on track and adjusted, I will be trying (again) to keep everyone more up to date.
