we're all okay

Quite literally.

I've already filled you all in about what's been up with me. So here is a quick update about the rest of the family.

Tom:
He's patiently waiting on his promotion. He's actually in Sierra Vista, Arizona, receiving more specializing training concerning leadership within his field. He seems to enjoy it well enough. We should be PCS'ing (moving in military terms) in the latter half of the winter, but we don't know where yet. I'm really pushing for anywhere on the East Coast but would be very happy to get Bragg (only 5 hours from home) or ecstatically happy to get Meade or another DC Metro area post. Here's hoping.

Ellie:
She is getting to be so big now! I swear, she is so tall! She's only an inch or two shorter than her 5-year-old cousin! And so freakin adorable some days. Don't get me wrong, she's too much my child to not give me problems. :) I can't believe she'll be FOUR in a matter of weeks (10 weeks actually). She's already giving us birthday and Christmas lists! I've been feeling like I've be stunting her intellectually with all the time I've needed to spend on my own school work, and I hate how easily she gets warped into the TV. (on an honest note, that has proven to be a useful distraction, i.e. how else do you think I could write this?) We just enrolled her in La Petite Academy. She's been telling everyone she's going to school. I love how excited she is!

Animals:
Why oh why would I include my animals? Two reasons. (1) They are part of the family. (2) Inga and Koda are slowly giving me frustration lines. Here's why. I'm pretty sure they're trying to dig us a basement! They are constantly digging up the side of the house and its driving me batty. If we owned the house, this probably wouldn't phase me as much as it does. But, we're renting. So now, I HAVE to go get rock-filled dirt and then hopefully find some tactic to keep them away from the 4 major holes they've dug.

I'll keep everyone updated as the weeks pass.