It's been a while.

It's been a while since I have sat down to blog.  For many different reasons, I have not blogged in a long, long time.  Not a lot to write about while we were in Mexico.  Although we made the most amazing lifelong friends, and spent so much of our free time with them, I just didn't "feel it" when I sat down to write.  Besides, full time work and full time school and then two kiddos wanting to get out of the house on the weekends pretty much took all of my free time.

Well, we've been back in CA for just over a year.  A year and 2 weeks to be exact.  Not sure if I've even blogged once.  Let's just say, the adjustment back into life in the States was FAR more difficult than adjusting to life overseas.  (That's another blog.)  But, 2 days after we returned, Christopher started Football which took up every single free second of our lives until November.  Brian EAS'd from the Marine Corps and started working at his new job.  Then in October, Kyleigh started Horseback Riding and Granddady (Pops) came down from Oregon for a visit and to see his girl on her horse and his Grandson sack some Quarterbacks.  In November, we took a trip to Cabo San Lucas with our Best Friends,  and then in December, we had a house full - Grandma Kim & Papa Mike, Auntie Amy, Zach and Ben came for Christmas.  We also had special visitors Margaret & Lina (who we were stationed in Mexico with) for a couple days.  It was FABULOUS!  In January I started working.  So, to say life back in the States was busy is an understatement.

Then, my family hit a little bit of a rough time.  We lost four family members in five months.  If I wasn't living this, I wouldn't believe it.  On Feb. 26, we lost my sweet Granddaddy.  He was surrounded by the love of his life, my Grandma (they would have celebrated 64(?) years of marriage in May) and his two children, my Dad and my Aunt Debbie.  Even though it has been almost six months, the sadness is still there.  He was always one of the first ones to comment or e-mail me when I posted a blog.  Knowing that tomorrow, I won't have that after I post this is difficult.

This picture was taken in August 2009.  This was the last time I saw my Granddaddy.  Brian, the kids and I are about to leave for Italy and it was extremely important to me to go see my Grandparents before we left.  I was going to see them no matter what it took, no matter what the cost.  I had just seen my Grams & Gramps Duff (& my Aunt Elaine & Aunt Cindy) in Quantico for MSG Graduation because they drove in from NC to see us.  The few days we spent together were so special and I knew I had to get to Oregon to spend a few days with my other Grandparents.  This is right before we got in the car to drive back to CA.

Here is a picture of my Granddaddy and my Grandma

Grandma & Granddaddy Mall

A month after my Granddaddy passed away, we lost my Uncle Jim - his brother.  I have many fond memories of my Uncle Jim and Auntie Sue.  They lived just around the corner from my Grandma & Granddaddy.  Growing up we always had extended family around when we were at Grandma & Granddaddy's.  

Uncle Jim & Auntie Sue Mall

Then, just a month later, my family said "See You Someday" to my Auntie Jo.  My Grandaddy & Uncle Jim's sister.  Auntie Jo & Uncle Bill lived next door to my Grandma & Granddaddy for probably 60 years - at least.  It was unreal that within 3 months, we lost all 3 "Mall" siblings.  It's something you only read about.  

Uncle Bill & Auntie Jo Lancaster

One thing that I will forever be thankful for is that when we celebrated my Auntie Jo's life, we had so many family members - so many memories to share.  Cousins that I grew up with, that I haven't seen in 20+ years were in Oregon.  I know that she would be smiling down.  It was nothing short of amazing to see this family together.  I spent some amazing quality time with my Grandma.  

Family at Auntie Jo's Memorial - April 2013 - Florence, OR

Grandma Mall & Allison
(oldest & youngest)
Florence, OR - April 2013

Just two (almost 3) short months after this celebration and spending time with cousins and cousins and more cousins, Mike Lancaster, left us at 48 years young.  Even though he was my 2nd cousin, I remember him fondly as "Uncle Mike."  He was only 10 years older than me so I remember him always being around.  He would always build us houses out of boxes.  He would bring over his latest art project - which were AMAZING - to show us and Grandma.  I remember sitting on the front porch of  Stewart & Gray Rd. in Downey waiting for him to come home from Warren High School.  These memories make me smile.

Uncle Mike & Duke

Before I go, I want to share some pictures of the Mall siblings:

Granddaddy (Gene Mall) standing in back
Auntie Jo (Joann Mall Lancaster)
Uncle Jim in the stroller

From Left to Right: Auntie Jo, Uncle Jim, & Granddaddy

From Left to Right:
Granddaddy (Gene Norman Mall), Great-Grandmother (Alma Olive Mall), Auntie Jo (Joann Mall Lancaster), Great-Granddaddy (Norman Isadore Mall), Uncle Jim (James Ray Mall)

From Left to Right:
Front Row: Grandma, Auntie Jo, Great-Grandmother Mall, Auntie Sue
Back Row: Granddaddy, Uncle Bill, Uncle Jim

From Left to Reft: Uncle Jim, Auntie Sue, Granddaddy, Grandma, Auntie Jo & Uncle Bill

My Heart is Hurting

Like most of the United States and American's around the world, I sat glued to the television yesterday, watching, like I did 11 years ago, the two planes hit the the Twin Towers in New York.  Again, like every I do every year, I cried.  The pain of what my country went through on that day is still vividly burned into my mind.  I don't need to watch it every year to remember.  I remember every day.  I watch it every year because it needs to be done.  I answer questions from a nine year old, who wasn't even alive when the attacks happened and whose Daddy was invading Iraq the day he was born.  I answer questions from a twelve year old who, although was just shy of two years old, (luckily) doesn't remember that day.  I remember.  I always will.  Yesterday, not only was it the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, but in between watching the twin towers fall, I saw people scaling a US Embassy in Cairo.  I saw that the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya was being attacked.  I went to sleep thinking about the hundreds of American's being affected by these recent events.  I went to sleep with the news reporting one American had been killed.  This morning, when I woke up, I learned that actually four American's were killed.  FOUR AMERICANS WERE KILLED!  FOUR!  

As all of you know, this family of four just spent three long, but amazing, years overseas.  We were at a US Consulate in Milan, Italy and the US Embassy in Mexico City.  What happened yesterday, could have easily happened at any of the posts we were at.  People don't realize exactly what the Foreign Service does.  I know I didn't when I went overseas.  Heck, I didn't even know they existed.  But, now, I know people spread out all across this great big world.  I could pick any country on the map and pretty much guarantee that someone I know either just left there, is currently serving there, or will be serving there in the very near future.  There are families, like us in the military, separated for a year.  Sure, they get R&R and have easier access to communication than most of the Marines I know who are deployed, but it doesn't make it any easier.  These families are experiencing the same struggles we, as military families are experiencing.  They have kids graduating from high school and going off to college while they serve their country in a very dangerous place, far from home.  Mommies and Daddies are missing their baby going into Kindergarten.  My heart aches for them as much as it aches for my military family.  You know, before we went on 'the program,' I was part of this wonderful, amazing Marine Corps family.  Now, I am part of something bigger.  So many of my Foreign Service friends have become part of that family.  Damn, I am one lucky girl!  You know, the Foreign Service is a lot like the Military.  Not exactly the same, but similar.  They have to put down roots in a new country every two or three years.  They have to make new friends every two to three years.  They have to celebrate holidays thousands of miles away from home.  They make it work.  On holidays, they open their home to people who just arrived last week and are living in a hotel with 3 or 4 kids so they can give them just a little bit of normalcy and a little bit of home.  They open their home to Marines (like Brian) & colleagues who arrive days before Christmas or Thanskgiving or 4th of July or whatever other reason.  Brian arrived days before Christmas.  The kids and I were stuck in CA and he had Charley, and his two suitcases.  Sure, he could've eaten out in Mexico City.  But, you know what, he didn't.  There was an open door and a seat at a table waiting for him.  He didn't even know anybody yet.  This is how most of the Foreign Service is.  Sure, like any other places you have your 'different' ones, but you know what.  The good always outweighs the bad.

Chris Stevens, the US Ambassador to Libya was a career foreign service officer.  He died doing something he believed in which is much more than I can say for a lot of people I know.  He died serving his country.  I am sure I know someone who has worked with him.  I am sure that they are hurting.  Same for Sean Smith, the Information Management Officer that was killed in Libya.  I  am sure I know one, if not a few, people that know him.  They are hurting.  He has two children.  I haven't seen their ages, but they are known to be "young."  Their daddy isn't coming home.  My heart hurts for them.  But, you know, my heart doesn't just hurt for them.  It is hurting for the entire foreign service community - including every single agency that works inside those Embassy and Consulate walls.  When someone is wounded or killed, it rattles those walls to the core.  Wether you knew the person or not, your heart aches and you shed tears. And I can only say this because I know from personal experience.

I'm reading this post and it seems so jumbled.  So confused.  My heart hurts.  My head is spinning.  I keep thinking this could have been one of our posts.  If you are reading this and you are overseas for whatever reason - stay safe.  

We're HOME!

Well, The Macy Family has returned to California!!!

Kids came back to CA in June.  They couldn't hang around and wait for Mom & Dad, so on June 12th, while Brian was in Cabo San Lucas working the G20, my sweet friend Andrea drove the three of us to Benito Juarez Airport.  (I had a tendency to get lost every single time I drove to the airport, so it was for the best.)  We shipped them off with just a few tears (from Mom & Andrea) and no tears from the kids.  They couldn't wait to get back to Aunt Debbie and to being kids.  They had a summer visiting cousins and friends and being KIDS!  Which is something very difficult to do in Mexico.  No lemonade stands, so riding bikes and scooters, no walking up the street to see if a friend can play.  So, they deserved to be home.

Leaving Mexico was bittersweet.  It wasn't hard to leave Mexico City itself, but we left some amazing people.  Our family was so lucky to make friends with people that we will keep in touch with forever.  We are already planning trips!  It's hard to explain how difficult it was to live in Mexico City unless you have been there.  My Dad learned real quick why we were counting down the months to get back to the US.  If it weren't for our super close knit group of friends and some awesome co-workers, Mexico would have been horrible.

But, on to some exciting news!  Kids have started school!!!

Hard to believe that when we left California back in August of 2009, Kyleigh had just finished 3rd grade.  Now, she is in 7th!!!  I still can't believe I have a Middle Schooler (even if she is starting her 2nd year of middle school, I still can't believe it.)  She is kicking some serious butt, too!  She just got 100% on her first two math quizzes.  She is making friends - she never has been my shy one.  She is excited about starting horseback riding lessons and she has mentioned that she might be interested in checking out some swimming clubs.  We'll see what we find that she might be interested in.

Christopher had just finished Kindergarten when we left for Italy.  KINDERGARTEN!  Now, I have a 4th grader.  I remember 4th grade like it was yesterday - now, my BABY is in 4th grade.  It has done my heart good to hear him come home from school happy again.  Many of you know how hard the last six months in Mexico were for him - and for me.  It took everything in my power to get him to June.  School was neither a happy or a safe place for him.  Now, he is doing GREAT!  He is happy again.  He comes home from school smiling.  He is playing football (tackle!) and he is LOVING it.  He checks every day for new bruises.  LOL

Maybe the next post, I'll be a little more prepared and have some pictures to put up.  I just figured I would sit down and write - something.  I have really been wanting to start blogging again.  It's been six months since my last post, and now with all of these good (& exciting) things happening, I want to share it!  We are excited to do all sorts of fun things that we did before we left like Bates Nut Farm...and other things we haven't done - ever - like San Francisco!

Keep an eye out for more blogging!  I'm hoping to AT LEAST get one a week in - maybe I can squeeze some time in and get a couple in some days.

“All great changes are preceded by chaos.” -Deepak Chopra

So, after my last post, I thought for sure I would write about the obvious...November.  But, I think I will come back to the present, in hopes that this anxiety that fills me daily will either subside or be a little more bearable.  I haven't been blogging for many reasons.  One is that I just don't feel like I have much to blog about - living in Mexico City, although interesting, I'm sure everyone would get tired of me complaining about the drivers & traffic.  Two is that time is limited - working full time, going to school and still trying to be Mom, yeah, well...blogs definitely take a back seat (although I should be doing a final paper right now) I figured maybe this will help me get my writing juices flowing.  Third reason is that so many times, I feel like people are judging the life I live with my family.  I know, that should NOT be a reason, but man, you can only hear so many times, "I would never have moved out of the United States." "I can't believe you would take your children to another country."  "You are a better wife than me, because I would never follow my husband 1/2 way around the world."  Well, I did and I am.  And, although at times it's not fun or easy, we have almost made it.  We have about six more months of this crazy life left.  I am excited, scared, anxious, and a million other feelings.  Sure, I have lost some friends while on the program.  I was devastated at first, but life goes on.  People truly don't understand.  I have friends who have the option to do a 3 year tour as a family, or a 1 year tour unaccompanied.  They opt for the 1 year.  That is their decision - it's just not our decision. (Although this program unaccompanied wasn't an option unless you end up in an unaccompanied post - which isn't common.)  We've lived for 3 years, as a family, in foreign countries, away from friends and family, and although at times it was a fairy tale, other times, it was devastating.  I do have to say, if anything, this program as proven who is here and supporting us and loving us unconditionally.  It has given us friends that are family.  I guess this brings me to the reason for my post:

Change is a brewing in The Macy home, and although we aren't in the "packing and moving" chaos, we are in the chaos of the unknown.  Don't get me wrong, I am extremely happy and excited about it, but boy, it brings on some serious anxiety.  I wake up with this tightness in my chest, I go to sleep with the same tightness.  We have under six months left here and life as we know it is going to change - drastically.  Back in December, Brian (and I) decided that he would not reenlist.  (Crazy, right?!) Anyways, right now we have a plan in place with other options brewing.  Hopefully, the moon and the stars align or whatever people say and the plan becomes a reality.  Hopefully, we will know more by the end of March.  But, the plan that has been in place for a while now will be taking us to the East Coast - probably VA.  How exciting, huh?  This California girl is bummed the ocean won't be in my backyard anymore, but looking forward to all of the great places to see on the East Coast and being close to family there.  We've been talking a lot lately about how weird it is going to be to live in the States again.  (Side note:  My babies refer to the U.S. as America when talking about home, Brian and I refer to it as The States.)  We are finally going to get our things and live in our house.  Kids are going to go to a school that they aren't going to have to leave in 18 months.  We are actually going to plant roots after yanking them out two and a half years ago.  I can't wait!  But, until then, I think that little things are going to really stress me out.  For example, today, I walked into the maids quarters and there are boxes EVERYWHERE!  I almost started crying.  Not because there are boxes everywhere, but because it just seemed so . . . claustraphobic.  Trying to get to things - impossible.  I feel like I am on the edge of tears all of the time.  I just hope it's not like this for the rest of the time I am here.  

Brian is heading to DC/VA area in a couple of weeks and I am trying to decide if I head that way with him.  So many pros & cons.  I just can't imagine going and leaving my babies in another country - even though there are very capable people here to care for them.  But, do I go now and Brian and I can search out different areas we like and focus on those areas in our housing search or do I wait and see what happens with the different jobs in the works and then go.  Decisions, decisions.  I've already sat down and talked to the kids about it and they are like, "Go, Mom!"  If only it were that easy.  If only I was a millionaire and could take them with me.  I mean, it is a 4 day weekend from school for them.  But trying to justify spending almost $1900-$2000 for the 3 of us to fly (Brian's is covered) is hard - especially when we are saving, saving, saving for other things that will need to be purchased when we move.

So, whatever...I don't know what else to say about all of my arguments in my mind right now, so let's move on to some more fun and lighter things that I am sure is the reason my family reads this.

On a lighter note, Kyleigh had her first basketball game on Saturday!  She seemed to enjoy it.  She did travel a couple of times, but nothing that we can't work on.

Christopher spent the week at camp.  We sent him with a camera, but there were no pictures taken - boys!  But, Brian took this one on the drive home from the school.  This is what my son buys on trip:

Other than that we had a great weekend.  Spent it with friends on Friday night, Six Flags on Saturday followed by a late dinner and then spent today just hanging out.  Had lunch with friends and then came home and took a nap.  Tomorrow is going to start another busy week, but hopefully it will go by fast. 

SURPRISE - All about October!

OK, so, since I had the day off today and spent much of it doing homework, I thought I would take a minute to blog... (Yep, Pops, hell is freezing over.)  I can't believe the last time I blogged was in September!!! What use is having a blog if I don't use it?  I've actually been thinking about blogging for quite a few weeks now, but honestly, there isn't much to blog about when life is consumed with work and school - for all 4 of us.

So, let's start back in October.  Maybe I can find SOMETHING to blog about from then.  I will just use my pictures as a writing prompt.  OH!  October!!!!  I remember now.  I got to spend 4 LOVELY days in California.  It was AMAZING!  It was so nice not being surrounded by buildings, it was almost euphoric being able to breathe the clean air and see the views of the Pacific Ocean.  Oh, California how I love thee!

I spent some time with my Aunt Debbie, Uncle Scott & Cousin Casey.  I had lunch with Aunt Nancy and did some quick shopping.  She actually found my ball gown!  I went "grape stomping" with  some  of my BFF's in the whole wide world.  I have to say, my trip home was MUCH needed.  I don't know if I have written about this before, but Mexico City is a VERY  difficult city to live in.   I will just leave it at that.

Me & Izzy

Chris, Me & Lola

Our group (minus Izzy)

Even if I am not very fond of Mexico City, I am EXTREMELY fond of the people this city has brought into my life.  In October, we went to Puebla for the night, went hiking in a local reserve, and to celebrate Halloween, we went to a local cemetary to celebrate Dia de los Muertos.  Yeah, we do have some fun here.  We even take pictures to capture our adventures.  (All shared below.)

Hiking with friends in Desierto de los Leones

Brian, Jorge & Eddie

Yes, we do take wine on our hikes.

Our group - the friends that Mexico brought together.

Have I said before how difficult of a city Mexico City is?  Well, if not, it is.  Especially for this Southern California girl who grew up in a town where in 2010, there were 77,982 people.  Back in 1990, my little town had 59,967 people.  Living in a city with over 23 million people is a little difficult, so you take every chance you get to get the heck outta dodge.  Well, one night in October, we did just that.  We headed to Puebla.  I have to tell you this little town is BEAUTIFUL!!!  I actually cried when we left...seriously.  I could stay in Mexico forever if I was living in this town.

24 hours in Puebla:

Rainbow on our way to Puebla

Of course, Halloween on this program just isn't the same without a party at the Marine House.  Boy did we have loads of fun.  The Marines had a haunted house for all fo the kids and then later on, they had a party for all of the adults...of course, some kids stayed and partied like rock stars.

Halloween at the Marine House:

Beauty & The Beast
aka
Kyleigh and Brian

Bigfoot
(yes, the a lot of the kids still call him Bigfoot)

Pirate Andrea

Curtis as Spartacus

Cedeno as a Joker

The group that was left at the end of the night.

Halloween night we spent the evening at some friends house and after trick-or-treating was said and done, we decided to celebrate Dia de los Muertos Mexican style.  We packed up the kids and headed to the cemetary.  Unfortuantely, we just missed the band that was playing, but we did get to walk through and take some amazing pictures.  This was defintiely an experience

Dia de los Muertos:

So, that was October in a nutshell.  Maybe if I can jump on this blogging bandwagon again, I can get a November post in here very soon.