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So good news! Jack could be home as soon as August 28! Wouldn't that be AWESOME!!! I'm trying not to get too excited because it IS the Navy and things never seem to work in our favor, but I'm hopeful. I don't plan on telling the kids until we are in the car on the way to the airport. I can hardly wait to see the looks on their faces!!! He'll have to go back to work with VFA-204 in New Orleans, but we'll stay here and he'll commute. We are going to be out of the Navy on or before March 1st, so hopefully, we can find a job before then.

On to other news, I found a large lump on William's throat area yesterday. I about freaked and had a major panic attack. (side note about me: I am well aware that I am over dramatic. With that said, any bump that isn't familiar I CONVINCE myself it's a deadly cancer.) I called the doctor immediately and got an appointment for this morning. My best friend is a dermatologist, so I insisted she come over for dinner to take a look. She's usually the passive kind and quick to point out that I over react, but yesterday she felt it and immediately said, "yea... you DEFINITELY need to check that out!" I was hoping she'd say it was just a swollen lymph node. Her concern made me sweat! We went in first thing (I brought a friend along for support (told you I was dramatic) and got some reassuring information. Unfortunately, the doctor doesn't really know what it is, and he referred us to an ENT. Our appointment is Thursday, so hopefully we can learn more, but until then, my pediatrician agreed that it probably wasn't a lymph node because of the location. He suspected that it could be a Thyroglossal Cyst. He wasn't sure, but if it is, those are usually benign and are surgically removed. I hate the idea of surgery, but it's way better than Cancer, so I'll take it. Dramatic, I know, but William is my precious baby and it's hard not to worry about the BIG stuff!

So Jack is not on hold and is in the process of trying to find out when he can get home. Several people have emailed him with such nice things to say and job leads and that has meant a lot to both of us. I know once we get settled into our "new life", this will all have happened for a reason. I am excited about the prospect of having him home and not shipped out on detachments or deployments all of the time. This is going to be good for us! :)

THe Results Are Out

Jack instant messaged me this morning and let me know that his name was not on the promotion list. We knew the results were coming any day and I didn't know what my reaction would be either way, but I have to say I am relieved to know and get on with our lives. This has been an unknown or the last three years and it's been very emotional and stressful.

We still don't know if Jack is on the "hold" list, which is the worst case scenerio. If that happens, it means he was selected by the board but his name was pulled from the list for review. That happened the first time we were up for promotion and it took 8 long months to find out that he was ultimately not selected. It was a VERY long period in our lives and don't want to go through that again. If he is on "hold" then he'll have to finish his deployment in Afghanistan until we get the "final" results. We should find out any time if we are on this list or not.

For now, Jack is already working on talking to the people he needs to talk to get him home. We will officially be out of the Navy at the beginning of February, unless we find a job before then :)

Summer fun

We decided to do some impromptu slip-n-sliding at my sister's house yesterday. It was just pure summer fun! We started with them in their undies, and eventually they all ended up bare. It was quite fun for everyone!

My adorable nephew

This is my twin sister's little boy! He has the sweetest demeanor and is just precious! When Frankie and Roger took my kids for the day, I had the chance to focus on him for a bit without interruption. That doesn't happen enough with either of my sisters kids, but when it does, I truly enjoy it!

My fish

Tre was scared to go down the slide at first, but once he started he realized how much fun it was. I am still amazed at his swimming skills. He loves the water and is a fish!!

I have great friends...

It's been two months since Jack left and it's been fine, but the second month has dragged. I think it's because of all the unknowns right now. I would love to know about the results of the promotion board so that we would finally know if he's coming home or not. Maybe we'll find out this week.

Anyway, my best friend Frankie and her hubby Roger have two kiddies, John Parker (2) and Leona (7 months), so they have their hands full too. Regardless, they offered to take my kids to a birthday party for their nephew in Hammond (2 hours away) for the day. They left at 11 am and got back at 8:30 pm. The kids had an absolute blast on the giant water slide and are bound to sleep hard! She said William had no accidents and they didn't argue one bit. They were VERY well behaved and that made me one proud mamma!

I had the best day. I totally soaked in my "alone" time and enjoyed every second. I went to the City Club pool with my favorite magazines and twin sister and enjoyed conversation and relaxation. Then we decided to go shopping and I got two pair of sassy jeans. Later we took a wonderful nap, and then went to Becky and John's for a wonderful dinner. Tuna steak (hamburger for me since I don't like seafood), spinach, asparagus, mashed potatoes and wine! GLORIOUS!!!

Thank you Frankie and Roger. I love you guys so much and truly don't know what I would do without you. I am so thrilled that you guys moved to Lafayette and only wish you would follow us wherever we go!!! We are truly blessed to have friends like you!!