Hi - Update *long*

CantWait wrote: Hey there guys!!!!

Just thought I would take some time to update you. I'm on my HLTA (leave) right now. I got home Friday and have until the 10th at home.

The last three months overseas have been absolutely AMAZING. I don't think there is anyway to actually describe how much I love it over there. I actually wish I could stay longer. The people I'm meeting and becoming friends with are amazing. I started writting a journal with my experiences and notes on all the different nations I'm meeting up with. Ironically, the people I've become really close with here are American. They are the most relaxed bunch of people around, always wanting to talk.

Here's a few of my really good friends. They left about a month and a half ago, but they will be fondly missed.




Me and my best friend over there. This was just after a Toby Keith concert. We were both working and didn't get to see it, but the flag was still up so we thought it would be cool to get our picture in front of it.



Things are nowhere near as bad as I thought they would be in terms of the restrooms facilities, the food (although it does suck sometimes, and it does get old), or the living accomadations. There is almost always something to do. Salsa lessons and dance three times a week, kareokee, hip hop nights, and top 40's dance. Not to mention the nights we just sit on the patio or at Green Beans and sit and talk. I'm never in my tent, and I rarely have time to just sit and watch a movie. I'm very social here.

This is my house over there....



This is me working at Tim Horton's....



Ron is doing fabulous at home with the kids. He had a rough start near the beginning for the first few weeks, but he now sees and appreciates everything I did while he was away. We were rough for awhile, but being home has been awesome. He's been getting help (seeing a social worker) for a couple months now and she doesn't bs him.

The kids have been wonderful. Robbie has been helping dad out a lot. I didn't think he would miss me as much as he did, but he's doing good and emailing me lots. Anthony is doing good also, not taking it as bad as I thought he would, but leaving the second time is always harder then the first.

Leave has been wonderful so far. I haven't slept in a whole lot. Ron didn't really let me the first couple days (to help get over the jetlag). Now I'm getting up at a decent time on my own. The weekend we spent as a family, we went bowling, went out to eat a lot, went for walks, and went to the park. Next week will be busy when we go to Halifax, Peggy's Cove (Nova Scotia), and then go to the cabins again for a few days. It'll be good times, and we'll get to see a bit more of NB, and NS before our posting (that's a whole other paragraph).

Here's a couple pictures from the last couple days. I should also mention that I lost about 15 lbs over there so far and have come home to clothes that I haven't worn in forever finally fitting. It's great. (Sorry I keep forgetting to resize the pictures)









As for our posting. We are going to RUSSIA!!!!!!!!!! Ron has been posted to the Embassy in Moscow. HOLY COW!!! Honestly I don't even know what more to say to that. The kids will get to go to a private school, and we'll get travel money so we'll get to see the world. In general, it will be a great opportunity for the next three years. Ron will leave here the 14 of Aug. I will meet them there after my tour is finished. I won't end till the 28th of Aug. Our house is already sold, sold in one day to the first buyer, and we got our asking price. The floods that were happening here probably helped us out a lot because we got NO damage.

I don't know what more to say. I've babbled on forever now. I can post more pictures I'm sure if you want. Just let me know. Thanks if you made it to the end. I've missed PC like crazy and wish I had more time to check on everyone.

luvmykids replied: Great update! I'm so happy to hear things are better with Ron I thought you looked thin even before I read that you'd lost weight, way to go! I'm glad you're enjoying your time over there....and glad you got to find out us Americans aren't so bad after all

Congrats on the next posting too, when do you leave for that?

mckayleesmom replied: OMG...Marie you look so skinny. I need to go to a foriegn country...Im a picky eater...


I can't believe you guys are going to Russia....sounds interesting.

CantWait replied:
Opps I edited my post. I will finish my tour on the 28th, then go to Toronto hopefully for a few days and pick up my new passport and visa, and relax in a nice hotel and pamper myself before flying out on the third.

A&A'smommy replied: Girl you look fantastic!!!!! AWESOME pictures I'm glad everything is going so well and i'm SO glad to hear how happy you are!!!

BTW I had Autumn and I totally forgot to pm you

Our Lil' Family replied: Marie...it's so good to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so glad that things are going well with you and Ron...just from this post I can tell how well it's going. I also noticed that you lost weight...maybe I need to go meet you over there! RUSSIA??? Hmmm, not sure what to say about that but I'm sure it'll be exciting!

Check back every now and then before you go back, we miss you around here!

kimberley replied: aww, Marie, i am so incredibly happy for you! you look great and sound really happy

and omg... Russia AND a baby!! you go girl!!!!!!!!!!

lovemy2 replied: Wow Marie - great to hear from you and some great great news - sounds like things are going wonderfully and it all sounds so interesting - best of luck to you in Russia and I am so happy to hear all is so well for you

Boys r us replied: Marie..I got chills reading your post..AMAZING the turn of events your life has been through and is going through and will continue to go through over the next three years!!! and...OMG..YOU LOOK SMASHING!!!!! I could tell that you've lost weight the second I saw your hot self in the first pic!!!!! Seriously, you look great!!

We miss you around here, but you just keep on keeping on..you're doing good work!

Holy cow on the Russia thing..wow!

gr33n3y3z replied: Marie you LOOK GREAT wow
I'm so glad you made many new friends and are continuing to make more.
I'm so glad you have found yourself and Ron is doing his part and things are good there also.
The boys have grown so much
Keep up the great work that you do and please keep in touch
Miss you lots


Lets see more pics

redchief replied: First of all, Marie, it's great to hear from you!!! You look awesome. As was said before, I was quite surprised to hear such positive news from you and I'm so happy that you and Ron are doing well Congratulations to him, and thank you for the important and valuable service you're giving to your country and our own. I don't know if I would have the intestinal fortitude to go so far away. You're a great role model to not only your family, but for all of us! Thanks for updating us. You've been missed!

MoonMama replied: MARIE!

Its so nice to see an update from you. I'm glad your having such a wonderful experience. You look great girl!

Danalana replied: Marie, you look great! It sounds like things are great and definitely interesting...RUSSIA! I know you will have a great time. I LOVE traveling! I'm glad you were able to update

Teesa®© replied: Wow!! What a life! And I get excited when I get to volunteer at the Food Bank... it totally looks lame now compared to all the things you're doing!

You sure are an amazing woman!

mom21kid2dogs replied: Wow! What an amazing update, Marie!!! I think it's so interesting that going to a place completely out of your element made you a more outgoing person. I think she was in there all the time~she just needed the experience to bring her out!

I would LOVE to go to Russia! I'm so envious!! I want lots of pics!

Enjoy the rest of your leave, Ron & the boys. You ALL look great, BTW!

sparkys2boys replied: MARIE Hey girl, it's been forever

Wow, you sound so postive and upbeat! I think it's great that you are home with the boys and Ron for a visit! And so glad to hear that you and Ron are trying to work it all out! Good for you guys on not just giving up, like so many do.

And Russia.. WOWIE!! I can't imgaine it! Are the kids looking forward to it?

Keep in touch more would ya You have my facebook info.. for god's sake use it..lol Miss ya in here

Sarah&Mackenzie replied: Thanks for the update Marie!! You look great and congrats on everything that is going on in your life!

lisar replied: Its good to hear you are doing good. And Moscow WOW. I hear its pretty over there. And yes I would love to see more pics.

MommyToAshley replied: Oh gosh Marie-- you've been missed around here.

Thank you for the update -- I can just "hear" the excitement in your post. And, you look and sound amazing! I'm glad that things are going better with you and Ron. It sounds like he really wants to make things work, especially helping out around the house more and seeing the social worker. I know it was probably hard to be away from your family, but it sounds like this was a good thing in your life. And going to Moscow -- wow, how exciting!

CantWait replied:

Anthony doesn't really care as long as we're all together. He doesn't see him and Robbie and Ron as family without me. Robbie is looking forward to all the traveling we're going to be able to do. He is looking forward to seeing the Cremlin, and also the Leaning Tower of Piza.